USDF - Love it or Hate it

[Mardi]

[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;8551248]
I could get an airfare/hotel package (if I went with a friend and we shared a room), but with that package plus registration for the convention (it isn’t free), it was going to be about $800 each - plus food. Needless to say, I didn’t go… I just couldn’t justify that kind of expense for a weekend of the “inside scoop”. And there were some important issues discussed - I would have liked to participate![/QUOTE]

An important part of your calculation is the per day cost.

Your $800 + meals (approx. $320) = $1120 divided by 4 days = $280 per day
(minimum).

Instead you could take the Sporthorse Cruise for 7 days to the Caribbean, with meals and riding/training seminars included, meet other riders, have a nice room with a private balcony, for approx. $172 per day.

Just sayin’.

[AZ_TD]

The 2005 USDF convention was in Los Angeles, CA and had a symposium with Klaus Balkenhol as well.

[QUOTE=Mardi;8553875]
I think the misunderstanding came when it was said that the convention was on the west COAST. Many people don’t think of Las Vegas as being on the west coast, since it’s about 300 miles from the Pacific, and one state over. It may be in the west, but just not the west coast.

If people say east coast, doesn’t that mean all the states along the Atlantic ?

(just asking )[/QUOTE]

[yaya]

They rotate locations from west to east to central. And every now and then (like this last one or the one in Orlando) they land in the same place as the AAEP convention, so they can have several equine vets give lectures.

I’m very disappointed in the loss of the trade fair and the symposium at the conventions. It’s kind of all business now, which isn’t as much fun. I used to do most of my Christmas shopping at the trade fair!

[Velvet]

[QUOTE=AZ TD;8553824]
I have attended USDF conventions in Portland, OR; Denver, CO; Albq, NM; Dallas, TX; New Orleans, LA, as well as those further east. They try and rotate it and make it as affordable as possible. I enjoy visiting other parts of the US and the dressage enthusiasts from the different areas. These are my vacations, my priority. It is not the same for all and that is OK. Many GMO’s help with expenses to the convention. I budget, save and enjoy the convention.[/QUOTE]

When was Dallas? I did the Austin one.

[Velvet]

[QUOTE=yaya;8554411]

I’m very disappointed in the loss of the trade fair and the symposium at the conventions. It’s kind of all business now, which isn’t as much fun. I used to do most of my Christmas shopping at the trade fair![/QUOTE]
:yes:

[Velvet]

They should just always have it in KY and save the cost of moving the staff around and setting up in expensive venues. If they really were fiscally responsible, that’s how they’d do it. But they aren’t. We’re their cash cows.

[Mardi]

It does make sense to have the convention in Lexington annually, but the draw back is the winter weather, and it’s not an easy place to reach by air. By the time you fly into Cincinnati, rent a car, and drive down to Lexington, you’ve spent a couple of hundred dollars and (as a friend would say) haven’t even had a drink yet.

[yaya]

I think the one they did have in Lexington was one of the lowest-attendance conventions they’ve had.

I did like that the hotel was connected to a shopping mall, though - no need to go out in the cold!

[Velvet]

[QUOTE=yaya;8554737]
I think the one they did have in Lexington was one of the lowest-attendance conventions they’ve had.

I did like that the hotel was connected to a shopping mall, though - no need to go out in the cold![/QUOTE]

I thought that was the championships when they were there. Which was sad since the venue is amazing.

[suzy]

[QUOTE=Mardi;8554470]
By the time you fly into Cincinnati, rent a car, and drive down to Lexington, you’ve spent a couple of hundred dollars and (as a friend would say) haven’t even had a drink yet.[/QUOTE]

Don’t you just hate that.

[TrakHack]

Velvet, when is the last time you competed at a recognized show? Perhaps USDF PM membership doesn’t make sense if you’re not showing?

[AZ_TD]

The USDF convention was in Dallas 2003, featuring Ernest Hoyos and Lisa Wilcox in the symposium, an excellent presentation. The USDF rotates the location to reduce cost for attendees.

[Velvet]

[QUOTE=TrakHack;8555589]
Velvet, when is the last time you competed at a recognized show? Perhaps USDF PM membership doesn’t make sense if you’re not showing?[/QUOTE]

:lol: It has never made sense to me.