2007-2008 USFA Dates, Event Locations & Deadlines

[cobaltblade]

Someone is doing some serious work at USFA. The 2007-2008 schedule is out already! Not all locations are there but the year schedule is already done! I'm impressed! Someone needs a raise over there.

That would most likely be Christine Simmons.

Regarding the raise:
/signed

[lefty_monster]

Hey let's just be glad that the USFA didn't find a good JO venue in Alaska for us.

[KD5MDK]

I'd be willing to go there. Never been, get paid to go, works for me.

[keith]

I'd be willing to go there. Never been, get paid to go, works for me.

now there's an idea; have the amouring/referee cadre review the hosting proposals.

[Craig]

Merged together the two threads discussing the 07-08 schedule.

Craig

[4qtrs]

Hey let's just be glad that the USFA didn't find a good JO venue in Alaska for us.

I'd rather go to Alaska then Charlotte.

I hope it is not in the merchant mart again. The lighting was terrible and the food, not much better.

[cobaltblade]

I'd rather go to Alaska then Charlotte.

I hope it is not in the merchant mart again. The lighting was terrible and the food, not much better.

From what I understand, it's going to be the Convention Center

[Army Fencer]

Interestingly, the FIE schedule is not out.

[seltzerwater]

Can someone tell me why none of the USFA Event locations are never held in New Jersey (or somewhere in the Northeast)? With the amount of fencers that hail from the metro area wouldn't it make sense to schedule at least one event in New Jersey or the metro area. Surely there are tons of places available. I really hope the USFA considers it.

[journalmom]

Merged together the two threads discussing the 07-08 schedule.

Craig

I was wondering how that happened. I didn't see this thread.

Thanks Craig. As usual, you are on the ball.

See you in Denver! If I ever get out of JFK.

[journalmom]

Can someone tell me why none of the USFA Event locations are never held in New Jersey (or somewhere in the Northeast)? With the amount of fencers that hail from the metro area wouldn't it make sense to schedule at least one event in New Jersey or the metro area. Surely there are tons of places available. I really hope the USFA considers it.

I think NJ and NY is too expensive for people to stay, eat, travel, and inconvenient too. There's nothing around a big enough space like a convention center. Jacob Javits in NYC is on the West side with no hotels or restaurants nearby. And airport is at least $50 a way. I don't think people would appreciate that. NYC is great place to visit and I'm sure people would be excited to be here but it is expensive to stay.

Is there a convention center in NJ? May be in Atlantic City??? Where would they fly into?

That's probably why. Cost, cost, cost, and cost.

[edew]

It might be possible to hold it in Philadelphia. Philly is the closest big city to the Northeast that might have a reasonably cheap venue. But I doubt it.

Same reason you're not going to get San Francisco (proper) or Los Angeles (proper) for a venue. San Jose is quite a bit cheaper than San Francisco for convention space, and places like Long Beach, Fullerton, Reseda and such are also cheaper than downtown LA.

[KD5MDK]

Not to mention the so quickly forgotten JOs in Hartford, CT, which must be considered part of the Northeast.

[clonardo]

There are plenty of places in the Northeast that aren't New York or New Jersey. Anywhere in New England, for example. Lots of cheap lodging there.

Or, even if you wanted to do Jersey, there are colleges and other institutions that would host. There must be a convention center or two as well. Lodging is dirt cheap in, say, Newark. Plus you have a pretty major airport right there.

With the number of colleges and Universities that have fencing programs in the Northeast, I'm really amazed that more of the national events don't take place around here.

[clonardo]

Not to mention the so quickly forgotten JOs in Hartford, CT, which must be considered part of the Northeast.

That's great, sure, but 2007-2008 is the second year in a row that there's nothing on the East Coast above the Mason Dixon.

Meanwhile, Arizona gets events two years in a row.

Disparity?

[seltzerwater]

I located TWO convention centers with little searching. The NJ convention Center is located right next door to Rutgers University. The other is the Raritan Expo center. Both are accessible to major highways, malls nearby and plenty of hotels to choose from. As far as what the previous poster said that NJ is too expensive, it is no more expensive than any other venue. The hotel rates are comparable to other larger cities like Tucson, Denver, San jJose etc etc. It really is remarkable that the northeast does not host at least ONE USFA event. I hope the USFA gives the East Coast a chance. It is not fair that all the east coast has to constantly travel to the west or gulf region. There are plenty of venues out here that are suitable. It's time to give the East Coasters a break with the airfare cost.

[oso97]

I located TWO convention centers with little searching. The NJ convention Center is located right next door to Rutgers University. The other is the Raritan Expo center. Both are accessible to major highways, malls nearby and plenty of hotels to choose from. As far as what the previous poster said that NJ is too expensive, it is no more expensive than any other venue. The hotel rates are comparable to other larger cities like Tucson, Denver, San jJose etc etc. It really is remarkable that the northeast does not host at least ONE USFA event. I hope the USFA gives the East Coast a chance. It is not fair that all the east coast has to constantly travel to the west or gulf region. There are plenty of venues out here that are suitable. It's time to give the East Coasters a break with the airfare cost.

So put in a bid for one...

[mlr2fence]

Ah, but the East Coasters have other advantages that fencers in the hinterlands don't have so don't totally begrudge them the few morsels thrown their way! Plenty of fencers would gladly give up closer proximity to NACs to have in their hometown top coaches, fencers, training and more local tournaments on a given weekend than they see in a year!

[seak]

Baltimore is apparently currently having trouble booking their convention center

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/loc...-baltimorecity

and while not technically north of the mason dixon line ( ) it is an easy drive from nearly all of Jersey and NYC. Plus there are lots of cheap flights and 3 major airports within an hours drive, and one of those you can use public transportation to easily reach the convention center.

As a side not southerners (i.e. Virginia and south) will generally seriously disagree with anyone who tries to claim that maryland is in the south. Culturally etc it has way more in common with the Northeast (and is bluer then Pennsylvania)

[jfarmer]

If you want the JOs, or a NAC, etc. to happen in your area of the country, then get a group together and bid. Just remember that you will need a place like a convention center that is willing to work with you on the bid.

The USFA doesn't just wave a magic wand and degee that a national event shall be held ...there. The best they can do is try to balance them so that fencers from different parts of the country can have one nearby every few years. (for example, last year JOs in Hartfort, this year in Dever, next year in Charlette.) But in order to consider a location, they have to have a bid. So to get a group together and go for it.

As an aside, that's partly what the recent USFA survey was about. In order to get convention centers, etc. interested in bidding for our events, they want to see what impact we bring to the local area. Ie, finding out that we fly in, spend all our money inside the venue with visiting fencing vendors, and then fly out, isn't what local business & political leaders want to hear...

It's a two way street, the USFA has to market to locations and they have to market back to the USFA. You can get involved on either side of that.

John Farmer
Coach, Oak Ridge Fencers Club