Should there be a SE US show??

[Chief_919]

I like the idea of a fair grounds. That is one huge plus that the NJ show has over Aberdeen, which is the barns. Overhead cover means who cares if it rains or shines. I use to go to the field all the time, so I don't think I'm a wussy, but that overhead cover was a huge plus to me.

There has to be something like that in the Columbus vicinity. As a side note, my use of the term Columbus meant that vicinity, not meant to say downtown Columbus.

A quick search looks like the GA National Fairgrounds is the closest one Google shows.

Georgia National Fairgrounds | Perry, GA

It is an impressive facility, but they don't list rental costs on the website.

 

[73m819]

We are talking about a Aberdeen type show so a few questions,

1- how long has the Aberdeen show been going on
2- how many sights has the show been on
3- how has the cost for the participants increased from the start to now
4- what is other draws or functions besides APG

When I went to 99 MVPA convention in San Jose, there was at least 3 different tours for the MVer, one was to the armor collection(owner has since died), the two other were almost as good, plus there was tours for the non MVers

All the meets that I have gone to except the first two GA.meets (this includes Aberdeen) there is NOTHING to do with the MVs except to watch some load/unload, sure not all went to do anything but show, but I think you would be surprised how many owners would like to use there MV. It nice to meet and great , but that can only go so far. SO with that said, if we have a meet, have some OFF SITE MV actives within a 20 to 30 mile radius like the 06/07 GA.rally, a trail ride, poker run, cruse night, ect

A meet is a meet, in order to make it a GREAT meet you need a CATCH (Aberdeen has become a tradition), something to make us say" WOW " I HAVE TO GO TO THAT and to keep it alive for more then ONE day to draw a crowd which draws vendors then more crowd, more vendors, on and on, also need to think out of the MV WORLD box, like a off road event with spectators

Im sorta rambling with this, but I think this idea will work with a LOT OF THOUGHT and MORE THOUGHT

 

[123mack]

I called the Phenix City chamber of commerce to see if there was any fairgrounds in the area. They said no, that the regional fair is held in the parking lot of the Columbus Civic Center. I noticed on the maps there is a park next to FT. Benning called Riverbend Park. Anyone local to Columbus know anythong about it? I couldn't find any details using google.

 

[Chief_919]

We are talking about a Aberdeen type show so a few questions,

1- how long has the Aberdeen show been going on
2- how many sights has the show been on
3- how has the cost for the participants increased from the start to now
4- what is other draws or functions besides APG

When I went to 99 MVPA convention in San Jose, there was at least 3 different tours for the MVer, one was to the armor collection(owner has since died), the two other were almost as good, plus there was tours for the non MVers

All the meets that I have gone to except the first two GA.meets (this includes Aberdeen) there is NOTHING to do with the MVs except to watch some load/unload, sure not all went to do anything but show, but I think you would be surprised how many owners would like to use there MV. It nice to meet and great , but that can only go so far. SO with that said, if we have a meet, have some OFF SITE MV actives within a 20 to 30 mile radius like the 06/07 GA.rally, a trail ride, poker run, cruse night, ect

A meet is a meet, in order to make it a GREAT meet you need a CATCH (Aberdeen has become a tradition), something to make us say" WOW " I HAVE TO GO TO THAT and to keep it alive for more then ONE day to draw a crowd which draws vendors then more crowd, more vendors, on and on, also need to think out of the MV WORLD box

Im sorta rambling with this, but I think this idea will work with a LOT OF THOUGHT

I agree- you need more than just the show, and you really need stuff for the family members who are not into MV's to do close by. Having that helps sell it to the other half for lots of folks, and that will increase attendance.

In this region the car shows- especially the specialty ones like all Mustangs, all Chevy etc- will do runs to the Wheels Through Time Museum, drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway, convoys through downtowns, and stuff. Some have even toured the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in their cars as a group.

They also have directions organized to local shopping, tourist venues and the casino for the family members who want something else to do.

It takes a lot to make a great show than just some MV's in a parking lot.

That is one reason why the rod runs and shows in Gatlingurg TN draw such huge, huge crowds- there is stuff there for the whole family to enjoy.

One thing- as a vendor, I HATE all indoor shows, and shows all on pavement. When I come to sell, I come with a very large truck full of stuff. I need a spot where I can sell where my truck is parked, and it needs to be not on pavement to be able to put a tent up. I have worked many of the previous East Coast MVPA nationals that were set up like that (Ft Lee, Tobyhanna) but when one is an all indoor arena it isn't worth my while.

 

[ca1517]

There is a large car show, and swap meet in Moultrie GA bi-annually I believe. Not my first choice, but probably a decent location with its proximity to I75, paved and unpaved parking areas, and so on. Just wanted to throw that idea out there.

 

[73m819]

can anybody answer these questions

1- how long has the Aberdeen show been going on
2- how many sights(locations) has the show been on
3- how has the cost for the participants increased from the start to now
4- what is other draws or functions besides APG

Just remember Aberdeen has been going on for many years, it was not always the size it is today,

The GA, rally started out as a back yard cookout and a night trail ride with 7 trucks and about a dozen people, it has progressed to about 50 trucks and about 150 people at the 09 rally, (the 10 rally will even be bigger), at this rate of progression, it WILL become THE rally to be at , a good chance it will out grow where it is at now also we have to BECAREFUL that it does not turn into all consuming monster

 

[Heavysteven]

I agree Columbus would be a good choice. Let me know if you decide to go on a road trip to Columbus I'm in.

There is a drive through feeding zoo "wild safari" down there. I would love to drive the deuce through.

 

[mslogr]

Look guys i really like the Co GA idea. It's about 300 miles from my place to there, It' s about 600 miles to the Ga coast from my place. I was just thinking about the folks that would want to come from La. Ar. & Tx. Plus if you want to do offroad rides you would need an area with alot of rural acerage. The farther you come west toward the Ms river the availability of large land parcals gets higher. For a offroad ride you will need either a large land owner or maybe a timber co. Also a smaller town or community would be more willing to help with an event of this size & caliber. Small towns see an event like this as revenue for there small town. It's just an idea I'll support it either way. My wife, kida & myself would love to see a southern MV show.

 

[ke6rwj]

Anyone thought about linking up with airshows? Co-locating? I know there is(was) a show at the Bessemer airport Alabama (birmingham), they got b25's and lots of other military aircraft. Lots of space..

Comments?

 

[Chief_919]

To bring this back up, I think I found a possible place that has a lot going for it. I know a lot of you guys are set on GA, but consider this spot.

Sevier County Fairgrounds

In Sevierville TN, right outside Pigeon Forge. This fairgrounds looks ideal.

Advanatges-
Great location with tons of hotels, food, and things for the families to enjoy. As was said, to make a show really grow the location needs to offer more than just the show can.
The area is very, very pro-military
The area hosts a number of car shows and gatherings and is very supportive of them- they are a tourist based area and love these kinds of events there.
Located just a few miles from the TN Museum of Aviation, who I know would work with us- they have MV's they could bring as well as do some flyovers. There are also at least two auto museums within a few miles.
Right off I-40.
Central to pretty much the whole south- equal distance to the coast, Memphis, , Birmingham, Atlanta.

And perhaps best of all- the entire fairgrounds rents for $800 a day- that is indoor space, outdoor space, the tractor pull arena- all of it. I was amazed by that low price. It will be hard to find a venue with outdoor and indoor space for that price anywhere else, much less with so much available in the surrounding area.

They have several car shows there every year. The ones that outgrow the facilities they start at often grow to the informal particpants just lining the parking spaces on the main drag through town.

Just something to chew on. Has anyone found any other posible facilities or locations?

 

[rgguin]

Hosting a Aberdeen of The South Show has been discussed for several years now by the Dixie Divsion MVC. There are several great points being made by folks all over the South about this. I think Huntsville is one of the top two or three Southern central locations to consider for this show. Locating near a major interstate in a place that can draw the people and vendors from all directions is a must. Huntsville is off I-65. You cannot wall off part of the country by having it near any of the coasts. Doing that eliminates a lot of people. It must be as central as possible to allow people from every direction to come. Having other attractions such as museums, tours, motels, shopping, NASA, The Space Museum, civic facilities. Veterans Memorial Museum etc. should be a consideration. Huntsville certainly has all of this.

I think the Huntsville 2012 MVPA Convention will offer us a lot of insight and give us a springboard to hosting a future event like this. As has already been posted earlier, the National Truck Association had their National Convention in Huntsville in 2009 behind the Veterans Memorial Museum and it was large outdoor event.

 

[Strykerboy]

i like idea...