District Director's Report
November 2005 ( Rich DeMartino)

Denver NABC

The Denver NABC, the first held there in 27 years, took place at the spacious Adams Mark Hotel. The attendance was 10,142 tables, which is very close to pre-tournament expectations.

I thought Denver was a great site for an NABC. All of the playing space was in the hotel on one floor, easily accessible from the elevators and escalators. Playing conditions were excellent. A unique feature of the site is that right outside the Adams Mark is the 16th Street Mall. Players could either walk to a variety of nearby shops and restaurants or take one of the free shuttle busses which operated continuously throughout the day.

The only problem I observed was that some of the restaurants appeared to be unaware of and unprepared for the large crowds that would be eating out each night. As a result, some restaurants were occasionally either understaffed or short on food selections. But generally, most of the players were quite happy with the fine choice of excellent, easily accessible, eating places. There were not as many District 25 players as usual at this NABC but I believe most who attended had a great time.

Top Ten Finishers – Denver NABC

OPEN BAM TEAMS

SENIOR KO TEAMS

MINI-BLUE RIBBON PAIRS

Reisinger BAM TEAMS

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACBL BOARD MEETING

CEO Report

CEO Jay Baum reported that membership has remained essentially flat for 2005, a not very impressive result. Participation at the club level of the North American pairs was, for the second consecutive year, very good. The table count of 40,722 is the highest in the past 12 years and represents an increase of 46% over the 27,822 tables which participated in 2003. It appears that the reduction in table fees implemented last year is having the desired effect.

Jay also reported on the Bridgemate scoring system used at the World Championships. Players enter the board number, contract, declarer and result on a 25 button keypad at the table. After verification by an opponent, the result is transmitted electronically to a central receiver. This system has great potential as it eliminates errors, the need for caddies to pick up scoring slips and the need for scores to be entered by the directors. ACBL management will determine the feasibility of using these scoring devices at our tournaments. Obviously, cost will be a factor.

Projected 2005 Financial Results and 2006 Budget

For calendar year 2005, the Finance Committee recommended and the Board approved a budget with a projected loss of $350,000. Management believes that actual 2005 results will be very close to that number.

For 2006, the BOD is budgeting for a $67,400 excess of revenues over expenses. Following are the fee changes approved.

• Tournament Director's Fees will be raised 7%. There will be no change in sanction fees for Sectionals and Regionals.
• STAC sanction fees will be raised from $2.42 to $3.04 to bring these fees in line with regular Sectionals.
• NABC entry fees will be increased by $1.50 per session. This is the second year in a row that NABC fees are being changed but I believe this change is justified. Only 14% of our players participate in NABCs and if we don't raise NABC fees as needed, the other 86% of the players will have to pay increased fees somewhere else to compensate.
• Club rating point game fees will be raised from $.65 per table to $.74 per table. This is the first fee change for club games in many years.

Future NABC's

The Board voted to hold the 2012 Spring NABC in Memphis, TN and the 2012 Fall NABC in San Francisco. The Board also rejected Montreal as a site for the Fall 2013 NABC primarily because the room rates quoted were very high. I voted for Montreal and San Francisco but voted against Memphis because I believe that city is simply not a good place to play despite the fact that ACBL Headquarters is located there. Memphis passed 17-8.

Residency for NAP/GNT Events

I am delighted with this result. Although these actions may make it more difficult for some who had valid reasons for an exception, I am convinced these steps are necessary to eliminate most of the abuses that are occurring presently, especially in the GNTs. These new guidelines will be in effect for the 2006 NAP and 2007 GNT.

Conditions of Contest (NABC KOs)

The 0-1500 Mini-Spingold was changed so that event will last no longer than 5 days. The Field will be reduced to no more than 16 teams on the first day which will result in some of the first day matches being 32 boards instead of 64 boards. This change was made because the Board was advised that the majority of those who play in this event felt that the event is too long.

ACBL Goodwill Committee & ACBL Charity Committee Appointments

It gives me great pleasure to announce the following appointments to the ACBL National Goodwill Committee. Members selected to the Goodwill Committee(lifetime appointments) are those who consistently behave in an exemplary manner and spread good will among both partners and opponents.

Horace Gower, ME

Geoff Phipps, NH

Susan Seckinger, CT

This year I received no nominations for the National Charity Committee.

2006 ACBL President

Harriette Buckman (District 13) will be ACBL President for 2006 (Harriette was elected in July). I am very optimistic that 2006 will be a great year for the ACBL and the BOD under Harriette's leadership.