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Location

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Date Posted

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

With over Three Thousand Three Hundred Fruit weighted at GPC Sanctioned Contest.
What is it going to take to get more growers to attend the annual GPC Big Show.

3/27/2016 5:17:02 PM

Colorado

I think trying Niagara is a good start.Driving distance for the northeast/ohio/eastern canada. Cant beat the Canadian dollar value:)

3/27/2016 5:38:13 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Shania Twain performing at Niagara

3/27/2016 6:19:21 PM

East Tennessee

I am planning on attending Niagara if I can.

3/27/2016 8:11:29 PM

Peosta, Iowa

Had so much fun at Wilkes-Barre, I am in for Niagara

3/27/2016 10:03:34 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Vegas always does well;)

3/27/2016 10:31:50 PM

Austin MN

One more close to Ohio Minnesota Wisconsin area?

3/28/2016 8:54:55 AM

NE Arkansas

How about somewhere centralized like St. Louis or Branson, MO? Jeremy Terry are you ready for a road trip?

3/28/2016 9:25:30 AM

NE Arkansas

or Nashville?

3/28/2016 9:49:38 AM

Johnston, Iowa

I would LOVE to attend a future GPC Convention, and I'm glad feedback is being asked for!

1. The UK got to host a GPC convention, which is great, but what will it take for the Midwest to finally be considered as a site for the convention? Have everyone meet in the middle! Whether that be OH, MN, WI, IA, IL, IN, SD, NE, MO, or another midwest state, there are a lot of growers here. Niagara has been the meeting place several times in the past, why not let another site be given a chance?

2. Reduce barriers for attendees. (ie travel and $$$). Select a site that is in a city that has a significant airport that is nearby, and has reasonable hotel rates. Past sites Orlando and Las Vegas were both excellent choices in that regard.

3/28/2016 10:29:57 AM

Mn

Give away a new car :)

3/28/2016 11:49:47 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

For us on the West Coast, Vegas would be way better. Niagara is just too far to travel for us...no thanks.

3/28/2016 11:49:48 AM

Torrance, Ca.

North Shore, Vegas is nice but if you come down, between Dave, Scott and yourself,,,, the casinos could cause some problems. lol

And that late night drinking with Cecil and Don,,,,,,, that's a whole other topic!

3/28/2016 12:21:55 PM

Lymington UK

Late night drinking with Cecil and Don is great

3/28/2016 12:37:06 PM

East Tennessee

im always up for a road trip.

3/28/2016 12:54:46 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You are never going to make everyone happy. Pick a place and hold it.

3/28/2016 1:04:58 PM

Ireland

Nashville, Las Vegas whats not to like about those places

3/28/2016 1:06:12 PM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Orlando was a flop. Less than 75 growers.
So it seems the future sites have to be drive able for a large number of growers to attend.

3/28/2016 1:38:18 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Maybe 2 sites simultaneously with internet connection. One in West and one in Northeast. People can go to whichever they want and show discussions via Internet. Think about it. Could do it or not. Just a thought.

3/28/2016 1:52:33 PM

Torrance, Ca.

You are correct Ian!

You need to watch your back with Don around though. Lol
You never know what he's up to!

3/28/2016 3:41:16 PM

Deerfield, Michigan

I have never been to a Big Show but would probably go if it was within driving distance Ohio Kentucky Tennessee Iowa would be good choices.

3/28/2016 4:01:51 PM

Mi.

I would like to see it in Vegas. Plan on making the trip to niagara

3/28/2016 6:13:36 PM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Vegas did well the first year we were there. Attendance dropped off over 25% the second year we were there.

3/28/2016 6:48:34 PM

Weatherman

Cuba is open now.

3/28/2016 7:04:37 PM

Cheshire,Ma

I agree Niagra has already been done many times. Midwest would be best for a lot of people to drive. I went to the one in PA. and it seemed to have a great turn out.

3/28/2016 7:10:22 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

I think a couple factors come into play
with the increase of individual club conferences, it gives a lot of growers an option to stay local and get the same information as the GPC convention so the GPC has to step outside the box and or team up more with clubs to do these together as apposed to an either or scenario
Vegas was very popular the first year because of the novelty factor and when it came back the second year, the novelty factor wasn't there.
Going forward, I would think it may be time to start expanding the conference to doing something else along with just the speakers and awards.
From what I have heard, Ian and Stuarts venue was incredible and a lot of growers were talking about the business they run and how their operation works.
So maybe in the future, and say if it goes to Sacramento California, the GPC could set up a tour of RTI. It's a facility that produces a lot of the products used by many growers today.
Or who knows maybe double up with a sport venue as a second attraction, I could handle going to a conference in Lambo Field

3/28/2016 7:47:09 PM

SW Ohio

Personally, I think Chicago would be great. Cincinnati, anywhere in the Northeast is going to do well...due to so many growers being able to drive. Ive never been to the PNW. Might be fun!

3/28/2016 7:48:15 PM

Massachusetts

Moonshine

3/28/2016 7:58:23 PM

South Dakota

I think Minneapolis would be great! Middle of everyone. Lots of Midwest growers. Mall of America. I bet you would have over 300 attendees easily.

3/28/2016 8:24:40 PM

Parker, Co

I think moving it around is a good idea. East, west, midwest. Europe...you need a good airport and convention facilities. And lots of beer.

3/28/2016 8:54:28 PM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Keep the ideas coming. We need to know how the growers feel.

3/28/2016 10:05:54 PM

Rhode Island

agree a lot with my good friend eddy z. unfortunately as he mentioned regarding seminars ---- several years back niagara drew big crowds because there was not a lot of seminars around. and, canada and the us drew well in niagara.
now there are major seminars and big time growers lecturing at many areas around the world.thus cutting into the crowd conditions.
me personally, i believe growers attend for many reasons.some to learn,some to saee old frienmd,some to make new friends,some to just have some fun and some to do a bit of everything. --- hell some of our friends in ri/ct and ma are already talking about chartering a tour bus for our families and friends to attend niagara.

this hobby is much more than just growing a big pumpkin. yes we all want to be successful and yes we all would like to do something special each year however, the friends,moments and memories will be there long after any ribbons or awards are put away.

i like the midwest idea for sure. california is also on my short list. we all know some great growers in both areas.

ps---see my post regarding a has the time come?

thanks

pap

3/28/2016 11:09:54 PM

Salem, Ohio USA

"Seminar @ Sea"- Pumpkin Cruise January 19-29, 2017

3/29/2016 7:46:31 AM

NE Arkansas

Nashville is one of the best convention cities in the country!

3/29/2016 10:12:19 AM

East Tennessee

Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Sounds, Nashville Superspeedway, Vanderbilt, Grand Ol Opery, nice airport. NASHVILLE!!!

3/29/2016 11:35:32 AM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Nashville is Great. It is the number three convention city in the US. Would be in the southern zone of were the GPC has weigh offs.

3/29/2016 8:05:04 PM

Ellendale, MN

Stillwater, MN is consistently one of the top weigh-in sites in the world. There are a lot of fantastic growers in the upper Midwest, so I think Minneapolis would be a great site for a site in the near future.

3/29/2016 8:42:39 PM

Guelph, ONT

I`m with cojoe the US dollar is brutal for us.
I hope its niagara

3/29/2016 8:46:08 PM

Alex, IN

While I think the idea of Niagara is good there is an additional expense for US growers since we have to have a passport... I am willing to get one but that could be a cost that puts the potential trip on hold, especially those who might have more than just one person going.

3/29/2016 9:22:20 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Regardless of were a convention is held. No matter what's needed to cross a border. If you truly want to grow bigger pumpkins and meet the Whos who of this hobby a Gpc convention is a must. now I know cost is a big factor but there are ways to limit ones costs to attend as well.. I think the Gpc is looking to move the convention around but in order to have a convention I would think they need to have at least 150 people register and show up. Other wise what's the point of doing them?
So I think the real question is what will it take to get 150 paid people to show up? At any place no matter what...

3/30/2016 8:43:25 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

The WGPG has on average 50 to 60 people show up for our annual spring meeting every year... Kinda seems odd that Orlando had 75?
Just my ideas.. Or thoughts

3/30/2016 8:47:39 AM

Team Munson

These events are not easy to pull off many factors need to be addressed & the #1 is the final cost to the attending growers. All the mentioned places to go would be great but did you know:
- The reason for food at the seminars is due to the fact you either buy their food or you rent the hall. People often ask the GPC why do I have to pay $60 for dinner when I can go buy it at a restaurant for much less? You can either pay $60 for food or pay $60 just to be in the room the GPC figures it is better to get a meal & the room for your money.
- If rooms are booked out of the GPC room block to get personal motel perks or get it cheaper. Most all hotels hold you accountable for X amount of rooms if you don't fill enough of the rooms you reserve the hotel can charge you for the unused rooms. In order to get the best rate it is necessary to estimate how many rooms will be needed with out getting to many. The hotels will also take rooms from you if they are not reserved by certain dead lines so if you wait to late to reserve it might not be there for you.

Not trying to scare people off but maybe give some insight as to s couple of the issues that need to be considered. When considering places please keep these in mind & trust me there are many more hurdles to jump. In the end when you can watch the most novice grower network with the best in the world & see the joy on growers faces it does make all the work worth while.

3/30/2016 9:03:49 AM

Parker, Co

I think in order to make a GPC meeting financially successful the meeting needs to be where the growers are.

3/30/2016 1:01:16 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

FYI - The
http://www.indoorgardenexpo.com/contact/
are considering the Chicago area February/March in 2017
An event such as this to "tour" also at a GPC convention would be awesome!

3/30/2016 1:27:31 PM

Cameron

I know that the majority of Canadian growers won't attend the GPC seminar, unless it is in Niagara or other regions close to Ontario. The Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario (GVGO) draw @ 70 people to their seminar, then I expect that many of those will also attend the Niagara GPC Convention.
Also, there are hundreds of US growers within driving distance of Niagara Falls. Surely, there would be a good turn out from this group.
One last thing is that the Canadian dollar sucks, so US attendees would enjoy a nice rate of return (@ 25%) on their money, making it a cheap holiday. Canadian growers would also see the benefit of having it in Niagara Falls, by not having to pay an extra 25% in exchange rates.

We look forward to seeing our friends in Niagara.

Cheers,
Jane & Phil

4/6/2016 9:38:58 AM

Deer Park, WI

If the goal is to increase attendance, then I believe the GPC should consider working closer with local clubs to market and advocate. Here I am, again, asking the GPC to build stronger bridges with club networks. I know the GPC is an organization of rules and regs for weighoffs, but it also holds the most highly regarded event intended to educate, reward, and network growers world wide.

In addition to the geographical/logistical considerations thoroughly discussed above, a ground force of local advocates in leadership positions can be equally effective in recruiting attendees.

For example, program details should be in every newsletter produced by every club world wide. Repeatedly. Think of the reach this would have.

Testimonials. "This is by far the most informative meeting I've ever been to. The networking was priceless" The meeting has value. How robustly has the value been marketed to your audience?

Club leadership and regional GPC reps should be working hand-in-hand to ensure the word is out and every grower under the sun is informed. Clubs are your venue for reaching that audience en masse, no?

Clubs themselves can offer incentives/cost sharing for participants (The SCGA previously provided a small consideration for members who were willing to attend).

Call me crazy, call me a pain in the ass, call me what you will, I will stand behind my belief that stronger bridges between GPC and clubs lead to mutual benefits realized by all. Leverage the potential influence clubs have to their memberships and you'll see attendance rise.

4/7/2016 3:34:37 PM

Little Suamico WI, usa

Well I believe we can hold one here at Lambeau Field here in Green Bay Wisconsin! There will be a lot of hype in a couple year due that the Packers will turn 100 years old! There Are a lot of hotels and watering holes near by. Plus the amenities at Lambeau are awesome! Plus Wisconsin has been growing some major weights lately!

4/12/2016 8:08:55 PM