Attendance at the Annual Gatherings has varried greatly over the 11 years we've been doing them. We move it each year in order to give people all over the US a chance to attend one that is (relatively) close to them and also to make it interesting for those that attend every year.

With a about 900 active members, I'm curious why we don't have more in attendance. I would think 10% would be a reasonalbe number to expect, yet we did not come close to that this year.

Here is a list (best as I can tell) of the numbers from all the gatherings:

2013 - Colorado Springs: 30
2012 - Charleston: 42
2011 - Effingham: 67
2010 - Bend: 41
2009 - Mystic: 23
2008 - Hot Springs: 73
2007 - Carson City: 57
2006 - Pigeon Forge: 74-110?
2005 - Bowling Green: 29
2004 - Bowling Green: 37
2003 - Hershey: 24 (+ spouces)

To help me better understand why you did not come this year, please select the reason that best describes why you did not come. This is an anonymous poll, so please be honest. (Of course, if you post a reply to this thread, it will not be anonymous.)

If you DID attend this year, obvioulsy you should not be answering this poll.

Thank you!

Hmmm....funny thing I notice....seems like the attendance was the highest at the THREE Gatherings that I went to(PF, HS, Effy).... could there be a correlation there?
(just kiddin!)

For ME, there were more than one reason for not making this one. Time off being the main one, of course, but the $$$$ is a big part of it too, along with other responsibilities. Lots of different things keep us from attending....but IF it were possible, we would. Some of the best fun with fellow Corvette owners I've ever had have been at the C3VR Gatherings.

Similar boat as Joel. Time and $$

I wanted to come but:
My wife could not get the time off (I'm retired);
My vette is not 100% to drive that far, let alone on the drives you took.

I would like to attend the event. Having one lung make altitude an issue with me but that is not the main reason.  Time of was some of it which is what I used on the poll but that would only be 1/3 of the reason.  Not bringing my car would be 1/4 of the reason.  Because you are trying to figure something out I'm going to answer all of your poll questions.

By the way if you asked people to rank the ones that were an issue you may be able to get a better idea. Just speaking as a analysis.

30%      1. I would have come, but did not have the vacation time available
 N/A       2. I would have come, but did not have the travel funds available
   0%     3. Location was not interesting to me (liked the location except for the health issue)
   0%     4. Agenda was not interesting to me (Sounded like a great time lots of good effort went into it)
35%      5. I will not drive my Vette that far, and will not go if I can't drive my Vette even though I was told I didn't have to. (would like to trailer it but did not have the capability this year)
N/A        6. Other plans conflicted with the dates (weddings, car shows, etc)
25%      7. Health or other personal issues prevented travel
  0%      8. These types of events are just not my thing (I would like to meet some of the people that have been so helpful to me in repairing my Vette)
N/A        9. Other reason that is not on this list (if you don't mind, please reply to specify reason)

I know that does not total up to 100% but it does include the top three reasons.  Bottom line is if my Vette was drive able (I have the gauge cluster and AC out of it) and I could have towed it. I'm sure I would have just taken the leave and made the trip.  

There were a few reasons why I couldn't attend.  1. my car's not finished...I could have brought a different vehicle but to me whats the point

Adam, you did not have what would have been my reason. The west coast gatherings have just been too far for some one right on the east coast! So to go to Colorado Springs or the one in Bend, Oregon, I would have to have a couple of weeks, minimum, AND a lot of travel expenses. Add to that the fact that I DRIVE mine to each event just makes it more difficult in a 34  year old car just leaves the west coast out. Effingham is about as far west as I can go and that was difficult, BUT I wouldn't change a thing. Anyone that has not done a gathering should make every effort to attend one! I have met some of my dearest friends through C3VR events!

I have been a member of the C3VR for going on 7 years now. I have not attended a yearly gathering yet and probably never will. The reason for this is because of many different things, one of the main reasons is that my wife doesnt have the interest in corvettes or car activities that I do so we spend vacation time and money in other ways. Dont get me wrong in thinking I dont do vette activites though. I have been doing the Carlisle weekend now for almost 10 years, I did the Corvette America day with the group and I have gone to the Lusters picnic once. I've enjoyed each activity and really wanted to attend the alternant gathering this weekend but our vacation schedule put me at the beach. As many have said I have met many fantastic vetters since joining this group. I hope to continue to attend events that are close and I can make time for.
Adam thanks for starting such a great group. Even though I dont attend the yearly member gathering, this C3VR group has been and continues to be something I enjoy and look forward to keeping up with.
Rodney

My reasons are similar to Barry's.  I know I don't have to take the car, but that's part of the fun of the gathering.  In order to do this trip properly, we would need 2 weeks & that's all the time off Frank gets.  Plus, there would be a lot of travel expenses.