07/06/2024
The truth...
All Country Conferences events are cancelled.
On June 13th I had a balance of $3000 with the City Of New Braunfels - Government for the upcoming NB PetFest that was scheduled on 7-13 and 7-14.
There were reasons I was struggling to pay the balance such as this event had more non profits and requests for free spaces than other events, more companies than usual could afford the table rates instead of booths and as we transferred from a one day outdoor (parking lot party) to a two day, indoor conference center we just have general struggles similar to a first time event. All normal happenings for a niche industry and we learn as we go, as we did with Kidsfest, Home & Garden, etc.
We went into the convention center leading up to the cancellation explaining what helped we needed to once again be turned around and denied. More details of all the years of denied assistance from the city will come out and the truth will be known. That is going to take time and legal assistance.
11 days following the due date and letting the city know I didn't have the funds, they provided 2 1/2 hours notice as shown in the screenshot. Our community lost all events in less than a few hours and if it was that vulnerable, we have a bigger problem here.
Since we had paid over $120K in venue fees, the $3K should not have been a deal breaker considering the millions and millions of commerce these events CREATE. We had made payment arrangements, under same threats of losing it all, but had always met those arrangements. The City of New Braunfels chose to handle it differently this time, when in fact, Petfest was the industry needing the most support, special accommodations and by far the most vulnerable of all of our industries. They needed an event the most in my opinion. Great things were to happen as a result.
You, the community, are the only ones that can change this. If you brought your family to any of the events, signed up for a booth, did a presentation or family was in a performance, all of you. Please tell the City Of New Braunfels - Government what your experience was like.
Events cancelled and forfeited:
NB Kidsfest
NB PetFest
NB Home and Garden Show
NB Sports and Outdoorsmen Show
Send the truth to the city about these events. Whatever it is - good or bad. Send them your outcomes, photos, videos and memories. For some kiddos they were born and graduated during all our years at kidsfest and that is pretty cool. There is a good chance, if you thought there could be improvements in any regard at the events, we were fighting for it behind the scenes and your testimony will show we listened and advocated for it. They will be able to listen to you and match the community feedback to the many, many, many requests we sent for help.
Emails to send to:
[email protected]
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
We want to thank the community for 12 amazing years and as we go into this next journey, these events are yours to reclaim and they should be returned to the community.
The truth will come to light. Please be patient as you feel missing pieces in all this and you are correct. With time, you will know and understand the truth.
Regarding refunds, we are asking the city to provide those and if I have it my way, it will be for any event you ever participated at. We will be in touch on Monday with anyone due a refund to inform of next steps and what you should expect as we feel expediating these are the number one priority at this time and we won't be waiting on the city to start those.
We have heard from so many of you and how you prepared for NB PetFest. Please hold tight as the event you all deserved will happen but it's only fair to refund you in the meantime. It's your event - this community's and we want you to have it back.
