Aero Exhibition is now an annual event

After the SSA Directors decided in the fall of 2006 (and after another
short debate in the fall of 2007 during which they upheld their
decision) to hold our SSA Convention only every two years, the
fabulous European Aero exhibition is now an annual event. One of the
reasons presented to the SSA Directors was to hold our future SSA
Convention in the Aero off-years so more European vendors could attend
our SSA Convention. I was there at the board meetings - I know what
I heard.

I'm sure gonna miss meeting my friends, making new ones, cultivating
new students and customers at the not-to-be-held 2009 SSA Convention.
In the meantime, it looks like our SSA Convention at Albuquerque FEB
13-16, 2008 will be one of our best ever. Let's make it so! The
Doubletree Hotel is sold out but there are inexpensive rooms up on
Menaul Blvd, north of the ABQ Convention Center. Don't let a bunch of
bowlers scare you away - they were also there during our convention
back in 2000! For more info on our (your) SSA Convention, go to
www.ssa.org


From the aviation news wires:
AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN BECOMES ANNUAL EVENT
Beginning in 2009, AERO Friedrichshafen, the European trade exhibition
for general aviation, will be held annually. Additionally, the
International Market for Aircraft Sales (IMAS) will take place in
conjunction with AERO, which was originally planned for April 18 -19,
2008 in Friedrichshafen. AERO Friedrichshafen will be held April 2-5,
2009. For more information, visit www.aero-friedrichshafen.com

On Jan 17, 10:24 pm, Burt Compton - Marfa wrote:
After the SSA Directors decided in the fall of 2006 (and after another
short debate in the fall of 2007 during which they upheld their
decision) to hold our SSA Convention only every two years, the
fabulous European Aero exhibition is now an annual event. One of the
reasons presented to the SSA Directors was to hold our future SSA
Convention in the Aero off-years so more European vendors could attend
our SSA Convention. I was there at the board meetings - I know what
I heard.

I'm sure gonna miss meeting my friends, making new ones, cultivating
new students and customers at the not-to-be-held 2009 SSA Convention.
In the meantime, it looks like our SSA Convention at Albuquerque FEB
13-16, 2008 will be one of our best ever. Let's make it so! The
Doubletree Hotel is sold out but there are inexpensive rooms up on
Menaul Blvd, north of the ABQ Convention Center. Don't let a bunch of
bowlers scare you away - they were also there during our convention
back in 2000! For more info on our (your) SSA Convention, go towww.ssa.org

From the aviation news wires:
AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN BECOMES ANNUAL EVENT
Beginning in 2009, AERO Friedrichshafen, the European trade exhibition
for general aviation, will be held annually. Additionally, the
International Market for Aircraft Sales (IMAS) will take place in
conjunction with AERO, which was originally planned for April 18 -19,
2008 in Friedrichshafen. AERO Friedrichshafen will be held April 2-5,
2009. For more information, visitwww.aero-friedrichshafen.com

Burt-

Albuquerque this year is certainly going to be great! I am getting
quite excited already. 2009 without an SSA convention is going to be
a bummer, but I think that it will really boost the state and regional
seminars which could actually be a net gain. I wasn't at the board
meetings and haven't seen the minutes. What were the other reasons
given for the every other year conventions?

Can't wait to hold down the fort at the SSF booth and hang out with
you and everyone else at ABQ

Anyone know what options there might be for RV parking nearby. Length 26',
no need for hook-ups.

At Ontario, CA, we were able to park for free in the hotel parking lot.

bumper

On Jan 17, 10:20*pm, "bumper" wrote:
Anyone know what options there might be for RV parking nearby. Length 26',
no need for hook-ups.

At Ontario, CA, we were able to park for free in the hotel parking lot.

bumper

If the hotel doesn't allow it, there is a Wal-Mart Supercenter at 2701
Carlisle Blvd NE that usually allows overnight RV parking. About 10
minutes from the hotel.

George Applebay reports that some of these motels on Menaul Blvd. at
I-25 are advertising $39. per night for one person - at least when he
went to look this week. Menaul is about 3 miles north of the downtown
ABQ Convention Center.

La Quinta 2011 Menaul 505 761 5600

Days Inn 2120 Menaul 505 884 0250

Fairfield Inn 1760 Menaul 505 889 4000

Roadway 2108 Menaul 505 884 2480

Comfort Inn 2015 Menaul 505 881 3210

On Jan 17, 10:48�pm, wrote:

�What were the other reasons given for the every other year
conventions?

It was suggested that a few larger vendors didn't like schlepping
their sailplanes, booth displays, merchandise across the country every
year. Then again, the booths spaces usually sell out!

The big reason I'll miss the annual convention is that it is our
Oshkosh, our Woodstock.

At previous annual conventions I met some of the old-timers who are no
longer with us:
Peter Riedel (German pioneer), Dick Schreder, Paul Macready, Paul
Schweizer, Gus Briegleb, Al Santilli, A.J. Smith, Steve Fossett. I
brought my Dad before he died to a SSA Convention and it was all about
the "reunion" of the people. How many more will be gone before
2009? Who did you meet at a SSA Convention who became an
inspiration, a mentor? Remember the night we gathered informally in
the hotel bar at Atlanta and listened to George Moffat share his
knowledge? Priceless!

The regional events are very important, but I sure like seeing the
sailplanes I wouldn't see otherwise including the Antares, Paul
Hanson's restored Sisu (that was just destroyed by wind), Steve
Leonard's HP-14, all the beautiful vintage gliders that the VSA
displays, and of course the DG-1000T. It was at a SSA Convention that
I made my decision to order it. Point of purchase sale. "A pack of
gum and a new sailplane, please." Customers are more motivated to
buy when they are sitting in it rather than looking a photo.

Some terrific regional events are already ongoing such as Cindy
Brickner's "Back in the Saddle" seminars in California, Tom Knauff's
seminars in PA, the Chicago Glider Council seminars, the Lakeland, FL
FAA seminar, the Ames, IA seminars and many more.

Back in the old days, before we had SSA Conventions, we gathered for
only one National Contest. For 10 days that was our gathering of the
tribe. Now with the (6) contest classes, we split up, so the SSA
Convention serves as our tribal meeting ground for our reunions, our
Director's meetings, and helps unify our tribes.

Adequate venues, local hosts and hard work are required, and the SSA
Convention is usually very profitable for the local clubs. I'd be
willing to host a SSA Convention, but I have no venue large enough at
Marfa. My 80' x 80' hangar is the largest building here!

I am looking forward to attending the off-year seminars, especially if
the Soaring Safety Foundation will be presenting a Flight Instructor
Refresher Clinic and training sessions. No vendors and no sailplanes
will be odd. Knowledge will be shared however. The "Soaring
Symposium" series in the early 1970's was always well attended. You
can find the transcripts on the internet courtesy of Ed / Betsy / Guy
Byars.

Now I see the sun is shining on the mountains north of Marfa.
Thermals and wave today. Time to go fly.

See you at ABQ!

Burt

From the viewpoint of a vendor, SSA conventions are very expensive to
attend. It is nearly impossible to create enough revenue to break
even.

Typically, there are some 1,000 attendees, over half of which attend
all conventions, so we get to see our friends and customers, but those
who are new customers are only a few hundred.

We have traditionally supported the SSA efforts, but with the
downsizing of the organization, and fewer new gliders being purchased,
the market is growing smaller.

I believe regional seminars are a low cost venue that will attract
more of the soaring community. It is far less expensive, and so should
attract more of the people who recently became involved with the
sport.

Those who attend the regional events are then more likely to attend
the national convention every other year.

Regional events will yield a cadre of new speakers who will contribute
to the national effort.

There are plusses and minuses to all decisions, but this is worth the
try.

Tom Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies

The EAA "Airventure" is always at Oshkosh but the SSA convention is in a
different city each year. Would it make any difference if the SSA chose one
central city so everyone knew years in advance where it would be so they
could plan their expenses?

It seems to work for the EAA. Just curious.

Bill D



wrote in message
...
From the viewpoint of a vendor, SSA conventions are very expensive to
attend. It is nearly impossible to create enough revenue to break
even.

Typically, there are some 1,000 attendees, over half of which attend
all conventions, so we get to see our friends and customers, but those
who are new customers are only a few hundred.

We have traditionally supported the SSA efforts, but with the
downsizing of the organization, and fewer new gliders being purchased,
the market is growing smaller.

I believe regional seminars are a low cost venue that will attract
more of the soaring community. It is far less expensive, and so should
attract more of the people who recently became involved with the
sport.

Those who attend the regional events are then more likely to attend
the national convention every other year.

Regional events will yield a cadre of new speakers who will contribute
to the national effort.

There are plusses and minuses to all decisions, but this is worth the
try.

Tom Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies

Good points from Tom.

Re. Bill's thought, a year ago I suggested the same to SSA leadership,
for a permanent site such as Dallas every year (like Oshkosh) as DFW
has airline service, decent weather in February, and an adequate
convention hall. I would love to see an annual sunbelt SSA Convention
site where we could also fly sailplanes. There are other sunbelt
sites from Orlando to Phoenix to California. The EAA Light Sport
Expo is now a fast-growing annual January event at Sebring, FL. Many
other trade shows (boat shows, musical instrument manufacturers, car
shows, technology shows) use the same venue each year. Perhaps the
hosts get a better deal on the venue costs. Again, keep in mind that
trade shows and conventions are usually profitable for the local
hosts.

Vendors may have different expectations when attending a convention or
major trade show.

My experience (as a trade show professional in a previous life) is
that trade shows (in any business) are marketing opportunities and the
associated expenses are budgeted as such. Breaking even or making a
profit while at the show is not always the idea, unless you are
selling hot dogs or new-improved yaw strings (see them on sale at
ABQ!)

Announcing and demonstrating your new products or services, building
goodwill, cultivating future customers, and maintaining relationships
with existing customers is usually regarded as the goal of trade show
marketing.

Then again, Tom Knauff and Doris Grove have built a very succesful
soaring business using a very wide "marketing mix" of excellent
products and services, so their views are valid.

I know we all want to see soaring (worldwide) promoted well and our
business members to be successful at sustaining their enterprises.
Just look at the advertisements in a 1990 or earlier issue of
"Soaring" magazine to count how many soaring businesses have
disappeared. It's a tough business, all too often powered by
passion.

On to ABQ!

Burt
Marfa, Texas USA

"Burt Compton - Marfa" wrote in message
news:1d8a5d82-ed78-484d-8dfb- wrote:


It was suggested that a few larger vendors didn't like schlepping
their sailplanes, booth displays, merchandise across the country every
year. Then again, the booths spaces usually sell out!

See you at ABQ!

Burt

I'll miss it too. I purchased my ASH26E at the last Ontario, CA convention
(after going back and forth between it and another 18 meter self-launch for
about 2 hours). This sort of side-by-side comparison, and the ability to get
questions answered on the spot, would be almost impossible in any other
venue.

Normally, I only attend the conventions relatively close, though I've been
to ABQ and Memphis once each. Moving the convention back and forth probably
nets a worthwhile gain in new faces.

How about locating it outdoors at some of the more prominent soaring sites?

bumper
zz
Minden, NV