BCA National Meets

[NTX5467]

We all know that this year's BCA National Meet will be in Indiana and that next year's BCA National Meet will be the celebration in Flint. <P>I have seen some strong hints that the 2004 BCA National Meet should be "out west" but I also understand that no response to these hints has been received. When I look in the chapter directory in The Bugle, I see more chapters in CA alone than in any other part of the country, yet no national meet bids?<P>For this discussion, lets first remove "driving across the desert" and other orientations as attendance at a BCA National Meet does not HAVE to include driving your Buick to the meet. Cecil Don and others have driven their vintage Buicks to national meets for years so it can be done--if you want to. Otherwise, there are planes, trains, busses, and "car haulers" so that "out of area" members can travel to such a national meet. With other car groups, it has been observed that people within a five state area will be the most likely to drive their vehicle to a national meet event (from a quick poll of license plates).<P>Next, without the intent of possibly openning any old wounds, why haven't we seen bids for the BCA National Meets from our west coast associates to the degree that we have from the "east of the Mississippi" associates? It would appear that there are enough Buick enthusiasts west of the Rockies to make such a meet a financially viable activity and also have sufficient people to make it happen. Considering that Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and others held national meets in Denver in 2001, that would be a possible location to.<P>In prior times, it has been up to the individual chapter (or group of chapters) to initiate the national meet bid process with no interaction with the BCA Board of Directors. I know the orientation of having a western USA meet has been around for a few years now, but no one out there has shown any desire to host a BCA National Meet. There might well have been more Buicks sold in the eastern USA, but that does not mean that particular area is where the BCA National Meets always need to be. I also suspect there have been more Buicks in certain parts of California (for example) than in several complete states in the eastern USA. Sales and population density might not be the real issue some have perceived it to be.<P>It might be inappropriate for the BCA Board to pose this question (collectively or individually), so I will pose it as Assistant Director of the North Texas Chapter (and do so on my own initiative). "Why no western USA BCA National Meets to the same degree as east of the Rockies BCA National Meets?" <P>Thanks for your input.<P>Willis Bell<BR>Assistant Director, North Texas Chapter BCA<BR>NTX5467

[The Old Guy]

1985 Los Angeles CA<BR>1991 Sacramento CA <BR>1992 Olathe KA<BR>1993 Phoenix AZ<BR>1996 Plano TX<BR>1997 St. Louis MO <P>Flint MI <BR>1971<BR>1972<BR>1973<BR>1975<BR>1976<BR>1988<BR>2003<BR>It is interesting to note that Flint MI has hosted more National meets than every Chapter west of the Mississippi.<BR>I would love to see another meet out west.All it takes is someone to step up and do it!

[The Old Guy]

I forgot that we also did the 1978 National meet.

[Bill Stoneberg]

If I remember correctly, wasn't Tucson turned down in favor of Kokomo by the board for the 2002 meet ?<BR>I agree that we need a meet out west. One question I have had though is why does the meet need to be in July ? People complain about the heat in places like Tuscon and Plano. Well Columbus was as hot as either of those venues.<BR>It would be great to have a spring or fall meet somewhere where the weather is nicer than up north.<BR>Thanks for asking the question. See you in Salado.

[Guest COMPACTBC]

I think the reason "given" for Tucson,AZ being turned down was that they are a new chapter and the "Board" felt that they needed to get more experience in hosting a show before they took on a National meet. So this year they are hosting a Regional on 7/25/to 7/27 at Pinetop, Az (elevation over 4000 feet so it should be fairly cool 80 to 85 degrees). It is at an Indian resort and casino in the middle of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the World. So give them your support and if it turns out OK, maybe they will bid on a National in the near future.

[Guest]

Bruce,<P>I was part of the Board that reviewed and voted on the 2002 national meet bids. There was no talk whatsoever about Southern Arizona being an inexperienced chapter, or not having enough practice to host a national meet. In fact, I was one of the two votes in favor of giving it to the Tucson chapter, because it has been too long since a national meet was held out West. Unfortunately, the majority of that Board, being East Coast or upper MidWest residents, did not support a Southwestern meet. The comments I heard were that it was too far away from the bulk of the BCA's members, it would be poorly attended, and it would be too hot--none of which I agree with, by the way.<P>If we cannot get a West Coast or Arizona/Colorado/Pacific Northwest chapter to bid on hosting the 2004 national meet, I know that my chapter (North Texas) will probably step in with a 2004 bid. But we would rather see it go further West, where it really needs to be in 2004.<P>Pete Phillips, BCA #7338<BR>BCA Secretary<BR>Ector, Texas

[NTX5467]

I appreciate the input to my inquiry, but I would like to see more comments from people "West of the Rockies" (although comments from other members are welcome too). I would certainly hope there is interest in a chapter (or group thereof) doing a western USA BCA National meet in the near future--after all, the BCA is a NATIONAL organization.<P>Thanks!<BR>Willis

[bigredbuick]

Hmm... I'd be happy just to see more than two Buicks in a row down here in North Cuba (aka South Florida). -R