wfn.org | Reduced Attendance Won't Stop Presbyterian Youth Event

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

20-December-1999 
99430 
 
    Reduced Attendance Won't Stop Presbyterian Youth Event 
 
    2,000 registered, 5,000 expected to ring in 
    the millennium in Indianapolis 
 
    by Gary Luhr 
    Associate Director for Communication 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Although attendance will be lower than expected at an 
upcoming national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) conference for youth and 
young adults, organizers say those who do attend will experience an 
extraordinary event. 
 
    Fear related to Y2K appears to be the main reason registration is well 
below expectations for the event known as the "The Dawn ... an Epiphany," 
scheduled for Dec. 28, 1999-Jan. 1, 2000, in Indianapolis. 
 
    "It appears that a lot of people have chosen not to come because they 
fear problems that could result if computers malfunction as the world 
enters a new millennium on January 1," said the Rev. Rodger Nishioka, one 
of the event planners. "I'm sure a lot more kids wanted to come, but 
parents and churches decided not to risk having their young people away 
from home at that time." 
 
    Planners had predicted initially that the event might attract as many 
as 30,000 people. Two weeks from the start, however, registration totaled 
about 1,650. Plans to hold the event at two locations - the RCA Dome and 
Convention Center and the Indiana State Fairgrounds - have been scaled back 
so that everything will now take place at the Dome. As a result, projected 
costs also have been scaled back. 
 
    "Our original budget of $2.2 million was based on a conservative 
attendance of 15,000," Nishioka said. "That seemed entirely realistic, 
based on the fact that every three years nearly 7,000 young people attend 
the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. Another 2,000 had to be turned away from 
that event last year for lack of space. In addition, more than 8,000 people 
attend our annual youth conferences at Montreat, N.C." 
 
    The success of these and other youth events has generated sufficient 
reserves to cover whatever "The Dawn" winds up costing, Nishioka said. With 
greatly reduced rental costs and elimination of the need for shuttle buses 
to transport people between the two venues, the final cost will be well 
below the original estimate, he said. 
 
    "Indianapolis has been great," Nishioka added. "The hospitality of the 
city and the churches there has been outstanding. We share their 
disappointment that the event won't be of the scale originally envisioned. 
At the same time, our experience is consistent with what other event 
planners and people in the hospitality industry are discovering - people, 
for any number of reasons, are choosing to spend this New Year's Eve at 
home with their families." 
 
    Nishioka emphasized that the event will still be a memorable experience 
because of the involvement of exciting preachers, conference leaders and 
entertainers for three evening concerts: Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith and 
Steven Curtis Chapman, and Kirk Franklin and the Nu Nation Chorus. 
 
    Conference planners have promoted the event throughout the Indianapolis 
area and in other cities within driving distance, encouraging people to 
take advantage of one-day registration rates that cover all events, 
including the concerts. 
 
    "It's been a tough experience but a good journey," Nishioka said. "It 
reminds all of us that ministry is about being faithful and, at times, 
taking risks. Ultimately the Lord's grace is enough to sustain us all." 
 
    For more information, call Rodger Nishioka at (502) 569-5448. 

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