Post-Convention FAQ's...

Below is a list of a few questions from the surveys YOU filled out with the questions you have regarding the convention. SHEM reads EVERY one of the surveys. Those with helpful criticism are especially valuable and are taken into consideration each year. We hope you had an amazing time at the convention. SHEM is already planning the 2011 convention with great excitement.

Q. Does SHEM profit from the convention?
A. In short, No! SHEM is a non-profit organization. The expenses that are incurred, such as the Expo Center, Speakers, Pipe & Drape, etc. are solely covered by your registration and attending exhibitors. Conventions who pay their staff have a much higher attendee entrance rate.

Q. Are the board members paid staff?
A. Both board members and convention helpers are completely volunteer. The convention is a labor of love for those on the board. It takes over 10 months of hard labor and planning to make the convention happen. They simply desire to make certain SWMO homeschoolers retain their rights to homeschool and have an opportunity to hear great speakers and purchase amazing curriculum.

Q. I have a certain speaker I would really like to hear. Can you invite him/her?
A. SHEM has an on-going list of speakers. They are all taken into consideration. They are chosen dependant on availability and fees. Some speakers book out 2 years in advance. However, the Expo Center will not allow us to plan that far ahead. If that option becomes available in the future, our speaker requests will open up. We attempt to not have the same speaker two years in a row. In doing this, each year feels new.

Q. Can you book out the Expo to avoid others from coming in?
A. We realize this is an uncomfortable part of the convention. The Expo has the right to book whomever they choose. The expense has forbidden us to take all of the space thus far. However, due to the interest in the Teen Track, we are looking at taking out another section of the Expo which should decrease the option for others to use the hall.

Q. I wanted to join the Teen Track but couldn't get in. Will this be different next year?
A. When SHEM decided to look at the option of the Teen Track, there was no way to know about the extent of the interest. Since there is an OBVIOUS interest and need, there will be MANY changes next year. We are currently looking at an additional room to house BOTH parents and teens. We are VERY excited that we will be able to make this portion of the convention even greater.

A special thank you to the volunteers for their COUNTLESS hours given up to help make the 2010 convention possible. You are truly amazing. A VERY special thank you to the pages as well. You are TOP NOTCH. We know this because the exhibitors have told us so. SHEM pages are the best in the region. Keep up the good work!