[imported_Pete Phillips]

That will get your attention, won't it?

Well, that is exactly where the BCA is headed if some chapter or group doesn't get on the stick REALLY SOON to host the 2010 meet. It is getting to the point where it is almost too late to do this, but it still could be done, provided a large hotel with a big parking area is available.

I really don't understand the reluctance to host a meet. My chapter (North Texas) has done it twice. Now that the BCA handles the registrations and most of the computer work, plus all of the judging data, and a stipend is provided to help the host chapter with up-front expenses, many of the excuses for not hosting a meet have been removed. Yes, you do have to have a good-sized group of people to help you during the days of the meet. And finding the right site or hotel for the meet is arguably the most difficult part of doing this.

The BCA Office has a handbook of guidelines for hosting a meet, and many other members who have done this before, are willing to provide guidance and assistance.
Pete Phillips, BCA #7338
Sherman, TX

[Mark Shaw]

Have we ever had one in Canada? Last time I checked, Canada was still in North America; & it seems that we have many BCA members in Canada.

I have seen several postings of meets and tours & great car museums in Canada. Passports are now required;.... but why not Canada?

[The Old Guy]

I would wager that many chapters are frightened because the prices escalated to the point where you may not get many Buicks. gas is expensive,and the registration fee almost tripled. I will be going to Colorado, but will park in the parking lot as I refuse to pay $50 to register and $15 more just to park on the field.
The banquet is $45 per person , and even though it it a beautiful place, I would not bet on a large attendance.
The economy is down, and I do not blame the chapters for adopting a "wait and see" stnce.

In answer to Mark's querie, I tried to put on a McLaughlin meet in Port Huron some years ago and was told that I had to do it in Sarnia. because of insurance reasons. The BCA may have the same issues.

[serb]

I am not planning on going to Colorado because of the distance from here. I cannot justify the expense for something that, let's face it, it is boring. There is not really anything to do, there are no social activities. The car stuff is over before dark, I am a party person and like to party, right Mike. I am really not into tours or outside attractions. In Flint there was nothing to do after 9 PM. No where to meet people and just have a good time. Anyway, Colorado
hotel prices are too high, drink prices are too high. As far as the Colorado National goes perhaps too much guidance is... too much guidance. Maybe there will be a large draw from the West coast, but this Buffalo Boy is staying home.

I am planning on attending the Great Lakes Regional Akron-Canton,OH.

Stevo

[imported_JohnD1956]

Thanks for taking the lead and posting your response Joe. I tend to agree with you. I was dismayed with the costs to attend the meet. It's a catch 22 situation I'm sure. Costs of everything are rising, and obviously, so it goes for the National Meet expenses too. Being a recent retiree, I was looking forward to making many Nationals for the next few years but then everything went fiscally crazy.

For my wife and I to attend it's multiple hundreds to fly in ( $800 or more) and then start adding up room costs, or multiple hundreds in gas ( 1860 miles estimated one way / 15 MPG) plus a few extra days costs to try and drive it.

I do not begrudge Colorado Springs as a location, I harbor dreams of suddenly finding the resources to make it. But right now I just find it to be over my level. And if I can't get to other's events, I feel it's an insult to ask others to attend ours. So I cannot push within our Chapter for hosting a National at this time.

[old-tank]

Good job Joe and Stevo! Now every chapter will want to host a national. It's OK for us to drive to Michigan or New York for your party, but not the other way around. Our Alamo Chapter will probably not consider hosting since San Antonio is a 'destination city' and will be too expensive, too far, too hot... Just go to a regional and you will not have to associate with all those boring people.
Willie

[The Old Guy]

Willie
I have been to EVERY national since 1971, and drove an old Buick to every one !! My opinion is that the BCA has lost its way, and is one of the reasons that the BDE was started. The early meets were FUN!! The members drove their Buicks from everywhere, and trophies and perfect cars were way down on the list.
With the 400 point system supposedly being the reason that fees must be raised, don't you think that it might not be a bad idea to go back to basics??

[serb]

Willie,

The last time I looked, this is the USA and everybody's thoughts and ideas are welcomed. I am just stating my personal opinion. If my opinion does not agree with your opinion, it does not make it right or for the matter wrong. My opinion and thoughts are, mine. The last I knew, we are still entitled to our opinions.

Texas, I would love to visit there again. I was there many years ago and would look forward to returning. Denver or Colorado for that matter....I have cousins in Denver and I have been there and could care less if I ever return. Again, let me stress, it is my opinion. Let me also say, my daughter lives in Florida....I have not visited in the 3 years she has been there because I do not like Florida either. We are all individuals and are entitled to our opinions and can like or dislike any venue that is offered. I do not live too far from NYC and I would not go there either, my brother loves it...I do not. Again ....matter of preference. I am allowed to state my likes and dislikes in this country.

Regionals are just that, a smaller party, more intimate and more friendly. I have not been a member of the BCA for a lot of years but I am still learning and am open to learning. I have met a lot of great people in this organization and a few yo-yo's , but that is a different story. It really comes down to how much will it cost to go somewhere and can I justify the expense for what I am getting out of it.

I used to go to Cleveland and Pittsburg for football games but those two places are getting to be on the "out of reach list". I used to have season tickets for the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills...no more because for what I pay, the satisfation is not there.

Just my opinions and thoughts.

Stevo

[imported_Thriller]

Originally Posted By: Mark Shaw

Have we ever had one in Canada? Last time I checked, Canada was still in North America; & it seems that we have many BCA members in Canada.

I have seen several postings of meets and tours & great car museums in Canada. Passports are now required;.... but why not Canada?

Many of us are scattered about. For instance, to come to a smaller, more affordable city like Winnipeg, you need to look at how many BCA members are there and may be willing to put something together - I think there are 4 of us at present and I recently bought the only Buick from one of them, so I don't know if he'll remain a member. I have been considering trying to drum up support and create a chapter here, but I haven't had the energy yet (too distracted with other things). However, as soon as you get near a larger centre, you have to deal with rising costs and depending where it is, you run into the same sort of distance issues as any other location...only being further north, it may be more of an issue.

Don't get me wrong...I'd love to be able to host something...and I'm looking at setting up something for the Gopher State Chapter for Labour Day 2009...that would be something small and relatively intimate, and hopefully fun, but it will have to be within my energy levels to put on as I haven't many folks I could ask for assistance.

If we look across Canada, here's a few thoughts - Vancouver / southern BC - similar to Seattle and a long way for many...Calgary - nice western place, but it's gotten pretty expensive - north of Montana for distance...Manitoba / Saskatchewan don't really have the population base...southern Ontario - lots of great history (think Oshawa and the founding of General Motors of Canada), wineries, etc. - across the river from Michigan, not far from Buffalo, so for some it may be a better location, but also very expensive...Montreal or Quebec City - great cities, lots of history, the language barrier may be a bit of an issue (French)...the Maritimes - Halifax would probably be the only reasonable location - again, great vistas, loads of history, somewhat pricey, on the Atlantic (think Maine) so distance may be an issue.

I think it could be done for a tour or something like that (the BDE had a recent tour in southern Ontario if I recall correctly), but I don't know if the passport requirement, money changing, not to mention border hassles for swap meet vendors would make it feasible.

As for me, I take National meets a year at a time. My kids attend school pretty much to the end of June, so timing (like Batavia a few years ago) can affect our decision (in 2009, we will be leaving here before the last day of school, but it won't be a big deal, but it's not like I'm taking them out for a week or two). We also have to consider our vacation time, finances, and distance. 2007 was a long way to go for us, but we have family in Oregon, so we extended our vacation that way. Vacation timing didn't work out this year, which is why I flew to Flint by myself.

Distance (which translates to time if driving) and total cost (including transportation to and from a meet) are very real issues for a lot of folks. Please, let's not belittle those who have to make those choices.

2007 on the west coast, 2008 in Flint, 2009 in Colorado...2010 should go to a central / eastern / southern location thinking geographically and trying to make it so those who may not be able to travel long distances can attend every few years. Unfortunately my memory of geography of the USA in combination with a lack of knowledge of chapter locations makes it difficult for me to perhaps make suggestions...I'm happy not to as I wouldn't want to pressure a chapter into taking it on if they aren't ready.

Part of the reason I like to attend National meets is getting there and seeing different countryside each time. I also like the different flavour imparted on each National...location means a different mix of cars show up, plus the events / sights to see. So, for me, my preference would be to go somewhere I haven't been. Perhaps something like southern OH, southern Illinois, Indiana (wouldn't it be fun to see how many Buick pace car replicas we could get at Indy), Missouri, KY, TN would be a region to concentrate on.

Another thing is that, if a group feels they aren't big enough, perhaps a show of support from others who would volunteer to help out would help to convince smaller chapter to give it a shot. There are activities that folks need to be close to the action (such as arranging tours) in the planning stages, but there are many jobs that could be done which could be filled by folks from around the country / world (perhaps acting as chaperone / head counter on a bus, parking vehicles, photographing cars, etc.). If it would be the difference between having a National and not having one, I'd certainly be willing to volunteer for a half day at some quasi-menial task.

Well, there I've gone blathering again...time to shut up and listen.

[Dandy Dave]

Say Fellers n Gals, Whats the "BDE"???

I sure had a lot of fun in Flint this past year , especially going on the pre War Tour. [img]<>/laugh.gif[/img] I would love to come to Colorado, but at this point, because of the cost, it seems to be out of reach for me also. [img]<>/frown.gif[/img]

Quote:

I have met a lot of great people in this organization and a few yo-yo's

Careful there Stevo, I resemble that remark. [img]<>/shocked.gif[/img] I have to ask myself from time to time, Would anyone in there right mind still be driving a 1915 Car, or only a Yo-yo [img]<>/laugh.gif[/img] Dandy Dave!