The failure of IAO

[Muzikman]

Well, you have to look at it this way.

IAO supplied the Venue, Field, Refs, the overhead in paint prices, a players party. Trust me, there is no way Kevin could have done all that and charged less for entry and that he did. The only thing that would be cheaper was paint.

The IAO has been going down hill since the first year they moved it to the fair grounds (2002). In 2003 Dye had a BUNCH of stuff stolen overnight, they have not been back since.

Also, in 2003 PSP and NPPL split. This created 5 more events a year. This split up the teams, and although there are more people playing these days, I think people would rather play a series event rather than a single event.

I thought IOA being connected with NPPL this year (and last) would have brought the event up, but that obviously isn't happening, and I would be shocked to see IAO as an NPPL event next year.

I don't blame Team Effort for the failing of IAO, I don't think it's that they are not "in tune", I just don't think that there are many "Large" events any more (except maybe World Cup).

BTW: you were playing in the parking lot of the fairground. (and find me 10 sq feet of totally flat land in Western PA :) ...Though, that field did suck).

[Lohman446]

IAO supplied the Venue, Field, Refs, the overhead in paint prices, a players party. Trust me, there is no way Kevin could have done all that and charged less for entry and that he did. The only thing that would be cheaper was paint.

I disagree, though I do not know, nor should I the split of money in. The venue no doubt cost money, but I think it could be replaced cheaper. The player's party - the other parties suited the OG just fine. Fields and refs - well, I think they could have been found cheaper. I agree with you on base, but not here... I think someone (and not Kevin) made a tremendous profit on the OG while letting Kevin handle the work of it.

[Muzikman]

I am sure they did, but I am also sure they lost money else where. Events are also setup to make money. If they were not making money, I don't think the IAO would have lasted 15 years. I am not so much defending them, but have been to enough and played enough IAO's to know that it is about money, and I am sure they are not rolling in it this year.

[rkjunior303]

I am sure they did, but I am also sure they lost money else where. Events are also setup to make money. If they were not making money, I don't think the IAO would have lasted 15 years. I am not so much defending them, but have been to enough and played enough IAO's to know that it is about money, and I am sure they are not rolling in it this year.

...i think they made plenty of money, with RMOG shooting 21 cases.

[Kevmaster]

for those of you concerned about the future of the OGD as a whole.

rest with ease. The OGD will continue and it will be fine. The staff at the OGD is commited to continuing the previous successes we've had. We will continue the OGD and at the moment, it looks like it will be at the IAO again next year. There are no confirmed details, however, regarding the location, time or substance of next year's OGD.

[Lohman446]

for those of you concerned about the future of the OGD as a whole.

rest with ease. The OGD will continue and it will be fine. The staff at the OGD is commited to continuing the previous successes we've had. We will continue the OGD and at the moment, it looks like it will be at the IAO again next year. There are no confirmed details, however, regarding the location, time or substance of next year's OGD.

I'll be there, tell me when, where, and what bank account to plunder

[Cameo]

The fields: Ok, one of the fields (that we played OG on) sucked. It was neither grassy nor level, in fact it seemed to be on a parking lot with 8-10 foot wide gravel strips on it, on the tape line where low movement and sliding where critical. The back corner was so far down a hill that it could not see the opposite tape line. I do not think any of the fields were uniformly (or even reasonably) grassy and level. Further, the refs had to go blow up four or five bunkers about every three games because they leaked so much.

Those gravel paths are very important... Just imagine it.. 3 very tired kids who have been riding rides all day, eating fair food, and fighting over who gets the last of the cotton candy.. "now where was that darn car, I never realized how many cars fit back here... oh yea. follow the first gravel path, then turn onto the 5th intersecting gravel path second car on the left" Belive me after seeing the usefulness of the gravel paths on the 4th of july I did not mind the 8-10 foot wide paths between the deadbox and the back soda cans.

[oldsoldier]

Kev, and the original OGD captains, have taken all of this into consideration. The OGD will continue on. a stand alone event probably isnt feasible, not at this time. Kev is still in college, and getting something like this together requires alot of time. I think, be tween all of us, we can do OK next year, regardless of where it ends up.
The first year I went to IAO I was amazed. It was the first time I met most of the people who have since become good friends of mine. Now, every year, I look forward to seeing those same folks, and meeting new ones. Most of you know that AFTICA is about shenanigans and fun times, and not out there to particularly compete. both years of the OGD were fun, this year a huge step forward. There will still be some growing pains, but, I think Kev really took all our concerns last year to heart. And, the fact that POG got BBQ for everyone...that was amazing. You just dont see that ANYWHERE in PB anymore. THAT'S what makes the OGD. Paintball is almost just an excuse for all of us to get together. However, I think that we need to piggyback it on other events, at least for the next few years. Who knows, maybe someday this will be a yearly stand alone event. and, all of us can say we were there at the beginning.

[Lohman446]

Kev, and the original OGD captains, have taken all of this into consideration.

Thats the important part of the statement right there. I voiced my concerns - I know that the group that makes the decisions are smart enough to have known them themselves, and I trust the group that helped set up this event to make the decisions that are right for it. I'll be there next year, barring an act of God.

[Jonesie]

Sounds like exactly what happened to the Mardi Gras Open. The year I went, 2003? there was an apparent lack of vendors and players, not to mention the $75 paint prices...

[Muzikman]

Sounds like exactly what happened to the Mardi Gras Open. The year I went, 2003? there was an apparent lack of vendors and players, not to mention the $75 paint prices...

Difference is that the MGO is only a few years old. This was the 15th year for the IAO. It WAS the largest Am event in the world. I think the only larger event was World Cup.

[Marchborne]

Sounds like exactly what happened to the Mardi Gras Open. The year I went, 2003? there was an apparent lack of vendors and players, not to mention the $75 paint prices...

Yeah. Jonesie, it was 2003. Crappy weather, but good times. It used to be, vendors showed the new season's products at the MGO, and then capped off the "product season" at the IAO. Now, meh, so many events, so little time.

Obviously, IAO has been running longer than the MGO, but the decline of both events is very similar.