By Carolyn Chin
Voices

Registration at this year’s AAJA Convention is at its lowest point this decade, a drop that meant AAJA had to pay out up to $30,000 because convention-goers didn’t reserve enough hotel rooms.

Six hundred and twenty-three people were registered to attend the conference as of Tuesday. Another 50 to 75 others are expected to register on site, according to Antonio M. Salas, AAJA membership and chapter development manager.

The registration figure represents more than a one-third drop from the Miami convention in 2007 (968) and the Hawaii convention in 2006 (952). Registration topped 1,000 in the three preceding years.

“Unfortunately, the downturn in the economy and the dramatic changes in the media industry were not something AAJA was able to anticipate so far in advance,” said Janice Lee, deputy executive director.

AAJA had to pay the Westin Boston Waterfront, the convention’s overflow hotel, because it couldn’t fulfill its contract to fill a number of rooms. The governing board authorized the national staff in July to pay up to $30,000 to get out of the contract.

But while the convention accounts for a majority of the annual revenues for AAJA, Maya Blackmun, interim executive director, says she is confident that AAJA’s finances remain strong.

“AAJA is in a strong position despite the challenging times,” Blackmun said. “They’ve really kept a keen eye on annual spending and those types of efforts.

“It’s not like it was five years ago. But still, we have a strong platform to work from.”

The dropoff hasn’t dampened AAJA leadership’s enthusiasm or expectations.

“I think it’s a great turnout considering all the changes that are going on in the industry right now,” said Sharon Chan, AAJA president. “It just shows that our members want innovative training.”