That's a good question, here's my take. These are the things to consider. The vendor expo, which is the part that I have worked on the most personally, presents unique circumstances in that we have several vendors who have contributed 1,000 dollars or more, to participate. The issue that I have is that isn't a small amount of change and they should be in a position where they can maximize that investment. Maximizing that investment means having a huge turnout. Take Rick H for example. He and James are planning on flying in for the event. On top of the sponsorship fee, they have airfare, etc. Having them fly across the country from MD just isn't worth it if there are only say, 40 drivers and their guests. They have rallies on the east coast that are much bigger than that.

King Motorsports is planning on having BOTH project S2000's there. Coastal Metal's David McCune was planning on driving from North Carolina. The list goes on and on. Moreover, the one couple come from SC...will the experience be worth traveling 2700 miles one way to have such a low number of participants? IMO, no, but I could be wrong...

So, I don't think there is enough value for the sponsors to make all this effort for such a low turnout. And by low, I'm talking below about 80 drivers and certainly under 50 or 60.

The pricing structure that we created took into account the sponsorship fees, so if that was removed from the picture, then the registration fees would have to be changed (meaning go up).

We have 27 drivers signed up...several of those, as I said before, haven't paid. I don't think we can call the event a succes without at least 100 drivers. That leaves a shortfall of 73 drivers. I didn't hear back from the Sheraton today...but what I am hoping to get from them is a date at which point we HAVE to decide to pull the plug without having to pay the 30,000 dollars we owe them now. And the decision to pull the plug will be based purely on the number of people who have signed up and paid (and this is assuming they will be nice enough to let us out of the contract, which is still an unknown).

And Gil, the 250 cars wasn't arbitrary. In fact, given the way Asheville turned out with ~100 cars, we used that as a baseline. Then took into account the fact that CA has more S2000's than any other state in the Union and extrapolated that to 250. In talking with a leader of drives and rallies in SoCal at Laguna Seca, he told me to expect AT LEAST 100 cars from SoCal. I, in fact, thought the 250 number was on the low side. The only thing we didn't take into account was how many people's jobs are on eggshells and perhaps the demographic in CA has shifted to the younger set, meaning less expendable cash for things like this.

So my number is 100...but I could be out on a limb here, in fact I usually am.

 

We need about 90 more rooms booked - not looking too good. This would be about 135 more people based on the guest percentage being about 50%.

 

WOW...this really sucks. I was looking forward to hanging out with everyone and just having a great time.

 

So was I...

 

"WOW...this really sucks. I was looking forward to hanging out with everyone and just having a great time."

Ditto

 

Wow I wish I could go! I live on the opposite end of the earth!

 

Well, I have to say that this is truly disheartening! I know what type of time and money goes into planning any sized event. I've done so with the Outer Banks Run and now with DragonBall Run, but also with my company (SunCom - AT&T). It's a pressure trying to forecast how many folks will attend and so on.

I was disappointed when I first learned of the West Coast location for S2KDays! I've actually looked into the drive but it simply is way too much. Too much money, time and everything really! I'll have nearly 7,000 miles invested on the trip. That was including a little side trip to Las Vegas on the return home! I'm looking at well over $500 in fuel. It would take me nearly 5 days driving time!

I was staging it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and event. I was nearly committed to attending but it simply is unrealistic. With that type of time and money invested, I can only think of 100 other things/events that could develop!

I'm not going to try and create a flame war between East and West coasters (I think that flame already exists in the world) but I think an event of this nature would have better attendance in the East coast. That's just my opinion, of course.

It may be that the "die-hard" attitude for attending a National event is dying. I think Asheville did so well because NO ONE KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT! That's exactly why I was one of the first folks to PayPal my registration! That was a great meet and it spawned so many (and still is) meets around the region.

I wish you the best in pulling off this event!

 

Greg/Sondra:

Was shocked to read this post.
I expected to be in the minority and chastised for not attending this years event.
Last year, I was a newbie and a wounded one at that.
Imagine my surprise when Jason Saini turned me on to this site AND told me the first, ever US S2K meet was going to be a mere 3 hours from my home.
I, unfortunately, cannot partake of this years activities.
What I can tell you guys is that last years event was probably the best time I've ever had behind the wheel of a car, not to mention the car we are talking about!
JC, just quit the whining and go!
There is something akin to orgasm when you are flying down a highway, in a pack of 20, 30, 60??, a myriad of color, tops down, s eating grins, feeling immortal!
Just go, you'll have a great time.
Wish I could join you
s2klisa

 

I wanted to go but I was hit by the economic downturn. Trying to keep the car is already a big burden to me. So I don't think I can sign up S2KDays in the current format.

I don't know how much time you S2KCA left before you need to pay the hotels, etc in advance. But if you find that the rate of response goes really slowly, I would suggest you cancel the event to minimize any loss. I understand it is a tough decision but we have to adapt to the tough economic reality as well.

However, to keep this national event alive in CA, I think we should scale it down to a two-day weekend group drive/cruise along Pacific Coast/Monterey area and had some <$20 lunch/dinner together. I believe we can get at least 50 cars (at least I think I can make it). In the process, you may also ask the well-to-do owners to donate some money to S2KCA to share some cost. As to the owners who comes from all over the country, people in Bay Area may be able to help them find accomodations.

If you think this is a good idea, you can post something at the Bay Area forum. I believe many folks there will be willing to lend a hand.

My $0.02,

 

After careful consideration and much disappointment at the current state of affairs (I am a paid-in-full participant-in-waiting) I feel I can add a thought or two. I attended many events of this nature while owning various Porsche 356