Topic: Re: 2023 Member Gathering - Yea or Nay?
in Forum: Official C3 Vette Registry News and Information
I would love to see a member event independent of the larger events. However, it is good to piggyback off of the promotion of other events.
I think pairing with one of the smaller events such as the Chattanooga motor car festival would be a good event.
1- This event is sponsored in part by Coker Tire which owns Corvette Central.
2- Chattanooga is on the way to just about everywhere in the southeast.
3- chattanooga is a walkable city with multiple venues which allows the event to be spread out throughout the city
just my thoughts.
As Webmaster of one of the largest Corvette clubs on the West Coast and an owner of multiple C3's , there has never been a gathering in Southern California which technically according to your map is one of the highest ranking states having the most C3 corvettes in the United states. What I think would be a good idea is having one here in Southern California and since most of the C3 owners that I know here on the West Coast are seniors they would love the idea. Maybe even having it at one of the Indian casinos here in Southern California may actually raise the membership of the C3 registry and popularity. I have spoken to other C3 owners about this a few times and they were really enjoy a good get together. Over the years we have actually been doing it on our own here on the West Coast. Constantly having them on the East Coast is discouraging.
|UPDATED|1/6/2023 10:48:37 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

C3VR Founder
As Webmaster of one of the largest Corvette clubs on the West Coast and an owner of multiple C3's , there has never been a gathering in Southern California which technically according to your map is one of the highest ranking states having the most C3 corvettes in the United states. What I think would be a good idea is having one here in Southern California and since most of the C3 owners that I know here on the West Coast are seniors they would love the idea. Maybe even having it at one of the Indian casinos here in Southern California may actually raise the membership of the C3 registry and popularity. I have spoken to other C3 owners about this a few times and they were really enjoy a good get together. Over the years we have actually been doing it on our own here on the West Coast. Constantly having them on the East Coast is discouraging.
Doug,
As you can See in the region map here we have Gatherings all over the country (and even Canada). We rotate the schedule annually East, West, Mid, East, West, Mid, etc, etc. So being that last year was in Mid, we are to be East this year.
We have held 4 Gatherings in the West so far (not including the one in Canada). As you can see from the historical attendance list, turnout there is lower than the East.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

I don’t feel it is for me to say
I am not able to attend no matter where it is held. With my wife’s heath condition it just isn’t possible. She had a liver transplant back in June and is doing well but not well enough to travel
If I was able I would love to meet with everyone
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System


Adam,
I agree with those who have shown interest in having at least a "Alternate Gathering". The one that Danascar mentions below was my first time to a Gathering. It was where my wife & I met the members of C3VR. I especially enjoyed it because my wife enjoyed the experience. I consider the C3VR members Danscar mentions to be close, lifelong friends although we are many miles apart. We continue meeting and entering our vettes at Unlimited Car shows, Corvette shows and Corvettes at Carlisle.
So, I voted "Yea"
|UPDATED|1/6/2023 12:07:16 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I was the President of a local Corvette Club here in Wichita, KS. The membership is down somewhere in the 15-20% range. A couple of factors are: Covid, we are still having concerns about large gatherings especially those who are +65 and are in risk categories. Internet based clubs are attracting more members than in the past. No meetings, No dues, No structure, just drive. They are highly oriented towards the C5 through C8 chassis.
You could consider having the major event every two years, giving people plenty of time to plan. You could consider regional coordinators who may have events in their regions more often rather than wait for an event to move into your territory.
I bounce back and forth from this forum to the Corvette forum. My thinking is there are not too many issues that someone who has a C3 has already encountered. The forums are a good place to be able to assess an issue or get feedback to confirm your suspicions.
I believe attaching the C3VR event to another event makes sense, you can take advantage of vendors, entertainment, housing, coupled with separate events for C3VR. I know you do it now at Corvette of Carlisle, there are a lot of other events that may make sense as well.
Driving a 50+ year old car long distances is not appealing to myself. Too likely you will have a maintenance event far from home. Car mileage, comfort all factor into this.
The C3 for sales thread you have started is great, I like seeing what the market is doing.
You are doing a great job Adam, keep it up. Times are changing but we should be able to move with them in some manner that allows the group participation.

I DO like the regional aspect. It would give the adventurous ones an opportunity to attend more than one, and see more friends and make new ones.
I vote yea! I for one missed the glory days of the events held before I joined C3VR. I am often regaled with tales of "C3VR Fest" and other iconic gatherings. Unfortunately my C3 was not roadworthy when I first joined but that did not stop me from attending in my "metal" car (even if I had to park in the boondocks when visiting the Tonawanda Engine Plant because it was a Honda!) or even flying into an event without a car (Canada). Also, those of us still working had to fit in long distance trips with other family demands on vacation time, which was my issue with Texas, but many of us are retired (including me!) so that shouldn't be an issue for me anymore! And if driving the C3 long distance is daunting for some, I know many of us have newer generation cars that can be used - it's still a Corvette! and again, as said by many others, it's about the people! Finally I don't see any downside in piggybacking off another event like Mid America Motorworks Funfest or Corvettes at Carlisle. That would add to the appeal for me and also take some pressure off of the host. We could still hang together and have some side trip cruises and keep it "our event" that way. I'd also support regional gatherings. Just my random thoughts!
Mario
I haven't attended any of the events due to my Vette being down. I would really enjoy attending the 2023 Member Gathering and of course vote Yea. Hopefully there will be enough interest to go forward with the planning.
Johnson

Yea if its within a 5 or 6 hour drive