Hello Walt....(and others with similar thoughts)... Thanks for the questions. Answers are listed down below. But first.......have you looked at the convention's web site? Click here for answers to most of the questions you posed:
http://www.x2011west.org/nasg.html Now getting to your questions one by one: 1. Question -- I noted on the "S"acto form a line where you have to supply your NMRA membership number and no line for a NASG number. Does this mean that everyone who attends "S"acto must be a member of the NMRA (and pay the relatively high annual membership costs the larger organization requires)? 1. Answer -- First of all, you do not "have to" provide your NMRA membership number. Many of us do not have such a number and it is not required. The space is there in case you are an NMRA member and wish to provide it. The convention's web site states: "Registrants must be a member of any Extra 2011 West-affiliated participating group to register for this convention." Since NASG is an official affiliated participating group, being a member of NASG entitles you to register without any additional fees or costs. In addition, it should be noted (just among us guys here), there are not any membership requirements of any kind at all. I need to arrange for that affiliated group statement on the web site to be removed. Thus, anyone can register without being a member of anything. This is a "first" for the NMRA and also is a "first" for the NASG. I am sorry if the web site statement is misleading, but the policy on this matter has changed since the convention organizing efforts got started and the web site has not yet been updated. 1. Answer (continued) -- The reason for the NASG space on the registration form is explained on the convention's web site which states: "Be sure to check the NASG box on the registration form in order to be entitled to early reservation privileges for S events. If you fail to check the NASG box, our trustworthy computer will not realize you are an S enthusiast. It is not necessary to be an NASG member in order to check this box." There is no room for an NASG membership number because it doesn't really matter if you are an NASG member or not. The use of this box is solely for the purpose of giving S guys an advance registration opportunity for the S-oriented events. 2. Question -- Also the usual inclusive Family registration of NASG National Conventions has been replaced by a spouse registration at relatively high cost and each additional family member must be paid for separately. 2. Answer -- Please check the web site which states: "Also note that non-registered spouses and children will be allowed to attend extra-cost tours and banquets along with their full-fare registered rail enthusiast upon payment of the additional tour or banquet fee. Advance purchase of tickets for family members is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. This policy for non-registered guests is subject to change without notice depending on space availability and other factors." If a spouse is registered separately, she will be entitled to attend a special spouse (aka non-rail) luncheon which will be very nice indeed. There are also some non-rail tours especially designed for wives of train guys. A tour to the Jelly Belly factory will be of considerable interest to young children. If the primary registrant (you) signs up for these tours and events, the rest of your family can accompany you with only the tour fee being required. If you do not sign up for the tour, then the spouse should be registered with a spouse registration. If you want to send the kids off by themselves on a tour, then at least one of the kids will need to be registered. In other words, each event/tour will need at least one registrant who can then bring along his immediate family members for the price of the tour only. Yes, I realize it gets a bit confusing, but I'm doing my best here. This ain't Kansas, Toto, it is Emerald City! 3. Question -- In addition to distance, this registration form seems to preclude much of a decent S Scale attendance at next year's convention? 3. Answer -- I am not sure exactly what the question is here. I will assume you are talking about things being more expensive in "S"acramento than in Duluth. If that is the case, let's look at a few figures and make some comparisons. If you sign up with the special "early bird discount", the registration fee of $99 entitles you to NINE FULL DAYS of convention activities (July 1-9) as described on the convention's web site. Thus, for only $11 per day you have access to over 200 clinics, dozens and dozens and dozens of drive-yourself home layout visits, three days of the National Train Show which will have over 125 manufacturer booths, 200+ sales booths and numerous modular layouts in operation. All of the above is included in your basic registration. The cost of $11 per day is very reasonable compared to recent NASG conventions. In addition to the usual convention-related activities, the California State Capitol complex is only a few blocks away and offers some interesting low-cost tours. Maybe you will see our Governor -- also known as THE TERMINATOR. The gold dome on the Capitol building is a landmark in the area and the interior of the capitol building was designed by WED Enterprises (Walter E. Disney Enterprises) which explains why many of the locals refer to the inhabitants as the Mickey Mouse Club. Sacramento also offers many museums, amusement parks, a gigantic fireworks display (July 4th), and other stuff for very low fees. Yes, the convention banquet and tours are extra cost events as always. 3. Answer (continued) -- With regard to the distance to "S"acramento, I can only suggest that you and your wife both apply for a Citibank credit card and earn enough frequent flyer miles for a free roundtrip ticket for each of you on American Airlines. That is exactly what I did to attend Duluth without any cost of travel at all. Actually, I shared a rental car with Bill Winans and that cost me more than the flight to Minneapolis. Chase bank and Southwest Airlines have a similar deal. So does American Express. There is no need to pay one dime for any airplane ticket these days. Yes, you do have to pay the taxes and a TSA security fee, but those are pretty darn minimal. 3. Answer (continued) -- "S"acramento is not in the geographical center of our nation. If I could move it, I would. But it is stuck in the ground right where the famous Sacramento Locomotive Works is located. Southern Pacific preferred to design and build many of their own steam locos and these are the shops where it all happened. The backshop tour is historically fascinating. 3. Answer (continued) -- California is a more expensive state than any of the rural states. Sacramento is a "union town" in addition to being the state capitol. Hotels will be a bit more expensive. So will the tours. And the meals. We have everything from cheap fast food joints to exquisite high-end French restaurants. Take your pick. I cannot change the economics of the environment here, but I can say you will see some amazing railroad stuff. No ore docks, but probably a tour to Tehatchapi Loop. My intent is for the NASG banquet to be the most memorable banquet in all of NASG history. This will be my going-away party since this is the last NASG annual convention I will ever be coordinating. Plan on a few surprises! The venue is right inside the roundhouse of the California State Railroad Museum in between the locos and other displays. We have the primo spot in the entire region reserved for just us on Saturday evening. Maximum seating is 125 unless I pay extra to have locos moved out of the way. Save your money and reserve your banquet seats early when the online shopping cart goes live. It will not be cheap, but you won't forget it. Walt, I hope this answers your questions. Ask more if you have them. Looking forward to seeing you in "S"acto. Ed Loizeaux I noted on the "S"acto form a line where you have to supply your NMRA membership number and no line for a NASG number. Does this mean that everyone who attends "S"acto must be a member of the NMRA (and pay the relatively high annual membership costs the larger organization requires)? Even if one only wants to spend all of their time on S only activities? Also the usual inclusive Family registration of NASG National Conventions has been replaced by a spouse registration at relatively high cost and each additional family member must be paid for separately. In addition to distance, this registration form seems to preclude much of a decent S Scale attendance at next year's convention? Walt Jopke ------------------------------------ Yahoo! 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