Blair County Convention Center ...is it doing any good?
Blair County Convention Center ...is it doing any good?
I would think a Convention Center , anywhere, should be used for expo's. There are all types of expo's to have; toys, comic books, records, bands, etc....I question why hasn't anyone put this in place at the Convention Center? [The same goes for the Huntingdon Convention Center out at the Resort...what a waste of space!] People need to unite to get things done...and I'd be happy to help.
Convention....
God forbid they'd have anything going on there besides "line dancing" and flower shows!!! And then there's the fight over who gets the $$$$$ for the rental. And don't touch anything, you can't do that here. You must be out by 8:30pm. Don't scuff the floor..... I'm just guessing, most places like that have strict rules on what you can and can not do. Plus, they are usually to high priced to rent for "most" events. (To keep the "riff raff" out! ya know..)
Wow, do rainy days bore me!!!
Wow, do rainy days bore me!!!
Kickin' like a one legged chicken....
I understand where you're coming from, but at the same token, it's a matter of bringing a 'draw' to the area. I'm quite sure, if they make money on it , they will be real happy. I don't even think Huntingdon's Convention Center is ever being used...it was a Resort deal, which doesn't say to much! I still think something can be worked out.
Convention....
And yes, you would think so... BUT, that's not true, IMO. Most people today put themselves on a pedestal. Especially if they have a little $ or grow up with a silver spoon (dik) in there mouth and "think" they are special. While they go to Phillie and buy $20 bags of smak in there new Trans-Am. Then have there $500 an hour lawyer get them off of a DUI that just killed 4 people.... Those are the kinda people that build buildings like that an just let them sit. Why, because they can..... Weather it be Fed, State or Private funding... Nobody does it for free. There's always a kickback, tax dodging, hiding child support... Something.... Or maybe it's just a place for a 50 year old dude to bang 16 year olds for a 6-pak and a $20 bag of smak????
OR..........There just stooooooooopid!!!!
Can ya tell I'm a little anti-social??? (People=Shit.........most anyway)
OR..........There just stooooooooopid!!!!
Can ya tell I'm a little anti-social??? (People=Shit.........most anyway)
Kickin' like a one legged chicken....
My nephew's wedding reception was there the Saturday before last. That place is super nice. They should be doing more with it than what they do. (Public stuff)Herman wrote:I understand where you're coming from, but at the same token, it's a matter of bringing a 'draw' to the area. I'm quite sure, if they make money on it , they will be real happy. I don't even think Huntingdon's Convention Center is ever being used...it was a Resort deal, which doesn't say to much! I still think something can be worked out.
You don't shoot a man in the dick!
Convention....
I'm not allowed to have a "next level"..... The doc says so.... 
Kickin' like a one legged chicken....
The Convention Center in Johnstown and the North Central Recreation Center in Ebensburg are also underused area white elephant facilities. Of course, the Point Stadium and War Memorial Arena in Johnstown are also underused and there are several reasons why.
These facilities all involve political entities that cannot agree on anything. The management of these venues would prefer to let them set empty and make no money than to work with groups, promoters, organizations, etc. to come up with cost efficient business and event plans and make some money as well as attract people to the area. It would take a while to list many of the costs, issues, and requirements to even rent these places. I know personally because not only have I put on shows here, I also have met with the people who run each of these venues and offered to work with them to bring in a variety of events and shows but they would rather do nothing.
These facilities all involve political entities that cannot agree on anything. The management of these venues would prefer to let them set empty and make no money than to work with groups, promoters, organizations, etc. to come up with cost efficient business and event plans and make some money as well as attract people to the area. It would take a while to list many of the costs, issues, and requirements to even rent these places. I know personally because not only have I put on shows here, I also have met with the people who run each of these venues and offered to work with them to bring in a variety of events and shows but they would rather do nothing.
You got that right. They get paid the same to fight, march, or do nothing.JackANSI wrote:Now that I think of it, I guess the people in charge of booking things there are going to get paid the same if they book the place constantly, or just enough to keep their jobs..
Its always less work if your target is just keeping your job..
I totally agree where you're coing from. All they see is $$$$$$ signs and nothing else. The sad thing about it, who placed those people in their position to say what would fly and what wouldn't? They are probably in late 60's and don't have clue what's going on.... People hold on till their positions forever and that's only part of the picture. You name something they like, they're all for you....something 'refreshing and new' forget it. I've been there myself.....go to council meetings, etc......get heard and have a voice.....I think that's what it's about.....it can be done....
If the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown losing the ECHL Johnstown Chiefs hockey team franchise, that building will be empty even more than it is now. The cost for a promoter to rent that facility and pay all of the required expenses for one day is very high and that is why most event management companies shy away from here. Also, there is terrible parking in Johnstown and people do not like to attend events there. In addition, there is a city amusement tax and a facilities services fee for each ticket sold on top of the admission prices. The other issue is that people in the Johnstown area do not like to support events, sports teams, shows, etc. and want everything for free. For all of the work and expenses that promoters and owners have to put out, they would rather go somewhere else than Johnstown.
Convention....
Never happen... Unless you "know" someone... Or you got a $100K just to burn in the street... Simple, cut and dry...
And why do you think everyone wants everything for "FREE"... I'll give you ONE guess... (hint) There already getting it for "free"...
It's hard to bite the hand that feed you...
And why do you think everyone wants everything for "FREE"... I'll give you ONE guess... (hint) There already getting it for "free"...
It's hard to bite the hand that feed you...
Kickin' like a one legged chicken....
Convention....
Ah... yep. I grow up in small, one horse town in Huntingdon Co. You don't have to tell me... Completely downhill... I like where I'm at, don't get me wrong. But the downfall is crazy!!! A lot of good "attractions" in Central PA have just went to the way side because of greed and bullshit. Seen it with my own eyes. And no town meeting or anything like that will bring it back. Because of the fact it's ruined. And the stay this country is in. Which of course was brought on by the "higher ups" that knows whats best for the "American" people... Unless of course, your ass is made of gold. Then you can stick it in that envelope and send it to that guy on TV and get some gas $$$ ...
Kickin' like a one legged chicken....
I agree with what moxham123 said, that the folks running these venues are mostly cliques, cronies and other entities with country club mentalities who run these taj mahals on their own terms. The Blair County Convention Center, for example, is operated by the Allegheny Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Bureau maintains a big price tag for anyone wanting to actually stage an event (or even convention) at the Convention Center.
I found out what these folks were about early on. Right after the Convention Center first opened, I went into their gift shop with a small stack of Pennsylvania Musician magazines to inquire if I could leave them there for visitors to pick up. The lady quickly told me that I could only leave the mags there if we paid a $75 membership fee with the Bureau. No thanks...
I found out what these folks were about early on. Right after the Convention Center first opened, I went into their gift shop with a small stack of Pennsylvania Musician magazines to inquire if I could leave them there for visitors to pick up. The lady quickly told me that I could only leave the mags there if we paid a $75 membership fee with the Bureau. No thanks...
Convention....
Dout it... "They" find a way to "twist" everything in there favor, take it or leave it attitude... I was once on a "comity" to try and get a skate park built for the kids in the local area. Even went so far to have students from Penn State make it a "project" for some class they had. Even had the land donated to the comity/project by a doctor from the local hospital..... So on and so forth.... It was a done deal. Til the "richies" from town and the school board got wind of it and found a "loop hole" in the fact that it was being done by the students from PSU.... It was all about them wanting to control the thing and squash it, because they didn't want it, but then collect the $$$ and use it as they saw fit. (There was some kinda "grant money" involved because it was thru PSU and using the students or something. It's been awhile.) They even called a special "town meeting" to kill the idea.
So, NO.....
So, NO.....
Kickin' like a one legged chicken....
I've played at the convention center a few times. Pretty cool place but I always was a little confused why the powers that be thought it would attract major conventions in order to give the local economy an ocassional shot. We already had the Jaffa and Ramada. The BCCC really doesn't offer much more but I'm sure it costs more. Also, I believe they ruined any kind of credibility they had by staging the Keystone Country Festival there. Now that was stooopid.
Let's get Scott from Intuit to take a look at the place.
Let's get Scott from Intuit to take a look at the place.
This topic boils my blood! When the BCCC was proposed and approved, it was my understanding that there was a stipulation that they would not intentionally compete with events which were already established in other venues. For example, the Out Door show which had been an annual event at the Jaffa ( not to defend the nmanagement at the Jaffa, as they have their moments of brainlessness as well, but I digress ) for more than 10 years prior to the existence of the BCCC. The bastards at the BCCC have been holding an near identical event for several years only a week or so before the Jaffa event. There are other similar situations to note as well. In my life, if I lie and manipulate people, I am held accountable, WTF makes these people different.
Furthermore; I approached the BCCC a few years back about holding a nationally sanctioned slot car race and swap meet at the venue. The powers that be told me that the facility would not be available to me because it was a locally promoted event, and that their contract with the County, or some such BS, limited then to booking events promoted from outside the area so as not to compete with existing venues. The bastads lie, cheat and manipulate, and the community pays for their deeds.
I'm done and will relinquish the soap box to the next speaker.
Furthermore; I approached the BCCC a few years back about holding a nationally sanctioned slot car race and swap meet at the venue. The powers that be told me that the facility would not be available to me because it was a locally promoted event, and that their contract with the County, or some such BS, limited then to booking events promoted from outside the area so as not to compete with existing venues. The bastads lie, cheat and manipulate, and the community pays for their deeds.
I'm done and will relinquish the soap box to the next speaker.