ebelp

You guys have a decent list going. Judging from the areas where people are coming from, I still think the location of this annual event should change each year to give west coasters and east coasters a chance to participate. There are only 2 non-midwesterners that are attending so far which speaks volumes in terms of how important location is in attracting attendees. Honestly, I think you're losing a lot more potential attendees having this event in MO every year than if it was held in CA, OH, PA, TN, etc.

Any Integra Type-R Expo participants know what I'm talking about (http://www.itrexpo.com/index.php). They have their annual event at a different venue each year to mix things up and give people from all regions a chance to attend. Some years it's on the west coast, some years it's in the midwest and some years it's on the east coast, etc. Seems like the most logical way to conduct such a great meet that so many AZ members would love to attend, but currently can't simply because of the location.

Your thoughts, Mr. Bell?

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I bet rptls08 and I could find a few spots in the Raleigh area to hold a meet. It's halfway down the eastern seaboard

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ John, why dont you take up an initiative for an East Coast meet....Steven Bell just volunteered to set the meet and the first year we had only 20-25 cars....and last year we had 75+ cars....

Kansas being right in the middle (of US) is a great idea for a national meet....but if you want to setup an "Annual East Coast meet" i say go for it buddy....

PS: people from Houston havent signed up...so you will see a lot more people coming from the South...

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I'm happy to see more people that live more than a few hours away willing to make the drive

ebelp

LOL...says the guy who lives in the city where the meet is being held.

If the meet was in any of the states I mentioned above, I guarantee the attendance would be in the hundreds. You can't really say that MO is the best location when you have one person from CA and one person from VA signed up. I'd happily drive 8, 10 even 12 hours to this meet. 17, 18+ hours is a different story though.

The appeal of the national meet is that it's an official Acurazine meet. I can't really do that being that I'm in no way affiliated with AZ. Sounds like more of a job the regional chapter leaders. Otherwise, I'm just orchestrating a "regional" meet, which there are dozens already that take place on a weekly basis.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I used to come to the meet even when i lived in STL ....also i went to the St Antonio meet last year and will again this year (if they hold it)...

rather than criticizing the work done here by SB, i would really urge you to start a local "annual" meet....and i bet you will get all the support from the mods to "name" it to what ever you like....

EDIT: its actually a great idea to hold couple annual meets....every region has an annual meet....and well orchestrated so that the dates dont clash

we have a biweekly meet as well where 7-10 cars show up....but if you setup an annual meet, you will attract a lot more people....

so have your weekly/biweekly/monthly meet....but if you have an annual meet, people gear up for that....call hotels nearby for rates, see if dealerships will sponsor....

dont get me wrong here but its easy to just say "hey arrange is closer to where i live and i will show up" and tougher to get up and arrange something....

i actually down to SB for taking this initiative and i tend to help in every way i can....

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Organizing a meet isn't easy or fun. Props to SB, Buda, and Jay Wolfe Acura for making this meet what it is.

John PM me if you really want to make a East Coast Meet for this year. Maybe we can do later this year once it cools down. I'm sure I could find somewhere around here to host it.

ebelp

Pretty sure I never criticized SB's work for this year's AZ meet. Try to follow me, Anil...I'm simply throwing out ideas for future events since I know I speak for a lot of people, not just myself. And again, there are already tons of local meets along the east coast, that's not the point I was making. My point is that location is the key ingredient in attracting attendees, and I think rotating the venue annually is the best way to achieve that. Not trying to start an argument, just trying to throw out ideas for good of all AZ'ers.

CLassy02

There is actually a big group coming from Chicago, they came last year as well. I am pretty sure there was some guys from Denver and some from Texas, and then there was Mr. Road Warrior Tyler from NC! I see what you're saying though, but there are a ton of meets on the east coast that a ton of AZ members go to.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

see you missed these key words before

but i love that idea....a year in KS, next in OH/IN, next in CO....and we KS people have the advantage....we BAM in the middle....

just 1 con thow....if people from NY dont attend the KS meet, anywhere in the west and they wont be able to make it anyway....vice versa for the east coast folks....

none the less, great idea....

ebelp

No I didn't, read again, sir.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

fixed

ebelp

lol funny guy

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

youz guyz iz so funni

WILLDOGS

Just an idea for the future (not sure if it's been mentioned)

how about an annual acurazine meet in different parts of the country every year instead of just the middle of the country? This was everyone would be able to attend every 3-4 years when it is closest to them?

2012- kc
2013 - Vegas
2014 - NY/NJ
2015 - Florida
2016 - northwest somewhere?
2017 - kc
Etc etc

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Because most people here on Acurazine get rid of their cars quickly. If you look at meet threads made just a few years ago, half of the people have moved onto another car.

ebelp

hehe...read the last 20 posts on this page.

McCollins23

To make things simple. If meet is on West Coast, East Coat people arent going to go. If meet is on East Coast, West Coast people arent going. Like I have said before, you East/West Coasters arent lacking on import meetups by any stretch of the word. It is in the middle of the country for a reason.

Yes I live in KC and its easy for me to say this but if I lived far away and really wanted to go I would sack up and make the trip. If you want to come then we are more than welcome to have you, if you don't please dont make the coordinator feel bad for not meeting everybody's demands.

ebelp

Hmm...not sure how to be more clear about my posts. I repeat...no one is criticizing this year's meet or trying to make anyone "feel bad". The only thing that's been said are suggestions on how to get even more participation for FUTURE meets. You're exactly right, if the meet is on the west coast, the east coast guys may not attend and vice versa. That's why a rotating venue would give everyone around the country and opportunity to attend at one point or another. You KC guys are getting so defensive over some simple ideas on how to improve an already great tradition that Mr. Bell has done an excellent job of starting.

WILLDOGS

I no longer own an Acura, but would still go to a national meet in a heartbeat. I just cant make that trip with my schedule now and rather not put all of that wear and tear on my car even if I did have a few days to make the trip and back.

I read a few of the suggestions but didn't see anyone make a suggestion for a set rotation of locations. 5 locations over 5 years sort of thing. (Maybe I still missed it lol)

Making anyone feel bad was not my intention, hope you all have a great time but was just trying to throw an idea out there. Never said that doing it in KC was a dumb idea. I would still make the same suggestion if it was held in NY City every year for the benefit of others around the country.

WILLDOGS

x2

My main thing is that it is 1200+ mi from where I live. That's 2400 miles round trip that I would need to put on my car and about 45 Hours of driving.

Would just be nicer for a chance of something closer in the future, thats all. Not blasting anyone for holding it at KC.

Could I fly there? Sure. But that takes away from the whole experience.

have fun all!

Buda

iTrader: (1)

No can do, I'm only in my 3rd day of that 3 weeks of straight work and KC is 3 hours away. A friend helped out today and combined we cut down about 100 trees in 7 hours. Not to shabby.

lol, I'm always at the meet as I help coordinate it and handle registration and judging which is why I never get to see any of the cars at the meet.

It would be awesome if you can make it. I'm hoping to get time to redo my switchback side markers as I'm changing out LEDs and moving to using a vacuum sealed relay so it doesn't make any noise.

I've messed around with some more LED circuits. I did an LED Flasher circuit with 10 LEDs in a circle blinking sequentially. I'm making a custom Left 4 Dead 2 replica pipe bomb for my girlfriend. I just need to find time to finish creating the custom pcb for all the circuitry.

I'll let you know when I get a chance to work on it. Right now the second weekend in May is the first time I'll be home on a weekend (as of right now) and I'm betting I'm going to have plenty of yard work to do.

CLassy02

Pretty much. There are a lot less large scale meets in the Midwest that would be worth driving to in one day or having to get a hotel. I see in the east/west coast threads that there are plenty of meets for you guys to attend in a lot of the states. Honestly like he said, if it's on one side of the country you are very likely to lose a lot of people from the opposite side will not attend. Maybe message your regional coordinator and get a east/west coast meet going annually. Instead of this being the "National" meet it could be a Midwest meet (basically is) and every 2 or 3 years maybe have a National meet.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

can we please get back to the list and not scare the noobs away !!! ???

people with suggestions can open a new thread and I bet we will all participate/discuss/argue in that thread....lets keep this one for planning on who is taking what route and who wants to join them !!!

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

People are so selfish. People can't accept that the midwest has 1 meet a year to go to. They would rather we have none.

Why can't the meet be in my neighborhood boohoo.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Guys,

I appreciate the spirited conversation going on here. And Swoosh, I appreciate your 1,000,000% support too-more than you'll ever know!

John, I completely understand the points you brought up too. And no harm or bad intentions taken. The Houston guys brought up the same thing last year!


The fact of the matter is, I do this because I love Acurazine and the camaraderie that goes with it. This thing has barrel rolled into a very nice event. I voluntarily do this. I couldn't do it without Buda (Sean) and I'll be counting on Swoosh and the other KC boys to assist this year too.


Here's the bottom line......


If anyone wants to put a meet together, please do! I will back you 100%. I will go to bat to get you all the tools necessary to have a Meet. Up until now, we had never had a "National Meet". I petitioned the powers that be for the right to call it that and they agreed! It's as simple as that. So if you guys want to do that in another part of the US, please do so. Write to me and I'll do whatever I can to help. Regional Meets are VERY popular. There's no shame with anything else called something other than a National Meet. But yes, Kansas City IS in the middle of the country, so it technically is easily accessible from anywhere.....just ask Tyler!

But we couldn't have as good of a meet if it wasn't for Jay Wolfe Acura in Kansas City! They spend a couple thousand dollars every year to sponsor this. They will spend more this year because the meet has to be offsite.


Since I volunteer to be a Senior Moderator and put this National Meet together, I don't get paid to do any of this work. I would be happy to personally discuss with anyone who wants to put together a Meet everything I've done to make our happen.


Again, I look forward to seeing ALL OF YOU in Kansas City the weekend of June 9th & 10th.


Let's conclude the discussion about Meets in other areas for now and focus this thread on the upcoming Meet here in Kansas City.....thank you!

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

Oh, Young Tyler.... You have alot to learn about cross country treks

If you going through WV, KY, and IL; that is 64. Some of the best roads compared to I-40 which is horrible haha

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

Preach on Steven, PREACH ON!!!!!

As has been said before, KS/MO is the MOST central to EVERYONE! Those who choose to trek, are praised, and thanked; those who choose not to trek, miss out (there are other priorities than a car, I/we understand).

But for those who cry and complain.... Try planning this as Steven and Buda organize it. You should see them the day of! they are very organized, and are methodically registering those who come to the event after work (that would be me last year) or those that are hungover from the previous night (me three years ago at the first meet).

I give them props for coordinating the event; finding sponsors/donors.

ALL HAIL STEVEN AND BUDA!!!!!!

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ fulani doing what he does best

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

southpoint mall!!!!

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

I LOVE to be have the close to last say

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ i didnt understand your comment but i was just messing with ya dude....

any plans of coming down here for Fast Fridays ? also you drive the TL anymore ? last you told was she was garage queen

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Wow Daniel is actually posting something on Acurazine?!!?!?!?!

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

I know, don't sweat it.

Haven't been driving her, going to start. Going to be taking the windshield tint off next week, so I can start driving around more. Need to decrease attention when out on the road!!

Changed the oil, and what not and she fired right up after sitting around for such a long time! Who knows maybe this year break the 100K mark

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

SHADDUPPP!!!

I am more of a spectator to the sport now....

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

2 new sponsorship giveaways posted in the first posting.



GUYS PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER ONLINE! SEE THE LINK IN THE FIRST POST.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ STEVEN....i publicly announce....i you

will212

Would really like to be part of the meet but im in socal

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

This is the view that you will be looking at if you join us for our Saturday Night Caravan and Dinner......





This is the view from "TURN 2" at the Hollywood Casino. Turn 2 is an upscale restaurant and sports bar that looks over the Kansas Speedway!

My wife and I had dinner there tonight, just to check out the place. The food is great, the portions are HUGE and the view overlooks the new Kansas Speedway! Plus, they have a band later that night.


We will meet at 6pm on Saturday, June 9th, across the street from Jay Wolfe Acura. We will then car caravan to the Hollywood Casino (by the Kansas Speedway). After we park the cars, you can take some pictures and then we'll have dinner at Turn 2 (everyone pays for their own meals/drinks). After dinner, you can stay at Turn 2, drink and dance or go into the Hollywood Casino. But the view of the Kansas Speedway is awesome-the restaurant is literally on Turn 2 of the track!

www.hollywoodcasinokansas.com

NOTE: I actually tried to get our group access to run your car on the actual Kansas Speedway, but they are literally tearing up the entire track and laying new concrete during the time we are having our National Meet.


I need a head count for this event, so I'll start things off here. Please sign up for this event here. But don't forget, I still need you to sign up for the actual National Meet from the link on the first post!

1. Steven Bell + 1

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Hell yes.

1. Steven Bell + 1
2. civicdrivr +1