[NEohioPAL]request info about "Best New Talent Awards"

[Ritaklin at aol.com]

I took my 14 yr old son to an audition yesterday and call back today at the 
Airport Marriot for an organization called Best New Talent. The notification 
came through this list and I am wondering if anyone knows anything or has any 
thoughts about the organization.

At the callback, they invited my son  and some others, though not all by any 
means,  to come to their three day showcase/competition in November in Los 
Angeles, for a fee, of course. The fee starts at $450 and goes up based on 
the number of categories the participant is accepted for. In addition, 
participants and their parents pay their own expenses. 

The event includes instructional seminars as well as competitions and 
apparently has agents, casting directors,  record producers, etc. as judges 
who also scout for their own organizations. The owners tout this as being a 
great opportunity to be seen and heard by lots of LA talent scouts, etc., but 
I am skeptical. 

I'm just wondering if anyone has any  thoughts about this type of "showcase" 
and/or  has any reaction to this kind of event. 

Thank you all for your input!
Rita