Nationals '07

[alexeiluvr]

I heard that one of the cities that bid for 2007 Nationals was eliminated. Anyone know which one? The ones that bid were Hershey, PA; Boston, MA; and Spokane, WA. I know that Spokane is one of the finalists, but who is the other?

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by alexeiluvr
I heard that one of the cities that bid for 2007 Nationals was eliminated. Anyone know which one? The ones that bid were Hershey, PA; Boston, MA; and Spokane, WA. I know that Spokane is one of the finalists, but who is the other?

Wouldn't surprise me if it was Spokane.

Update: Spokane was eliminated

[NJSk8Fan]

Thanks for the info....I'm hoping for Hershey, PA....I'm about 2 hours from there and am hoping to be able to attend a day or two of competitions.
It was great in '98 when Nat's were in Phila., a 20 minute drive from our home in NJ....we attended several of the events.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by NJSk8Fan
Thanks for the info....I'm hoping for Hershey, PA....I'm about 2 hours from there and am hoping to be able to attend a day or two of competitions.
It was great in '98 when Nat's were in Phila., a 20 minute drive from our home in NJ....we attended several of the events.

Hopefully, Boston will be chosen. The last two nationals have lost money, and I think Hershey would be a huge financial mistake for the USFSA.

[SkateFan123]

Originally posted by IceDanceSk8er
Wouldn't surprise me if it was Spokane.

Update: Spokane was eliminated

What's your source?

[SkateFan123]

Originally posted by IceDanceSk8er
Hopefully, Boston will be chosen. The last two nationals have lost money, and I think Hershey would be a huge financial mistake for the USFSA.

We agree...how about that! I think Hershey or Spokane would be a financial nightmare. The real loss would be to the clubs in those smaller areas. The USFS doesn't front events anymore. The clubs pay upfront and on the back end for the "right" to sponsor the event. It's totally up to them to pay for it and have enough to pay the final payment to the USFS for sponsoring the event. Smaller clubs might just have difficulty doing that.

This is why tickets go on sale so early. With the problems the past few years, I know many people that will not pay the big bucks three years in advance anymore. This will make it more difficult for whichever city gets the event.

Boston, by the way, did a great job with the 2001 event. I've never been to Spokane. I've been to Hershey for their summer event frequently and it's well attended but it's just a few dollars to attend. It will be interesting to see how it goes if they get the event.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by SkateFan123
We agree...how about that! I think Hershey or Spokane would be a financial nightmare. The real loss would be to the clubs in those smaller areas. The USFS doesn't front events anymore. The clubs pay upfront and on the back end for the "right" to sponsor the event. It's totally up to them to pay for it and have enough to pay the final payment to the USFS for sponsoring the event. Smaller clubs might just have difficulty doing that.

This is why tickets go on sale so early. With the problems the past few years, I know many people that will not pay the big bucks three years in advance anymore. This will make it more difficult for whichever city gets the event.

Boston, by the way, did a great job with the 2001 event. I've never been to Spokane. I've been to Hershey for their summer event frequently and it's well attended but it's just a few dollars to attend. It will be interesting to see how it goes if they get the event.

From a financial and organizational perspective, it just makes sense for Boston to host 2007. First, the last two nationals lost money. Secondly, there are close to 6000 USFSA members living within a 100 mile radius of Boston, compared to about 400 in Hershey, and 200 in Spokane; it makes sense to hold such a major event where your membership base can support that event. Thirdly, nearly all the Boston organizers who were involved with the 2001 nationals are still active with the Boston club, and the 2001 event was extremely successful for the skaters and U.S. Figure Skating. I think when you look at it from that perspective it just makes sense, especially with 2007 Nationals being a year after the Winter Games. I would think that you'd want that experience working for you in an off year. Let's just hope that the U.S. Figure Association looks at it that way.

[SkateFan123]

Originally posted by IceDanceSk8er
From a financial and organizational perspective, it just makes sense for Boston to host 2007. First, the last two nationals lost money. Secondly, there are close to 6000 USFSA members living within a 100 mile radius of Boston, compared to about 400 in Hershey, and 200 in Spokane; it makes sense to hold such a major event where your membership base can support that event. Thirdly, nearly all the Boston organizers who were involved with the 2001 nationals are still active with the Boston club, and the 2001 event was extremely successful for the skaters and U.S. Figure Skating. I think when you look at it from that perspective it just makes sense, especially with 2007 Nationals being a year after the Winter Games. I would think that you'd want that experience working for you in an off year. Let's just hope that the U.S. Figure Association looks at it that way.

Again, I totally agree. Philly won't feed Hershey as many expect it will and I'm not sure about the demographics of Spokane as it relates to skating so I can't comment but I am sure that if any of those cities could pull it off, it would be Boston.

[muggie]

Having Nationals in Hershey would draw fans from Washington, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and probably New Jersey. There are many famous skaters who train or have trained at Delaware. And since a Worlds was just held in DC last year, I'm sure there are experienced volunteers in the area. And there's plenty of touristy stuff to do (for those that only want to attend one or two events).

Since Hershey's only an hour or so from my house, I'm obviously biased. But I think that small clubs should be given the opportunity to host major events like Nationals.

[Debbie S]

Originally posted by muggie
Since Hershey's only an hour or so from my house, I'm obviously biased. But I think that small clubs should be given the opportunity to host major events like Nationals.

I agree with you, muggie - I'm from Baltimore and I'd love to have Nats in Hershey for the convenience. But from what I've heard, Hershey doesn't have much hotel space, and I heard that finding hotel rooms in Reading for Skate America this year was a nightmare - Hershey would probably be worse. Plus, from what I can recall about the area, there aren't many places to eat at night after comps, except at the main hotel. The problem with small clubs hosting is that they don't always have the necessary volunteers to do the pre-event legwork, plus it's hard to find sponsors in a small city. I'm not sure Philadelphia or Baltimore companies will jump at the chance to give money to an event that far away.

As much as I'd like to have Nats close to my backyard, I think Boston would be the best place for Nats. The transportation, sightseeing, and hotel/restaurant situation is ideal for hosting a large event like this. I went to Nats in Boston in '01 (well, just the men's and ladies' finals) and the setup was great.

Unfortunately, from what I've read, the ISU and USFSA weren't 100% pleased with the Worlds LOC. There were issues with finding sponsors, as well as some event logistics. I don't know if we'll see a major event in the Baltimore/D.C area for a while. Although, given that every east coast city (except Boston) that's hosted Nats in the past 10 years has ticked off the USFSA for some reason, the USFSA might decide that our area isn't so bad.

[PAskate]

I think that there are serious issues with both Boston and Hershey. Boston just hosted recently, so there is always a concern with returning too soon to the same location. And hotel costs in Boston are off the charts! Hershey has hotel and air transportation issues. There is NO airport in Hershey with commercial service, so they will have to transport people a good distance.

Speaking from experience working as a volunteer behind the scenes in DC, there were many issues. I was appalled by my experience there and the lack of knowledge of event basics by the individuals chairing the various portions of the event.

I understand that US Figure Skating is looking at moving to smaller markets and venues, but I don't know that Hershey is the right choice. There are other smaller market cities that offer regular commercial flights with plenty of hotels - think Austin TX, Columbus OH, Richmond VA, and Manchester NH that would probably be more successful choices.

[alexeiluvr]

I'm from Spokane, and I heard on my local news that Spokane was one of the two finalists!

[what?meworry?]

from the perspective of someone who attended the boston nationals a few years ago, i think another boston nationals would be great. there's a lot to see and do in addition to the skating. the restaurants are great.
if you can handle renting a car (with the parking costs), the side trips are interesting.
it's an expensive visit, but worth it.
i know the competitors really were impressed by the police escorts to get the buses through the traffic! so it's pretty clear the loc could get things done.

[Aaron W]

Originally posted by PAskate
I understand that US Figure Skating is looking at moving to smaller markets and venues, but I don't know that Hershey is the right choice. There are other smaller market cities that offer regular commercial flights with plenty of hotels - think Austin TX, Columbus OH, Richmond VA, and Manchester NH that would probably be more successful choices.

I'm going sort of off topic here, but I can't help it. :) It would be too much of a dream for Columbus to get Nationals, especially considering everything is perfect for a Nationals event to be held here. We have a brand new arena (just opened in late 2000) in downtown and this arena has been viewed as one of the top NHL arenas in the entire country. There are many hotels within about 8 blocks of the arena and also lots of restaurants are located in the arena district as well. On top of that, we have a practice arena hooked right onto the main arena which could host the novice events and practice sessions (the Bluejackets are the only NHL team in the country that has their practice ice connected to the arena). The practice rink has a capacity of 1500 IIRC, which generally is enough seating for novice events and practice sessions. So Nationals would be extremely compact if it were held in this city, with everything being within a very short walk. No need for public transportation (although we do have it if people want to explore Columbus)!

Ok, time to stop dreaming. :?? ;)

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Aaron W
I'm going sort of off topic here, but I can't help it. :) It would be too much of a dream for Columbus to get Nationals, especially considering everything is perfect for a Nationals event to be held here. We have a brand new arena (just opened in late 2000) in downtown and this arena has been viewed as one of the top NHL arenas in the entire country. There are many hotels within about 8 blocks of the arena and also lots of restaurants are located in the arena district as well. On top of that, we have a practice arena hooked right onto the main arena which could host the novice events and practice sessions. The practice rink has a capacity of 1500 IIRC, which generally is enough seating for novice events and practice sessions. So Nationals would be extremely compact if it were held in this city, with everything being within a very short walk.

Ok, time to stop dreaming. :?? ;)

Columbus sounds like a wonderful place. Are you a member of a figure skating club? If so, why don't you ask your club to put in a bid for 2008?

[Aaron W]

Originally posted by IceDanceSk8er
Columbus sounds like a wonderful place. Are you a member of a figure skating club? If so, why don't you ask your club to put in a bid for 2008?

I'm a member of the Ohio State figure skating club, but I'll be moving away from the city after I graduate from OSU this spring. I hope to be back in Columbus in the future and believe me that this has been something I have been thinking about a lot. If when I get back in Columbus we still haven't hosted Nationals, I have a feeling I'll be pushing and pushing the clubs here to join together and bid for it.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Aaron W
I'm a member of the Ohio State figure skating club, but I'll be moving away from the city after I graduate from OSU this spring. I hope to be back in Columbus in the future and believe me that this has been something I have been thinking about a lot. If when I get back in Columbus we still haven't hosted Nationals, I have a feeling I'll be pushing and pushing the clubs here to join together and bid for it.

Is the Winterhurst Figure Skating Club in the Columbus area or is that in Cleveland?

[what?meworry?]

cleveland

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Aaron W
I'm a member of the Ohio State figure skating club, but I'll be moving away from the city after I graduate from OSU this spring. I hope to be back in Columbus in the future and believe me that this has been something I have been thinking about a lot. If when I get back in Columbus we still haven't hosted Nationals, I have a feeling I'll be pushing and pushing the clubs here to join together and bid for it.

You could still join the Columbus skating club and make your case with them to bid on 2008

[alexeiluvr]

Latest News: Spokane is one of the finalists, and the official city will be chosen tomorrow. I heard on the news this morning.

[AshBugg44]

I really hope that Spokane gets it so that I can go to a couple events. I won't buy an all-event ticket though, since I bought one for Portland 2005.

[Stormy]

Really, it will be announced tomorrow?? I can't wait. It HAS to be Boston. :) Being 40 minutes from Boston, I'm biased, but it makes a lot of sense for US Figure Skating to being Nats back to a sucessful venue. If it isn't officially announced tomorrow, I will nose around when I am at the Skating Club of Boston Sunday night and see what I can find out.

[alexeiluvr]

It's going to be announced in about twenty minutes at a press conference in Spokane. I would LOVE for it to be here...I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!!!!!

[Schmeck]

No news on the official USFSA site yet either :(

Schmeck, trying not to be greedy, but really hoping for Boston again...

[alexeiluvr]

Boston just had it a couple years ago. I hope they give another city a chance!!!:)

[alexeiluvr]

SPOKANEWASCHOSENSPOKANEWASCHOSENSPOKANEWASCHOSEN!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
http://www.usfsa.org

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by alexeiluvr
SPOKANEWASCHOSENSPOKANEWASCHOSENSPOKANEWASCHOSEN!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
http://www.usfsa.org

That just doesn't make any sense at all.

[Stormy]

Awwww, that is a HUGE dissapointment! I really am bummed. Nats is supposed to rotate sections, so it should have gone back East for 2007. I wonder what the rationale was to skip the East? I'm really curious to know. :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Stormy
Awwww, that is a HUGE dissapointment! I really am bummed. Nats is supposed to rotate sections, so it should have gone back East for 2007. I wonder what the rationale was to skip the East? I'm really curious to know. :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

The USFSA did away with the sectional rotation a few years ago and opened the U.S. Championship event to bid, thinking the bidding process would generate more revenue. So far the last two nationals have lost money.

[jkl]

I am really surprised and disappointed. I do think that the rotation schedule was the most fair. I have nothing against Spokane, I am sure they will do a fine job.
How difficult is it to fly into Spokane? Do all flights go through Seattle?

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by jkl
I am really surprised and disappointed. I do think that the rotation schedule was the most fair. I have nothing against Spokane, I am sure they will do a fine job.
How difficult is it to fly into Spokane? Do all flights go through Seattle?

You can always take Trailer Park Bill's mule ride to get to Spokane :)

[icedancer2]

Spokane is a little weird since Portland, OR will be next year -- but hey, who knows what really drives these decisions?

I look forward to going to Spokane in 2007 -- it is really pretty around there!! (not as pretty as Portland, however...)

[jkl]

[QUOTE]You can always take Trailer Park Bill's Mule Ride to Spokane"


Would I catch this in Seattle also??

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by jkl
[QUOTE]You can always take Trailer Park Bill's Mule Ride to Spokane"


Would I catch this in Seattle also??

No,you'd have to see Bill's cousin, Red.

[jkl]

Do we know now where the World Championships will be in 2007? I can't find anything on this new USFSA website anymore.

[SkateFan123]

Originally posted by IceDanceSk8er
No,you'd have to see Bill's cousin, Red.

It's official, Spokane was selected for the 2007 USFS Championships.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by jkl
Do we know now where the World Championships will be in 2007? I can't find anything on this new USFSA website anymore.

The ISU Website only shows 2005 (Moscow) and 2006 (Calgary)

[Debbie S]

Given the ISU's rotation policy, I would expect Worlds in '07 to be in either Europe or Asia - probably Asia since '04 and '05 are both in Europe. In '08, they should return to the U.S. At the time of '02 Nats, I read that L.A would make a bid.

[Aaron W]

Originally posted by Debbie S
Given the ISU's rotation policy, I would expect Worlds in '07 to be in either Europe or Asia - probably Asia since '04 and '05 are both in Europe. In '08, they should return to the U.S. At the time of '02 Nats, I read that L.A would make a bid.

After the furor that many fans had with the arena in LA, I would think the USFS would be hesitant to go with LA for the 2008 Worlds. If it's going to be held in the Western US, maybe San Jose would be a good option???

[Debbie S]

Originally posted by Aaron W
After the furor that many fans had with the arena in LA, I would think the USFS would be hesitant to go with LA for the 2008 Worlds. If it's going to be held in the Western US, maybe San Jose would be a good option???

Well, '02 Nats definitely were not fan-friendly, but I read that the LOC set a record for sponsorships. That translates into much money flowing into the event, which makes the USFSA happy.

San Jose was actually a finalist to be the USFSA's pick for '03 Worlds - lost to Wash D.C, of course - so I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the mix again. Did everything go OK at '96 Nats?

[SkateFan123]

Originally posted by Debbie S
Well, '02 Nats definitely were not fan-friendly, but I read that the LOC set a record for sponsorships. That translates into much money flowing into the event, which makes the USFSA happy.



Remember where you read this? It is my understanding that only the last minute ticket sales for the Ladies Free Skate caused the event to break even and that poor sponsorship was the reason for the last minute venue change and only one bus system for all.

[AshBugg44]

Originally posted by icedancer2
Spokane is a little weird since Portland, OR will be next year -- but hey, who knows what really drives these decisions?

I look forward to going to Spokane in 2007 -- it is really pretty around there!! (not as pretty as Portland, however...)

Yeah it's a little surprising but heck I don't mind! Nothing big ever comes our way, except for Skate America, which, of course, I didn't get to go to!

[lilwish]

Does anyone know if tickets go on sale at 10:00 pst? est????

[Debbie S]

Originally posted by SkateFan123
Remember where you read this? It is my understanding that only the last minute ticket sales for the Ladies Free Skate caused the event to break even and that poor sponsorship was the reason for the last minute venue change and only one bus system for all.

Are you thinking of '02 Nats or Nats this year? There were no venue changes at the last minute in L.A. and there was only supposed to be one bus system. Atlanta had the last minute changes and transportation problems.

Actually, while L.A was the most profitable Nats in history, attendance was fairly low for most of the week until the ladies final. Announced "paid" attendance figures each night were definitely not accurate. I suspect a lot of tickets were bought by sponsors or other corporate buyers and were simply not used for most of the week. But what matters to the USFSA is the bottom line, and L.A. Nats did very well from that standpoint.

[lilwish]

I live in LA and I was soooooo dismayed at the way LA Nationals was run. Almost everyone sitting anywhere around us was "given" a ticket by a large sponsor or company that had bought block seating. Most of the people sitting in the first few rows near us (no idea about elsewhere) had no interest in figure skating beyond...Oh, I know who Michelle Kwan is. The box seats were full of parties and many of the so called "sold out" seats were empty. It was depressing. Still, it did turn a profit as those seats WERE sold to someone, bought and paid for, I just wish that those seats had not gone to waste. Because of the way it was sold, very few local people had any clue at all that Nationals was even here. It was really sad to me to know how many young skaters would have loved to go sit in those empty seats.

[A.H.Black]

Originally posted by lilwish
I live in LA and I was soooooo dismayed at the way LA Nationals was run. Almost everyone sitting anywhere around us was "given" a ticket by a large sponsor or company that had bought block seating. Most of the people sitting in the first few rows near us (no idea about elsewhere) had no interest in figure skating beyond...Oh, I know who Michelle Kwan is. The box seats were full of parties and many of the so called "sold out" seats were empty. It was depressing. Still, it did turn a profit as those seats WERE sold to someone, bought and paid for, I just wish that those seats had not gone to waste. Because of the way it was sold, very few local people had any clue at all that Nationals was even here. It was really sad to me to know how many young skaters would have loved to go sit in those empty seats.

Unfortunately this is Standard Operating Procedure for most Nationals as well as other competitions, such as Worlds, at least when they are in the U.S.

It is truly frustrating for those who go to buy tickets at the last minute and are either told that the event is sold out or there are only nosebleed seats available. Then it turns out that the arena is half-empty. This is also frustrating for the Networks, by the way.

Yes! There needs to be a better way.

[what?meworry?]

well, i've been fortunate to be able to attend most nationals since just before renee and gorsha hit the scene.

i'm not that hard to please and i love adventures. i'm mostly self-contained. i get a car, come and go as i need to and try to do some local sight-seeing and/or business along the way. and otherwise look, listen, and chat.

in all that time, the only really awful, really awful nationals i can think of is salt lake city.

the facilities were too small and spread out, food was mostly mediocre, there wasn't much to do at night, once you saw and tasted the great salt lake and visited the mormon tabernacle (you can't get into the temple) - and those two items are high on my list of great things i have had an opportunity to experience - there wasn't much else.

the main arena sucked. the verticle drop from seats to ice was such that you couldn't see a third the action on the ice!

i even thought la was fine. the secondary arean was pretty crumby, though.

now the two top nat'ls on the what-me-worry-o-meter are definately boston, #! and cleveland #2.

so i'm looking forward to spokane. it's one of the few cities i haven't visited yet!

although, i admit, i certainly would not have been disappointed if boston had gotten the nod again.

by the way, i'm always able to get great tickets and i don't buy them in advance and don't pay a premium. i only have to compromise on the ladies, on occasion.

[lilwish]

yes, I loved Boston and Cleveland. Both so well planned and good and easy food to get. Cleveland was really easy with the mall attached!

I know it is standard that some blocks are sold but it was much more pronounced in LA. It was very very sad.

Hopefully Spokane won't be quite so much like that. It looks like a beautiful city!

[SkateFan123]

Originally posted by lilwish
yes, I loved Boston and Cleveland. Both so well planned and good and easy food to get. Cleveland was really easy with the mall attached!

I know it is standard that some blocks are sold but it was much more pronounced in LA. It was very very sad.

Hopefully Spokane won't be quite so much like that. It looks like a beautiful city!

Boston had the best run Nationals in years IMHO. There was one glitch in busing and when it was brought to the attention of the LOC, they made an easy change to fix it. There were two events in different venues too close together to go from one venue to the main pick up point then to the other venue. They arranged special buses to go from venue to venue directly and no one missed the 2nd event. It was great how quickly they responded to this once it was brought to their attention. Food was not a problem either. And while I originally thought traffic would be, the police escorts made it easy to get where you needed to be ontime. Just don't ride in the front seat of the bus if you don't want to see some pretty crazy sights!

Cleveland in Gund Arena was also run very well. However, the Winterhurst rink was a death trap for Novice Events. The arena was packed solid. They actually had to stop letting people in on both days that Novice Events were held.

I'd gladly go back to either city.