I’ve come to the decision that I will NOT be attending Copia next year. I haven’t found the old thread so I’m starting a new one. I have NOT made any arrangements with the Holiday Inn Express for next year. Everyone seemed to appreciate the arrangements that were made last March.  8-) 8-)
So, with plenty of time, I’m passing the baton to whoever is willing to make arrangements for QuietJourney for March 13-15, 2026. I will be happy to email contact info to whoever will take responsibility.  8-)

I too will not be attending. Plan to be in the SW at that time. Who would have thunk it?

I know it’s still early but maybe no one is planning on a Copia gathering next year? This isn’t something that can be thrown together last minute. Last year all the hotels close to the Alliant Energy Center sold out. 8-)

Hello, all--

I'm not sure if word has gotten out beyond Madison, but Darren is closing Rutabaga by the end of 2025.

He'll keep running Canoecopia, but he's getting out of retail to pursue a new career in hospice chaplaincy.

Not sure what the long-term impact on the Copia will be, but it is interesting news.

He said he needs to get rid of inventory, so I'll head over soon to see what kind of deals he has going.

It's kind of sad to lose our best retail outlet for paddle sports here in Madison.

Here's an article from Paddling Magazine:

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ml

I just read that earlier today. Shame. Stepping stones I guess...

I saw a similar thing happen a few years ago when Midwest Mountaineering closed in Minneapolis. They ran Spring and Fall Outdoor Adventure Expos with speakers and exhibitors similar to Copia. They were never on the same scale as Copia. When they closed, the owner made a similar pledge to keep the Expos. I think they had a Spring Expo, then announced it wasn’t viable to keep it going. Basically, without the retail store, it didn’t make financial sense to continue. I enjoyed speaking at their Expos also. I’m not doubting that they will have a Copia next year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it may be the last. It’s a huge financial commitment to run the show. I have decided to not apply to be a speaker next year. 8-)

I am not trying to discourage anyone from making Copia plans. By all means plan to attend Copia. Who knows? I may decide closer to time to take it in. I’m just not willing to do the advance work. 8-)

I was thinking I might skip this year but considering it could be the last or maybe winding down, I think I'll try to go.

If they hold it, I'll go.

Well, made my reservations yesterday. I'm at the Home suites, using Hilton points from years of business travel.  I see the hotell attached to the center is now a Hilton Spark. Maybe another year.

Kevin Callan not doing US shows.

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Huh...can't say I blame him. Maybe if he does a show in Winnepeg, I'll head up there. There's a couple of good Asian restaurants  i still want to check out up there.

HighnDry wrote on Dec 4^th, 2025 at 9:10pm:

Huh...can't say I blame him. Maybe if he does a show in Winnepeg, I'll head up there.

Ditto.

I'm just glad they continue to allow us to cross the border.

Jimbo  8-)

I am planning to be there.  Haven't looked at hotels yet but probably going with same as last year - the group QJ hotel. Anyone been willing to reach out to the hotel yet?

pd

We will not be going to Canoecopia this year.  It is just too complicated with Spartan1's dialysis 3X a week, and on top of that, now I have issues with pressure on my optic nerve and am being tested to rule out a brain tumor.  Travel this winter and spring aren't "planned", just a little jaunt if we are able and if we can make our schedules work. 

However, I might have decided to skip 'Copia' anyway, as one of my favorite presenters is Kevin Callan.  To go to the Aluminum Chef Competition and not see Kevin as MC just would seem wrong.  I don't think we ever missed a presentation by Kevin, and don't remember one that wasn't inspiring, entertaining, and encouraging.

The years go by, situations change, and we need to cherish the memories. 

Yes, they do SP2!  You're spot on.  Sorry that leads to you guys missing the event.  All the best to you both with those challenges.

pd

I will NOT be attending Copia this year. My wife and 3 daughters have arranged a family vacation in Florida the week of Copia.

Bummer ... I really enjoy Copia and have only missed once since it began.

Like OLD SALT said in a previous post, he is not planning to attend this year and someone better make an arrangement with the Holiday Inn across form the EXPO CENTER as soon as possible to get a block of rooms and a the large room reserved.

"cherish the memories" Yup!

This group was at Sheraton last year, correct? It's now a Marriott according to canoecopia site.  Or sorry, was it a holiday inn? Hard that they keep switching.

Bill, the QJ group was at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites on John Nolen Dr. just across the street from the Energy Center/Copia.  So far no one has stepped up to make any arrangements with the hotel for the QJ group.  I'm planning on staying there again but have not made any reservations yet.

pd

Yes, I realized you drive into and right by Marriott nee Sheraton to get to Holiday Inn.

Ok. I called. They're going to get back to me. I tentatively asked for a block of 10 rooms, mostly 2 queen beds...because we all seem to be into "sharing"
Show of hands at this point for anyone interested. Happy Holidays too 😀 :)

(raising hand....) I'm in and thanks for taking up the mantel!  I'll probably split a room with Magic.  Would they give us a meeting room again?  I don't know if it would help to drop Old Salt's name with the manager - or not?   ;D  Hopefully there will be enough of us to use a meeting room! 

pd

Ill probably call them this week to see what they have and how much...and if there is a minimum number of rooms for a discount, etc.

HND - any news from the hotel?  Hotels.com shows $275/night, 2 queens.  The one over in Middleton is $123/night.  The old Country Inn & Suites is $135/night and the AmericInn $110/night - Menona.

pd

Stew,

They called me back when I was driving out east for the holidays and I never was able to get back to them. I put in a call to them (The Holiday Inn folks) and I'm waiting for them to get back to me.

I did get in touch with the Country Inn (our old hangout). Here's what I could set up:

Block of 10 rooms.
Rate is $129.
Most rooms will be 2 queens (as in beds) and maybe a king or two in other rooms. Everyone can choose what they want when they book --- as same price for either option.
Meeting room is open each night. 100 bucks for each of night. 200 total for Friday and Saturday.

There's no contract to sign or financial obligation if we accept this deal and say, aren't able to fill all 10 rooms. We would, I imaging, still have to pay the 200 for the meeting room, but that's generally less than our beer budget--- so no problems there either! ;D

Curve ball: I may have to miss this Copia because my wife and I are traveling to the UK, possibly as early as March 10th....which means I'll pass the baton to whomever would like to be nominally "in charge".

Country Inn (Aaron was who I spoke with) said it's not a problem. Anyway can talk to the hotel just to confirm that the rooms are available or get the key for the meeting room, etc.

Cutoff date for reservations is MARCH 1st....but if someone forgets or their plans change at the last minute and they can make it, they just have to call up the hotel and the hotel can squeeze them in at the same rate.

We'd be under the QUIETJOURNEY name again.

He's (Aaron) sending me a link that one can click to book or just call them and give them the group name.
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I'll wait to see what HOLIDAY INN gets back to me with but the Country Inn looks like a good deal so far.

Address:
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Holiday Inn (Amy) got back to me.

$129/$134 per night for same number of Double Queen and King rooms as last year.  However, some were able to book online straitaway for 129 and get 2 double queen beds so go figure. They were talking about increasing the price for next year? I have no idea what that will look like, but Amy mentioned it.

Block of 10 rooms under the QUIETJOURNEY namesake.

No penalty if we book less, say "8" instead of 10. We had 11 last year.

Meeting room is slightly less for 75 per night or 150 for both nights.

Cutoff date however is February 13th.

So, what does everyone want to do? Opinions (helpful ones) please.  :D

Terry, you are talking the Holiday Inn Express 610 John Nolen Dr. right?  $134 seems a far cry from $275 on hotels.com!!!!  I think we all preferred the HIE over the Country Inn & Suites - closer, nicer, better breakfast - for basically the same cost and cheaper meeting room that we could leave our coolers and stuff in -yeah, let's do that for sure!  If you will book that with Amy, I will volunteer to be your alternate if you need to miss Copia.

pd

Yes, the Holiday Inn on Nolen Dr. 134 for the 2 beds and129 for the king.

I've reserved a room for Magic Paddler and myself.  HND did not reserve a meeting room due to what seems to be a low turnout.  Who else is actually going and who is staying at the Holiday Inn?

pd

Deadline to make reservations is Feb 10th per the Holiday Inn. just an FYI.

Attendance is looking pretty thin.....the QJ crew ain't representing.  :(

I think Bill C is going but he made separate arrangements. Also, I think Quentin was going to make a reservation but I dont know if he has made one yet.

Yes, using my hotel points from 40 years of business travel.

When is it? I had heard this could be the last.

Will MuleLars be involved?

It's March 13-15th.  Haven't heard from MuleLars yet.  It would be great to see him.  There haven't been any 'group' activities set up yet.  We could probably hang out in part of the lobby as a small group.  Dinner might be a group going out together thing.

Darren Bush (the 'other' db...) is not closing Rutabaga, so there is that hope it will continue.  He also said when he WAS closing the shop - that CC would continue.  He owns CC, so it could continue as a separate business.  ???  TBD I guess.

pd

It's been, what, 10 years since I had that medical emergency...  He may have some name tags left.

Deadline for making a hotel reservation is coming up. Just a gentle reminder. Im also.officially a 'maybe'  I'll know in the next day or two.

Hello, All!

Sorry I've been late to the party.

I will be around and would love to gather Friday night and/or Saturday.

Let me know what your thoughts are. If we don't want to book the conference room, there are plenty of watering holes in the area where we could connect, depending on the numbers.

Hope all is well with everyone!
ml

ML - good to hear from you. I think you can count MP and me in on a gathering.  Looks like there might be a short handful of folks?  I think with this small of a crowd, the conference room would be more $ than we'd want to spend.

The 'other' canoe forum that's not so Quiet - hasn't announced a 'dinner', which has been Saturday night in the past - but watching for it.  I think Friday night for sure.  Happy to visit one of your fav watering holes, providing they have some good chow and not terribly far from the AEC.

pd

My plans changed. Ill be attending. We can pitch a Wang dang doodle....as usual.

HND - great, so where are we doodling?  I'm assuming this would be Friday night, as the 'other paddling group' has announced a dinner for Saturday, as forecast.

Looks like ML, MP, you, me - who else?  BillConner is going, arnesr and son will probably be in the neighborhood.  Let's get some definitive plans brewing so folks can chime in with requests and make arrangements/plans.

pd

Amy at the hotel told me that we could always use the lobby to gather if we wanted. However, I'd defer to Mulelars for restaurant recommendations. There must be a couple of good sports bar/restaurants around... Breakwaters?

What # are you calling for the Holiday Inn?

Hello again!

There's a good place not too far away that might work:

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They have a pretty varied menu and good fish on Fridays, if that's your thing.

They also take reservations, which is pretty necessary on a Friday evening. Parking isn't great, so we may want to meet up at the Holiday Inn and ride together, depending on how many we have.

Let us know who's in for Friday, and I'll make the arrangements.

(I just saw the 'other' Saturday night plan. It's been a bit since I was in that place. Hmmm)

Looking forward to connecting again!
ml

Addendum-

It just occurred to me that the Breakwater is also a good choice.

I guess I assumed BWCA would be there Saturday night like last year.

Since it's not, that's also an excellent possibility.

Express your thoughts!
ml

Martin, the Holiday Inn Express on John Nolen Dr. is 608-709-5050.

Right. I'm currently on the AT and I have limited cellphone service. So I may be a bit slow in responding (and hiking).

My sister Paula is late but when.calling they quoted $299 and kept wanting a link to proceed???

Thats crazy. I just booked at 127 per night about 2 days ago. She should mention QUIETJOURNEY group as Im sure she has. Tell them we worked with Amy to get that rate even though we're beyond the deadline.Hope that works out for her.

I am hoping to make it to Canoecopia for one of the days, but not sure which one yet.  My son cannot make it this year.  Hopefully I will see some of you there.