Las Vegas National

[kevin1221]

I know this show was last weekend, but was wondering if anyone attended the show or had any reports on how it went.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin

[1st gen Brian]

Hi Kevin,

We drove down from the Monterey Bay Area and had a nice time! The hotel is a summer water destination because of the lake so not crowded. Also the on site casino was permanently closed so a a bit remote. 
Rooms & staff friendly and we hav friends who live nearby so it was ok. 
The large “east coast” contingent made this event happen as the did most of judging and I suspect the behind the scenes work for the 80+ cars entered. That was disappointing the western chapters did not support with hundreds of cars. 
There was a video of the event shown at the banquet so maybe you can get AACA to post? I really didn’t take many show photos but here are two we took in the parking lot just before our 11 hour drive home. 😀

Also, no announcement at the banquet of when or where the 2023 Western will happen? Disappointed!

Again, I hope the “active/vocal” chapters will step up to get a ‘23 show on the calendar. I’d like to try for a Senior award soon. 
Thanks to all who put on the Vegas show,

Brian

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by 1st gen Brian
Posted upside down photo! (see edit history)

[1st gen Brian]

[kevin1221]

Thanks for the update Brian. I was somewhat fearful of a low turnout. It's a shame that Western states do not bring the crowds that the east coast shows do. I had lived in the Las Vegas area for four years, but moved back to Florida last summer. I have shown a 1966 Mustang in many AACA Nationals in the southeast US. Those shows normally attract 300-400 cars. 

 

I'm guessing the COVID mandates in Nevada right up until very close to the show date did not help either. I do know many in the Vegas Region, and I know they put forth a great effort. 

 

Your Camaro is beautiful. Good luck achieving your Senior Award.

 

Kevin

[AnniesSS]

I posted photos in the other thread

[kevin1221]

Thanks Annie. I really enjoyed the photos. I had lived in the Vegas area for 4 years, and had recently moved back to Florida. I was unable to attend the show.

 

Kevin

[Larry Schramm]

Hopefully this picture will look better.

 

 

[1st gen Brian]

Hi all,

First, thanks to Larry for fixing my upside down photo.

Second, thanks to Kevin for asking about the show.

Third, why was there no response to this show afterwards? No videos and no photos? Does anyone else find that odd?

Fourth, why was there no announcement at the awards banquet of the dates and location of the 2023 Western Nationals? Again, I seem to be the only one in the room who found that strange????

Fifth, I've been a member of a few other "classic car" clubs in my 40ish years of showing cars and they "always" announce the show for the following year at the banquet. Yes, there have been times where the exact dates or the exact host hotel was up in the air but at least someone from the host club got up to the podium and announced the next show in an effort to drum up excitement.

Sixth, where are the posts on the webpage from the AACA? The president and several other officers were there and yet nothing???

Seventh, a video was taken and shown during the banquet yet only those in the room saw it??? Again, great marketing material is stuck in someone's video camera??? It was well done and yet not shared???

Lastly, I really hope the AACA can help a local chapter or group of chapters host a 2023 Western Nationals show. The goal should be to have a Western Nationals show every year but we have to show them we want it too!

Sorry for the rant but I feel it needs to be said.

I eagerly look forward to your replies,

Brian Birkeland #913583

[AnniesSS]

I posted photos in the other LV meet thread.  As for your other questions... some people don't have the time to post here often.  Not everyone had a camera, or aren't comfortable sharing their photos...

as for the 2023 meet, maybe there are still issues that are up in the air that haven't been ironed out yet, so instead of getting everyone's hopes up, hotel/airfare booked, they are waiting until it is 100%.

 

Lastly, feel free to volunteer to do any of the above.  I know there is a great need for more volunteers within AACA local chapters, Regions and Nationals.

[1st gen Brian]

Hi all,
We had a great time at the Vegas show in March with a photo above to prove it.

So, any news on when and where the 2023 Western Nationals show will be?

I have absolutely no illusions that a Grand National show will be held in the Pacific or Mountain

time zones any time soon and that seems to be a point of confusion when I bring up this topic.

Yes, I suspect years for a "western" GN but that is because the membership does not

seem to "strongly" support the concept of an annual Western Nationals show. So, to clarify I'm just looking for

a regional but annual show held in the Pacific and Mountain time zones. Can we actually do it????

Ok, all clubs in the Pacific and Mountain time zones it is time for you to speak up.

I eagerly await your reply,

Brian

[Terry Bond]

AACA can provide a list of members in the area you are looking at for a potential event.  Trying to pull together enough to hold a meet just might be what it takes to get things moving. 

Terry 

[1st gen Brian]

Terry,

Thanks for the reply but you helped prove my case. Nearly 48 hours after my post and you are the only reply and you live in Virginia. The western chapters are not interested in hosting an annual show IMHO and their complete lack of response only proves it. I am so disappointed since the 4 Classic Chevy/Camaro Clubs I have belonged to over the past 40 years have all folded. Now the only one left has moved from MD to PA and has virtually no presence west of the Rockies. All I want is an annual show, with real judging for restored cars in the West.

I've been to nearly every Concours in the West, and done quite well by the way, but a national club is really what I enjoyed most. In it's hay day CCI was one of the very best with excellent peer judging, a 1000 point sheet, and the results/sheets were mailed to every car owner about 30-60 days after the show. Bought out by Ecklers Corvette Parts and the club vanished. So very sad.

Thanks,

Brian

[Mark Shaw]

     I think there are basically two kinds of car people; show car people and people who like to tour with their cars.   I am not a show car guy, so I belong to two HCCA groups that usually have two or three tours each year.  I am not an AACA member because the NW area chapters are relatively inactive and are focused on local car shows and parades.  It seems the vast majority AACA members are primarily focused on east coast activities because that is where most of the members live.  So, until the AACA partners with other larger west coast car clubs, your expectations for west coast activities should not be the same as those held in the east.

[ted sweet]

very hard to find other clubs  that  share the aaca mission

Edited August 23, 2022 by ted sweet (see edit history)

[1st gen Brian]

Ted,

Thanks for the reply. I could almost agree with you but what about recent successful shows by the Las Vegas chapter, the Fallbrook chapter in San Diego,CA area, the Phoenix,AZ chapter, and the Tuscon,AZ chapter ? I still think is is odd that no board members live west of the continental divide and that the "west coast" representative lives in Lincoln, Nebraska????

With several excellent concours on the west coast including the Pebble Beach Concours, which is in my back yard, and is seen as the pinnacle of American car shows I just don't buy the argument that west coast clubs are not interested in hosting a "western" aaca show each year. I think "something happened" behind the scenes where western chapters feel snubbed, angry, and feel a lack of support by aaca headquarters and the board. While I'm a newish member the feeling was clearly palpable at one of the intro meetings at Las Vegas and the phrase "...poor redhedded stepchild.." was used to describe the Western region.  So, can we heal the hurt caused and provide the support and commitment to an annual "western" show? I certainly hope so.

Thanks & I look forward to a reply by the aaca board,

Brian 912583

[ted sweet]

you wont get a board rely on this forum .

 

i belong to  a region that has hosted a national. it takes several years of planning and a lot of work.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Brian, I stumbled on this and respectfully disagree with your assessment.  We have communicated before.  I have been here 19 years and have attended every board meeting so I know the attitude of the club about expanding our ability in the Western part of the country.  I have also been privy to the failed attempts to gain support for events such as a mini-annual convention, etc.  In no way would I expect you to understand what we have been up against.  We use to have spark plugs out in the west such as Dave Chiotti who chaired numerous tours and even a GN in California.  He did his "time".  We do have a member in Colorado who is trying to put together another event and the potential for something in AZ again.  We know the complaints but these same people have little understanding what the club is up against.  I won't debate this in our forum as it literally would take an hour to cite all the issues.  All I can say is the club will continue to try and hosting SUCCESSFUL car events in the West.  Ones that do not violate our rules and ones that those out West will agree to support by their attendance. 

 

 

[Terry Bond]

4 hours ago, Steve Moskowitz said:

Brian, I stumbled on this and respectfully disagree with your assessment.  We have communicated before.  I have been here 19 years and have attended every board meeting so I know the attitude of the club about expanding our ability in the Western part of the country.  I have also been privy to the failed attempts to gain support for events such as a mini-annual convention, etc.  In no way would I expect you to understand what we have been up against.  We use to have spark plugs out in the west such as Dave Chiotti who chaired numerous tours and even a GN in California.  He did his "time".  We do have a member in Colorado who is trying to put together another event and the potential for something in AZ again.  We know the complaints but these same people have little understanding what the club is up against.  I won't debate this in our forum as it literally would take an hour to cite all the issues.  All I can say is the club will continue to try and hosting SUCCESSFUL car events in the West.  Ones that do not violate our rules and ones that those out West will agree to support by their attendance. 

 

 

I'll also mention our past efforts to expand touring opportunities out West.  After holding several successful  joint efforts with other organizations we tried to expand at least one regularly held tour and alternate it East/West annually instead of holding it just every other year.  It did not work out.  Perhaps it's worth trying again?

Terry

[61polara]

Brian, what are you willing to do to promote an AACA National or AACA Tour in the Western Division?  Not being critical of you, but a "why don't we" will go further than a "why don't you".  I think AACA National is truly interested in more Western activities, but people need to step up.  If you or your region can't, try to encourage others in the West to step up.

[1st gen Brian]

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the replies! I really was/am trying to stir the pot and see what responses I would get, especially from members in the west.

Funny, if you look through the thread only one, Mark from Oregon, has commented. All the rest are from the eastern third of the usa. It was and is very disappointing just like it was at the Las Vegas convention that no one stood up and asked, " So, where is the 2023 Westerns going to be held because I want to book a room." Oh, I thought about it but I've only been a member a couple of years and Vegas was my very first AACA show.

 

As for 61 Polara's suggestion, I'm willing to promote/help but am very concerned when this thread gets no response....

I did belong to a chapter in my area but the members, friendly and pleasant that they are, seemed only interested in their monthly meeting and monthly tour. I brought flyers and emailed them as well for local shows from cars & coffee to concours, especially those I thought I might attend and got virtually no response. And no one from that chapter attended the Las Vegas Westerns. After a few years, yes most of this was during covid, I decided to let my local membership expire. It might also be pertinent that at age 60 I was probably 20 years younger than most local members....

 

I think there are a few large and active clubs in the West. A few which come to my mind are Orange County, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Tuscon, AZ and Fallbrook, CA. My apologies to those I may have missed. Seems like relations with western chapters is "frosty" at best. Well, that's my perception at meetings I attended while at Vegas so I'm not sure how you fix that but I do think having the Western Region board member living in Nebraska does not send a supportive message to the Western Region.

 

I also wonder why there are rarely any Western events listed in your excellent magazine. Maybe that also sends out a perception that the club "doesn't exist or serve" the Western Region? What do the 6 largest and most active Western chapters tell you? Can you get them to send a "listing" of upcoming events to put in the national magazine?

 

I love your magazine and I had a nice time at Las Vegas and even won a First Junior so now I want to try to get a First Senior but I'm really not interested in trailering my car much past the continental divide.... Seems like a pretty big region with enough chapters to host an annual show. I'm hoping you are approaching directly the presidents of every "active" local chapter in those states and asking what it would take for them to consider it?

 

At this point, I'm pretty concerned that a 2024 Western Nationals is not in the cards either. Am I wrong?

 

I look forward to constructive suggestions and encouraging replies especially from those who live in the Western time zone. I really don't understand why there isn't an Western Nationals show every year and why I'm the only one who seems to be asking. Can someone please explain?

 

Thanks!

Brian

 

[ted sweet]

i believe only aaca events and events of aaca  regions are published?

[Terry Bond]

17 hours ago, 1st gen Brian said:

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the replies! I really was/am trying to stir the pot and see what responses I would get, especially from members in the west.

Funny, if you look through the thread only one, Mark from Oregon, has commented. All the rest are from the eastern third of the usa. It was and is very disappointing just like it was at the Las Vegas convention that no one stood up and asked, " So, where is the 2023 Westerns going to be held because I want to book a room." Oh, I thought about it but I've only been a member a couple of years and Vegas was my very first AACA show.

 

As for 61 Polara's suggestion, I'm willing to promote/help but am very concerned when this thread gets no response....

I did belong to a chapter in my area but the members, friendly and pleasant that they are, seemed only interested in their monthly meeting and monthly tour. I brought flyers and emailed them as well for local shows from cars & coffee to concours, especially those I thought I might attend and got virtually no response. And no one from that chapter attended the Las Vegas Westerns. After a few years, yes most of this was during covid, I decided to let my local membership expire. It might also be pertinent that at age 60 I was probably 20 years younger than most local members....

 

I think there are a few large and active clubs in the West. A few which come to my mind are Orange County, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Tuscon, AZ and Fallbrook, CA. My apologies to those I may have missed. Seems like relations with western chapters is "frosty" at best. Well, that's my perception at meetings I attended while at Vegas so I'm not sure how you fix that but I do think having the Western Region board member living in Nebraska does not send a supportive message to the Western Region.

 

I also wonder why there are rarely any Western events listed in your excellent magazine. Maybe that also sends out a perception that the club "doesn't exist or serve" the Western Region? What do the 6 largest and most active Western chapters tell you? Can you get them to send a "listing" of upcoming events to put in the national magazine?

 

I love your magazine and I had a nice time at Las Vegas and even won a First Junior so now I want to try to get a First Senior but I'm really not interested in trailering my car much past the continental divide.... Seems like a pretty big region with enough chapters to host an annual show. I'm hoping you are approaching directly the presidents of every "active" local chapter in those states and asking what it would take for them to consider it?

 

At this point, I'm pretty concerned that a 2024 Western Nationals is not in the cards either. Am I wrong?

 

I look forward to constructive suggestions and encouraging replies especially from those who live in the Western time zone. I really don't understand why there isn't an Western Nationals show every year and why I'm the only one who seems to be asking. Can someone please explain?

 

Thanks!

Brian

 

I think this discussion is kinda hidden under the heading "Las Vegas National."  It's not something that would be easily found unless you were interested in that particular topic.  I really think starting something here seeking info on how to increase support for western events might generate more input.  I see that Steve already responded but it certainly is a topic that has been widely discussed, and needs to be kept on the front burner IMHO. 

Terry

Edited September 7, 2022 by Terry Bond (see edit history)

[1st gen Brian]

Terry,

I agree. Would you be so kind as to start such a new thread. I suspect my stirring of the pot is not really welcomed by HQ but if you start such a thread it might get some traction?

Thank you,

Brian