I am also trying to figure out a way to get there. Between the weather and other variables it's hard to make an early commitment. If I can go it will be a last minute decision. I think you might find out that other people may be in the same predicament.
Sent from my iPhone On Jun 27, 2010, at 6:11 PM, RickG <rgunder...@gmail.com> wrote: > Rick, > > You've done a fantastic job getting great vendors, putting together a > wonderful track, and a beautiful hotel venue! > Being a Mom & Pop WISP has made it a real challenge to get away from > town, ESPECIALLY during thunderstorm season. I'm keeping my fingers > crossed the weather is kind and I can make the whole show. It's a risk > but I really want to meet the brain trust on this list. Looking > forward to it! > -Rick (NOT Rikeesha) Gunderson > KyWiFi > > On Sun, Jun 27, 2010 at 3:28 PM, Rick Harnish <rharn...@wispa.org> wrote: >> Members and WISP followers, >> >> >> >> We would like to better understand some of the challenges that many of you >> face on a daily basis as we continue to fine tune the Regional Meeting >> Agenda. As you know the 1st Regional Meeting is scheduled for July 21st and >> 22nd in St. Louis. We have been pleasantly surprised at the response we have >> received from vendors in our industry in committing to exhibit at our >> Regional Meeting. >> >> >> >> One thing we have noticed during the signup period is that many WISPs that >> are attending are traveling long distances to come to St. Louis in the first >> stages of signup. We originally picked St. Louis because of its central >> location in the US and because there are a tremendous amount of WISP >> companies throughout the Central US. We really anticipated that 70% of our >> attendees at this meeting would come from a 500 mile radius from St. Louis. >> This does not seem to be the case and we find ourselves wondering why this >> to be the case. >> >> >> >> My first inclination is to blame it on weather. I realize that weather in >> the Central US has been extremely volatile this summer with persistent >> storms continually moving across the region. I am asking if this is really >> the reason preventing many Midwestern WISPs from signing up for this meeting >> or not. If it is something else, I would like to investigate further. We >> believe it is our obligation to the Vendors who have committed staff, money >> and resources to attend the meeting, that we ask these tough questions. >> >> >> >> Our goal and the budget for the RM are based on a count of 200 attendees. We >> are pretty sure we will reach this goal but if we are not going to get >> there, we need to start preparing now. As you may or may not know, we do >> have a price increase of $50 per attendee beginning on July 1st. It would >> be silly of me not to point this out to any prospective attendees. >> >> >> >> This week, we were able to negotiate a much nicer hotel and meeting >> facilities at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis. The Renaissance actually >> lowered its room rate surprisingly to $79 per night and threw in free >> internet, parking and shuttle. These concessions are saving our >> participants nearly $60 from the previous hotel. The catering and AV >> budgets alone exceed the registration fees we are charging for members. >> >> >> >> Therefore, I ask that everyone describe your intentions for attending or not >> intending and send a brief description why. If it is summer vacation, that >> is fine, that is a risk we took when choosing these dates. If it is summer >> activities such as 4H fairs, baseball tournaments, or whatever, just let me >> know. If it is the weather and damage has not allowed you to book because >> of excessive repair bills, that is also fine. I am just trying to get a >> feel on the pulse of the industry as we analyze the success of this meeting >> and possibly plan the next one. >> >> >> >> If there are other challenges you wish to discuss, let me know. I would >> rather the Board be aware so that we can formulate policy and programs to >> alleviate these concerns as we move forward. >> >> >> >> Respectfully, >> >> >> >> Rick Harnish >> >> President >> >> WISPA >> >> 260-307-4000 cell >> >> 866-317-2851 WISPA Office >> >> Skype: rick.harnish. >> >> rharn...@wispa.org >> >> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >> http://signup.wispa.org/ >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >> >> Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >> http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >> >> Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >> > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! 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