AudiFest '99 (long)

["Jim Griffin" <JGriff@pobox.com>]

Okay folks... I've read through a bunch of responses to the original post, and
the general consensus seems to be that we hold multiple events.... specifically
three.... Mt. Washington in the East (if Paul Royal and the NEQCUSA don't mind
if it is on the same weekend), Pike's Peak in the Central region, and Monterey
on the West Coast.

Most folks agreed that it would be better because:

1. Choice - you can decide if, when, and where you are going to go, based upon
the accompanying event (i.e. PP, Monterey, or Mt. Wash.). Heck... you can even
decide to go to all three!!

2. Timing - it would not be limited to just one date... Fourth of July. There
would be three times to pick from... all at different times (although I believe
Monterey and Mt. Washington would be at the same time... so maybe just two
different times...).

3. Flexibility - it potentially allows for more folks to attend... as it takes
into account distance, $$ cost to attend, vacation time, family
committments/restrictions etc.

Some folks felt that we would lose the original spirit of AudiFest.... that we
would be "watering down" the event. Others felt that the (anticipated) increase
in participation would build it bigger and better.

I personally agree with the latter.

Two years ago when I first posted that we should have an AudiFest, I never
really thought that it would be possible to pull it all together. But, I was
pleasantly surprised, as the movie cliche "if you build it, they will come"
proved true. With much thanks to all those who helped, especially Ben Howell and
the CO contingent, it was a huge success.

We built it again last year... and once again, it was a blast. Half the previous
year's group (the Inaugural AudiFesters!!) showed up, displaying just how much
fun it was.

But... based on responses I've received thus far, I believe the event is
maturing, to the point where we need to make a major decision... one which could
make or break the success of it going forward. I feel that if we limit it to
only Pike's Peak this year, we will actually experience a reduction in
attendance. I say this because I don't believe that we will get the 50% return
ratio we got from the first to the second year (i.e. I know that if we only do
Pike's Peak, I personally might not be able to go... and I've heard the same
from some others...).

What we don't want is for this concept to lose momentum. In fact, we should be
looking for ways to improve and grow the concept. It is IMHO that in order to do
so, we need to proceed in the above-stated fashion. We should have an AudiFest
'99 East, AudiFest '99 Central, and AudiFest '99 West.

I think that we will have just as much, if not more, enthusiasm about the
gatherings. I think we will have a huge success everywhere... and when we tally
up the numbers in attendance, we'll impress not only ourselves, but Audi of
America as well. Also, if we do it "regionally", we most likely will be able to
get some local sponsorship (i.e. I've already been e-mailed by a dealer/parts
place that would like to help sponsor the East.).

Well, I'll leave it at that for now. You know where my vote is... and how I feel
we should proceed. So... should we take a "formal" vote, or should we just go
with the feedback I received in response to the original post, and proceed with
the three events, concentrating our efforts in making them all hugely
successful?

As in the past, we need plenty of volunteers to assist. If you are willing,
please let me know.

Thanks for listening. Whatever we do, here's to AudiFest '99!! <CLINK!!>
Cheers!!

                     Jim Griffin
                 ICQ # 1315286
               JGriff@pobox.com
           http://pobox.com/~jgriff
     http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1315286
'92 Audi 100S - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
 "Perception is often stronger than reality!"
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