I don't know how or when the clubs started having meets together. I would be interested in knowing how that came about and what was promised. I have reconciled each meet since 2008 so I do know about more current meets.
From 2008, because it is all I can personally attest to, SDC assumed all the risk, did all the planning, provided all the manpower, and provided certain amenities. Both AOAI and ASC were provided with a comp room to use as a Hospitality Suite, registration space with table & and chairs, vendor space with tables & chairs for promoting their next meet, conference rooms for seminars, auction space and whatever else they needed. All was provided at no charge. These clubs planned their activities and meetings knowing that they were not responsible for providing these spaces.
ASC and AOAI members were expected to register with SDC in order to help pay their share for the meet. Nothing more was required. The reason that both clubs became disenchanted at the same time is because of SDC's use of a gate to control access. Way too many attendees were not registering and the meets were harder and harder to plan because the folks who were paying their way were also having to pay the way for all those who chose not to register. The meets were losing money and the members who always paid were constantly asked to pay more.
The first year there was a gate, there were suddenly at least 100 more registrations. This increase was a mix of all three clubs' members that had been riding for free. There is a lot of grumbling about the gate by the folks most impacted by it. They now have to register or stay home. The gate likely won't be going away because the meet is not sustainable without it. We can not in good conscience ask the members who always pay their share to pay more to allow for others to ride for free. We are actively looking for a fair way to do a day pass without encouraging members not to register if we can find one, but be aware, this will not be enough for those who believe they should not have to pay at all.
From 2008, because it is all I can personally attest to, SDC assumed all the risk, did all the planning, provided all the manpower, and provided certain amenities. Both AOAI and ASC were provided with a comp room to use as a Hospitality Suite, registration space with table & and chairs, vendor space with tables & chairs for promoting their next meet, conference rooms for seminars, auction space and whatever else they needed. All was provided at no charge. These clubs planned their activities and meetings knowing that they were not responsible for providing these spaces.
ASC and AOAI members were expected to register with SDC in order to help pay their share for the meet. Nothing more was required. The reason that both clubs became disenchanted at the same time is because of SDC's use of a gate to control access. Way too many attendees were not registering and the meets were harder and harder to plan because the folks who were paying their way were also having to pay the way for all those who chose not to register. The meets were losing money and the members who always paid were constantly asked to pay more.
The first year there was a gate, there were suddenly at least 100 more registrations. This increase was a mix of all three clubs' members that had been riding for free. There is a lot of grumbling about the gate by the folks most impacted by it. They now have to register or stay home. The gate likely won't be going away because the meet is not sustainable without it. We can not in good conscience ask the members who always pay their share to pay more to allow for others to ride for free. We are actively looking for a fair way to do a day pass without encouraging members not to register if we can find one, but be aware, this will not be enough for those who believe they should not have to pay at all.
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