2011 OI ?

I have until Nov 1st to forcast my days off through March. They normally ask for three months out but we have picked up several extra contracts, hope to make this year!!!

Im sure the city is going nuts, they were all abuzz before we left last OI. From an outsider the cabin owners do a FANTSTIC job of putting us up, the people that are working are VERY friendly. That being said we got out like many last year on one of the rainy days and were amazed at how many business owners were only open on weekends or they opened late. There were two theaters in town, you would think with near 600 boats or 1200 people one of them would have offered a weekday afternoon movie during the OI? It has poured rain the past two years and Wal Mart is only so big.Ill not comment on the financial situation between the Chamber and Cat, who knows what they have worked out?I remain optimistic Ron & Rick will do what they feel is best for EVERYONE involved. Ill be there no matter where it is if I can.

If the Mountain Home business community does without the BCB OI one year, they will find some $$$$$$ for the next year ! imho Theyve had their way too long without helping substantially with costs. Too many places with $$$$$ now for tourism dollars competing for these multi million dollar weeks for their businesses. Go gettum RP, about time. Too many places paying big money for tournaments much smaller to come to their locations, and bring in revenue to their area. Gas, food, lodging, groceries, entertainment, etc,,,All gain big time in this economy, and they all know it. Fishing is big business, expecially an event of this size.

Chester, (and others)This one is a long one. Though you probably need to know most of this and most has been said before to some degree. The Guntersville area was in communication with us on the event. Though Marshall County, we feel, may not totally understand the size and benefit to the area the Owners Invitational is. They are used to seeing large tournaments, though this is much different than anything others have seen. Since we began working on Guntersville, we also have had conversations started with some folks at Sam Rayburn. Though we have delayed a decision on those for now for the future. There is a compensation opportunity from Marshall County Tourism, though it is not enough by itself to justify the cost of moving the event. We have several motel rooms, the stage, launch and check out dock, leasing a temporary service facility and more that would be a huge cost to BCB, thus we must find compensation for that expense. In reality we will bring more guests and motel nights to Guntersville than a BASS Elite event will. And future returns on those trips will really benefit the area. Many of you have and do visit Guntersville and understand the situation. Though the concept of the OI is one they almost have to experience to grasp the whole affair. While this is not dead for the future, it does not look promising. Presently we are working on local participation also. Prior to 2010 I personally sat on the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The area does not have a tourism tax (motel & hotel) and the funds are extremely tight there. We are working on other avenues for the event at this time as well as some type of extra activity to run in tandem to the Invitational. There are other sticking points that were there locally, though we will keep those private at this time. The radius of 100 miles from BCB has supported Bass Cat in 2009 and 2010, the bottom line on this is we must have new boats show up for this event and gain new boat sales as a result of this function. This did happen in earlier times, though those newer boats are not participating as they did in years past, and we need to have more driving in. The participation radius gets smaller each year, though in 2010 that radius significantly supported BCB in new boats and deserves some consideration as a result of that support. In order for us to continue and hold the Invitational past its now 24 year run, we have to gain boat sales somehow. This was the reason for the option of Guntersville. The option of Bull Shoals does exist and probably would be a nice option, resorts are limited in the Lakeview area and many would still be housed from Mountain Home and even the Lake Norfork area. The drive is not that significant and all functions would be in Mountain Home also with either reservoir. We are working on lodging for staff, a promotion for enhancing the Wild Card fish and a few more details to assist us. Once we get a few things cleaned up and we are working with AG&F on one detail. Right now we are looking at a tentative date of May 20 and 21 ending on a Saturday this year. That Saturday is Armed Forces day also. We have cleared our schedule for those dates in a couple of areas. Mom and Dad (Ron and Jan) made it clear that they prefer it to be in Mountain Home. Since that conversation they have also learned much more and have been apprised of the reason for a move, as well as funding issues on the event. We cant eat good intentions and we have shouldered the cost of this event for all of those 24 years. The motels and hotels in the area once gave assistance to Bass Cat, and there are a few which still do, though the cost of the motel rooms for staff alone would shock most of you. Then there are the other costs for the event we shoulder. As for the area, it has brought in plenty over those 24 years in many fashions. Not just those business facets, there is the Bomber Booster Club, previous Jr Classes, Bomb Squad and Bomber Band Booster club have benefited from the event. Then there are those local courtesy docks which the Sportsmans Club began. The first money for those was from a raffle on a 9.9 Suzuki engine that Karl Nigeman of Teal Point won. And the vast majority of those tickets I sold myself. Then we have used the 10% funds from the Big Bass entry for ramp projects, AG&F tagging projects and more. No doubt the area will loose significantly if we leave Mountain Home. Though we feel we have to grow this event and our business to ever continue to benefit Mountain Home.Over the years the Mountain Home area businesses have really put out the Welcome mat to those who visit that week. Especially those local shops that have assisted the Ladies Treasure Hunt. The resorts and restaurants look forward to you all coming to town. The Twin Lakes area benefits greatly from the event and we have always placed the area in front of Bass Cats interests. Though in these financial times we must also look out for Bass Cat. Thus the decisions that are before us now. Mark down the tentative dates of May 20th and 21st in 2011 and we will get you a location as soon as we can confirm a reservoir. The dates are now our target no matter where we go to. We continue to try and lock down the rest of the details. Thanks for your time and sorry to be lengthy, though we did not want to leave anything out. Rick PierceLast edited by Rick Pierce on November 8th, 2010, 10:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Thank you Rick for the info. Just having a date is helpful. I voted for Gunnersville Rick but Im pulling for Mom and Dad now and Mountain Home for the 25th anniversary that is a milestone Congrads to you and of course your Mom and Dad. With all the boat companies going down and BCB still going strong you sure have something to celebrate.Last edited by huskerbass on November 9th, 2010, 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.