What do you want to see at future International Meets?

[mbstude]

I thought I'd make a fresh post - the other thread on this topic is getting a bit cluttered.

The SDC is putting together a new International Meet Committee.

To those of you who are likely to attend an International Meet in the future - What would you like to see happen?

[PackardV8]

What would it take to get SDC, AOAI and the Antiques to meet together?

Does anyone think it could ever be possible?

Does anyone else think it would be a good idea?

jack vines

[Milaca]

Perhaps we need to visit the AOAI and Antique Studebaker forums and flood them with encouragement to co-host a single meet.

[Studejohnn]

Per usual, Jack hits the nail on the head.

[Skip Lackie]

What Jack said. Essential that the car field be as big as possible -- more vehicles and attendees is better. And I don't mind subsidizing participation by the other two clubs to some extent. We are, after all, the biggest dog with the biggest bank account.

And speaking only for me, while judging serves a useful purpose, trophies do not. The (very) few I have won I have disposed of almost immediately.

[mbstude]

I (personally) think it is possible to put all 3 clubs together again at an annual event. That's one of the things that the new committee will be focusing on - a fair way of making it work.

And yes, everyone wants to see it happen.

Gary Ash (and others) mentioned in other posts that they'd like to see a "day pass" available for those who can't participate in the whole event.

What else do we want to see?

[Milaca]

1. Studebaker swap meet/car corral
2. Studebaker car/truck show (I don't care if they give out trophies or not)
3. It was great when actual Studebaker employees would give a presentation, but I think that ship has sailed due to age.
4. Studebaker driving tour (not in a busy city, but in a scenic rural area)
5. I don't like large meet hotels, have the show in a smaller town and have the welcome committee near the entrance to the meet showgrounds. As long as there are enough motels within a 10-miles radius of the showgrounds, people will find a place to spend the night.

[fargoguy]

Well, since it is the INTERNATIONAL meet, how about one in Canada? Thus far I like the suggestions- but affordability is important as well. And let's do some driving! Not just static show, but let's have some driving tours to interesting places.
Matt- way to go showing leadership here- if you need any canuck help- call me.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

As far as I am concerned it was little short of a disaster when the joint SDC-AOAI-ASC meets ended. SDC should bend over a bit backward to get the three together again. I'll pay more money to help in that cause, and, of course, I'll receive more in return with all three club's cars & people in attendance.

--Dwight, SDC member beginning around 1967 (with a lapse for college & career); AOAI 1967 to today

[Buzzard]

[QUOTE=mbstude I (personally) think it is possible to put all 3 clubs together again at an annual event. That's one of the things that the new committee will be focusing on - a fair way of making it work.

And yes, everyone wants to see it happen.

Gary Ash (and others) mentioned in other posts that they'd like to see a "day pass" available for those who can't participate in the whole event.

"What else do we want to see?" [/QUOTE]

Matthew,
Harmony between the groups. I for one have both Studebakers and Avantis (albeit later models).
Bill

[Al from Eatonville]

More talks and technical discussions about mechanical issues to help us keep our Studebakers on the road. A lot of us continue to do a lot of our own repairs and hearing from the experts is invaluable. Even small tidbits is really helpful.

[tsenecal]

Skip brought up the subject of trophies, and it was mentioned in another thread as a fairly large expense. More input on that subject would be good, but for me personally, they have little value. He also noted that the judging has a useful purpose and I agree. One idea might be to have a certificate withe the owners name and vehicle, what place it was awarded, and maybe a space for a photo of the car. The recipient could choose to frame it and display it, or not. It would offer proof of the award, and something to show off if desired. My hope is that with some constructive input, things can be settled between clubs, and we have great International meets.

[StudeNewby]

I think that's a good idea, Tom. I oversee an organization that awards people weekly, and we use personalized certificates. They have meaning and cost nothing...we use a template found online. All you need is a laptop and printer.

[Son O Lark]

Just something that might be fun and valuable: a technical and mechanical issues booth. A place for experts to hang out and solve issues brought to them by attendees. One could even play "Stump the Experts" by bringing them the most unusual parts that are unidentifiable. 😊😁 My father would have had great fun bringing them obscure "Kohlrabi" parts.🤣

[gsx_martin]

For me these are the topics I like to see, when I come to an international meet
1. Studebaker swap meet
2. Studebaker car/truck show (I also don't care if they give out trophies or not)
3. Talks and technical discussions about mechanical issues/modifications/upgrades to help us keep our Studebakers on the road.

Martin

[6hk71400]

I would like to see some space between events so you would not have to miss something due to overlapping. I would like to see the general membership meeting in the evening like at Portland and Nashville. Having 3 days to rush all that needs to be covered may need to be addressed.

The problem of chapter(s) hosting should be the major issue to be addressed. If the rules and effort are difficult, it will all be moot if there is no host for the IM. That should be first addressed.

Bob Miles
Just a few random thoughts

.

[r1lark]

1) More things to do with the cars - tours, poker runs, rallyes, etc
2) As several mentioned above, technical sessions with knowledgeable Studebaker experts
3) Drive-in movies

[studefan]

My top four thoughts follow, in priority order:

1) Co-locate the Car show and Swap meet. The primary issue to be addressed is co-locating the events of the SDC, AOAI, and ASC. This means the car show and the swap meet. Fix this and we will have made huge progress.

2) Awards. These were cited as a large expense. I recently came across the first place "blue ribbon" I rec'd at the 1978 national meet. It is a small, inexpensive item that is still meaningful. I suggest we do away with the large, expensive, grandiose trophies and distribute these ribbons to first, second, and third place, just as you would with trophies. Print the name on the meet on it and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and that's it. People do like to receive something for their efforts and ribbons are very inexpensive.

3) Pay at the gate plus flat fee. I believe two options should be available to enter the event. Pay a flat fee for access to the full weeks activities (as currently offered) and also the ability to pay daily. The aggregate daily fee will be slightly higher than the full event fee. For example, for a 4 day event, the flat fee can be $35 and the daily fee can be $10.

4) Limit Meet Length. Limit the event to no longer than 4 days, with Saturday being the actual car show day so the public can attend.

Good luck folks.