Gary is right on target here but what has worked for him is nearly impossible to implement in my area. Yes, I do the pen handouts and the are very pleased with them. I tried the calendar gift 3 years ago with little to no improved results. I always get to my gigs at least 30 minutes early so it should be possible to sit with the AD discuss future bookings. However, when I get there the AD is usually busy getting the event setup and has no time for anything else. So, you would think you could catch them after the gig but then they are busy helping residents get back to their rooms and often are gone before I leave the building. The problem for them is they are being asked to do way to many tasks as part of their job and seldom have time for anything else. Another pain is the Corps that own these places are not allowing them to book out in the future - forcing them to book on a monthly basis. Of 82 places I play I have only 3 who book out more than 2 months at a time.

I know all this seems very negative on my part but it is reality and the way things are. I have dealt with it now for nearly 10 years and have seen little to no improvement in the situation. It is just one of the reasons we have such a heavy turnover rate among the ADs in our area.

Deane