Supporting Your Homeschool Conferences

As our annual state homeschool conference approaches, I am reminded of a post I've been wanting to write for awhile. 

Homeschool conferences can be invaluable for many reasons. I find that I come away with a renewed passion, encouraged and strengthened. There is something about being in a place full of energy with like-minded people who share goals, visions and purposes. I love to listen to recordings and watch DVDs of workshops, but there's nothing quite like being there in person, sharing the experience with others. And you often get the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers. 

Me with one of my "heroes of the faith" Pastor Voddie Baucham

Also, there is nothing like getting to see potential curriculum and materials in person, look through them, compare them. You can read reviews, you can ask friends, but the real way to know if something will work for you and your family is prayer, and seeing the materials first hand.  There is a plethora of materials available to us these days and it can be an overwhelming task to choose a curriculum for your family. Being able to see the materials in person can save us a lot of money that we would otherwise spend on curriculum that once we get it in our hands, we find just won't work for us. Plus, there is the advantage of being able to ask questions of the vendors, who are usually very happy to help you, explain things to you. These things are such a blessing to homeschool parents. 

Our youngest two children setting up and doing inventory.

My family and I represent a wonderful company at one of our state homeschool conferences each year and I know they make their materials available at a great cost to themselves. I have been a vendor, a volunteer and a speaker at multiple conferences for over 10 years we have seen a lot of vendors come and go and seen sales rise and fall. But one trend that we are seeing that really concerns us is the trend of people coming to the conference to look at the different materials and compare, but then going home and looking online to find the cheapest place to buy the curriculum and materials they want. 

Our younger son ready to assist homeschoolers at last year's conference.

I know things are tight and we all need to save where we can, but this practice is really hurting the vendors. We have seen quite a few vendors who have had to stop doing conferences because of this. This hurts us as attendees, because we no longer have access to their materials or to their representatives to ask questions. It also hurts us because if the conference isn't getting the revenue from vendors, they will be forced to either raise registration fees, offer less workshops, or close their doors. 

I want to encourage you to please support these vendors who go to great lengths and expense to attend these events. I am fully aware that not everyone can buy from the vendors at conferences, for some it is all they can do to pay their registration. If that is you, please don't feel guilty about it, this post is not aimed at you. I have been in that place as well. I am speaking to those who can manage to spend the few extra dollars it takes to support the vendors who go to great expense to be there to support us. Because if we continue the practice of shopping elsewhere to save a dollar or two here and there, we will lose the vendors, and if we lose the vendors we will lose the conferences. So, please, as you attend your homeschool conference this year, remember to support the vendors as much as you are able. 

God Bless,

Colleen