[Harp-L] SPAH 2026

[Jerry]

The math as Joe says is $80,000/400 attendees/ 4 days of the convention, means every attendees would need to spend $50/day at the hotel over the 4 days on food and beverages.

⁣Regards,  Jerry Deall, SPAH President, Put August 11-15, 2026 on your calendar for SPAH 2026 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet in St. Louis MO​

On Mar 27, 2026, 5:56 PM, at 5:56 PM, JOSEPH LEONE <3n037 at xxxxx> wrote:
>They would want you to cover the 'underage'. Which is a ridiculous
>figure. Why? Because IF the hotel had decent food at less than Taj
>Mahal price, they wouldn't have to sweat it. As it twere, a ton of
>attendees want other choices in food. Not everyone can eat at
>Ruth-Chris prices. Tulsa wasn't good as far as food prep. and the
>service was not only slow but unattentive. Fortunately there were other
>choices nearby. 
> 
>The Westport Chalet (fortunately) isn't one of those questionable
>places. They aren't too bad. 
>Been there a few times. I liked the entire experience. If the wife
>wasn't in the home, I would go.
> 
>As for drinks, some hotels have hassled people walking around with a
>drink in hand. Questioning as to whether it came from their bar?
>Romulus Mich. was good for that one. 
> 
>Attendees number? Probably between 330 and 430. 
> 
>Ok, my opinion only. One would think that some of these areas, which
>aren't exactly rolling in dough from the NON plethora of visitors they
>don't get, and in a slow economy, they would be a bit more amenable to
>'let's make a deal'. 
> 
>smo-joe (Chuck Noris tried his best to knock me out of #1 position.
>Unfortunately he ran out of time.) 
>
>> On 03/27/2026 7:27 PM EDT Bflat Blues <kham27 at xxxxx> wrote:
>>  
>>  
>> $80,000 food and beverage deal. Is that a guarantee that they will
>sell $80,000 in food that you have to front if they don't? How many
>people attend usually?
>>  
>> Kevin
>> 
>> On Mon, 16 Mar 2026 at 16:44, Jerry Deall <jdeall at xxxxx
>mailto:jdeall at xxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>> > Folks,
>> > This is one of my favorite topics: where to hold the SPAH
>convention. Let me tell you it is not that simple
>> > Here's the short list:
>> > 1. Find a Host Club or blues society and provide a point person
>> >   Solicit and manage the Convention Volunteer pool
>> >   Typically about 30-35 volunteers worked, many of whom worked
>multiple four-hour shifts. Some only worked half a day or an evening.
>> >   Organize and host 2 Tours scheduled for Thursday and Friday
>> >   Host the SPAH Hospitality Room
>> > 2. Identify host hotels for SPAH to consider for the convention 
>> >   We need close to 300 rooms and 16,000 square feet of convention
>space
>> >   Rooms less than $200 (not easy to find these days, and discounted
>staff rooms
>> >   Ball room for 400 was too small; last year's venue in San Antonio
>was inadequate.
>> >   Reasonably priced dining nearby.
>> >   Easy airport access.
>> >   Reasonable F&B (Food & Beverage) minimums (more on this below).
>> >  
>> > Some may remember that when COVID hit, we were supposed to be in
>Charlotte, but that was, of course, cancelled.
>> > When we went back to rebook for a later year management had
>changed. Previously they required a $15,000–$20,000 F&B minimum, which
>we can handle. Now Charlotte and many other hotels require an $80,000
>to $100,000 F&B minimum.
>> >  
>> > That being said we (I) welcome all suggestions for new locations.
>Just let me know.
>> >  
>> > Regards,  Jerry Deall, SPAH President, 
>> > Put August 11-15, 2026 on your calendar for SPAH 2026 at the
>Sheraton Westport Chalet in St. Louis MO
>> > . 
>> > 
>> > 
>> > 
>> > On Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 7:08 AM Bflat Blues <kham27 at xxxxx
>mailto:kham27 at xxxxx> wrote:
>> > 
>> > > Its 100% true. I love the informal learning that happens in
>between
>> > > sessions (not to take away from the sessions themselves). It also
>happens
>> > > when jamming with folks.The cream on top is meeting others with
>the same
>> > > passion and making life long friendships. Right foot in, right
>foot out,
>> > > that's what its all about!
>> > > 
>> > > Unfortunately its always too far for me which is why I've been
>organizing
>> > > my own retreats.
>> > > 
>> > > If SPAH could ever be hosted closer to east coast or a little
>more north
>> > > like Chicago, New York, Philidelphia, Boston etc I'd be in. Seems
>to be
>> > > always hosted in the midwest or south for whatever reason. Not
>complaining,
>> > > just suggesting a slight geography shift!
>> > > 
>> > > Cheers.
>> > > 
>> > > Kevin
>> > > My two cents.
>> > > 
>> > > On Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 21:36, JOSEPH LEONE via Harp-L
><harp-l at xxxxx mailto:harp-l at xxxxx>
>> > > wrote:
>> > > 
>> > > > I can dig it. Yeah, face to face with Greg Jones. It don't get
>no better.
>> > > > smo-joe
>> > > >
>> > > > > On 03/10/2026 9:10 AM EDT Greg Jones
><greg at xxxxx mailto:greg at xxxxx>
>> > > > wrote:
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > > A big shout out to the SPAH team.
>> > > > > They have done a great job streamlining registration and
>membership
>> > > > matters
>> > > > > on the web site.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > SPAH 2025 was amazing and I expect SPAH 2026 to be even
>better.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > If you haven't attended, strongly consider it.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > In our internet driven world, we deprive ourselves of 1-on-1
>human
>> > > > > interaction. Once you attend SPAH, you realize how nice it is
>to actually
>> > > > > talk to friends fact-to-face about your passion.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Hope to see you there!
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Greg
>> > > > >
>> > > > > *Greg Jones*
>> > > > > *Seydel Sales & Service*
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Web Site <http://1623customharmonicas.com>
>> > > > > Repairs
>> > > > >
><https://www.1623customharmonicas.com/seydel-diatonic--chromatic-repair>
>> > > >
>> > > 
>> >  
>> >  
>> > --
>> > Regards Jerry
>> > 
>>