Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I'd like to thank Misty and all of her crew for organizing and running this great event. Everything was top notch and well done. If you were not there you simply missed out on a good time with wonderful people. I am sad that this convention is the end of a era but proud I was here to experience it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncho Billy Aronson Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 OH NO, sorry I missed it! What do you mean 'end of an era'? They wont be holding these anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Nope, SASS is loosing money on these since attendance has dropped. 400 people, needed 600 to break even. SASS has to guarantee the the hotel rooms they block for the event. Unfilled rooms, SASS pays for. Vendor attendance has dropped way of so revenue from that has dropped. Many of the seminars are the same each year so attendance to them is down, SASS rents the room anticipating some level of attendance. And before someone asks, SASS goes through a process of finding a location that offers the best room rates, ease of access to air and vehicle travel etc. SO when it was asked it was answered, this is b far the lowest cost venue we can find. It was emphasized that they are a business and can't continue to fund events, or other items, at a loss. Ike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 My wife said this was the best convention ever. We both will have fond memories of this final event - especially the Grand Ball. BTW based on what I paid for my room, SASS absorbed ~$80k cost for the unsold rooms. No wonder they don't want to host another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokestack SASS#87384 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 This was my first time being able to attend the convention. It was a top notch event in every way. It was great to be able to hang out with friends I don't get to see very often and made some new friends. Thank you to everyone who helped plan and run this event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Sadie Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 We had a fantastic time and glad we were able to meet up with some great cowboy and cowgirl friends and make new ones. There was a lot to do and some great seminars. Sorry for those that could not make it....you missed a great event! Sorry this event will be no more...hoping that the interest comes back again though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 It was a great Convention and there is always something new to learn in the seminars. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncho Billy Aronson Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 400 attendees..wow...I don't want to start an entirely new thread on the subject...but...this is why SASS needs do a very deep re-thinking on how to 'modernize' this game to start appealing to a 'younger' generation or I fear that these and other events will be a thing of the past sooner then we think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 400 attendees..wow...I don't want to start an entirely new thread on the subject...but...this is why SASS needs do a very deep re-thinking on how to 'modernize' this game to start appealing to a 'younger' generation or I fear that these and other events will be a thing of the past sooner then we think! IMHO, SASS isn't going to attract much of a younger crowd, they're just not into the western thing. Sure a few younger shooters will tag along with their folks or grandparents but we're fooling ourselves if we think those are big numbers. I truly believe that if we could attract other ethnicities outside of older white males and females SASS would be in fine shape. Living in southern Kalifornia I would think that our sport would be able to attract a healthy number of Latinos, African Americans, Asians and Native Americans. Sadly that's not the case. I can probably count on two hands the number Asians, on one hand the number of blacks and Latinos that frequent the five clubs that I shoot at. I don't think I've ever met or seen a Native American at any of the clubs that I've shot with, there are 20 some reservations in southern Kalifornia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncho Billy Aronson Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I agree with what you have to say. BUT, when I see discussions, endless discussions on the type of JEANS that are allowed or not allowed and how some folks want to keep the game 'pure' in terms of dress codes, this is just part of what is keeping a younger generation from participating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 400 attendees..wow...I don't want to start an entirely new thread on the subject...but...this is why SASS needs do a very deep re-thinking on how to 'modernize' this game to start appealing to a 'younger' generation or I fear that these and other events will be a thing of the past sooner then we think! I started this thread to congratulate SASS on a job well done on producing this years convention and summit. Lots and lots of hard work and effort was put fourth by many people. If you have ideas on how "modernizing" the game with improve numbers feel free to start your own thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 My wife attended your seminar and said that you helped her a great deal. Thanks kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santa Fe River Stan,36999L Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 This was my first time being able to attend the convention. It was a top notch event in every way. It was great to be able to hang out with friends I don't get to see very often and made some new friends. Thank you to everyone who helped plan and run this event. Big +1......Misty and crew did a fine job with the Convention. I had a great time! Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Yep, it was OUTSTANDING!!!!! Great being to be able to meet new people, see old friends, and have a blast but even more important was all the VERY useful information that I gathered from both the seminars and the meetings. (just the "trick" I learned in Deuce's SG clinic was worth the trip) Misty and her "possee" absolutely wore themselves out trying to insure all went well and are to be congratulated for their efforts! The only disappointment I had was that Allie Mo chickened out and didn't show at the pajama party!!!!! THANK YOU to the Wild Bunch, members of the ROC, Misty's possee, seminar presenters, and everyone who helped put on this fantastic event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelin kid #51083 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I'd like to thank Misty and all of her crew for organizing and running this great event. Everything was top notch and well done. If you were not there you simply missed out on a good time with wonderful people. I am sad that this convention is the end of a era but proud I was here to experience it. Ditto +++++1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korupt Karl Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I too want to add my two cents. Misty and crew were great. Getting to finally meet Zack, Allie and so many more wonderful people and put a face with a name. I attended as many of the seminars as I could and compliment the presenters. I got to reunite with so many old friends and of course the Judge and Lilly....I know I'll leave people out, but my memory hasn't always been the best. The TG summit was a great success and thanks go to Hipshot, Chuckaroo for all the work and to Black Jack Zack for moderating as he did a great job. If you missed the banquet you missed a fantastic meal....wow! what a nice steak. Those that dressed up for the competition went all out. Tex and Cat were looking exceptional along with George.....but what would you expect. D Bar J had an outstanding tour of their facility along with open bar and food...along with a Frank Sinatra impersonator who sang us through the evening. The vendors were out in force and showed their support. I ended up bringing more clothes, hats and leather than I came with along with a few extra dollars from the casino. ....and you ladies....you all looked marvelous. Thanks to the entire SASS staff, Wild Bunch and to the RO committee that continue to allow us to play this game I love so well. I got to celebrate my ten year anniversary on Saturday and what better way ....with cowboys and girls.....the only thing better would have been if we could have worn our guns...lol. KK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Well, not to stir the pot, but being all the way out in FL has always presented me with a large cost of travel to the westcoast, especially during the holidays. I think in the future as I had heard proposed that the convention would continue but not as an annu8al event, that one, make it during the summer, when travel costs are usually at their lowest especially after Memorial Day, have it more centralized to allow as many people to come by car as well as plane, and adverise up front that if there isn't a minimum number of participants by a certain deadline then the conv ention is postponed once again. Being someplace in the midwest would allow me to combine the trip for the convention with seeing family, dual purpose and able to spread the costs to two destinations instead of just one. Even airline tickets and hotel costs would be down. Traveling during the holidays across the country for 3-4 days just doesn't make economic sense with Christmas presents and entertaining right around the corner. But oince again if you don't involve the membership in part of the planning then we can't get involved can we? I know there was an earlier post already talking about checking all the different destinations, not sure he mention time of the year being considered, but if another post stating that SASS had to pony up $80,000 for unused rooms, then there was something wrong in how the convention was markerted to us, like a discount for early resevations, you know different levels, buy your tickets in the first month and get a 25% discount, second month 20 or 15%, and so on to get the participants and then you may not have had 200 rooms vacant? Just a thopught if it ever happens again, and I believe you would want to to address the concerns of the many vendors trying to meet our equipment needs, being a perfect time to present us with the new products coming out for the next year. Just some thoughts. Nimble Fingers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Sorry, my bad. i responded to the response about teh convention not continuing. This as my second event, 2014 and 15. I enjoyed both very much so. Good organization and loation. Vendor selction was better as far as number. Misty was very open and honest wiht her discussions at both the TG meeting and at the open forum meeting. Refreshing to hear whats actually going on for thier business. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Irish Ike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Most Wanted Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 We were in town for 48 hrs and checked in on the convention. Misty and crew did a great job and the resort was real nice. Good to see some old friends and make some new ones. Well Done ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I always thought that the convention would get a lot bigger crowd if it was anytime OTHER than DEC!! People are getting ready for Christmas, businesses are busy meaning employees are also working more. My own little piano tuning business explodes in December!!! Think about it! Christmas parties, churches, school events etc. If SASS wants better attendance they should have it in the "off" months. I would love to attend if it was Jan-Feb-Mar. (I know last year it was in Jan) Oh well, too late now! Too bad, now I'll never get to a convention! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbwire Bill, SASS #661 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I want to add my thanks to the whole crew who put on a great show. The event was tons of fun. I saw one post that said some of the seminars were repeats. I have to say, I attended a couple that I had seen in previous conventions and learned something different both times. The speakers had updated their presentations. It was well worth my time. During the open forum, Misty addressed the issue of coming back to Vegas and the time of year. They left Vegas for a couple fo years and people said it should return so it did. They choose Dec as that is a the lull in the shooting season. They don't want to hurt anyone's big match. I believe they looked at all the possible factors before deciding on this location and while it was a little more expensive than past locations, it was beautiful. The logistics of putting this on are tremendous and I don't think many of us appreciate it enough. I hope after a year or two of a break they can bring this back. It is a great event. Thank you to the whole SASS planning team. You knocked it out of the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.C. Moonshine Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 This was our first trip to the convention. First let me say what an outstanding location ! Plenty of room, plenty to do, plenty of options for classes, lots to do after hours, and very well done vendor event. I am so impressed with SASS's commitment to making this a great event. I wish to thank Misty and the whole SASS office for their hard work ! I run many events for my work and this was a very well put together event. Thank you for everything, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I made the first convention but missed the last. Glad y'all had a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montana Longhair 27261 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 BIG YEE HAA!!!!! Great post Duece! What a time we had!! Thanks to all the hard work Misty and her posse did to make this event happen! Thanks to all the TG's that attended and their input on issues at hand, BlackJack fur keeping us in line and to task, and all the rules committee for their continued support and their tireless and sometimes thankless job they all do! Li'l Sis and I had a hoot!!! Great ta see old and new friends, and the long discussions that ensued!! Thanks again, fur letting like minded folks from across this great nation get together!! Thanks to all who put on seminars and donated their time to educate! Thank you Travlin Kid fur keeping tabs on Karl!! Thanks fur CC Top and AuntBee fur having the vision 10 years ago to create a shooting club that was recognized for all the hard work!!! I love SASS!! misty...............yer hair looks fab today!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Dan, SASS #24025 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I will certainly second all those very glowing comments about the job Misty, her crew and the Wild Bunch did in planning, coordinating and executing this year's convention! Miss Mary and I had a very memorable weekend with many friends...old and new! A salute to all!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 My wife and I returned home late Sunday night after 6 days and 5 Nights in Las Vegas. From the venue, to the seminars, to the meetings, to the Open Forum, to the food, everything was top notch. My wife even won more at the casino than I lost! Good Times! Misty and her crew did an outstanding job and everything was seamless, from registration to checkout. This was certainly a testament to her efforts and that of SASS in making this such a great event. And to those that have never attempted to put on a big event, you cannot imagine how much work is involved, and to have everything go as well as it did, just proves how hard they worked and how much effort they put in. I for one, applaud all they did, and continue to do, for us. I will admit that it would have been nice to have a Hotel GPS to help navigate the place, it was HUGE! I spent Tuesday after check-in wandering around picking out landmarks and by the end of the day Wednesday, I had everything pretty much down pat. I am sure I didn't learn all of the shortcuts, but I could get to anywhere, from anywhere, without getting lost. I even figured out how to get from the rooms to the parking garage without having to deal with the "Badge" police! For those that weren’t there, Casino Security was having a conniption fit about all of us Cowboys wearing our badges while in the Casino. This included just walking through on the way to the garage, the buffet, even to the Convention area with the seminars. I got stopped a couple of times, getting a different story from the Security person each time. I didn't have any problem with their request not to wear badges at the tables or games, but just walking through, get serious. I ended up compromising with them by covering my badges with my notebook while passing through and they seemed to be OK with that. I guess it was setting off an alert or something in the facial recognition security camera system. It is sad to think that this will most likely be the last Convention as Misty alluded to at the Open Forum. Maybe there will be another one sometime in the distant future, but certainly not in the foreseeable one. I certainly understand SASS's position, if the event can't break even, then it needs to go away, but I will miss it. I have always enjoyed the Conventions as it provided an opportunity to meet other Cowboys and Cowgirls in a setting where shooting is not the focus. I know to some that has no attraction, but for me at least, it is an opportunity to get to know a few of my pards a little better and that's why we stay in the game right? We come for the shooting and stay for the people! Thanks to all who did attended. Thanks to SASS and Misty for all the past Conventions, including this one! And finally, Thanks to the Wild Bunch for the game we play! Without you all, we would just be a group of folks with old time guns who dress funny! Dogmeat Dad P.S. If I could have figured out how, I would have contacted all the SASS members in attendance and had them stage themselves at the periphery of the Casino with their badges on. Then, at the appointed hour, have everyone simultaneously walk completely across the Casino and keep on going. We would probably have heard Security heads explode all over the Casino! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PISKO, SASS #32189 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 My wife (Gale Storm)and I would like to add our thanks to Misty and her great crew for a job well done. We enjoyed meeting everyone. We did not attend the ball as we had planned the weekend to house hunt in Flagstaff Az. Someone made a comment about getting other races involved, I am not sure ehst that would take, my wife and I are Black and have made and enjoyed several conventions, and akwsys make new friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I truly regret not going. Tracey and I would have had a great time. Most of the best friends I have ever had went and we truly missed out enjoying the Convention with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Thanks for starting this thread Deuce! I have been to, IIRC, 10 conventions and this was the best ever. I BIG HEARTY THANK YOU TO THE WILD BUNCH FOR A JOB WELL DONE! Also, thank you Misty for the information you provided. Sincerely, Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 PS Also, thanks should go to the wonderful ladies from the SASS office; Kissin' Cassidy, Cali River Rose, Roxy West, Angela Bellarose, and Amber Oakley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 What a wonderful event. Duece, I am pretty sure that we met in the Drop Bar - a real pleasure the facility was first rate. The pajama party was fine, but the spa was even better. Misty and her minions once again proved that SASS is in good hands. As far as traveling goes, I have this huge smile on my face, remembering that Hellhound and Blue N Wild came all the way from Germany to attend the convention and surprise this cowboy. I had a chance to meet a number of people from the wire that I can now put a face to, and shared a few libations, and made more friends Coffee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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