2013
At the recent Fall Board Meeting, the Officers and Directors voted unanimously to change the format of the National Week, beginning with the 2013 show. There was much discussion on the issues of cost, locations, attendance, judging schedule and events during the week. All were in agreement that the schedule for the National required honing to make it more enjoyable and workable venue. Further information will be provided soon by National Show Planner, Al Bianchi so that everyone planning on being "Totemly Cool" in Albany can schedule their travel accordingly; look for the 2013 National page on the A.S.S.A. website shortly!
2015
"The American Shetland Sheepdog Association is excited to re-affirm the Fredericksburg (VA) Expo Center as the site for the 2015 National Specialty. The facility includes an 80,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall, 11 meeting rooms and adjacent hotels including the Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites. Additional hotels that accept dogs are within a very short drive to the expo, as well as Frederickburg's finest eateries. The Fredericksburg Region is so rich in history and is conveniently located just 50 miles south of Washington D.C. with airline service from Dulles, Washington Regan International, and Richmond, VA.
"The A.S.S.A. has been faced with a difficult decision regarding the cost of the facility and related production costs of the 2015 show versus other venues in the Eastern Region. The original budget for this site projected a $20,000 loss for the A.S.S.A.! After additional negotiations with the Expo Center, the A.S.S.A. was able to narrow, but not eliminate the loss, based upon its original plans for division of costs and expenses with the local club. Nevertheless, because of its central location within the Eastern Region and other environmental factors, the A.S.S.A. wished to retain the Fredericksburg site; but the only way to do so, while responsibly dealing with its budgetary concerns, was for the ASSA to produce its own 2015 National Specialty. Thus, the A.S.S.A. made a new offer to the local club, which the A.S.S.A. believed would have allowed both the local club and the A.S.S.A. to be financially successful. Unfortunately, the A.S.S.A. and the local club failed to agree upon a division of costs and income, and the A.S.S.A. elected to move forward at the Fredericksburg site, with a 2015 National Specialty produced by the A.S.S.A.
The A.S.S.A. would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Blue Ridge SSC, Central VA SSC and Greater Baltimore SSC for all of their efforts in connection with the 2015 National Specialty.
As with the National Specialties in 2013 in Albany, Oregon, and 2014 at Purina Farms, Missouri, the ASSA looks forward to the participation of Regional Clubs for the 2015 National Specialty. The A.S.S.A. hopes that you will mark your calendars and join us all at these National Specialties!"
