[Harp-L] SPAH 2026

[Clarke Comollo]

Just booked 
Excited to see you all
Cheers Clarke
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> On Mar 27, 2026, at 10:25?PM, Jerry via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 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
>>>> 
>>>