future ZFest Locations....sorta long...

As many on this forum have expressed, we would all love to see ZFest "come to a location near you". The decision as to where it should be held is not just just based on location, weather or time of year. It is based on WHO is willing to take on what can be a very daunting task.

Last year, the Canes took it on and made it their own in Ohio. This year, I am working my backside off to ensure that every mile you drive to get to Valencia, is work the trip.

The common theme here is that it took someone to step up to the plate and then set their family and jobs aside to put in the time that it takes to make the event happen.

in 2011, ZFest comes to Texas. Why? Because someone stepped up to the plate and is working their arse off to make it a reality.

If you would like to see ZFest come to your favorite part of the country, let the ZSCCA know WHO is gonna make it happen, WHERE you want to make it happen, WHEN you want to make it happen and WHO is gonna bring it to reality.

If the ZSCCA doesn't satisfy you and let you live your dream, put something together on your own but be prepared for a possible rude awakening.

The venues want you to provide insurance. Multi million dollar policies are about 2k for the weekend. Hotels want minimum guarantees for rooms and meals. You don't sell 'em-you still pay for them. Museums, tours restaurants all want guarantees and many of them require deposits. Who is going to front the money? Advertising. Graphics. Decor. Sound systems. Entertainment. VIP's and guests. Countless emails from those who are excited and appreciative and from those who can't attend and blame it on you for holding it when and where you have it planned. Souvenir tee shirts. Contests and Prizes. The list goes on and on. Oh yea, there are drives, clinics and vendors that have be planned and executed. And what do you do if the weather changes? The list goes on and on and on....

Why would somebody want to do all of this? Who knows. Al I can say is that I am doing this NOT for the ZSCCA and NOT for Make A Wish. I AM doit it for YOU. The ZSCCA will benefit (hopefully) from some recognition. Make A Wish will benefit (hopefully again) through your generosity. But the most important goal throughout the event is your SATISFACTION.

And if anyone thinks that I am doing this on my own, all I can say is GOD BLESS all of the volunteers who are behind the scenes now but will be IN YOUR FACE during the event. So please, give them a pat on the back when you see them, if they slow down enough for you to touch them.

There is a line from a movie that goes "build it and they will come". If you hold an event, no matter how large or small, folks will attend and I will be one of them.

ZFest is my last act as the ZSCCA President. I am looking forward to making new friends and saying good bye.

Cheers,

Scott Pettit

Scott,
Well said. As a long time board member and chairperson of a not for profit organization I can validate all of the issues that Scott has raised with regard to putting on an event, especially in this economy. Many conferences today are just trying to survive...
2005 Z4 3.0 T Silver, Black interior http://forums1.roadfly.com/preferenc...php?img=129371

are just trying to survive. It is not just the events. If their members don't have money to pay their dues, then they certainly are not going to spend it to attend events. It's a lose / lose for everyone and we understand that.

The most important thing for any club to do is NOT WORRY about growing and changing, but to FOCUS on providing a stable level of service with what you already have.

Scott Pettit

My argument is why take an East Coast party to the West Coast??
This party has always been East of the Mississippi and should stay there!!

It is kinda unfair to leave all of the east coasters out and bring the party to the handful of West Coasters that have gone in the past!!


I have gone to 6 of the last 7 Homecoming/ZFest! And I believe it should be in a city that has other adult things to do!!

Greenville was nice Cincinnati was OK, but Dallas??

What is there to do in Dallas??


I hope '12 is better than 2010 & 2011 !!
Although I probably won't own a Z by then so it really won't matter!!1

I hope everyone has fun this year, although I don't know anyone not from CA going!!

How selfish can you be?? HC was NEVER an east coast party. It was a Z party. BMW hosted it at the factory because it was a smart and convenient place to have it. But guess what? It was their hope that the "east coast party" as you called it, would travel around the country so that every Z owner had an opportunity to experience the excitement. So I (yea me) assured them that if they supported the ZSCCA decision to take on the challenge, we would bring it to the people and they agreed.

"Leave all of the east coasters out"? If that is way you see it then please understand that west coast has been left out for 13-yes THIRTEEN years and over those THIRTEEN years tons of us have been making a very long and VERY expensive trip to the party. If any ONE demographic deserves to have the party brought to them JUST ONCE, it is the west coast.

What is there to do in Dallas? Read the internet. Or, just come to say hey to the others who make the trip. It is about the people, right? Besides, IF it is held in Dallas next year, I'll go for the simple fact that Texas has a large group come to the west coast and I want to repay the favor.

"I hope that '12 is better than 2010 and 2011!!" What a lame assss statement.

And you don't know anyone not from CA going? Apparently all of your trips to HC and ZFest didn't garner you many friends cuz we have folks from 13 states (including the east coast) and 2 provinces of Canada attending ZFest Los Angeles.

Sssssssssss (sound of steam escaping)

Scott Pettit

if you want the event to come out your way, step up to the plate and offer to chair the event. That is how it ended up out west...cuz we took on the challenge.

Scott Pettit

Wether it was by design or happenstance it has always been held on the east coast!!!

While there always were a lot of folks who traveled across the country to homecoming those folks aren't as likely to travel 2000 miles to California!! and as proof the fact that only 70 cars have signed up proves that!!

The last Homecoming had 600!! And 90% of those drove less than 500 miles to get there.

If I still have my Z in 2011 I will go for the people, the friends I made at past Z parties (all of whom aren't going this year) not for the host city. But having a fun city to have the party in with other things to do would be a big plus!!

Scott I do understand bringing the party to the people. And I don't want this to turn into some kinda BS argument!!

But the fact remains the majority of folks at Homecoming were the same people every year and the majority of them won't be in CA this year. And that to me is a hugh mistake because once they start making other plans the chance of getting them back is slim!!

Then ZFest either doesn't make it or becomes something entirely different!!


(Just my opinion!!!!)

Oh yea and I did, remember!!!

I drove several times from Phoenix to Homecoming. I loved the drive across country. Even driving thru the hurricane and hotels being gone, gas being rationed and all.

This time I am driving with the Texas group to spend 3 extra days driving and enjoying my Z instead of the 5 hours it actually takes to get to Valencia.

Events like this should move around the country now that it is not hosted by BMW. It does allow different people from different parts of the country to attend on occasion as many don't have the option to take the time needed to drive cross country.

Decreased attendance is more likely due to the poor economy than location.

I say big thanks to anyone who gets one of the events going. I've helped with them in the past and it is an insane amount of work.

THANK YOU SCOTT!

There were 600 cars at HC.

Because it was held at the factory were people could drive the track.

Because it was held were it had always been

Because it was held in a target rich environment.

And because BMW picked up the tab for over 100K per year to put on the event. which meant that folks could attend a 3 day event for the price of a good meal for 2.

Homecoming is NO LONGER. Not only that but BMW asked (did not require) that the HC name not be used. Thus the name ZFest and as I mentioned before, it is roaming the country as per BMW hopes.

When I met with Kenn Sparks during the final HC event, one thing that I told him was that about every 4 or 5 years, the ZSCCA would be interested in bringing ZFest to the factory as a sort of ZFest Homecoming. He was thrilled. I hope that the club does it.

No worries about this becoming an argument. I understand that some folks live in the past, don't want to experience new people and places, and avoid change. But the biggest reason that most die hards are not coming is due to economics and a lack of time or desire to make the drive. The ones that do, are going to cherish the experience.

By the way, who are you?

Scott Petiit

After all these years and all the HC's, bet most of us know who 2Zero is! One can not attend HC or ZFest 2009 and not meet 2Zero.

I understand that BMW doesn't want to be involved and I was glad to pay a lot more last year! and most of us had a good time.

The Cane's did a wonderful job last year, especially not having a blueprint of years past.

It was great seeing our friends from past HC's and sharing new horizons with them.

I am not living in the past, I know HC is over as we used to know it!

I understand the idea of moving it around the country but when you have 90% different people is it really the same party??

No, it's a totally different party with just the same name!!

And that is my argument!!

but don't know many folks real names.

That, by the way, is why I do not use nicknames with anything that I post. I want folks to know that it is me, putting my own foot in my own mouth.

Scott

I am not using nicknames I have always been 2Zero it's my work #!

Scott, it's Mark Grusich I wasn't trying to hide my identity everyone on here knows who I am and I assumed you did too!!

you but I didn't know your online handle.

Honestly, at ZFest I am really gonna miss your hats and seeing your smiling face in the front row of the pano photo.

If ZFest doesn't come to NO and you still want to host an event, put one together! You could call it the Big E Z or something else catchy. I know that my wife and I would come out (as long as it is not humid)..... even if you get rid of the Z, host an event.

I just attended the West coast Zfest. Had a great time and actually got a front row spot in the Pano Pic :-) Of course, so did 22 other cars, but what the hey..
Personally, I agree that the Zfest should go bouncing all over the countryside. I like to trek to different parts of the country to see the back roads and the people at the end of the road. My wife and I attended the last 5 homecomings and tried to find a different route to take every time. We also hit a Tornado in Michigan City, Indiana, got chased out of New Orleans by Katrina and Gustov, but nothing detered us from going to see all the friends and aquaintences we had made over the years.
I was saddened by the lack of response from the "east" coasters to make the trek out to see our beautiful WEST coast. There is a lot to do out here and as the attendees will attest, we have some twisties as well.
Now, I didn't make the Cincinnati Zfest because I had been promising to take my wife to Hawaii and we did just that.
We are already thinking of coming out to Dallas for Zfest11 and really want to travel the "Twisted Sisters" roads.
So for those of you that made it to our party, Thanks and hope you had a wonderful time in our neck of the woods. For those of you who didn't for whatever reason, well, there goes that attended every Zfest award right out the door.
I am just rattling on here, I know, so I will stop.
Thank you Scott and everyone else that fought to have this held out here in the West coast. I really enjoyed the 60 mile trip to get here. Going home was about 300 miles worth of twisties.http://members.roadfly.org/bowlr/020_17Athumb.jpg
2.5i Maldivas Blue, Tan top/interior, Step, convience & Premium packages.

SO how many miles you have on your car now!!

Just a tad over 27,000 now.
Long story short here. Old car totalled on June 1 with 236K
Bought a 2007 with 17K on June 15. Its the dark blue color, Montego, I think. 3.0i fully loaded. It even has heated seats!!
Kathy loves them!!http://members.roadfly.org/bowlr/020_17Athumb.jpg
2.5i Maldivas Blue, Tan top/interior, Step, convience & Premium packages.

I just came back from the ZFest in LA and I had a blast. I drove 5000 miles on this trip (Calgary to LA, then to Phoenix, then to Santa Fe then back to Calgary.) I met some great people and learned a lot about driving canyons thanks to all the folks from Texas and AZ. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The unplanned road trips were the best...especially the greasy fried food at the beach ( I didn't see the door to order steamed seafood from..damn, next time for sure )

While I was there the idea came up to have the Executive of ZSCCA plan the ZFests, a local club could do a bit of footwork but the majority of the organizing can be done by internet or telephone. This would make it so much easier for smaller clubs to step up and be Co-Hosts. I won't say who had the basic idea (in case of hate mail...LOL) but it wasn't me.

The Exec could possibly get heavier sponsorship from bigger corporations than a smaller club could...just an idea but I like it...