Please save this link for the 2008 Buick Club of America National Meet, as it will be updated as soon as new information is available. Today's update is the registration form, which now includes a place to add your BCA Discusstion Forum Name, so it can be included on our nametags at the Meet. IF you have already sent in your registration form, not to worry, I will make sure your DF Name is included, if you are not sure please email me, to confirm. Thanks!

2008 BCA National Meet Info

Roberta,
Can you answer a question for me?? Why is there a $30 registration fee for the '08 Nationals, when it is a NON-JUDGED event. What is the registration fee being used for, when there are NO trophy's or awards to purchase. This amount is what I would expect to pay to register for a JUDGED event. I understand the purpose of the registration fee at a judged meet - to help offset the purchasing of awards from BCA and such- but for a "relaxed" NON- JUDGED meet???? What major expense/s is this trying to cover?? I'm curious.

It won't be hard for me to get my $30 worth of fun out of 'em. Especially if they have the wine kegs under the big tent again like in '03.

Probably things like renting sound equipment, tents, etc. I recall for 2003, Buick and the dealer, Patsy Lou must have made quite a financial committment for the "goodies", but. like Lamar, I do not think a problem getting the $30 worth of fun, even without the wine and cheese.

John

Indirectly related...there was some discussion about entry fees at the open meeting at the National...compared to other clubs, the registration fees for our meets are low. There are always expenses to putting something like this together. Point - everyone pays the same fee for 400 point judging whether or not they get an award. Perhaps it is time for us collectively to stop being so cheap - what I spent in fuel, hotel, souvenirs, etc. to get to the National makes the actual registration fee a pittance.

I don't know yet whether or not I'll get to Flint...I'm an introvert and don't care much for crowds, but I might consider flying in by myself for a day or two.

Well, Don, all the replies have basically hit the nail on the head, would you pay $30 for a ticket to get in the hospitality area or for an umbrella cause we would have no tents, or how about a ticket to use a porta-potty? We have no major sponsors, yet, still working on that. In addition, every registered participant will receive several commerative items, besides the other perks.

That's more then good enough for me.

John

Maybe I will have to look at flying in for a day or two...hmmm.

Off topic - Roberta, perhaps we should talk a bit about your parts car seeing as I have a "complete" car that is barely above parts car status.

Roberta,
Thank you for your prompt response in answer to my question. For the record, I was not trying to stir up or start any controversy with my question. We've already been through enough of that crap in the past!!! Somewhere along the line I was mislead into believing there already was Financial support coming from GM and/or Buick, in amounts similar to their participation in 2003. So I was genuinely curious as to why. Personally, I feel it would be in GM's and/or Buicks' best interest to offer some kind of monetary assistance to the National meet as a "thank you" and goodwill gesture to show their support to us, for being the loyal hobbyists, that, for whatever our reasons were, chose to preserve our particular GM/Buick model of choice and for the deep passion and enthusiasm we share in keeping their past products on the road and their history alive. Now, if they would only start putting some of that past excitement and styling that captured us, back into the showroom, so as to excite and bring this next younger generation back into the fold, before they are all lost to thinking that the "rice burners" are the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel. They sure would help make our job easier to recruit younger members and ensure that our hobby will survive well into the future with products and styling that this generation would want to own and find the same passion to preserve the history, that we already have. Even with current technology and quality being all that it is, I personally don't see the current SUV and model offerings as the WOW vehicles of desire to restore 10-20 years down the road. My 2 cents and preference, I don't see anything in Buicks current or recent past (8-10years) line-up as showing collectible/restoreable desire, with the exception of the last generation 95-99 Riviera. They design and bring out a WOW design-- LaCrosse concept of a few years ago, which showed Buicks' rich history with the "sweapspear" side styling and when they actully bring out he "LaCrosse", it is no more than a freshened restyle of the well worn previous Century style that it replaced. And the reason they replaced the Century and Regal bodies--- Might as well-- they looked so da_n similar the last couple of years, that on a quick glance you could not tell them apart, unless you read the nameplate. I'm sorry, I'm getting off subject-- We do need help in the showroom for our future as a hobby, but that is for a diffent discussion.
Again, Roberta, Thank You for your prompt reply.

$30 is good for me. The trinkets and such included with the registration packet are usually worth that to me.

Lamar, I'll meet you at the wine tent!

Anyone thinking about flying into Flint from NYC,check this out:

Northwest plans nonstop flights to New York
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Friday, August 31, 2007
By Marjory Raymer
mraymer@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6325
FLINT - Northwest Airlines announced Thursday it will begin daily service to New York in November.

The news comes on the heels of an announcement by American Eagle last month that it will begin service to LaGuardia International Airport. Both airlines will start service Nov. 4.

Northwest's tentative schedule calls for the daily, non-stop flights to leave Flint at 6 a.m., arriving in New York at 7:45 a.m., and leaving New York at 7 p.m. and arriving back in Flint at 8:05 p.m.

The news wasn't exactly welcomed by airport officials.

Northwest previously has followed airlines into new markets from Flint and made routes unprofitable - causing both airlines to discontinue service.

"We did not anticipate or have any knowledge of Northwest announcing this service," said Pat Corfman, spokeswoman for Bishop Airport. "We hope the community realizes we would not be getting this service if it weren't for American Eagle taking that first step."

Northwest spokesman Darren Shannon said Northwest is "committed" to the route.

Northwest also announced new service to LaGuardia from Des Moines, Iowa, and Madison, Wis. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

"The Heartland of America is of great importance to Northwest Airlines, and we are proud to be able to launch these new nonstop services to New York's LaGuardia airport," Tom Bach, vice president of network planning and revenue management, said in a prepared statement

Well, we made our reservations and this time I really hope we can attend. The Michigan shows are always superb. But I'm not flyin no matter what service is available from NYC.

JD

JD, be there or be square. Bring your crew, they won't want to miss it! for sure!

Do you have to be BCA member to attend?If i remember correctly,you didn't have to to attend the 07 national.I have a couple that want to come but don't belong to the BCA.

We would prefer that folks attending with a car are members of the BCA, due to insurance issues. We gained many new members in 2003, because they thought they had to be members to participate, some have stayed members, some haven't. Bringing a car to the show has many benefits, such as goodie bags full of awesome stuff. Since this is a BCA National, it would be nice if everyone that attends with a car would be a member, think about; The Buick BUGLE, the "best" part of being a member, and where almost all the money goes. We aren't going to turn anyone down from attending, but it's their choice. Hope that helps.

How difficult or painful would it be to get between Detroit and Flint? I'm debating going myself (don't recall whether I've made this suggestion to Suzanne yet or not) flying down on Thursday so I could take in a tour on Friday and fly back on Sunday. I'm guessing (admittedly haven't looked into it yet) that flying to Detroit would be relatively straightforward. I guess I could rent a car, but not sure I'd need one there.

Thanks.

Derek, it's about a hour drive from Detroit Metro to Flint, but when you check flights out, check for connection to Flint(FNT) as sometimes it is cheaper to get the connection to Flint through DTW than just going to Detroit!

Are any of the other major GM Divisions (Chev, Pontiac, Olds, or Cadillac) celebrating along with us in Flint in July, 2008?

Thanks.


Al Mack

Al, at this time, there is a plan to celebrate the GM 100 in Flint with all divisions, being represented at a cruise/show on Friday night, July 18 in downtown Flint, the event is being presented by the Motor Cities Heritage Commitee and on Sunday, July 20th a 100th GM Anniverary Parade at 1PM in Flint, Michigan is tentatively scheduled, there a several other events being planned, that are in need of major sponsorship, before they can be announced such as fireworks on Friday night, and the parade on Sunday afternoon, but more is too come in the next couple of months, our next meeting is not til November, in order to develop plans for sponsorship for the event, so more to come.

Roberta,
I want to get registration for Flint meet taken care of in the very near future. Do you have any idea or knowledge of the goings on up there yet during the week???
Is GM or the other divisions planning anything for the early part of the week?? I want to lock up the hotel room also, but don't know how many days to plan for at this time--- depends on what is happening during the early part of the week. Do we book the room for Sun to Sat? or book for Tues/Wed thru Sat-- any info you could find and pass on would be of emense help to get these things sorted out and my registration in. Thanks.

Event Schedule

Whoo hoo!

I'm happy you put that on Friday morning...if I do make it out, I'll probably be flying in Thursday, and leaving Sunday by my lonesome...guess I'd be a Buick Bachelor then for a couple days.

WOW that sounds like a lot of fun. Wednesday all the way through Sunday. The curises,drag racin, parades and fireworks...yeee haaaaa
uhh let me go back and check but I don't recall seeing mention of the Girls on Buicks event. I'm sure I just looked over it.
Thanks for posting Roberta, this lets me know that I need to book the hotel through Sunday too.

2008 BUICK HOMECOMING....doesn't that sound sweet

I think my 1915 C-36 would have a Great time there , let alone its owner. I do belive I'll trailer the old girl as it is a little futher than I want to drive it.

Sign me up!

Oh, I found it! I'll fill it out and send it in.

Dave!