How Close to Christmas is Too Close?

Rumblings of dissatisfaction were heard in the corridors and coffee shops of the Waldorf this past December with regard to the time of the Fall Meeting. At the Executive Council Meeting, Arthur Ourieff of the Los Angeles Society voiced that society's strong objection to the meeting dates. The members of the Los Angeles Society and Institute had voted to express their displeasure. Members of other Western societies had been contacted by Los Angeles and their feelings were similar.

The time of the meeting was felt to be “unanalytic” in that it increased the duration of the separation from patients. The meetings interfered with family holidays. Transportation to New York was excessively expensive and difficult to arrange so near to Christmas. The members of the Los Angeles Society strongly urged that the dates be changed, even if that meant leaving the Waldorf and/or New York City. Many of their members, who might otherwise have attended, did not come because the time was so close to Christmas. [A letter from Arthur Ourieff and Seymour Bird on behalf of the Los Angeles Society and Institute on this subject appears on p. 2 of this issue of the Newsletter. —Ed.]

Mervin Hurwitz, the outgoing Chairman of the Arrangements Committee, noted that this year he received the largest number ever of written complaints. That number, however, was only eight. This year, a slightly larger than usual number of people attended the meetings (one thousand Active Members and one thousand Affiliate and Associate Members and guests). Notwithstanding these facts, the statements of dissatisfaction heard in casual conversation were intense.

Generally, arrangements are made four or five years in advance. Room rates are negotiable. For example, a single room (this year $95-$115) might have been $15-$20 more expensive at a more desirable time. If the Association occupies a certain minimum number of rooms, the meeting rooms are made available without charge. Usually, there is no problem filling the requisite number of rooms. It is not clear that hotels other than the Waldorf will provide free meeting rooms, particularly at more desirable times. It is also not clear what the view of the membership would be about the Association's having to pay for meeting rooms. At present there are the following signed contacts:

Muriel Laskin, the new chairperson of the Arrangements Committee, states that the committee has been aware of and concerned about the various and at times conflicting needs of those attending the Fall and Annual Meetings, and is trying to reconcile their needs. The committee is exploring the possibility of having the meeting at other hotels in New York City (the Hilton, Sheraton Center, Marriott, and Hyatt). Dr. Hurwitz believes that the facilities at these hotels are not as good as those at the Waldorf. There may not be enough meeting rooms and some of the meeting rooms may have folding partitions rather than solid walls.

Following are selected, representative statements gathered in discussions of the time of the Fall Meeting with members of the Arrangements Committee, the Central Office, and many other colleagues. “Members will not be willing to pay higher room rates!” “The American is not willing to pay for meeting rooms.” “If the American has to pay for meeting rooms it will increase registration fees.” “Hotels other than the Waldorf do not have as many or as good meeting rooms.” “We are used to dealing with the Waldorf; they know what we like.” “People like to come to New York just before Christmas and bring their families and shop.” “Older analysts would not want to be at a hotel like the Hilton.” “People from outside New York would not want to go to a hotel on the west side.” “Dates very much earlier or later would be difficult for people with academic appointments.”

On the other side, “People do not want to be away from home before Christmas.” “It is particularly hard to leave patients, often for as long as two weeks at this difficult time of year.” “People want to see their college age children who return home while the meetings are in progress.” “Other hotels would be less expensive than the Waldorf.” “The dates are arranged for the convenience of New Yorkers and Northeasterners.” “Transportation is most expensive and difficult to obtain so near to Christmas.” “Many people do not attend —or attend for a shorter time—because of the dates of the meetings.”

What becomes clear is that there is actually no consensus — or that if there is one, no one knows what it is. Each person queried spoke not only for him or herself but for “the membership.” An accurate view of the wishes of the membership will help in making a decision about future meetings. This article, therefore, closes with a brief questionnaire. Please! Fill it in and mail it to the Central Office of the Association.