St Louis this weekend

[bobs turbo pt]

the shows around here have hardly any pt's anymore i think like mentioned above the thrill may be gone ??[:I]

[Hooligan]

Personally, I think that there are more PT shows all over the place.

Yes, gas has something to do with it as well as the lack of vendors. Realize it costs them MUCHO BUCKS to attend those shows, just in gas to get there let alone they are required to "donate" door prizes at most events. MHO!!![^]

[Big Kahuna]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1

Just got back this evening. Me and my wife drove from Louisville to St. Louis for the show today...A few things that I noticed. One is the heat. i went last year and it was hotter but not by much. They really need to look at the date for this event...The heat really makes it bad for everbody and I think keeps some people from comming to the show. I also noticed this year compared to last...there were less cars in the show. One whole parking section in the lot that was filled up last year was empty. I also notice a lack of vendors selling part and other stuff for the PT...Seems ther was even less than last year and last year was not that much. Even PT Botiqes...or how ever you spell it had more jewlery than stuff for the PT. It seems like more parts type vendors are needed. Overall we had a good time but as I stated it seems the amount of cars was down this year....could it be the heat keeping them away? Thas why I mention about maybe altering the date a little....in the future...

Good points and always like feedback from attendees...

As for the weather... there actually are a few reasons we usually hold our MMISL event at that time...

Despite the heat, it is usually very rare that we get a long 2 - 3 day wet period in July and August. If we were to hold our event in the spring or fall, we may end up with everyone inside the hotel during the weekend because of rain.

We also try very hard not to conflict with other event schedules. We would not want to overstep any of the other PT events nationwide and the week we select usually falls during a 1 - 2 week lull in PT event activity.

We realize that there is always the chance of a heat wave but that is why we throw this event within 100 feet or so of the large air conditioned Hilton DoubleTree with a conveniently placed indoor swimming pool on ground level by the front door which overlooks all the activities.

I will definitely bring up you suggestions and comments at our upcoming "how did it go" MMISL Staff Meeting.

As for additional vendors for parts, we are also careful not to book too many of the same type parts vendors. We had been promised a commitment by RACE & STREET until just a week or so before the event and they called to inform us they will not be attending. They were suppose to be our BIG parts accessory vendor and was a bit too late to scramble for another.

As for crowd numbers, yes.. a little less than last year but more than our pre-registration numbers expected and we were very pleased with the turnout...

Thank you again for your comments and suggestions... that is the only way we can improve.

[^]

[Big Kahuna]

quote:Originally posted by Gary04GT

Also, the increasing price of gas may be a factor with less cars participating in shows this year. I have noticed the same trends at the car shows on the West Coast (Cruiserfest 2006, Modesto, CA) and Pacific Northwest events that my wife and I have attended. One disappointment at Cruiserfest this year (voiced by many who have been there in previous years) was the lack of the number and "quality" of the vendors from past shows. Heat is definitely a factor -- at the PT Cruiser, Classic, Rod, and Bike Show we went to last weekend (Shelton, WA) it was 102-104 degrees/F -- very hot [:0] for Western Washington!

That is very true Gary...

Although our registration numbers were down slightly this year, it was definitely a trend with all PT Cruiser events and with local car shows in general.

Not only is the price of gasoline a factor but the overall family disposable income is less because of the increased prices on products we buy everyday. If you look at the price of groceries to regular staples to plastic products... prices on everything in the economy have increased substantially which leaves a family less and less to spend on vacations and pass time. If you ask stores why their prices have increased so much, you get the same answer... cost of getting products to the stores (GASOLINE)...

We've had a few reulars who also were unable to attend due to simply untimely incidents such as pregnancy, wrecked PT Cruiser, work schedule changes, injuries, unable to get vacation time off... but all who are disappointed that they could not attend and definitely plan on coming back next summer...

Overall we were very pleased with our attendance and we are definitely not giving up on the 175+ that attendeded and want us to do it again next summer. We would hate to dissapoint all those who had no complaints at all.

[Big Kahuna]

quote:Originally posted by PT4U2C

My wife and I (and several others) from the Carolinas went to St. Louis last year and it was VERY HOT. Additionally, the A/C was not working in some of the hotel rooms because of renovations going on during the show. We decided to not return this year because of the: heat,lack of vendors, same hotel, and yes to a lesser degree fuel costs. I am noticing less cars at each event, less vendors(related to less cars). Keeping succeeding events robust and engaging is a tough job. Our primary reasons for attending is seeing friends, seeing the different PT's, and purchasing parts "on the spot". Maybe the organizers could survey what owners would like to have and what would maintain interest. I also wonder if we are loosing interest?
PT4U2C/1KICKNPT

Thankfully new management has taken over the hotel. Last summer the hotel was going through a new owership purchase from the Westport Holiday Inn to the newly remodeled Westport HILTON DOUBLETREE.

Wow, what a difference that was and we could not have praised the new owership and staff as much as we should. Airconditioning has been completely reworked and they were cooperative as ever. At their own expense cleared the lot of all hotel vehicles, and went above and beyond the call of duty. You missed a real diffenence in hotel hospitality this summer.

As for vendors... that was addressed in the previous comments. We also encourage comments and suggestions because we want this show to satisfy our attendees and we had no control of the RACE and STREET PARTS AND ACCESSORY VENDOR pulling out at the last minute. First on our list to look at new and even more PT Parts vendors.

[Johns Steel Blue]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1

I think your last line answers at least some of it....It is like BBKings song....The Thrill is Gone.......Well maybe just a little.....[}]

Maybe your thrill is gone.

[Big Kahuna]

quote:Originally posted by Johns Steel Blue

Maybe your thrill is gone.

That's right John... we're not giving up on the over 175+ PT Cruiser die-hards that still want us to continue...

[?]

[rszappa1]

I think that the sales are showing it also...After 4 to 5 years of basically the same car the novilty begins to wear off...on any car...But look at the HHR I dont even see any rallys for them and the car is now 2 years old...o well they just dont get it...I hope that you take my comments as comments and not as complaints...as I stated we had a good time...but it could have been even better....That is my point...You need to hear both sides of a story to make a decision.....

[Big Kahuna]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1

I think that the sales are showing it also...After 4 to 5 years of basically the same car the novilty begins to wear off...on any car...But look at the HHR I dont even see any rallys for them and the car is now 2 years old...o well they just dont get it...I hope that you take my comments as comments and not as complaints...as I stated we had a good time...but it could have been even better....That is my point...You need to hear both sides of a story to make a decision.....

Very good points, comments and suggestions... we will definitely look into some changes for next summer...

[bigslim]

I posted pictures here. http://ptenthusiasts.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54590