PGCA annual meeting

[Eldon Goddard]

I really want to go to the annual meeting are you sure you guys do not want to move it to Las Vegas.

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Eldon,

Thanks for your note. Really easy to make that happen! Join the committee (me and Dave Suponski are events committee co-chairs) for events and take the "bull by the horns" and make it happen. David Dwyer and Tom Carter have done an amazing job with this years meeting planning. This is going to be a great meeting. Next year could be in Vegas- it just takes a strong volunteer to help us make that happen.

[Bill Murphy]

We have been to Winter Vegas for the PGCA Annual Meeting, but it is a bit of a chore to fit "Winter Vegas" into the PGCA festivities. I would rather keep our annual meeting in a less busy atmosphere. What do the rest of you think?

[Dean Romig]

I kind of agree with Bill but I do believe the PGCA Annual Meeting and Banquet should be held at a large shooting event such as the Vintage Cup or the Spring or Fall Southern. This helps to ensure a good turnout at the banquet and helps make it what it has always been - a great PGCA social event with an abundance of shooting and visiting.

[Daryl Corona]

What Dean and Bill said but let me add, this is a no-brainer to me. The spring Southern, with the Challenge event drawing a good number of members, is the most logical venue for our annual meeting. Maybe Robin, John, Jeff or other computer whiz could set up a poll on this site so as many members as possible could vote where they would like to see the meeting held.

[Eldon Goddard]

I hope you guys did not take me seriously, I did not expect that you would actually come all the way out here. Are not most you guys on the east coast? I am actually planing on moving out there if I can get the chance, when I graduate looking for jobs around maryland or new hampshire. Just lementing not being able to go, but Ill make sure to be there next time. Las Vegas is very nice in winter though about the only thing I like about this place.(other than my family of coarse)

[Bill Murphy]

Eldon, if you will reread my post, you will find that we have had the PGCA annual meeting in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Beinfeld Winter Gun Show. If you ever attend that show, you will find that the schedule is a bit tight for PGCA festivities. I was so rushed that year that I actually missed the meeting and dinner because of other committments.

[Eric Eis]

What Dean and Bill said but let me add, this is a no-brainer to me. The spring Southern, with the Challenge event drawing a good number of members, is the most logical venue for our annual meeting. Maybe Robin, John, Jeff or other computer whiz could set up a poll on this site so as many members as possible could vote where they would like to see the meeting held.

I agree but whatever you guys decide on, "Do not put it in the Middle of Bird Hunting Season" !:cuss::banghead: !

[Daryl Middlebrook]

For what it's worth, I too agree with Mr. Corona and Mr. Eis.

Daryl Middlebrook

[Dave Suponski]

Thanks for your input guy's.

[Rich Anderson]

I find it hard to believe that no one considered that their scheduling of the annual meeting was during bird season:eek: We wait for this the Holy Grail of the year to enjoy our Parker's and dogs and you expect hunters to go to a meeting:shock: There are medications available to help those of you that have a hard time remembering fall = bird season:whistle:

[John Truitt]

Mr Romig and Suponski,

Please check your PM's.

John

[Bill Murphy]

Dr. Truitt, please send me a PM also.

[Bill Murphy]

It's only a weekend, but it's a big one.

[Tom Carter]

Hi Rich,

I have talked to Rick Hemmingway about the timing this year. The date was choshen primarily based on the vendors availability. Nobody wanted it during hunting season. Cheers, Tom

[Dave Noreen]

I certainly enjoyed the years the PGCA had their get together at the winter Las Vegas Antique and Sporting Arms Show, but I realize the bigger turnouts seem to be related to how close to the East Coast the event is. Had a good time in Louisville last year as I could work it in to my trip east to The Vintage Cup. Thanks to the hard working members who organized a great event.

I have long thought that Cody, Wyoming would be a great place for the annual meeting in conjunction with a gunshow there. They have the Buffalo Bill Historical center with over 100 Parkers on display, and a great public shooting center with Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays. Throw in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons National Park and the Beartooth, a great summer vacation location for the whole family to boot. The Remington Society of America had their annual semminar at Cody back in 2003.

[Larry Frey]

I agree but whatever you guys decide on, "Do not put it in the Middle of Bird Hunting Season" !:cuss::banghead: !

It seems like every year we hear the same complaint. The problem is that unless you hold an event like this in February you are always going to be interfering with some hunting season somewhere. I would like my friends Rich, Eric, Daryl and anyone else to email me at bjfrey1@aol.com your recommendations for a date and location for next years Annual Meeting that takes into consideration the following items.

1. Reasonably accessible/central to the majority of PGCA members.
2. Adiquiet facilities for the dinner/meeting.
3. Preferably held in conjunction with a gun show/shooting event.
4. Area attractions for those that bring family or travel long distances.
5. Does not conflict with any hunting seasons anywhere in the country including turkey, dove, ducks, upland birds, as well as deer and any other game well all love to chase.

As you will see the options are few but the BOD will consider all your recommendations.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Larry... That needed to be said.

While the BOD has the entire PGCA in mind when making all decisions it must be remembered that we can't please all of the people all of the time.

[Eric Eis]

Thanks Larry... That needed to be said.

While the BOD has the entire PGCA in mind when making all decisions it must be remembered that we can't please all of the people all of the time.

I agree Dean, that you can't please all the people all the time, but as Rich said the BOD picked the number one prime month for bird hunting:eek: Just my two cents and also a couple of two cents from other member that don't post. And yes I sent an mail to Larry which he is welcome to share with BOD.
Eric

[Mills Morrison]

I like the idea of moving the meeting around and like the idea of it being in less busy locales where there can be shooting.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I like the idea of two meetings a year. One for the annual meeting in conjunction with a major show, Mid September, Wilmington, Ohio at the Roberts Center? And continue the spring Southern at Deep River. You have a shooting competition at one, and the other displays and annual meeting. Wilmington would be better located for a lot of people and I am sure that OGCA would welcome us. This way no interference with hunting season for the annual, and a lot of dealers at the Deep River spring shoot off with them LC boys. Gary

[Bill Murphy]

Gary's idea is a good one until we can figure something out for further west. We have been to Wilmington before and it was a positive experience. LCSCA has made a home at Wilmington because of their great displays at that show. Ohio Gun Collectors loves groups because it gets them many new members. When people go the those shows, they are just mesmerized by the atmosphere and professional treatment. You stay in the hotel where the show is held, restaurants on premises. Oh, it is about 50 yards off the interstate, no back roads. I have been a member for many years even though I seldom attend shows any more. I say we go with Gary's idea.

[John Truitt]

There will be no perfect answer. I am sure this is a very difficult topic for the BOD and I am cetain they do their very best to weigh all options and come up with a decision.

I for one am thankful for their hard work and want to extend my gratitude for their hard work and dedication to present us with such great opportunities.

Thankyou,

John Truitt

[Mills Morrison]

There will be no perfect answer. I am sure this is a very difficult topic for the BOD and I am cetain they do their very best to weigh all options and come up with a decision.

I for one am thankful for their hard work and want to extend my gratitude for their hard work and dedication to present us with such great opportunities.

Thankyou,

John Truitt



I second John on that

[Jean Swanson]

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:

It is a thankless job . I was the events co-ordinator for some 10 to 15 years for the PGCA. No matter what place one selects, there are always a few that complained about the food, the cost , the location , the time of year , you name it and there was a bitch !!!Wilmington ,Ohio was a great location and I established an excellent relationship with both the OGCA and the Civic Center. If I recall correctly, we where there the first year that the center opened and we had our banquet at that facility with approximatly 110 members for the banquet and maple syrup was given to the membership . The following year the OGCA occupied a majority of the rooms and the banquet facility, a problem . I drove to Wilmington from Vermont to find a NEW facility for the Banquet . The only place that was close was the upstairs room of a local restaurant that colud take care of us. We held the event there!! The following year , that restaurant was out of business . I researched additional places and the closest place was some 25 to 30 miles away and the BOD and I decided to look elseware.

I did demographics of the membership and concluded that a days drive was about the limit of the attending members. Also, if my memory is correct, 75% of the entire membership live within 500 milles of Louisville , KY and some 80%+/- live east of the Mississippi !! I spent countless hours on research for the banquet , trying to take all into consideration ! Not an easy task nor assignment .

I talked to many PGCA members about different places and there was usually one or two problems, no matter city or place we looked at .

No idea is bad---make suggestions to Dave Suponski and Josh Loewensteiner.

Allan Swanson

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks for the post, Allan. I still think Wilmington is worth a second chance. If we can get a banquet facility, members will be pleased. I understand the problem with a downtown facility going out of business, but maybe the "hotel" can offer us something this time.

[David Dwyer]

In the South, Dove season opens Sept one and is as sacred as partridge and pheasant seasons are in other parts of the country. If you are a double gun guy the Saturdays in Sept are an important part of our culture as the dove shoots are a gathering of friends, usually a cook out and a few cold ones are shared after the shoot. The comments that we should avoid October are understandable to y'all that hunt those birds but about any time interferes with something. I feel it is really important the the annual meeting involves a shooting event and if I HAVE to I could sacrifice one dove weekend!
David Dwyer

[Richard Flanders]

What's wrong with Fairbanks in January!!?? It could coincide with the annual -40F skeet shoot on the army base! Doesn't that sound like big fun? I'd even let everyone have a shot at the ever-present XXXXcicle in the outhouse!

[Rich Anderson]

I'd go to Fairbanks in Janurary befor I went to whever this is the end of October.

David you should come to MI. and give some U.P. Grouse hunting a try:)

[Bill Murphy]

Depending on who is sitting at the table, a shooting venue is or is not important for the Annual Meeting. It is certainly to be preferred, but we have had a bunch of annual meetings without a shooting venue. Las Vegas, Richmond, Louisville, Knoxville, Wilmington, Baltimore, were all non shooting venues. Apparently previous boards did not think shooting was a big deal but things are different now and we are doing a lot of shooting. Planning future events is going to be the hardest job among many. Mid winter in a warm weather area with shooting is worth thinking about.

[Eric Eis]

In the South, Dove season opens Sept one and is as sacred as partridge and pheasant seasons are in other parts of the country. If you are a double gun guy the Saturdays in Sept are an important part of our culture as the dove shoots are a gathering of friends, usually a cook out and a few cold ones are shared after the shoot. The comments that we should avoid October are understandable to y'all that hunt those birds but about any time interferes with something. I feel it is really important the the annual meeting involves a shooting event and if I HAVE to I could sacrifice one dove weekend!
David Dwyer

As Gary said, the LC Smith boys have made OGCA their home. This year for their annual meeting, they setup a shoot on Friday with lunch etc and then did the show Sat and Sunday I talked to a few members and they were happy. We could do the same at Willmington the OGCA show is very nice,or take it to Louisville and do the same thing shoot Friday, show Sat and Sunday. Louisville is a larger city so setting up for the Banquet would be easier, also as I drove in last year I saw ads for a couple of SC courses. Just my thoughts and no not everyone is going to be happy no matter where it's held. Eric

[Bill Murphy]

Serious show goers don't shoot on Friday, they troll the show. Figure out how to get over that problem and we will do the Friday shooting thing. To be honest, however, at the Southern, some Parker guys would slip out of the area to shoot. How could they do that when a hot gun could appear at the show?