Strat convention host city poll

[ANDREWLAITURI]

Okay it looks like Phoenix is in the running BUT I want to put it to a poll.

[ROBERTVOZZA]

But there are definitely some advantages IMO.

[cummings2]

Actually, I voted Vegas... but I have been thinking about it and Phoenix would be pretty cool as well, from what I understand Golf in 'zona is top notch, and if there is one thing about Arizona, Utah and Colorado...absolutely breathtakingly beautiful land...just two cents.

[ANDREWLAITURI]

Well the advantage here as I see it is that we'd have somebody on the ground there that knows all the hotspots and could really help coordinate things so as to make this an awesome convention.

[ROBERTVOZZA]

Have it the 1st weekend of Cactus League(Actual games - Not Intrasquad.) We'd have to wait for a schedule.

I would find 3 hotels (3 different price ranges) and as long as we could get absolute committments from people planning to come, get the one we all agree on to give us some kind of group rate - we could get a business rate or something like that. Then we could vote and anyone wanting to use that hotel would probably have to pay in advance. Anyone wishing to stay somewhere else is welcome to book on their own.

My wife, who is an award winning graphic designer, could put together an itinerary and a list of many of the local hot spots and things to do here in the area.

I think we could have some set activities at the hotel - Convention room - where we could all participate in 1. an initial get together the 1st nite(Drinks, apps) and for everyone to get aquainted... Then, an afternoon or evening (Likely Sat) where everyone could participate in an awards ceremony (Trophies for Tour Winners) and some kind of competitive gaming (H2H etc.) where we all do something Strat related. Then the majority of the rest of the time could be spent doing whatever anyone wanted, with whomever anyone wanted.

The only other exception I could forsee, would be to get a block of tickets for everyoone to attend a Spring Training game.

But I believe a long weekend - Thurs Nite - Monday Morning or Sunday Nite would offer the most options.

Everyone would be responsible for booking their own travel. I would be happy to help with the pre booking of hotel accomodations as long as we could get people to pay their rooms in advance. I just wouldn't want to get stuck in any financial committment of my own because someone cancelled late.

The other possibility is that I get a list of Hotels with 3 different price ranges and allow everyone to take care of their own booking, b ut we all rent a convention room jointly for a 1 day event.

I am open to any and all suggestions and assistance. But the bottomline is - there is certainly plenty to do here across the board. If we decide on Phoenix as the host city for this "First annual Convention", I would get right on it - compiling a list of Hotels, Golf courses, Cactus League Parks, Sports Complexes, Restaurants, Niteclubs(all kinds), Malls, Shopping, Amusements for kids, Casinos, Sightseeing, etc. etc. etc.

So these would be the initial stages. With Mid March as the target date for Phoenix, we'd have plenty of time to put this together.

I am wondering if Bernie or any of the SOM Brass would be interested in any type of participation.

[ANDREWLAITURI]

All great ideas Rob! Getting a list of greens fees and finding to golf course that would be most accomodating for the group golf outing slated as of now for Friday morning OR very early afternoon. Then the golfers of us could go back and change and hook up for drinks with all the rest of the fellas at a preplanned hotel or restaurant.

Definately any group discounts we could get would be a real bonus for those financially challenged.

[ROBERTVOZZA]

About Phoenix being the host city. I will go along with whatever everyone decides. My only take is that I can be very helpful if Phoenix is the choice. If it is Las Vegas or somewhere else, I doubt I would be able to do much more than attend and enjoy myself. :wink:

But i would be more than happy to help as much as possible with my knowledge of the Phx area. Robert

[ANDREWLAITURI]

I agree with you entirely Rob! The voting is pretty much 50-50 right now. I'd like to see more people actually commit to attending by getting signed up though. I really want to see just how many bodies we're looking at being there.

Having a point man though would be truly helpful though in either local. There is only so much I can do from Michigan.

[ROBERTVOZZA]

Once I get the LOTO TOUR setup, there will be 48 players familiarizing themselves with each other and the list will grow. I think some players are a bit shy.

But once they get exposure to a group where its ok to wear miniskirts and candy apple high heels with fruit baskets for caps, it has got to break some ice and allow people to feel like they can let their hair down(In my case, allow my head to shine) and be thamselves.

The Vets/Rooks league last year really allowed me a coming out party and my true SOM Personna was born. CHA CHA's RULE FOREVER!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :lol: :wink:

[ANDREWLAITURI]

Once more I want to reitterate that either venue is fine and will be fun, what I need people to do though is to put their name on the sign-up thread.