PPFA attendees would certainly benefit more, hearing someone who has actual knowledge and experience about a subject being taught, rather than someone with no relevant credentials, who read a book about something and then decided they could make money teaching a seminar about it.
Couldn't agree more. That is why the Education Committee works hard to vet those who do teach classes for them. I would, however, add that
just because one knows the subject well does not mean that they are an effective "teacher/educator." I would say that there is much more to teaching/presenting a class than getting up in front of a group of people and talking. There have been some really
bad classes because even though the speaker was knowledgeable, they could not effectively present a compelling class on the subject.
There are plenty of insurance professionals, industrial safety engineers and OSHA inspectors who would be happy to share their knowledge, and be able to actually answer the questions that are sure to follow.
If this is a thinly veiled dig at me, Paul- you missed the mark.
For the insurance class, I would venture that after 32 years of running a business with multiple locations, working on high value items, and transporting and installing art - and requiring insurance for all aspects of that business, plus the unfortunate necessity of filing claims for several of those aspects......and having researched insurance and communicated with CAPAX for years I might know enough about insurance to be an effective presenter.
I didn't ask to teach the class, CAPAX came to me and asked if I could develop a program for them WHICH I DID AND THEY "TWEAKED". They also hired me as a
presenter because they felt that I could effectively deliver their message and I have a industry presence that could lend credibility to their efforts. Apparently I have done a good enough job that they have hired me for the past three years to give the presentation,
with insurance experts on hand to handle the questions and answers. Evaluations have been positive but it is up to them to determine who to hire next year (or if they will continue to offer the class).
Pat Kotnour is an expert at mounting, and she's got a track record as an innovative and successful business person. She's also experienced in her subject area, and has a finger on the pulse of the industry. Does she have an affiliation with a product and company? Yes, that's what gives her the right to be considered an expert. And she'll certainly disclose her affillation to her audience so her potential bias, if any, will be out in the open. But it's this experience that also make her a credible expert, in posession of unique knowledge and insight.
None of this is in dispute. This thread was going along fine until post #23 when Pat said, "My question is, who decides what classes PPFA or the WCAF show has and why are they not giving the people what they want?"
So Jim and I attempted to factually answer the question
based on the criteria currently at hand. We do not make the rules and have given the names and contact information of those that do. Yet we are lambasted for sharing the guidelines that we must also conform to?
I don't want to hear a plumber teach gilding. Nor do I want that plumber selected to speak because he doesn't have a favorite brand of burnisher or glue. Let's give the audience credit for having some intelligence too. They'll decide for themself, what's objective and what is biased.
Serious question for you, Paul - have you ever taken a gilding class at the WCAF or from the PPFA?
When the PPFA did have a gilding class, to the best of my knowledge it was taught by the late Don Berkman - a framer who made his living framing pictures. He was not a gold leaf supplier, nor did he sell the materials he used to demonstrate with. And,
EVEN IF HE HAD A FAVORITE BRAND of burnisher, he was precluded from saying which brand he preferred. (until after the class in a "framer to framer" setting and NOT AS AN INSTRUCTOR.)
The gilding classes at the WCAF are taught by Marty Horowitz and Yozo Suzuki. Both of them make their living producing frames. The class is about the
process of gilding, not an advotorial for their respective businesses. Marty is most likely given some leeway with his "brand preferences" because he is demonstrating a process whose results/formulas may not be reproducible if using an alternative brand or material. Marty even says that if one is having difficulty achieving the same results, don't call him to ask what went wrong if one attempts substitutions. But Marty and Yozo have no financial gain from naming the brands.
Trying to throw a road block in front of Pat's attempts to get speaking assignments.............
Once again, I have no control over who teaches or the policies that
exist. Pat asked, "why" and I (albiet foolishly) attempted to explain - and even made suggestions as to who/how she (or anyone else) could contact or get involved to change/question/complain about the existing policies or could become a committee member to influence the course curriculum.
I would LOVE to see Pat teach a class and I have already said that I would not only attend, but send my staff to take her classes as well. I use her products in my business and am always interested to see what's new at her booth. But, Pat needs to follow the same guidelines as ALL THE OTHER SUPPLIERS who have a proprietary interest in the subjects they teach.
There are also different "rules" (none of which I made or have any control over) for the WCAF (a "for profit" organization) and the PPFA (non-profit organization).
Pat raised the point, "PPFA chapters all over the country bring me in to teach and I was recognized for my Innovation by them this year, but I am still not asked to teach at the main event."
A vaild point- and one that, unfortunately may trigger scrutiny from the National Office (and NOT due to motivation from ME.)
I would conjecture that the Chapters may be financially unable to have speakers on a regular basis who fit the "National Guidelines" and would welcome a presentation for a specific product by the company that has a vested interest in the product. However, the "stakes" are very different. Often the venue is at a supplier's warehouse, or a member shop - with little to no cost to the chapter for holding the event - and, attendees can decide whether or not they want to attend the event. My chapter also had various supplier members donate food and/or door prizes to the event to encourage attendance. There is rarely a requirement to "sell" tickets and the administrative aspects of the event are performed by volunteers.
The Convention has completely different costs. As Jim Miller already posted, even if Pat volunteered her time to teach the class, and did not want to charge anything - there is a cost to the PPFA for holding the class, including; publicity, tickets, the room fee, AV, etc. How could PPFA
fairly offer the class to someone who has admitted that "she is the product" and whose company would surely benefit from the increased sales that such a class might produce without offering the same to all supplier members?
Yes, Pat has "given" to this industry. Absolutely, without question. So have many other vendors and I dare say many have financially supported the PPFA with larger "giving" than Pat. Why shouldn't they also get a "free" class?
Paul, I don't understand your hostility and continued potshots taken at me. Were you at WACF/PPFA this year? Were you in any of my classes?
I remember that you
used to write for PFM and also teach at the WACF but now you do neither? Why is that?
Could that be a source of your anger at those who do?