2012 MVPA Convention

[68427vette]

its just fun to have outdoor vending,, and hanging outside, with all the guys,sitting on chairs, telling fish stories,, who cares if its HOT,, we just had the Findley show,, its was 90-95, with FULL sun,, had a great time... i'm sure the show will be great!!

[Chuck W.]

When we hosted the MVPA Convention in 2004 in Mobile, I don't recall any complaints about no outside vending or displays. I've been working on this convention for about 2 years and it seems that everytime I turn around, somebody is complaining to me that we don't have outside vending. Based on the number of complaints I've heard, I think the MVPA should think about not renting these extremely expensive expo centers, etc. and just start holding the conventions in an abandoned Wal Mart parking lot somewhere. I was even told by someone who was running for MVPA BoD that if he got elected, he would never vote in favor of an indoor convention. It would be interesting to hear other MVPA member thoughts on this. While I'll never be involved in another convention, some of the future hosts might benefit from a discussion of this topic.

[Jeeps4Brains]

I am still getting ready for Huntsville.

In the past conventions has anyone had problems with display items getting gone?

I am just wondering how close I should watch or keep things packed up when I am not with my vehicle.

As for the outside vendors, I don't see a specific need that they be outside unless it might attract more of the drive up and toss out your items to sell group.

Alan

[Kevin Lockwood]

Chuck W., Ronnie G, Randy W. and lots of others:
Thanks for the efforts you have put forward to be the host for this year's MVPA convention. As a board member I have just seen the latest info regarding vendor spaces, reservations, etc. and boy it looks good. Way to Go! I just picked up on this thread and wanted to say that, for myself, part of the fun of having a convention in different locations is the change in venue. So; some like the RV / camping and some like climate controlled socializing. Its all good.
Looking forward to meeting many of you for the first time and seeing some old friends as well.

[Zack Magnusson]

Just checking the weather, I noticed that the high for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is projected to be over 100F. Sure am glad this one's indoors! ... And welcome all to the sunny, sultry South!

[Jeeps4Brains]

Yep, got the Jeep loaded late yesterday. A squall line came through and dumped a bunch of rain before I could get it loaded. Later it was so humid you could cut the air with a knife. Love the south. Looks like it is heading to 100 degrees this Friday and Sat at home and Huntsville.

[Eddie Holland]

since I have let my MVPA membership expire can I not get in tomorrow? I was planning on going tomorrow with my 2 young boys.

[pierino]

I'm here.

If you'll notice a no-longer-young-Italian with the face signed by jet-lag, that will be me.

Ciao,Maurizio

[Zack Magnusson]

Many thanks to Chuck and the Dixie Division for a job well done. Really enjoyed the event.

[Bob N]

It was very well done. Good thing it was all inside because I believe at one point it was 105F outside! I know when I left this morning it was 102F. You can have all those outside events as far as I'm concerned. My grandsons age 7 and 8 thought the SCUD was very cool. Hey, I actually sold a bunch of stuff this year. Again, well done Dixie Division.

[WesG]

Thanks to all the club members that worked so hard to put on a good convention. I brought some newbies along and they were in awe. The negative types just seem to be working to sabotage other people's good impressions. There are certainly some issues with having a convention down here but it's nice to rotate around the country and give everyone a chance to attend.
Thanks Dixie Division!

WesG

[GPA2196]

Chuck et al..... I just wanted to say I had a great time. I thought you guys put on a wonderful and very efficient event. And I almost got to see a T16 go through a concrete floor into the parking deck below On a positive note hopefully you guys are getting some well deserved rest!

Cheers,
Tony

[Chuck W.]

Thank you to all the people who brought display vehicles, all the great vendors, and especially the visitors who came to see the vehicles and buy from the vendors! I hope everybody had a good time.

I didn't hear anything about outside vending! When I went over to the trailer lot to fix the flat on my trailer, the thermometer in my truck showed 110!

Of all the things that happened, the T-16 off-load scared me the most! We used a different approach when we let him re-load (Thanks to the museum for the roll-back!)

Moving out Ron Hargrove's tracked vehicles went off without a hitch early Sunday morning (thanks to everybody who helped move the mats and boards!), and the last vehicle moved out of the VBC at 10:27 am Sunday and we all headed home! Hope everybody had a safe trip home! See you in Portland next year!

Chuck & Randy

[mutt66]

I dont remember having a convention center for the 1998 National at Tobyhanna PA there were vendors everyware and vehicles of every discription as far as you could see, all the nationals that have been favs of mine have been outdoor, just speaking for myself but I bet theres alot more MVer's out there that agree. Scott O&O

[bikeman]

Oh please, some one has got to give a little more of the story with the T-16...