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Santa Rosa California

how many people would be willing to go to vegas if there was an convention just trying to get an idea of how many would be willing to show up

3/13/2008 3:25:08 PM

[email protected]

Not me. Too far to travel, too expensive, and Niagara Falls is just about as central as it can be for the majority. Sorry Nick.

3/13/2008 4:13:56 PM

Ontario

Also would be too distracting for delegates and people could spend too much money and money they don't have. Vegas can be very distracting and costly if your not careful. Plus the pumpkinfest girls organize the whole thing and without them this would never get off the ground. I have thought of vegas too but we need the girls to put this all together. Don't mess with a good thing. I would love to go away for a weekend, its too close for me but this by far was the best seminar I have attended in the 10 years I have been going. With the girls and the GPC directors putting this together we don't want to screw things up.

drew

3/13/2008 6:17:04 PM

Santa Rosa California

yes i know what you mean drew just trying to get an idea but niagara is there to stay great time for sure

3/13/2008 6:32:15 PM

Rapid City, SD

vegas.........im there......

3/13/2008 7:30:37 PM

[email protected]

It would be no contest for me. Vegas. Or some other place thats warm, like San Diego. Canada in the winter, no thanks. It would be cheaper for most north americans to travel to Las Vegas than it would be to travel to Buffalo, NY.

3/13/2008 7:30:53 PM

Parker, Co

as much as i do not like vegas ...we would go and i am sure there would be a great turnout in vegas. it is much less expensive to get to from almost anywhere and air/hotel deals are easy to come by. but if people are big gamblers they could get into trouble! it would have to be at a smaller hotel so we could find each other. like the mirage. the mgm and caesar's palace are TOOOOO big. we would end up with more US growers and fewer Canadian Growers in vegas is my guess...cg

3/13/2008 7:39:04 PM

Springfield, Missouri

Yes would be better for me, but there are lots of growers on the east coast and in Canada. Over all Niagara is probably the best place to have it still.

While we are on the subject, Missouri is very nice expecially around Springfield, We also have lots of very nice convention centers here. Missouri is more central and not a lot of snow in the winter normaly.

3/13/2008 7:51:38 PM

Eugene,OR

I'd go to the Wallace's Pumpkin Shack in Rhode Island in a heartbeat.

3/13/2008 8:32:19 PM

I'm for the warmer weather and the diversity of activities offered, bring family or friends they have something to do outside of our pumpkin obsession. I was excited hearing the GPC stepped in to do more of the presentation planning this year. I'm sure an alternate site could be discussed if the "help" was there in organizing it.

Of course it would put the "pastport" questions in a new light too.

A few of us midwesterns have been talking around this idea for awhile now....

and somehow it doesn't surprise me that some think Niagra is central for the majority,,,

3/13/2008 8:37:39 PM

[email protected]

I'm with Vineman.

3/13/2008 8:45:35 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

UH-OH!!! Pap, sounds like a expansion for the shack is in order!!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

3/13/2008 9:29:04 PM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

I think it might be kinda cool to alternate it between the two. Some people I have talked to said they would be more inclined to go if it was in a warmer area. For me It would be nice do to my location being closer to Vegas and no border crossing LOL.

3/13/2008 9:52:05 PM

Pinedale, WY

Oh no not Springfield, MO. I am an A/G pastor and that is Mecca for us. I go there enough anyways!

3/13/2008 10:32:39 PM

Western NY

Falls has always been THE place to be, and I don't forsee a major shift to a US alternate unless there is a major border crackdown or closure.

More options isn't a bad thing, especially for those who would be better served with a drastically different area. However, the GPC is not running things at the falls, only giving a helping hand. I'm sure we could offer a little assistance or get one of the steering members out there if someone else organized it and got at least 100 folks coming in.

3/13/2008 10:47:58 PM

No Place Special

I would love a trip like that. I have long thought that the Niagara seminar should be a traveling location every year. Niagara is awesome but I think having a mini vacation every year that is someplace different would be great. I understand that the planning part would be the problem. Maybe someday GPC funds or a spring seminar seed auction could raise enough money to pay an organizer for such a traveling event. Just some thoughts.

3/13/2008 11:11:00 PM

San Diego, Ca.

San Diego was mentioned above... sounds like a great place to hold the convention! Just think of having a break from the cold weather, taking in some great scenery, so many things to do here and besides all that just think how easy it would be to talk your spouse into coming.

3/13/2008 11:41:02 PM

Indiana

I'm in on Vegas if my wife will let me go...LOL

Nothing against the girls that do such a great job at Niagara. The currency conversion issue, border crossing, plane tickets, and hotel costs are all financial drawbacks that kept me from attending. Vegas would have cost about the same for me even with the flight over the drive......

Even a different location at not such an expensive nice place, or on the other side of the river would be a huge benefit.

3/13/2008 11:50:35 PM

Danville, CA ([email protected])

Vegas would be great for me!

3/14/2008 12:58:59 AM

Parker, Co

what about san diego or orlando? they are always warm at this time of year! i would go to either!!!

3/14/2008 11:59:39 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Vegas is nice but would not go, glad to meet all or you in Niagara though

3/14/2008 1:55:14 PM

Santa Rosa California

sandeago is so west an orlando is so east how about

say houston San Antonio Dallas

3/14/2008 2:40:56 PM

[email protected]

Border crossing is really no issue. If you have the proper paper work, which is now a birth certificate and drivers license. That was a challenge for me to find my birth certificate, but, once that was found, it's 3.00 to get into Canadian side, and then customs on the way out was no big deal, they just ask what you were doing, and what the relationship to the person to you in the car is. I agree that Niagara in March isn't the best time of year, but seriously, if we were to do it during the growing season, we wouldn't go for obvious reasons. However, if a later time frame were picked in the Spring it might be better, or later in the Fall after weigh off, would be really pretty with the fall leaves.

However, that all said, due to one big snow storm, is no reason to change the location. Change is always good, but Vegas is going from one extreme to another. The gambeling alone can be a dangerous thing if not handled properly. You have to know your limits, and lets face it, it's an ever present temptation alot of us don't really need.

Warmer climate might be nice, but really may not be central for everyone. NO matter where you pick, it's just not going to be favored for everyone, unless you rotate the location on a semi annual schedule somehow, and doesn't the GPC dicate the location?

Yes Niagara is expensive, and I thought the group rate was fairly reasonable all things considered.

Nice job!

3/14/2008 2:45:31 PM

Dallas, Oregon

Vegas, You bet.

3/14/2008 5:12:18 PM

Parker, Co

san antonio isn't a bad idea either. more centrally located for growers...........we will go wherever but the cold and snow ......

3/14/2008 7:29:11 PM

Puyallup, WA

I vote for a warmer weather location. Personally, I would prefer someplace other than Las Vegas, but I am unlikely to return to Niagara Falls in winter.

PS. That Pumpkin Cruise was a lot of fun!!

3/15/2008 12:12:54 AM

Parker, Co

hey stan! i hear there is another pumpkin cruise "in the works"....2010 january, starting in puerto rico and going to the southern caribbean. sounds good to me!!!

3/15/2008 6:59:20 PM

Utah

I'd probably go to one at Vegas.

3/15/2008 8:55:32 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

Since this is an election year, maybe we all should vote for a location for a meeting place that would be attended by the most people from the bigpumpkins.com community. Airfares to/from Vegas and lodging in Vegas are reasonable compared to other major cities.

I would go to Vegas.

3/16/2008 12:06:15 AM

Santa Rosa California

i agree we should have an vote

3/16/2008 11:35:38 AM