Now you are seeing some of the factors in planning a convention.
If SAAC does on it's own, they look at:
Track rental costs (everything)
Nearby Hotels large enough with banquet facilities
Population of SAAC members in regional area
Have they been in that region recently?
Locations for car shows
Feasability
The last many years, SAAC has partnered with various groups, so they become enslaved to a pre-determined site, dates, room.
Future partners will have a major bearing and impact on convention location.
And, an opinion by myself, will SAAC's board of directors ever want to try again on their own? I know the board wants to use a marquee/famous facility to get exposure, but many of us just flat do not care. A great convention can be put together at a reduced cost by using a non-major facility. Regardless, as you can see from the link, renting a track is a MAJOR cost.
So, find a great area with a killer hotel, and only rent the track for a day or two. Make the hotel the focal point. Do other things on other days?
Just some food for thought...
Dan