Ironman Fit Expo: How was the venue and location?

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not much buzz on the new location for the 08 IRONMAN

was it as good/better than Pasadena?

[gordiano]

I'm sure there were plenty of schmoes, muscle worshipers, and sample "beggars".

[stuntmovie]

I'd say that the whole set-up was pretty damn good.

Here are some comments - the good and the bad.

Parking - I got there before 10 am and the parking lot across the street from the Expo was pretty empty with a fee of $10 per car. The lot next door about 50 yards closer to the Expo area was charging $25 and was empty at that time of the day.

I asked the parking attendant how to locate the Expo (there are a lot of buildings in that Convention Center complex) and he simply pointed across the street and said, "Follow the crowd!" which consisted of about 6 individuals.

Once inside it was set up damn well with signs directing the anticipated crowds where to go. The entrance was packed with athletic appearing individuals waiting in line to sign up for various events that were to be held that weekend.

I stood in another line for about 2 minutes and purchased a $40 ironMan prejudging ticket which included admission to the Expo and was directed to the area on the left where the IronMan prejudging was to take place.

The room was a large setup delineated by drapes and held enough chairs for 1,000+ persons. And the stage was of adequate height for all to get a good view of each of the contestants with large video screens on both sides of the stage similar to those at the Olympia last year.

Someone did a good job setting up this room but I was a bit surprised that there were only about 400 to 500 in the room to watch the prejudging. You were assigned a seat as shown on your ticket but there was enough empty seats to choose a better one and get a good view of the proceedings. I sat two rows behind the judges' table and it was perfect for taking photos.

The prejudging (32 contestants) ran smoothly. The only problem I saw was when the lineup had to be switched from left to right and that appeared to confuse a few of the contestants. I was thinking, "Pros ought to know how to do that by now!"

And some of the Pros sort of "overstayed their welcome" when the lineup was asked to leave the stage. They simply stayed on stage and hit some additional poses for the fans. If I was a judge under those circumstances, I'd get a bit pissed off and it would probably reflect in the score, but I have no idea how the official judges saw it. Most  of them were looking at their score sheet anyway and probably had no idea that any individual was "overstaying his welcome".

The judges had one hell of a job making the right decision and treated each contestant fairly and squarely in my opinion.

I think the prejudging lasted about 2.5 hours or close to that after which most of the people in the room proceeded into the Expo area which was packed with fans looking for free stuff and photos with their heros - be they bodybuilders, martial artists, power-lifters, fitness couples or even Lou Ferrigno who was seen checking out the activity without collecting $20.

It was good to mingle with a wide variety of athletes from various sports organizations. And whoever organized this event, did one hell of a great job.

This was one day when you could leave with a spray on tan after having your teeth whitened to a high luster within a space of 20 feet with a dividing wall of Fitness Chicks. Where else could that possibly happen?

Maybe in Vegas, but what happens there ain't none of your business anyway .............

[Vince B]

Hey, Stunt, what is perfect about sitting close to the judges to photograph the contestants? You were on the side and that is never a good angle to shoot from. Guess you had to buy your ticket so didn't get a good position. It is much better to shoot from the middle but back in the hall so you don't get distortion. The trick is to set up so that you get a clear view of the competitors without having heads in the foreground. A tripod would be handy.

Save up for a Nikon D3 and you will be able to shoot these contests with the available light. Good lenses aren't cheap but a 70-200VR should do the job.

[timfogarty]

Parking - I got there before 10 am and the parking lot across the street from the Expo was pretty empty with a fee of $10 per car. The lot next door about 50 yards closer to the Expo area was charging $25 and was empty at that time of the day.

parking under the west hall was $12.  walk up the steps and you're there

[Ron]

not much buzz on the new location for the 08 IRONMAN. was it as good/better than Pasadena?

Tim, very nice meeting you at the expo!

Overall, everyone was pretty happy with the new location, and it looks like it will be staying here arond the same time next year. The expo hall was big enough, and was actually full many times of the day. The Ironman prejuding had about 500 people in there, but for the finals, it was pretty full, with people even sitting in the last row. More people were there this year, both for the finals and the expo.

Parking is expensive, but in Pasadena last year, it was $8.   For $12, you parked underneath the convention center.  The parking that was $25 was for the Staples Center events, Hockey game Friday night, WWE Saturday night. A minute away from there, the parkin was $15.  Such is life in downtown Los Angeles.

Hotel was ok, we stayed at the closest one, the Holiday Inn, right accross the street. We ate at the famous Pantry a block away. Others ate at the Palms Steakhouse, or the Italian place a block way. No lack of places to eat.

Seminar rooms were upstairs and very roomy.

Many vendors I talked to were much happier here, and plan to return next year.

[Vince B]

Hey, Ron, I am into photography. Did you buy a new one recently as was bagged on Big Nation? What did you get? I have my eye on the new Nikon D300 which should be a great all rounder. I use a Canon G9 for most of my snapshots.

[timfogarty]

Overall, everyone was pretty happy with the new location, and it looks like it will be staying here arond the same time next year. The expo hall was big enough, and was actually full many times of the day.

the expo was probably a financial success because of the MA and MMA people.  then there was the power lifting stuff.  bodybuilding and bodybuilders were almost an afterthought.

Hotel was ok, we stayed at the closest one, the Holiday Inn, right accross the street.

don't you live in the valley?