Another Chaser Convention

[Jason Foster]

Jeff Duda and Shane Adams raise some good points... maybe this idea is smaller and more informal than we're assuming, and if that's the case, it's basically going to come down to one or two people stepping forward and setting it up as their situation allows.

I guess I have to refrain from tossing out further ideas because I'm not even sure yet that I can attend, and I can't really organize such a thing right now. I've had some ideas of starting an annual Stormtrack event here in Norman in 2011 or 2012 (larger than Rocky's picnic but smaller than TESSA). I think that this likely will happen in some shape or form, but I'm not ready to cross that bridge yet due to too many other things going on right now.

Tim

I've always been one that would entertain a lot. I guess it's just a popular east coast thing (and a big reason everyone wants 3000+ S.F. homes). I certainly would be one to step forward...I've come very close to doing an 'east coast' thing too, but not sure attendance would be strong enough to support such a thing. I know it is tough to take on the tasks of hosting if it isn't IMBY. I know that is why each smaller event and even the NSCC/chasercon is always in Denver.

I guess I would do my best to go, for more reasons, but at this point just to support the effort. I also need to meet a ton of the folks I've never met since I've missed the last few years of the plains.

 

[James Hilger]

+1 for Joplin. Easy to get around and i have gotten discounts at some of the local hotels in the past. Should be able to get some discounted rates with some group bargaining. I have family there that has a sports bar with lots of pool tables and a "safe" environment for those that are into that.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Not to "Pooh Pooh" Joplin entirely but when you look at something like this, getting there is half of the decision. I think some are thinking that all will be driving to the location. Joplin's airport probably isn't on most airlines radar (pardon the pun) but take my example... I just checked and if I drive from my home in St. Louis, MO straight to Joplin, it will take me 4 1/2 hours to do so. If I fly, the quickest flight is at least 7 1/2 hours and will cost me $400 roundtrip to get there.

I would have to fly from St. Louis to Chicago, then to Kansas City and then take a puddle jumper to Joplin.

If the convention was in:
Kansas City the cost would be $210
Oklahoma City $200
Dallas $174

If a convention picks a major city where flights are common, you'll get many more "takers" because they'll have $200 more in their pockets. (via Travelocity)

If you want to make it move it closer to a certain area, it's got to be affordable and accessible to the larger portion of the audience to be successful. I wouldn't just expect everyone to drive there.

Know what I mean? (Please do your own research and post numbers. Mine might be skewed because of St. Louis's airport.)

 

[Bart_Comstock]

Joplin's airport probably isn't on most airlines radar

Although Joplin's airport is not, there are several close airports that are. Just south of Joplin by an hour is my local airport. Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (code: XNA) is serviced by Continental, American, United, Northwest, Delta, and Allegiant Air. They area also building a new terminal that will be completed next year and double the number of gates at the airport as well as draw in a few more airlines.

Springfield-Branson, Missouri's airport is just over a hour away and Tulsa is close to two hours away.

Since I mentioned NWA's airport I might as well throw my area into the running. Although Northwest Arkansas may seem out of the way we aren't as tiny as you would think.

We have a population of just over 400k and are serviced by a decent airport thanks to Walmart and JBHunt and Tyson's HQ being here. We also have a large amount of cheap lodging from every hotel brand but Westin. Our hotel rates are generally lower than that of any major city. In Fayetteville (the southern city in the NWA area.) There is a good night life in the entertainment and theater district on Dickson Street. Our largest hotel would be the Embassy Suites in Rogers which is located in the Pinnacle Hills area which plays host to a number of bars and upscale dining. It is also connected to one of the two large convention halls that the area has. The John Q Hammond's center is larger than the one that the Red Lions have in Denver.

Although it may be a bit of a stretch to drive here it wouldn't be to fly here or to find a place to host the convention. We are two hours from Tulsa, 45 min from Joplin and Ft. Smith. Four hours from KC, OKC, and ICT.

The event would need to be held after Oct. 2nd here as NWA hosts Bikes Blues and BBQ on the weekend of the 2nd. Bikes Blues and BBQ is a national bike rally that draws about 400k to 500k bikers from out side of NWA a year.

 

[Wes Carter]

Well, this has had a better response than I expected. There are a few obstacles we have encountered, the greatest of which is time. To make this work well, we will need a bit of time to plan it out. It's already late August, so realistically the soonest we could consider having anything would be late October to early November. However, if we try to do anything any later than that we are getting into the Holiday season. After that we have January, when the best laid plans can be thwarted by winter weather. Chasercon is in February, and it fills the need during that time frame.

After much discussion and suggestions from many we are very seriously considering having something on November 6 following the National Weather Festival in Norman, OK. It is over by 1-2 PM, so the chaser get together could start soon after that.

The downside is that some of the chasers in the Northern Plains will have a harder time getting to Norman than they would Kansas City. Don't be discouraged, we are discussing having an event next year in a more central location such as Kansas City or Omaha, possibly in September or October.

All input is very welcome. There is no way we can make this work for everyone, but we want to make it accessible to as many as possible. Many chasers were already going to the National Weather Festival so it makes sense to just add to it for now. It takes up a lot of slack in planning, and with our limited time that is most welcome. The football game is an away game, so that will not be an issue.

Again, any suggestions or comments are most welcome. As soon as we have something set in stone, we will post it on Stormtrack.

 

[Karla Dorman]

I will if I can get a ride ... would be awesome to meet y'all! =]

 

[Jason Young]

Good point , Stillwater is insane on the weekend of home game . When I lived up near there , we stayed out of town on game day !

If you pick a college town at the end of October... bad news. Especially on a weekend. College football + Halloween Parties = Fail.

In all honesty I would probably be passed out drunk at some random girls dorm room than watching tornado videos that weekend.

 

[James Wilson]

Do not forget KC has The Power & Light district for fun after ...

 

[MatthewCarman]

Omaha has the Henry Doorly Zoo for fun after. That zoo has more types of animals and insects than any other zoo in the country and there is a Safari for the same zoo on the other side of the city.

 

[Mark Blue]

Omaha has the Henry Doorly Zoo for fun after. That zoo has more types of animals and insects than any other zoo in the country and there is a Safari for the same zoo on the other side of the city.

I was actually thinking Omaha the other night too because it's closer to Minnesota (which had a big year) and South Dakota where a lot of the action occurred this last season. But since I'm not going to help organize this event I thought I should probably keep my bright ideas to myself!

 

[Jason Foster]

Omaha is a great city. Did visit the zoo once too...it was OK.

After thinking about it, something around St. Louis would be nice as well. That would allow me to drive and I could visit my dad's grave (in Ill.) along the way, which WAY justifies the drive for me. I haven't been since 2006 (on my way to chase the in the plains) and I've seriously been itching to go. St. Louis is a bit out of the "alley" though.

 

[John Farley]

Omaha is a great city. Did visit the zoo once too...it was OK.

After thinking about it, something around St. Louis would be nice as well. That would allow me to drive and I could visit my dad's grave (in Ill.) along the way, which WAY justifies the drive for me. I haven't been since 2006 (on my way to chase the in the plains) and I've seriously been itching to go. St. Louis is a bit out of the "alley" though.

Since zoos have come up, St. Louis has an excellent one, too. Excellent air connections, too, especially on Southwest Airlines. If it does somehow end up in St. Louis in the next year or so, I will try to do what I can to help - but after that I will likely be moving out west.

 

[Jason Foster]

Of course, I still wish we could have this and the main NSCC/chasercon in Florida. The tropics in February is great...as well as any other time of year is a win in my book!

I would be very active in helping set that up.

 

[Kate Pfeister]

St. Louis please...

 

[Jacob Ferden]

I'll vote for Norman. But it you do it there, Wes, as others have said about various college towns, it better be the weekend of a road game, because Norman is an absolute nut house on home game days.