It's The People - ZCON 2010

Robert_Nash · 08-05-2010, 10:54 AM

NOW; What Went Wrong...
It is not my intent, with the below comments, to in any way disparage the overall event or the very, very hard work that I know went into it. I truly hope that these observations will lead to even better conventions in the future.

REGISTRATION: Anybody who had preregistered should have had ALL materials prepared and put into their bags and there should have been at least one totally separate line for those who had preregistered for at least the heavy days then combine/reduce lines if the flow of people allowed it. I know the cash flow is very important but one of the benefits of people preregistering in the first place is so that you CAN have all the registration materials, goodies, badges, etc done ahead of time.

I know attendance was large but the organizer should have had at least some idea of how many people might walk up and register on site and even if they didn't; people who wait to register on arrival ought to be expecting/prepared to wait in line. In total and without any exaggeration, I waited in line over TWO hours to get my materials...I was registration no. 58! To me, that kind of screw-up is inexcusable.

TROPHIES: The biggest single event at the convention IS the car show...why do people enter a car show? To hopefully WIN and get a trophy of some kine and a little recognition from their fellow Z owners. I realize that whatever trophy company they used bears some of the blame but I don't understand how they weren't on top of this days if not weeks before the event...it's reasonable to assume that whoever was supposed to ride herd on getting the trophies ordered, proofed and delivered screwed the pooch on this.

Unlike the Peoples' choice people, at least the judged show entrants found out if they won but winning and not getting the trophy at the banquet is a BIG PROBLEM - this one may not be inexcusable but it's close.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE CAR SHOW: There was more than one problem with the people's choice part of the event. Firs of all, the classes should have been staged together...expecting people to walk all over the grounds and try to remember which 2nd gen or 4th car was the best is pretty ridiculous given the number of vehicles involved. Likewise, putting stock and modified into the same categories is also a mistake...there is nothing fair about putting a totally original 350Z up against a 350 that someone has spent $50K on in modifications.

Again, people put their car in a show to hopefully win something and many people only go to an "AWARD'S BANQUET" to get an award (they sure as hell don't go for the cuisine). Not having trophies for winners is bad enough; not having the results is truly inexcusable.

Based on what I have been told, part of the problem with having results was with the new electronic system they had this year but I have to wonder, was this new system before the Saturday car show? If not, why not?

In any case, the people's choice ballots were PAPER BALLOTS - whatever the problem with the new system, the paper ballots could have been counted manually - someone should have realized that they had a problem at which point they should have grabbed volunteers, as many as necessary, to COUNT THE BALLOTS!

Again, overall, a great convention and a great time but the above absolutely needs to be addressed

DarkPath · 08-09-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

NOW; What Went Wrong...
It is not my intent, with the below comments, to in any way disparage the overall event or the very, very hard work that I know went into it. I truly hope that these observations will lead to even better conventions in the future.

REGISTRATION: Anybody who had preregistered should have had ALL materials prepared and put into their bags and there should have been at least one totally separate line for those who had preregistered for at least the heavy days then combine/reduce lines if the flow of people allowed it. I know the cash flow is very important but one of the benefits of people preregistering in the first place is so that you CAN have all the registration materials, goodies, badges, etc done ahead of time.

I know attendance was large but the organizer should have had at least some idea of how many people might walk up and register on site and even if they didn't; people who wait to register on arrival ought to be expecting/prepared to wait in line. In total and without any exaggeration, I waited in line over TWO hours to get my materials...I was registration no. 58! To me, that kind of screw-up is inexcusable.

TROPHIES: The biggest single event at the convention IS the car show...why do people enter a car show? To hopefully WIN and get a trophy of some kine and a little recognition from their fellow Z owners. I realize that whatever trophy company they used bears some of the blame but I don't understand how they weren't on top of this days if not weeks before the event...it's reasonable to assume that whoever was supposed to ride herd on getting the trophies ordered, proofed and delivered screwed the pooch on this.

Unlike the Peoples' choice people, at least the judged show entrants found out if they won but winning and not getting the trophy at the banquet is a BIG PROBLEM - this one may not be inexcusable but it's close.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE CAR SHOW: There was more than one problem with the people's choice part of the event. Firs of all, the classes should have been staged together...expecting people to walk all over the grounds and try to remember which 2nd gen or 4th car was the best is pretty ridiculous given the number of vehicles involved. Likewise, putting stock and modified into the same categories is also a mistake...there is nothing fair about putting a totally original 350Z up against a 350 that someone has spent $50K on in modifications.

Again, people put their car in a show to hopefully win something and many people only go to an "AWARD'S BANQUET" to get an award (they sure as hell don't go for the cuisine). Not having trophies for winners is bad enough; not having the results is truly inexcusable.

Based on what I have been told, part of the problem with having results was with the new electronic system they had this year but I have to wonder, was this new system before the Saturday car show? If not, why not?

In any case, the people's choice ballots were PAPER BALLOTS - whatever the problem with the new system, the paper ballots could have been counted manually - someone should have realized that they had a problem at which point they should have grabbed volunteers, as many as necessary, to COUNT THE BALLOTS!

Again, overall, a great convention and a great time but the above absolutely needs to be addressed

And this my friends is why Bryan Settle - CEO ZDAYZ - is the fargin MAN! I mean sure, there is always some unforeseen issue that may disrupt a scheduled sub-event, but lack of preps is, as the OP expressed, INEXCUSABLE! I could only afford to go to one major event this year (daughter got married in June) but if I would have traveled as far a Nashville to see as many fails as described here, I too would feel like the promoters should have been on their game and would consider scratching it off the list for next year.. I heard the heat was relentless. That should have been the only down side to a CORPORATE SPONSORED EVENT HELD ON THE PROPERTY!

westpak · 08-09-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkPath

And this my friends is why Bryan Settle - CEO ZDAYZ - is the fargin MAN! I mean sure, there is always some unforeseen issue that may disrupt a scheduled sub-event, but lack of preps is, as the OP expressed, INEXCUSABLE! I could only afford to go to one major event this year (daughter got married in June) but if I would have traveled as far a Nashville to see as many fails as described here, I too would feel like the promoters should have been on their game and would consider scratching it off the list for next year.. I heard the heat was relentless. That should have been the only down side to a CORPORATE SPONSORED EVENT HELD ON THE PROPERTY!

Zdayz is not a fair comparison, a 3 day event cannot compare to a 5 day event with less than half the activities and half the attendees

Robert_Nash · 08-09-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westpak@HPLogic

Zdayz is not a fair comparison, a 3 day event cannot compare to a 5 day event with less than half the activities and half the attendees

ZDayZ is hardly "half" as big; especially compared to most ZCCA conventions; especially most recent conventions - I don't remember how many attended ZDayZ in 2010 but I know 2009 had in excess of 446 registered attendees/and nearly 300 cars and you can generally increase that by about 25% for those who come and don't register at all (since anyone can come to he Dragon and/or stay at Fontana).

Technically, ZCON 2010 was a five day event but the only things hat happened on Wednesday was registration (which was screwed-up) and the opening banquet (which of course the hotel actually does most of the work for) - quite a few people couldn't even get into the banquet because they couldn't get through registration.

In any case; preparation is preparation - whether preparing for 100 cars or 1,000, the steps are pretty much the same and it's seems pretty clear that when it came to registration and trophies, it wasn't done well.

NIZMOZ · 08-09-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westpak@HPLogic

Zdayz is not a fair comparison, a 3 day event cannot compare to a 5 day event with less than half the activities and half the attendees

Agreed. ZdaysZ only had like 1/4 of the attendee's ZCON 2010 had and way less events. It can't be compared as it's a much smaller event. Also the fact that ZCON moves around every where and logistics of location, people are always different every year play a huge factor into ZCON while ZDaysZ it doesn't.

Robert_Nash · 08-09-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZMOZ

Agreed. ZdaysZ only had like 1/4 of the attendee's ZCON 2010 had and way less events. It can't be compared as it's a much smaller event. Also the fact that ZCON moves around every where and logistics of location, people are always different every year play a huge factor into ZCON while ZDaysZ it doesn't.

ZCON 2010 had 722 registrants; they have not said how many cars but since many people came as couples it's reasonable to believe that there were in the neighborhood of 500-600 cars. ZdayZ had somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 cars this year; hardly 1/2 the attendance of ZCON...in any case, such comparisons are rather meaningless and not productive.

ZCON 2010, despite the noted problems was a great event. It's my hope that ZCCA/host clubs will be able to make some changes so that the same issues aren't experienced in future conventions.

Event results, including the People's Choice results have been posted on the ZCON 2010 website (and I would assume the ZCCA.org site as well).

Robert_Nash · 10-05-2010, 04:44 PM

This thread has been moved from its original location (which is fine). Also, from some discussion at Z1 Z Nationals it became apparent that some had still wanted a chance to respond/chime in on the discussion and weren't able to do so because I had closed the thread before they had a chance to post.

I'm not sure how long I'll keep the thread open but for now, the thread is re-opened and if anyone would like to add something they feel would be helpful; please feel free to do so.

Robert_Nash · 08-09-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkPath

...I heard the heat was relentless. That should have been the only down side to a CORPORATE SPONSORED EVENT HELD ON THE PROPERTY!

Just to clarify; the annual convention is not/was not a "Nissan sponsored event"; at least no more so than most of the sponsors.

Nissan was a sponsor and allowed the event to be held on the grounds and they provided other support (opening the fist floor, handing out free bottled water, etc) but like most any "Z" event, it only happens because of a lot of sponsors (in the case of ZCON 2010 that included Z1 Motorsports, Yokohama tire, and many others).

ZCCA is wholly the event organizer.

NIZMOZ · 08-09-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Just to clarify; the annual convention is not/was not a "Nissan sponsored event"; at least no more so than most of the sponsors.

Nissan was a sponsor and allowed the event to be held on the grounds and they provided other support (opening the fist floor, handing out free bottled water, etc) but like most any "Z" event, it only happens because of a lot of sponsors (in the case of ZCON 2010 that included Z1 Motorsports, Yokohama tire, and many others).

ZCCA is wholly the event organizer.

Actually Nissan had a HUGE PART in sponsoring this event with a huge fat check. They give ZCON a check every year for sponsorship and they are the largest sponsor every year to do this. This year they were the sponsor.

Robert_Nash · 08-09-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZMOZ

Actually Nissan had a HUGE PART in sponsoring this event with a huge fat check. They give ZCON a check every year for sponsorship and they are the largest sponsor every year to do this. This year they were the sponsor.

Look...I work for Nissan...I'm aware of NNA's level of involvement; it's significant but not nearly as much as you probably think and the "huge fat check" you refer to is small compared to the actual $$$ needs of the convention; especially this particular convention.

At the time my club had to make a final decision about taking on the responsibility of hosting ZCON 2010, NNA was not even able to commit to providing any funds for the 2010 convention due to the general lousy state of the economy and in particular, the industry.

NIZMOZ · 10-12-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Look...I work for Nissan...I'm aware of NNA's level of involvement; it's significant but not nearly as much as you probably think and the "huge fat check" you refer to is small compared to the actual $$$ needs of the convention; especially this particular convention.

At the time my club had to make a final decision about taking on the responsibility of hosting ZCON 2010, NNA was not even able to commit to providing any funds for the 2010 convention due to the general lousy state of the economy and in particular, the industry.

Robert, let me remind you myself and the President in San Antonio ran the convention in 2009. We know what it takes and know how much the checks were including for 2010. We didn't get Nissan's check for our convention till the first DAY of the convention. So we had to make due with what we had.

Robert_Nash · 10-12-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZMOZ

Robert, let me remind you myself and the President in San Antonio ran the convention in 2009. We know what it takes and know how much the checks were including for 2010. We didn't get Nissan's check for our convention till the first DAY of the convention. So we had to make due with what we had.

I'm not sure what you point here is? I'm glad you were able to pull it off and I congratulate you for doing so but I think there is a difference between getting the funds, eventually and having no reason to think you would get any funds at all. I think it's great when Z clubs have the people and financial resources to host the annual convention; our club simply did not have those resources.

We had to make a decision based on what we had and what we knew; not what we hoped would happen - as I said earlier; our club had no commitment or any reassurance at all that we would receive any funds form NNA and without those funds (and without them well in advance of the convention) we could not have hosted the convention - for that reason, as well as others, we declined hosting it. To have done otherwise would have been irresponsible.

08-05-2010, 10:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 19	What Whet Wrong... *NOW; What Went Wrong...* It is not my intent, with the below comments, to in any way disparage the overall event or the very, very hard work that I know went into it. I truly hope that these observations will lead to even better conventions in the future. *REGISTRATION: Anybody who had preregistered should have had ALL materials prepared and put into their bags and there should have been at least one totally separate line for those who had preregistered for at least the heavy days then combine/reduce lines if the flow of people allowed it. I know the cash flow is very important but one of the benefits of people preregistering in the first place is so that you CAN have all the registration materials, goodies, badges, etc done ahead of time. I know attendance was large but the organizer should have had at least some idea of how many people might walk up and register on site and even if they didn't; people who wait to register on arrival ought to be expecting/prepared to wait in line. In total and without any exaggeration, I waited in line over TWO hours to get my materials...I was registration no. 58! To me, that kind of screw-up is inexcusable. TROPHIES: The biggest single event at the convention IS the car show...why do people enter a car show? To hopefully WIN and get a trophy of some kine and a little recognition from their fellow Z owners. I realize that whatever trophy company they used bears some of the blame but I don't understand how they weren't on top of this days if not weeks before the event...it's reasonable to assume that whoever was supposed to ride herd on getting the trophies ordered, proofed and delivered screwed the pooch on this. Unlike the Peoples' choice people, at least the judged show entrants found out if they won but winning and not getting the trophy at the banquet is a BIG PROBLEM - this one may not be inexcusable but it's close. PEOPLE'S CHOICE CAR SHOW: There was more than one problem with the people's choice part of the event. Firs of all, the classes should have been staged together...expecting people to walk all over the grounds and try to remember which 2nd gen or 4th car was the best is pretty ridiculous given the number of vehicles involved. Likewise, putting stock and modified into the same categories is also a mistake...there is nothing fair about putting a totally original 350Z up against a 350 that someone has spent $50K on in modifications. Again, people put their car in a show to hopefully win something and many people only go to an "AWARD'S BANQUET" to get an award (they sure as hell don't go for the cuisine). Not having trophies for winners is bad enough; not having the results is truly inexcusable. Based on what I have been told, part of the problem with having results was with the new electronic system they had this year but I have to wonder, was this new system before the Saturday car show? If not, why not? In any case, the people's choice ballots were PAPER BALLOTS* - whatever the problem with the new system, the paper ballots could have been counted manually - someone should have realized that they had a problem at which point they should have grabbed volunteers, as many as necessary, to *COUNT THE BALLOTS! Again, overall, a great convention and a great time but the above absolutely needs to be addressed __________________ Robert* -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

10-05-2010, 04:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 19	This thread has been moved from its original location (which is fine). Also, from some discussion at Z1 Z Nationals it became apparent that some had still wanted a chance to respond/chime in on the discussion and weren't able to do so because I had closed the thread before they had a chance to post. I'm not sure how long I'll keep the thread open but for now, the thread is re-opened and if anyone would like to add something they feel would be helpful; please feel free to do so. __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama - Last edited by Robert_Nash; 10-06-2010 at 09:46 AM.

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