Most Recent National "Championship Commitee" Minutes

So will GMS services be provided by the meet hosts or by the vending contract holder? I'm not sure why it matters?? They will be available as part of your "cart" when you enter the meet online (along with merchandise, social tickets, etc.). Has anyone floated the idea of having a more expensive GMS that includes tickets to Olympic Trials? I think many people would be interested. The problem, I guess, is these Trials seats would need to be set aside now, and that might not be realistic especially since the number needed isn't known. A special ticket package will be available to USMS members that will include tickets for just the last 4 days of Trials. Details coming soon... Jeff

I'm not sure why it matters?? They will be available as part of your "cart" when you enter the meet online (along with merchandise, social tickets, etc.). Jeff Well, I can tell you my experience with GMS at Austin was much better than the vendor there and the same with Atlanta. I would prefer the meet hosts as that seems to have a bit more down home feel than a commercial food vendor might bring.

I agree with Wolfy on this. But is there a co-host LMSC or club for Omaha? Or is USMS the sole host? Seems to me that Nebraska has a pretty fine masters swimming culture!

I don't disagree with Wolf at all. But, USMS may not have any other options, unless they want to move the meet. Right... Well heck I'll eat nachos & french fries if it means we get to swim in the Olympic Trials pool! Totally worth it.

Well, I can tell you my experience with GMS at Austin was much better than the vendor there and the same with Atlanta. I would prefer the meet hosts as that seems to have a bit more down home feel than a commercial food vendor might bring. My mistake - I misread your original post and were thinking you were wondering who you would buy the GMS from (Host or Qwest). All food in the venue will be purchased through the Qwest Center's officially licensed vendor (Levy Brothers, I believe). However, they have told us they will provide whatever food items we ask them to provide. Therefore GMS will have some flexibility and so will the concession stands with regard to providing "swimmer friendly" food. And here is some good news - the vendor has an alcohol license which means beer and wine will be available for sale all throughout the venue...:chug: So start those gridges now - it will be easy to collect right on the spot...:D

So the bit about it being expensive to have timers in Omaha (since the facility would need to be paid for their food) got me thinking. Does this mean there won't be gold medal sponsorships in Omaha? The common idea of bringing in a bunch of pizza and sodas to feed timers isn't possible inside the Quest Center. Because of the concessions contract inside the arena, all food must be purchased from the licensed vendor and the cost is at least $40/day/person even for barebones food. Therefore it is cost prohibitive to feed the timers. The cost for GMS passes in Omaha is expected to reflect this higher food cost. The original intent of GMS was to raise additional funds for the Host but with rising food costs the profit margin has been slim (for example I imagine there was little to no profit margin for the catered spread we had in Puerto Rico). In short, GMS will be available in Omaha but the passes will be more expensive. Jeff

. I would prefer the meet hosts as that seems to have a bit more down home feel than a commercial food vendor might bring. USMS may not have any other options for food vendors if they want to have the meet at the Qwest facility. We maybe stuck with whatever commerical vendor the center tells USMS to use

I agree with Wolfy on this. But is there a co-host LMSC or club for Omaha? Or is USMS the sole host? I don't disagree with Wolf at all. But, USMS may not have any other options, unless they want to move the meet.

The common idea of bringing in a bunch of pizza and sodas to feed timers isn't possible inside the Quest Center. Because of the concessions contract inside the arena, all food must be purchased from the licensed vendor and the cost is at least $40/day/person even for barebones food. Therefore it is cost prohibitive to feed the timers. The cost for GMS passes in Omaha is expected to reflect this higher food cost. The original intent of GMS was to raise additional funds for the Host but with rising food costs the profit margin has been slim (for example I imagine there was little to no profit margin for the catered spread we had in Puerto Rico). In short, GMS will be available in Omaha but the passes will be more expensive. Jeff So will GMS services be provided by the meet hosts or by the vending contract holder?

In short, GMS will be available in Omaha but the passes will be more expensive. Has anyone floated the idea of having a more expensive GMS that includes tickets to Olympic Trials? I think many people would be interested. The problem, I guess, is these Trials seats would need to be set aside now, and that might not be realistic especially since the number needed isn't known.