[Larry Currie]

Give us a report! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mellow.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Duckman]

It was GREAT. Too bad so few of us were there to paricipate. Still, Cosimo and Randi put on a great party. Of particular note was the Saturday night Fun Run in the country to Randi's farm for barbecue. Spectacular.



Thank you Randi and Cosimo for throwing a wonderful party. Next year, too?

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[wit61]

I was only there for Sat morning, but plan to attend the next one in full. Many of the participants ended up together at Hershey on Sunday.

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[apex]

so how many 968's made the date?

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[NeedPorscheSpeed]

[quote name='Larry Currie' date='Jun 26 2005, 10:31 AM']Give us a report!   <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mellow.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

[right][post="6353"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



I'm sorry that my fellow Alabamian did not make it, either... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Maybe next year we can go together, Larry. That would be great! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[cosimo]

We had 28 cars and some that came without cars. The weather was great, the hotel was very nice with a great location. Plenty of activities, DentMasters, Tech sessions, vendor (RS Barn), great cars (Turbo S, club sport, S/C) and a new 911 GT 3, Air & Space museum. We had a nice wash area, food was great, lots of door prizes (thanks Eric), raised $209 for the American Cancer Society. So what's for next year? Well I would be willing to do again BUT I need more commitment from the 968 community. We planned on 70 cars and committed rooms and dinners to the Hyatt. This was a year in the making so everyone could have time to put in on their schedule. So Where was everyone? We are going to put out a survey (anonymous responses) to determine what went wrong. Was it self perpetuating, i.e. How many are coming? It seems if the number wasn't enough people backed out. Was the Parade interfering? Their was plently of time to get there and not miss anything of importance. Cost too high? Wrong time of year? I was extremely disappointed in the 968 community response. If the support for this activity is not there, then maybe local get togethers will suffice. Enough of my rant. We are going to post some pictures on the web site www.968celebration.com. Any and all feedback is welcomed.

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[NeedPorscheSpeed]

Cosimo,



I want to thank you for all the work and effort you put into the Celebration. I so badly wish that I could have attended, but, this summer, it just wasn't possible. Although I am also at fault, it is quite a shame that so few attended. I hope that you will not give up, and will give it another shot next year. Thanks again for all your hard work for the 968 community. We are all indebted to you. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[perbal]

As a first time attendee, I thought it was a great event, even if I did miss the wash and shine due to very heavy traffic on the way down. Met some great people, many of whom are contributors to this site. I also regret that I missed the cookout, but three of us convoyed up to Hershey early Saturday afternoon and were not able to stay for it or the drive. Am looking forward to attending next year. Cosimo and Randi all deserve our thanks for a very professional job. Incidentally, I also attended the car show corral at the Parade where we had a pretty good turnout, about 16 cars, twice the number of 928s. The historic cars were more than worth the entry fee for the car show. But I did lodge a formal protest with the concours officials. It was way too hot! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Perbal

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[SANDOVAL]

It was great to see some familiar faces in the photos. You guys did a great job this year. I thought the website was a great touch. The event looked top notch. I wish your attendence would have been up. Your effort deserved it! I will make it a priority to make it out next year <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I strongly feel that you need to give people more incentive to make the trek to the event. Example Hershey Swap Meet is a great combination. You get to see all of the 968's and then take a ride togeather to show the rest of the Porsche community what we are all about. Not to mention you get to see a variety of other cars, hunt for parts, and the rest of the family has things they could do. Not saying there is nothing to do in DC. I think the German Autofest in Ventura is a great venue to have a West Coast type celebration. It would be cool to have one at Rennsport Reunion if the timing worked out. You would have seen a larger turnout if the event was planned the day before the Porsche Parade in conjunction with the parade. It is the whole idea of a "Porsche Vacation weekend" that I think would apeal to a larger audience.

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[94SilverCab]

I am only now coming to appreciate the depth of knowledge and interest in this incredibly small niche automobile. I am new to the activities of 968 clubs, performance, and preservation and I am astounded by the camaraderie engendered by this automobile.



I have been lurking these groups for 2 years without posting once. But I was drawn to some posts about the 968-celebration event in DC, and I wanted to find out more about owners and their interests. As well as hopefully gathering more information about avoiding costly repairs.



I was so pleasantly surprised by the depth of the owners that my wife and I met at this gathering. We met people from a wide area geographically, professionally, and chronologically. Some members of the group were interested in performance, others in uncompromising correctness. Cars with 11,000 miles were represented and cars with over 130,000 miles were there. Daily drivers and race car(s) were there. Folks from Colorado and New Mexico and Virginia were there. People in their 30’s were there, and people in their 60’s were there. The one common thread to the group was a passion for their automobile. And, despite all the testosterone (Carnuba?) in the air, we held conversations that ranged from travel to food and wine, to SCUBA to skydiving, to children and family to health and fitness.



Randi and Cosimo worked so hard to make this celebration a success. Every detail was handled so ably. The corral was spacious and safe. The speakers met a broad range of subjects and interests. Dinner was delicious and the door prizes and silent auction items were dispensed without a hitch. The fun run was an exhilarating experience, and Randi was kind enough to host the closing BBQ.



True, only 32 cars arrived for the event. If anyone was disappointed by the .7% of US/Can Cars built (32/4661) turnout, consider that a Ford Taurus event of the same magnitude would yield nearly 21,000 cars. I am not a newbie to auto shows, but I was starry eyed at seeing a collection such as this. I was more surprised at the walking zombies who didn’t notice 9 rare beauties in a row driving down their Main Street. Imagine if 21,000 Tauruses beat a path through your town…actually, I’m so naïve that I would notice 9 Tauruses driving together.



Would I have liked to have met 30 or 50 or 4,000 other 968 owners at this event? Judging by the strength of character of these people the answer is an enthusiastic YES.



As for myself, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.



Jay



Visit my Photgraphs of the event at



http://photobucket.com/albums/a220/94SilverCab/

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[Anchorman]

Beautifully said, Jay. And, BTW, a beautiful silver cab.

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[ds968]

[quote name='cosimo' date='Jun 28 2005, 07:41 AM']We had 28 cars [right][post="6461"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Twentyeight 968s ?! Man, I'd love to see a panorama photo of all of them and turn it into a poster. Not sure even the widest fisheye lens can capture that many, could it ?

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[snowman]

Randi & Cosimo - Thanks for a great weekend of 968 fun. Jay said it best but the ones who missed it lost out on a really good time. Since this was our first one, we will be better prepared next time. Thanks again, Dave

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[ds968]

Cosimo,



my post from 968.net - thought I'd post it here as well...



I meant just the opposite; the " better than others " referred to the pix where the subjects appeared to have had a few drinks ...an activity which I whole heartedly support and promote by the way.. I did not mean in any way that others looked like they were not enjoying the day..

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[cosimo]

First, thanks for all your comments. As I said we plan on having a survey to find out why more people did not come. I would do some things differently next time. Like some activities for mates that are not interested in the Tech Sessions (wife's idea). Our logic in having it just before the Parade was that folks coming from the West and South could stop in DC on the way to Hershey. The folks North of DC would have to "double back" but Hershey was only 2 1/2 hrs away. I know Don has had it in conjuction with the Swap Meet but I for one was not a big fan of the Swap Meet. After an hour of walking around there was not much else. Although I did like to see all 600 - 700 Porsche in one spot, and we all know of the "rainy season in April. Don also had support from the Central PA PCA. Since our event was so close to the Parade we did have any local or national support. I don't know if that would have made any difference. Eric's point of having it in conjunction with another Porsche event is valid but I'm not sure if we can fit that in with the organizers. They usually don't take kindly to other events "interfering" with theirs. Thought about having a track event (Summit Point is close by) but the expense and logistics of that could be overwhelming, i.e. corner workers, instructors, insurance, etc. So we will be soliciting ideas for next year. It is very gratifying that those that attended had a good time. Dan, I think it was the heat rather than drink

that made some of us look out of sorts. It was a warm day. Perry, sorry about the traffic. That was one of my fears on having it start of Friday. Traffic is murder around all the time especially of weekdays. Next time maybe it should be a weekend event (sat and sun). So keep your cards and letters coming. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[SANDOVAL]

"Like some activities for mates that are not interested in the Tech Sessions (wife's idea)."



I think makes your event better but does not necessarily drive people to make the trip.



When I say you need to have an event in conjunction I am not saying you need to be on their marketing material or involved with their planning. Just make it so that you have your event during the same time frame and schedule it within 15 minutes drive to the event. This way participants can go to two events on the same weekend. More bang for your buck perse.I know from experience that the task you guys took was a big challenge. I think this would motivate your potential attendees. Everything you did was spot on from a planning and activities stand point from what I hear.

Eric

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[cosimo]

That is certainly is a valid consideration. There are so many PCA and non PCA events, which to choose. And where. There are DEs in the DC area that we could coordinate with. Maybe that's a "grabber". Summit Point is about one hour from here. Another consideration is the Potomac Region's Club Race. This is usually in the fall. Planning an event outside your "home turf' would be even more difficult.

So if anyone has any thoughts on what events they would like to be part of, speak up. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Anchorman]

I'll be giving more thought to this, but I don't think a DE is a "grabber". I get the feeling that too many people seem so concerned about "tracking" a car. There was a post recently that said something like "I'd stay away from a car that's been tracked." Plus, there's the equipment and cost issue of a DE, along with the tech inspection aspects if it's a PCA event. I had some similar concerns before I did a couple of DEs, and now I'm convinced that, at least at my level, the car is not being asked to do anything that it's not very - VERY - capable of doing. So, I don't think there's necessaraily any negative effects of "tracking". But, getting back to the point, I don't think that a DE would act as an effective Celebration "hook".

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[flash]

this is similar to the issues with event planning here too - having enough to do, besides standing around and talking cars, is important - my other half beats me up about that regularly too - a DE, while fun for many, is likely just more of the same to them - a fun run or a nice drive, would be a plus - an off topic event is also cool - antiquing, wine tasting, etc



proximity to the other associated event seriously affects attendance - as an event planner, i can assure you that more than 15 minutes travel from the main event, and you get geometrically reducing attendance as the distance increases - 2.5 hrs of travel effectively makes that event a stand-alone - on that basis, you did very well - congrats! i wouldn't be so concerned about the attendance, or quick to think of it as a failure - if it were in the area of the main event, you would likely have seen the same numbers as before - 28 doesn't sound like a lot in terms of past numbers, but this was not so directly liked to the other event either - it's still more than we have assembled here so far (17 is the highest so far)



well done!

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[SANDOVAL]

[quote name='cosimo' date='Jun 30 2005, 09:30 AM']That is certainly is a valid consideration. There are so many PCA and non PCA events, which to choose. And where. There are DEs in the DC area that we could coordinate with. Maybe that's a "grabber". Summit Point is about one hour from here. Another consideration is the Potomac Region's Club Race. This is usually in the fall. Planning an event outside your "home turf' would be even more difficult.

So if anyone has any thoughts on what events they would like to be part of, speak up.  <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />  <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

[right][post="6604"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Bigger picture... Porsche is racing in the American Le Mans next year... If the stars were to align that would be a great venue to host the 2006 968 Celebration I bet you get people from all over the country attending. I know I would.

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