EPWORTH, GA: The NAPP Conference and Exposition scheduled for February 28 through March 2 in Lake Las Vegas, NV will be postponed until the same time frame in 2012. We had adequate sponsorship as well as very good exhibitor and attendee interest. However, through several miscommunications with the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, to no fault of the National Association of Pond Professionals or its staff, we were bought out by a bigger show who wanted our show dates.
To stay at the Resort and continue on with our show during those dates, we would have had to pay a considerable amount more for meals and have the show in a tent outside or pay $20,000. For the past month we investigated alternate venues, but ultimately the Board decided that none of these was suitable and that it would be best to forego this year’s event rather than hold a sub-standard conference. We hate to lose the momentum we established last year with our very successful conference, but the Board was unanimous on this decision, and we have a pretty smart and competent Board.
This is not unprecedented in the pond industry, and it is certainly common among small groups such as ours. Several years ago the same thing happened with the Pondapalooza show, and no doubt there are many others. This all come down to one issue – Loews was more interested in the money, and it’s hard to blame them. After all, they are a business. This set back should simply remind us of what a fantastic show we need to make it next year, and help motivate us to get there. This should just further push us to help our Association grow so that it can fairly compete with big-time business as it should.
We are already starting on next year’s plans and will have the contract signed by the end of the first quarter so that this will not happen again. We had an excellent educational program prepared, and will do our best to keep that intact for next year. No matter what, we have a great group of people serving on the Board and helping us throughout to further our success in the year 2012. Mark your calendars as soon as we announce the dates; we are looking forward to seeing you there!
