NFBC Plans For 2007

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:57 am

We are locking in space for 2007 with the NFBC main event being held on St. Patrick's Day -- Saturday, March 17th -- and the auction leagues being held the day before on Friday, March 16th. The Ultimate Leagues would be held on Sunday, March 18th.

We have a signed contract with the Flamingo for everything in Las Vegas and that should work well as it's located on a good part of The Strip. We also have 20,000 square feet for Saturday's main event, so space will not be a problem. Everything should be good there and the room rates are very fair for March Madness.

We're back at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago (Rosemont Convention Center) with the same setup as last year.

New York and Tampa are still uncertain, unfortunately. We've had two great years at the New York Hilton for baseball, but unfortunately the space there on March 16-18, 2007 is taken for an art show. I've done some research in the New York area and my desire is to stay within the city if at all possible, but it's not easy. When you rent space, it gets costly in Manhattan.

That being said, it's possible to make ends meet at the Javits Center. We were there our first year and the event went well, but it's a tough place to do business. They have more space than we need, which is good, but it comes at a price. I'm looking for feedback from my New York participants on this site and whether this works well for you when travelling to the city. I'm more worried about picking the best location than price, so give me some feedback.

Our Tampa hotel we used this year is booked for another convention, so we're looking in the Tampa-Orlando area again. I'd like to try Orlando, but meeting room space is tough there. If anyone down there has some suggestions, let me know as we've already reached out to the Tampa and Orlando Visitor's Convention Bureaus. We'll find something soon.

We'll definitely have four locations this year as we expand beyond 330 teams for the main event. We have half of the locations secured and getting close on the others. Everything will be in place by season's end, that's for sure, so stay tuned.

Forward some feedback on New York and Florida. Thanks much.

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:47 am

I was in NY for year one. I like the idea of being able to stay in the place where the draft is being held but the Javits Center was more than adequate. The biggest problems there - as I recall - were the noise factor and the cost/lack of things to drink/eat during the breaks. Just make sure wherever you are that it is near a subway stop. I know I drive to Metropark and take the train the rest of the way to Penn Station. I have no desire to drive in NYC.

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:14 am

One vote for orlando.Much easier to talk the family into that one.You go play at disney and daddy will go play.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:17 am

You New York guys need to buy Greg a vacation if he pulls off putting on a good event at Javits. To say that is a difficult place to do business is like saying Bjoak kind of thinks he knows everything. God bless you Greg-

When you hire labor there for every 2 men you hire you have to hire 1 extra helper. Essentially the helper knows someone on the Sopranos if you know what I mean. Things are fine until some over anxious suit gets upset that he is paying for this guy to do nothing. Usually in a subtle way things are explained to that guy I know of a few stories (none first hand) where the guy does not take the clue and a minor accident or 2 happens (nothing serious but enough to get your attention). The Javits center is the single reason New York is not as good of a tradeshow convention city as Chicago, Vegas, or Orlando.

[ August 18, 2006, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: Chest Rockwell ]

Spyhunter · Post by **Spyhunter** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:17 am

Greg,

As a native manhattanite, I know the Jacobs center is fine. It isn't super convenient, but not that bad either. At worst it is a 6$ taxi ride for people going into grand central. The food services are mediocre but available. And yes, it may be larger than you need.

Just curious, did you try the Sheraton? That is a Hilton like hotel and may have space. Or the Marriott Marquie (though I am not a fan of the elevators there). For work we did several meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Chris

BEF · Post by **BEF** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:53 pm

I think that if you can't find a downtown Tampa site, take a look at St. Pete or Clearwater, which are both hungry for corporate business (and the local hotel rooms are much less expensive than in Tampa). I love Orlando, but if you want to go catch some games while in town you're limited to the Braves or Astros unless you're willing to drive at least 50 miles. But in Tampa you've got the Yanks, D-Rays, Phillies and Blue Jays all within about a 20 mile radius, so there are many more games from which to choose.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:49 am

Originally posted by BEF:

I think that if you can't find a downtown Tampa site, take a look at St. Pete or Clearwater, which are both hungry for corporate business (and the local hotel rooms are much less expensive than in Tampa). I love Orlando, but if you want to go catch some games while in town you're limited to the Braves or Astros unless you're willing to drive at least 50 miles. But in Tampa you've got the Yanks, D-Rays, Phillies and Blue Jays all within about a 20 mile radius, so there are many more games from which to choose. The Tigers are not a bad drive either.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 3:24 am

Originally posted by BEF:

I think that if you can't find a downtown Tampa site, take a look at St. Pete or Clearwater, which are both hungry for corporate business (and the local hotel rooms are much less expensive than in Tampa). I love Orlando, but if you want to go catch some games while in town you're limited to the Braves or Astros unless you're willing to drive at least 50 miles. But in Tampa you've got the Yanks, D-Rays, Phillies and Blue Jays all within about a 20 mile radius, so there are many more games from which to choose. I used to go down to Tampa each spring to shoot photos of spring training games, so I know the area well for baseball. St. Pete is a 20-minute cab ride from the airport, so I'm not as enamored with that for people flying into the area for the draft, but it's possible. We're looking now into Tampa and Orlando and hopefully we'll have an answer by mid-September.

Damn, thinking about all those spring training games already has me hyped for 2007. I guess we better get through this season first, right?

BEF · Post by **BEF** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:04 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

St. Pete is a 20-minute cab ride from the airport, so I'm not as enamored with that for people flying into the area for the draft, but it's possible. We're looking now into Tampa and Orlando and hopefully we'll have an answer by mid-September.I assumed that most people rented a car last year because it seemed as though almost all participants stayed outside of Tampa since the Hyatt was so expensive. Whether it's in Tampa or Orlando, I can't imagine not having an auto available to get around, although I suppose it might apply to those who fly in the night before and leave the next day and never leave the hotel.

devilznj · Post by **devilznj** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:43 am

Greg -

I would think you could save a whole lotta cash by having the NY draft in the Meadowlands area. Couple of nice sized hotels right around Giants Stadium. Also within a mile or two is the NJ Exposition Center.

Much cheaper room rates for those coming from out of town, and if you're flying in Newark Aiport is just a few miles down the Turnpike.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:36 am

We will have all four cities locked in by the end of the month and open the Registration page after the 2006 MLB season. I've looked into many options in New York City, the surrounding area and even Atlantic City and I still think our best option is the Javits Center. We're closing in on that, but I'll still take feedback from New York residents on that one. So far they've been very accommodating to work with and we were there in Year One.

We have a couple of very good options in Tampa and are closing in there. I've struck out on several Orlando hotels for space in March, so that might be tough for 2007. Right now I'd say we'll be on the west side of the state unless something changes. More details soon.

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:02 am

No problem.I'll just tell my six year old no disney in march.I'm sure she will understand

Orlando is so much easier to sell to the family.They must have a hotel to use.You can not swing a dead cat(otherwise known as my ninth round draft pick)without hitting a hotel in orlando.

Andy Tu La Daddy · Post by **Andy Tu La Daddy** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:02 pm

Again, one more vote for Orlando.

BTW, I will be working the New York City Boat show in january at the Javits Center, Chest is right, you'd have to pay union people to set the draft charts on easles

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:49 am

Originally posted by Andy Tu La Daddy:

Again, one more vote for Orlando.

BTW, I will be working the New York City Boat show in january at the Javits Center, Chest is right, you'd have to pay union people to set the draft charts on easles You and Chest know a lot, but we're not setting up display tables and may not even need to work with the electrical union. We'll pay the fees either way, so thanks for your concern. I trust a boat show has more fees with the unions than a fantasy baseball draft.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:48 am

Just an FYI for 2007: We will offer Mixed Auction Leagues in Las Vegas this year in the morning and in the afternoon as not all owners want to do NL-only leagues in the morning. We haven't offered them in the morning in the past because they obviously take so much longer than AL-only or NL-only leagues. But we'll get an early start on these and if you want to do a $650 or $1250 Mixed Auction League at 8 a.m., that's when we'll offer them.

So the schedule in Las Vegas will be:

Friday, March 16th:

8 a.m.: $650 and $1250 Mixed Auction Leagues

9 a.m.: $650 and $1250 NL-only Auction Leagues

4 p.m.: $650 and $1250 Mixed Auction Leagues

4 p.m.: $650 and $1250 AL-only Auction Leagues

I have a feeling we'll have a record number of auction leagues in Las Vegas in 2007. Oh, and St. Patrick's Day is on Saturday for our main event!

Should be a wild time out there with March Madness also in full swing with the first weekend of action. Doesn't it get any better than this?

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:12 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Andy Tu La Daddy:

Again, one more vote for Orlando.

BTW, I will be working the New York City Boat show in january at the Javits Center, Chest is right, you'd have to pay union people to set the draft charts on easles You and Chest know a lot, but we're not setting up display tables and may not even need to work with the electrical union. We'll pay the fees either way, so thanks for your concern. I trust a boat show has more fees with the unions than a fantasy baseball draft. [/QUOTE]I have not done any business at javits since 99- hopefully things have gotten better. I still consider it the toughest place to do business that I have ever encountered. Apparently until Gulliani took office the whole thing was controlled by the mob and he tried his best to break that up.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:45 pm

Can't beat Vegas for total atmosphere. But want to chime in on two of the other locations. Don't understand the preference to be in the city. A royal pain in the ass to get in and out. Parking fees were outrageous. The person that suggested the Meadowlands area was right on the money. Florida would actually tempt me. Guess Hallandale Beach near Gulfstream Park would be outta the question?

I know, to far outta da way. Tampa is still close enough to alot of Spring training action and those family Disney rides are NOT that far. Tampa would be my second choice in FLA. behind the Lake Buena Vista area......which would be my first choice.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:28 am

We just signed a deal with the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa for the 2006 NFBC drafts on March 16-18. We have a great setup in a great location and we're happy to return to Tampa for the second straight year. We have plenty of space reserved for the Saturday main event, so we're ready to grow there just like we did in the three other cities after the debut season. Should be a lot of fun. Look for more details first thing next week, but if you're planning on staying south this year, make your plans around spring training in Tampa.

SlackerDan · Post by **SlackerDan** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:52 pm

Greg,

Awesome!!

Count the SlackerBrothers in for Tampa.

SlackerDan

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:00 am

Would have prefered orlando.But,I will be back in tampa.Hey slackerdan maybe I'll see you guys at a spring training game?Lets hope the gods of baseball(Lords of the realm)settle the contract so we can have the season with no delay in 2007.

Diamond Dogs · Post by **Diamond Dogs** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:15 am

Count me in for Tampa as well Greg. Tampa, Orlando, oh hell, anywhere in the warm south is fine by me. Vacations can be tailored to suit.

Top Dawg · Post by **Top Dawg** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:23 am

Greg - Javits is fine, but as someone else mentioned the Meadowlands is a great alternative. Cheaper parking, hotels and just as easy to get to.

I love the Atlantic City idea too. I did the "other" football draft there and had a great time. It's NOT Vegas, but it's fun anyway.

Best of luck securing the NY area draft.

Pete

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:34 am

Originally posted by Top Dawg:

Greg - Javits is fine, but as someone else mentioned the Meadowlands is a great alternative. Cheaper parking, hotels and just as easy to get to.

I love the Atlantic City idea too. I did the "other" football draft there and had a great time. It's NOT Vegas, but it's fun anyway.

Best of luck securing the NY area draft.

Pete We have a deal in place with the Javits Center for LOTS of space to grow in 2007 for baseball, but I'm still looking around. I have calls into the Meadowlands Exposition Center and the Atlantic City Convention Center as last resorts. We should have this last spot finalized by Monday before we open for 2007 registrations. I'm still looking for a New York spot for football in 2007 as well.