Original Story URL:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=425894
Posted on 05/22/2006 2:53:04 PM PDT by kerryusama04
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As the National Rifle Association's 135th annual meeting came to a close Sunday, attendees and organizers called the event a major success.
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Early estimates indicated attendance either met or exceeded the 60,000 people the association anticipated, said NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam, although official attendance figures won't be available until later this week.
"The convention center folks and the hotel folks were absolutely incredible to deal with," said Arulanandam, adding that he heard "very positive" feedback from members throughout the meeting.
In fact, as the convention came to a close at 5 p.m. Sunday, attendees said Milwaukee hit the bull's-eye when it came to hospitality.
"It was very pleasant. Everyone was good to us," said Michigander Dave Gloss, who took the Lake Express ferry over from Muskegon along with his friend Al Lofgren.
Both men attend the national meeting annually and said Milwaukee stacked up nicely against other host cities.
Besides some minor hassles navigating the Marquette Interchange construction on their way downtown from their hotel near Mitchell International Airport, the two said their stay was nothing but enjoyable.
"Next year we're in St. Louis, and I hope we have as good a time there," Lofgren said.
Sitting inside the lobby of the Midwest Airlines Center late Sunday, Toni Alberty of Atlanta and Orlene Biggert of Loveland, Okla., said they, too, had no complaints - almost.
"It was really nice here," Alberty said. "I just have one complaint. Everyone was talking about how nice the weather was, but we could have used some warm weather."
Attendance was good for vendors, said Barry Wensel, who came to the meeting to promote his bowhunting video "Primal Dreams."
"It was a very good crowd. . . . We did very well," said Wensel, who stayed with his son in Milwaukee while visiting from southeast Iowa.
"Very nice facilities, very nice people," Wensel said.
First-time attendee Mary Mueller of Tichigan said she wished the meeting were in Milwaukee next year.
"I'd come back again . . . ," Mueller said. "This was one of the most well-done gun shows I have ever seen."
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ping
NRA Milwaukee conference PING....
"'...very nice people,' Wensel said."
"We Knew That" PING! :)
LOL! Yes, people up here are very nice, I'm finding out.
What a conundrum for the libs--great tourist dollars but it was a "gun" show!
"What a conundrum for the libs--great tourist dollars but it was a 'gun' show!"
They've sold their souls for less dollars in the past. ;)
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