Bob,

I was pretty close with Whil Hentzen when he put on his first couple conferences and can attest to everything you say. The gouging detail that sticks in my mind is he was charged $2.50 for each bottle of soda at the twice-daily breaks. (The shrimpy little bottles, too; I don't think they are even sold at the retail level). Putting on a conference takes an enormous amount of effort, planning, and money. You sure as heck don't do it for the money. You do it out of passion. So keep on keeping on, buddy, and don't let the peanut gallery get you down. Just remind yourself there is a vast difference between those who do and those who sit in the bleachers and make comments.

Mike