#45184, "RE: Would you pay in advance to attend a regional meet?" In response to In response to 4
Originally posted by djtrickee I would not. There is not enough of a stable scene to justify such a cost-to-"equal return" ratio possibility. If I pre-pay for an event and am 1 of 5 to do so instead of 1 out of 100 to do so, then the event could not possibly live up to the amount I paid for.
However, and I say this with much bias and justification (as this is one of the things our company does) is to organize, promote, and most importantly market the event can equal not only a successful event, but more importantly, a profitable event.
Come see us at Viva Las Vegas to see what I am talking about.
First, a little more information on Viva Las Vegas, sir. If it's actually in Vegas, it's not much of a problem to drive there and back over a weekend. (We go a couple times a year, easily.)
Second, when you say there isn't enough of a stable scene to support such endeavors, how broad are you considering the scene? I happen to know a forum out there bringing in nearly $200k/year in paid memberships alone (not counting event profits or advertising), so I suspect the market is out there; it's just a matter of tailoring the content to draw that contingent out.
Finally, I agree that such events require much more than simple organizing and a post on a forum or two like the usual cruise. Promotion and marketing are critical. I'd also like to ensure my events would be streamed online to provide opportunities for virtual attendees to participate in some ways.
I am not looking to organize DSM meets. I am not looking to organize Evo meets. At a minimum, these events will be tailored to entire brand communities. One of the biggest challenges will be devising events which are enjoyable to owners of all types of cars - DSM/EVO/Galant/Colt/Montero and so on. Could a single event cater to all pursuits? Not likely, but "something for everyone" isn't the impossible dream.
I hear what you're saying. It's not that such events are impossible, just that our track record (the DSM community in general) doesn't have a track record sufficient to instill a great deal of confidence to make such a pursuit easy. Just one of the challenges I face with this venture.
