Wing Conference Vendors

[Capt_Redfox30]

Just wanted to ask for some thoughts, I am the project officer for the 2015 Illinois Wing Conference in November, I have made some good strides in planning, but where I am stuck is possible vendors.  The location I want to use has room for some tables and wanted peoples thoughts about whom might be good to have present.  These are my ideas. 

• Vanguard
• Sportys Pilot Shoppe https://www.sportys.com  (They are only less than a 5 hour drive)
• Local Hobbystore that sells RC Aircraft and Model Rocket Kits
• L-Tronics http://www.ltronics.com/ (Elper manufacter, but they are in California and we have only had maybe 4 ELT missions in 2014)?
• Some type of Parade Store for Color Guard equipment http://www.paradestore.com

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

[MSG Mac]

Just wanted to ask for some thoughts, I am the project officer for the 2015 Illinois Wing Conference in November, I have made some good strides in planning, but where I am stuck is possible vendors.  The location I want to use has room for some tables and wanted peoples thoughts about whom might be good to have present.  These are my idea. 

• Vanguard
• Sportys Pilot Shoppe (They are only less than a 5 hour drive)
• Local Hobbystore that sells RC Aircraft and Model Rocket Kits
• L-Tronics (Elper manufacter, but they are in California and we have only had maybe 4 ELT missions in 2014)?
• Some type of Parade Store for Color Guard equipment

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Military, ROTC, or Colleges with aviation programs

[Capt_Redfox30]

Just wanted to ask for some thoughts, I am the project officer for the 2015 Illinois Wing Conference in November, I have made some good strides in planning, but where I am stuck is possible vendors.  The location I want to use has room for some tables and wanted peoples thoughts about whom might be good to have present.  These are my idea. 

• Vanguard
• Sportys Pilot Shoppe (They are only less than a 5 hour drive)
• Local Hobbystore that sells RC Aircraft and Model Rocket Kits
• L-Tronics (Elper manufacter, but they are in California and we have only had maybe 4 ELT missions in 2014)?
• Some type of Parade Store for Color Guard equipment

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Military, ROTC, or Colleges with aviation programs

That was a quick response, those are good ideas, there is a College Army ROTC in town and 3 - (Army, Air Force, Navy) at a college an hour away and two major aviation schools an hour or four hours away, so make it more likely than someone from California.

Thanks Sir.   

[lordmonar]

don't forget local flight schools, the FBOs of the major airports in your state, ES or EMT supply vendors, camping gear stores.

[Alaric]

Just wanted to ask for some thoughts, I am the project officer for the 2015 Illinois Wing Conference in November, I have made some good strides in planning, but where I am stuck is possible vendors.  The location I want to use has room for some tables and wanted peoples thoughts about whom might be good to have present.  These are my ideas. 

• Vanguard
• Sportys Pilot Shoppe https://www.sportys.com  (They are only less than a 5 hour drive)
• Local Hobbystore that sells RC Aircraft and Model Rocket Kits
• L-Tronics http://www.ltronics.com/ (Elper manufacter, but they are in California and we have only had maybe 4 ELT missions in 2014)?
• Some type of Parade Store for Color Guard equipment http://www.paradestore.com

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

You may also want to contact ISARC and see which vendors they invite as they usually have some good ES stuff

[Capt_Redfox30]

Just wanted to ask for some thoughts, I am the project officer for the 2015 Illinois Wing Conference in November, I have made some good strides in planning, but where I am stuck is possible vendors.  The location I want to use has room for some tables and wanted peoples thoughts about whom might be good to have present.  These are my ideas. 

• Vanguard
• Sportys Pilot Shoppe https://www.sportys.com  (They are only less than a 5 hour drive)
• Local Hobbystore that sells RC Aircraft and Model Rocket Kits
• L-Tronics http://www.ltronics.com/ (Elper manufacter, but they are in California and we have only had maybe 4 ELT missions in 2014)?
• Some type of Parade Store for Color Guard equipment http://www.paradestore.com

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

You may also want to contact ISARC and see which vendors they invite as they usually have some good ES stuff

Already have they want to do a table as well as a presentation. 

[Майор Хаткевич]

These guys: captalk.net/index.php?topic=18391.0

[JacobAnn]

I think by military Mac was referring to local recruiters.  I would like to echo that. They usually come armed with some nice freebies to hand out.  Plus I feel it is good for them to know that CAP exists and what it is all about.

[RiverAux]

Anyone willing to pay a reasonable fee to have access to CAP members with money to spend.  Granted, they're probably not going to be willing to pay much, but vendors should be part of the plan to pay for conference expenses. 

[Al Sayre]

Don't forget the National Guard Recruiters for your area as well, they're not the same people as the AD recruiters.

[Eclipse]

Unless you're expecting a significant presence of cadets in the 17-19 year old range,
there's not much point in bringing in recruiters.

[lordmonar]

Unless you're expecting a significant presence of cadets in the 17-19 year old range,
there's not much point in bringing in recruiters.

They were there at the National Convention.   Recruiters will set up a booth on a whim.....so it don't hurt to tell them about the event....and let them decide. 

[Live2Learn]

How about the local or State Emergency Services organization?  Around here the Sheriff is the individual responsible for ground SAR and Disaster Relief functions, while the State DOT is responsible for aircraft SAR. 

[Eclipse]

Recruiters will set up a booth on a whim.....so it don't hurt to tell them about the event....and let them decide.

Fair enough, but realistically there's a difference between a National Convention (even if its at the Trop) and a conference
in the middle of a fly-over state.

Recruiters by you may be happy enough to set up their card table, "wherever", up by us they ask fairly direct
questions about who is expected to attend, and if it's mostly middle-aged adults, they aren't interested in
unpacking their free pencils.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Why would recruiters be invited anyway? I don't think they want to pay for a table, and I don't think that's what a conference should be about. This isn't a job fair, it's a conference with already dubious benefits.

[Live2Learn]

Slightly "off topic", but something I'd like to see used more with conferences...

Are any Wings using webinars or teleconference tech to facilitate participation in key sessions (Commanders call, Ops, Safety, etc.) from members who might not have the means to attend?  In Western states it's not unusual to have Wing Conference 300-500 miles from the outlying Squadrons, and located in high cost urban areas.  I've dropped $500-$800 attending some of these one and two day "conferences".  Gotta be a better way!!!

[Eclipse]

The problem is the bandwidth is too expensive.

The average Holiday Inn isn't going to be able to accommodate teleconferencing on their normal circuits, and
it's cost prohibitive to bring in a circuit for the few users who might be interested.

Thee's no reason not to be able to record the sessions, though, for posting later.

[Live2Learn]

The problem is the bandwidth is too expensive.

The average Holiday Inn isn't going to be able to accommodate teleconferencing on their normal circuits, and
it's cost prohibitive to bring in a circuit for the few users who might be interested.

Thee's no reason not to be able to record the sessions, though, for posting later.

I agree bandwidth might be a hurdle for teleconference since it involves video streaming. 

IMHO, Webinars, however, are different.  With good (or even passable) slides to illustrate key points in the discussion, minimal bandwidth is needed for a webinar.  Check out Gene Benson's website for a series of well done instructional webinars.  There's no reason that two way audio conference (that feels ike a telephone conference with a static slide to focus discussion) can't be handled by any reasonably good hotel internet connection.

[GroundHawg]

I own a outdoor/prepper/tactical supply store. I carry a full line of items specifically for CAP use and offer a significant discount for CAP members. If I were anywhere near a CAP Wing Conference, I would set up there.
Maybe there is someone in your area that is similar that you can invite.

NASAR, NOLS, or MRA would be good setups.

The recruiter for http://north-aire.com/  http://north-aire.com/flight-school/yavapai-college-flight-program/ is a CAP member and routinely flys around the country setting up at events such as this. He my brother and is staying with me on his Christmas break, rent free I might add, so if you are interested in him coming let me know and I will pass on the info to him.

[LTCinSWR]

Your state Emergency Management agency, especially if you have problems making contact with local EMs. The state EOC is more likely to 'push the button' and get CAP rolling.

Larry