Wish I could have been there. Maybe next time.

John

Hey Affordable Mark-
I will have to come up with a sponsor for the event, something like the music appreciation club. That way, rather than having an outside group letting space in the building on a weekend, it's just a club doing what clubs do, gather.
It would also be great to let some of the youngin's listen to real gear, and not some ipod dock.

Dennymack

excellent idea!

Mark There is here in Silverton the old fire dept offices I looked into this place as an idea for a small Gathering a while back it has 4-5 smaller rooms and one larger conference room. Though I'm not sure how it would work for as many people as we are thinking about.

I can revisit that idea.

I think it would be a good idea for those of us around the Portland area to each look into various idea for a new venue. You never know when something will pop up.

Mark W.

Sounds like a definite possibility. When you get a chance, check it out (pics maybe), and let us know what you think. 4-5 smaller rooms does sound just about perfect.

The building sits empty is owned by Orville Roth (Roths grocery store chain) I have a little bit of an in with him not much but he at least knows who I am.. My mom bowled on his team for years he was an assistant scout leader for my pack etc. You know small town stuff.

I can call the head office and feel them out. But much like the church building things could change quickly should the building sell etc.

I also thought I might scope out the Oregon Gardens here in Silverton. I was the first hourly employee they had I managed a county inmate work crew to help clean up the old horse stables and ground that they built it on to get the place ready for the ground breaking ceremony.

There is a large house with a full basement and at least 4 bedrooms on the site that is used for various things. It might be possible if they don't want an arm and a leg to rent that space for a day.

There are also a number of Grange halls and other community buildings but around here they are all rather old so AC might be a problem.

But I'll look into what I can when I can and report back.

If that doesn't work out, how about moving the meet to a more central location? Chehalis or Centralia would be pretty central, discounting everyone who doesn't live in the I-5 corridor as per usual. Or if preferred, why not alternate between Seattle and Portland each year so at least half the time many won't have to travel 3-4 hours as opposed to favoring one group with short distances and forcing the rest to travel far each year.

For another suggestion, how about asking people who are running demo systems to keep a rough playlist of what was played on the system? These gatherings make for great opportunities to hear new, unfamiliar music (when Dire Straits and Fleetwood Mac aren't being played) and it's sometimes difficult to figure out what was playing to follow up on.

- JP

I was kind of hoping since these will be smaller gathering compared to some that we could do two a year. I think a Fall and Spring gathering alternating between a Washington and an Oregon site would work well.

I went down and took a real good look at the old Firedept offices here in Silverton and I think they would easily handle up to about 40-45 people at any one time with out over taxing the building.

The large room is well suited to maybe 20-25 or more swap tables. Then there are between 5-6 small office sized rooms a couple of which have a large built in table along one side that would be as well suited as a Motel room for a listening room (maybe better no bed!)

Now the question is will a Corp like the Roths Grocery Store chain entertain the idea of allowing a one day rental with electricity. And at a rate that can be afforded.

So this brings up a question:

What would guys be willing to handle for an entry fee and for a listening or DEMO room.

Since sponsorship for such a small venue might be a challenge.

I'll talk to the grocery people pretty soon to see if this would be a possibility for next Spring.


Since I have more free time during the early spring then the fall due to paving season. if we do go for Silverton and I end up being a ramrod on this Spring would be the best time.


based on forum traffic it looks like Sound Thinking is where this is being discussed the most so for now I will just figure to put any updates here.

Mark W.

I think having the A$$A fest in Portland makes the most sense from the standpoint of restaurants, lodging, traffic, airport, etc. Yes it means that people will have to travel, but that is going to be the case wherever it's held. I'll volunteer my time to help with the planning. I believe there needs to be an attendance fee to cover the cost of the venue.

The same argument works for Seattle and better than for Verboot or the like. At least with Chehalis/Centralia, the travel time would be equidistant for Seattle or Portland (SeaTac or PDX) and is near where Highway 12 (White Pass) meets I-5 making it more practical for people traveling in from the East. There are hotels there and restaurants as well as a few hostable centers and fairgrounds.

Maybe I should just suggest Ellensburg, it has a lot of hotels and restaurants thanks to its hosting the third largest rodeo in the nation. The fairgrounds and associated buildings also have a lot of rooms available from small to large for still manageable sums. It would also be a symbolic gesture of recognizing that Washington and Oregon not a 50 mile wide strip that happens to follow I-5. Best yet, I selfishly wouldn't have to drive far, in continuation of the spirit of all these recommendations for one's hometown being made.

As to two festivals per year, that would be twice the effort and expense to plan.

- JP

whatever venue or location that Affordable$$Audio selects for its next meet, i'll try to be there.

Unfortunately, I cannot make another 600+ mile meet like this last; I almost didn't have the money for the gas to get home due to stale sales. I don't doubt that more people would've shown were it not for the distance most of them faced to make the trip.

- JP

My suggestion of Portland is not based upon anything other than my belief that it is the best location. Maybe it isn't - I've been wrong before.

Well I have a suggestion we do what the olympic's do to decide the location of said up coming event.

We make a bid for the event.

SO

Mark B look for a Portland option

someone can look into the Chehalis/Centrailia area

I'll work toward the Silverton Fire dept building. (I found out tonight the building is privately owned not owned by the Grocery Store chain as I had thought)

JP you want to see what can be had in the Ellisburg area (so we all can drive 600 miles round trip LOL)

And if anyone else would like to offer a venue then I say go for it. Plan on a early March time frame And plan on about 50 people for now.

Lets work up a couple "Bids" to talk about.

lets say any bid needs to be submitted by August that would give us a couple months to talk about and decide before needing say 4 months of actual planning and organizing.

If this sound good lets go with it.


I would suggest the following things need to be considered for a bid.

Early March so as to not interfere with the AK FEST and to not be in the holiday or vacation seasons. nor the dead of winter when travel might be a problem.

approx. 50 people

a one day event. should be at least from 9:00am until 5:00pm

Saturday being the best option for travel but A Sunday might also work

ample electrical service

a common room capable of holding 20+ swap tables

at least 5 individual smaller listening or demo rooms More would be better.

restroom facilities Kitchen facilities could also be a plus.

parking for 40+ autos

easily found another words not to far off the beaten path

MUST have suitable loading and unloading access NO 3) flights of stairs etc.

Location must be able to be reserved no less then 3 months in advance.

Combination time and location wise with another event like a Record show would be a plus.

OK other things can be added to this list but it's a start.


Mark W.

I have no problem with alternating between SeaTac and Portland. The key is finding the right venue at a fair price.

If we can keep the energy up now, we can get a lot of the foundation and framing in place for a terrific event for next year.