[TheForge] ABANA is NOT dead...

[Carlton McKenney]

And if you look at the county fair grounds of counties immediately 
around a large metro area they are usually cheaper, fairly large and 
close enough to keep the "civilized" amenities available for those 
that can't live without.  If you keep to within an hours drive of the 
city then you can draw on the metro area for day crowds.

At 22:28 2/22/2007, you wrote:
>Man jerry I never thought of a fair grounds this really is a good Idea there
>are several in every state
>Dan Scheid
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jerry Frost
>Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:58 PM
>To: Sponsored by ABANA
>Subject: Re: [TheForge] ABANA is NOT dead...
>
>
>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/
>
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Carlton

I am the evil companion that your mother always warned you about.