Running a convention is not rocket science. History does repeat itself. Many states have severely curtailed smoking areas over the last ten years, but not all. It helps, if possible, for the convention to take a large number of rooms in that area, then rent them out to committee members. While small cons can get away with notebooks, etc., databases can really help you manage data.
Spreadsheets can also be helpful to manage gopher hours and rental equipment.
It may not match the amount the sender claimed. Publicity always submit an entry for the local calendars create an informational Web page, preferably one that does not change from year to year. Registration badge type for name and city must be legible at a distance - 18pt type, narrow, bold is best. No city or state in America can run a Worlcon without non-local help. There are lots of jobs in a Worldcon.