Ted sent along this report on the expo this past weekend. I would
like to thank Ted for all his efforts in helping to organize and staff
this. I'd also like to thanks Kerry and Malory Fredricks as well as
Misa Harlow for making the trip out to assist.

Ted's report follows:



2007 Vermont Health Exposition

The US Luge Association, with an assist from the Adirondack Luge Club
were exhibitors at the 2007 Vermont Health Exposition held 20, 21
October at the Champlain Valley Exposition grounds in Essex Junction,
Vermont.

The presentation mirrored the usual USLA Slider Search format, with
the difference being that we were indoors with the trailer ramp, and
with no set roster of candidates to screen. We were assigned a very
central location in the Exhibition Hall with probably the most
visibility of all exhibitors.

The main thrust of our joint effort was to recruit a few 12 year olds
for an upcoming ice tryout to be held at Mt Van Hovenberg, and with
respect to that we collected 25 possible contacts for youth sliders,
and made another dozen or so contacts for adult recreational sliders.
Three potentially bigger contacts were made with the respective heads
of the Burlington Youth Recreation, and South Burlington Youth
Recreation Departments, along with the Seton Catholic Central Head of
Physical Education in Plattsburgh. All three of these organizations
represent ready-made venues for future slider searches with no
promotion needed by USLA or Club. Just a date needed to set up and run
a presentation. All three have high interest in hosting future
displays concerning the sport of Luge.

We were also featured in a local Newscast (Channel 3, CBS) and
interviewed by a couple of print journalists. All added publicity for
Luge. This being the first year of the Expo, gate traffic was lighter
than hoped for, but the Expo Officials were very forthright that they
wanted us back next year. We were probably the best exhibit there, and
not because I think so. Several other exhibitors told us that, and the
ones near us felt helped by the added traffic and attention.

Doing the show for USLA were Fred Zimny, National Team Manager, and
Joy Bryant, Junior Team Slider. For Club were Malory Fredricks, Devo
Candidate, and her Mom Kerry, along with Masters Sliders Michaela
Harlow and Ted Elmendorf. Thanks to all for helping out.

This event continued the tradition started By Brett West with the
Ridgefield Slider Search held last year where Club held a strong
support role in a USLA function, a new thing for Club, and something
that Fred and I both hope will continue and grow further.

Ted Elmendorf