Small Region, GIANT Job! -- Nat'l Winter Meet in Gainesville, FL

[Art Griffin]

Good Morning Everyone!

The North Central Florida Region, with only about 30 members, just hosted a great National Winter Meet in Gainesville! What a super job they did! Having been a Meet Chairman myself, I can say truthfully that this small region proved beyond a shadow of doubt that you don't have to be big to host a successful National Meet. National Director and AACA Past President Janet Ricketts volunteered to serve as Chief Judge, and her willingness made this meet possible. Thanks, Janet! You did a fantastic job at a busy time in your business job! (Janet has been Chief Judge at several previous National Meets and has helped other regions as well.)

Meet Chairman Jim Schmidt, owner of National Parts Depot, assisted by his son Rick, led his team with polish and precision, and they overcame all obstacles (actually some big ones) thrown in their path. Region President Don McCullen also provided fine leadership. And his wife Donna, the Registration Chairman (also Chief Bottle Washer) assisted in many ways throughout the entire planning and execution process. I could name EVERY member of the Region, and you would be amazed at how they all stepped forward to do the many jobs for this great meet. Everything was done exceptionally well. Everything was FIRST CLASS! Congratulations and thanks to the North Central Florida Region!!

When the North Central Florida Region agreed to host this first meet of 2005, I promised them help from other regions, and I'm happy to say they all came through. I probably don't know everyone who helped, but I would like to mention the Kingdom of the Sun Region, the Florida Region (their president Tom Holt even spent Saturday morning parking cars!), and the Cape Canaveral Region.

The bottom line: there is no region too small to host a National event -- a Meet or a Tour -- especially when other regions volunteer to help them make it happen.

Art Griffin
Chm. Nat'l Activities, SE Div.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Art, thanks for the post! You could not be more correct. What a fantastic job Jim and his crew did over the weekend. Great meet and great people. They also performed spectacularly after being dealt several very difficult problems not of their own making. Besides, it was a nice feeling for this Northerner to get a little sunburn in March! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and by the way, your forgot to mention that you also volunteered and were working along side everyone during the show. Thanks for your dedication to AACA.

[R W Burgess]

Art, Earl tells me you had one day of rain, but beautiful weather otherwise. Also, if you guys get your picture link up, put her here. I'm sure everyone is interested in getting ready for the show season and looking at pictures is a great start. Wayne

[ppaquet]

Art....saying "Thanks" to all the Regions who worked to make the 05 Winter Meet the success it was seems totally inadequate. It was obvious from the time one stepped up to the registration desk until the Saturday night banquet was over that much thought and hard work had gone into the the meet. As I said, "Thanks" seems so little, but it's the best I know. Patt

[Art Griffin]

Yes, Patt, I agree that we probably need a more powerful word than Thanks. But, you, I'm not sure what that word is.

I've been to quite a few National Meets, although I know you and Buddy have been to more. However, I don't believe I've seen better signs than at Gainesville. Everywhere you needed to go, there was a first class sign pointing the way. When I was parking cars on Saturday, the route for vehicles to follow was so clearly marked with large easy-to-read signs that we hardly needed to give verbal directions.

The little touches from the Hospitality Room to the Awards Banquet were all done beautifully, and lots of members made items themselves. Maps, Program boolket, Refreshments, Gifts, Table decorations, Activities (the list goes on) were all done with a personal touch.

Anyway, like I said earlier, a small region can host a National Meet or Tour with class!

Art

[Janet Ricketts]

Art,
You forgot to mention one very important point - YOU are the one that twisted Donna McCullen's arm to step up and commit to doing the meet. You worked very hard to get a 2005 Winter Meet on the books. If it weren't for your determination as Chairman of National Activities, it would not have been possible. We thank you for your dedication to AACA and the passion you have for this great hobby.
Janet <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[DaveBerg]

I couldn't agree more. Thank you North Central Florida Region. The meet was simply outstanding. From the hotel, the registration, hospitality room, food at the judges breakfast and awards banquet, all was great. It was a last minute decision for me to be able to attend the meet. I am so glad I was able to work it out. I surely would have hated to have missed this one. the diverse diplay of cars was truly a treat. I overheard on more than one occasion spectators asking "how they could get a membership application." this meet was indeed very special. Thanks again to all of you for your hard work to make this meet happen.

[Art Griffin]

Janet,

I guess I would have to say it was a team effort. And everyone on the team workded hard to make it a success.

Art

[Art Griffin]

By the way, if some of you who attended got some good pictures, I would appreciate receiving them by e-mail (attachments). I have already received several, and when I get a representative group, I will post them at the AACA Photo Post site.

Thanks,

Art Griffin

[R W Burgess]

Thanks Art! Wayne

[imported_PWN]

Great Event, especially liked to see the 1914 Mercer Raceabout and the 04 Wayne.
The 1923 Locomobile was a treat - never have seen that much brass on a 23 car. There were a bevy of beauties including an early Essex Boattail speedster and a slew of true 30's Classics, Packard, Cord, Aurburn, etc.


Could have done without all the "used cars" though. Never was all that impressed with 1978 Cadilacs even "way" back then - and there were two! What's up with that?

Great event!

Are all National meets so top heavy with 50' and later used cars? Made for a relatively quick viewing though.

Cheers!

[Steve Moskowitz]

Always fun to see a real Mercer and the 1907 Wayne was just spectacular! The Loco was a real treat too.

Yes, 50's and up are what a lot of people are restoring these days. The brass cars are staying in collections for the most part and something needs to be done to get more of these out. The public and owners of newer cars are missing out on seeing the evolution of the automobile. It is a shame........

I have heard from some members that at one time their 40's cars were considered "used cars'....

Has anyone considered reducing or eliminating the registration fee for 1915 and earlier cars? The $$$ incentive is not that great, nor would be the cost to the club, but it might send a message that these cars are really wanted at Meets.

As for the "used cars", back in 1964 my newly restored "41 Cadillac Convertible Sedan was just 23 years old when I took it to a Region 4th of July picnic and was told to park that damned used car out in the street. Pretty desirable car today. At that moment I decided that no matter how disinterested I was in someone's car I would never insult the owner as I had been insulted.

I have no interest in '78 cars of any make and for that matter not much for those of the 70's and '60s. BUT, they mean something to the person who owns them and "used cars" is less than nice form of reference. "Modern iron" falls into the same category. It's OK to think it, but less than kind to state it for general consumption.

Having said all that, I just bought a '63 Corvair used car.

[Steve Moskowitz]

I like the idea Howard, will steal it and "run it up the flagpole"!

Howard, I recall reading a story about the much photographed 1928 Packard Dual cowl phaeton of Robert Turnquists being kicked off a AACA show field as being a "tow car". The year I believe was approx. 1947. In 1966 I bought a "used" 19 year old 1947 Cadillac 75 imperial limousine for $300. They are all just "used" cars at some point but it's not a polite term to use to anyone who brings a car to a show.

Steve,

Anybody who works the kind of hours, it is Saturday afternoon after all, that you do for AACA is welcome to "steal" any ideas I might have if they appear worthwhile.

Howard

[imported_PWN]

I will try and be diplomatic in the future. And you are correct. That 78 Caddy will be a neat car to view in 80 years or so, but then again my car will be 163 years old then!

Gotta think of something to get the old old ones out and in the public eye.

[Art Griffin]

I guess everyone saw that the Meet results are now posted on the AACA Website. You can go there directly at:

www.aaca.org/meetresults/2005GainesvilleFlorida.pdf

Art Griffin

[R W Burgess]

Art, You guys had another message from our new President that I think everyone missed. I'll bring it to the top. Wayne

[Art Griffin]

Wayne,

Thanks. I guess our President Dave didn't notice that we already had a thread going.

Art Grififn