TLCA sanctioned event

[65swb45]

Soooooooo, Dave West brought up the idea last night of the Trail Crew hosting a TLCA sanctioned event next year in February. His idea was very specific; my thoughts are more general.

Since the idea of the event is to make it open to the public and generate funds for TLCA as well as visibility for the club, I thought it would be appropriate to put this on our little club forum for discussion. Reason being that if it’s gonna work at all, the best chance it’s gonna get is the one that involves the most PARTICIPATION. That said, the question becomes, IF we as a club were to host an event, which TYPE of event do you think would do the most to promote the two goals listed above[ WHICH ONE would YOU support THE MOST]. Keep in mind that there would have to be a fee charged for entrance into the event in order to cover our insurance costs [to be paid to TLCA] and to make some money for TLCA:

1. Safety clinic/vehicle inspection [the idea that was suggested]
2. Rally/swapmeet- like the one Rising Sun just had. The rally incorporated a car show; that's something I know a LITTLE about!
3. Trail run/picnic-keeping in mind that, this being L.A. we could have enough participation to run into problems with local land use officials for having too big of a group without a permit.
4. Other

Then, depending on your answer to the first question, the next question becomes WHERE to host said event.
1. Associate member [which was suggested. Actually, it is my understanding that Jonathan Ward at TLC in Van Nuys graciously offered to host a safety clinic.]
2. Toyota dealership. Not sure how this would work as far as a clinic goes, but might work as a rally.
3. Public park
4. Off road area. See option 3 from first list for potential issues.

Third thought has to do with TIME. February has been suggested. It is not a bad time for our club historically, and could be a decent shot weatherwise. However, in order to maximize our publicity, we would need to move through the planning stages rather quickly in order to meet advertising deadlines. Toyota Trails ad space for the Nov-Dec issue closes September 15th. For Jan/Feb 2007, it would close October 15th. The ad space is COMPLIMENTARY to clubs supporting the TLCA, but the WHEN and WHERE, as well as an actual ad copy still would need to be generated.

Pick a day and date. Saturday or Sunday? President's weekend? Before or After? Any scheduling conflicts you can help us forsee NOW?

I personally think this is a GREAT idea. I also liked Mark Watkins idea of L.A. taking a stab at bringing back the THANKSGIVING run. I like pretty much ANY idea of L.A. doing more to promote TLCA. What ANY event will take, and what was missing from the meeting last night, was a high degree of commitment from the membership to making this dream a reality. This HAS to be the dream of more than 4 or 5 members if it's gonna happen.

Use this forum, the yahoo group, your phones, or other means of gossip to hash this out ASAP. IMO, If we’re gonna move on this, we need to be ‘up to speed’ BEFORE the next club meeting in October. We won’t have ANY time to discuss this then, as that is when we are slated to have our CPR training [thanks to Mark W.]

Maybe some campfire discussion next weekend at Dusy?

Best

Mark A.

p.s. If you think this post is inappropriate, call me at the shop tomorrow and I'll do my best to delete it ASAP. Only trying to help.

 

[TUFFTORQ]

Thanksgiving run would be ideal IMHO. Club participation as a whole though would be one BIG question. Commitment from all members would be essential. Maybe partner with another TLCA club to help offset some costs and work? If (keyword) the club seriously wants to do this, then I'll step up and lead the way.

Swap meet...now that's a brillant idea. Location needs to be central for everyone.

 

[Tencup]

Mark, can you describe in some detail what the rising sun Rally/swapmeet had/did at their event?. Also, what was the location like? empty lot, parking lot etc? Thanks.

 

[65swb45]

Mike Davidson, aka treerootco, arranged to use part of the parking lot of a local stadium for the event. THey used some barracade tape and cones to direct the traffic coming into the event. Ran the registrants past the registration booth and then directed them on which of basically 4 aisles to part for the swapmeet, the car show, or just to park. To avoid any issue of someone in a Toy getting visuals without paying, you could not drive a TOYOTA into the lot without registering for something. I think there were maybe two LCs that chose to park outside of the event.

Registration consisted of 3 canopies IIRC. Middle one was event registration. To the right, Jeff Zepp handled the TLCA table, which had quite a few past copies of Toyota Trails, along with some swag that Jennifer Lorencz had sent out. To the left was a table with Rising Sun club swag, including T-shirts from the last 5 years of Cruise Moab.

Behind the registration the Rising Sun people had their club trailer filled with the tables and chairs and awnings until they were in use. They also had a gas bbq which was manned by club volunteers making hot dogs for sale. THey sold a dog, a canned soda, and a mini bag of chips for $2.00 and did a brisk business.

Sold event T-shirts for $20. with proceeds to the club. Sold vendor registrations for $20, with proceeds to the club. Sold registrations to the car show for ??? {I was in a U-haul, tho it did have a LC bezel! ]

There was also a raffle that I think went over very well. IIRC, all participants were offered the opportunity to bring a raffle prize valued at $20 in lieu of paying a registration fee. I thought that was a REALLY COOL idea.

That specific enough?

Best

Mark A.

 

[Tencup]

Yes, thanks Mark.