President's Message
June, 2020:
This year has been challenging for all of us. In COVID-19, we are facing an adversary that is new to the world, and it has changed our lives. Many of us have been deeply impacted by the coronavirus through health and livelihood. The literal shutdown of the world has caused many people to not only lose jobs, but potentially their home and property.
As a club, we cannot overlook or downplay the coronavirus’ impact. What affects our members affects the club. Since February, many exhibitors have stopped showing their dogs. Given the contagious nature of the virus, 9,200 AKC shows and events have been canceled throughout the country. We are at a virtual standstill.
A great concern is the unknown. Other than knowing it is extremely contagious and has a high fatality rate, no
one, even among the experts, can make unequivocal statements about COVID-19: its cause, cure, treatment, or immunities. This virus is new to the world and long-term studies do not exist. The bottom line is no one has answers, yet, about what life will be like in the future.
Our members’ health is one of the highest priorities for us. Four months from today, when the ACA National Specialty is slated to be held in Indianapolis, the chances of a vaccine being discovered, studied, approved, manufactured, and widely distributed is highly improbable (if not impossible). There is little argument that the virus will still exist. The best we can hope for is a successful treatment plan and that the fatality rate is reduced. Read More
President's Message
We have club members who are in or teeter on the high-risk category. Those in their mid-60s are automatically considered high risk, but, regardless of age, everyone with an underlying health issue will be in jeopardy in any large gathering environment.
The only way to mitigate health risks for large gatherings is to adopt and adhere to strict safety protocols outlined by the CDC, the AKC, and local governing authorities. It is likely Indianapolis, Marion county, or Indiana will have required protocols to implement. Adhering to such safety practices will significantly change the National’s structure and character.
The rules will apply to everyone, from judges and exhibitors to volunteers and vendors. It’s likely everyone must wear masks and maintain social distancing inside and out of the rings. Our volunteers will be asked to take on more responsibility and risk by frequently cleaning and disinfecting the common areas people touch, such as tables, chairs, pens, doorknobs, etc. Temperature testing may also be required daily (if not more frequently) before one could enter the grooming and the exhibition rooms. The use of blow dryers for grooming will be prohibited as well as touching other people’s dogs – except for judges, who would have to disinfect their hands in between each dog. Spectator seating as well as spectators in general will likely not be allowed (per AKC recommendations).
Large meal-related events would not be held; this would eliminate the auction, the welcome party, the awards banquet, and the Top Twenty dinner event. Win photos would not include the judge or club and show officers. The national would be reduced to a spectator-less show-and-go. Even the International Extravaganza would not be held because we did not receive a single confirmation. One of the worst-case scenarios that could occur is if someone at the show or another guest at the hotel was found to have a fever (which could be an indication of COVID-19). The National would immediately be canceled at the club’s expense and everyone may be quarantined in their hotel rooms for an indefinite period of time (at least while a diagnosis is made). If the person is a confirmed COVID-19 case, quarantine may be extended.
We do not know if airlines will be offering the flights necessary for members to attend and at what price. Currently all airlines are operating at less than capacity. Their income loss may drive ticket prices up in the coming months.
As everyone is aware, the club is a limited-income organization and because of that, it is fragile. It cannot afford to lose money. Hosting a national in this COVID-19 climate is a significant financial gamble. As some may be aware, hotel contracts are negotiated in advance (usually by several years). Through the negotiation, the club can secure a block of rooms for a specific rate, which is often less than the hotel’s standard fee. In return, the contract will stipulate that the club guarantees the hotel will sell a minimum number of rooms and a minimum dollar amount in food and beverage sales. If the event does not meet those minimums, the club is responsible to pay the difference to the hotel. These minimums are always met, the latter through hotel-catered events, like the banquet. However, without full member support and because our food-related events would be canceled, the national could not meet those minimums and would be liable to pay the difference. Potentially, the loss could reach as much as $90,000 for the club.
After a lengthy discussion and informally canvassing members through regional discussion groups, the board has made the difficult decision to proceed with renegotiating with the host hotel to release the ACA from the contract for the 2020 National. The board has directed Shannon Miller, ACA president, and Keith Venezia, site coordinating committee chair, to begin these negotiations. If possible, it is the board’s desire to hold the 2023 National at the Indianapolis hotel, however, we do not know if that is feasible.
By entering a discussion now, the hotel will have options and may be willing to cooperate with us. The primary option is they will have time to resell the vacancy. However, if we wait, the benefit of the selling period will be lost and hotel will be reluctant (or completely refuse) to work with us, putting ACA at a negotiating disadvantage. This decision was not made lightly. The board feels there is no other way to minimize potential losses in terms of health, safety, and financial damage. Everyone wants to have a 2020 National. We love the excitement of competition, seeing beautiful dogs, getting together with old friends while meeting new ones. Few shows compare with a national specialty and its traditions. The seriousness of COVID-19, however, cannot be underestimated. None of us want even one person to become ill.
We know there are many questions to come. Please be patient as we work through the answers and solutions. This is a fluid situation and changes may occur. You can be assured the board will keep you informed of news as quickly as possible. An FAQ follows. Please read through it and if you have additional questions, contact your regional representative or any board member. We cannot promise to have all of the answers right now, but we are doing our best in this unprecedented situation and are working toward quick resolutions that benefit the entire club.
Thank you for your kind patience.
ACA Board of Directors
Note: The contracted videographer for the 2020 National, TNG Digital Media Services, Inc., contacted ACA in May as notification that they will not provide video services due to COVID-19. The company felt that safety requirements and potential risks prohibited their ability to safely provide video services.
At this time the ACA president and the chair for the site coordinating committee are in discussion with the host hotel to cancel the contract.
If the contract is canceled, it will not be rescheduled.
We are currently trying to find a solution that works for the judges and for the club.
We will not skip recognizing achievements or awards occurring this year. However, no decision has been made regarding when and how those accomplishments will be recognized.
To the best of our knowledge, this will not impact the 2021 National. It is still expected to be held in Topeka, Kansas.
At this time, naming a location would be speculation. The club president and the site coordinating committee chair are negotiating with the host hotel in Indiana. While it is the board’s desire to hold a national at this location sometime in the future, we do not know if that is possible. When we know, we will notify the club members.
The minimum cost to hold a national would be the same if 10 people attended or 1,000 people. The difference is if it is underattended, the club would lose money. ACA guaranteed the hotel that it would sell a minimum of 635 rooms, $75,565, and $12,000 plus gratuity in food/beverage sales, bringing the minimum required to almost $90,000. Without member support, the minimum would not be reached, and ACA would have to pay the difference to the hotel.
There is no advantage to waiting but there is a disadvantage. Waiting will not change the state of the coronavirus. Outbreaks will continue to occur until a vaccine is developed. It’s highly unlikely that a vaccine will be developed by October 1. The disadvantage is it eliminates options for the hotel and will obligate them to enforce the contract. If cancelled now, the hotel will have time to resell the rooms. Even waiting one or two months greatly reduces the resell period. At that point, the hotel will opt for the easiest solution: enforce the contract, and we know we cannot meet the minimums if held to the contract.
2020 National FAQ
Does this mean the 2020 National will not be held?
At this time the ACA president and the chair for the site coordinating committee are in discussion with the host hotel to cancel the contract.
Will the 2020 National be rescheduled?
If the contract is canceled, it will not be rescheduled.
Will this affect the 2021 National?
To the best of our knowledge, this will not impact the 2021 National. It is still expected to be held in Topeka, Kansas.
What about the 2020 judges; what will happen with them?
We are currently trying to find a solution that works for the judges and for the club.
What will happen to any achievements or awards earned during 2020?
We will not skip recognizing achievements or awards occurring this year. However, no decision has been made regarding when and how those accomplishments will be recognized.
When will you know where the 2023 National will be held?
At this time, naming a location would be speculation. The club president and the site coordinating committee chair are negotiating with the host hotel in Indiana. While it is the board’s desire to hold a national at this location sometime in the future, we do not know if that is possible. When we know, we will notify the club members.
Why can’t the club hold a national for those who want to attend, even if not many attend, and let those who are not safe stay at home?
The minimum cost to hold a national would be the same if 10 people attended or 1,000 people. The difference is if it is underattended, the club would lose money. ACA guaranteed the hotel that it would sell a minimum of 635 rooms, $75,565, and $12,000 plus gratuity in food/beverage sales, bringing the minimum required to almost $90,000. Without member support, the minimum would not be reached, and ACA would have to pay the difference to the hotel.
Why can’t ACA wait until the middle or end of summer to see how the coronavirus is affecting the country before making a decision?
There is no advantage to waiting but there is a disadvantage. Waiting will not change the state of the coronavirus. Outbreaks will continue to occur until a vaccine is developed. It’s highly unlikely that a vaccine will be developed by October 1. The disadvantage is it eliminates options for the hotel and will obligate them to enforce the contract. If cancelled now, the hotel will have time to resell the rooms. Even waiting one or two months greatly reduces the resell period. At that point, the hotel will opt for the easiest solution: enforce the contract, and we know we cannot meet the minimums if held to the contract.