Charlie,NY attention

Thanks Jim,ive some of the same problems you have had.They should put in charge of the swap meet a vendor or an ex vendor who would know how to organize a swap meet for the best interests of everyone. ken ct Your right on just about everything you mentioned. Thanks for chimeing in on this subject i know you are a long time vendor as i am.Its getting harder and harder to do these nat shows with all the grief.May be time to just do internet sales and let the customer pay the shipping charges and no chance to haggel prices on a in person to person dealing. ken ct.
 
Fellas... maybe in the past a topic like this would turn into a pissing match with lots of name calling and general drama. That's in the past. I don't allow that kind of thing.

I do, however, allow intelligent discussion of opinions. And that's all we are doing here. So don't be afraid to speak your mind if you can do it without running someone else down.

Here's my take, but first some disclaimers:

1. I've only been to two or three of these club meets and I wasn't a vendor or a participant.

2. I don't know any of the people that run the club.

The club has been around forever, right? I think they started in the 1960's? I'd be willing to bet it's ran by a group of folks that love old Fords as much as we do. I'm confident in this because I know there isn't a ton of money in such a venture - especially relative to the work it takes to make it happen.

In other words, these people have to be passionate about cars. And, as such, I think it's a pretty safe bet to think that they work hard to put on a good event. They don't have a motive not too...

Now, assuming all of that... Why doesn't some one just go them with constructive thoughts? It takes some sensitivity to do so. You can't go to them with ******* and moans... Rather, you have to go to them with positivity.

Volunteer to help.

Appreciate what they do well.

Support them and help them.

Again, just my opinion... and it's one based off a lot of event experience, but with little experience with this specific club.
 
I didn't see anybody pointing fingers or naming names. I have worked at National Meets and have written numerous articles for the V8 Times including covering one National Meet. I normally don't get in on these long going subjects. This site has many topics coming up over and over. I will probably never do so again.
 
JimOH said:
I didn't see anybody pointing fingers or naming names. I have worked at National Meets and have written numerous articles for the V8 Times including covering one National Meet. I normally don't get in on these long going subjects. This site has many topics coming up over and over. I will probably never do so again.
Click to expand...

Jim, there's not any... that was the point. I think your post was well worded and thought out. In my opinion, this thread could turn into something positive if folks want it to be.
 
Ken CT, Ryan and the rest:
I find it so interesting that you are bringing up this topic on this forum, when you could be doing it on the V-8 Club's forum, and it would be seen by the webmaster (a National Board member), and others that can bring your ideas and concerns up at the next National Board meeting. I don't think any Regional Meet has planned to eliminate the swap meet, they just have problems with where they can and want to hold it. Do you realize that here in my state, you would have to take out a tax permit and report your sales to the state, so they can collect sales tax?
In my opinion, you need to have this mentioned and talked about on the site that can address the issue, the V-8 Clubs. Or, you need to contact your National Representative -- for CT that would be the Northeast Director, who also happens to be the National President for 2010, Arel Brown.
Ken CT, you have brought this up before, and always have the response that they are doing nothing for you -- well, maybe it is time for you to do something if you haven't already, by contacting the V-8 Club director in your area.
My 10 cents worth..........
 
As Lawson mentioned the AACA and Early Ford V/8 Club both have insurance for meets, National or local. I wouldn't get involved with running any show without the National coverage. Every member of a club is liable if they are not incorporated and have insurance. I have ran 40 or 50 local and National meets and you need to contact the club to make sure the meet is covered. They will send a rider so you have proof of insurance. I think with the rider in hand you could better work out the details with the hotel long before the show, in the planning stage this is when the hotel wants the business. I think most would allow a few true vendors operating out of a motor home but there are to many with 2 or 3 parts that just want a free parking place. Again I think the security of a few vendors being on the site at all times is good. I know this worked for me at all the shows I ran. But times are also changing with all the lawsuits. G.M.
 
nelsb01 said:
Ken CT, Ryan and the rest:
I find it so interesting that you are bringing up this topic on this forum, when you could be doing it on the V-8 Club's forum, and it would be seen by the webmaster (a National Board member), and others that can bring your ideas and concerns up at the next National Board meeting. I don't think any Regional Meet has planned to eliminate the swap meet, they just have problems with where they can and want to hold it. Do you realize that here in my state, you would have to take out a tax permit and report your sales to the state, so they can collect sales tax?
In my opinion, you need to have this mentioned and talked about on the site that can address the issue, the V-8 Clubs. Or, you need to contact your National Representative -- for CT that would be the Northeast Director, who also happens to be the National President for 2010, Arel Brown.
Ken CT, you have brought this up before, and always have the response that they are doing nothing for you -- well, maybe it is time for you to do something if you haven't already, by contacting the V-8 Club director in your area.
My 10 cents worth..........
Click to expand...

Yep... pretty much what I said in the post above yours.
 
Well thanks to confounded computor problems I'm just now answering
Ken.
Frank Miller and Mike Brown and I have been back and forth on the MH situation, it's 100% a hotel issue. Their own members were pushing to
use MH's but the line in the sand was drawn by the hotel....no overnites.
No hotel in Saratoga allows overnites....that's the way it is.
We are fortunate for all V8 meets, the logistics and headaches are
monstrous and thankfully for the hobby RG's are ready to take this daunting task on.
Saratoga and the Gideon Putnam Hotel are pretty special places indeed,
steeped in the history of when New York State was florishing and not
the train wreck it is today. The flavor of those excellent bygone days
is really quite fresh and very much alive in Saratoga.
Alice and I are frequent visitors to Saratoga and it's my guess that
you'll come for the show but fall in love with the venue.
As Jim Kroll and Ken mentioned the swap meets in the past seemed to be
after thoughts...with some very notable exceptions. Swap meets at
Nationals are in fact key elements and lately seem to be getting the
attention they deserve now.
Hope to see all of you there including Tom Trovato and Jack and Sherry
Evans.
Charlie ny
 
Hi Guys, sorry to just be joining the fray as I wanted to verify my response before posting. For those who want to know "Camping is not allowed in the Spa State Park", per the people (State of New York) in charge of the park. I just received their response today, camping is allowed at Moreau Lake State Park near by. Of course the hotel would rather sell a room, but they aren't the bad guys this time. If you want email the Spa Park which is what I did my question was "is a self contained camper allowed in the Spa State Park or is this a hotel issue, the response is posted above. I hope this helps to clarify the situation. LouB.
 
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