AO OD - Time for something fresh.

[Ronin 23]

There is no other owner's group community like AO...and that's a fact.

But as a community, it behooves us to stay on the cutting edge not only to show the rest of the paintball community who we are but also create marketing opportunities for AGD.

To many outside our community, the concept of AO Days has gotten stale and corny. Keeping it constantly fresh and dynamic is the goal of this totally inclussionary brain-storming effort. NO ONE PARTICULAR PERSON CAN OR SHOULD TAKE CREDIT for the creation of this concept. This is purely a cooperative effort by AOers and for AOers worldwide.

Some ideas have been previously posted in the PBX Battlezone thread. Some good and some.....er just plain goofy. Keep in mind that there will be some underage members who will be participating in these events (hey W. Pug, sorry 'bout the t&a concepts).

Let the suggestions begin.....

[abarnhar]

AO-CO 3 is currently planned to have one day of senario play (Lord of the Rings theme at Action Pursuit Paintball) and then one day of speed (same place, different field) the next day. That way there is a little something for everybody. We also are drawing folks from five different states. That adds up to a lot of miles and a very large event.

I'm sure some odd outfits and/or shields will be in use during the senario play. But unless the outfit is truly classy, it will not make the transition to the speedball field.

Really to diversify a AO day, the only feasible tact is to thematize it. Of course, then you are in quasi-senario land.

[845]

Underage come on I can easily pull off 21 atleast maybe 31.

[Muzikman]

I'm not so sure the idea of the AO day has gotten stale or corny. In my mind each AO day is different, each is just the gathering of online friends (some of which I know better than my non on-line friends). The idea is to get together and have fun, whichever way it is presented. Be it playing some speedball just for fun, playing a small 3man tournament, a day in the woods playing a scenario game, or sitting around the hotel being goofy and drinking beer. Really, an AO day is and can be any gathering of AO members for whatever reason. Hell...AO-Windsor was a great AO Day for those who were there

If you are thinking about changing up the event, then that is fine, and I think that TexBall is doing just that. But I think no matter how hard you try, you will not remove the party and good time aspect of the event. This is the sole reason I come to these events, as I don't think I have played at any of the AO Days or gatherings.

All in all, the first AO Day (actually, weekend) was really the Mega Tour at AGD back in 01. Even though it was not called "AO Day" it was the first gathering of AO members in one place for a day or food, fun and play.

[cphilip]

hehehe.... I have some long term plans. Already have slowly introduce just a few of them each year, starting with the first one here in Clemson and then I added a few more of them to this last one... but I am keeping them for the SE event. Each one is bigger than that last in activities and scope. Culminating in something really big in a few years. Each baby step if it works begats the next one. Each theme a bit different and more extravigant than the last. And most of them are site specific and "my" resources specific so they wouldn't really transition well to elsewhere. But big stuff planned! That's all I can say...

[Muzikman]

Phil, umm...spill the beans damnit I mean it's still gonna include beer and the Wild Hog Band right? (I am actually listening to their CD right now at work).

I can see the events getting bigger and each one get better organized, but honestly, how much can you change?

[cphilip]

Well of course we continue traditions but we add to them. The Hotel wants to do all our meals on site for us. So thats going to be worked out. Next year we should or could have free T's for every participant. Sponsors might do that for us. We could have more of a AO specific type of trade show next year. Bigger and more vendors than last years...as its slowly becoming you might have noticed a slight move in that area of a trade show/event/party. I am going to put more effort into vendors being there this year with more cheap stuff. Thats going to get more attention than ever this coming year.

...We could at some point go INDOORS... a few years down the line. I already scoped and looking at a place here on campus that I and the places Manager are realy old buddies, Already know most of what it's going to take to do it. And his committe is cool with it. We started working on this idea two years ago. We need a few more key individuals on the technical end of it to fall into line!!!!!! Temporary Netting suppliers and experts actually....but... we are talking AO ARENA BALL....Yes. Indoor heated Arena with great steep seating for viewing. Soft surface. Two airball fields and plenty of camping area around the facility and all. Nice facility. Thats the big plan.

And of course free beer and diet Pepsi. Its tradition!

[cphilip]

Here ya go...



2 Acres under roof. Seats 3000. Large concorse around with vendors areas and plenty restrooms. VERY high roof as you can see....Etc....


The facility we talking about

[InexactMelissa]

I had a thought, but it kinda puts competition into the mix and that might kill the fun aspect a bit, but heck, it could be done with a raffle just as easily. What if all of the regional AO days held a mini-tournament (or raffle, or whatever) and at the end of the season there was a national AO day where the winners would meet up, grand prize being....tada..next season's sponsorship by AGD. Really, it could be something goofy (as in sure, Miss America's responsibilities are real tough!) so it wouldn't all have to be about winning a tournament and we could keep it fun.

[logamus]

there was talk some time ago melissa about having state ao teams compete in regional ao tournaments. these would progress to the finals at a national ao day. it never went much farther than just talk, but i wouldnt mind seeing that concept revisited. for no other reason than to wax some sorry sooners.

[cphilip]

...well anyway... Mel started this thread for something interesting. I am all ears! I know eventually he gonna tell us what super keen thing he has up his sleeve! I am all ears for anything!

[Riotz]

Re: AO OD - Time for something fresh.

Muzikman, well said. Well said my friend.

NOTE: You would not be my friend if it wasn't for AO Days. As well as the tons of other ballers I've met and chill with at events.

Originally posted by Ronin 23
But as a community, it behooves us to stay on the cutting edge not only to show the rest of the paintball community who we are but also create marketing opportunities for AGD.

Wrong, AO Days are constantly on the cutting edge of the industry. AO Day in Texas with Xball, is one example. What Phil did at SC last year. SoCal vs NorCal. TONS of new stuff. This year's event, there will be NO restrictions and we'll be able to do new ideas.

Get this, what's one of the oldest rivalry in paintball? Give up, Cockers VS Mags. NJ AOD 4 hosted by Black Cell will hold a "friendly" tourney with two divisions. "Division: Black Cell" mag players and then "Division: Dead Cell" cocker shooters. Yes, we have teamed up with Dead Cell to bring you an a** kicking event for this year. Most likely indoors too!

Originally posted by Ronin 23
To many outside our community, the concept of AO Days has gotten stale and corny.

The outside community hasn't even seen the AO Days yet. I don't know who you are refering to here...

Originally posted by Ronin 23
NO ONE PARTICULAR PERSON CAN OR SHOULD TAKE CREDIT for the creation of this concept.

Actually, the REAL AO'ers know that the first official AO Day in New Jersey could not have happend without the support of the old Black Cell team. Thordic, SprayingMango, spacemanspiff and johnbmx. That was a great team we had.

Man I miss those days. When paintball was FUN and not a Job.



Phil, I can't wait to attend your event this year. I won't have any restrictions on me this time.

[PissedGodzilla]

Edited out for peace of the board - cphilip

[cphilip]

Alrighty now. Lets not let this deteriorate into a pissin contest. Lets get back on track here and listen to what it is Mel had in mind. He also is asking for some ideas here. Lets not take it all personaly. There is always room to move things to another level. Lets keep an open mind. And lets all stop the flaming. Or I gonna edit this really heavily. Capish?

[Riotz]

Edited out quote and response to quote - cphilip


I understand Phil, but you can see the obvious jabs towards myself in his post. Can't you? No offense Phil, but if this was to get moderated, could we please get a mod that is not affiliated with PBX to do it?