mav1178

The quotes referenced above were mostly posted by people in the Southwest.

The quotes above also tell me how horrid this will be if you want to discuss location... I'm glad the location isn't up for discussion.

















The problem with rotating locations is management and planning.

If it was so "easy" to attract all these people to attend these events, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Much like all this talk about whether Nissan will have a S16 or not in the future, all the "talk" is really useless if there are no returns or potential returns to the organizers.

I purposely made the event in '02 cheap (Friday was free if you did not eat pizza, Saturday was free if you didn't register and $30 if you registered, Sunday was optional) because I realized that 240SX owners are inherently cheap. People complained about $100 track events in '02; they STILL complain about $100 track events NOW.

I just wish I had not lost the data stored on my hard drive from the '02 event; I archived every single piece of email for it, and had the registration information and comments from each and every single registered attendee... the overall picture paints one of 240SX owners willing to attend an event, but unwilling to pay the true costs of it.

There's a lot more to it than just this...

-alex

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mav1178

?








I think what we talked about was important for others to read:





you (12:54:52 AM): Hmmm, I know a lot of money and months of planning went into it.

Day 1- Meet up at speed zone
Day 2- All 240's parked at Nissan HQ, and Mr. K himself came by and was signing the Z cars...I still have my convention shirt with his autograph on it
Day 3- Streets of Willow.


Alex did a phenomenal job putting it together...I honestly don't think many ppl can top Alex's events....also, the Nissan Owners Festival....god...we need Alex back in the scene!!!!
alex (12:57:32 AM): i would plan more except with how fragmented all the various forums are, it's not worth my time.
alex (12:58:11 AM): it was quite easy to do, actually
alex (12:58:20 AM): people just don't realize how simple it is to do.
you (12:58:43 AM): well dedication and a team of people can do this relatively easy
alex (12:58:49 AM): rule 1: run it like a professional event and things will be good. run it like a normal "meet" and you will get a shitty event.
you (12:58:56 AM): it is simple with the right planning
you (12:59:05 AM): haha
you (12:59:11 AM): yes true
alex (12:59:24 AM): that's where i think different
alex (12:59:30 AM): you and everyone else laugh at it
you (12:59:31 AM): but its nice to have some veteran leadership at the mast as well
alex (12:59:44 AM): i look at it and shake my head because no one understands what it takes to run these events.
alex (1:00:00 AM): first and foremost, the person has to give up the concept of fun.
you (1:00:05 AM): well run an event ... anyone can do
you (1:00:10 AM): run an epic event
alex (1:00:10 AM): when the event starts to run itself, it will be fun.
you (1:00:20 AM): now that takes time money and heart
you (1:00:31 AM): yes i agree
you (1:01:50 AM): so are you saying this superior meet is a normal meet?
alex (1:02:12 AM): no
alex (1:02:20 AM): i'm saying what i did before was nothing special
you (1:03:18 AM): i beg to disagree. i call you out to better the 3day meet....
you (1:03:38 AM): do it for next year.
you (1:03:59 AM): get back into it alex.






Seriously, '02 was nothing special. Looking back, the only change I might have made would have been more limitations on the raffle tickets sold, but that would have been it.

My personal experience teaches me that these events need to be planned SERIOUSLY. There needs to be a single person in charge of the entire event, and there needs to be a clear structure of duties delegated from top to bottom. There needs to be little discussion outside of location on "what should we do", because it is physically impossible to accomidate the wants and needs of everyone.

I can go on and on about all these other things regarding event planning, but the bottom line is that it needs to be taken seriously in order for the event to succeed. That includes drafting a clear, concise, and EFFECTIVE sponsorship proposal, of all things, for vendors and businesses to see. It's not about your connections nor who you know, but rather what BENEFITS you can bring to the companies and/or entities providing support to the event.

Same goes for attendees. What is so "special" about an event like this that would make them want to attend, or drive far from across the country?





One of my personal motivations was that a lot of old timers were able to make it out to the event in '02. A short list of of these people that may be meaningless to you (but important to me) include:

Don Nimi
Angie & Willie Weir
Dave Alexander
Asad Aboobaker
Mike Mamos
Jeff Holden
Yury Llyalko
Patrick Hall

There's countless more I can mention if given enough time, but I don't care so much for the event as I do for the people attending, that is the most important thing.






And if anyone thinks I'm being negative about this, you completely fail to see my point and my suggestions.

-alex

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rednissan180

I would totally drive from TN for a 240 convention!
...not that mine is cool or anything

Tearlessj

Well shit, shotgun!

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Wake

so uh back on topic........ I would like to know if any other people are working on any kind of art or logos for this event Ive already got some ideas sown on paper and will be posting pics soon to get feedback. and I will most definitley be living down in socal by 2010 so whatever free floorspace I have is up for grabs. parking is on you tho.
(hot chicks get dibs on my bed.... me included)

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luisgonz

I can hold a pre party, At a Bar or CLub. But it will be in Hollywood.
I'll start off by practicing every night till then.LOL

exitspeed

If it's a pre party like that, then count me in.

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xfallen1x

let the practicing begin Luis where you at?

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Antihero983

hmmm interesting.

Well I'm sure the powers that be will make the right decisions.

the only problem i see with this is the maturity of the general 240sx crowd, which can make things....erm...difficult. The old school muscle car guys, being older, are alot easier to deal with in large groups.

One thing that needs to be enforced is that behavioral and vehicular ignorance will not be tolerated.

also, I do get your points and suggestions mav1178, and I agree with them, however I don't see the need to be so condescending about it. yes, the current scene sucks, yes alot of the current 240 owners are jackholes, but you are no better than the rest of us, regardless of what you've taken part of, or how long ago you got into it.

just because i've owned a 240 for 5 years doesnt make me better than anyone who's owned a 240 for 1.

I have respect for the old timers, and they've earned it, but the condescension that comes with them, while semi understandable, is no better than the immaturity and ignorance that comes with the newer fanboys.

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luisgonz

^^^^^They are just kids, I might seem like a jackhole. But I dont think so. I just like to much fun.LOL I think everything will be fine. Again, Need any help just let me know.

DALAZ_68

i see it as quality>quantity and ur right ...

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projectRDM

I'll add to this because it seems to come up every time there's a meet anywhere. This is not a car show. All the people who think they can't make it or don't want to because 'the car won't be done' need to stop it. The point is to meet others in the community, sure it's based around the cars but those people who back out just because their aerokit isn't painted yet or their wheels haven't shown up are hacks. We had that problem in 2003 in Atlanta, I had people emailing like crazy saying they wanted to wait to pay to make sure their car was done, that money could have been used to help secure the track. We ended up missing the deadline and loosing the entire deposit, and when the weekend came around at least 15 people who never paid, never emailed, never even responded showed up and expected to hit the track anyway. When you say yes you're committed to doing your part, whether you're prepared for it or not. Remember that. It hurts the whole community when just a few let down their end. Car or no car, if you're willing to show up, help, and support the idea, stick with it. Backing out over something trivial is just shitty to do to people.

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exitspeed

Exactly. I'm not even planning on coming because of my 240. I just want to meet up with everyone.

I wish we could make this an 18+ event.

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Future240

Same here, I dont even have a 240 yet, yet I am now puttin money into the zilvia meet fund, to make sure I can go

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Antihero983

honestly if i had my way i'd bring my damned beetle. but I digress.

I agree 100% with projetRDM's post.

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xfallen1x

Well put. Our cars are just a common ground we share at these events/meets/conventions etc & should be for the sole purpose of meeting those who share the same love for their car and finding out other interest besides that. Building new friendships/networking all that good stuff.
No need to stres about your car not being complete, or talking down those rides you don't seem to like the way they look (beater, in process, whatever). Everyone is different. Lots of other car enthusist manage to be successful because they look beyond all those little details that are non-important and there is absoultely no reason why we THE 240SX Community cannot do the same or better!

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SUPERSTAR

Very well put ^

It's all about having a good time.

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ericcastro

^exactly guys, well stated.

this is gonna be epic and so much fun !!!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 9K∙RACING™ If you were such a baller and had standards you wouldn't be on this forum..

Future240

^Hell yes it is

To all the naysayers and people bitchin bout where it is or might be

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hellion240sx

i don't know if i am supposed to suggest anything, but what about the gap?

240's at the gap would be really nice. it's known for holding lots of vehicles. nice drive around the gap. yadayadayada. well looking forward to this

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Fonix36

My only complaint and bitch is that its so far away the suspense sucks

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chicagophoto84

Hey, if you need any help with graphics / posters / flyers / or pictures (im living in japan). Let me know. I'm trying to get my name out there so all of my help is for free.

Naughty240

This sounds awesome. Too bad I live on the east coast and no longer drive a 240. I would def spread the word on my other forums though. Maybe even take the first vacation of my live and attend.

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MrFuel

Sounds like this will be a blast!!

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Brian

Alex Chang is THE TRUTH

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jrocslider

pm sent with info.

i'm willing to help out with this but i know how people are usually cheap and just talk. i would totally understand if this was done in so cal just because of the number of people who live in the area and such.

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mav1178

Again, if you think my comments were negative, you fail to see my point.

If you think that I view myself as somehow being superior, you're about as far away from the truth as one can be.

-alex

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Future240

^ I've never seen you around the forum till recently, but you speak the truth. So Alex IYO what do you think us people on the east coast that arent graphic designers could do to help out the cause?

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mav1178

I haven't been around (here or anywhere else) because I haven't had time to do anything car-related for quite some time, and frankly my own life doesn't revolve around my car or any car-related events.


For those that want to support and help out (but are physically incapable of doing any local logistical work), my suggestion is the following:

- Try to attend the event. Remember, it's about the people, NOT about the car. In '02 there were a good ~20+ that flew in, rented a car that was NOT a Nissan, and attended the event. Not a single one complained about being there without a 240SX... and frankly no one cared! Part of the reason why events are the way they are is in fact due to the people attending, and the lengths to which they make plans to attend the event. If you have a bunch of backyard locals attending a "national convention", I highly doubt it can be labeled as such.

- If you can't attend, you can try to get people to register. Anyone can do this, but really the event should sell itself without much fanfare. People should feel compelled to attend from within, not from peer pressure or because "everyone else is going". But some need more convincing than others... and this is where word of mouth comes in.

- Besides giving support, there's not much else. Take a look at large conventions planned, automotive or otherwise, and you can see that there are a lot of logistical and operations-related items that you just need to physically be there to take care of. My prime example is the annual SEMA Show, where you have to have a booth set up physically, and lots of logistics cannot be taken care of remotely from another location.

Not much you can do on this, unfortunately.



-alex

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tanks13

if you guys can come up with a flyer idea ill make them or ill pay for them to get made

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