To start the ball rolling, my current view is that more than has been the case, callers should be given similar numbers of calls over the weekend at State Conventions. Within this constraint callers should still be programmed to show them in the best light, and in so doing help the overall dance program. For example a poor caller would appear even worse if put with the callers that have the job of leaving the dancers on a high in the last bracket, similarly a great caller would be wasted if programmed only in minor daytime slots. Conventions, though, have their own special atmosphere. They provide an opportunity to meet dancers from all over, and an opportunity to dance to many and varied callers with differing styles and differing choreography.
Most conventions try to emphasise social events.
Most experienced dancers and callers that I have talked to over the years continue to attend conventions for after parties, meeting old friends, sorting out issues at meetings etc. When new dancers first go along to State and National Conventions, we are trying to introduce them to the bigger social picture of dancing so that they stay in our activity longer than one or two years. We need to make them feel both welcome and accepted. Dancers see their own callers as their leader, and look up to them. Even if a particular caller is poor in comparison to others, dancers coming to a convention for the first time are very disappointed if their own caller does not seem to get a similar amount of stage time as other callers.