The 2021 Fastlane Summit - Announcement

[MJ DeMarco]

Fastlaners,

It is with great sadness that I am announcing that the 2021 Summit will not be held this year, at least at the regularly scheduled time (which is about the 2nd week in February).

Unfortunately with C0VlD-19 and the election looming, the risk for me at holding this event has essentially gone nuclear. There are still many big C0VlD-19 uncertainties ongoing which make planning this event (and hoping for the best) a bad bet. Usually, tickets are sold at the end of October. The planning would normally start now. But I can’t plan for it because I can’t forecast the future with respect to how CV19 things might unfold.

First, last year I got extremely lucky. Last year’s event took place about 3 weeks before CV19 hit and was declared an emergency. Had this occurred weeks before and during our event, I would have lost TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars. Yes, tens of thousands of dollars. But we got it done, and then CV19 hit, canceling events worldwide. Whew!

Second, many people who attend this event are from outside of the US. If these places enable lock-downs or other travel restrictions, it could spell a lot of no shows, requests for refunds, and overall, a big headache. Adminstration is already a shit-show, the added effect of possible drama with respect to travel/economy adds another level.

Third, much of the world is feeling economic pain because of the shutdown. This (probably) would put a strain on ticket demand.

Fourth, we have a presidential candidate who, if elected, will not hesitate to lock down the entire country again should his handlers find it politically expedient. We have a candidate who appears to want to usher in a “new normal”, complete with mask mandates and I’m sure, a whole bunch of other authoritarian bullshit. Sorry, but I can’t wait for November 3rd or a week after to determine if I can operate within this “new normal”, or if things will try to get back to normal. This is not an environment for making decisions, especially when this decision needed to be made a few weeks ago.

While I believe CV19 is overblown, I’m not someone who is governed by fear. I can’t speak for the rest of the world, much less the country which seems to be perfectly OK with more lockdowns, more draconian mask orders, and more bullshit. Even if the CV19 fears dissipate (which would be a best-case scenario) I cannot reasonably expect a normal interest in tickets for the event — nor can I stop authoritarians around the world and statewide from disseminating more fear porn and imposing more travel restrictions, all of course on account of “public safety”.

This event, without a lingering pandemic, is risky by itself. But throw in all the crap that has happened in 2020 (and a populous seemingly OK with it) I can’t start making $60,000 bets and “hope” for things to turn out all sunshine and rainbows.

I’m hoping next year will offer significantly more clarity, where there is NO risk of further lock-downs, there is NO risk of travel restrictions, and NO risk of having the event suddenly canceled because 12 positives were detected in the county. My governor here in Arizona (as well as local governments) have shown themselves to be over-reactive and over-stepping in their authority. Again, not an environment to be making big decisions.

This is an announcement — not a discussion.

Last time I canceled this event, the reception was, shall we say, a bit disheartening and I’m not about to endure it again -- especially since I bear the financial risks.

Sorry for the news but I think anyone who possesses financial logic knew this would be the case.

Thank you.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

O tii vjev vjisi esi nusi mudlfuxpt op Iasuqi epf vji gies-qusp ot senqoph aq updi eheop.

Xjip O nefi vjot qutv O xetp'v tasi og O nefi vji sohjv fidotoup -- pux O siemobif O FOF.