[Harp-L] SPAH 2026

[Bflat Blues]

Thanks fellas! All good things to know. Desperately want to go to one
before I throw on the old topsoil tuxedo!

Kevin

On Mon, 30 Mar 2026 at 10:01, Clarke Comollo via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
wrote:

> Just booked
> Excited to see you all
> Cheers Clarke
>
>
> > 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
> >>>>
> >>>
>
>