*ATTENTION* All players on Bid for World Qualifier

[kim willis]

We have recieved from Hugh Devlin a e-mail saying the US has won the bid for the 2007 World Qualifier.

The place is Las Vegas,this will be in Sept,or Oct.This will hold Mens,Womens,and Youth along side.

I would like for everyone to know that we will be working on all of this venue and give more information as we get it.

I hope that these countries will be able to attend.


Ireland
Canada
Barbadoes
New Zealand
Germany
Turkmanistan
Czech Republic
England

If your country has not been shown on this list please notify us so we can place you on the list.

Plus we will still except donations for this event.If you would like to donate you may send it to Alan,Richard Beckwith or me.

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING

Best Regards

Kim Willis

[Mr. Checkers]

What other countries submitted bids?

[rich beckwith]

My understanding is that there were no other official bids for the GAYP tournament (although there may have been some discussion of bids or "back-up plan" bids involving other countries).

Thanks to Kim Willis for spearheading this bid!

Bids for a Moiseyev-King match for 2006 are still welcome.

[Ingo_Zachos]

Congratulations to the ACF, especially to Kim Willis.

Now, after two years in Europe, it is again time for the Ameican continent.
Let's hope that the best US, Bajan and Canadian players attend and that also other continents will be there.
But a system of rotation like that may give all players a chance to play for the World Championship from time to time, even if they can't afford an expensive flight.

I really hope that this time also the Junior and Women sections will be played, but with Kim as organizer I'll bet my money these competitions will be held

Greetinx from Old Europe,

Ingo Zachos

[kim willis]

I thank you Ingo,those were kind words.Now the questions is will your German team join us? You have alot of time to plan on attending
I hope that the irish will join us too.
As well as many other countries.I will be working on contacting everyone i can and invite them.We have plenty of time.

I will keep in contact with ALL. After the venue is complete it will be posted here.I want to see this to be one of the tournies that will be remembered.Not because of me but because each player will have good memories and will meet and make new friends.Plus enjoy the game.

Best Regards

kim

[Mr. Checkers]

Who determined that it would be held in Las Vegas verus some other site?

[kim willis]

hello Ms.Becky

why Vegas?

1).International Airport
2).free playing room
3).food is cheap
4).shuttle service is great from airport to hotels
5).and we get great rates on our rooms.
6).Plus many attractions

I hope this clears things on why

kim

[Mr. Checkers]

Kim I am sure that there are many U.S. cities that can meet those qualifications. I think that it would be nice to show our foreign quests that there is much more to our country than just gambling, which seems to be the only reason why it is being held in Las Vegas. Also seconds after the U. S. was named Las Vegas was choosen as the site for this event without any thought being given to any other site. Now my question again is who made that decision (without any consideration being given to other places). It isn't as though there was not time to appoint a committee to look into this. I am sure that other ACF members would like to see a checker event held in their area--such as the east coast area or the southeast. Most major area have gambling, low room and food prices; international airports etc.;plus lots a outside attractions, so that should not be the criteria to automatically give it to one place over another without looking at other places to have some comparision. (Atlantic City, St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago etc. etc.).

[kiwinurse]

Congrats Kim on winning the qualifier.Its a wonderful place to have it,especially for overseas people,as vegas is the least expensive venue of the lot, and one of the most exciting.Not for the gambling either,but because Vegas has so much to offer as Kim has stated.The hotel themes themselves are just amazing,one does not have to gamble to enjoy vegas.I would expect a good participation for this one because of the venue. Well Done.

[rich beckwith]

Dear Ms. Becky,

The Las Vegas decision was not thrown together just within the last couple of days. Medina, Ohio was discussed, but this venue seems more suited to domestic events since there is no good airport transportation system to the hotel, and international players would be fairly isolated without a car out there in Medina county (even though Cleveland is 30 minutes away).
A couple years back, I explored Chicago as a venue for a big event, but hotel rates are $85 and up and you are still on the outskirts. We can do half this at Vegas. We also have connections in the Vegas area (Gerry Lopez and now Mac Banks). And frankly, I didn't see anyone volunteering any other cities for this bid.

I think Kim and Jan said it well.....No, I don't wish to convey that America is only about glitter and gambling, but it is a unique city that seemed to work well for many of our European friends at last year's International Match (despite the long flight out West). Also, many of our international friends will have an opportunity to visit such wonders as the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam from a Las Vegas bus tour.

[Ingo_Zachos]

I thank you Ingo,those were kind words.Now the questions is will your German team join us? You have alot of time to plan on attending
...

This is indeed a good question, as of course we, as well as our Czech friends, really want to come, but as we have no sponsors, it is hard, as it takes both time and money


Also the top players might have other obligations, as we all r just pure (poor?) amateurs.
So if any country does not compete don't be sad, as I am sure they take the next opportunity to get to a Qualifier as soon as it is possible for them, or maybe they even run a bid for the next event, like you did after you couldn't make it to Stonehaven

So I can promise nothing, but the decision to give it to the US was not bad, as it gives the top players from the "other" side of the world a chance to compete.
Also, Las Vegas does not seem to be a poor choice, as it can be reached by plane comparatively easy.
This was, why I thought in 2005, Prague was a very good choice, as it is also comparatively easy to get to.
I hope that you will break the record entry, which was 14 for men's section in Prague, 8 for the women's section in Barbados, and 6 for the junior's section in Prague.

All the best wishes from cloudy Germany,

Ingo Zachos

P.S: Hugh's statement also said that the Breen-Durdyeva match will be held in Ireland.
I think it will be an interesting match, though I am not competent enough to give a prediction.
Maybe Jan could give us her opinion, as she played them both and should have the "insider knowledge" as who is the thougher one to play.

[rich beckwith]

Well said Ingo. I agree Las Vegas is very far for the Eastern Europeans, but all we can do is take turns.

As for Patricia vs. Amangul

[Mr. Checkers]

M-Day maybe we will put in the high bid for the King-Moiseyev Match and then Alex will win by default.

[Mr. Checkers]

Richard I was not aware of any U.S. cities bidding to bring this event here. I know that donations were asked for, but I don't recall anyone mentioning a site until this post appeared. What I don't want to see happen is expressed in the following quotation entitled--"My Memories of America"--"I came to America and what did I see??--the international airport, hotels, casinos and slot machines surrounding me". Our country has a lot more than that to offer our foreign guests. And for many of our foreign guests this will probably be the one and only time that they will be visiting America. So why not make this a very special time--one that they will always fondly remember. Richard I am sure that when you went to Europe that they shared a great deal of their culture with you--and did not pigeon hole you into a casino environment. And we should not have to go 3/4's the way across America to find suitable sites to hold checker events. Most of our checker population lives in the east and south. Also "Kim mentioned youth events. One of the complaints coming out of previous Las Vegas tournaments was that it is not a suitable place for families or to bring children--. Another thing that comes to mind is the date (which probably is not set in stone at this time) mentioned. Those dates would be in conflict with the start of most schools and colleges etc.--assuming youth and young adults would want to attend. It might be suggested that future checker events be given more time, study and planning before entering into them, which hopefully will bring about greater dividends for our checker community in the long run. Richard you stated that many of our international friends have the opportunity to visit--well opportunity and affordability are two completely different things. So as the host country we should try as much as possible to focus our attention on making this event a reachable opportunity for as many of our foreign guests as possible. America is not a one horse town with only one saloon in it". Just food for thought.

[rich beckwith]

Ms. Becky,

Thank you for sharing many legitimate concerns, many of which have been hashed around for a couple months already. There are many factors to consider, and Kim already mentioned many important ones for an international WCDF event -- cheap hotels & food, sightseeing (esp. within walking distance), and hotel-airport transportation. Las Vegas scores very high in all 3. I certainly would be open to another major city like Chicago or Atlanta, but I know of no good contacts there to help get the ball rolling, and I doubt the above factors would be rated as good. Of our list of "usual venues," Las Vegas seemed to be unanimous between Kim, Alan, and myself.

I'm personally not much of a gambler, but still have found plenty of attractions in Las Vegas in my past 3 visits -- the hotel architecture, evening light show on Fremont, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, the buffets, aquariums, lion & tiger habitats, shows (some are free), and many more attractions etc. There are water parks and "Circus Circus Adventuredome" for families too. I understand opinions vary on Las Vegas, but I know of no complaints with site selection at last year's 8th I.M., where we had many first-timers to America.

You are quite insightful about selection of dates, as we are still hashing this out, as there does not seem to be a perfect answer. Summer is best for youth because of school being out, but the summer heat in Las Vegas is a concern for some of our European friends. Also, the summer is already "busy" with other week-long events with US Nationals, British Open, etc. It is nice to be able to spread major events out and have time to select a US team based on that year's Nationals. We have considered having "youth only" in the summer, but it is also desirable to have players and referees all in one place the same week or weekend. Also, I note that Prague had a nice youth tournament in 2005 even with event held in October. I have suggested Columbus Day 3-day weekend (early October 2007) as a possibility to accommodate the youth, but nothing has been decided yet. We also need to avoid Irish Open in late October.