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Sword Swallowers Association Int'l If you are a sword swallower, you NEED to be there!1). What is SSAI? Our name says it all: Sword Swallowers - SSAI is a private organization made up OF sword swallowers, BY sword swallowers, and FOR sword swallowers only. SSAI was specifically set up to serve established sword swallowers, and not necesarily for training new sword swallowers. 2). Why should I belong to SSAI? SSAI has been developed to serve and support sword swallowers worldwide to help members…
3). I am an already established sword swallower, and already know many of the other sword swallowers. What do I get out of SSAI that I don't already have? What will SSAI do for ME?
For more information, go to www.swordswallow.com/membership.php 4). What will it cost me to join SSAI? $25/year *SSAI is not designed or intended to be a revenue-generating organization. However, there are significant costs associated with establishing and running the organization, as well as providing membership benefits. The recommended donation is used to help offset a small portion of the fees that SSAI incurs.
5). What do I get for my membership fee?
6). What can I do to help SSAI?
7). What is the SSAI Sword Swallowers Convention? It is a chance
for sword swallowers to meet, network and perform with each other as
well as other sideshow performers.
For more information, go to:
http://www.inkinthevalley.com/information.htm
http://www.sideshowgathering.com
8). When will the Conventions be held? September 1 through September 5, 2005 9). Where will the Conventions be held? Ramada Plaza Hotel on Public Square
http://reservations.lodging.com/servlet/PropertyInformation/RA_00715/ink When booking flight reservations, look for 10). How much are room rates? The Ramada Plaza Hotel has 174 rooms, with prices from $80-$89 per room, but they are going fast. Register soon to get a room. Tel: (570) 824-7100 (make sure to mention that you are a sword swallower with the SideShow Gathering) http://reservations.lodging.com/servlet/PropertyInformation/RA_00715/ink Other nearby reservations: If you are interested in cutting costs, we will be glad to help coordinate sharing rooms with other sword swallowers. Please contact us if you are interested in sharing a room with another sword swallower, and we will be glad to help hook you up. 11). Who will be attending? A wide variety of sideshow veterans, performers, historians and showmen. In attendance in past years' conventions were: Ward Hall
12). Do I need to be a member of SSAI to attend the Convention? No. The Sideshow Convention is open to the general public and anyone interested in sideshows and tattoos. There are expected to be at least 3000-4000 in attendance and the combined convention ticket cost of admission for the weekend is $25/person. 13). When will the SSAI "Big Swallow" Mass World Record Attempt take place? On Friday, September 2, 2005, SSAI will be attempting to break TWO World's Records:
Most Sword Swallowers Swallowing Swords at OnceandMost Swords Swallowed at Once by Multiple Sword SwallowersAt our 2002 "Big Swallow" 19 sword swallowers assembled from around the world to simultaneously swallow a total of 50 swords at the same time, which has since been certified as a Guinness World Record! Never before had this many sword swallowers performed together on this grand of a scale, and this year, we are attempting to break both records this year! Watch video of Sword Swallowing Convention 2002 This year we are expecting at least 20 sword swallowers hopefully swallowing a total of 50+ swords at the same time to set the new world's record! The major media will not be able to resist this colorful and unprecedented historical event. Each SSAI member who participates will be given a certificate of verification and recognition after the records are set and the performance is verified. This is the chance of a lifetime to get your name in the record books as well as add this to your resume to boost your credentials, publicity and booking rates. You don't want to miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime! 14). Do I need to be a member of SSAI to take part in the SSAI "Big Swallow" World Record Attempt? Yes. This is an SSAI sponsored event set up by SSAI for SSAI members. To be included in the "Big Swallow" you will need to be registered as a paid SSAI member. 15). What are the requirements for taking part in the the SSAI "Big Swallow" World Record Attempt? In order to qualify to be eligible to take place in the SSAI World Record Attempt Mass Swallow, you must first be a verified sword swallower and registered member of SSAI, and must comply with SSAI sword swallowing regulations. SSAI regulations require that all SSAI member sword swallowers must comply with the following requirements:
* The length of the average adult esophagus ranges from 12 to 15 inches (30.5 to 38.1 cm) in length. In order to qualify to become an approved member of SSAI, the required blade length to be swallowed must be from 15 to 20 inches (38.1 to 50.8 cm) in length. Due to the dangers involved in sword swallowing, SSAI does NOT encourage sword swallowers to attempt to swallow blades longer than 20-24 inches (50 to 61 cm) in length. ** Accepted standard blade width runs from 1/2 to 1 inch in width. *** Due to the extreme danger and increased risk of injury while swallowing multiple swords (sometimes known as a "sword sandwich") and the amount of time that other sword swallowers would be required to retain their swords, SSAI does NOT encourage sword swallowers to swallow multiple swords individually one at a time, particularly due to the increased risks of scissoring and perforation of the esophagus. 16). What other events are scheduled for the convention? There are several sword swallowers slated to perform throughout the weekend, as well as other sideshow performers in other slots. Those SSAI members who perform on stage will be comped their admission fee for the weekend. Please contact us if you are willing to help us out by performing or speaking on our panel. Yes! SSAI will be giving away door prizes to SSAI members in attendance. We are looking for additional donations for door prizes to give away to other SSAI members, so if you have your own book, video, T-shirt, promo photos, old swords, or other items that sword swallowers would like, please contact us about donating them as an SSAI doorprize. Please also feel free to bring any books, videos, photos, swords or other products you might have for sale to the general public or even to swap with other sword swallowers. You are invited to use the SSAI booth for signing autographs and promoting yourself and your products. 18). What media is scheduled to be there? In past years we have had major media such as CNN (CNN video clip of 2002 convention), Shocked and Amazed TV, The Discovery Channel, and others from around the world attend. We are also targeting major media such as CNN, NPR, E!TV, ET Entertainment Tonight, Fox, Billboard, Amusement Business, National Enquirer, Guiness World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Esquire, NY Post, local radio, and TV and cable TV stations.
If you have any other media connections or suggestions for media coverage, please 18). How will attending this Convention benefit ME?
As a reminder, please let us know if you are
Make sure you subscribe to become an SSAI member before the convention!
For Media Inquiries, please contact mediainquiry@swordswallow.org |
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