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If you've attended previous conventions, please post about things you liked and also things you disliked. Polls may be posted in the future regarding what you would like to see with the convention.
The Friday track day, Saturday off day, Sunday picnic schedule.
Being able to make happy hour for as many nights as possible.
Not having the track more than half an hour away from the hotel.
Being able to use the hose at the hotel parking lot.
A semi official reception the first night to meet new people and catch up with old friends.
Having some good bars within easy walk or shuttle ride of the hotel.
LOTS OF RAFFLE PRIZES!
An organized system for the car show and voting.
An information packet with a complete schedule for all days and events laid out including driving directions to all events.
__________________ 03.5 G35 Sport 6MT
07 Forester XT Sport 5MT
94 Miata GT28RS powered
93 LS1 240SX Family Project
Likes:
Scheduling the convention during the summer months (June, July, August)
Embassy Suites type hotel close to all event locations
Info packet with schedule of events, maps and lots of free swag!
Plenty of volunteers to help keep the event running smoothly
Convention T-Shirts
Small custom decal commemorating the event
Reception on first day of convention
Organized group drive of local roads (relaxed cruise, nothing fast)
Track time (prefer Saturdays)
Dyno
Car Show/Picnic on Sunday
Raffle
Dislikes:
Scheduling the convention during non-summer months
Disorganized events and/or events running late
__________________ aztecred92
L I V E S T R O N G
'92 SE-R
'85 MR2
'02 Silverado 2500HD
"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him." — Leo Tolstoy
The Friday track day, Saturday off day, Sunday picnic schedule.
Being able to make happy hour for as many nights as possible.
Not having the track more than half an hour away from the hotel.
Being able to use the hose at the hotel parking lot.
A semi official reception the first night to meet new people and catch up with old friends.
Having some good bars within easy walk or shuttle ride of the hotel.
LOTS OF RAFFLE PRIZES!
An organized system for the car show and voting.
An information packet with a complete schedule for all days and events laid out including driving directions to all events.
I would have to agree with all of those. Having the track day on Friday leaves so much more time for hanging out with everyone and/or repairing your car after the track. I don't think I've been to a bad convention. Some of them had small issues, but everything worked out in the end.
__________________
1996 200SX SE-R VE powered
2004 Subaru Forester turbo
2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX
I too agree that there should be some kind of reception where everyone can meet up, shake hands, introduce each other and generally BS....something of this nature would usually be followed by heavy drinking at the rooms of those not driving on the track day...
Also, it seems as if folks can never decide what to do on saturday... perhaps multiple events? like drag racing AND a dyno session or some kind of tour of local scenery. i know @ the LA convention I took a couple of my TX buddies to West Coast Choppers and the Petersen Automotive Museum as oppsosed to going to the dyno day that not too many people really liked... sh*t like that would make it interesting....
The track events also seem pretty well planned and there is usually no real big problems... I think they have them on Fridays cause tracks are usually booked up on weekends...so i can understand that..
As far as the picnic on Sunday... The food has been kind of weak the last 2 yrs... Not really sure how to fix that.. would catering be too expensive?? I dont want to be the type to just complain and offer no solution.. but perhaps locking in more volunteers for the picnic would be better as opposed to having just one dude grilling all day.
just my thoughts.. regardless of what happens the conventions are always a good time! Its the people that make the event.... anything else is just bonus
Likes: Meeting people I've only "talked" with. Track days, awesome. T-shirts, tres cool. Picnics, great place to have fun at "others" expense... like the raffles, too. Hotels(Embassy Suites), completely over the top and at a great price, can't forget the free happy hours and the breakfasts, either.. Saturdays for working on cars... great place to learn even more.
Dislikes: I've only been to 2 conventions, but sometimes, it feels awfully clique-ish. It's like a bunch of different fraternities/sororities running around. It's hard to decide what to do and where... and with whom. Even though I've seen lots of the same people both times, I feel the groups are all negatively charged magnets that kind of circle around each other without coming together. Some sort of orientation where people introduce themselves might help. Don't care for summer month conventions, too damn hot, especially if you're going to track your car. Spring's nice, but it's difficult if it's not during spring break, I'd like to bring my family to at least one of these. Maybe I'd make a trade off to have a convention during the summer if that's the only way to be able to bring my wife and squatlings.
Oh dear, I've rambled on, again... must learn to get more than 3 hours of sleep a night.
Peace,
Mark
__________________
"No Daddy.... it tastes like Butt!"
I, personally, would love to see Saturday be for some drag racing. Also I agree with Mark, knowing who everybody is right off the bat would make people a lot more comfortable the first day. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the past convention. And I cannot wait for the next one.
Dislikes: I've only been to 2 conventions, but sometimes, it feels awfully clique-ish. It's like a bunch of different fraternities/sororities running around. It's hard to decide what to do and where... and with whom.
It could use more sororities...
I've seen a little of this also and think that an introduction session may help. Some of it may be much more innocent than it seems, as there are freinds I only see once or twice a year there that I want to spend some time with. The 'free' saturday may help also, but last time I was working on Matt's car so I didn't really get to visit except when people stopped by.
I really liked the Friday track day, and TX was also the first time I stayed Sunday evening instead of leaving to head home.
Jason S
__________________
1994 SE-R track car, VE, brakes, etc
2007 MazdaSpeed3
I think that was my girlfriend on saturday night in TX....lol
These are all from TX '05 :
Likes :
Crawfish Boil
Friday track day.
Price
friendliness of everyone
SR20 talk all day long
saturday repair day in parking lot
Dislikes:
Nothing planned for saturday
No drag racing
The cold wind, which was wierd for TX
Not really knowing many of the people
I know it sounds very childish and elementry, but I think it would be awesome to have a few hours of getting to know everyone. Sorta like a first day of class thing, where everyone stands up in a room, or outside the hotel and tells us who they are, what they drive, and why they are there.
~ Marcus
__________________
Aztec Red 1994 Sentra SE-R.....
I, personally, would love to see Saturday be for some drag racing. Also I agree with Mark, knowing who everybody is right off the bat would make people a lot more comfortable the first day. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the past convention. And I cannot wait for the next one.
I agree. I LOVED going to the track on friday at the 04 convention. Even though I was freezing my ass off, It was still cool to see Steve's car rip up the track. I wish we had more time for a drag event.
Black '95 200sx SE-R Turbo Lowport 286whp/245wtq 12.306 @ 113.55
White '92 NX2000 All Stock.
White '92 NX2000 Automatic, stock, not moving, and FOR SALE <---- Click for Pics
Quote:
Originally Posted by BORNGEARHEAD
It's pathetic the amount of people in this country that believe all the bullsh*t being spewed out the mouths of Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice, Snow, oil companies, lobbyists, etc.
Likes:
The formula is pretty solid. I like visiting new road courses, good picnics, and big shows full of SE-Rs. I can't say much more than has already been said.
Dislikes:
- Clique factor. I've had the "hey kid, who the hell are you and what engineering marvel have you created?" look a few times. Besides one guy from Little Rock in 2000, I'm the only SE-R driver within a 200 mile radius of where I live that has gone to a SE-R convention. I'm not part of any local scene, and there is nothing trick, custom, or powerful about my car. Fortunately I've been around the community a while and know/get along with people. Otherwise, going to a convention is like moving to a new junior high mid-semester and eating your sack lunch by yourself in the cafeteria.
- "Where is everybody?" Other than the scheduled lapping session and picnic, structured activity is always gone. When the trackday is done, everyone scatters. You come back to the hotel looking for dinner or some fun, and it's a ghost town. I like hitting the restaurants and bars in a new city, but it's less fun playing phone tag for two hours trying to gather up three or four people to go. Less of a problem for me this year, though.
- Speed up the raffles. Pull names at random for the small prizes beforehand, then wait until everyone is gathered for the suspense of the big-ticket items. Some people want to say goodbyes and hit the road while waiting for the next winner of the nth Stillen washcloth to be drawn.
- Low Florida attendance. California guys always fly out, drive the wheels off some crappy rental, and have more fun than anyone there. Besides Mark and a few others, where are you guys? You're missing out.
- Low Florida attendance. California guys always fly out, drive the wheels off some crappy rental, and have more fun than anyone there. Besides Mark and a few others, where are you guys? You're missing out.
Hey Hey Hey, I always go. Last year I couldnt make it because of an unfortunate scheduling problem that I had. I'll be there again this year.
Dammit, I just typed out a LONG response and accidentally closed my browser before I submitted.
Anyway, I'll try to make this short and quick now *** I'm tired of typing:
I think the meet&greet idea on the 1st night is key. We also need people to lead the entertainment ideas on Saturday. Announce them on Thursday night at the meet&greet, so you know who to get in touch with for whatever you want to do on Saturday (and friday night). Explain to the newer guys (and gals) that we usually do some type of dinner at a resturaunt on Friday and/or Saturday nights with a bunch of people. Maybe try to reserve a whole "party" room, or patio this time.
At the track event, for the drivers meeting, introduce all the advanced/instructor class. Have all of them stand together infront of everyone so that their faces can be seen. This year I had a couple people looking for an instructor while I was standing around unware that anyone needed one. They didn't realize I was an instructor, so by the time they found me, they only got in a couple laps.
Other than that, I think the current formula works well.
. This year I had a couple people looking for an instructor while I was standing around unware that anyone needed one. They didn't realize I was an instructor, so by the time they found me, they only got in a couple laps.
But found you, I did(in my worst yoda voice). Thanks again. Of course, you were no where to be found for the next session... just yankin.
The meet and greet or orientation on a Thursday night.... eh. It wouldn't haven't worked at this years convention, since the drivers were at a totally different hotel that night.
Next year I vow to take more pictures of people, not just cars. I'm going to try and get another picture of Sarah in a dress. For some reason, this years pictures turned all foggy.
Jim, of course people look at you funny... you're from Arkansas. Plus, when you're my age, you'll still look like you're 16. Must be those Ozark Mountain mud baths.
Which reminds me, one of the biggest likes I have: Seeing some of the same people that you met at previous conventions, and touching base again. I was good to see Jim, Josh, Eric, Bruce and George.
I went to the 04 Convention in SoCal and it was pretty good. That was my first Convention I went to, and it was with Will and Justin, which they were fun too(the whole owl at hotel thing and hitting the caddy at the gas station and the cops).
The convention needs more of an agenda for Saturdays, which was kinda of split between a ghost town and everyone getting drunk. I missed the 05 Convention cause of my money sapping Eclipse GSX, which is gone now. I would like the Convetion to be at real track places like the ones at Texas and Willow Springs, and definitely not like at the 03 in Alabama(which i am from).
We were lucky to see some drag racing at the LACR in LA last year and Rockwood killed that SRT-4 running slicks. The Conventions really need some kind of sanctioned drag events, and maybe even an autocross. Call me crazy, but I think some kind of closed-road road-racing would be cool, sortof like rally racing but on tarmac.
As for the dates I think spring or fall would be better for the track days, I burnt my ass off at Willow Springs last year. Other than that I have no other comments or complaints.
Maybe I can meet Will, Justin, Kojima, Big John, Justin P10, and those dudes that had the silver S13 and red G20 with bronze Volks, again.
Maybe this year I can take the Egg and Tsuru to PA if my school schedule will allow it(UTI).
__________________ 1986 300ZX Turbo with 90k miles 1994.5 B13 Sentra Limited Edition, mint daily
I attended in WVA.
More attendance.
More involvement from everyone. Everyone pitch in. No wallflowers and no cliquish attitudes. This is not a car showoff. This is a national gathering.
Also a more mid year date. When kids are out of school or something?
A payment plan of some sort so people can save up for a good weekend.
Printable flyers and magazine coverage. I want to see this event covered finally in SCC or C&D or something. I am sure someone can pull the strings over at Primedia. 2006 should make a bold statement.
That said, everyone work as hard within their financial guidelines to have a dependable car ready for NEXT YEAR. We have a whole year to get ready.
Where is the countdown?
__________________
Quote:
Last edited by Shawn B : 01-16-2008 at 03:50 PM. Reason: So I could flame him harder
Quote:
Originally Posted by sonny
Sudden draws of power at the hands of a sub(s) playing some Too Short will eat away at any alternator
At the track event, for the drivers meeting, introduce all the advanced/instructor class. Have all of them stand together infront of everyone so that their faces can be seen.
Depending on the number of instructors/advanced, I thought about someway for them to stand out from the others. A "special" tee-shirt would be tough, and tough to manage ahead of time. What about if the instructors had red lanyards for their name tags or something? Very minimal cost, everyone tends to wear their name tags on the track day. That would make them stand out easier.
Otherwise the get-to-together room like B'ham was great. Something like that would help people meet everybody.
Depending on the number of instructors/advanced, I thought about someway for them to stand out from the others. A "special" tee-shirt would be tough, and tough to manage ahead of time. What about if the instructors had red lanyards for their name tags or something? Very minimal cost, everyone tends to wear their name tags on the track day. That would make them stand out easier.
Otherwise the get-to-together room like B'ham was great. Something like that would help people meet everybody.
Josh
I like where you are going with that. I don't know if I like the idea of lanyards though, because I would want one swinging around my neck while I'm in a car, so you'd have to find a place to stuff it when you get in the car. Then an instructor may forget to put it back on when they get out.
I do like the idea of an instructor-only shirt though. Perhaps we could encorporate this into the registration. If you plan on instructing, there could be an additional option on the registration (say add $10 more dollars to cover the shirt).
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I don't think I've been to a bad convention. Some of them had small issues, but everything worked out in the end. 
