Information for Big Apple Sporting Society & Garden Specialty Association dogs shows

February 7, 8, 9 & 10, 2008

We look forward to a wonderful show for all exhibitors and spectators.   Here is some important information.   Please feel free to cross post this information on any list or forward it to any interested party.

1.        Entry tickets

Every person MUST have an entry ticket to get in, or they must pay the fee of $10.

For each dog entered, exhibitors will get one ticket.  Junior handlers whose Junior entry is an additional entry on the same dog will receive a ticket for the Junior.

Each ticket will be bar coded.    After the ticket stub is collected and torn it is no longer valid.

Once the exhibitor gives in their ticket, the exhibitor will get a wristband placed on their wrist, which will get them in and out for the day.

Each day a different color wristband will be given for each ticket used. GSA has a different colored ticket each day.  You MUST have a BASS. ticket for entrance on Thursday.   GSA tickets are not accepted.  If you have an English, Gordon or Irish setter entered at the BASS and GSA shows that will be staying in the building overnight, please come to the BASS table next to the Superintendent.

Tickets can be purchased at both the front and rear entrances during the show.  Tickets may also be purchased in advance.    Go to www.gsadogshows.org and click on the link to TicketWeb.    There is a fee attached to tickets bought online.      

Breed and Sweepstakes judges will be SENT tickets from Rau Dog shows to the address listed in the judging program for that judge.   If clubs know their judge is NOT going to be home to get the ticket, the show chairman for that club must contact Rau directly with an alternate address or instructions. If your club wants the judge’s ticket to be left at the ticket booth, please speak to Don Snyder and he will facilitate that.   Please make sure your judge knows that they MUST have their ticket to enter the show.

Please help us to make the admission process go smoothly for everyone! It is the judges and exhibitors’ responsibility to have their ticket ready the first time they want to enter the building during show hours. If they do not have their ticket, they must purchase one.

2.        Unloading information: USE REAR ENTRANCE ONLY!

PLEASE NOTE: During show hours you MUST have a ticket to gain entrance to the building, even JUST TO UNLOAD YOUR DOGS.

Dogs MAY be left in the building overnight.

All dogs must be removed from the building on Sunday night.

Foley boys will be on hand to assist with unloading; please follow their directions.

Dogs may be unloaded during the following hours but please read the notice below regarding payment to enter during show hours:

*There will be access to the building on Wednesday evening.   NO ONE may line up to unload on the ramp prior to 5pm.    Our vendors MUST have access to drive in and out from 3pm to 5pm on Wednesday.   Exhibitors may line up on the side of the building but not on the rear entrance ramp.    

                                Wednesday          5pm to 11pm*

Thursday                               7am to 11pm**

Friday                     7am to 11pm**

Saturday                                6am to 11pm**

Sunday                 building opens at 6am*

BUILDING CLOSES EVERY NIGHT AT 11:30PM.

Entry tickets will be required to enter during the following hours:

Thursday                               9am to 4pm; after 4pm you may unload without an entry ticket

Friday                     7am to 4pm; after 4pm you may unload without an entry ticket

Saturday                6am to 5pm; after 5pm on Saturday you may unload without an entry ticket

Sunday                  6am to end of show

3.        Crating area

Please cooperate and help to conserve space.

Every exhibitor must follow the directions of the show committee/Foley boys regarding crating.   Anyone refusing to follow directions will be subject to a bench show hearing.

There are areas within the show that will be designated NO GROOMING TABLE areas for those breeds not requiring tables.  These will be in proximity to the rings for those breeds.

NO soft-sided crates allowed, except on Friday in the obedience and rally area.   Anyone with soft sided crates in the breed areas will be told to remove them by the show committee so please don’t bring them.  

Mats or rugs are not allowed in the crating area. 

CRATES MUST BE STACKED within a reasonable amount of time after arrival and unloading.   Those who do not stack will have crates stacked & consolidated by the show committee.  

No saving of spaces by means of tape/ electric cords/rope/ signs on floor.  If you want to crate together, please arrive together J

No chairs in the grooming area.

4.        Exercise pens

GSA will provide indoor exercise pens.   There will also be space outside for private exercise pens. 

No exercise pens or playpens in the grooming area

5.        Unentered dogs

For Sporting Dogs who were entered in the BASS show on Thursday whose handlers have entries at GSA, GSA will provide a crating area for unentered sporting dogs, which will not be in the regular crating area.   Please see the Show Committee and make arrangements with them to put the unentered Sporting Dogs in this area. 

There will be a fine of $100 per dog per day for unentered dogs crated at GSA. There is NO space for unentered dogs other than Sporting dogs which were exhibited at BASS.  Any puppies under 6 months of age, or any breed of dog that does not have a specialty at this show will NOT be allowed in the building.    

6.        Electricity

Anyone requiring electricity must purchase it as the GSA table.   Cost is $90 for each outlet, which has 2 plugs.

7.        Catalogs

Catalogs will be for sale at the front lobby entrance, at the GSA table, and at the catalog table in the center of the ring area.

Friday catalog only is $8.

Friday/Sat/Sunday catalog combination is $15.

Saturday & Sunday catalog combination is $10.

8. Hotel check-in information—required cell phone contact number

Anyone checking in to a hotel listed on the premium will be required to give the hotel a cell phone number where they can be reached if there are problems with dogs in their room.   Clubs will be required to give the cell phone number of their chairman, or designee from that club, to be contacted in the event of problems with an exhibitor’s room.

9. Bus service from NYC to the show site

There will be bus service from nearby the Hotel Pennsylvania to the show site, and return bus service to Manhattan.   The fare will be $10 each way.  Check signs inside the Hotel Pennsylvania for bus/van stop location.

GSA has hired a bus and a van in order to help the many spectators, exhibitors and handlers who travel from New York City to the show.  Space may be limited and the bus/van will run every 60 to 90 minutes.  NYC traffic is unpredictable! Allow 2 hours for travel, if you miss the bus/van there could be a 60 to 90 minute wait depending on traffic. 

Hours of bus service:

NO Friday bus service

Saturday                7am to 6pm

Sunday                  7am to 6pm