Anyway, while eating before the show, we discussed the possibility of moving GPAF to Dallas for next year's show. The venue is larger and we would likely have a larger turnout. I'm happy with how GPAF has been the last two years, but a bigger show in Dallas would be good too. Maybe we could alternate venues every year, I dunno. So I'm throwing this out to you all for feedback.

What I would really like to retain is the grass roots "Woodstock" feel of the show, and the absolute lack of fees. I don't like the idea of a promoter turning the show itself into a revenue source. I like the idea of a venue where the smaller niche companies can set up and show up, and a thousand dollar entry fee added to the transportation costs is prohibitive. So I would like to see free admission for exibitors retained no matter where the show is done.

The thing is, if we move to Dallas, we'll need a "point man" or two. Fred volunteered, but he lives in Houston. So we thought we could maybe ask Jim Rivers, and since he wasn't there to defend himself, he was an easy target. Or maybe Russ or someone else, or maybe a few people could get involved.

It's a big job, to tell the truth. You have to arrange with the folks at Embassy Suites and you have to send out press releases. I bought a bunch of signs and set them around the city, that helps a lot too. But planning and organization isn't a trivial amount of work, even when as loosely done as GPAF always has been.

I'd be willing to host the web space, same as I've always done. I've already obtained a "LoneStarAudiofest.com" domain name in anticipation. We can tie it to the GPAF and ART website, probably link in the Texas clubs sites too.

So now I'm looking for feedback from everyone. What do you all think? Could we find support for this? Is it something we're interested in doing? We'll definitely have GPAF next year, first weekend in May. The only question is where. Would it be better suited for a larger venue like Dallas, maybe morph it into a LSAF? Or do we leave it as it is, and keep GPAF in Tulsa? Let me know your thoughts.

Bob Spence

I also agree strongly that it's a good idea to keep the show oriented toward small non-mainstream manufacturers/designers who sell their products primarily over the internet. A show like the GPAF/LSAF can be useful to these sellers because it provides an opportunity for people who otherwise could only read about their products to see, hear and touch them. But this can only work if a significant number of people visit the show.

Another consideration is that there are several important and highly regarded manufacturers in the DFW area, Houston, Austin, etc who might participate if they believed a significant number of potential customers would be there. I really would like to see Dodd Audio, GR Research, Audio Mirror, Silver Circle Audio, etc. as exhibitors, and if the show were in Dallas this should be a no-brainer to them considering the cost to participate is only the cost of the hotel room plus gas to get there - no $1K show promoter's fees. They would also get a good buzz on the audio forums too as a result of participating.

We have a primative archery rendevous in Marshall, Mo which is about a 90 minute drive east of Kansas City that attracts people from all over the world. I mean like 5-600 people for 4 days. Many, many of them travel in a group to share gas costs, etc....And they bring truckloads of gear, materials and the like as well.

• Dallas Audio Club

Embassy Suites was very receptive to this in Tulsa since it was an easy way to sell a bunch of rooms in a weekend. The only thing is, we have to check availability of the first weekend in May. That was a good weekend for Tulsa, and I hope it is for Dallas as well. I'll call and make the initial approach and introduce them to the idea, then maybe we can all get together and hash out some details for the rest of the planning, press releases, advertisement signs, maybe print ads and what not. I'm willing to donate some (time and money) resources to this deal same as the last couple of years, and I thank each of you 'cause I can see you're in there with me too!