We have now identified and negotiated with about a dozen hotels. Contracts are being drawn up and we will begin the process of posting the reservation information as we get them. There will be a wide range of prices and amenities. Also, just a little further away by way of the light rail will be some great values.
Patience, my friends. We’re pushing this rope as fast as we can.
Timely thoughts and relevant information for fire-athletes...©, 2023
Friday, July 18, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
World Challenge XXIII- Lodging Part II
This is the part where I tell you what I’m going to tell you. And I’m doing so because it’s complicated. To review, for the first time in our more than two decades, we’re going to have a two venue event.
The first part will be downtown Phoenix and then we’ll take all the assets to the Zoomtown Raceway in Avondale.
We have been actively engaged in recruiting downtown hotels, doing our best in negotiating most favorable rates.
In the next couple of days we’ll have all the contact information posted right here on the official website of the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Prices will include budget prices and great values in some upscale flagship hotels.
Stay tuned.
The first part will be downtown Phoenix and then we’ll take all the assets to the Zoomtown Raceway in Avondale.
We have been actively engaged in recruiting downtown hotels, doing our best in negotiating most favorable rates.
In the next couple of days we’ll have all the contact information posted right here on the official website of the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Prices will include budget prices and great values in some upscale flagship hotels.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Lodging: World Challenge XXIII- Part One
Thursday, July 10, 2014
8:44:50 AM EDT
Phoenix
The very reason for our coming to Phoenix presents a challenge that we are mitigating through boots on the ground; specifically, finding affordable and convenient rooms during NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Championship at the Phoenix Raceway. Our presence here in Phoenix is being driven by finding the best solution for everyone.
We will have exposure to the largest crowd ever. But, lodging opportunities are diminished since NASCAR teams have long-term contracts for hotels that are closest to the track. These contracts have been in place for years; so, the critical consideration is to snatch up the remaining rooms before NASCAR fans start their search.
What makes this event unique is the opportunity to be a sports competition within an international phenomena, with a day off on Friday so that we can move the course to the track. While complicated, this is worth the effort for the exposure for our sponsors as well as our elite athletes.
Our numbers are predictable, but staggered. Some will attach a few extra days before or after the event. Some, knowing that they will not likely make it into the final days do not plan to be here for the weekend. Others, because of financial constraints want to spend the minimum amount, and will want to show up at the last possible moment for the Wild Card Eliminations.
Challenge competitors with severely limited resources look for the lowest prices that they can find and are prepared to drive further if necessary. Others want to be in the host hotel, regardless of costs, since convenience is paramount.
So, giving consideration to all of these factors, we are striving for solutions to everyone’s personal or team parameters.
We may require up to 300 or more rooms. There is no one hotel that can meet all the requirements enumerated above. So, we’re attempting to nail down a number of options, with contact information immediately available so that you can start making your travel plans. There will likely be a dozen hotels that will have rooms to suit your needs.
It is imperative that you lock in your lodging just as soon as we have identified the toll-free numbers and reservation codes. It is our intention to have this information available within the week.
Monday, July 7, 2014
My week with Jeanie (and Cheri)
 |
| Debbie Davis and Jeanie Allen at P.J. Clarke’s in DC on the 4th |
She’s now part of a clinical trial at NIH (the medical Mecca of the world, the National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda, Maryland. While this is a hump for Jeanie from her home state of Idaho, it’s a pretty short car ride from our house. And for this, we are truly thankful to be her concierge. The protocol is rigorous; Jeanie was on an I.V. Pump for the better part of a week. She named the device “George.”
When Cheri showed up, the whole mood in the SW Wing moved up a few beats because no one can be around Cheri and not be happy- or amused.
So, the two of them conspired to produce a video of the day in the life of Jeanie, trapped in the secure campus (and I do mean secure) of NIH.
So, check it out.
http://youtu.be/wx3RGAiYeJw
You’ll be glad you did. (The sound track is copyrighted, which may explain why the video will not play on some smart devices; view it through your browser.)
We got a special treat from the manager of P.J. Clarke’s at the corner of 16th and K streets on the Fourth. He treated us to a roof-top view of the fireworks on the mall.
All-in-all a great 4th of July with good food and wonderful friends.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Only Game in Town, Part IV
Despite the fact that the event has not yet gone to "Green" it's being held up only by the Certificate of Insurance (COI) details.
There are at least three hotels within walking distance of the venue in Ontario. Sorry that this it taking a bit longer than we thought, but considering the hoops that we had to jump through, we're moving at the speed of light.
There are at least three hotels within walking distance of the venue in Ontario. Sorry that this it taking a bit longer than we thought, but considering the hoops that we had to jump through, we're moving at the speed of light.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Update On World Challenge XXIII
Just to ensure that there’s no confusion, the dates are November 3-9. We will be doing an advance visit to Phoenix during the second week in July.
We typically do not turn on the event (making it “Green”) until after the U.S. Nationals. But, we want to ensure everyone that this event is “On.”
We’re going to attempt something that we’ve never done before; four days of Wild Card Eliminations, then a day off, followed by a move to the NASCAR Track for the last two days on Saturday and Sunday.
There are a LOT of logistics and Ron and I will be addressing these with our site inspection.
We typically do not turn on the event (making it “Green”) until after the U.S. Nationals. But, we want to ensure everyone that this event is “On.”
We’re going to attempt something that we’ve never done before; four days of Wild Card Eliminations, then a day off, followed by a move to the NASCAR Track for the last two days on Saturday and Sunday.
There are a LOT of logistics and Ron and I will be addressing these with our site inspection.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Minutes of the Challenge Advisory Board- Executive Committee’s meeting
A Skype Teleconference was held on the 29th of May
In attendance:
Mike Mederios
Adam Brock
Jeff Leonard
Mike Weikamm
Cheri Ardion
John Pennington
Items Discussed in order of recollection:
1. Budget & Scott: We cannot camouflage the fact that our sponsorship dollars have been substantially cut. In all cases, we have attempted to lessen the impact by offering options to keep our key personnel on board. Everyone has the freedom to decide their own future with the Challenge, based upon the value that they place on their time. We do this to survive since we cannot have any expenses uncovered. This is not some dire warning of peril, but the practical reality of living within our means. We executed a three-year agreement and will continue to bring the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge to cities across the US and Canada. Said another way, operating the Challenge has become expensive. Big trucks represent big bucks. Airfares are skyrocketing and very few teams now have the financial backing from their departments that they once did. Virtually all of our military teams have had travel funds cut. We are ramping up our efforts to recruit new sponsors- as everyone knows, a daunting task. I think that most firefighters understand that the economy continues to limp along and when stations are being shut down and firefighters laid off, discretionary spending on activities such as the Challenge do not rise to the same level of importance of operations.
2. Reorganized Rules: Daniel spent a considerable amount of time reorganizing the rules by Sentence and Paragraph format. The one change that has evoked a response is the subject of Hammers: We will consider modifying the hammer rule: i.e., no touching the hammer. Jeff Leonard suggested that up to five hammers be put in the rotation and Cheri proposed that we color code the hammers to preserve the rotation. I will run this past Ron. I still believe that we need to disallow Competitors to pick up any hammer other than the one to be used. I proposed that we find some type of a cup or receiver in which to place the hammer head to standardize the position of the hammer for both distance from the sled and angle (which is the same thing).
3. LA World Firefighter Games: We are determined to make this work. To this end, we’re working on securing some sponsorship to fill-in the gap left by the insolvency of the Games. The PR benefit is extraordinary as we can be “The Only Game in Town.” We are, as of this writing going to Ontario, CA. With over 2000 registrants, and not knowing how many of these people are still coming, we will be advertising heavily to see how many days we will need to accommodate what might be the largest Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge ever.
4. Hybrid Teams: Several options were discussed; we all realized that this is complicated and will require more study. We’ll come back with some approaches that might work.
5. Phoenix Logistics: LiftMaster is the Host for WCXIII. We are attempting something that has never been done before; four days of Wild Cards followed by a move to the track. We can pack up the show in about 3 hours. This come at the end of a log day. However, we do have a staff that is double that of our typical regional. And, we will call for assistance for a limited, but skilled group who have experience in Road Crew logistics. An advance trip will take place within the next couple of weeks whereupon we will be able to speak much more intelligently about the whole scenario. We do have a seminar planned for Friday, sponsored by Keiser.
6. Pro-Am, Firefighter Fantasy Camp, Cross-Fit - FCC event: We believe that the only thing that this needs is marketing. Cheri had successfully used this gambit for the event that she held at Lake Charles. We need to write up a marketing plan for rolling this out on a trial basis at selected locales.
7. 2014 Scheduling Matters. Anyone in the event business can attest that “it’s a jungle out there.” If you think that this is easy, you need to think again. We’re at the max of what we can reasonably expect to raise by way of appearance fees. Even at $25K, that’s a lot of bread. LiftMaster will be ending all of their contracts this year and will make a determination if their NASCAR program has been cost effective. I believe that state fairs are a more cost effective model. But, we’ll need to see what transpires at the conclusion of their analysis.
In attendance:
Mike Mederios
Adam Brock
Jeff Leonard
Mike Weikamm
Cheri Ardion
John Pennington
Items Discussed in order of recollection:
1. Budget & Scott: We cannot camouflage the fact that our sponsorship dollars have been substantially cut. In all cases, we have attempted to lessen the impact by offering options to keep our key personnel on board. Everyone has the freedom to decide their own future with the Challenge, based upon the value that they place on their time. We do this to survive since we cannot have any expenses uncovered. This is not some dire warning of peril, but the practical reality of living within our means. We executed a three-year agreement and will continue to bring the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge to cities across the US and Canada. Said another way, operating the Challenge has become expensive. Big trucks represent big bucks. Airfares are skyrocketing and very few teams now have the financial backing from their departments that they once did. Virtually all of our military teams have had travel funds cut. We are ramping up our efforts to recruit new sponsors- as everyone knows, a daunting task. I think that most firefighters understand that the economy continues to limp along and when stations are being shut down and firefighters laid off, discretionary spending on activities such as the Challenge do not rise to the same level of importance of operations.
2. Reorganized Rules: Daniel spent a considerable amount of time reorganizing the rules by Sentence and Paragraph format. The one change that has evoked a response is the subject of Hammers: We will consider modifying the hammer rule: i.e., no touching the hammer. Jeff Leonard suggested that up to five hammers be put in the rotation and Cheri proposed that we color code the hammers to preserve the rotation. I will run this past Ron. I still believe that we need to disallow Competitors to pick up any hammer other than the one to be used. I proposed that we find some type of a cup or receiver in which to place the hammer head to standardize the position of the hammer for both distance from the sled and angle (which is the same thing).
3. LA World Firefighter Games: We are determined to make this work. To this end, we’re working on securing some sponsorship to fill-in the gap left by the insolvency of the Games. The PR benefit is extraordinary as we can be “The Only Game in Town.” We are, as of this writing going to Ontario, CA. With over 2000 registrants, and not knowing how many of these people are still coming, we will be advertising heavily to see how many days we will need to accommodate what might be the largest Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge ever.
4. Hybrid Teams: Several options were discussed; we all realized that this is complicated and will require more study. We’ll come back with some approaches that might work.
5. Phoenix Logistics: LiftMaster is the Host for WCXIII. We are attempting something that has never been done before; four days of Wild Cards followed by a move to the track. We can pack up the show in about 3 hours. This come at the end of a log day. However, we do have a staff that is double that of our typical regional. And, we will call for assistance for a limited, but skilled group who have experience in Road Crew logistics. An advance trip will take place within the next couple of weeks whereupon we will be able to speak much more intelligently about the whole scenario. We do have a seminar planned for Friday, sponsored by Keiser.
6. Pro-Am, Firefighter Fantasy Camp, Cross-Fit - FCC event: We believe that the only thing that this needs is marketing. Cheri had successfully used this gambit for the event that she held at Lake Charles. We need to write up a marketing plan for rolling this out on a trial basis at selected locales.
7. 2014 Scheduling Matters. Anyone in the event business can attest that “it’s a jungle out there.” If you think that this is easy, you need to think again. We’re at the max of what we can reasonably expect to raise by way of appearance fees. Even at $25K, that’s a lot of bread. LiftMaster will be ending all of their contracts this year and will make a determination if their NASCAR program has been cost effective. I believe that state fairs are a more cost effective model. But, we’ll need to see what transpires at the conclusion of their analysis.
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