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Okay, we are open for any and all suggestions from our Midwest NFFC drafters to help us formulate the best plans for 2012. As we've already stated, we are going to have live drafts on two weekends this year, staying with Labor Day weekend and hosting full drafts for the first time on the weekend of the NFL opener. All teams no matter which weekend they drafted will be allowed to watch the Thursday Night Game before setting their starting lineups for Week 1 and the Classic WILL be offered on both weekends this year.

When we announced this plan originally, we stated that it was likely that we would host a Chicago event on only one of those weekends. We've struggled in the past to fill up leagues in Chicago on Labor Day weekend, yet there is no way we are ready to abandon the Windy City. So one weekend in Chicago made the most sense. And honestly, WCOFF had more success recruiting owners in Chicago than we did, so we know the market is there. Now we just have to reach it.

We once had six Classic leagues in Chicago. Last year we had 2 full Classic and Primetime leagues and partial third leagues. We can and must do better than that to keep surviving in Chicago. We feel like we've found a very good hotel in the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and have a contract in place to return there not only for baseball in March but football in September as well.

Now, let's determine which weekend. Or could we do both weekends there? Or is Minneapolis or St. Louis or Indianapolis viable on any of those weekends? You tell us.

From an entertainment standpoint, what more can the NFFC do to make Chicago a full destination? If we host this on the opening weekend of the NFL season, do you want an NFL Viewing Party on Thursday night just for NFFC owners? Will we have enough interest in that Viewing Party to merit a ballroom in Chicago just for that or should we reserve a section of the sports bar for that? If we do it on Labor Day weekend again, what can we provide to spice up the fun of that weekend outside of the local entertainment that Rob and Darryl and the guys provide?

We don't put any less focus on Chicago than the other cities and with this being the hometown of STATS we want to do everything we can to grow this market. Let us know what you want from us and we'll try to get it done. And if there is a better market for one of these weekends and we can find the right venue, we'll do it. We would love to keep the old gang together for the Auction League, the Draft Champions League and the Main Events on that first weekend, so lead us to water. We'll make the call if it makes sense.

Last year on Labor Day weekend in Chicago, these were the offerings:

NFFC Chicago
Friday, September 2, 2011

11 a.m.: NFFC Auction Championship
11 a.m.: NFFC Draft Champions Championship
4 p.m.: NFFC Auction Championship
4 p.m.: NFFC Draft Champions Championship

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Noon: NFFC Classic Main Event
5 p.m.: NFFC Primetime Main Event

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Noon: NFFC Super League
Noon: NFFC Ultimate League
4 p.m.: NFFC Super League

The same type of model can be offered this year in Chicago on either weekend, with a Thursday Night NFL Viewing Party on Sept. 6, 2012. Give us your thoughts on ideas on what we can do better to improve our Midwest offerings. After all, we are the only contest offering regional contests and we want to bring these offerings to the Midwest in a live setting. Let's work together to make it the best it can be. Thanks.

I've got a few suggestions for drawing in more people to the live event instead of online. Do some sort of giveaway. Everyone with a team gets a ticket and you pick one name at the end of the draft session and giveaway a 2013 main event team. If that is too cost prohibitive sell raffle tickets and people can buy as many as they want for more chances to win a prize. Heck make money with the raffle to offset venue costs! Let's face it, most of us involved in this hobby have a penchant for gambling.

Also Chicago sports radio is a strong and sometimes cheap advertising avenue that could draw a ton of new blood. You will be the only game in town whichever weekend you choose. Take full advantage of that!!! Theres over 2 million people here you should draw more than 50-100 people.

If you have the space maybe have some lower priced leagues to whet the appetite of new people that just want to dip a toe in the water. Have a couple of $500 12 team live satelite leagues. Once they experience a live draft they will find a way to be in the main event next year!!!

BullGod,

Lower tiered leagues? Be careful. I got a ruler to the back of the hand in this class for proposing such an idea. LOL. "There's no way to be the leader in this business AND have the lowest entries". Good luck with the $500 Live Events. I'm on board with you Pat.

I can't see Chicago drawing much for the 2nd weekend......a good portion of the people who were there last year will be in Vegas!

I personally would love to see an auction the first weekend, only because I have a feeling my schedule will be VERY busy the 2nd weekend!

I believe the internet is killing Chicago. Las Vegas is a destination unto itself. New York is commutable by many people within two hours. But online is SO much easier for people rather than traveling to Chicago.

Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas either.

[ February 16, 2012, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: Bald is Beautiful ]

Like I've stated in our previous conversations, Chicago has to stay on Labor day weekend to survive. Too many owners have told me personally they either won't be able to do the 2nd weekend because of previous commitments or they would go to Vegas for the 2nd weekend.

If you want to grow Chicago keeping the 30-35 loyal owners you have now is crucial. It's really up to the NFFC to promote this thing though.
Why not explore Pats idea of local Chicago sports radio. Get local owners on the air talking about how much fun the NFFC weekend is. Daryl would be great for something like that "Mr. Chicago"
You've got alot of great owners in the city...use their testimonials if you can.
I live in Indy but I don't want the event here. It's much more fun to get away for a few days and hang with the boys. Well worth a few hours on the road and the expense of staying.

Originally posted by Route C:

I live in Indy but I don't want the event here. I think the feeling is mutual.

Unless you are interested in wearing straw hats, drinking moonshine, and not wearing shoes or socks all weekend!

Originally posted by Route C:
Like I've stated in our previous conversations, Chicago has to stay on Labor day weekend to survive. Too many owners have told me personally they either won't be able to do the 2nd weekend because of previous commitments or they would go to Vegas for the 2nd weekend.

If you want to grow Chicago keeping the 30-35 loyal owners you have now is crucial. It's really up to the NFFC to promote this thing though.
Why not explore Pats idea of local Chicago sports radio. Get local owners on the air talking about how much fun the NFFC weekend is. Daryl would be great for something like that "Mr. Chicago"
You've got alot of great owners in the city...use their testimonials if you can.
I live in Indy but I don't want the event here. It's much more fun to get away for a few days and hang with the boys. Well worth a few hours on the road and the expense of staying. I have no problem keeping Chicago on Labor Day weekend if people really believe that's how we'll retain or grow our numbers. The Hyatt has space both weekends. However, I would think the next weekend would be more accessible for more people, but maybe not?

Guys, if it was just as easy as buying radio air time on ESPN Radio 1000 or WFAN in New York we'd be doing it. It's not as easy as just getting on the air or spending a lot of money and getting instant $1400 conversions. But yeah, we'd love to be all over Chicago media. I think Jack is right that it's not as much a destination site and those who travelled in the past and doing it online. But we've also lost people who drafted in Chicago before completely from our drafts and that's a concern.

Two years back it got a bit rowdy at the NFFC drafts and some people complained. Those who complained haven't returned and those who were having a few drinks haven't returned. I don't know if that had anything to do with things, but the numbers did drop last year.

Are those who competed in Chicago last year asking for Labor Day weekend again there? I might need to send out a quick email to those participants (I could do that easily) for complete feedback. Let's settle on that part first. Thanks all.

Greg, in no way can I speak for anybody else, but I feel there are at least 12-15 owners that want to have drafts in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. As you know, most of these owners do multiple events. Most of those same owners will be in Vegas the next weekend. I like your idea of emailing the previous participants for feedback.

Originally posted by Thunder:
Greg, in no way can I speak for anybody else, but I feel there are at least 12-15 owners that want to have drafts in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. As you know, most of these owners do multiple events. Most of those same owners will be in Vegas the next weekend. I like your idea of emailing the previous participants for feedback. I totally understand that and can easily accommodate space on both weekends. I need to figure it out and plan accordingly. Again, if the feedback is that we can grow Chicago on the opening weekend of the NFL season and can offer a Thursday Night Viewing Party and make this a fun time in the Windy City, then we should plan for that accordingly. I hope that most people want the best possible setup for Chicago.

But getting a room for an auction and a DC on Friday over Labor Day weekend is easy and we can staff it, and same for Saturday like we had this year. Hell, I'll do both weekends if it makes sense. I agree, I don't want to break up the core of 30+ people we have going each Labor Day weekend, but will that core still do Main Events on Saturday. And will this make doing the next weekend even less travelled?

I don't know, but I know I can make it work with the Hyatt, who I'm talking with right now about exact space. We'll make it work if we get enough feedback from the group.