2009 Los Angeles Open

haha, you guys know i didn't actually want the pool balls thrown, but if we did do that, we could have earl throw them, im sure he'd oblidge. haha. (i think ive heard he's thrown cb's before, but not sure).

anyway, i like the thought about just announcing say maybe the quaters and on.
 
jay helfert said:
Corey, I sincerely appreciate this information. I would love to do the L.A. Open in a large Convention Center, if we can get them to GIVE us the facility. Or at least get it at a cheap discount rate. This is the advantage in going to a hotel which has a large meeting space. The cost of the space can be negotiated against room rentals.

Please inquire for me and find out what you can about the Pasadena Convention Center. Maybe there is a way to use the facility without paying the enormous daily fees.

Jay, how about a Junior College or University Campus. Perhaps even outdoors canopied with air-conditioning (can feel just as good as indoors).

It would seem finding an L.A. Hotel with convention space at anywhere near resonable, for pool, terms is a tough one indeed!

Perhaps a Downtown L.A. Hotel?

What time of the year are you looking at?
 
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CrownCityCorey said:
Jay, how about a Junior College or University Campus. Perhaps event outdoors canopied with air-conditioning (can feel just as good as indoors).

It would seem fining an L.A. Hotel with convention space at anywhere near resonable, for pool, terms is a tough one indeed!

Perhaps a Downtown L.A. Hotel?

What time of the year are you looking at?

Corey,

I have been in touch with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. They will assist me in finding exactly what is available in the greater Los Angeles area. I have given them the parameters of our event, so they know what I'm looking for in terms of convention space and room rates. If it's out there, they will find it for me.
 
jay helfert said:
Corey,

I have been in touch with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. They will assist me in finding exactly what is available in the greater Los Angeles area. I have given them the parameters of our event, so they know what I'm looking for in terms of convention space and room rates. If it's out there, they will find it for me.

Any more updates Jay?
 
Jay,
I enjoyed sitting next to you for the US Open finals last Saturday (Terry). I didnt even realize who you were until you mentioned running some events in the past and "viola", here is another.

I am willing to invest $1-2K (wife would shoot me if i offered more) even though I couldnt go there to help or attend.

I did have one question before deciding on a committment. Can you provide enough paperwork to make any loss a tax write-off?

Other than that, I will know my full committment level when I see our projections for 2009 from my employer.

Ill shoot you an email soon.
 
i think the best location for the LA Open is Alanta Ga. LA just dosent make sence anymore its not 1993 when Hardtimes was rocking and there was 40 more rooms open in LA, pool there is history, i'm pissed about that, but its not deniable. Its just as much time/effort/work to do a event in LA as anywhere so give your self the best chance not take a chance.

In 93 the internet,email, didnt exist-wow how did we manage?? fax machine's LOL, anyways with air planes, computers, virtual tours, Google Earth you can see where you want when you want, so LA or Alanta is the same thing-Except pool is alive and almost well in the South, the demograpics dont lie, the players are there, hotels arnt expensive, its within driving distance for ALOT of players-none of that applies to LA, LA Open sounds more glamourous but it wont seem so at the end of the day, there is no glamor in a poor gate at a event. and thats the harsh reality, i'm not pissing on the parade, but rather being honest about where to have the parade.
 
Fatboy said:
i think the best location for the LA Open is Alanta Ga. LA just dosent make sence anymore its not 1993 when Hardtimes was rocking and there was 40 more rooms open in LA, pool there is history, i'm pissed about that, but its not deniable. Its just as much time/effort/work to do a event in LA as anywhere so give your self the best chance not take a chance.

In 93 the internet,email, didnt exist-wow how did we manage?? fax machine's LOL, anyways with air planes, computers, virtual tours, Google Earth you can see where you want when you want, so LA or Alanta is the same thing-Except pool is alive and almost well in the South, the demograpics dont lie, the players are there, hotels arnt expensive, its within driving distance for ALOT of players-none of that applies to LA, LA Open sounds more glamourous but it wont seem so at the end of the day, there is no glamor in a poor gate at a event. and thats the harsh reality, i'm not pissing on the parade, but rather being honest about where to have the parade.

I think the same reasons you see it not happening are the same reasons the interested "investors" are interested to see it succeed here. My investment interest was based on it occurring here in Southern California. :cool:
 
TorranceChris said:
I think the same reasons you see it not happening are the same reasons the interested "investors" are interested to see it succeed here. My investment interest was based on it occurring here in Southern California. :cool:

i would love to see it work in So Cal, i live there too. but I thionk doing a east coast version and getting the CURRENT day formula down would be the prudent business move, not let our personal passions interfer with logical sound business principals. Sure I want it to work in LA but can it?? I wouldnt want to find out the hardway, if it proves itself is a proven market then sure follow your dreams and fire a shot at it in LA.


I miss somethings in life too, I loved the arcades in 1982, but its not reasonable to invest in one now with the same machines. Pool isnt that far gone but it aint what it was in 93, Just sayin'
 
A suggestion to a friend

Jay, for non-pool related industry sponsor............ approach Filipino-owned
businesses there in Southern California. Restaurants (Aristocrat), Balik-bayan box and money transfer outfits (LBC, JRS, Port Jersey), Travel agencies ...., etc. Get a Filipino Yellow Pages.

Don't approach anybody without your Event Description/media values detail in a little folder because you'll waste a lot of time. Use the phone and find out who you need to talk to, set an appointment and bring your little Event Package for the big honcho to review at his leisure. Offer them a booth(discounted price added to the package), as part of the media values, to advertise their products and answer questions from possible customers.

Also, in your media values package, indicate and do run an ad/announcement of your event with the sponsors logos in a major daily here in the Philippines and in a Filipino major daily there in California(you can even consider one in Joy-see). Better yet if you've got airtime here even in the most affordable TV station.

Contact Hardtimes and all industry related businesses there in So.Cal. Contact TAR. For TAR-set-up a pre-event payment station here in the Philippines. Not everyone has PayPal or Credit Cards.



I hope this helps you some Amigo. Need more info? You know how to get a hold of me.
 
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bandido said:
Jay, for non-pool related industry sponsor............ approach Filipino-owned
businesses there in Southern California. Restaurants (Aristocrat), Balik-bayan box and money transfer outfits (LBC, JRS, Port Jersey), Travel agencies ...., etc. Get a Filipino Yellow Pages.

Don't approach anybody without your Event Description/media values detail in a little folder because you'll waste a lot of time. Use the phone and find out who you need to talk to, set an appointment and bring your little Event Package for the big honcho to review at his leisure. Offer them a booth(discounted price added to the package), as part of the media values, to advertise their products and answer questions from possible customers.

Also, in your media values package, indicate and do run an ad/announcement of your event with the sponsors logos in a major daily here in the Philippines and in a Filipino major daily there in California(you can even consider one in Joy-see). Better yet if you've got airtime here even in the most affordable TV station.

Contact Hardtimes and all industry related businesses there in So.Cal. Contact TAR. For TAR-set-up a pre-event payment station here in the Philippines. Not everyone has PayPal or Credit Cards.



I hope this helps you some Amigo. Need more info? You know how to get a hold of me.


thats a brilliant idea, better than mine for starters for sure(i have no issue to admit when i'm wrong or out classed), I would follow up on this, and for the record no mattert what Jay decides I will post up as much as Jay asks me to, LA or elsewhere, but i'm coinsertative by nature-thus my other posts. I like giving myself my best chances and this idea here is triple strong!!!!!!!!!!!

i will call TAR to do my part-i know those guys ;)
 
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Fatboy said:
i would love to see it work in So Cal, i live there too. but I think doing a east coast version and getting the CURRENT day formula down would be the prudent business move, not let our personal passions interfere with logical sound business principals. Sure I want it to work in LA but can it??
Could always pull a Color Of Money..... Atlantic City.
There's never enough poolroom action around there anyway. Hard enough to find a damn table. At least it used to be......
Hollywood and California Billiards seem to still be running well though..
 
Fatboy said:
thats a brilliant idea, better than mine for starters for sure(i have no issue to admit when i'm wrong or out classed), I would follow up on this, and for the record no matter what Jay decides I will post up as much as Jay asks me to, LA or elsewhere, but i'm consertative by nature-thus my other posts. I like giving myself my best chances and this idea here is triple strong!!!!!!!!!!!

i will call TAR to do my part-i know those guys ;)
Thank you Eric. Jay is one of the good guys with the outstanding event promotion/operations curriculum vitae to boot.

It is a known fact that California is the Philippines of the US West Coast.
Filipinos too are known to be the craziest and most avid fans of the sport.(ever notice that a high percentage of the audience in a pool event ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD are Filipinos?)
Filipinos in the US too are known to have a higher average income then most.(Most Fil immigrants there are professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, rich guys expanding their Phil-based businesses, etc)
US based Filipinos too are known to spend above average on the good stuff (love for designer stuff).

It's all there so all you need is to tap that source.

All you AzB Folks should back Jay up on this project. Invest in it and you'll be happy that you did. You may actually be helping in the resurgence of the sport there and with an approach that may really be what's needed.
Get Jay smiling ear-to-ear from getting together the required operational cost. A happy Jay will only have a fertile mind for income generation instead on making ends meet.

Jay, formally get a hold of BMPAP for it may make your approach to the Filipino Community a lot easier. A BMPAP letter to the Prez of the SoCal FilCom there may ease market penetration. Good Luck buddy!

pssst Eric, you need to post-up a minimum of 5 shares on this one.
 
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Fatboy said:
i would love to see it work in So Cal, i live there too. but I thionk doing a east coast version and getting the CURRENT day formula down would be the prudent business move, not let our personal passions interfer with logical sound business principals. Sure I want it to work in LA but can it?? I wouldnt want to find out the hardway, if it proves itself is a proven market then sure follow your dreams and fire a shot at it in LA.


I miss somethings in life too, I loved the arcades in 1982, but its not reasonable to invest in one now with the same machines. Pool isnt that far gone but it aint what it was in 93, Just sayin'

Eric, as always I appreciate your input. You are a very successful and prudent businessman. But when it comes to putting on pool tournaments, I know a thing or two as well. I do think an L.A. Open can be successful if it is done right. That is why I am in no hurry to put it on. I MUST find the right location and make the right deal. Otherwise it is a no go.

There is an audience in Southern California who will attend a major pool tournament. That I know for sure. So a "gate" can be done out here. I know how to reach this audience since it is my home turf. That is also why, if it is to be, it will be out here and not somewhere else like Atlanta or Vegas. Take care my friend. I have already put you down as an investor. :D
 
bandido said:
Thank you Eric. Jay is one of the good guys with the outstanding event promotion/operations curriculum vitae to boot.

It is a known fact that California is the Philippines of the US West Coast.
Filipinos too are known to be the craziest and most avid fans of the sport.(ever notice that a high percentage of the audience in a pool event ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD are Filipinos?)
Filipinos in the US too are known to have a higher average income then most.(Most Fil immigrants there are professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, rich guys expanding their Phil-based businesses, etc)
US based Filipinos too are known to spend above average on the good stuff (love for designer stuff).

It's all there so all you need is to tap that source.

All you AzB Folks should back Jay up on this project. Invest in it and you'll be happy that you did. You may actually be helping in the resurgence of the sport there and with an approach that may really be what's needed.
Get Jay smiling ear-to-ear from getting together the required operational cost. A happy Jay will only have a fertile mind for income generation instead on making ends meet.

Jay, formally get a hold of BMPAP for it may make your approach to the Filipino Community a lot easier. A BMPAP letter to the Prez of the SoCal FilCom there may ease market penetration. Good Luck buddy!

pssst Eric, you need to post-up a minimum of 5 shares on this one.

Thanks Edwin. I am well aware of the Southern California filipino community. At one time we proposed an event to be held in the city of Carson, but it didn't work out. I will definitely be in contact with this community if the L.A. Open goes forward. One good thing about a Los Angeles event is that it is only one long plane ride from Manila (and Taipei). :wink:
 
just found this thread a little later than most...

hi jay...

i never saw this thread until this morning and as i was absorbed reading 'all' of it i never noticed the posting dates until almost the end. i would like to know how things stand now.

i was very excited about this la tournament and was considering in my mind as i was reading it how i could help you, and attend [maybe not all 9 days, but maybe half]. and please take into consideration that i was so sorry that i did not know in time about your [i think] last tournament at hollywood billiards that i heard was just fantastic!

"a man's got to know his limitations", and i am well aware of mine [not always, but usually]. here are some: i am only capable of a share or maybe two; i do not have any knowledge of running a tournament; i could be of little benefit to the tournament except maybe collecting money at the door, or maybe cleaning up in the wee hours as i like things neat and tidy for guests, but i would try to help in my limited capacity.

"a man's got to know what he has to offer", and not that i have a lot to offer, so, i can only say this: i think your idea is terrific! my sincere hope and desire is you can accomplish your goal. our sport need someone like you pushing the envelope, even at your personal risk. you put up 50% and lots of others put up a lot less - that takes guts!

i believe in you!!!!!!!! - think outside the box and make it happen.

Best of Luck,
smokey
 
when?

jay helfert said:
Thanks Edwin. I am well aware of the Southern California filipino community. At one time we proposed an event to be held in the city of Carson, but it didn't work out. I will definitely be in contact with this community if the L.A. Open goes forward. One good thing about a Los Angeles event is that it is only one long plane ride from Manila (and Taipei). :wink:

Hi Jay...

This has turned out to be a pretty long thread, and I haven't really read all of it....I was wondering if this comes to pass, when would you hold the tournament? Obviously, not a specific date, but what month?
 
Jay

Would you consider accepting small individual contributions from some who expect no return? Just wanting to relieve your personal burden and to do a bit to help advance the game we love. If so, let me know and I will start the the fund with $100.00.

Dave Nelson
 
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