Have noticed over the past year that in general regional club's specialty numbers are down quite a bit. Has anyone ever considered clustering some regionals that are reasonably close? Or clubs having their specialties every other year so that when they do hold a show, there would be more bodies on the ground for each show but only one year of show expenses?

Just thinking that we need to come up with some ideas so that our wonderful local clubs don't disappear.

There are too many specialties now and not enough money. People really have to pick and choose to decide where to go and spend there money.
If clubs in close proximity would do every other year the entries should be bigger.When we had our huge specialties there were fewer to go to.
If you cluster them there is the money issue. No one will enter as many as they usually would as writing those entry checks doubled is hard to do.
The clubs could have a big funday match or other event on the off year to try to generate some income for the club and fun for the members.
It would be nice to see specialties "special" again to go and see many dogs and friends old and new.
I think there were three specialties the same time as Mid Jersey. In the past it would draw people from those other areas to make it one of our biggest specialties. The breed is helped more by seeing many dogs from different areas that you dont usually see than having a fairly local show with dogs you can see every weekend

Having a huge fun match on off years is a wonderful idea. That could help generate income without the big checkbook outlay for club or participant. There could be special events such as retrieving demos/lessons.....it could be a mini canine learning experience with conformation, obedience and activities. If people volunteered their time, expenses could be kept to a minimum and clubs could get out of the red.