2020 National specialty
~~ ANNOUNCEMENTS ~~
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March 26, 2020
No Rescheduling of the 2020 SCOA National Specialty
Greetings All,
A week ago on March 19th we, the Officers and Board of Directors, notified you that the June National would not take place because of our own abundance of caution for members, guests, and the public welfare during the ongoing corona virus COVID-19 pandemic. We also agreed to make our best effort to reschedule the National later in 2020.
While discussing cancelling the National, the Board and I had been watching Missouri’s Department of Health & Senior Services bulletins and from 5 positive cases on March 14th, the outbreak numbered 15 on the 18th, then 23 on the 19th—some of these adjacent to our venue’s county. The virus has been rapidly spreading since then. As of yesterday afternoon, there are 356 positive cases of COVID-19 in Missouri with eight virus fatalities. Today, I’ve learned that our host hotel has just closed until June 15th. With the spread of the disease and its effect on many other public events in the country, our decision to cancel the National has been validated.
As to rescheduling the National for later this year, our Conformation or Sweepstakes judges, Mrs. Lisa Hudson and Ms. Karon Lonero, have both informed us that they would not be able to come for another date.
The Board had two possible reschedules—indoors at Purina from November 3rd to 7th and indoors at fairgrounds in Lancaster, Ohio as a standalone event added to the weekend of two all-breed shows on Sept. 12th & 13th.
These have been diligently researched and discussed, with the following factors taken into consideration: finding substitute judges acceptable to the membership and able to commit; weather conditions; reduced entries due to already spent summer vacations and loss of discretionary income from employment shutdowns; the long term unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic countermeasures banning public events and border closures (which almost certainly would prevent our Canadian members and foreign guests) from attending); having the 2021 National in only seven to nine months; and the strong likelihood that some of our favorite National events would be diminished or absent.
However, out of our discussions arose the paramount consideration that any rescheduling of the National after this summer would conflict with or adversely impact multiple existing specialties by our constituent clubs (depending on the dates):
• Huron Valley Saluki Club, Madison, Ohio, July 9th–12th
• Galveston Bay Saluki Club /SCOA TSE, Houston, Texas, July 14th–19th
• Northern Cascades Saluki Fanciers, Auburn, Washington, Postponed to 2021
• Western Regional in Reno, Nevada, Aug. 14th –16th
• Eastern Regional/Summer Splash, Connecticut, Aug. 20th–23rd
• Garden State Saluki Club at Morris & Essex, New Jersey, Oct. 1st
• Saluki Club of Greater San Francisco Specialties, Oct. 15th–18th
• C-FLASH (Florida), Nov. 5th–8th
• Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty, Lansing, Michigan, Nov. 27-29
At this stage, forcing a National Specialty in between these existing specialties and supported entries, along with the concerns noted above, the Board voted not to attempt rescheduling the 2020 National. We will proceed with our painstaking plans for 2021 with Mr. Deric Aube judging Conformation and a Sweepstakes who will be announced after our voting.
I understand that this is a further disappointment to all of us but we have to move forward. The Board will begin working on an alternate solution for the Annual General Meeting and keep you informed. Our club and friends will gather once again at the Purina Farms Event Center.
We are all living through historical times. 2020 will become known as the extraordinary year a viral disease shut down socializing, work, world borders, and even international events like the cherished Olympics. We in the SCOA will remember it as one year with no national—but that we still honored our own with the Friend of the Saluki and AKC Sportsman of the Year awards.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Take good care in these strange days,
Brian
Brian Duggan, President
The Saluki Club of America
A week ago on March 19th we, the Officers and Board of Directors, notified you that the June National would not take place because of our own abundance of caution for members, guests, and the public welfare during the ongoing corona virus COVID-19 pandemic. We also agreed to make our best effort to reschedule the National later in 2020.
While discussing cancelling the National, the Board and I had been watching Missouri’s Department of Health & Senior Services bulletins and from 5 positive cases on March 14th, the outbreak numbered 15 on the 18th, then 23 on the 19th—some of these adjacent to our venue’s county. The virus has been rapidly spreading since then. As of yesterday afternoon, there are 356 positive cases of COVID-19 in Missouri with eight virus fatalities. Today, I’ve learned that our host hotel has just closed until June 15th. With the spread of the disease and its effect on many other public events in the country, our decision to cancel the National has been validated.
As to rescheduling the National for later this year, our Conformation or Sweepstakes judges, Mrs. Lisa Hudson and Ms. Karon Lonero, have both informed us that they would not be able to come for another date.
The Board had two possible reschedules—indoors at Purina from November 3rd to 7th and indoors at fairgrounds in Lancaster, Ohio as a standalone event added to the weekend of two all-breed shows on Sept. 12th & 13th.
These have been diligently researched and discussed, with the following factors taken into consideration: finding substitute judges acceptable to the membership and able to commit; weather conditions; reduced entries due to already spent summer vacations and loss of discretionary income from employment shutdowns; the long term unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic countermeasures banning public events and border closures (which almost certainly would prevent our Canadian members and foreign guests) from attending); having the 2021 National in only seven to nine months; and the strong likelihood that some of our favorite National events would be diminished or absent.
However, out of our discussions arose the paramount consideration that any rescheduling of the National after this summer would conflict with or adversely impact multiple existing specialties by our constituent clubs (depending on the dates):
• Huron Valley Saluki Club, Madison, Ohio, July 9th–12th
• Galveston Bay Saluki Club /SCOA TSE, Houston, Texas, July 14th–19th
• Northern Cascades Saluki Fanciers, Auburn, Washington, Postponed to 2021
• Western Regional in Reno, Nevada, Aug. 14th –16th
• Eastern Regional/Summer Splash, Connecticut, Aug. 20th–23rd
• Garden State Saluki Club at Morris & Essex, New Jersey, Oct. 1st
• Saluki Club of Greater San Francisco Specialties, Oct. 15th–18th
• C-FLASH (Florida), Nov. 5th–8th
• Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty, Lansing, Michigan, Nov. 27-29
At this stage, forcing a National Specialty in between these existing specialties and supported entries, along with the concerns noted above, the Board voted not to attempt rescheduling the 2020 National. We will proceed with our painstaking plans for 2021 with Mr. Deric Aube judging Conformation and a Sweepstakes who will be announced after our voting.
I understand that this is a further disappointment to all of us but we have to move forward. The Board will begin working on an alternate solution for the Annual General Meeting and keep you informed. Our club and friends will gather once again at the Purina Farms Event Center.
We are all living through historical times. 2020 will become known as the extraordinary year a viral disease shut down socializing, work, world borders, and even international events like the cherished Olympics. We in the SCOA will remember it as one year with no national—but that we still honored our own with the Friend of the Saluki and AKC Sportsman of the Year awards.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Take good care in these strange days,
Brian
Brian Duggan, President
The Saluki Club of America
March 20, 2020
The 2020 SCOA National is Cancelled
Greetings All,
The Officers and Board of Directors of the Saluki Club of America are taking the extraordinary measure of cancelling this year’s National to ensure the safety of our members and guests, and support the civic efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This decision was made at the earliest opportunity by unanimous vote at an emergency Board meeting held the evening of March 18, 2020.
We’ve been closely monitoring the Center for Disease Control and Federal/State recommendations, as well as keeping in close touch with Purina Farms Event Center and the AKC. The SCOA has the highest concern for the good health of you and your Salukis, and also that of our Specialty exhibitors, guests, judges, event volunteers—and the communities of people we would contact in our travels to Purina Farms. It is for these reasons that we’ve taken this drastic precaution.
There is the possibility that the National may be able to be rescheduled. The Board and Specialty Team will make our best effort to accomplish this at a later date in 2020. Additionally, I will ask the Board to continue with making the Friend of the Saluki and AKC Sportsman of the Year awards.
Entries were to close on Wednesday, April 29th and BaRay Events will issue entry fee refunds if you cancel before that date—less a 5% processing charge. https://www.barayevents.com/faq.phtml
Katie Souder will now begin the arduous task of refunding fees for vendor and grooming spaces, and Top Twenty dinner reservations. Our Specialty Chairpersons will be reaching out to entrants of the Futurity, Top Twenty, and Breeder Showcase Sweepstakes, so please be patient.
We know this is a great disappointment but our club will weather these difficult circumstances. With perseverance and luck, we’ll come together another time at Purina Farms to celebrate our Salukis.
For myself, I’d like to leave you with a personal thought. We can take some solace that as responsible Saluki owners and fanciers who by not holding the National Specialty, we’ll be contributing to the nation’s effort to slow and stop the spread of this dreadful pandemic.
Thank you for your understanding,
Brian
Brian Duggan, President
The Saluki Club of America
The Officers and Board of Directors of the Saluki Club of America are taking the extraordinary measure of cancelling this year’s National to ensure the safety of our members and guests, and support the civic efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This decision was made at the earliest opportunity by unanimous vote at an emergency Board meeting held the evening of March 18, 2020.
We’ve been closely monitoring the Center for Disease Control and Federal/State recommendations, as well as keeping in close touch with Purina Farms Event Center and the AKC. The SCOA has the highest concern for the good health of you and your Salukis, and also that of our Specialty exhibitors, guests, judges, event volunteers—and the communities of people we would contact in our travels to Purina Farms. It is for these reasons that we’ve taken this drastic precaution.
There is the possibility that the National may be able to be rescheduled. The Board and Specialty Team will make our best effort to accomplish this at a later date in 2020. Additionally, I will ask the Board to continue with making the Friend of the Saluki and AKC Sportsman of the Year awards.
Entries were to close on Wednesday, April 29th and BaRay Events will issue entry fee refunds if you cancel before that date—less a 5% processing charge. https://www.barayevents.com/faq.phtml
Katie Souder will now begin the arduous task of refunding fees for vendor and grooming spaces, and Top Twenty dinner reservations. Our Specialty Chairpersons will be reaching out to entrants of the Futurity, Top Twenty, and Breeder Showcase Sweepstakes, so please be patient.
We know this is a great disappointment but our club will weather these difficult circumstances. With perseverance and luck, we’ll come together another time at Purina Farms to celebrate our Salukis.
For myself, I’d like to leave you with a personal thought. We can take some solace that as responsible Saluki owners and fanciers who by not holding the National Specialty, we’ll be contributing to the nation’s effort to slow and stop the spread of this dreadful pandemic.
Thank you for your understanding,
Brian
Brian Duggan, President
The Saluki Club of America
March 15, 2020
Greetings All,
Kaite Flamm, Senior Manager of Programming, Purina Farms, sends along this statement about their precautions against the outbreak of Corona virus (COVID-19) to all of their dog event organizers. Please read it carefully.
We’ll be posting any updates as soon as we have them.
Best regards,
Brian
Brian Duggan, President
The Saluki Club of America
Kaite Flamm, Senior Manager of Programming, Purina Farms, sends along this statement about their precautions against the outbreak of Corona virus (COVID-19) to all of their dog event organizers. Please read it carefully.
We’ll be posting any updates as soon as we have them.
Best regards,
Brian
Brian Duggan, President
The Saluki Club of America
Nestlé Purina PetCare (NPPC) is closely monitoring updates and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it relates to the novel corona virus (COVID-19). Out of an abundance of caution, and because the situation is evolving rapidly, Purina Farms is taking additional precautions to protect our guests, exhibitors, and Purina Farms Team.
We have implemented enhanced measures to help protect our guests, exhibitors and team at Purina Farms. Everyone should note that the main message from CDC is a diligent focus on personal hygiene, therefore staff, exhibitors and guests will see increased signage encouraging good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene. Additional bottles of hand sanitizer can be found throughout our facilities, including restrooms, exhibit halls, gift shop and food service areas. Additionally, Purina Farms will provide hand sanitizer ringside and at each of the main entrances. We will also continue to follow our stringent facility and property disinfecting protocol using pet-friendly solutions.
We are aware of international travel restrictions and guidelines and adhere to these. All individuals without exception are expected to abide by the advice of their relevant governments with regard to self-quarantines and restrictions on travel. Additionally, we are implementing guest restrictions for guests traveling from impacted countries. All such guests will be asked upon arrival if they or someone in their immediate household have recently traveled (within the past 14 days) to key impacted areas as noted by the CDC, and those who have had such travel will be asked not to attend our events.
As this situation continues to evolve, we will remain in close contact with our associates, external partners and community. Additional guidance and situation updates on COVID-19 are available from the CDC and WHO.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please contact Kaite Flamm at purinafarms@purina.nestle.com
Link to CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Link to WHO - https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
We have implemented enhanced measures to help protect our guests, exhibitors and team at Purina Farms. Everyone should note that the main message from CDC is a diligent focus on personal hygiene, therefore staff, exhibitors and guests will see increased signage encouraging good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene. Additional bottles of hand sanitizer can be found throughout our facilities, including restrooms, exhibit halls, gift shop and food service areas. Additionally, Purina Farms will provide hand sanitizer ringside and at each of the main entrances. We will also continue to follow our stringent facility and property disinfecting protocol using pet-friendly solutions.
We are aware of international travel restrictions and guidelines and adhere to these. All individuals without exception are expected to abide by the advice of their relevant governments with regard to self-quarantines and restrictions on travel. Additionally, we are implementing guest restrictions for guests traveling from impacted countries. All such guests will be asked upon arrival if they or someone in their immediate household have recently traveled (within the past 14 days) to key impacted areas as noted by the CDC, and those who have had such travel will be asked not to attend our events.
As this situation continues to evolve, we will remain in close contact with our associates, external partners and community. Additional guidance and situation updates on COVID-19 are available from the CDC and WHO.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please contact Kaite Flamm at purinafarms@purina.nestle.com
Link to CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Link to WHO - https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
Here is additional information to consider --
Traveling within the United States -- http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html
Traveling within the United States -- http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html