2024 AACA Annual Convention - Update

[SLDMRossi]

AACA Annual Convention, February 8-10, 2024: Westfields Marriot Washington Dulles, 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151. 

Just named ... Mariott's Premium Hotel of the Year! Less than 10 miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport.

Air & Space Museum Visit, Antique Automobile Seminars, Trade Show, Judging Schools, Casino Gaming Night, National Awards.

Room Rate: $129 per night, or $169 w/breakfast for two.

Reservation Link: https://book.passkey.com/e/50584547

Or call (800)266-9432 (mention Antique Automobile Club of America)

Reservation Deadline = January 16, 2024

 

 

[kings32]

{ will be there , doing semiar with Scott 

[Steve Moskowitz]

I think I may go.  

[TAKerry]

Would love to attend, starts on my b day, good present to myself. Williamsburg was a much easier sell to the wife though😕

[rocketraider]

I'd like to go, but it's same weekend as a big local history event here. Being a member of all three groups that are hosting and staging it, kinda hard to get away.

 

Plus I'll admit I'm phobic about Northern Virginia! I'll drive a hundred miles out of the way to avoid the place!

[Steve Moskowitz]

Actually, Glenn getting to the hotel is normally not all that bad depending on where you are coming from.  I have made multiple trips via the route Joe P had mentioned before and never had an issue.

[TAKerry]

Im with you Glenn regarding N VA. Nightmare at best. We call it the Fredericksburg Triangle, not to be confused with the Bermuda triangle, LOL.

[rocketraider]

It's a straight shot up US29 for me, 5 hour drive depending on NoVA traffic. The kicker is the overlap with the Crossing of the Dan event.

 

Maybe someday.

[Terry Bond]

Traffic?  Nothing worse than Philly was the year they celebrated their Super-Bowl victory! 

Looking forward to being an the convention again.  Will be presenting a seminar this year-will post more info later.

Terry

[61polara]

I'll be there set up in the trade show.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I find it odd that they used to have car shows in a different place every year except Hershey. Now they have it every year at Charlotte and Auburn. I liked it better when it was in different places. The Convention was always in Philly. Now it's in a different place every year. I liked it when it was always in Philly.Of course I live near Philly

[Frank DuVal]

12 hours ago, TAKerry said:

Im with you Glenn regarding N VA. Nightmare at best. We call it the Fredericksburg Triangle, not to be confused with the Bermuda triangle, LOL.

Hey! That's me you are talking about.... No comparison, besides, Bermuda has better weather!.😉

 

But we do have better weather than Philly....😁

 

Oddly, Glenn, you will have more traffic issues getting through Charlottesville than US29 from Warrenton to Gainesville and I-66 east for a few miles (unless you make the mistake of trying this between 4AM and 9AM going north with all the commuters.😱) I suggest US15 from where ever south of Charlottesville to Culpepper (nice two lane rural road), then US29 from there north. This is horse country until you get to Manassas. VA28 from US29/15 to Manassas (and then right to the hotel north of Manassas) looks nice rural two lane, but it is busy with all the people who moved to the "cheap seats" to afford a house.😧  Of course you do have to use VA28 north of I-66 to get to the hotel. 

 

Don't forget to allow time to visit the Udvar-Hazy museum. The What? The Smithsonian's Air and Apace Museum at Dulles airport. Well worth the trip. Enola Gay, Space Shuttle in the building. Yes, a very large building.😉

[TAKerry]

I have not looked for nor seen a schedule yet, if one exists at this point. BUT is it possible to attend one day only? I am not sure if I can swing a few days in a row, but would like to get to the judging school, and perhaps a seminar or two. I could make a day trip out of it easily enough.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Yes, you can attend for one day only.  Schedule will be out soon but in the meantime judging school will be on Saturday.

 

As to moving events around it is a result of listening to our members who have substantially been in favor of moving the convention around and shows traditionally other than Hershey have moved.  It is only a "recent" phenomenon what we have had Charlotte as a regular anchor and of course Auburn which no longer is available.

[trimacar]

This is a little over an hour drive from my house, so I plan to at least attend one day, once I see the schedule.

 

The museum alone should make one want to make the trip, it's amazing.

 

There was somewhat of an uproar about displaying the Enola Gay, but sane heads prevailed, and that part of history is preserved now.  The space shuttle is interesting, but not as fascinating as the other space memorabilia displayed around it.

 

[rocketraider]

Charlottesville is another area I try to avoid. Why those people won't let the 29 bypass happen is beyond me. Biggest bottleneck on 29 between Atlanta and DC. Plus they do things there that deeply offend my historical sensibilities...

 

Sometimes we'll take 15 going to Carlisle. Except for trying to get through Frederick MD it's a refreshing drive- Frederick is as screwy to get thru as Charlottesville. I recommended that route to our late friend Dave Sweeney when he drove the Studebaker to Hershey a couple years ago.

 

Steve, Saturday is the big day for the Crossing event. I can do many things but being in two places at the same time isn't one of them!

[pkhammer]

We're seriously considering attending. This would be our first so we'll decide once we see the schedule. DC is only a 2 hour drive and I travel there often for work, many times into downtown DC. Was measuring for glass railing on the roof terrace right across the street from the White House not long ago! Not my favorite thing to do but I guess I'm used to it. I'm off on Friday's so I could spend the day there Friday and all day Saturday. We'd definitely take time for the Udvar-Hazy Museum.

[Terry Bond]

While many of us looked at Philly as a "tradition" of sorts, when it was moved to Williamsburg the 1st time it was amazing to see so many people attending who had never experienced the convention before.  Everyone I spoke with was thrilled and excited about the seminars, meetings, the fellowship among members, and best of all, the chance to see what a truly professional and well run organization AACA is.  Different locations gives members greater opportunities to participate and enjoy.  I look forward to seeing as many of our forum members there as possible.  I'm going to suggest we bring back the special "FORUM" ID badge if it can be worked out somehow. 

Terry

[charlier]

4 hours ago, Steve Moskowitz said:

As to moving events around it is a result of listening to our members who have substantially been in favor of moving the convention around and shows traditionally other than Hershey have moved.  It is only a "recent" phenomenon what we have had Charlotte as a regular anchor and of course Auburn which no longer is available.

Speaking of moving the convention around...

 

Maybe at some point in a future year it can move North of the Mason-Dixon Line once in a while? Not saying it has to be Philly but it seems a LOT of people do like the Gettysburg, PA area among other places for a convention.

[Walt G]

Attendance can be in a large part be affected by weather - wet conditions or frozen wet! can affect travel, even determine of someone wants to try to attend the event. I think that is why Philadelphia for some decades was chosen because of the location - easy access via airplane and major roads to and from . Almost like Hershey - major attractions around as well as larger roads to get to and from the location.

Much of the recent locations for events by all clubs has been south of the Mason-Dixon line as noted. If driving to the event . I can well understand the aggravation of having to negotiate a major city , but even going around NY City/Manhattan can be fairly fast if the time of the day is taken into consideration. Living on long island I have to do that to get on and off.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I always thought it was mandatory to have the convention in Philly since that is the birthplace of AACA

[32tatra]

Last February the club voted to change the bylaws.  The club also voted to change the date when the meeting has to be held.

6 hours ago, Dave Mellor NJ said:

I always thought it was mandatory to have the convention in Philly since that is the birthplace of AACA

 

[TAKerry]

Saturday is perfect! Im about 2.5 hrs away and like PK, I have a client in the area (south of DC). I am at his home working a couple of times a year. Doesnt mean I like the drive though, LOL. Im a bit closer to Philly and for years had wanted to attend but thought the convention was for the 'hard core' antique car owner/board of director type person only. After attending last year I was pleasantly surprised at what I found and wished I had taken advantage when it was much closer to me. 

[Terry Bond]

Looking forward to seeing everyone again. Its a great time!

Terry

[kings32]

Do we have Form buttons ?

[edinmass]

I will be there. Doing a seminar on tires, wheels, tubes, and alignment.

[pkhammer]

Looking forward to seeing a schedule. Would like to do a few seminars if possible, including Ed's! 

[mhsprecher]

I will be there, commuting from home, most likely.  It's an hour drive for me, depending on traffic.  It will be my first.

[TAKerry]

11 hours ago, mhsprecher said:

I will be there, commuting from home, most likely.  It's an hour drive for me, depending on traffic.  It will be my first.

By all means if you can, GO. Last year was my first time and I wish I had taken full advantage when it was within an hour of me for many years!

 

You dont live north of the venue by any chance?

[Pat Buckley]

The 2024 AACA Annual Convention being held at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, 14750 Conference Center Dr., Chantilly, VA 20151 on February 8-10, 2024, 800-266-9432

reservation link:  book.passkey.com/e/50584547, $129/night + tax (no breakfast), $149/night + tax (breakfast for one), $169/night + tax (breakfast for two)

 

Interested in becoming a trade show vendor? Click here for information.

 

Schedule of Events (all events at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, except for Udvar-Hazy Center):

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

1 pm - 4 pm --- Registration Open

1 pm - 4 pm --- Trade Show Set-up

  

Thursday, February 8, 2024

7:30 am - 5 pm --- Registration Open

8 am - 5 pm --- Trade Show Set-up

10 am - 5pm  --- Bus Transportation to & from Udvar-Hazy Center 

Noon --- Lunch at Udvar-Hazy Center

1:30 pm & 2:30 pm --- Tours at Udvar-Hazy Center

7 pm - 9 pm --- Directors Welcome Reception Pizza Party (cash bar)

 

Friday, February 9, 2024

7:30 am - 4 pm --- Registration Open
8 am - 5 pm --- Trade Show

8 am - noon --- Seminars

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm --- Lunch hosted by First Lady

2:30 pm - 5 pm --- Seminars

5:30 pm - 6 pm --- Reception (cash bar)

6 pm - 8 pm --- Regions & Chapters Dinner

8 pm --- Casino Night (cash bar)

  

Saturday, February 10, 2024

7:30 am - Noon --- Registration Open
8 am - 2 pm --- Trade Show

8 am - 10 am --- National Judging Schools

10:30 am - 1:30 pm --- Seminars

11 am - 1 pm --- Lunch on your own - lunch option available @ hotel

2 pm - 3:30 pm --- General Membership Meeting

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm --- Reception (cash bar)

6:30 pm - 10 pm --- National Awards Banquet

 

 

Seminar schedule will be as soon as available.

[Pat Buckley]

Schedule and other information

 

 

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Thank you very much, Pat.

[1967 Red Deville]

Thank you I am looking forward to attending my first Convention 

[1967 Red Deville]

I am going . But I have a question. I am thinking I will be arriving after 5 PM on thursday night . So I would have to do registration at 7:30am on Friday morning  and I am sure there will be others trying to register at the same time . the first seminar starts at 8 so will I have time to veiw a seminar list, pick a seminar, then hustle to it. Will there be a list of the seminars puplished prior to the event to see what seminars I should attend .

[61polara]

Registration will be open in time for the 8:00 AM seminars.  A listing of the seminar schedule should be out soon.

[baper.da.cow]

Whatt!! That exists?!

[baper.da.cow]

On 11/28/2023 at 6:43 PM, 61polara said:

Registration will be open in time for the 8:00 AM seminars.  A listing of the seminar schedule should be out soon.

To go, would I have to be a member of something? Or do I just register there?

[61polara]

To attend, you have to be a paid member of AACA, which is $45 per year.  You can join AACA from the AACA home page here.  Registration will open next week is $45 plus additional fees for dinners and special events you may wish to attend.  You should be able to join and register at the Convention, but I recommend pre-registering, so your name tag and event tickets are ready when you check in.  I've been attending for about 20 years and the seminars are great and it's a wonderful way to meet other members from all over the country.

2024_AACA_Annual_Convention_Chantilly_VA.pdf

 

[baper.da.cow]

2 minutes ago, 61polara said:

To attend, you have to be a paid member of AACA, which is $45 per year.  You can join AACA from the AACA home page here.  Registration will open next week is $45 plus additional fees for dinners and special events you may wish to attend.  You should be able to join and register at the Convention, but I recommend pre-registering, so your name tag and event tickets are ready when you check in.  I've been attending for about 20 years and the seminars are great and it's a wonderful way to meet other members from all over the country.

2024_AACA_Annual_Convention_Chantilly_VA.pdf

 

Ahh. Thanks for the clarification. I probably won't be going then, as I just found out this website exists.

[61polara]

3 minutes ago, baper.da.cow said:

Ahh. Thanks for the clarification. I probably won't be going then, as I just found out this website exists.

Glad you found us and welcome.  If you continue to enjoy the website, consider becoming a paid member to support the site as well as receiving the excellent magazine published by the club and find out about all of our other activities.  Attending the Annual Convention is a great way to introduce yourself to all the club offers.