MFCA 2010 Convention planning-INPUT here!

[WEIRDWOLF]

Originally Posted by FrustratedFinFan

I would like to see the big CBSMF/MFCA event be one that moves from region to region. So far, that doesn't look like it is going to happen. It would definitely make me more interested in joining the MFCA if I thought it was going to be an organization that reaches out to other areas/venues. I joined the CBSMF, but I have to tell you that I would think twice about doing that again if it becomes clear that the event isn't going to move from the Midwest ever. It isn't to say that folks from California aren't going to ever travel....because they will. It would be nice to not have to travel as far every year though. How about something at least closer to the middle of the country.....Denver, even Dallas?? At least those are major hub cities for some of the airlines.

All I can tell you, is once you have experienced the mixture of the Hall, Enshrinement, HOF Game, Tailgate Party and Kid's Event all rolled together with 100's of miniature football games with many coaches in a friendly atmosphere, skills events, raffles and more as I have experienced 2 years in a row, you will find it hard not to come back each year!

I'm not saying that we will not have other events in other places as we grow, but I don't see for the near future, us not doing Canton as an annual event. It's the birth place of football and I love the scene we are creating there. You will never know it till you try it.

[mantaraydre]

THIS IS A FRIENDLY QUESTION !!!!

The MFCA reaches all regions 365 days per year. VIA THIS CHATBOARD !!
The convention is 1 WEEKEND PER YEAR, 3 DAYS OF 365 DAYS.
It so happend that the MFCA found a great place in a great town for that weekend. YOU MUST GO ONCE TO UNDERSTAND. So you are telling us you would consider NOT JOINING THE MFCA AGAIN BECAUSE THE EVENT WILL NOT TRAVEL TO YOU INSTEAD OF YOU TRAVELING TO THE EVENT.
many of us get on a plane no matter where an event is, because we go to meet new people support the mfca and it's events and to just have fun. Coaches always walk away saying it was the best time of there lives.

coaches from all leagues are on here all the time promoting what they are doing so the mfca reaches all regions all the time. So i dont understand why an entire convention must move somewhere to your liking for you to be interested in coming. If you have kids and they said daddy lets go to disneyworld, should the entire park pick up and move everything closer to your house or will you get on a plane and take the kids there ? The mfca convention is like going to disneyworld for many of us. I rather go to canton, i really dont want it coming to new york. Canton is a great town that weekend and wolf and co has found many connections there. MOVING THE MFCA CONVENTION ANYWHERE ELSE WILL CAUSE IT TO FAIL AND LOSE ALOT OF IT'S LUSTRE. Where else can you tailgate at a great house that just happens to be directly accross the street from the stadium. If we moved it near you can you guarentee getting us tickets to see a pro football game that weekend after all the mfca festivities are over. Fin fan, just come once and you will be hooked !!!!!

thanx
MANTARAYDRE

[Reginald Rutledge]

he has legitimate points about moving things around.

I understand the CBSMF and the MFCA are two separate entities and both can probably exist without the other but what I know Lynn and I have always talked about is bringing "ALL" under one roof.

I am one of those who believe in diversity, even in the game of miniature football, from figures to venues. I believe that if you keep something at one place, it grows old and stale. I know, at least from the CBSMF perspective, one of the exciting things about the birth of the CBSMF was the possibility to go from region-to-region playing the national championship, sort of like how the BCS switches from the Orange to the Rose to Fiesta to the Sugar.

That was one of the most intriguing things that brought excitement to many people about joining, including FrustratedFinsFan. FrustratedFinsFan is one of the most dedicated guys in the hobby and he takes promises seriously. That's his line of work. I know we had done an "unscientific poll" of where to go with this CBSMF championship and Vegas had won for last year. Because anyone could vote at the time, and not necessarily CBSMF paid members, the validity of that poll could easily be question. But with some things happening out west with E&D Open Runs (I am not sure how many they are having), some people will go there. So there is some feelings that to an extent,the west is getting something its way - thanks in large part to Eric Robinson's and Dave Campbell's effort. However, that should not nullify fairness to all if guys out west paid their money just like any other MFCA member to be represented.

We see a nice relationship between the CBSMF and the MFCA. It benefits everyone. It would be nice to see other entities come aboard and be a part of it as well. But to continue to only consider Canton or Cleveland would be wrong for both the CBSMF and the MFCA.

You have to understand that ultimately, the purpose of both groups is to "recruit" new members. Treat it like college football. Sometimes coaches have to go to 17 year old's houses and sit and talk with momma and daddy about the next 4 years of their son's life at Tennessee (if they want that kid). You cultivate those relationships in that way.

But if you think everyone has to come to you, in time, you will lose your luster as a university. A similar analogy can be drawn with miniature football.
Don't get me wrong, I think next year, Cleveland would be a great place to bring people together. But in time, people will get tired of simply Cleveland or Canton as the place of choice. You've got to think in terms of not only the MF'er but also, his/her spouse and possibly children.

It would be nice to go to Washington, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Vegas, and even New York for some of us. I know if I can get my wife to venture out to stores and do her own thing, that's half the battle. The intrigue of going to these different big cities and seeing sites and doing some shopping is what appeals to her and that makes me just as happy to see her doing her thing with her MF girlfriends. For me, I never have to see a site when I know I've got a MF football weekend going on. That's just me. But let's not neglect the fact that other regions should have the opportunity to host the MFCA or the CBSMF too.

Just be open to the traveling to different regions because it stimulates recruiting in those regions if you can bring the local print, radio, and tv media to the table. Just a thought.

Reg

[sweetka]

Hosting the kickoff classic as a perfect way of doing that. Changing the venue and allowing more interconference play to get an early gauge on the fellowship and the rankings. Each year the host can take care of making sure the proper hotels and sites are taken care of, get solid commitments from participants, then insure there is a sanctioning body.

This way it is all-inclusive from day one. The culmination can stay the same and it provides the diversity also. Just a thought.

[styx]

no disrespect intended, all the places sound nice if u make some big dough, we dont really have to have it near canton do we ,what about a small town where there is alot of people , in the midwest where football is god, somewhere like elkhart ind. or some place like that, its not far from the college football hall of fame and im sure hotels are nice but inexpensive,just a thought from a tax payer.

[Raven maniac]

I'm with you guys on the E-suites. I just don't want to come back here and see post that we tried to exclude anyone. I don't care if it's in Pocomoke, or the Grand Canyon just as long as WE (MFCA) have a venue/event that all have the possibility to come too. I know I'm going to be there for it. Let's lock down some dates first and start from there. Lets not look at it as us having a year, but more like 4 months. This allows folks 8 months to get the money and travel plans and whatever needed squared away for the event.

Darrian

[sweetka]

Originally Posted by Raven maniac

I'm with you guys on the E-suites. I just don't want to come back here and see post that we tried to exclude anyone. I don't care if it's in Pocomoke, or the Grand Canyon just as long as WE (MFCA) have a venue/event that all have the possibility to come too. I know I'm going to be there for it. Let's lock down some dates first and start from there. Lets not look at it as us having a year, but more like 4 months. This allows folks 8 months to get the money and travel plans and whatever needed squared away for the event.

Darrian

I believe this post was genenrated to provide feedback for the research, planning and development, then the Extravaganza! Keep those thoughts flowing brother. PM me about the athletes.

[Reginald Rutledge]

step back on.

I will leave the places up to the Greg Hardmons, Ken Allens, Mike Robertsons and MFCAs and any others who want to voice an opinion on where but I just don't want a guy like FrustratedFinsFan to feel they are being overlooked when I know, things like that can make people walk away from the game or the association.

Some guys had expressed an interest in other parts of the country and people should always be open to change if it is for a worthy cause, that's all.

Reg

[WEIRDWOLF]

Much to do, much to do....I have already had some volunteers jump on asking to help next year! We will nail this down in a very short time. Keep the input coming. This IS YOUR convention! We want to provide the best experience possible, with the least amount of cost and hassle.

As I said earlier, we may in the future, move around. This takes more growth and funds. Unfortunately, $$$ as much as we hate the hold they have on us do play into how much we can do. We are a 501c7 non profit and are not allowed to have a huge profit. That only gives us X amount of dollars to draw from. Keep in mind, memberships and donations are the only "real" product we offer. Without those, there can be no convention. With growth, we may some day be able to offer 2 conventions, East and West or North and South, but we are still a young association and there will be growing pains in the process. We can't accomodate everything financially yet. Some day maybe!

The Stearn Center gave us a VERY economical option (easily a third of the amount we would have paid at a hotel) especially in a strapped economy. It also offered things for the kids to do like basketball, ping pong and pool and the right hotel can also offer similar options. It wasn't perfect, (Tim Young snores like a locomotive ) but now we know what we have there and things like WiFi and hotel accomodations can be explored and solved easily before next year.