The Society seems to be morphing into an organisation that at every point of contact endeavours to generate revenue from the rank and file. There has always been an undercurrent ( it is essentially a classic American MLM business after all ) but now it just seems increasingly shameless. Frankly , I'd be embarrassed if I was still in.
The conventions are now basically simply a revenue generating exercise ( 2 million hotel rooms x 3 nights x $30 commission per night = $180 million annual income plus all the kickbacks from the host cities ) to which can be added the hotel commission from the international conventions with the lucky "delegates" in their week long accommodation.
No doubt at the AGM there will be some sort of announcement to encourage donations , such as encouragement to "show our appreciation" and "offset the costs" of the local kingdom hall or assembly hall hosting the video presentations.