Thanks for the input and comments, everyone.
Barring some unforeseen calamity, Overland Expo 2012 will definitely be in Amado. Here's why:
The event requires a venue that can handle around 2,000 people on a revolving daily basis, that has on-site accommodations for fly-in instructors and speakers with no camping gear, at least a couple of restaurants and space for 400 people at once to enjoy a final outdoor dinner, a couple of acres of flat space for vendors, a couple more acres for on-site campers, is close to public land for exploring and very close to trails for off-site riding and driving classes - but not too far off a major highway, is reasonably close to an international airport, has an indoor theater, is not subject to draconian labor laws (one potential venue in California would have cost as much for mandated custodial staff as the entire Amado location), has a high chance of good weather in April, a receptive community - and, finally, will allow us to rip up two or three acres with bulldozers to build an on-site driving course.
Any candidates?
Of at least as much importance is the fact that, by staying at the same location, we don't have to spend the huge amount of time required for initial infrastructure development and laying out everything. Instead, we can concentrate on refining details. This year we expanded the space to include the Rex Ranch and markedly improved the speed at which the closing banquet was served, next year we're concentrating on dust reduction in the vendor and camping areas, and implementing some awesome ideas for the training area suggested by the Camel Trophy fellows. This year we experienced record high temperatures; next year we're as likely to experience record lows - or the normal 72 degrees for that time of year. It is, after all, an outdoor event!
We also have to haul to the site a massive amount of material. It takes two or three trips at present, using trailers and volunteers with trucks. Adding 500 or 2,000 miles to that would dramatically increase costs for attendees.
The Expo also is not intended to revolve around the camping experience (even though many people say it's among their favorite parts); it's about the learning and interactive experience. That's what we concentrate on most to continue improving, while also tuning the overall atmosphere.
And I have to say that if you've run out of places to explore in southern Arizona after two years, you're simply not trying hard enough. I've lived here all my life and haven't seen it all yet. Perhaps we need an exploration guide in the next packet? We could tell you where to see desert fish that can survive 110-degree water, or where to drink out of the same spring Cochise and Geronimo drank from, or where some of the most significant mammoth-kill sites in North America were unearthed . . .
Overall, the vast majority of attendees have told us they're delighted with the Amado location, so for the present we'll continue to make that our home, and to make it the best home possible.
