SMF Convention - Page 3

Admin, I think you've got a really great idea. Since I've first seen this thread I mentioned your idea to my wife and she too thinks it would be nice. Although at this point she is not inclined to attend as she doesn't think it would be interesting for her. Go figure... Anyway, that's something to consider. Will it be just for forum members or members and their spouses?

Also, the 4 cities you mentioned "Miami or Vegas or New Orleans or SF"
are all fine cities, but they are kind of spread out. Very close to some members, very, very far from other members. If you were to think more centrally located you could probably expect a much better turn out.



For example, in my case San Francisco is more than 2200 miles from me. 31 hrs. drive time. Now, I'm an old ex trucker. I probably would make that. Probably. However, that distance would very likely deter many. Just for that reason. Distance. The average individual probably would be more willing to drive 15 to 20 hrs. Just food for thought.

Originally Posted by skylinejack

Admin, I think you've got a really great idea. Since I've first seen this thread I mentioned your idea to my wife and she too thinks it would be nice. Although at this point she is not inclined to attend as she doesn't think it would be interesting for her. Go figure... Anyway, that's something to consider. Will it be just for forum members or members and their spouses?

Also, the 4 cities you mentioned "Miami or Vegas or New Orleans or SF"
are all fine cities, but they are kind of spread out. Very close to some members, very, very far from other members. If you were to think more centrally located you could probably expect a much better turn out.

For example, in my case San Francisco is more than 2200 miles from me. 31 hrs. drive time. Now, I'm an old ex trucker. I probably would make that. Probably. However, that distance would very likely deter many. Just for that reason. Distance. The average individual probably would be more willing to drive 15 to 20 hrs. Just food for thought.

No matter where it is, it's going to be far away from most of the attendees, unfortunately. I mean yes having it right in the middle of the US would make it a maximum of half way across the country for some attendees anyway. Either way there would be more than enough time to plan ahead when and if the decision is made to make it happen.

We definitely will look into sponsors/speakers etc to make it worth it.

Should be in a city that has good scrap prices and the airport rent a car is well stocked with pick-up trucks...so that folks can generate beer money.

Originally Posted by KZBell

Should be in a city that has good scrap prices and the airport rent a car is well stocked with pick-up trucks...so that folks can generate beer money.

lol will take that into consideration

YEah maybe cordinate it with one of the cities bulk trash weeks. We could all show up in force with truck and trailers and make a killing

My vote would be east of the Mississippi.

Originally Posted by british

just googled....... 2582 miles from the UK to the nearest US landing maybe quite a long drive/swim/drive but just another small problem i'm sure with a possitive thinking it will just be another 'day in thew life story'

British- just slipping into swimwear

Able to deduct mileage from taxes?

well one fact that we need to consider is this is the internet. Even if 200 forum members say they will show dont expect more than 30.

I've done meet and greets from internet forums before. The best thing to do is, either host an event at a local watering hole were a majority of the members live, or have an event hosted at some ones house that is not apposed to people spending the night either in their house or in tents on the lawn.

Originally Posted by Twisted

Admin,
Isn't there some way you can extract the location data from Profiles and find out where most of the members are located and then plan from there?

Like sirscrapalot said, if we did this, it's not going to be a 'bar meetup', it would be an actual convention. Speakers and activities and networking, might even go for 1 or 2 full days.

No matter where it is, it's going to be a long trip for many (if not most) of the people who decide they want to go. Our forum members are literally EVERYWHERE, more than you may think don't even reside in the US. In all reality having such an event right smack in the middle of the country wouldn't make that much of a difference. Anyone who's serious about the scrap metal business, learning and really getting involved, I wouldn't expect to be overly concerned on the location of the event. Again though this is still way up in the air, nothing is set in stone.

Regarding the no show rate, I don't think it would be anything to worry about there would be a fee to attend, naturally tickets would be available long before the event took place, and generally speaking should be paid for BEFORE the event anyway unless you live right next door. I haven't looked into it deep enough to get a rough estimate of what the admission would be, what I do know is honestly we would be far more interested in making it happen and be awesome, rather than trying to make a big profit on it.