From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Santa Rosa California

hi all i'm in an rocking chair aand my flight was supposed to leave at 4:25 pm est but nope i'm fly out 10:00 pm est

i know the storm will stay in place but i hope i can make just some how



until then will just have to hope

3/7/2008 5:42:46 PM

Massillon, Ohio

my husband had a flight home from charlotte this morning. i called him at noon and he said he was still there because all flights were cancelled. (he was joking). i was NOT AMUSED. we are in the same boat (planning on getting to niagra but still at home currently).

3/7/2008 6:13:25 PM

Sheridan . NY

christy- there 10 inch here --im half way between buffalo and eire pa and its comeing down hard--- sorry hear nic is stuck---craig

3/7/2008 6:23:54 PM

Santa Rosa California

supposed to leave at 10:00pm i doubt it what ya going to do about it

3/7/2008 6:24:26 PM

Santa Rosa California

flight cancelled see what happens from here

3/7/2008 7:25:28 PM

[email protected]

I vote for the convention to be moved to Vegas next year. I don't think the airport in Vegas has ever been snowed in.

3/7/2008 8:44:36 PM

Eugene,OR

I hope you make it to Niagra Nick!

3/7/2008 9:36:27 PM

I second Vegas!

3/7/2008 9:45:14 PM

[email protected]

Thats two votes for Vegas!! Do I hear three?

3/7/2008 10:36:37 PM

[email protected]

Nick, have you ever been in a cold weather climate during winter before?

3/7/2008 10:51:48 PM

Eugene,OR

I think that the people who put on the Pumpkinfest are from Niagra and put it on to promote tourism in their area. They probably aren't interested in promoting tourism in Las Vegas. It is just a hunch I have.

3/7/2008 11:54:24 PM

other folks/clubs could put on the convention and now with the GPC actually playing a bigger role in the venue I think this could be done

3/8/2008 5:19:15 AM

Leamington, Ont.

The Pumpkinfest group are from Port Elgin, Ontario. Niagara Falls is about a 4hr drive for them, or 172 miles
I'm sure its not to promote tourism!
(I map quested it)
http://www.mapquest.ca/maps/Port+Elgin+ON/Niagara+Falls+ON/

3/8/2008 9:29:01 AM

Rapid City, SD

vegas

3/8/2008 9:32:54 AM

Frankfort Oh

you got my (vote vegas) it is,now if we can just get them to go along for it!!but the good thing about moving it s location ,,,you wouldnt have to have a passport,,and save lots of money

3/8/2008 9:43:15 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Just to stir the pot, who would organize the convention if it were to take place in, oh let's say Lincoln Nebraska or St.Louis which are much more central, geographically speaking. The Niagra model seems to work and I foresee resistance from the masses at the suggestion of a change in venue. Vegas would be warmer....that's about the only advantage I can see. The passport thing, if you are going to the convention a passport is on the low end of expenses. Gas, hotel and food would be much more. The responses should be interesting.

3/8/2008 10:19:57 AM

relatively cheap travel and lodging are always available in Vegas to groups/conventions no matter the size

central certainly isn't of any concern currently

I think the biggest problem will be finding a group to do the groundwork and get things layed out the first time around. It would be a definate challenge. But in Vegas they are very skilled at helping their clients and want return business. i.e. that's why it's called the "hospitality" industry ;-)

3/8/2008 10:42:34 AM

Pinedale, WY

Don't the Canadians have to get passports to come to America? The only thing about Vegas is that it is used for everything. I get tired of going down there. That was a draw about Niagra, I've never been there. So maybe find another city that has a major airport and go for it there.

3/8/2008 11:01:23 AM

Santa Rosa, CA

Las Vegas sounds great! I doubt there would be a blizzard in Vegas and maybe more growers from the pumpkin growing community would be able to attend.

3/8/2008 11:02:29 AM

[email protected]

I really doubt the organizers would be into moving it, too bad. Vegas is about the cheapest place you can fly to in North America. Rooms could be cheaper too. No one would miss the convention due to bad weather at the convention. I don't think you'd get an argument from all the west coast guys. But most of the east coast and Canadian guys probably wouldn't be into it.

I figured it would cost me a minimum of $600 to go to Niagara. Thats why I'm sitting in Pennsylvania right now. I'd really like to go to the convention but I have a hard time justifying that expense. Especially when its $600 to go to a climate thats as cold and crappy as the one I'm already in, for a weekend.

3/8/2008 11:23:48 AM

[email protected]

Pumpkin Pastor - I feel the same way about Niagara as you do Vegas.

3/8/2008 11:25:38 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Vegas is certainly doable if you look just at expenses. My brother drives down to Boston every year and flies to Vegas and it's dirt cheap. The problem is that the movers and shakers in this hobby/sport, hint-many are in Niagra right now, may not buy into it. Personally it doesn't matter to me where it is. The US and Canada are just too large to satisfy everyone.

3/8/2008 11:49:25 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Then come to denver Colorado. RMGVG could host it for 09.

WE have skiing 2-3 hours from the slopes.

Fly fishing.

Lots of other things we can do here in colorado.

Southwest has cheap flights, so does Frontier. Plus we are in the middle of the country.lol

3/8/2008 11:55:20 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

How about Minnesota? It would be a central location. Some people might want to do a little ice fishing during the trip, or check out the Mall of America.

3/8/2008 2:05:37 PM

Frankfort Oh

doug i`d like to do that ,without the seminar,,,what do you catch ?

3/8/2008 2:40:20 PM

Frankfort Oh

sAME GROUP could run it ,just a different location would be nice,,,,,just think about it ,,,I think the seminar would be much bigger ,,if the climate was warmer ,,and they always say if the crouds are happy they more they spend!P.S someone needs to get hold of Tremor ,,,so he can sugggest it to the croud ,,,while hes there ,,,,,.and see what kind of reaction people give

3/8/2008 2:47:33 PM

No Place Special

My wife booked a flight to vegas today.

3/8/2008 3:14:24 PM

[email protected]

People want to go to Vegas anyway. Pumpkins and Vegas in one trip, that would be awesome.

3/8/2008 3:37:16 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Being a firmly rooted West Coaster, I can tell you that the last place I am going to travel in the Winter is Ontario or anywhere that there is ice fishing. (no offence to anyone that lives there)

Being on the West Coast, I can fly to somewhere tropical in less time and less cost than it would be to go to Eastern Canada.

Vegas is $199 return flight and less than $400 for a package deal for 3 nights and 4 days.

I admire the Niagara group, it takes alot of time, effort and money to organize any kind of tradeshow or event, so great job but I just can't justify traveling there in winter.

3/8/2008 3:50:09 PM

Pretty much where I come from on this guys, it was -18° here this morning spending a "white-out" weekend isn't that appealing, as much as I want to meet the growers I certainly don't miss heading into that weather.

3/8/2008 4:10:57 PM

I wonder what ever happened to Nic?

heh heh,,,thanks for the thread!

3/8/2008 4:12:14 PM

Western Pa.

The Canadians use the Niagara Conference as their main fundraiser, and although I won't make it this year, have thoroughly enjoyed the seminar in the past. Years ago, I suggested having the conference in Florida, who wouldn't love a warm sunny break from the Winter? (Kinda like a vacation from all this snow!) As Punkin Pharmer stated above, I doubt you'd get the organizers to move it south.

3/8/2008 4:17:30 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I'll let you know, I was the first to suggest Vegas years ago... glad to see that some of you are starting to think! ;-)

3/8/2008 4:35:06 PM

Port Elgin Ontario Canada

Nic has arrived in Niagara

3/8/2008 5:23:32 PM

[email protected]

Thats good news!! I'm glad Nic made it.

3/8/2008 7:18:58 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Rob,
I don't do much ice fishing, but you can catch Walleyes, Northern Pike, Sunfish, Crappies, Perch, etc.

3/8/2008 11:11:09 PM

Buffalo, New York

just north of buffalo here and got about 20 inches total.

melting already today though.

3/9/2008 3:42:43 PM

Santa Rosa California

well here is what happend saturday we flew out of charrolte into pittsburgh and drove for 4 hour roads in where not bad missed most of the snow until we got to the peace brigde

it cleared up on saturday which was very nice


and guess what i'm in charrolte again lol

3/10/2008 3:02:53 PM

[email protected]

Nick,

I'm glad you made it to Niagara. I wished we had time to chat, I didn't realize you were there yet and it was very late when someone told me you had made it in. I'm glad you made it.

Safe travels home.

3/10/2008 3:13:59 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Lot's of great of ideas for other sites, but what, IMHO, is not being considered by some is the INCREDIBLE amount of organization, and manhours that are put into this type of ordeal!!! My hat goes off to the pknfest folks, and the GPC folks for the amazing effort they put forth to support an incredible conference. The snowstorm was a freak event, and not predictable during the planning stages. My first trip to da Falls, but I am convinced that tradition does mean something!!!

3/11/2008 1:20:34 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sorry, I forgot...Peace, Wayne

3/11/2008 1:25:31 AM

Santa Rosa California

yes i like what wayne said we could still do canada but vancouver would be nice

3/11/2008 12:01:09 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Nick, and all...it is not so much about where, but...do you have the support staff lined up to put together such a great event!!! Tons and tons of hours of organizational labor go into this incredible event each and every year!!! And then when it starts, you got tons and tons of more hours to put in throughout the wknd to keep things organized and running smoothly!!! Super Congrats go to the pknsfest guy, and gals for putting on an incredible wknd!!!! Peace, Wayne
PS A round of applause for the GPC are in order here also!!!

3/12/2008 5:22:43 PM