As has been noted repeatedly places that welcome smokers and smoking events are few and far between. Bottom line: we don't get to pick where the show is. If anyone thinks this is a democracy they're laboring under a misapprehension. The Chicago club is the organizer, and it's because of them that there's any show at all. The people who do the work get to make the choices. We only get to decide whether or not we are going to attend. I know enough of the guys in the Chicago club to believe that they are doing their very best to address an extremely difficult problem.
As for Pheasant Run, yes it's it a bit of a dump, but frankly I'm not traveling with my kids or spouse and my standards for a pipe show aren't the same as for a family (or romantic) vacation. I'm going there for me, and to spend time with my pipe friends. Looked at that way Pheasant Run is just fine. If the 2020 show takes place I'll be there, wherever it is located.
By the way, I completely agree with litup's point. Not only is staying at the show venue a way to ensure it's continued survival by contributing to the economics that make it work, it's a lot more fun. Co-location of the event and lodging is somewhere between highly desirable and absolutely critical. I know of shows that lost co-location and died.
I agree with the guys and gals who are going for the pipe show and to show support the Chicago pipe club for sure. But, some of us are not going on a guys weekend, I would be traveling with the wife and several children.
I am all for keeping the show going but I kinda enjoy my wife and this kids as well. Not to mention my life as, it would do no good to go to a pipe show to buy some great pipes and not have a head to smoke it out of.
The intent for my original question was for people who have gone and perhaps stayed at a different facility?
Certainly the experience will be different staying off site vs staying there. Kind of like the dorms in college!
wrinkles in the carpet
I guess I was looking forward to the fact it might be somewhere else....But it's much more useful and satisfying to criticize from the sidelines and bitch about wrinkles in the carpet.
Words fail me...
I don't know exactly how many people fill up the smoking tent but it's a 6,000 square foot tent that, at times, is filled to the brim with smokers. I don't think that Iwan Ries, as nice as it is, can even begin to accommodate the volume of people we're talking about here.Maybe the solution is have the pipe show at a large convention center downtown near enough to Iwan Ries that the smoking lounge can be utilized?
There are some people full of bright ideas, and some people who take action. Just let it go at that, and move on...I don't know exactly how many people fill up the smoking tent but it's a 6,000 square foot tent that, at times, is filled to the brim with smokers. I don't think that Iwan Ries, as nice as it is, can even begin to accommodate the volume of people we're talking about here.
Hey...do you think we can all crash at your place?I live about 40 minutes from the Pheasant Run, so I won't be sleeping there. I know for a fact I could talk my wife into it if needed. Hell, I talked her into spending a night at the Wigwam Motel on Rt. 66 in Holbrook, Arizona once. That certainly was not deluxe accommodations. The office closed after we checked in and the lock on our Wigwam door was broken. I piled up all of our luggage in front of the door...didn't sleep a wink.
Thank you for sharing this...we look forward to the show.I have been reviewing the comments on the various pipe forums. I like what someone said,
"To have an organized event of ANY kind involving tobacco in 21st century America is amazing, never mind a world-class one... and to have a small army of long-suffering, tireless enthusiasts who are willing to go through the logistical hell of organizing it is more amazing still."
Based off discussions with Management, the 2020 Chicago Pipe Show will be at Pheasant Run. We are also looking for other locations for the future, depending on the status of Pheasant Run. The two biggest criteria are a room that can handle all the vendors and customers that we usually have at the pipe show, and a smoking tent. We are also going to consider other criteria, like restaurants, rooms, distance, etc.
Also, the activities in the smoking tent should be very similar to former years. If we did it in the past, we are likely to do it again.