[TheForge] ABANA is NOT dead...

[Jerry Frost]

From: "Saint Phlip" <phlip at 99main.com>


> On 2/22/07, dann at wctatel.net <dann at wctatel.net> 
> wrote:
>>
>> Phlip,
>>
>> I think Dave Mudge is a stand up guy for being 
>> willing to take on the
>> sometimes caustic banter from this list.
>
> I agree. And, I know on a GOOD day, my comments can 
> blister paint ;-)
>

right on the money. Both statements. <grin>

>
> But I'm going to give them a chance. Wanna help?
>
> Meantime, I've been crunching some numbers, and 
> getting some
> estimates, and I'm betting, if they let me, I could 
> put on a
> conference for no more than $150 per attendee, and 
> likely less. It
> would include free camping, although if you want a 
> motel room, you'd
> be on your own, and would likely include a community 
> cook out. I'm
> sure I could reserve blocks of rooms at motels nearby 
> for a discount
> for ABANA members- we (the SCA) have done this sort 
> of thing before.
> But, I think I could get all the basics set up and 
> included, and have
> luxuries readily available. More numbers I've been 
> gewtting, the
> better it looks.
>
> Hey, all I can do is try...
>
> -- 
> Saint Phlip
>


Group discounts are pretty easy to get if you can get a 
few people to use the services. Before the 2005 
Artmetal Shindig Deb and I called a number of h/motels 
in Madison and all we had to do was mention we were a 
group and THEY started offering discounts. From the 
reaction I think we might even get h/motels bidding for 
the business.

It's the same with food and other services. The Alaska 
State Fair in Palmer, sees half a million people 
(almost more than live in the state all together) and 
it tends to be pretty profitable. The only things the 
fair pays for are the basics like: sanitation, temp 
personel, utilities, paid public performances, 
insurance, etc. Everything else, EVERYTHING pays the 
fair, or at minimum pays it's own way.

The big name concerts (analagous to big name 
demonstrators) are pay at the gate and pay their own 
way plus a % to the fair.

In off season the fair grounds are for rent in part or 
whole to all comers. (within reason of course) Heck, 
they rent space in the parking areas as no utility RV 
parking.

There are permanent food vendors and services that will 
happily open their doors if enough people are going to 
show up. Then there are the vendors with permanent 
spaces who will happily show for a large enough gate.

Heck if it's a big enough event the carnival will set 
up AND the Alaska RailRoad will put their commuter cars 
in service for the run from Anchorage accomidations to 
the fair grounds.

The livestock barn is nearly 200' wide and half again 
as long, constructed of concrete block and steel so 
there is little concern for fire danger. Attached to 
the main barn is the small stock exibit area, neatly 
partitioned in concrete block with plenty of headroom 
to set up power hammers and the like. The fair has 
bleachers available for many K people. There are at 
least three other large buildings that would be 
suitable for vendors, demos and spousal attractions.

Lastly, the Palmer fair grounds has a staff with 
decades of experience coordinating large events and all 
the logistics involved, including bringing people from 
other continents.

I'm not making a bid for a national conference at the 
Palmer fair grounds but. . . I'll bet the gate fee 
would be less, the facilities, food and services better 
simply because the whole facility is geared to 
conferences, shows, etc. AND it's free market.(mostly)

Mi dos centavos.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/