Fletch Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) At tonight's SABA meeting we were informed that The NW Antique Car Collectors Show had bit the dust due to current economic conditions. That due to lack of major sponsorship that the event would not happen in 2009 and the 2010 event is in jeopardy as well. We have produced a Model Car Contest at the event for the past 15 years. With the loss of the NW Antique Car Collectors, Portland Rod and Custom and Seattle Roadster Show we have lost 5 major shows/contests in the Pacific NW since 2000. We have been kicking around the idea of resurrecting a show similar to the Seattle National. The Seattle National in 2000 drew over 500 models to a single day event. Unfortunately, the Seattle event had the dubious honor of being the first national event following September 11th. Our event date was October 6th. We drew aprox 200 models. We actually had people call us from airports to let us know that they couldn't get on their flights due to the imposed travel restrictions. That unless they were willing to put their models in "Checked" baggage they would not be allowed on their flights. Let me give you some background on the event: The Seattle Nationals was the combined effort of Jeff Dykes of Nitro Models, Steve Koenig, Dennis Pierce, Floyd Blakely and myself. The Seattle Nationals was as it sounds was a big draw for drag racers. We had two Themes one for the straight line guys and one for us rodders. The first year we were over whelmed by the response to the show. Judging took to long due to the high number of quality builds that were entered. Our solution the second year was to make the event a 2 day show. The judging was done after the event closed for the day. The Awards Ceremony was the following morning at a hosted breakfast. The loss of the Seattle Nationals and the November PSAMA show/contest in the Seattle area has dramatically impacted the number of events to show or display what our blood, sweat and tears have produced. Since, travel restrictions have been eased since 2001 it just may be time to produce this type of show again. This time in Portland. Chime in Guys I'd love your feedback before we commit to such a venture. Thanks Dave Edited February 15, 2009 by Fletch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzn Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 You can bring models on Planes now.. in the cabin as hand carried otems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas SCR Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 You can bring models on Planes now.. in the cabin as hand carried otems. Yes you can carrie them on and put them in the over head part. Use a duffle bag and put the boxs into this. Look up what size you would need as they do have a limit on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 (edited) Yes, we are aware that models can now be taken as carry on baggage. More then anything else guys what I am looking for is your input on whether or not you would support a new event. Keep in mind that I am specifically talking about the Pacific North West. But, think about it in larger terms. Would you support a new event in region where you live. What things would you like to see at an event if you were ask "What can be done to enhance your event experience?" We are aware that factors in this equation are travel and the time of the year, both related to the weather. All of the shows now in the Pacific North West are held between early February and early May. I don't know about you guys but that is a very short show season. Granted there are a couple of "Local" events in October that are poorly attended due to location. We have seen shows here die due to lack of participation. One Show opened the doors at 9am and at 4 pm there are 30 models on the tables and 16 people through the door. Not only does it not pay for itself but vendors that flew in for the event sold less then $100 in product, well you get the picture. We don't want to produce a similar disaster. Our idea is to produce a show in early October so the weather shouldn't be as big an issue. Of course it is the Pacific North West where we live by the Motto of "If you don't like the weather just wait 15 minutes". We are in need of your input as we are serious about producing a high quality event that can become nationally known. But, if we can't get any input, perhaps it's just best to let sleeping dogs lay. Thank You for your input. Dave aka Fletch Edited February 15, 2009 by Fletch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyle Willits Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 The National (Toledo) NNL is early October. I don't have any idea how that may effect your show in the PNW. It may not be a problem at all if you draw an entirely different croud. I am wondering how successful our Mid-Atlantic NNL will be this year due to the fact that NNL EAST has moved it's date to only 3 weeks before our show. With the economy, will people and VENDORS turn around 3 weeks later and go to another show? I guess we'll find out. Fletch,,,good luck on your show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 Lyle, I certainly can appreciate where you are with your concern over having 2 events within 3 weeks of each other. It is something we have suffered here in Portland. For many years the show now known as the Bob Paeth Portland Classic was the only show early in the year. The event is now in it's 39th year and has always been held in conjunction with the Portland Roadster Show. About 15 years ago the promoter of the Roadster Show got booted. So, he started the Portland Rod and Custom Show. They too had a model car contest. If the Rod and Custom were still in existence it would be this weekend, just 2 weeks before the Roadster Show. This was of course a strategic move to try and run the Roadster Show out of business. I include this bit of history to say that the first year of the Rod and Customs Show we saw the entries drop to 1/2 of the normal. We went from the normal 400+ to just barely 200. Those entering the "Other" contest thought they were entering the Portland Classic as it had been for 24 years the only game in town. The Roadster Show has managed to weather the storm and come out the other side of the storm as once again the only game in town. We are hoping for a resurgence in entries this year, but time will tell. After all, this is a hobby, many thing have to come before money to play with. It's a precarious time in the world considering the current economic conditions. We will certainly take into consideration the dates for the Toledo NNL when we pick a date for the event. Time is short trying to come up with a date and location for this year. But, rest assured that a new National show is on the Horizon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalCarCulture Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) Have you considered talking to Goodguys to see if you could work with them on their Pacific Northwest Nationals show July 24-26 in Puyallup? Edited February 22, 2009 by SoCalCarCulture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.