Why does AOPA only have their meetings on the coasts.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the coasts.
They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.

[Jim Macklin]

Where do you suggest?



"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
|
| Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions
on the coasts.
| They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or
5 years.
|
|

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
<wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:

>
>Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the coasts.

Clue:
ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif

>They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.

Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

Dallas is nice and centrally located. I do about three different
(non-aviation)conventions a year and they all rotate east coast, west coast,
central US.


"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
news:ZktAg.84950$ZW3.47816@dukeread04...
> Where do you suggest?
>
>
>
> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
> |
> | Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions
> on the coasts.
> | They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or
> 5 years.
> |
> |
>
>

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>
>>
>>Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the coasts.
>
> Clue:
> ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>
>>They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.
>
> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.

I understand that the coasts are where the population is but buy having it
on the coasts they are actually moving it further away from the population
as a whole.

[Jim Macklin]

I don't remember the locations of all the AOPA Conventions,
but I seem to remember San Antonio a while back. I know the
NBAA held their convention in Dallas before. The point is
that they are looking for many things...
convention facilities
a convenient airport(s)
a city that will let them transport airplanes under their
own power (taxiing) to the convention center
golf and other activities
a night life
aviation friendly
reasonable cost
I'm sure there are more considerations, but obviously
Chicago doesn't fit the bill on several levels.
There is also the issue of the time of year and other
aviation conventions and a desire not to conflict.



"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
|
| "Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
| ...
| > On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
| > <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in
>:
| >
| >>
| >>Why in the world does the AOPA only have their
conventions on the coasts.
| >
| > Clue:
| >
ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
| >
| >>They need to put one in the central US at least every 4
or 5 years.
| >
| > Chicago would be the most likely spot given the
population
| > distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.
|
| I understand that the coasts are where the population is
but buy having it
| on the coasts they are actually moving it further away
from the population
| as a whole.
|
|

[Clay]

Wichita has Cessna, Raytheon (Beechcraft), Lear Jet and Boeing. Much
less expensive than New York, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta or anything in
California.
Kansas City has many things to offer.

[Oracle]

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:15:58 -0500, Gig 601XL Builder wrote:

> Dallas is nice and centrally located. I do about three different
> (non-aviation)conventions a year and they all rotate east coast, west coast,
> central US.

I agree with that. I would love to see something done in either Dallas or
Houston.

Greg

[Stubby]

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Larry Dighera wrote:
>> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
>> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>>
>>
>>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the
>>> coasts.
<...>
Where is the center of gravity for PILOTS?

[Matt Whiting]

Stubby wrote:

>
>
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Larry Dighera wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
>>> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the
>>>> coasts.
>
> <...>
> Where is the center of gravity for PILOTS?

I'm not sure, but I do know that female pilots have a lower CG than male
pilots. :-)

Matt

[Peter R.]

Larry Dighera > wrote:

> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.

Given the Meigs fiasco, the politicians of Chicago certainly don't deserve
the attention and revenue that an AOPA conference would bring to the city.

Next suggestion...

--
Peter

[Don Tuite]

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 21:10:57 GMT, Larry Dighera >
wrote:

>On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
><wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>
>>
>>Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the coasts.
>
>Clue:
>ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>
>>They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.
>
>Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
>distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.

Austin would be central, and relatively cheap. It also has a decent
convention center and hotels, and nothing like Chicago's union
problems. They did close one airport, but not like Meigs.

Don

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:07:52 -0400, "Peter R." >
wrote in >:

>Given the Meigs fiasco, ...

Bingo!

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 21:30:46 GMT, Matt Whiting >
wrote in >:

>Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, etc.

If you look here:
ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif

You'll see that your first two suggestions are far from the areas of
high population density.

If the AOPA convention is too far from the population, there may not
be adequate attendance to attract commercial participants, and revenue
will be too feeble to cover costs.

[john smith]

> Next suggestion...

75% of the population of the United States lives within four hours
flying of southwestern Ohio.

[Matt Whiting]

Larry Dighera wrote:
> On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 21:30:46 GMT, Matt Whiting >
> wrote in >:
>
>
>>Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, etc.
>
>
> If you look here:
> ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>
> You'll see that your first two suggestions are far from the areas of
> high population density.
>
> If the AOPA convention is too far from the population, there may not
> be adequate attendance to attract commercial participants, and revenue
> will be too feeble to cover costs.
>

But being on either coast means you are the maximum distance from one of
the areas of highest population density.

Matt

[Jim Macklin]

Wichita lacks the hotels, night life, etc that are desired
for an AOPA Convention. I've lived here a long time and it
sucks.


"Clay" > wrote in message
oups.com...
| Wichita has Cessna, Raytheon (Beechcraft), Lear Jet and
Boeing. Much
| less expensive than New York, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta or
anything in
| California.
| Kansas City has many things to offer.
|

[Bob Fry]

>>>>> "Gig" == Gig <601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net>> writes:

Gig> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on
Gig> the coasts.

For the same reason that someone would post a question here that
clearly only AOPA can answer?

[Emily[_1_]]

Larry Dighera wrote:
> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>
>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the coasts.
>
> Clue:
> ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>
>> They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.
>
> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.

LOL! Yeah, great idea.

Personally, I vote for Dallas. Little more GA (hell, little more
aviation in general) friendly.

[Bob Noel]

In article
>,
john smith > wrote:

> > Next suggestion...
>
> 75% of the population of the United States lives within four hours
> flying of southwestern Ohio.

yeah - but what percentage of pilots live within four hours flying
of SW OH? I would guess that the huge mass of poor NYC folks
probably has a significantly lower density of pilots than more
rural areas.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

[Jose[_1_]]

> Where do you suggest?

Dunno. Maybe Jay Honeck has an idea. :)

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

[Dave S]

Oracle wrote:
> On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:15:58 -0500, Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
>
>
>>Dallas is nice and centrally located. I do about three different
>>(non-aviation)conventions a year and they all rotate east coast, west coast,
>>central US.
>
>
> I agree with that. I would love to see something done in either Dallas or
> Houston.
>
> Greg
>

I would say Galveston over Houston any day... (I live in between the
two, and would say the airport at G-town is better suited.. one
convention center nearly on-site.. and one about 1.5 miles down the
road... A waterpark and a few tourist attractions nearby for the family..

But yea.. Dallas/Htown/OKC something along those lines... would be great.

Dave

[Robert Barker]

"Emily" > wrote in message
. ..
> Larry Dighera wrote:
>> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
>> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>>
>>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the
>>> coasts.
>>
>> Clue:
>> ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>>
>>> They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.
>>
>> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
>> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.
>
> LOL! Yeah, great idea.
>
> Personally, I vote for Dallas. Little more GA (hell, little more aviation
> in general) friendly.

Actually, Ft. Worth would be better than Dallas. Nice airports and less
congestion. Could use Ft. Worth Meacham (KFTW) or Ft. Worth Alliance (AFW).
Lots of room, lots of aviation close by (Bell, Mooney, L-M). Choose any
time from October to September and you have great weather. Close to DFW if
you want to use commercial traffic. Lower lodging costs than DAL. And as a
resident of that county and a TS native, must say that there's a reason that
tons of DAL residents drive to Ft. Worth for museums, the zoo, stockyards,
etc. while few make the trip the other direction for anything except
Mavericks or Stars games... (Cowboys and Rangers aren't in DAL either!)
Pardner, THAT ought to get a good range war going! ;-)

[Emily[_1_]]

Robert Barker wrote:
<snip>
>>
>> Personally, I vote for Dallas. Little more GA (hell, little more aviation
>> in general) friendly.
>
> Actually, Ft. Worth would be better than Dallas. Nice airports and less
> congestion. Could use Ft. Worth Meacham (KFTW) or Ft. Worth Alliance (AFW).
> Lots of room, lots of aviation close by (Bell, Mooney, L-M). Choose any
> time from October to September and you have great weather. Close to DFW if
> you want to use commercial traffic. Lower lodging costs than DAL. And as a
> resident of that county and a TS native, must say that there's a reason that
> tons of DAL residents drive to Ft. Worth for museums, the zoo, stockyards,
> etc. while few make the trip the other direction for anything except
> Mavericks or Stars games... (Cowboys and Rangers aren't in DAL either!)
> Pardner, THAT ought to get a good range war going! ;-)

Ok, see, I live in Tarrant County, so when i say Dallas, I actually mean
Fort Worth. :-) Although I stlil prefer ADS for an airport.

[Jay Honeck]

> > Where do you suggest?
>
> Dunno. Maybe Jay Honeck has an idea. :)

Well, as a matter of fact...

Alas, we're too danged small for a shin-dig that big. But a place like
Grand Geneva Resort (in SE. Wisconsin) or Tan-Tar-A Resport (in Lake of
the Ozarks, Missouri) would have the size and facilities to pull it
off.

I, too, wish AOPA would pull in from the shoreline a bit.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[skym]

Peter R. wrote:
> Larry Dighera > wrote:
>
> > Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
> > distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.
>
> Given the Meigs fiasco, the politicians of Chicago certainly don't deserve
> the attention and revenue that an AOPA conference would bring to the city.
>

Absolutely.

[Bruce Riggs]

Jim Macklin wrote:
> Wichita lacks the hotels, night life, etc that are desired
> for an AOPA Convention. I've lived here a long time and it
> sucks.
>

Jim,

Maybe a dumb question, but why are you forced to live somewhere that
sucks? :)

[Montblack[_1_]]

("Jay Honeck" wrote)
> I, too, wish AOPA would pull in from the shoreline a bit.


Twin Cities in one, 10 month run...

1991 ...NHL Stanley Cup Series
1991 ...US Open - Payne Stewart won in an 18 hole playoff
1991 ...World Series
1992 ...Super Bowl XXVI
1992 ...NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament

1991 ...The eighth Special Olympics World Summer Games* are held in
Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota. Six thousand athletes from more than 100
countries make this the largest sporting event in the world in 1991.

Some others off the top of my head...

2002 ...PGA Championship
2001 ...NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament
1987 ...World Series
1985 ...MLB All-Star Game

Mall of America
Water Park of America - America's biggest indoor water park
Theaters
Parks, Lakes, Mississippi River
St Paul

Minnesota:
Home of Charles Lindbergh
Home of Northwest Airlines
Home of Cirrus Aircraft

....and Ice Fishing!

http://www.americanwings.org/news1.htm
"I'm here for the convention."

....and don't forget about our BBBBBillion dollar light-rail train!
Mpls (Downtown) --> MSP (Airport) --> MOA (Shopping)
$1.50 gets you 3 hours - I think.


Montblack
DNC and RNC want too much $$$ for hosting their infomercial love-fests.

[Arnold Sten]

Larry Dighera wrote:
> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>
>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the coasts.
>
> Clue:
> ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>
>> They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.
>
> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.

Chicago would be a great venue. Think of all the chaos that would be
created in "Daley's" precious airspace. Talk about poetic justice! Hee, Hee.

Arnold Sten

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Stubby" > wrote in message
. ..
>
>
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>> Larry Dighera wrote:
>>> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
>>> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the
>>>> coasts.
> <...>
> Where is the center of gravity for PILOTS?

I'd be willing to bet it isn't on either of the coasts.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Bob Fry" > wrote in message
...
>>>>>> "Gig" == Gig <601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net>> writes:
>
> Gig> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on
> Gig> the coasts.
>
> For the same reason that someone would post a question here that
> clearly only AOPA can answer?

God forbid we talk about something to do with aviation and its leading
organization in an aviation newsgroup.

[john smith]

In article <rOAAg.84982$ZW3.59277@dukeread04>,
"Jim Macklin" > wrote:

> Wichita lacks the hotels, night life, etc that are desired
> for an AOPA Convention. I've lived here a long time and it
> sucks.

Jim, I never figured you to be a party animal! :-))

[Paul Dow (Remove Caps in mail address)]

Jim Macklin wrote:
> Wichita lacks the hotels, night life, etc that are desired
> for an AOPA Convention. I've lived here a long time and it
> sucks.
>
>
No, that can't be it. They're coming to Hartford next year.

[Javier[_1_]]

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Larry Dighera wrote:
>> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 14:43:53 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
>> <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in >:
>>
>>
>>> Why in the world does the AOPA only have their conventions on the
>>> coasts.
>>
>>
>> Clue:
>> ftp://ftpserver.ciesin.org/pub/data/Grid_Pop_World/total_cov/gif/usdenssmoo.gif
>>
>>
>>
>>> They need to put one in the central US at least every 4 or 5 years.
>>
>>
>> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
>> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.
>
> Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, etc.


Wichita.

An airplane or two were built there.

-jav

[Morgans[_3_]]

"Arnold Sten" > wrote
>
> Chicago would be a great venue. Think of all the chaos that would be
> created in "Daley's" precious airspace. Talk about poetic justice! Hee,
Hee.

Yeah, and have that guy that tried to come into OSH without a clue to try
and land at Meigs!
--
Jim in NC

[Gig 601XL Builder]

>
> "Arnold Sten" > wrote
>>
>> Chicago would be a great venue. Think of all the chaos that would be
>> created in "Daley's" precious airspace. Talk about poetic justice! Hee,
> Hee.
>
\

Think how great a venue Chicago would have been when Meigs was open.

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:39:51 -0500, Oracle > wrote:
> I agree with that. I would love to see something done in either Dallas or
> Houston.

Agreed... Dallas I would probably go to, Houston I would definitely go
to... New Orleans wouldn't be bad either...

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 01:09:03 GMT, Dave S >
wrote:
> I would say Galveston over Houston any day... (I live in between the
> two, and would say the airport at G-town is better suited.. one
> convention center nearly on-site.. and one about 1.5 miles down the
> road... A waterpark and a few tourist attractions nearby for the family..

Kind of neat the way that Schlitterbahn created the water park on land
rented from the airport... You can park your plane at the terminal
(for free) and walk across to the water park... It's probably closer
than the normal parking lot unless you luck out and get one of the
spots up front... If I remember right, it's only a 2 or 3 block
walk...

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:02:38 -0600, "Robert Barker"
> wrote:
> Actually, Ft. Worth would be better than Dallas. Nice airports and less
> congestion. Could use Ft. Worth Meacham (KFTW) or Ft. Worth Alliance (AFW).
> Lots of room, lots of aviation close by (Bell, Mooney, L-M). Choose any
> time from October to September and you have great weather. Close to DFW if
> you want to use commercial traffic. Lower lodging costs than DAL. And as a
> resident of that county and a TS native, must say that there's a reason that
> tons of DAL residents drive to Ft. Worth for museums, the zoo, stockyards,
> etc. while few make the trip the other direction for anything except
> Mavericks or Stars games... (Cowboys and Rangers aren't in DAL either!)
> Pardner, THAT ought to get a good range war going! ;-)

Of course the most important aspect is whether it is a dry county /
precinct... One of those things you have to watch out for up around
Dallas...

[Emily[_1_]]

Grumman-581 wrote:
> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:02:38 -0600, "Robert Barker"
> > wrote:
>> Actually, Ft. Worth would be better than Dallas. Nice airports and less
>> congestion. Could use Ft. Worth Meacham (KFTW) or Ft. Worth Alliance (AFW).
>> Lots of room, lots of aviation close by (Bell, Mooney, L-M). Choose any
>> time from October to September and you have great weather. Close to DFW if
>> you want to use commercial traffic. Lower lodging costs than DAL. And as a
>> resident of that county and a TS native, must say that there's a reason that
>> tons of DAL residents drive to Ft. Worth for museums, the zoo, stockyards,
>> etc. while few make the trip the other direction for anything except
>> Mavericks or Stars games... (Cowboys and Rangers aren't in DAL either!)
>> Pardner, THAT ought to get a good range war going! ;-)
>
> Of course the most important aspect is whether it is a dry county /
> precinct... One of those things you have to watch out for up around
> Dallas...
Fort Worth isn't dry! I know, because I go there to buy booze. <G>

[AJ]

'Cause surf's up, dude!

skym wrote:
> Peter R. wrote:
> > Larry Dighera > wrote:
> >
> > > Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
> > > distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.
> >
> > Given the Meigs fiasco, the politicians of Chicago certainly don't deserve
> > the attention and revenue that an AOPA conference would bring to the city.
> >
>
> Absolutely.

[Emily[_1_]]

AJ wrote:
> 'Cause surf's up, dude!
>
> skym wrote:
>> Peter R. wrote:
>>> Larry Dighera > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Chicago would be the most likely spot given the population
>>>> distribution, but there certain issues with that venue.
>>> Given the Meigs fiasco, the politicians of Chicago certainly don't deserve
>>> the attention and revenue that an AOPA conference would bring to the city.
>>>
>> Absolutely.
>
See, I thought that at first, but some else's post made me
realize....man, what fun that would be to see Daley's reaction to a
bunch of GA aircraft swarming the city!

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Emily" > wrote in message
. ..
> Grumman-581 wrote:
>> On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 20:02:38 -0600, "Robert Barker"
>> > wrote:
>>> Actually, Ft. Worth would be better than Dallas. Nice airports and less
>>> congestion. Could use Ft. Worth Meacham (KFTW) or Ft. Worth Alliance
>>> (AFW). Lots of room, lots of aviation close by (Bell, Mooney, L-M).
>>> Choose any time from October to September and you have great weather.
>>> Close to DFW if you want to use commercial traffic. Lower lodging costs
>>> than DAL. And as a resident of that county and a TS native, must say
>>> that there's a reason that tons of DAL residents drive to Ft. Worth for
>>> museums, the zoo, stockyards, etc. while few make the trip the other
>>> direction for anything except Mavericks or Stars games... (Cowboys and
>>> Rangers aren't in DAL either!) Pardner, THAT ought to get a good range
>>> war going! ;-)
>>
>> Of course the most important aspect is whether it is a dry county /
>> precinct... One of those things you have to watch out for up around
>> Dallas...
> Fort Worth isn't dry! I know, because I go there to buy booze. <G>

I don't know about Ft. Worth But there are places in Dallas where one side
of the street is dry, one side is wet and down the road is "private club"
only.

[Jim Carter[_1_]]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Macklin ]
> Posted At: Thursday, August 03, 2006 3:49 PM
> Posted To: rec.aviation.piloting
> Conversation: Why does AOPA only have their meetings on the coasts.
> Subject: Re: Why does AOPA only have their meetings on the coasts.
>
> Where do you suggest?
>
>

Actually, Oklahoma City might not be bad.