Topic: Take it public?
in Forum: Annual C3VR Member Gathering
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Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18423
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
Hey gang.
I was wondering if we should make our gathering more "public."
By that I mean instead of calling it the "Annual C3VR Member Gathering," give it a name like "C3 Vette Fest" or something and look to attract as many C3 owners and enthusiasts as possible.
I'm not sure, but I think we'd be not only the only C3-focused event, but the only traveling Vette event. I don't know of any other event that changes locations each year.
To make this more public, I was thinking we could look to get a corporate sponsor, like MAM or someone else. The only drawback to getting a sponsor that I can see is that would pretty much preclude us from being able to visit competitors in the future. For instance, Bair's is looking to host us in 2015. Although, that could be fixed by seeking a different sponsor each year.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this idea. We could start it as early as 2012.
Thanks!
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
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I have no problem with it being open to anyone, but I don't go for the corp. thing. I think we may be tying ourselves down doing that. Without them we can do as we wish on our week end. We could look for tours of places and such, without being comitted to them.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Lifetime MemberCOPPERAS COVE, TX - USA
Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 417
Vette(s): 1972 corvette stingray convertible
2007 coupe
A C3 fest at a different location every year sounds good. The big ticket sponsor I think should be changed every year and maybe one close to where the fest will be.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Would Mike(Mid Am) have an issue with us using the "X-Fest" moniker at other locations, if Mid Am wasn't a part of the event?
Opening our events to everyone might be good, might be not-so-good...hard to say. I'm sure there would be more cars & bodies attending, but if the event this year is any indication, the added cars/bodies might be small.
wouldn't hurt to at least give it a go. I'm also not really into having a "Corporate" sponsor for our events, tho it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I would be otay with having an event close to a C3VR supporter, or other parts place/restoration shop, etc., and have an opportunity to tour their facilities....just not necessarily have the event at their facility. I think that kinda ties the whole show to the one place....
Just my thoughts...
Opening our events to everyone might be good, might be not-so-good...hard to say. I'm sure there would be more cars & bodies attending, but if the event this year is any indication, the added cars/bodies might be small.
wouldn't hurt to at least give it a go. I'm also not really into having a "Corporate" sponsor for our events, tho it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I would be otay with having an event close to a C3VR supporter, or other parts place/restoration shop, etc., and have an opportunity to tour their facilities....just not necessarily have the event at their facility. I think that kinda ties the whole show to the one place....
Just my thoughts...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
What is driving the idea? More participation I’m guessing. While I have not attended any events work and not having a operational C3 are the biggest issues. But I have followed a lot of what seems to go on at these events.
Pros
· Open to more people
· Larger group of people to share with
· Promote membership in C3VR
· Strangers to make friends with
· Possible ability to get special discounts from a sponsor
· Sponsor may pay for some of the costs or provide trinkets
· Sponsor promote C3VR event through their web site and email list
Cons
· Could get to large and lose family feel
· Harder to manage
· Group starts to click up by not encompassing strangers (new or non-C3RV members)
· Too big to get into some venues
I’m a simple mind so looking at Pros and Cons seems like it would be a good idea. If you agree maybe you can add to the list.
Last year we tied to make it open to all C3s (although late) and really didn't get many more C3s except local. I don't know if some one such as MAM would want to sponsor an event NOT at their place. I think if we do go the sponsorship route it would probably be better to get a new sponsor each year (like that's easy) to keep from not being able to do events and tours that the sponsor doesn't want. Anyone who puts money into something will exert some form of control. I, for one, would prefer to be independent and do what we want. Although on the other hand, last years event at MAM was fantastic and I can't think of anything I would change except long drives in the rain to get there. As Joel said any of these options would not be a deal breaker for me. I plan to attend if at all possible. I will submit to the will of the people!
|UPDATED|9/12/2011 2:26:37 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Barry
|UPDATED|9/12/2011 2:26:37 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Although on the other hand, last years event at MAM was fantastic and I can't think of anything I would change except long drives in the rain to get there.\. I will submit to the will of the people!
Barry
Dang Barry... I know I have pre-Alzheimers but I thought for sure that it happened this year.
Old age is a creeping up on us and I'm fighting it all the way.
I think different sponsors at different sites would give a variety of venues along with potential new members.
Mike (and the MAM Gang) definetely know how to throw a party, no doubt about that. And I hope that C3 Fest continues, grows and is a success (unlike the NCM's failed attempt). But this is our member gathering and IMHO it should stay that way. Getting it too large takes away the fun for me. If I want large I can go to C@C or Funfest or Bloomington Gold or etc. Most of the C3VR gatherings have been held away from larger events by choice. Yes there have been some gatherings that have had events in the neighborhood when we've been there, but our envolvement was voluntary. Personally I like it that way.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
indy99 said:
Dang Barry... I know I have pre-Alzheimers but I thought for sure that it happened this year.
Although on the other hand, last years event at MAM was fantastic and I can't think of anything I would change except long drives in the rain to get there.\. I will submit to the will of the people!
Barry
Dang Barry... I know I have pre-Alzheimers but I thought for sure that it happened this year.
Old age is a creeping up on us and I'm fighting it all the way.
I think different sponsors at different sites would give a variety of venues along with potential new members.
Alright, alright, but you KNEW what I meant! It seems like it was a long time ago, anyway! I'm ready to go again!!!!!! But I guess it will be NEXT year's gathering (2012)!!!!
Barry
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Norsky said: Mike (and the MAM Gang) definitely know how to throw a party, no doubt about that. And I hope that C3 Fest continues, grows and is a success (unlike the NCM's failed attempt). But this is our member gathering and IMHO it should stay that way. Getting it too large takes away the fun for me. If I want large I can go to C@C or Funfest or Bloomington Gold or etc. Most of the C3VR gatherings have been held away from larger events by choice. Yes there have been some gatherings that have had events in the neighborhood when we've been there, but our involvement was voluntary. Personally I like it that way.
Thank you Jim....what you stated was more like what I wanted to say....
I wasn't all that big on the Mid Am sponsorship of "our" Gathering, but in the end, it turned out ok. But...I also said while we were there that we would not participate in another one like that. It just wasn't the same as any of our past Gatherings, imho. The size of the group was just right, tho.
I realize(kinda) how hard it is to co-ordinate these things...it ain't easy, and not a lot of the C3VR members will step up and help out. The ones that do are usually overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.....I think this may be one of the biggest reasons for doing the "Sponsorship" deal...it puts 99% of the planning/execution of the event in someone else's ballpark.
I really think an event in the general area/vicinity of a C3VR Sponsor/Supporting Vendor is an ok idea...but it still needs to remain a C3VR event.
There...I'm done.
well...almost...
As to the original question of opening up the event to non-members: I thought our Gatherings WERE always open to non-members, if they knew about it and wanted to come?|UPDATED|9/12/2011 7:43:22 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: Annual C3VR Member Gathering
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