As part of its 2014 centennial celebration, the ARRL has designated six major ham radio gatherings as “Regional ARRL Centennial Events.” The action was approved October 5 when the ARRL Executive Committee met in Colorado. ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen developed a proposal for the concept as a way to, in effect, take the ARRL Centennial celebration to more radio amateurs across the US.

“While ARRL has planned a premier national-level Centennial Convention for 2014 in Connecticut, organizing some regional events will encourage greater awareness for the anniversary and greater participation by members, for whom traveling to New England will be too far, too costly, or otherwise not practical,” Inderbitzen suggested in his proposal to the EC.

The centerpiece of the League’s centennial is the 2014 ARRL National Centennial Convention in Hartford, Connecticut, July 17-19. EC members approved six Regional Centennial Events to complement the National Convention.

Orlando Hamcation® — Orlando, Florida, February 7-9, 2014

Dayton Hamvention® — Dayton, Ohio, May 16-18, 2014

SEA-PAC — Seaside, Oregon, June 6-8, 2014

Ham-Com — Plano, Texas, June 13-14, 2014

Huntsville Hamfest — Huntsville, Alabama, August 16-17, 2014

Pacificon — Santa Clara, California, October 10-12, 2014

In addition to encouraging greater awareness of the ARRL’s 100th anniversary celebration, sanctioning the regional centennial events is aimed at enhancing the all-volunteer ARRL Field Organization, generating greater interest in League membership, program, services and publications, and helping to promote the ARRL’sSecond Century Campaign.