<VV> Convention Purpose

[corvairs]

        Now that work is "over" let me give a little more serious 
response to Jack's e mail.

There is no question that there are things that have to change, in 
respect to our National convention. The problem of course always is, 
that not everyone will agree with or like the changes. Jack's proposal  
in total seems to clearly imply that he would like to see the National 
become more of a serious business convention. That's not going to happen 
- but it's also reasonable to say that elements of his attitude may have 
merit.

Bigger questions involve the duration, location, costs associated and 
what we believe a CORSA national convention  should "be". There is also 
a very real concern that, if the conventions continue as presented, it 
will become harder and harder for the "average" member to attend. But 
then again, this all depends on what the membership thinks a Corsa 
convention should "be".

Nothing much is inexpensive where travel and "hospitality" is concerned. 
Almost everything involving travel seems to have gotten 
disproportionatly more expensive. This situation will not get better. In 
my opinion, Corsa may have to spend more of an effort bringing the costs 
of attending our National events down. But in order to do this it will 
involve sacrifices that the majority may not agree to. Folks complain 
about Iowa not being a "destination" but Linda and I went to thier 
sanctioned regional last year and it was excellent - and much more 
affordable than either Portland or Buffalo. The folks putting the event 
on  were quite serious and did a good  job - as a car convention it was 
excellent.

I know some of us scoffed at Smitty, but he spoke more truth than we 
probably like. I'll give you a very real example. Linda and I just got 
back from Bonneville Corvair's Mesquite convention. At Mesquite (where?) 
the cost for EVERYTHING (except gas of course) was HALF (literally) than 
at Las Vegas (where we spent Sunday evening before flying back). If you 
had a choice and someone said come to Mesquite Nevada for a convention 
or come to LAS VEGAS which would you insist on?  Bonneville put on an 
excellent event, that by the way, and would have been no better in Las 
Vegas. Oh yeah, and our plane tickets to and from Las Vegas costs more 
than what tickets to Dayton, Ohio (twice the distance) cost me last 
month for the Performance Workshop.

Add the horrible increases in travel costs and vendors have to think 
seriously about spending cubic dollars just to bring thier displays 
along. Will many attendees feel "tapped out' when they visit the vendor 
room? That's already been a trend for longer than most realize. That's 
only one of many reasons why we've stopped vending at events this year - 
and that's before controversial, but unavoidable, issues like sales tax 
collection, licensing and  internet competition.

Somewhere in between Jack, Smitty, myself and the rest of us there is a 
viable future for Corsa conventions, but like it or not, the Corsa 
National of the future will probably look very different than it has the 
past 35 years. Some of the changes will not come easily - some have 
already happened and we just didn't notice. Some needed changes are 
seriously overdue.

One final note - I am not second guessing the previous Board's decision 
regarding Buffalo. I think it will be another great National and we will 
be there ( it will be our first national since 1975 where we will not be 
seriously vending. It should be interesting.)  So when I see that we 
have to go out begging for candidates for the Board  (that's how you got 
stuck with me) does it really ring true that ANYONE should critisize 
when they aren't willing to serve? Ed Corson is running unopposed in the 
Western division (and he's a great guy and I'll love working with him). 
Talk and opinions are cheap.   Lon

>