Are you kidding? $1500 probably barely covers their expenses. It might not be the best way to raise money, but it's hard to begrudge the organizers for charging such a nominal amount.
Besides, if anyone with $1500 can pitch I'm sure the quality of the companies is poor. Jason is spot on with his crusade against this BS.
2. We started getting 2-4 lawyers, accountants, etc. to pay $1,500 to come to the event. Each event cost $2-5k to run.. so this made the events breakeven.
3. WE just got two $50,000 a YEAR national partners (sponsors), and that has helped us hire a General Manager that starts on May 1st. IT will help us get to 10 cities in 2010. Up next: Boston, Seattle, Austin, DC, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv and London (five of those).
Also, have you ever actually hosted a conference? Getting this many people in a room is a full time job that takes months, in addition to monetary costs. The idea that other people should be obligated to work for you for free is ridiculous.
What a bunch of nonsense! is this Jason CalicANUS?
when I started Silicon alley Reporter I could barely afford to print the first issue (which was about $2k).
any pay barrier sucks