On Sunday, December 23, 2012 8:46:19 AM UTC-7, K wrote:
On Saturday, December 22, 2012 1:55:52 AM UTC-7, CindyB wrote:

On Friday, December 21, 2012 8:16:45 PM UTC-8, Larry Suter wrote:



When and where is the 2014 Convention? I looked on the SSA website all that's on there is info about the 2012 Reno Convention.















Larry







Larry:







The SSA Board will decide on a 2014 convention location at our Feb. 2013 meeting. An offering has been made for Florida, but that group has hotel/meals in one place, display site at a ~15 minute van ride away, both are a ~40 minute drive from Orlando airport. Not the most optimal or typical layout, and not cheap rooms, both of these factors are important to member participation/financial viability.



Regrettably, we have had smaller turnouts in the East than the West for SSA gatherings, which is also problematic. I am told that folks will come to Florida and bring families for vacationing alongside the Convention, but I am not convinced of that.....(prove me wrong?).







For those of you who would attend, make your preferences known to your Regional Directors (PLEASE). Along with Burt, I strongly pitched for an alternating gathering/conference, for safety training and social networking, but I was in the minority. This CAN be reversed, with a moderate hue and cry from members.







Thanks for asking, and for letting your thoughts be known.







Cindy B



Region 12 Director

There are several Hotels next to the Orlando Convention Center. Is the problem with a lack of banquet space at the nearby accommodations? I can fully understand the problems with Florida. It is actually difficult to get to from many parts of the country, involves alot of driving, and the local parks are not an issue because the kids will be in school. A few years ago I attended the NBAA Convention and it was hideously expensive and involved a substantial amount of driving between venues.

I fully realize the convention has to change locations or swap ends so to speak and I will plan on attending on matter where it ends up but Florida will probably end up being a low attendance year.

Florida is a prime wintertime convention location. I believe Orlando CC is one of the more expensive convention venues, even if available, and wasn't under consideration as affordable to the SSA. The logistics of the sites under consideration in Florida pose some issues. An on-site assessment is/was being done and will be reported to the SSA EXCOM/Directors.