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Commissioner Wise agreed the convention is important for the HRA and a presence is important, <br />but HRA should scale back the cost. <br />Commissioner Tossey stated the City should save the money and not attend. <br />Commissioner Backous stated attending the convention is worthwhile but if the expense <br />schedule on meals and entertainment gets out to the public, it would be a hard sell. <br />Development Manager Lazan replied the per diem is based on the past two year's expenses and <br />could be cut back. <br />Commissioner Backous stated the expenses need to be cut back because they seem high. <br />Chairperson McGlone stated this is a long -term investment and he favors being as frugal as <br />possible. He suggested not having a booth and sending more people to cover the floor. <br />Commissioner Backous asked if the conference allows people to attend and not have a booth. <br />Development Manager Lazan replied about 15% of the companies have booths, others just send <br />staff. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated the first year, the HRA shared a booth with Buxton. <br />Development Manager Lazan stated the booth size would be 20 x 10 and the HRA had <br />approached Osborne about sharing a booth. <br />Commissioner Elvig felt the last budget to cut is marketing. He agreed with cutting back <br />expenses, but not cutting booth space because it may look cheap. He believed having a booth is <br />critical, noting the HRA already has the marketing materials. He does not agree with partnering <br />with Osborne. <br />Development Manager Lazan stated the booth rental is $1,800. <br />Chairperson McGlone asked about attendees sharing rooms. <br />Commissioner Elvig stated last year's room cost was $49. <br />Chairperson McGlone stated he would advocate for more personnel attending. <br />Commissioner Wise stated image is what attracts people and it would be foolish not to go. <br />Commissioner Elvig stated it would be beneficial to have a couple more booths. <br />Commissioner Wise stated last year was his first year attending. He suggested Commissioner <br />Tossey attend the convention. <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / February 21, 2012 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />