40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

[Bruce B.]

Re: Regenial Question.

Michael, yes with exceptions for uncontrollable circumstances if any occured.
Bruce B

[Bruce B.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Floyd,
In my humble opinion I believe the Swap Meet is an important part of the Florida Regional.
Get rid of that and it will not survive.
Bruce B

[Tyler T.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Attendance? Every NCRS event has seen a drop in attendance, our attendance is better than any other Regional event, second only to the National. There are only 3 regionals scheduled in 2019 and they do not include one in Florida.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Thanx Tyler. If you don't mind my asking, what was the board's official reason for rejecting the 2019 Florida Regional in Lakeland? If you don't know the reason, how can you find an acceptable alternative?

[Bruce B.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Floyd,
If you go to the Florida Chapters website Ed Augustine explains the "reason" why....

[Bruce B.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Tyler,
Thank You.
Bruce B

[Floyd B.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

I've read that and maybe I'm just dense but I don't see any specific reasons for the board's rejection of the 2019 FL regional in Lakeland. It is very unclear to me what would qualify as an acceptable site and/or date.

[Eric M.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Attendance? Every NCRS event has seen a drop in attendance, our attendance is better than any other Regional event, second only to the National. There are only 3 regionals scheduled in 2019 and they do not include one in Florida.

Truly, truly sad. I feel worst for Tyler Townsley and Ed Augustine and all the other volunteers who put decades worth of blood, sweat and tears into building the Florida Regional into an event whose attendance dwarfed that of the "National Convention" yearly. 1,500 attendees (counting all family members) was about the the max for "National Conventions" where tens of thousands of attendees visited the annual Florida Chapter Winter show- be it at Old Town, Disney or Cypress Gardens.

It was always by far NCRS's best public event.

"Just move it".
Easy to say for those not involved.

Eric Mortimer

[Dan A.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Hi Eric, great to hear from you.

Dan

[Bruce B.]

Re: 40th NCRS FLA Winter Regional

Eric,
Nice to see your post although the situation sucks, nothing new...
Going to FL tomorrow now that the weather here is almost decent.
Bruce B #27670

[Barry L.]

Re: Regenial Question.

I would like to chime in regarding Eric's comment. Why can't the meet be moved/relocated to a location that would benefit everyone? There are hundreds of NCRS members in Florida who pay NCRS dues. Now we are learning that one of the best Regional meet is going to be closing down. I can't believe that as a group we can't stand together and demand that this meet continue here in Florida. The 3 MOST important words in real-state is LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! I can't believe that a suggestion was made to do away with the swap meet. Where are you going to buy your NOS parts to restore your Corvette? NOT from the big box stores that sell China parts, unless you want China parts on your car. Then might as well buy a Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Kia. Or when you buy parts off the internet and you receive them and they are NOT what was described in the listing or it is the wrong part. Then you have to go through the hassle of getting your money back. When I joined NCRS back in the days of Cypress Gardens, people were looking for the right part to restore that straight axle or mid year or shark body Corvette. But in the last few years thing have have changed. Vendors have become the pagans of the meet. Last year I walked over to the hanger to admire some of the cars being judge, not every time, but in some encounters I was given the cold shoulder. Little did these people know that I have a car that was on the cover of Corvette Fever magazine with a nice article, Feature article in Vette Magazine, Chevy & Vettes magazine, Field of Dreams Car, 2 Top Flight Awards, Benchmark, Survivor, Bloomington Gold Certified , Duntov Award, 5 Star Bowtie Award, PASS PV test on the FIRST try (BTW this is an UNRESTORED, ORIGINAL car) and these people look at me as if I did not know that a Corvette was assemble by Chevrolet. As for that matter I know I have owned more Corvettes than most of those people had sex in their life time, because I am in the business. I like and use the internet just like everyone else and technology is good but it also is bad. It has created a lot of crimes and damaged peoples lives. It has taken away a lot of jobs, it has made people lazy, less sociable. Instead of going out shopping just sit at home on their cell phone and text. That's why there is a lot of fat people in this country and weight watchers is making a killing. ANY business will survive if it is manage properly. If this regional meet was located in the right location and promoted AND add a new segment, example judging the most modified coolest looking corvettes, any year, you would see change in the right direction. There is an airport in Kissimmee and I would think they would have some property for rent. I really think it is a shame to see an organization throw in the towel after all the years of hard work making the Florida meet one of the greatest Corvette events. I thought NCRS was known for Great Friends Great Cars and Lots of Fun. I'm not a quitter, and I hate to see the Florida meet end up like the Titanic. It time to take off the footie pajamas and slip into the Wrangler Jeans and avoid the iceberg.

[Don H.]

Re: Regenial Question.

Good points Barry. The current FLA Chapter newsletter says that the members are actively searching out a new, suitable location.
I believe everyone hopes that they are successful.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Regenial Question.

Barry,
I agree with you 100%.
If you see some old guy (lots of them) in a RED RACING JUNK TEE SHIRT STOP ME AND SAY HELLO.
Bruce B

[David R.]

Re: Regenial Question.

I'm busy around the condo today with a kitchen remodel - looks like rain tomorrow on Friday, a little cooler (62 or so) but sunny on Saturday so that's when I'll drive over. Our winter home is in the St. Pete/Clearwater area, I sincerely hope that any new venue will still be within easy driving distance. I happen to like the Lakeland Sun 'n Fun venue and I think the organizers have done a fine job.

[Barry L.]

Re: Regenial Question.

I think the organizers for the Winter Regional Meet have worked hard for many years. My concern is seeing a great group of Corvette people gathering in Florida end up with nothing. It is so hard these days to please everyone. Florida has ALWAYS been known for the Winter Regional Meet. This show attracts folks from all over the country/world. I am at the show this week and have talked to people from France, Switzerland, New York, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia,.... Are we just going to let this event die after ALLLLLL years? I still believe that if EVERYONE bands together, communicate and put a little effort into giving life support to this meet it can be will worked out. Find, If you want to give it up and be a quitter then do so. Remember GREAT THING ARE NOT ACCOMPLISH BY GREAT PEOPLE, BUT BY THOSE WHO MAKE GREAT EFFORT! I will do what I can to help and would hope that other NCRS members will make initiative to participate in the survival of this event.