Hey everyone, i'm wondering who put on the Stratford shows the last 2 years and who does the Grand Island shows. I know the Stratford one isnt on for this year, I'm wondering if there is anyother show in its place?

My first thoughts were that I wouldnt be able to really do enough to help put on a show, but the more I think about it, and the resources I can get, I may be able to do more than I thought. I just need some information and your opinions on some things.

My mom is a big part of the Paradise and District Lions Club- a big community service group- and she says if necessary she can get support from the Lions Club for things like a barbeque/ bar and general advertising and such.

What would be the thoughts on doing a show in St. Jacobs Ontario (a smaller tourist town) with a hotel that could work out well for a show like this, with really scenic surroundings that would make for a great cruise. Or also for Waterloo, I know a hotel with a parking lot that would be set up awesome for this sort of show, similar to the set-up in Grand Island. The reson I am interested in these areas is because it works out really well for me and people who can help me, and is a scenic area for cruises. However, if its better I could try to just pick up where it was left off last year in Stratford. What are your thoughts?

If there is enough interest in a show in either place for a different "north of the border show" I can talk to some of the owners of the hotels and get things figured out. But I would need some numbers for like about how many cars would come? how many hotel rooms? how many trailors? and stuff like that before I can talk to them. IF things work out quick enough, we might even be in good shape for a 2009 show

So what I really want to know is:
-Who has put on the other shows that i could talk to?
-What is the biggest part of putting on a show?
-What are your thoughts on what I mentioned above?

Good to see you step up and make this post Steve.

The city is really irrelevant. The important thing is for the organizers to be living in or near the city where it is hosted to get all the leg work done. The first Stratford Show was generally handled by Dan Brown who lived there. Last year the main man would have been Mike King from Waterloo.

Without being too modest I guess I am the most knowledgeable at organizing such an event as I have been doing similar events for over ten years (which was prior to the first Grand Island Show). The responsibility for the Grand Island Show was handed over to Gene Chaas a few years ago and now is handled primarily by Glenn Lever. George Mitchell (DUKE) is our Club President and has a very good knowledge of this as well.

The ideal location for a Canadian Show would be somewhere in the Golden Horseshoe. A place like St. Catharines would be perfect. Unfortunately nobody from that area has come forward. In that area there is no reason not to draw anywhere form 200-300 Chevelles, Beaumonts and El Caminos. I make that statement as we had about 150 cars out for the first show in the remote area of Stratford. Just imagine the Toronto exposure if it were held in St. Catharines.

My opinion is that the Club will not dictate where a show will take place, but rather by who will be taking on the responsibility. Unfortunately our Club is filled with a lot of followers rather than several leaders. When looking at the nine shows put on by our Club (Grand Island & Stratford) I have never had any problem getting members to do something, that has never been difficult. However, getting somebody to take the lead is always a concern.

My suggestion to you would be to contact George Mitchell to create some dialog on where, when and how. September is an absolute perfect time in my opinion.

Good luck Steve.

Hey thanks a lot. Location relative to me is why I am thinking St. Jacobs or Waterloo, because they are about a 4 and 10 minute drive from me, good amount of parking, including trailer areas. Also, St. Jacobs is a big tourist and shopping area, and just outside of town going my way is a really scenic drive with plenty of areas that would be great for a little cruise.

After thinking about it the last little while, I think I can take care of stepping up and doing it. Like I said earlier, my mom is willing to basically take care of it with me, and she is the former president of the local branch of the Lions Community service Club and so can take care of a barbeque or anything (either on the cruise or in the parking lot of the show if its okay with the hotel).

Around St. Catherines would no doubt be a great area for it, just no do-able for me.

My main idea was thinking September as well, I just need a rough idea of what kind of numbers to expect so I can talk to the hotels I have in mind. My mom has contacts at the one hotel already because she has helped put on a yearly fashion show at the one and the sister of a friend is the manager at the other. I would need an idea on how many would need hotel rooms? space for trailers? etc.

Is there seed money or do we have to raise everything to cover our costs and advertising and flyers? What has been done in the past for other shows? Are there past budgets and balance sheets from other shows to give me an idea? Were there sponsors for the Stratford show? I have a few ideas of people to approach, but I would like to be as prepared as possible first. Time is of the essence, and a decison needs ot be made very quickly if we try for a 2009 show.
It would be a shame to miss a year and I'm sure a lot of Chevelle enthusiasts would love the chance for another show and oppurtunity to get together for fellowship within the great car guy community. It will be pushing it for this year to get a place and location and advertising done, but it may be better than missing a year and trying to pick it up again later.

I am willing to go for it and really try it if I can get the support, I dont have a really demanding job or kids or anything, and I can give it my all.

Steve,

That is how things get done, my friend....you have to STEP UP and be vocal!! Thanks for trying to take this on. As I said, someone(s) have to get it started. Don is right, location is not nearly as important as having it in a spot where the "team" can get things going.

Rooms: Boy that is tough to say but I would think perhaps 50-60 at least. It so depends on turnout. Last year it seemed to me that a lot of folks who went to the Stratford show were "day of" people rather than spending a night or two. That is fine, believe me. The opposite has been true for the Grand Island show but that may be a function of venue and other tourist oppotunities. Again, that question may be answered better by your organizing team.

Trailer parking: a necessary thing, for sure. On site is great, but look what we do at the Grand Island show....park what we can in the lot and then put the overflow across the street at the golf club. Hey, we are lucky to have that spot and to have the club's OK to use that lot. Again, it will depend on your venue.

DJ: homegrown or a pro. Up to you but a pro will be an expense. What have you got and what can you get.

What to do while at the show: Looking at our GI show: Fri. night is the Paddock cruise and again, we are lucky to have something like that so close. Sat. night we have the island cruise and that continues to be VERY popular. We had 30-some cars last year in a rain storm...go figure! I thought the cruise and then the barbeque at the Stratford show was great! Nice scenic ride and then some great food....can't beat that. What else can you do...what have you got to pick from?

These are just a few things that pop into my head. As Don mentioned, Mike King would be a great one to talk to about logistics. He will be at the show next week. I sure hope you can come down, car or not, just to talk about this deal. You are really going to have to hustle to do it this yr., especially in terms of getting hotel space. Regardless, again thanks for stepping in here....nver say never! Hope to see you next wkend.

Duke

There is a local DJ woh I've seen around at a lot of local Car Shows who I am trying to get the name of. As well, at other local shows a couple Radio statiosn have come on site and provided music. I'm looking into both of those options.

For what to do at the show, I am looking to put together a cruise out of town to a barbeque. I'm thinking that for a saturday night thing. And trying to figure out something that could be done for the friday night (anyone from around Waterloo please jump in with ANY ideas) I dont exactly know that one yet- I only really decided I want to go for this just recently so I havent got that one yet.
I'm hoping that by the middle of next I'll have everything figured out and i'll be able to have gotten the word out officially with hotels/ food providers/ potential sponsors and stuff.
This whole plan is still in the early stages of getting going, I had been giving it some thought for a few days, and basicaly just today after talking to some people the decision was made to really step up and go for it- so bear with me for the confusion right now,a nd like I've said, ANY help or ideas I can get from people is appreciated.

And as more people read this, if you think you can help with a 2009 show in/around Waterloo, please let me know ASAP.

- in addition, for friday night, I noticed and heard that Stratford had more people show up the day of and just come the one day, so if thats the case we may not do anything for friday night other than a meet and greet and some bench racing in the parking lot.

I think Dan/Mike had some help-email sent Steve-Keep on cruising! Dave.

keep in mind this isn't official or anything yet, still in the early stages to see if it can be done in such a short time, I'm trying to figure out about the insurance and other concerns, if I need to basically go at it from scratch, I probably cant do it all in time, If insurance can be delt with the same way as it was the last two years, it should be a lot easier and faster.

I would really like to be able to pull if off for 2009, but it might just have to wait for 2010, as soon as I find out about how many people and hotel rooms to expect I can talk to the hotels and figure out what is going to happen.

If I can get the information from last year, it will be a lot simpler, because a lot of it shouldnt change too drastically and the last 2 years will be a good indicator of what to expect this year. It's tough enough to try and get this going with it being my first time trying to take charge of something like this, the short timeframe really doesnt help at all, so whatever I can get from you guys will make a HUGE difference and decide whether we'll see the show for 2009 or wait until 2010.

Steve - shoot for 2010 which will allow you to "do it right". Planning for most of these events starts a year in advance. If you do in fact take this on then the extra time will be beneficial for a "first timer". Good luck on your discussions with George.

Steve - shoot for 2010 which will allow you to "do it right". Planning for most of these events starts a year in advance. If you do in fact take this on then the extra time will be beneficial for a "first timer". Good luck on your discussions with George.

:yes: thats what I'm starting to lean to now as well, I would love to be able to get it done for 2009 and keep the Canadian side chevelle show streak going, but like what I've heard from a few people now, I may be better off waiting, taking my time and getting it done right.

That being said, if there is anyone thats going to try for something in 2009 I am totally behind you and please message me, I am more than willing to get involved.
But for 2010, I'll get my thoughts together more, take my time on it, if between now and then someone else/ others want to run it I can help you run it or whatever if you want the lead, if someone else has plans I dont want to steal it from you, if not I definitely don't mind being first in line stepping up for the 2010 show. :thumbsup:

sorry if i got too many peoples hopes up for a 2009 show;)- at least you got 2010 to look forward to:yes:

Has anyone given any thought to having the show somewhere near Toronto? That would definately garner a huge turnout and allow a lot more choices for hotels and venues....how bout a cruise up or down yonge street and down to the lakeshore?

There are lots of possiblities here in Toronto and if that were an option, I would definately step up to the plate to help out or to take the lead with someone else to get this off the ground. I am sure we could do a one day event here in Toronto or the GTA and then expand it later in 2010 to make it a weekend event.

Any thoughts on the matter?