Matthew Duncan Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Representatives from the Tombstone Chamber traveled to the 2010 SASS National Convention at LosWages. The Chamber had a booth at the convention AND met with SASS President Lamarr Shelnutt (funny alias). Chamber proposed that the SASS National Convention be held in Tombstone at the Grand Oriental Hotel and convention center. The Grand Oriental Hotel's developer, Bill Smith, anticpates a opening date of the Fall of 2012. Source of my information is from the Tombstone News, issue 12/24/2010. I've been wanting to go to Tombstone, but the traveling and cost I've been wanting to go to the SASS National Convention, but the traveling and cost IF the SASS National Convention is moved to Tombstone it would cut my costs in half AND MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME NOT TO GO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118 Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 MD, I shot Bordertown this year, (AZ state championship held in Tombstone). Cool place, the mayor invited us all back next year as the match will coincide with the 130th anniversary of the shoot out at the OK corral. As far as the SASS convention, I think it needs a new venue, however I doubt it will be Tombstone. There is no easy way to get there, fly into Tucson and drive 1.5 hrs south to Tombstone. I would be cool, but I don't know what the attendance would be like from all over the country. JMHO, TB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wily Yankee Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I will tell you this, if the convention moves to Tombstone better reserve a hotel room as soon as it's announced. Bordertown fills most to the hotels and that 300 shooters. I would suspect the convention would have a few more visitors than that. Wily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMJ#89586 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I say do it. I have family that live in tombstone. I'd be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Morgan Rum, SASS #6859 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Worse idea than having it at lost wages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiowa Kid, SASS #69870L Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Worse idea than having it at lost wages! WHY? KK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steeldust Dan, SASS #2631Life Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Don't really see how the logistics would work, but it would be a heck of a place to have the convention. Mighty Tony, don't you think? Side trips to Old Tucson Studios, Cochise Stronghold, Bisbee, missions. I'd love to go back for a visit. Steeldust Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texita Draw SASS#77940 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I think it is a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I could see a gathering there, but not the convention. Lets just run thru some of the needs and my opinion of which venue best suits them.... Transportation, available flights - edge to Vegas by far Lodging, lots of rooms, many options - edge to Vegas by far Entertainment, especially for non shooter spouses - edge to Vegas by far Food, lots of options and variety - edge to Vegas History, Old West Ambiance - edge to Tombstone by far Truth be told I came up with the last one just to give something to Tombstone. I've been involved in some meeting planning, albeit on a much smaller level. You need to have it in a place where folks want to go, are able to get to fairly easily, that has plenty of lodging and food options, and that has other things to do while you are there. That's pretty well the definition of Vegas. That's the view from my saddle. Grizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I will probably be burned at the stake for heresy. I live in Phoenix and my job takes me all over the State. Tombstone is a cool place but once you are past the Gunfight at the OK Corral, Tombstone Epitaph and Boothill there is not much there. Bisbee is quaint, Karchner Caverns are neat, Ft Huachuca has a good museum but there is little else shy of driving to Tucson. The hot tip would probably fly into Phoenix, many more flights and get a rental car, but that is a 3.5 to 4 hr drive. Bottom line Tombstone would not keep a whole lot of people occupied unless the convention itself was so fantastic attendees would not look for other things to do close. Who knows, might be able to rent out my 5th Wheel when they ran out of rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calgary Kate, SASS #33287 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 If you thought the food at the Riv was bad, wait until you try Tombstone. LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I don't know if this has any bering on a cowboy related event moving to a town with so much cowboy history vs. Las Vegas, but for the gun industry, there are some interesting things to note. Their annual convention (The Shot Show) is usually held in Las Vegas, but every now and again they will hold it in a different venue. Dallas has hosted the show a few years as well as Baton Rouge LA. They've even held it in Kansas City once or twice. One common denominator occurs with all of those different sites however, and that is low attendance. Las Vegas has plenty of rooms that are cheap. Eats are also cheap there. And finally, flights are usually cheaper there and back. Not so with those other places. So for a "convention" only perspective, Las Vegas is the only way to go. If there is some cowboy type of buy in to Tombstone, well then that is something different to consider. Smithy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Dog, SASS #20401 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 SASS president Lamarr Shelnut??? Huh?? I thot U.S. Grant is was and has been SASS president for eons. Lamarr Shelnut might be as I seem to recall Coyote Calhoun's real name. Is CC prez now or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Houston # 35508 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 DALLAS!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Charley, SASS Life #14739 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 DALLAS!!!! Yup!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I am up for anyplace new, believe it or not there are more than a few folks that don't care for Vegas. They would find that out if they moved it and attendence increased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 How about somewhere smack dab in the middle of the country? Not sure where that would be exaclty but maybe St. Louis, Kansas City, etc. Just a thought. Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin Ear Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I used to belong to the Model "A" Restorers Club. Each year our National "Meet" was held in a different location. The meet was hosted by a local club under national guidelines. As an example, I was Chairman for such a meet in 1999. It was held in Lancaster, PA and we had 850 Model "A" Fords attend with about 1,800 people registered and lasted for about 5 days. A modest registration fee covered expenses, raffles were held to raise funds, and vendor spaces were sold. Any funds remaining after expenses could be split between the host club and SASS. Moving the Convention to different locations would increase participation as SASS members that could not travel to Las Vegas would attend a convention in thier area. Another plus would be that in most areas a SASS club has a range where a SASS shoot could be run and shooting seminars could be held. I attended on SASS convention in Las Vegas and the SASS Family Reunion in Tennesse. I am not interested in going back to Vegas but would go to another location. I offer this as a possibility to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anvil Al #59168 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 MD, I shot Bordertown this year, (AZ state championship held in Tombstone). Cool place, the mayor invited us all back next year as the match will coincide with the 130th anniversary of the shoot out at the OK corral. As far as the SASS convention, I think it needs a new venue, however I doubt it will be Tombstone. There is no easy way to get there, fly into Tucson and drive 1.5 hrs south to Tombstone. I would be cool, but I don't know what the attendance would be like from all over the country. JMHO, TB Yep Need places with airports CLOSE by. Not making everyone fly, rent car, drive. That's a big draw back. At least LV you can get flights in. SHORT cab ride to hotel. Everything else is short cab ride, bus or walking distance. Not many places offer so much in such a short distance from airport, and hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 How about somewhere smack dab in the middle of the country? Not sure where that would be exaclty but maybe St. Louis, Kansas City, etc. Just a thought. Rye Branson Missouri has the hotels, entertainment, access and convention space. they also are appreciative of business and would bend over backwards to make the convention a success. I am aware that Missouri is considered "flyover space" by those living in the coastal areas but it would come as a surprise that there are actually SASS shooters east of the Rocky Mountains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rippin kid Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 How about Deadwood SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go West Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 As much as I enjoy shooting there, it would be a terrible venue for the convention as mentioned by several others. I would think a place in the central part of the country would be better, such as the D/FW area of Texas. You need lodging, transportation options, other things to do, food choices, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Bill, SASS #4942 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 How about Deadwood SD The language is not conducive for my wife's approval for me to go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Nathan C. Riddles, SASS # 7462 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Closest airport is in Benson, 26 miles away for general aviation (those who fly their own planes) & no car rental facilities there. Next is a commuter airport at Sierra Vista, 30 miles from Tombstone & connects to Tucson & Phoenix. Not sure if rental cars are available there. Next is in Tucson about 75 miles. Nobody has mentioned the border danger in Cochise County where Tombstone is located. Since August concealed carry is legal without a license & open carry has always been legal you sure better go healed while visiting that area. Just remember no alcohol consumption while packin. Stick to the main highways & stay off the back roads & you should be ok. Better to have it & not need it than to need it & not have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozarks Monte, SASS #66019 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 BRANSON,MISSOURI- Just Ask Any Shooter That has Been to The Missouri State Shoot There. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Rider Rudy Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 + 1 For Branson,Missouri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Utah Bob, you do have such a way with words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 We use to really enjoy our stay at "Buffalo Bills" Casino and Hotel when Stampede was in full swing. It's at the Cal-Nev state line a short distance from LV. Snakebite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrub Oak Willie 53737 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Missouri in Dec . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanish Bit Bobb Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Chamber proposed that the SASS National Convention be held in Tombstone at the Grand Oriental Hotel and convention center. Thas funny rite thare...I dont care who ya are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Dog Jack, SASS #77862 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Missouri in Dec . Yeah... I used to live in Missouri, not the place to be in December. Or for me in the summer either, with the humidity. Living where I live makes me spoiled like that, I guess... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 How about at EOT? The only way I'm going to a convention is if there's shootin'. I'm not wasting my money and valuable vacation time going to a non- shooting event. The majority of the folks that make the convention live within driving distance. Move it from Vegas and many of the CA shooters will not attend, move it to TX and alot of the Texans will attend. Move it to Denver and perhaps others would attend. Logistics! If the convention was free, including travel, and room and board I would not go to Vegas unless there was a shoot. LL' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi LL, They have a wax bullet shoot right in the hotel. Also, there is a match nearby either the weekend before or the weekend after, depending on the Convention date. The Convention is really a great time and I haven't shot guns there yet! Regards, Allie Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker, SASS #43022 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 If the convention was free, including travel, and room and board I would not go to Vegas unless there was a shoot.LL' Also, there is a match nearby either the weekend before or the weekend after, depending on the Convention date.Regards, Allie Mo We shoot nearly every weekend in Las Vegas - There is almost always a shoot available. There was an "Authorized" SASS convention shoot a few years back, but the handling of it (by SASS, not the local club) was poorly done. (from transportation, to the shoot fee, etc.). If you come to Las Vegas and want to shoot, get ahold of me. I will let you know where the shoot is and if you can't get there - let me know - I will see that you get a ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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