BACFest 2015 Venue Search

niechiro

niechiro

Around The Moon
We have been to the east coast and soon we will be going to the west coast. This year we have a very small committee looking into where BACFest 2015 will be held. The consensus is that the next BACFest needs to be in the middle of the country. We are in the very early stages of searching for a venue and have a lot of work to do, especially if we are going to look at the huge area that could be considered "middle of the country". However, if you have a site you would like to see it at, let us know. Better yet, if you live near such a site and would be willing to host the event, give us your suggestion. If you are hesitant to host one because you are new to the club or are concerned about all the work that will need to be done to make the arrangements, we want to assure you there is help. You won't be alone. Let's make 2015 another great BACFest just like 2013 and 2014! You can post it here or PM either me or Bob Schmidt.
 
If there is interest in the DC region, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, Sandusky, OH, St. Louis, MO I am in for assistance and participation. I know a major factor is reasonable commercial airfare availability, cost effective hotels, events and volunteers.
 
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Cleveland has a lake front airport right downtown and a big commercial airport. Lots of hotels, casino, Rock n roll hall of fame, etc.
 
Hi Folks,

I'd be interested in a Midwest fly-in - Cleveland area would be well within flying range for me... I recall Midwest BACfest locations were reported to have lower than normal participation - which is one of the reasons they've stuck more to the coasts... Burke Lakefront Airport ? Field trip to the Bass Islands ? I'm game...

Regards,
Scott
 
st louis or kansas city ?? this is kind of in the middle of the greatest number of flyers (I believe)
fred
 
When deciding on a venue, a density map of BAC members would be helpful. The coastal venues probably had the best attendance because they were closest to the largest number of members in that region. Cleveland is good because it is easily accessible by those of us living in the NE, Mid-Atlantic, and central US. Bit more of a hike for SE, SW, and Pacific NW, but that is why we need to move it around from year to year.
 
The consensus is that the next BACFest needs to be in the middle of the country.

In the no good deed goes unpunished category, I'm going to assume this consensus is of the small committee for BACFest 2015 and not the membership as a whole since I haven't seen anything asking that question.

It would seem to me that one of the goals of BACFest is for folks to be able to fly-in with their aircraft. But we know that isn't always an option, so I would think wherever the event is held, it needs to be somewhere with "easy access" and "low cost" commercial service--in addition to having facilities for those that can fly-in.

John makes a good point about checking the demographics of our membership. (Without actually seeing those, my WAG is that moves the consensus location towards the East coast.)

Since you asked about possible locations, Orlando comes to mind.
 
Gary, would you be able to coordinate and help with Orlando as a option.The small group on the committee would like to be larger.The event is really not up to potential with a small turnout.Fla does have great flying weather and the biggest region in members .Lets here from everyone . It is nice to hear everyone's input .
 
The lively discussion so far has been good, but I think I need to give BAC members a little back ground about this. It is my understanding that in the past, members who were willing to host a BACFest would make a proposal to the BOD. The BOD then makes a decision based on what is best for the club and announces the location at BACFest. Right now there are no proposals as there have been in the past. BACFest 2014 is less than 2 months away so much needs to be done. What we have heard are complaints from those in the west who have to fly so far east and those from the east who have to fly so far west. So our thoughts are responsive to what we have heard. We need everyone's input, but the BOD will be making the final decision, not the committee.
 
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I am going to volunteer to host the event at Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is a historic river town on the Mississippi River with a new convention center boarding the river, including a river walk, museum, and many resturants in walking distance of the motel. The upper Mississippi is very scenic at that point with high bluffs and clear creeks feeding into it with trout in them. We could arrange for a river boat cruise and a fly-out to an island airstrip with lunch. The airport is class D with a large ramp that is currently hosting almost 40 AT-6's and p-51's preparing for a mass fly-in to Oshkosh. There also is a maintenance facility that would accommodate a clinic. Fuel is currently $5.30 off the truck and less than that at a self serve pump. It is just the right size, not so big that prices are high, but big enough to have the needed facilities. There is commercial service to the airport by regional jet.
My hat is in the ring for consideration, Denis.
 
WeiserDenisP said:
I am going to volunteer to host the event at Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is a historic river town on the Mississippi River with a new convention center boarding the river, including a river walk, museum, and many resturants in walking distance of the motel. The upper Mississippi is very scenic at that point with high bluffs and clear creeks feeding into it with trout in them. We could arrange for a river boat cruise and a fly-out to an island airstrip with lunch. The airport is class D with a large ramp that is currently hosting almost 40 AT-6's and p-51's preparing for a mass fly-in to Oshkosh. There also is a maintenance facility that would accommodate a clinic. Fuel is currently $5.30 off the truck and less than that at a self serve pump. It is just the right size, not so big that prices are high, but big enough to have the needed facilities. There is commercial service to the airport by regional jet.
My hat is in the ring for consideration, Denis.
Click to expand...

I second the motion and nominate wdnd5960 to give an electrical class at BAC Fest 2015. What's the identifier?

Never mind. I see the identifier is I75. I thought that was an interstate, not an airport.

Woops, I see I75 is your home base and Dubuque is DBQ. That's another 63.9 PT points.
 
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So far, everything suggested is within GA reach for me except Vegas. I can make it to Dubuque with one stop and about 5 hrs flying time. Orlando would be easy, Ohio too. Denis: Thanks for volunteering.

Rap
 
Here is my two cents. We did have what I thought was a good turnout when we met in Texas. This seems like middle USA to me. I think that the most important concerns are a willing coordinator, a location that allows GA and Commercial access, and activities to make it worth the trip for anyone that will take time away to make it. Although the meeting is fun and important I know that for a 4-5 day trip to be attractive we should shoot for more daily optional group activities.
If we decide to make it the "middle of the country" it seems that distance will always be easier for some than others. So, I think the location will depend more on who is organizing than how close to most members. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with most of the middle part of the country so I can't make a suggestion. But if we can find a member willing to share local knowledge and enthusiasm to create a fine few days I would be willing to help with my experience setting up an event.
 
Looks like I could easily add Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin to my map and maybe a couple others on the way there and back.
 
Bullhead city/Laughlin Nv. Just south of Vegas, nice airport, cheap hotels and food. Close to historical old Route 66 sites, the Grand Canyon and Sedona. It usually has nice weather in October.
 
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