So what's the verdict-Bloomington? - NCRS Discussion Boards

So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

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  • Jeffrey S.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • May 31, 1988
    • 1882

    #31
    Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

    If they charged $8 a night for parking then it makes our hotel an even better deal than I originally calculated. For the 2 of us the dorm room would have been $54 a night plus $8 for parking which entitled us to 2 beds and a trip down the hall to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Our hotel room was $54.95 for the first 2 nights and $89.99 for the 3rd. which included free parking and breakfast (OK, so it is hotel breakfast food but it is food). We stayed about 2 1/2 miles from the show so we were there in about 10 minutes. And I waited until 3 weeks before the event to try and get a hotel room and there were plenty available. It is absolutely true that there needs to be better signage or something to help connect the 2 swap fields. And there needs to be enforcement of the no parking on the swap field if the vehicle is not being used for sales. Probably a third of both fields had cars and trucks parked on a spot with no table or indication that it was necessary for sales. We park our van on the spot but put a sale table in front of it and use it all day long to retrieve inventory. Too many around us were just parked and locked.
    Jeff

    Comment

    • Terry M.
      Beyond Control Poster
      • September 30, 1980
      • 15600

      #32
      Terry

      Comment

      • George W.
        Very Frequent User
        • July 31, 1998
        • 322

        #33
        Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

        Originally posted by Jeffrey Salz (13182)
        If they charged $8 a night for parking then it makes our hotel an even better deal than I originally calculated. For the 2 of us the dorm room would have been $54 a night plus $8 for parking which entitled us to 2 beds and a trip down the hall to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Our hotel room was $54.95 for the first 2 nights and $89.99 for the 3rd. which included free parking and breakfast (OK, so it is hotel breakfast food but it is food). We stayed about 2 1/2 miles from the show so we were there in about 10 minutes. And I waited until 3 weeks before the event to try and get a hotel room and there were plenty available. It is absolutely true that there needs to be better signage or something to help connect the 2 swap fields. And there needs to be enforcement of the no parking on the swap field if the vehicle is not being used for sales. Probably a third of both fields had cars and trucks parked on a spot with no table or indication that it was necessary for sales. We park our van on the spot but put a sale table in front of it and use it all day long to retrieve inventory. Too many around us were just parked and locked.
        Jeff
        Jeff,
        Where did you find a $54 motel...
        Dr. George

        Comment

        • George W.
          Very Frequent User
          • July 31, 1998
          • 322

          #34
          Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

          Why did Laurie Beyer quit BG; where is she gone to???
          Dr. George

          Comment

          • Tom R.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • June 30, 1993
            • 4099

            #35
            Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

            I went early Friday am to learn and figure out the layout. I agree parking lot attendants were not well informed about who parks where but also realized drivers were not well directed as Corvettes were coming in from all directions and redirected to this lot or that lot depending on club affilication, whether they were getting their Corsa exhaust or just parking with all other vettes. I found the color coded map layout in the program book more useful once I learned its layout in relation to feeder roads...otherwise it was nearly useless.

            Friday, Corvettes migrated to the grassy knoll to park...they knew that Corvettes parked on the green stuff but the signage was intended they park on the asphalt so this got mixed up but worked out fine. General Parking became Corvette parking while Corvette parking became general parking.

            I was with a fellow judge and to us it seemed vendor counts were up so it was good to read above vendors were up by some 71. Crowds on Friday and Saturday were not overly oppressive in their congestive makeup.

            Merchants seemed ready for us and welcomed us which sounds different that the experience in St Charles. don't forget we got the Bloomington gold wooden nickels that were good for discounts, apps or others incentives that was a nice gesture on the part of the collective merchant association...probably a chamber of commerce.

            Corvettes entered for judging were down but on our end(C3), that has been a trend. That was offset by the opportunity to view a third 1969 ZL1 that looked like it just rolled off the factory floor.

            The schedule seemed stretched out more than it needed to be. Frankly, I would be of the view that attendees with vehicles want to be on the road Sunday am...rather than a Sunday 3 pm start. If you are a few hours away...that's one thing but if driving in the 8-16 hour range, I am looking for an early Sunday am start. But than I am not familiar with the market reach BG attempts to strive for either.
            Tom Russo

            78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie
            78 Pace Car L82 M21
            00 MY/TR/Conv

            Comment

            • William L.
              Very Frequent User
              • December 1, 1988
              • 944

              #36
              Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

              Originally posted by Jeffrey Salz (13182)
              . And there needs to be enforcement of the no parking on the swap field if the vehicle is not being used for sales. Probably a third of both fields had cars and trucks parked on a spot with no table or indication that it was necessary for sales. We park our van on the spot but put a sale table in front of it and use it all day long to retrieve inventory. Too many around us were just parked and locked.
              Jeff
              So let me get this straight. Its ok for you to park your van in a swap spot with stuff thats really not for sale and no one around. Buts its not ok for me to park my truck in one of my 4 spots, that I'm really selling things from??
              Bill Lacy
              1967 427/435 National Top Flight Bloomington Gold
              1998 Indy Pacecar

              Comment

              • Frederick N.
                Infrequent User
                • September 30, 1985
                • 23

                #37
                Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                As a "Old Timer" vendor I had a good time. I never broke even on my expenses this year. But I hang in there! I was in the NE lot and was dispointed in the vendors that high tailed it Saturday. People that paid $20 admission Sunday were surely upset and some told me so. I believe a vendor has an obligation be there for the entire show. Even the National Corvette Museum folded up on Saturday afternoon..and people ask where is the NCM? I stayed at the Candlewood Suites off I-74 at Prospect. Decent rate too. Prospect was a good route for me to Kirby and T/L to the show. Of course I got there at 6:45 each morning. Vendor truck parking was not available Thursday morning so I found a hole beside a trash dumpster to park my truck inside the vendor area. Used it each day. Hope it works out as well next year. Thanks to the U of I students helping with directions.

                Fred 9201

                90 Dark Red Convertible, McLellan Mark of Excellance award, July 2008
                99 C5 Conv. Driver
                73, LS4, 4-speed coupe, PS, PB, Air, Blue-Green, getting ready to paint.
                77, 350, L48, PS, PB, PW, Air, Getting ready to Paint.

                Comment

                • Jeffrey S.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • May 31, 1988
                  • 1882

                  #38
                  Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                  Originally posted by William Lacy (14279)
                  So let me get this straight. Its ok for you to park your van in a swap spot with stuff thats really not for sale and no one around. Buts its not ok for me to park my truck in one of my 4 spots, that I'm really selling things from??
                  Bill,
                  Actually you've got it backwards. It's perfectly OK to park your truck on one of your spots and use it for selling. It's NOT OK to rent a spot just to park your vehicle and walk away. Those are their rules and they should be enforced.
                  Jeff

                  Comment

                  • William L.
                    Very Frequent User
                    • December 1, 1988
                    • 944

                    #39
                    Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                    Originally posted by Jeffrey Salz (13182)
                    Bill,
                    Actually you've got it backwards. It's perfectly OK to park your truck on one of your spots and use it for selling. It's NOT OK to rent a spot just to park your vehicle and walk away. Those are their rules and they should be enforced.
                    Jeff
                    I disagree. I bought and payed for 4 spots. 3 to put my tents on and sell my stuff, and 1 spot to park my truck on. Keep making it hard on the real vendors and they will just not come.
                    "We park our van on the spot but put a sale table in front of it and use it all day long to retrieve inventory" That dosent sound like your really selling anything? Just buying.
                    Bill Lacy
                    1967 427/435 National Top Flight Bloomington Gold
                    1998 Indy Pacecar

                    Comment

                    • Jeffrey S.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • May 31, 1988
                      • 1882

                      #40
                      Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                      Bill,
                      We have 2 spots. One completely filled with headlights, spark plugs, and other "stuff". The second has our van filled with our headlight inventory and supplies. In front of the spot behind the van is another table with more merchandise. From this set up we made about 5 times our expenses. I was trying to defend your position not attack it. What I am against are the folks that drop off their vehicle at a swap spot and leave for the day.
                      Jeff

                      Comment

                      • Terry M.
                        Beyond Control Poster
                        • September 30, 1980
                        • 15600

                        #41
                        Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                        Originally posted by Jeffrey Salz (13182)
                        Bill,
                        We have 2 spots. One completely filled with headlights, spark plugs, and other "stuff". The second has our van filled with our headlight inventory and supplies. In front of the spot behind the van is another table with more merchandise. From this set up we made about 5 times our expenses. I was trying to defend your position not attack it. What I am against are the folks that drop off their vehicle at a swap spot and leave for the day.
                        Jeff
                        Jeff, The practice you are decrying is common at Carlisle, but perhaps I have missed the posts speaking out against using the swap meet spaces purely for parking for that event. All I see posted about Carlisle is what a great event it is.
                        Terry

                        Comment

                        • William L.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • December 1, 1988
                          • 944

                          #42
                          Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                          Originally posted by Jeffrey Salz (13182)
                          Bill,
                          We have 2 spots. One completely filled with headlights, spark plugs, and other "stuff". The second has our van filled with our headlight inventory and supplies. In front of the spot behind the van is another table with more merchandise. From this set up we made about 5 times our expenses. I was trying to defend your position not attack it. What I am against are the folks that drop off their vehicle at a swap spot and leave for the day.
                          Jeff
                          Jeff
                          I guess I miss understood you post. I appoilgize and lets hope that B/G work out their minor problems.
                          Has anyone else noticed that all of their T shirts and pins said it was their 40TH year. The problem is it started in 1973 and that makes it 41 years. So does that make our shirts and stuff collectable??
                          Bill Lacy
                          1967 427/435 National Top Flight Bloomington Gold
                          1998 Indy Pacecar

                          Comment

                          • Jeffrey S.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • May 31, 1988
                            • 1882

                            #43
                            Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                            Originally posted by Terry McManmon (3966)
                            Jeff, The practice you are decrying is common at Carlisle, but perhaps I have missed the posts speaking out against using the swap meet spaces purely for parking for that event. All I see posted about Carlisle is what a great event it is.
                            Terry,
                            That same practice is against the rules at Carlisle as well, although it is a common one.

                            Bill,
                            We are on the same page. See you at Carlisle?
                            Jeff

                            Comment

                            • Guy L.
                              Infrequent User
                              • August 31, 2005
                              • 5

                              #44
                              Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                              Thank you to everyone for attending Bloomington Gold this year. We certainly had challenges with parking on Friday , and poor weather most of the week. You can't do anything about weather but we can fix glitches and mistakes we did make this year . Next year will be better!
                              To put the record straight on a few things:

                              Attendance was up a bit from last year - and with the bad weather I think that is pretty good !
                              Vendor space (swappers to big rigs) was up significantly. For those who thought not, I think the areas the Vendors were spread over make it deceiving
                              Vendor sales: As someone else pointed out, many vendors were happy , some were not. Many of the big vendors told us they did very well Fri & Sat. Sun was not so good due to bad weather as already pointed out.
                              Judging field: Almost exactly same number of Corvettes as 2012. May have been up a couple but it was close.
                              Mecum Auction: Harold told me they were also about even in number of cars across the block compared to 2012. Not sure what their sell ration was but you can go on their site and figure that out. I thought the quality of Corvettes offered was better than last couple years.
                              Gold School: Only 6 classes but very well attended. Think people liked what was offered?
                              Great Hall : Some really great Corvettes and some well deserving People being awarded.
                              Gold Tour : Again , rain! Had a little over 850 Corvettes. People enjoyed. Downtown Champaign did an outstanding job !

                              All for now. Didn't mean to be a commercial, just wanted to post some facts and not have everyone guessing. BTW - I don't exaggerate numbers , I just report what I know.

                              Thanks again to all who attended!

                              Blm Gold Guy

                              Comment

                              • George W.
                                Very Frequent User
                                • July 31, 1998
                                • 322

                                #45
                                Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

                                Originally posted by Guy Larsen (44451)
                                Thank you to everyone for attending Bloomington Gold this year. We certainly had challenges with parking on Friday , and poor weather most of the week. You can't do anything about weather but we can fix glitches and mistakes we did make this year . Next year will be better!
                                To put the record straight on a few things:

                                Attendance was up a bit from last year - and with the bad weather I think that is pretty good !
                                Vendor space (swappers to big rigs) was up significantly. For those who thought not, I think the areas the Vendors were spread over make it deceiving
                                Vendor sales: As someone else pointed out, many vendors were happy , some were not. Many of the big vendors told us they did very well Fri & Sat. Sun was not so good due to bad weather as already pointed out.
                                Judging field: Almost exactly same number of Corvettes as 2012. May have been up a couple but it was close.
                                Mecum Auction: Harold told me they were also about even in number of cars across the block compared to 2012. Not sure what their sell ration was but you can go on their site and figure that out. I thought the quality of Corvettes offered was better than last couple years.
                                Gold School: Only 6 classes but very well attended. Think people liked what was offered?
                                Great Hall : Some really great Corvettes and some well deserving People being awarded.
                                Gold Tour : Again , rain! Had a little over 850 Corvettes. People enjoyed. Downtown Champaign did an outstanding job !

                                All for now. Didn't mean to be a commercial, just wanted to post some facts and not have everyone guessing. BTW - I don't exaggerate numbers , I just report what I know.

                                Thanks again to all who attended!

                                Blm Gold Guy
                                Guy you did good; I think it was the best BG since the days in Bloomington...
                                Dr. George

                                Comment

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