[DeTomaso] Convention ideas

Fri Aug 20 11:30:48 EDT 2010

Somewhat NPC but relevant.

I was a member of the largest local Mustang Club for over 20 years.   
In 1991, our club hosted the International Mustang Meet in Spokane.   
That's a big deal of a show over two or three days, I forget exactly.   
Each club in the International board lobbies for their location by  
presenting what they can set up, usually because they've already done  
the legwork.  The show rotates between the U.S. and Canada each year.   
This happens about two years out.  For example, that same local  
Mustang club just made the announcement earlier this year they would  
be doing the show in Spokane again, in 2011

The show entails a host hotel where a small number of activities take  
place, a car show sometimes on grass, but mostly just in a parking  
lot, one or two driving activities, a banquet, trophies for the car  
show and then everybody goes home.  It typically takes a year of more  
of planning.

It's really just a glorified car show over three days.

The club thought they had some great momentum after they hosted the  
International in 1991, so they decided to do their own version the  
very next year.  They cut down the number of days and activities and  
didn't expect other member International clubs to attend in high  
numbers.  It turned out to be just an expensive car show for the same  
people that always went to local shows.  The next year, the club  
members got burned out from trying to run everything with so little  
participation and quit.

After that, the club tried each year to get something started but  
could never get any consistency to it.  Finally, 10 years ago, I  
chaired a new car show committee and we stuck to the -basics-.  A  
single day car "show," nothing more.

We found a suburb with a nice park willing to let us have the show on  
the grass.  We invited the Camaro club to do food vending (they vend  
for almost all the car shows now).  We stoked a large amount of  
classes, posted flyers at other car shows, and advertised in the local  
paper.  Although my participation has ceased, that -same- car show is  
going strong 10 years later.  In fact Sam and I took the Pantera to it  
this year and old members who know me commented on how cool it was  
that 10 years later they have the same great show.

Yea, I take a long time to make a point.....

It takes a lot of work to do something "big" and even if you do,  
you'll most likely only get the same die-hard crowd that comes to  
normal meetings and shows.  It's like Julian is pointing out.  If you  
hold it in my town, it won't necessarily bring out anymore locals than  
any normal car show.  In fact, hotel attendance might actually be  
-down- because the local members will simply stay at home and drive to  
the events each day.

What doing it in a place like San Diego gives you, is a "larger"  
collection of members who may be able to put something together.  Same  
as what the Reno-Tahoe folks were doing.  To go "big" takes a larger  
effort.

Part of the appeal should be the trip getting there and back

... otherwise it's just another car show.

Asa Jay

Quoting Julian Kift <julian_kift at hotmail.com>:

>
> Think again.... how many of those Pantera's do you see on a regular   
> basis at local events? Those are the same ones you will see at a Fun  
>  Rally. There's about 25 members in the Renoe-Tahoe Chapter, only   
> ever 5-6 cars at a local event and those same 5-6 cars at the Reno   
> Fun Rally.
>
> IMO if everyone wants it on their doorstep then it might as well be   
> just another local chapter weekend event.
>
> I voted not to have it in Reno, not because I don't think it's a   
> good place to hold it, but because I don't get to drive 7 hrs to get  
>  there, that's haf the fun.
>
> Julian
>
>> To: Detomaso at realbig.com
>> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:51:22 -0400
>> From: pantdino at aol.com
>> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Convention ideas
>>
>>
>> I would expect a Fun Rally in San Diego to yield a huge turnout of Panteras.
>> All the SD people live right there, the Orange County people are   
>> very close, and even the LA people are only a couple of hours away.
>>
>> I have never been able to motivate my old, tall, wimpy self to   
>> drive my Pantera the 6 hrs or so to Las Vegas, but SD would   
>> definitely be doable.
>> If I can do it, anyone can. :-)
>>
>> Jim Oddie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mike Thomas <mbefthomas at comcast.net>
>> To: LaurieFerrari at aol.com; Detomaso at realbig.com; MikeLDrew at aol.com
>> Sent: Thu, Aug 19, 2010 8:08 pm
>> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Convention ideas
>>
>>
>> >From the NW perspective, I'd have to say San Diego would not really be any
>> urther to drive than 'Vegas. A long trip, yes, but after living in LA for
>> 4 years and taking many trips down there, not to mention that my wife grew
>> p in El Cajon, just east, it's really an enjoyable place. There would be a
>> uch longer weather-window to work in, and the Hotel Del would be a great
>> etting for a Pantera pic.
>> It's certainly worth looking into.
>> Mike Thomas
>> -----Original Message-----
>> rom: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
>> ehalf Of LaurieFerrari at aol.com
>> ent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 1:10 PM
>> o: Detomaso at realbig.com; MikeLDrew at aol.com
>> ubject: [DeTomaso] Convention ideas
>> I would love to work to help plan an event in the San Diego area. I have
>> he time now and enthusiasm.
>> y bet would be that many more people would attend in San Diego WITH their
>> ars. Those who fly would have great access to flights. There are countless
>> otels that are geared toward conventions and are reasonably priced. The
>> rea is gorgeous... I've attended several events where cars were displayed
>> n grass in Seaport Village right by the water; they were spectacular.
>> o much to see and do there as well. Don't underestimate the SD folks
>> nsofar as willingness to plan and run the event. I've seen that they have
>> lassy tastes while are conservative on costs. Please don't out-rule the
>> dea
>> efore exploring the possibilities. While Reno was lovely too and fun..
>> here were not many cars there, and isn't that the point?
>> aurie
>> ----------------------------
>> Even if such a location is identified, we would then need local club members
>> illing to help plan and execute the event--another not-insignificant
>> hallenge.
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-- 
Asa Jay Laughton - sent from somewhere other than home
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