2018 Convention-Las Vegas

[Mark E.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Frankly Terry, I don't know about you, but IMO, based on the last 5 Nationals, every venue would have been much more enjoyable if it were held in March or October. Not sure why it always has to be in the hottest month of the year everywhere, is that in a TIM&JG, or JRM someplace?

I made this suggestion to a couple of board members at San Antonio (100 degrees!). Driving a vintage Corvette cross country in that kind of heat is not my idea of fun, so I passed on the Road Tour this year. Next year, touring through Canyon Country and Grand Staircase towards Vegas could be amazing if in the Spring or Fall (one of my favorite road trip memories). In the Summer it's uncomfortable at best, and uncertain if the machinery can handle it.

Consider setting the date to suit the location: Summer if in a seasonally cool location (New England, Pacific Coast); Spring or Fall otherwise.

[Arland D.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

As Vinnie mentioned, the current bylaws dictate the scheduling of the National Convention. The bylaws can be changed and, on more than one occasion, the board discussions have included a list of good reasons (including some already mentioned in this thread) why the schedule should be shifted one way or the other. The major reason continually given to keep the schedule as it is has been the 'family vacation' mindset that seems to override all other considerations. If you can come up with something that will move the 'family vacation' off the holy grail of convention scheduling, then contact your regional representative and see if he/she is willing to present it to the board for a change to the bylaws and implementing a new schedule for national conventions. Anything is possible if you can make a compelling case for it.................

[Michael J.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Thanks, good advice and perspective for us all. I guess I am just too old, but when my kids grew up, finished college, and left the house, we never had any family vacations anymore.

[Mark E.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Family vacation? How many small children did we see in San Antonio?

My wife is my family. She wouldn't go because of the heat. I attended solo this year, but would like to entice her to join me in the future by offering a beautiful, temperate venue.

[Terry M.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Brian
the whole thing (except excursions) will happen at the South Point Resort. The Resort has something like 10,000 rooms, and July is not tourist season in LV, so rooms should not be a problem. You can reserve yours now if you want. I don't think there will be any block rate (but I may be mistaken).

Since I unintentionally (honest.) started this with one of my usual wise alack remarks, I have to hasten to point out that there are not chapters falling all over themselves to host a National Convention. Most have learned that it is a whole lot of work for very little reward. Given the dearth of applications for National Conventions, choosing a more temperate climate is probably beyond the abilities of the BoD. The board can only chose from the applications submitted.

There is a strong push to go to indoor locations in the off season. Car owners want indoor locations so we are not at the mercy of the weather, and off-season provides more economical lodgings.

Car owners pursuing Awards that require prerequisites want the knowledge that the National Convention, that is for them the culmination of many events, will be at a fixed time so they can accomplish those prerequisites. Moving the time of year for the convention would throw a monkey wrench into the plans of many car owners. The BoD would have to make those changes far in advance (I know we are three years out now for Convention plans.) and it would be difficult on the car owners to change the time of year regularly or often.

I am sure there are other considerations, but these come to mind right off the bat.

[Mark E.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Terry,

Good points which I understand and appreciate.

The situation remains that National is again in a very hot location, which discourages my participation in the road tour and my wife's attendance.

This perspective may be unique to us. Or may point to an opportunity how to make National more popular.

[Michael J.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Yes, after working a long time at an oil company, and in large volunteer organizations, they have much in common. Like turning a supertanker, or changing things in a large society, it is not easy and takes much time and patience............

[Steve B.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Family vacation? How many small children did we see in San Antonio?

Exactly, perhaps more important than the month of the convention is the days of the week the event takes place. My guess is that there would be a lot more foot traffic if the convention took place from Tuesday thru Saturday as opposed to Sunday thru Thursday. I understand the added costs that this may add but the benefits would be worth it if we could attract more new members than what we are currently. Just my 2 cents.

[Edward A.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

What are the projected dates for the 2018 National Convention?

[Don H.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Look at the back of the Driveline magazine, July 15 - 20. Don H.

[James G.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Thanks, good advice and perspective for us all. I guess I am just too old, but when my kids grew up, finished college, and left the house, we never had any family vacations anymore.

The ''FAMILY'' is us old GEEZERS. Dave Ewan and I talked at San Antonio about doing ''SCOOTER RACES AROUND THE POOL'' like W.S.C.C Events in the 60's where we used Trycicles

[Dick W.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Ah, so that is something the board can change, thanks!

Can we say moribund?

[Loren L.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

I find this thread priceless! Circa 1983/4 Southwest Chapter made a presentation to the Board for a Las Vegas Convention inside at Caesar's Palace after interviewing 6 hotels who wanted to COMPETE for the potential business and provide incentives. You would have thought that we had proposed giving the first-born of every NCRS family to Masai warriors for training as lion spear-killers.
You deal with the organizations that know what and how to do it. Was it 1985 when we showed up in Boston and the asphalt in the parking lot had been cooling since poured THAT MORNING and the pool was CLOSED?
NCRS has to remember that for conventions, NCRS is providing the "access" to 500 party time adults with discretionary $$ for 4 days to a week -
$$ for rooms, food, entertainment, clothes, etc., etc., and there is a MULTIPLIER in play.....and nobody knows it better than resort/convention hotels. Start USING it instead of accepting the first offer........

[Patrick H.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

NCRS has to remember that for conventions, NCRS is providing the "access" to 500 party time adults with discretionary $$ for 4 days to a week -
$$ for rooms, food, entertainment, clothes, etc., etc., and there is a MULTIPLIER in play.....and nobody knows it better than resort/convention hotels. Start USING it instead of accepting the first offer........

The current problem is not finding a place to hold the National Convention.
The current problem is finding a Chapter that wants to host. Conventions involve incessant hours of volunteering for which the host Chapter gets a pat on the back and a nominal payment.

I look forward to seeing if having the Convention run in 2020 by a professional event planners rather than volunteers is a good thing or a bad thing. Stay tuned.

[Gary C.]

Re: 2018 Convention-Las Vegas

Patrick, you're correct.

However, if there's going to be a NCRS organization and Conventions, then members have to step up, volunteer and contribute.

Otherwise, there will be no NCRS nor Conventions. JMTCW,

Gary
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