So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

[David R.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Monte, IIRC the progression has been:

Bloomington, IL McLean County Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL IL State Fairgrounds
Bloomington, IL International Center
St Charles, IL Pheasant Run Resort
Champaign, IL U of I Campus

Terry, just a minor correction: don't send us so far! Bloomington #2 was the Interstate Center.
Good to see you in Champaign, Dave

[Monte M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Terry,

What my initial intent was to say is that the first time it left Bloomington and went to Springfield, there were a few glitches that year too.
Meaning: The first time it is held at a new location there is bound to be a few issues. Hopefully as each year progresses it gets better.

Some of you guys attend every year. For me there have been five year stretches I have not even touches my cars. When I was building my first few off-road vehicles the car set by the way side.

Back to the point, I remembered it as Decatur because that it where we stayed the first year it was in Springfield.
And as the years go by at this new location, let's hope they work out any bugs there might have been.

That way when I go again in 2014, or 2015 it will be better for selfish me.
By then I can ask a few of you where to stay, where to eat and so on.

But, Thank you for clearing up the location for me.

Monte

[Terry M.]

[Ron G.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

I can't say anything that has not already been said. I personally liked the new venue and having to walk less to get around. I do agree with Paul in that they need to have a place where folks could sit and relax to cool down. On the positive side the there seemed to be more vendors in the swap meet area and this year for me it was a good thing. I did notice that there seemed to be less people attending the show. Has Mike Hansen made mention that Bloomington has many memories for us all and I actually miss the fair grounds in Bloomington and especially Thursday night at Dale Smith's place and watching him running those big old mopars with original bias ply tires. On Saturday afternoon after Certification judging, me and Paulie O. decided to take a trip down memory lane. We took a drive in Paul's Vette to Bloomington and I must say that it is nothing like we remebered it. However, it is going to be interesting to see how things play out in the next year without Laurie and Shelly's involement. I spoke with Laurie today and she said because of the circumstances, it was the best decision for her, but she mentioned that she is going to miss all of us. I would like to see Bloominton continue and I wish Guy Larsen all the best of luck in keeping the tradition alive.

[Ronald L.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Boom or bust, all the cars are no on fee bay for sale, happy shopping

[James S.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Guy,

This above critique is meaningful to you, I am sure.

Two additional thoughts, one a compliment to expand and the other to consider.

The Gold Membership, if one drives a Corvette, was a decent value and hopefully will continue - the lunch on Saturday, free water/soft drinks and seated shelter almost made it worthwhile by themselves.

The other thought is to work with Houlihan's to host a - perhaps outside - reception each day after the show. One thing St. Charles had was a bar at the hotel where people gathered in the evening and although Houlihan's was somewhat of a meeting place, it was not known to many attendees.

Meanwhile, for the first year, well done.

BTW, there was a rumor that you may need to relocate the show. a bit. due to Assembly Hall renovations to start next yeat - any truth to that?

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

[Patrick H.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Terry, just a minor correction: don't send us so far! Bloomington #2 was the Interstate Center.
Good to see you in Champaign, Dave

You mean Bloomington #3, not #2.

[Terry M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

You mean Bloomington #3, not #2.

The third location, but the second time & location IN Bloomington, IL

It is easy to mix up the name of the event and the name of the town. Just don't make hotel reservations in Bloomington IN (I know a guy who did) or Bloomington MN. Someone we know used to insist that when we spoke about the event we used the full name "Bloomington Gold" just to prevent such confusion. And woe to you if he heard you slip and call the event "Bloomington".

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

The third location, but the second time & location IN Bloomington, IL

It is easy to mix up the name of the event and the name of the town. Just don't make hotel reservations in Bloomington IN (I know a guy who did) or Bloomington MN. Someone we know used to insist that when we spoke about the event we used the full name "Bloomington Gold" just to prevent such confusion. And woe to you if he heard you slip and call the event "Bloomington".

This actually happened to us! When the event was in Bloomington- the first time- a friend was to meet us there. He never showed up. This was before cell phones so he couldn't call us so when we got home we asked what happened. He said he got top Bloomington and couldn't find the show. He asked all over but couldn't get help. He went to a Chevy dealer figuring they would know. They did. They told him he needed to drive to Bloomington, ILLINOIS not here in Indiana. He drove back to Detroit.
Jeff