2023 Skate America in Allen, Texas

jlai said:
And they called me today too. I wonder why so much effort for skate America and not nationals? SA hasn’t been a moneymaker for them, I thought
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Maybe since the Columbus Sports Commission is heading up everything for Nationals, USFS isn't as involved in promotion. Or they might start focusing on Nats after SA. Could also be something the new CEO has planned - more marketing efforts.
 
Following up on discussion of Friends of Figure Skating from now-closed thread where 2023 Skate America was a topic ...

From Jun 8 post from @Sylvia:
I received a reply back (I used the email address listed at the FOFS Membership Donation Form link): https://www.usfigureskating.org/support/donate/friends-figure-skating):
"Our marketing team is working on the program for the new season. I've asked them to let us include in the pre-sale email those who have reached out about the program and I've added your name to the list."
FOFS usually sends out membership renewal emails on July 1 (when USFS club memberships are due). ...
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If anyone would be interested in joining (or re-joining) FOFS at this point, this link has updated information for 2023-24 season:

Friends of Figure Skating

give.usfigureskating.org give.usfigureskating.org
( The link is from this page: https://www.usfigureskating.org/support/donate )

Things that jump out at me:
Major increase in cost of lowest tier of membership (compared to 2019-20 season, when I last belonged)​
Multiple changes to perks related to FOFS breakfasts​
I definitely will continue to support USFS by volunteering. Am rethinking my intention to join FOFS again. 🤔

cc: @CassAgain
 
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ice coverage said:
Following up on discussion of Friends of Figure Skating from now-closed thread where 2023 Skate America was a topic ...

From Jun 8 post from @Sylvia:
​

If anyone would be interested in joining (or re-joining) FOFS at this point, this link has updated information:

Friends of Figure Skating

give.usfigureskating.org give.usfigureskating.org
( The link is from this page: https://www.usfigureskating.org/support/donate )

Things that jump out at me:
Major increase in cost of lowest tier of membership (compared to 2019-20 season, when I last belonged)​
Multiple changes to perks related to FOFS breakfasts​
I definitely will continue to support USFS by volunteering. Am rethinking my intention to join FOFS again. 🤔

cc: @CassAgain
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I don’t see the list of member perks for each level on my phone. I must be missing it somewhere?

ETA: NVM I saw I had to swipe the photo. Wow, way to price out most of your membership for the breakfasts.
 
mattiecat13 said:
Wow! Judging by the increase in membership levels, USFS wants to cut back on the number of people who attend the FOFS breakfasts.
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As a frequent attendee of the FOFS breakfasts, it is the biggest draw as far as fundraising events, particularly for younger fans. With that said, however, there hasn't been an unmanageable number of attendees at all in recent years in my observation, especially now that the top skaters don't mingle as much at the event.

I think this is a giant misstep on USFS's part. I don't know how this will increase their donor base. Taking a popular benefit that used to be roughly $100 depending on the option you chose and taking it to a $1000 tier is going to be unattainable for a lot of people. Even from the $300 level to the $1000 level is too big of a leap; there needed to be something at the $500 price point. Between this and the previous pricing for Boitano's Lounge, it seems like USFS is interested in attracting only big dollar donors. They don't seem to feel there's value in nurturing relationships with smaller, frequent donors who may someday become a big dollar donor and that's a shame.
 
I've always signed up for the lowest tier membership, and then purchased FOFS breakfast tickets separately. I don't always attend competitions every year; sometimes I'll go 3 years in between. I don't see anything about that being an option for the Fan and Friend levels. If they have done away with that opportunity, their offerings are even worse than it seems at first glance.
 
kiss-n-cry said:
I've always signed up for the lowest tier membership, and then purchased FOFS breakfast tickets separately. I don't always attend competitions every year; sometimes I'll go 3 years in between. I don't see anything about that being an option for the Fan and Friend levels. If they have done away with that opportunity, their offerings are even worse than it seems at first glance.
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I plan on asking if they’re going to sell breakfast tickets to members at the lower levels, but my guess is no if they’re trying to squeeze us out. Or they may plan on selling them at an exorbitant price.
 
AnnM said:
... Between this and the previous pricing for Boitano's Lounge, it seems like USFS is interested in attracting only big dollar donors. They don't seem to feel there's value in nurturing relationships with smaller, frequent donors who may someday become a big dollar donor and that's a shame.
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kiss-n-cry said:
I've always signed up for the lowest tier membership, and then purchased FOFS breakfast tickets separately. ...
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TanithandBenFan said:
I plan on asking if they’re going to sell breakfast tickets to members at the lower levels, but my guess is no if they’re trying to squeeze us out. Or they may plan on selling them at an exorbitant price.
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Thank you for asking, TanithandBenFan. I share your pessimism, but would love to be proven wrong.
I'm also curious whether breakfast at Skate America has been completely discontinued? I suppose so -- the chart refers to breakfast at Nats, but does not mention one at Skate America.

I used to do the same as kiss-n-cry. As a smallest-potatoes FOFS donor who TBH probably never would have become a higher-level donor (without winning the lottery :lol:), I feel that putting time/money into traveling to Skate America or Nats in itself is a concrete show of support for the sport. I considered access to breakfasts with skaters to be positive reinforcement from USFS for that support.

overedge said:
The campaign counter on the USFS website makes it look like not too many other people are thrilled with the new membership benefits.

Friends of Figure Skating

give.usfigureskating.org give.usfigureskating.org
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To be fair, I have not seen anything about 2023-24 FOFS yet on USFS social media. I don't know whether or not USFS has been sending promotional e-mails.

FWIW: Boitano and USFS already have been publicizing preparations for Boitano's Lounge at 2024 Nats, so apparently it must have been deemed a success at 2023 Nats.
(I am a longstanding fan of Brian, but even a one-time splurge on a lounge ticket ain't gonna happen for li'l' ol' me.)
 
overedge said:
The campaign counter on the USFS website makes it look like not too many other people are thrilled with the new membership benefits.

Friends of Figure Skating

give.usfigureskating.org give.usfigureskating.org
Click to expand...
I emailed a scathing letter to USFS and didn’t hold back. I’ve attended nationals since 1998 and numerous Skate America events as well as being a FOFS member for many years. Two points I made is that with these new levels USFS is living up to its elitist reputation and so much for inclusion and diversity.

Secondly since they seem desperate for funds are the officials and judges paying for those gourmet meals we see wheeled around on trays going in to their exclusive meeting rooms or are we subsidizing these costs? I did not hold back and I think we need to let them know how ridiculous and inane their new policy is.

I always considered the breakfast a fitting ending to the competition and a way to show our gratitude and friendship to the skaters. They are going to suffer when the room is empty and I wonder what people like Jason think about this if they even know.
 
Dumb question - do other sports offer these type of benefits to fans? If so, what is the price point? I'm not talking about NFL/MLB/NHL/MLS, but rather gymnastics, swimming, track & field - basically the other major Olympic sports that have a decent fanbase in the US.
 
AnnM said:
I think this is a giant misstep on USFS's part. I don't know how this will increase their donor base. Taking a popular benefit that used to be roughly $100 depending on the option you chose and taking it to a $1000 tier is going to be unattainable for a lot of people. Even from the $300 level to the $1000 level is too big of a leap; there needed to be something at the $500 price point. Between this and the previous pricing for Boitano's Lounge, it seems like USFS is interested in attracting only big dollar donors. They don't seem to feel there's value in nurturing relationships with smaller, frequent donors who may someday become a big dollar donor and that's a shame.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing here, but the only logic I can see in these changes is that it might cost less for USFS to "manage" fewer donors, with bigger donations. than it costs to "manage" a lot of donors with small donations. But if USFS wants to grow the sport, excluding the smaller donors, who are probably very enthusiastic fans giving whatever $$$ they can, doesn't make a lot of sense.
 
Gayo said:
... Secondly since they seem desperate for funds are the officials and judges paying for those gourmet meals we see wheeled around on trays going in to their exclusive meeting rooms or are we subsidizing these costs? ...
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I am sad :( that FOFS breakfasts are becoming out of reach for me ... but I will play devil's advocate re this particular comment.
Although I am not a judge or official, my understanding is that USFS judges and officials are volunteers (who must earn appointments, working [without pay] their way up from non-quals to qualifying events to nationals, etc.).​
From what I can tell, USFS judges/officials typically serve at numerous competitions per season -- adding up to lots of traveling and many days+nights away from home, not to mention many hours on duty carrying out their roles.​
At non-ISU events, I believe USFS judges and officials do not receive any monetary compensation for their time and skills. I think their transportation, lodging, and meals generally are provided; and I do not begrudge them receiving good food. (I would frown if they were being showered with OTT extravagance at every meal, but I do not think they are. During certain competitions, dinner on one particular night seems to be organized as something of a special occasion, and I do not begrudge them that.)​

(I am not talking about USFS staff who hold paid positions at headquarters in Colorado Springs.)

ETA:​
Anecdotally, by searching the name of a USFS judge/official based in northern California, I found that so far in calendar year 2023, the person has served at 13 discrete competitions or more. (And counting ...)
January: U.S. Nats in San Jose; March: U.S. Synchro Nats in Illinois; April: U.S. Adult Nats in Utah, then Theatre on Ice Nations' Cup+Adult Gold Cup near Boston the following week; May: Spring Jubilee in San Jose; June: CCIA in Oakland, Theatre on Ice Nats in Michigan; July: Cactus Classic in Arizona, then Skate Detroit the following week; August: Silicon Valley Open+U.S. Collegiates in San Jose, then Cranberry near Boston the following week, then Skate San Francisco the following week; September: Golden West in SoCal.​
 
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Gayo said:
I emailed a scathing letter to USFS and didn’t hold back. I’ve attended nationals since 1998 and numerous Skate America events as well as being a FOFS member for many years. Two points I made is that with these new levels USFS is living up to its elitist reputation and so much for inclusion and diversity.

Secondly since they seem desperate for funds are the officials and judges paying for those gourmet meals we see wheeled around on trays going in to their exclusive meeting rooms or are we subsidizing these costs? I did not hold back and I think we need to let them know how ridiculous and inane their new policy is.

I always considered the breakfast a fitting ending to the competition and a way to show our gratitude and friendship to the skaters. They are going to suffer when the room is empty and I wonder what people like Jason think about this if they even know.
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So you attacked the volunteers that actually do make the sport possible over a "gourmet' meal (I expect your definition of gourmet is not what others might have) Hmmm....

I agree that USFS is elitist and I have been open in my disdain for the way they treat donors and potential donations. I know a woman who was prepared to give substantial donation and when she asked how it would be used was basically told "trust us" LOL! And I've watched the staff at the booth treat attendees at events very badly (that does seem to have gotten better the last few events) That said I am not asking volunteers who are giving up their weekend to pay for their meals LOL! Yes you are subsidizing those costs... it's part of the cost of putting on the event having judges. Now it might be better to pay the judges a wage but I expect you would find that even more costly than the free meals you seem to begrudge them.
 
Gayo said:
I emailed a scathing letter to USFS and didn’t hold back. I’ve attended nationals since 1998 and numerous Skate America events as well as being a FOFS member for many years. Two points I made is that with these new levels USFS is living up to its elitist reputation and so much for inclusion and diversity.

Secondly since they seem desperate for funds are the officials and judges paying for those gourmet meals we see wheeled around on trays going in to their exclusive meeting rooms or are we subsidizing these costs? I did not hold back and I think we need to let them know how ridiculous and inane their new policy is.

I always considered the breakfast a fitting ending to the competition and a way to show our gratitude and friendship to the skaters. They are going to suffer when the room is empty and I wonder what people like Jason think about this if they even know.
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Have you received any response to your email? I sent one to the Giving department a few days and haven't gotten a reply. I asked specific questions.
 
Need an advice from those familiar with the area.

I can get to DFW by United or to DAL (Dallas Love Field) by Southwest.
I've been to DFW several times but I have never used DAL.
How different are they?
Going from DAL to Allen will be OK?
 
YukiNieve said:
Need an advice from those familiar with the area.

I can get to DFW by United or to DAL (Dallas Love Field) by Southwest.
I've been to DFW several times but I have never used DAL.
How different are they?
Going from DAL to Allen will be OK?
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I prefer DAL as it is much much smaller than DFW. It’s a great airport and about the same distance from Allen as DFW. If you’re checking a bag sometimes they’re a little slow in getting the bags out, but that’s the only negative I’ve ever had there.
 
I've only been to DFW. It's large and unwieldy.

I am flying into DAL this time, we'll see how it goes, but smaller airports are easier to deal with and it seems like an easier trip than from DFW to Allen.
 
The last time we flew in and out of DAL was over ten years ago, but it was a quiet, low traffic ride from my friends apartment in Dallas, and you didn’t need a mortgage to park there. So much nicer than the sprawling DFW and having to get in and out of it.

Plus, I never tried to buy a magazine at DAL where a 50-something trainee didn’t want to allow me to buy the Rolling Stone issue with the Dixie Chicks on the cover, because they were anti-Mericun devil worshippers.
 
DAL is much closer to Allen than DFW in my opinion, but you drive through more "residential" areas than from DFW which is a straight shot on the toll road or a much less straight shot going 635 to 75. So it may not be any time saved.

Although I say all this and we typically only fly out of dfw hahaha.
 
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