Greetings,
Since I work for a Tier 1 supplier to GM, I have thought about using my contacts within GM to see if we can get them involved in the 50th Aniversary doings.

Before I do, has anyone else started to talk to them?

I'd rather we put up a united front and looked like we were somewhat organized, so that they might take us seriously and choose to become more involved as opposued to looking like a rabble.


Glenn

I think it is a little early for that right now. The regional directors still need to review their membership lists to see how many active members we actually have, and how many would be willing to attend a national event.

One of the first questions GM/Chevrolet will ask is, "How many members will be attending?"

77SS wrote: I think it is a little early for that right now.

I agree with 77SS. A little to early to start talks with GM. We have to continue to grow from a Internet based online car club to more of a "physical in person" type car club.

If we can eventually get a 10% actual regular participation rate among most of the regional members, we would have quite the turnout for a large national type event. It is within our reach to attain this goal. There is nothing wrong with slow steady growth. We have a very respectable online membership and just need to get more of us to attend regional shows and cruises as a car club.

I would start talks with GM about two years prior, say around the 2007 time frame. This gives ECC/NECOA another solid two years to "get more members to come out of their shells" (so to speak).

Just my 2 cents worth.

You may want to think about talking to the people at Carlisle. This sort of thing is right up their alley, they so this all the time and would have a special showing at GM Carlisle..

Great idea Leo. I've heard the Carlisle idea floated around and to me, it would work perfect. But that's me, I'm in the North East. I do kinda wonder about other members attending that are much further away.

Also, do you have any idea what would be an "acceptable" amount of El Camino's to attend a national type 50th anniversary celebration anywhere?

I just wonder if we are talking under a 100, 100-500, ????

Well look at it this way, no matter where it is there will always be someone who is too far! I suggested Carlisle because they do big events when there is an anniversary. For example for the Musang anniversary they had a whole Mustang expo including old Mustang concepts from Ford and the first ever showing of the GT and the Mustang convertible. They even gave a 64 Mustang away.

I'm sure that GM would be much more prone to paricipate if it's a Carlisle thing.

I know from the doings of my Lincoln club that we do get a whole area to ourselves each year and a free big tent. I think you need 25 cars is all. If there is someone in charge here at NECOA that can take these reigns I can put him in touch with the guy at our Lincoln club who can give you all the info and contact names for Carlisle.

Also, do you have any idea what would be an "acceptable" amount of El Camino's to attend a national type 50th anniversary celebration anywhere?

If we can't get 100 members (2% of our membership) to commit to a national event 4 years away, we shouldn't even be discussing it.

A "national" and "special anniversary" event is not worth the time and effort if we can't get 100 out of 5000 members to attend.

Also, do you have any idea what would be an "acceptable" amount of El Camino's to attend a national type 50th anniversary celebration anywhere?

If we can't get 100 members (2% of our membership) to commit to a national event 4 years away, we shouldn't even be discussing it.

A "national" and "special anniversary" event is not worth the time and effort if we can't get 100 out of 5000 members to attend.

I agree Steve....as someone said above, we just need to plan it - when its time - and no matter where, some will come, many wont....

I mean it seems some would only come if its held in their backyard! :roll: I know the price of gas is ridiculously high, and for many many events a year other than the most local its tough to pay for that gas (for me too), but we DO need to find a way to attend these regional type events first. And for those like me working on their Elky's, I have 4 years to not only get the Elky ready for any national event, but save the money for the gas, whatever it costs to drive it or tow it there.

I agree. This IS a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME gig.
We have lots of time to plan for it on a personal basis and to scrape together the necessary nickles and dimes to attend.
I will be bringing 2 elkies there, myself.

Glenn

I'll also agree with Steve that 100 members who will attend no matter where it is located should be the minimum goal. After all we ARE a "National" club. 8)

Not only do the regional directors and area coordinators have to keep getting more members to attend actual car shows as a car club, but also enlist all other members to become and stay active.

Four years will go by fast......

I think if it is not held in the approximate middle of the country then your not going to get maximum attendance. You can rationalize that as much as you want but that is the logistics of it. There are probably hundreds of places just as nice that are available to us as an organization. That is, if your actually serious about a National Event.

If not it just talk.

Even though it is WAY TOO EARLY to worry about this, I did a little checking.

It seems to me we really only have two choices for a location:

1. Kansas City, MO

It is the closest metropolitan area to the geographic center of the US population, according to the last US Census (http://gislounge.com/features/aa041101d.shtml).

It is also the location of where El Caminos were assembled from 1964-74 and also 1979-87.

2. Detroit, MI

Detroit is called the Motor City for a reason. Not only is it the birthplace of the El Camino, it is the location of GM headquarters, technical centers and proving grounds. (all possible gathering locations)

If we want GM/Chevrolet's official involvment, the gathering needs to be in their backyard. Also, if it is in Detroit, I can do a whole lot more to help set this up, than if it is in KC.

GM Headquarters in the background:
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules/Forums/images/photos/d173433241d89eb58d9f9.jpg