The Atlanta Forum <> An Open Letter to the Industry
 

An Open Letter to our entire industry?.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this open letter to our industry announcing the postponement of the 2009 Atlanta Forum. This was a very tough decision, but one that I felt is the SMARTEST decision considering NationalNet?s immediate priorities ? as they say, sometimes we must pick our battles.

There were several factors that had to be considered the largest of which is my need to be involved in my core business, which is and always has been NationalNet. If I were to devote the time it takes to put on a quality show then I would be taking time away from my company when we are just about to be finished with the largest upgrade in our almost 15 year history (full story here ).

In addition, with sponsorship money increasingly tight, I did not want to put the industry people who understand the importance of attending and/or sponsoring our show in a position to choose between spending their hard earned money on the forum or on some other component of their business that might possibly give them a more immediate return on investment. I owe the people of this industry more than that.

My personal apologies to those that have already agreed to sponsor and/or attend the forum - each of you will be contacted and will have your sponsorship money and/or your hotel deposits reimbursed to you immediately.

As anyone who knows me will tell you, if I cannot put forth the effort that is necessary to make The Atlanta Forum another resounding success, then I would rather just postpone it, refund everyone?s money, and wait until I can do it the way I know that will provide the sponsors and attendees with the quality that they have come to expect. I will use this as a challenge to build an even bigger and better show when I have the time to dedicate myself to it the way that this industry deserves.

Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to coming to you with more information about the next Atlanta Forum.

Warmest Regards,
Tony Morgan
The Atlanta Forum, LLC

Great post Tony, and I'm sure everyone will fully understand.

Doing better business is what matters most. Hope the upgrade is going well.

And it's almost fantasy time =)

oh, that sucks, but understood.

Can you let the people in Blue Ridge know I won't be there then?

TIA

There is always next year. :)

Good decission, so many times we let yourselves get pulled away from our core business and it suffers. Everything else should be second to what pays the bills and makes you money. I am sure everyone will understand.

:( It was the only show I was planning to attend this year...

Thanks, Rob! Yes, it is almost here!! I am getting excited already ;)


Absolutely...and you have an open invitation for another time on me.

Exactly!

My thoughts exactly, Will! Thanks!


Sorry about that X, but I may have something for you a little later in the year that will make up for it. I am considering having an "Open House" maybe in November to show off the new Data Center to some invited guests. Maybe we will catch a football game, too. I will let you know when we start thinking about that and maybe you can join us for that.


--T

I'll take care of that on Monday. I'll speak for Tony here and say... anytime you are in this area let me know and we'll set this up again.

Kathi

I can personally imagine the dilemma you were in, wanting to do something, trying to make it work in your head and move things around, what ever you could do to try to make it all work, and then finally coming to realization you can't do everything. I've been in that situation more times than I like. Trying to do too much at once, it sucks.

sucks, was really looking forward to the show, next year :)

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo


:(:(:(:(:(

that sucks, but its understandable.

Good post Tony, take care.

this sucks i picked up a hotel room a month ago and a flight allready :(

guess will be hitting up the hotel and airline monday to see if i can get a refund :(

Bummer . . . . That was going to be my warm up to the Falcons v. Fins game

Nice post T! Totally understand. Had a blast last year and look forward to attending next year. Hope all goes well with the upgrade! :)

Hit me up on Monday and I will make sure that your charges are taken care of....dont worry, I will not let you lose out.

--T

I need a short vacation anyways if i cant get it canceled i will just come to atlanta for a few days for some r&r and come visit the datacenter to take a look how its looking :)

Congrats on the major move Tony! Although I was looking forward to the Atlanta Forum, I support your decision and look forward to next year!

That sucks, move it to Charlotte!

100% understandable!

Don't feel no guilt over it, your business comes first. We were going to come, but we can come anytime :-)

xoxo
SweetT
Kathi, Bill and the NatNet crew.

Sorrry to hear about the show being postponed T, I know how much you wanted it to work. Your decision is totally understandable, in light of being totally immersed in the opening of the data centre. All the best with opening a world class facility:thumbsup:thumbsup

I loved the show last year, but I always love hanging out with the NatNet Crew anywhere and anytime. We've already felt the perforrmance improvements from the new datacenter, you are obviously focusing your efforts in the right place.

Steve Lightspeed

Sorry to hear about the show being postponed... hopefully next year.

Tony- I was very sorry to hear this. You should not feel bad at all about the decision, in these times you really do need to focus on your core businness to maximize all revenue streams. I'll see you at 2:00

I think the Atlanta Forum will be back - and even better eventually.

net bump

ahh, that sucks :( I thought and expected to have my first show attendance right in Atlanta... but hopefully it'll be next year ;)

I called the hotel. They automatically canceled the reservations when the contract was canceled. So that part is taken care of.

Same here.


:thumbsup

Think he usually stayed at a hotel diff than the main hotel if I recall, so that won't help him in that regard.

Next year then..

That's a tough call to make but much respect to you for making it. I've never known you to half ass anything so the delay only shows your dedication to another outstanding event.

Gongrats on the upgrade and good luck with the future of both NatNet and The Atlanta Forum.