duel in the desert

[sanadika]

I have been told that there will be no duel in the desert next year .I have not been able to find out why.Does any one know?

[edew]

There is no guarantee that there is no Duel next year. This past year, Evan lost $8K out of his pocket. He doesn't feel that that is a productive use of his time and effort, nor a viable long-term plan.

However, there are people within the fencing community who are considering what they can do to help put up some money which won't exactly guarantee a net profit for Evan, but at least a comforting thought that the finances won't blow a hole in his family's fortunes.

The longer this consideration remains a consideration, the more likely that the Duel won't be held next year or any other year after. If and when some external assistance, say a sponsorship or such, is offered, Evan will be more than happy to lead the organization effort.

[Inquartata]

Wow, 8 grand? Where does all the money go? The venue? Seems like the fees charged ought to be enough to cover costs...

[edew]

That's what I thought. It's either $6K or $8K. But neither is nice to be stuck with. Part of the problem (and he's arguing with the hotel on it) is that several of you who attended called up the hotel and made reservations without using the "Duel In The Desert" code, so your reservation and stay wasn't noted as part of the DitD, so he got dinged for not meeting room-nights. Considering that room-nights run about $100/night, 20 mis-coded room nights would run him $2000 plus penalties if there were any.

The normal negotiation trick is to underestimate the number of those who will stay. But unfortuntately, he had to go with a high number in order to get the place. Or something like that.

(I spoke with Evan at the Sacramento NAC. I'm one of several who are contemplating possible actions to help him out to make it happen, if not for this year, for future years.)

[Jvanhousen]

so he got dinged for not meeting room-nights.

I tried to make reservations at the venue hotel several days before the event and was told there were no more rooms from the DID block available. They dinged us for a higher price, gave us a crappy, noisy room.

[Dr. Pfleschbach]

I tried to make reservations at the venue hotel several days before the event and was told there were no more rooms from the DID block available. They dinged us for a higher price, gave us a crappy, noisy room.

Sounds like the Riviera found a way to kill two birds with one stone. But, in the Riviera's defense, the deal was that the rooms had to be booked at least a month in advance. Otherwise the rooms would be released so the hotel/casino could book them with all the gamblers coming to Vegas for Superbowl weekend.

[Redblade]

Don't feel too bad, Dr. P -- I booked my room ridiculously early (with credit to the event) and still got crappy space.

[Timacheff]

We need to collectively begin a "Save Duel in the Desert" campaign that creatively looks at ways to keep it alive. It's a great event from many perspectives. I suspect, however, that it will require some changes that won't be comfortable or pleasant, but hopefully they will ensure it keeps many fencers coming to Las Vegas for a unique, fun, and challenging tournament for years to come.

Ideas? Suggestions? What can we do to help Evan?

[darius]

Reprint and sell those blue flamingo long-sleeve Ts from 2005? I'd buy several more! I'd also donate a meager amount to a "Save DITD" fund, though.

Is there any way that DITD could be held at another, less-peak time where costs might be more easily controlled? Apparently, having an event during SB weekend in Vegas may not be the best idea.

Did previous events break even/make money? I enjoyed attending the Duel at the Flamingo. However, I seem to recall some folks staying at hotels on the Strip instead of the host hotel this year; it seems like the Strip is a better location.

darius

[edew]

It's usually held in early January, away from Super Bowl weekend (which is when the Hawaii Open is held, and I kinda like going to Hawaii to get away from the SuperBowl mish-mash).

There are several folks contemplating ways to save DitD.

[Inquartata]

Let us know if there's anything we can do to help.

I and most of the people from my club stayed at the Circus Circus rather than the Riviera, because the reservations operator was hard-assed about some of their odder policies* and the supervisor I spoke to was worse, and curt into the bargain.

*Like not letting me specify that people arriving before I did could get into the rooms booked on my credit card without paying themselves. I've never encountered this policy anywhere outside of Las Vegas casinos. ( The Circus Circus also had it, but was flexible and more pleasant, and we were able to work out an alternative. The Riv people just ket saying "That's our policy". )

[KD5MDK]

So it sounds like one thing that would help is being clearer with the fencers registering about how important staying at the host hotel is if at all possible. I know lots of events which have this problem.

[Redblade]

Good point, K. I don't think I've ever heard an explanation of how block reservations work and why it's important for the event organizers. Could make a big difference not only for this event but many others as well.

[Timacheff]

Our club administrator has a "day job" of running corporate travel for Costco. I'll ask her opininion. She knows how things like block reservations work.

[edew]

I wasn't at this year's DitD, but according to Evan, he rented the strips from USFA. The heavy metal ones, not the rolled up copper strips. All he paid was the shipping and that was no cheapie either.

The main thing was that in prior years, the LVFF made up the difference in losses. This year, that didn't exist so the loss came out of his pocket.

Here's step one:

Create a special 501(c)(3) organization, called the "Friends of Fencing Competitions." This organization will solicit funds from people and also solicit requests from prospective tournament host organizers. Funds go in, funds go out. The organization will have some fiscal and tournament organization oversight of the planned event so that fly-by-night operators aren't gonig to milk the funds due to poor planning and excessive expenses.

This organization can also offer hosting advice and hook together contacts and networking for those who have something can provide it to those who need that same something (like strips or scoring machines or whatever).

And in time, events blessed by the FFC will signify a good tournament to attend, regardless of whether there's money supplied.

Step two:

Make it a for-profit entity.

[nyacfencing]

I flew in from NYC for it this year (my first time in attendance). It was really a great event and was well run... would be a shame not to be able to come back.

I stayed at Circus Circus because I didn't realize they had a minimum number of rooms to fill... If I had known I would have been more than happy to stay at the Riviera.

[oiuyt]

I flew in from Philadelphia (also my first time attending). Didn't stay anywhere -- I flew in that morning, fenced, flew home overnight. Had practice the evening before and dual meets the day after.

IIRC there was something sent around to registered participants asking them to make sure to tell the Rivieria that they were with DitD because there were known issues already with the minimums being met. I seem to recall seeing that, I'd imagine by email, although it could have been in a conversation rather than something sent out to everyone.

-B

[edew]

So you're the one that ruined it for everyone!

[oiuyt]

So you're the one that ruined it for everyone!

Apparently. :)

-B

[jtrsangel]

This is a calamity! Although I couldn't make it due to my wedding I really wanted to attend next year.

I am a youngster when it comes to organizing large tournaments but I do have quite a bit of hotel experience and that Riviera is not a nice place if they were pulling tricks like that.

Unfortunately I'm WAY THE HECK IN ICELAND (well Alaska actually) but I would be willing to help in anyway I can.

I would make one suggestion...better advertising. Duel in the Desert seems to be a word of mouth tournament (the only way I knew it existed). I think some flyers sent out to club contacts (this is something I could do from my igloo) would get people thinking about it perhaps with a letter or something from Evan. I also agree with the 501(C)(3) idea.