What draws you to gatherings?

[knightfan26917]

Gatherings and events seem to be picking up steam in terms of more and more possibilities the last few years with, in most cases of which I'm aware, increasing attendance. Heck, this weekend (October 3-5) alone, I knew of 3 gatherings...

...southern Mini Reunion for ValveReplacement in TN

...gathering of the "Florida chapter" of the Southern Monte Carlo Club in Tallahassee

...and a MidWest MC meet in St Louis.

I had planned to attend the St Louis gathering, but I wasn't feeling well Friday...and ended up being sick Friday night and didn't do much at all today (Saturday).

Next weekend, I have a gathering in Sandwich IL to attend.

Then, October 18, is the Fall Chitown Gathering, for which I am in the process of making final plans now...including, perhaps, a Color Drive.

And...for 2009, I've already started planning 3 different gatherings...

...Saturday, January 17...joint Chicagoland Mini Reunion for ValveReplacement and ACHA.

...Saturday, July 25...2nd Annual MidSummer Chitown Gathering (with a trip to Sycamore IL for a car show on Sunday, July 26)

...September/October...Cruise along RT 66.

...along with, of course, other gatherings I will go to throughout the year....

So...with sssooo many opportunities to meet people, have fun, etc....

What draws you to gatherings? / What makes you want to go to a planned event?

Why/how do you decide to attend one instead of another?

Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I don't have time" ... Dido ... 'Sand In My Shoes'

[GMTruckGuy74]

What draws you to gatherings? / What makes you want to go to a planned event?

For me it's the cars and/or trucks I want to see or to find the diecast collectibles I'm looking for (some shows I'm more into the vendors than the show vehicles!). I wish I could say it's for the people, but since I don't own a show vehicle and belong to a club, I talk to the owners of the vehicles I really like and move along. I look for shows that will likely have what I want to see (trucks mostly).

Why/how do you decide to attend one instead of another?

Past experience and/or word of mouth advice, how long of a drive, number of vehicles on display/size of show. For example, two weekends ago I drove to Boonton, NJ (north Jersey for this southern Jersey guy) to attend a classic fire apparatus (truck) show. About 20 trucks on display, a couple of vendors, 1 and a 1/2 drive (94+ miles one way)... it won't be on my list next year. Other shows, like Carlisle's All-GM Nationals, the Antique Truck Club of America Father's Day Weekend truck show, and the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey are definites on my "show list" each year. I've been maintaining a database for the last three years (2006-2007-2008) of the shows I attend and sometimes can't attend. Those that are worth it remain on the list; those not worthy ( ) are removed.

[knightfan26917]

I've been maintaining a database for the last three years (2006-2007-2008) of the shows I attend and sometimes can't attend. Those that are worth it remain on the list; those not worthy ( ) are removed.

Heh...I hadn't even THOUGHT about doing a database of sorts. Makes sense. I think I may start one of my own for 2009...would be kinda interesting to see it all summarized....

More specifically:

Does an entry/registration fee increase or decrease your interest in the gathering?

Will you only attend shows with awards/trophies of some kind?

[GMTruckGuy74]

Well, I've only attended two shows with vehicles I owned in my lifetime - one show with the SKY (I didn't care about the fee, as the money was going to a charity fundraiser) and no trophies unless you won the class; the other show was back in '98 when I owned a '95 Trans Am and belonged to a Trans Am club (the fee was nominal and I won a 2nd place trophy!).

I typically don't like to attend shows where I have to pay to be a spectator, unless the money is going towards a charitable group or fundraising event (schools, churches, etc). Carlisle (All-GM Nationals) is one of the few I attend where I have to pay to get in, and while it goes against my preferences, the show is always worth it. If I had a show vehicle, as long as the fee wasn't astronomical, I wouldn't mind to pay to show it off.

[tmp]

Free booze

[FAPTurbo]

Food, and booze.

[trinacriabob]

I don't go to gatherings. I tend to dislike crowds and noise.

"Hot August Nights" in Reno is one of the most obnoxious things I've witnessed. TRUE, you rubberneck for a lot of cool cars (there are many model years represented) but the crowds, the noise and the hotel prices are bad news.

It would be nice to see shows that are focused toward car makes you like. Now, if they had an Olds or a Cutlass show, I might go.

[knightfan26917]

I typically don't like to attend shows where I have to pay to be a spectator, unless the money is going towards a charitable group or fundraising event (schools, churches, etc). Carlisle (All-GM Nationals) is one of the few I attend where I have to pay to get in, and while it goes against my preferences, the show is always worth it. If I had a show vehicle, as long as the fee wasn't astronomical, I wouldn't mind to pay to show it off.

I've never been to Carlisle, so I guess I didn't realize it was a "pay to get in" sort of show. And, I don't think I've ever gone to a show where the spectators have to pay to get in...hmmm....