Entry Fee for Beaumiont TX National Show ???

I am trying to be an active member.
I've never attended an MCA event without being a member.
As a member of MCA my cost to register for the Grand National in Mustang OK was $50
I'm still a member and my cost if I choose to register for the Beaumont TX National is $75.
I really don't care if you call it an "early" or "member" or the discount because I have 30lbs of air in my front left tire, the bottom line is that the net result is a 50% increase - Pretty simple question - WHY?
Is your venue costing you too much?
Are you not generating enough revenue from sponsors/venders, etc?
Are too much of the funds going to the club/charity/MCA?
I don't know the answer, but something/someone/somegroup has decided that I need to pay 50% more to participate.
I don't think it's wrong to ask why.

Thanks, Jimmy Austin

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDad

George,

I'm not going to go through all the reasons why this was not a good idea, as those reasons have been stated eleswhere on these forums. This change, just like the 50th anniversary decision, was made without adequate member input and now you are reaping what you have sowed. So far, five members of my local club either have not renewed or have stated their intention not to renew their MCA memberships over this decision, the 50th anniversary decision, and the MCA president's ill-worded commentary in Mustang Times. I am sure there will be more, so much so, that our local club's board (of which I am a member) has now started a discussion about the possibility that we may not be able to continue as an MCA club because we won't have candidates for club officer who are MCA members. If the purpose of your decision was to promote MCA membership, then you folks did a big "fail" with this decision.

I am also an officer of the NCRMC and serve along side Hugh on our clubs board. I am an MCA member and was one before I became a member of the local club, but I will tell you that the only reason I remain an MCA member is because I have to be an MCA member in order for our club to remain an MCA affiliate.
George, your point of view is part of the problem, not part of the solution. I respect your right to have this opinion, and as a board member you also have the right to vote as you see fit.

We've tried to do the right thing...we've corresponded with board members (post between you and our president were actually removed from the forum over this issue), we have written letters, and we've talked with Steve Prewitt over the rule change issues, and were politely (or not so politely) told to shut up and go away. The information exchanged in this forum is proving our point, and now the other regional clubs are seeing the effect in increased fees to participate, and a lagging economy.

Putting on National Shows can be expensive....the cost of our show was about $60,000....if it weren't for the sponsors and the non-MCA entrants, we would have had to charge close to $150 per MCA member car to break even. $75 is going to look like a bargin in a year or so....

The board of this club needs to fly at 30,000 feet and be able to see what is on the horizon. When personal agendas take over the boards ability to be stategic thinkers then we are sunk as a club. This policy was born of a personal agenda. and the board did not foresee the consequences because they got caught up in a ground war over ego.

Please don't tell me to run for the board....that's not the answer...The answer is to listen to those that oppose you. They have valid points and they should be considered, not dismissed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Q

My name is Todd Quick. I am the Regional Director for Wild Horse Mustang Club in Beaumont, TX and Show Chairman for Ponies in the Park. I would like to provide some feedback to the message posted regarding our upcoming National show in 2013.

The MCA National Show committee proposed, and the MCA Board of Directors voted to approve changes to the National Show Guidelines (Rules by which National shows are operated) last October, becoming effective with the first show of 2013, which just happens to be ours.

One new requirement is that all show participants must be preregistered. There is no longer "Day of Show" sign up anymore, unless one opts for the Display Only class. Since all judged entries must be preregistered starting in 2013, that negates a preregistration discount which has been the norm until now. Also, new for 2013, to be in any judged class you must also be an MCA member, so with that requirement, MCA discount on registration no longer applies. Mr. Steve Prewitt, MCA President, wrote a very good article in Mustang Times outlining why these changes were made several months back. Also, fire extinguishers will be mandatory for each car in order to be on the show field.
So it is a bit of apples and oranges to be comparing any 2012 show to a 2013 show, as these are now operating with 2 different sets of criteria that must be met. As our Show Committee plans this event, we are all working hard to build in as much value for all participants in order to make this a great show to attend.

So, has the published membership benefit of $10 discount for National Shows been discontinued across the board starting in 2013? When and where was this announced?

http://www.mustang.org/content.php/1...MCA-Membership 7th Bullet

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57158

So, has the published membership benefit of $10 discount for National Shows been discontinued across the board starting in 2013? When and where was this announced?

http://www.mustang.org/content.php/1...MCA-Membership 7th Bullet

Good catch!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcvaleri

Hugh

As the Director and Membership chair who proposed requiring those having their cars judged be a MCA member. This makes the MCA membership more valuable to those of us who belong to MCA.

I don't agree with the term freeloaders. I have to ask why should a non MCA member get their car judged and now have the value of that car increase. A person who belongs to MCA should have an added advatage as a MCA member.

As Membership chair it is my job to increase memberhip. This is one way of increasing membership.

I must ask this question why should people get the advantage of a MCA award and not have to pay for it as a MCA member? This gives the non MCA member the benefit of an oganization without joining.

I have been at Barrett Jackson, the bidding on a Mustang has stalled. The auctioneer states the Mustang has been judged by MCA and is an award winner. The price of that car then increases dramaticly.

I am a firm believer if you want the benefit or an organization you should be an active member.

Again I must ask why should a non MCA member get the same benefit of a MCA member when having their car judged ???

I just wonder how many joined the MCA because they want their cars to be more valuable? Sure I dont want any of my cars to depreciate but I did not join the MCA to make my car worth more. I am sure there are some that do this.. IE Buy a Mustang, join the MCA or not, Have it restored to concourse level, have it judged, then try to sell it for a profit... Not a true blue Mustanger in my opinion..

I joined the MCA to live and breathe the Mustang life with fellow folks from all over the world that enjoy my passion. My 87 GT has won a few awards in judged classes at MCA Regional shows but I really never thought of it being more valuable, just alot of pride in what I have done.

So I guess I get your point George, if someone is just trying to get their car judged and then boast at an auction or in the ad that its an MCA Award Winning Car it will be desirable. But, how many people will this push away who are just trying to have a good time and enjoy the cars heritage. Pushing them to join the MCA wont help and it will decrease the attendance at MCA shows IMO. I dont want that to happen and especailly here on the west coast, the MCA is fighting an up hill battle.. Our club here once was over 50% MCA and now less than 10% with 300 Memberships, you can do the math.

If we keep stressing about the money that show brings in and not concentrating on wanting people to have fun at the show, well parking lot sit and stare shows are dying. People here on the west coast love to drive their cars and cruise and mix of both is the key to success..

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57158

So, has the published membership benefit of $10 discount for National Shows been discontinued across the board starting in 2013? When and where was this announced?

http://www.mustang.org/content.php/1...MCA-Membership 7th Bullet

Opps.................that is gonna be an issue with Texas in 2013....have other 2013 shows announced fee schedules yet? Does MCA review/approve of show entry fees when they approve a National Show?

Instead of a MCA membership discount ($10)..why not a set a show fee of X- MCA members get free judging and non-members are charged $25 for judging of non-MCA cars (X + $25). Thus allow non-MCA cars in for judging purposes (test MCA waters so to speak) but the owner gets to "pay" for that privilege.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopeto1

I am trying to be an active member.
I've never attended an MCA event without being a member.
I don't know the answer, but something/someone/somegroup has decided that I need to pay 50% more to participate.
I don't think it's wrong to ask why.

Thanks, Jimmy Austin

It isn't wrong to ask.

Seek and ye shall learn

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57158

So, has the published membership benefit of $10 discount for National Shows been discontinued across the board starting in 2013? When and where was this announced?

http://www.mustang.org/content.php/1...MCA-Membership 7th Bullet

Just did some MCA rule digging/reading.
OK-- the 2011/12 rules for National Shows (wow-great detail) indicated that the early entry discount (usually $5 is OPTIONAL) is at the discretion of the local club putting on the show althoughMCA recommended to increase early registration income.

The rules also state that MCA members are to be given a $10 discount on show fees...BIG OPPS for Texas there.

NOTE that the rules note the MCA membership requirement for judged registration for 2013 and thus note that in 2013 the $10 join MCA discount AT THE SHOW will be dropped as the car owners/cars registered to be judged will already be members. If the MCA Board has intended the entire $10 discount to be repealed for 2013 they sure miswrote that rule.

From the National Show Info Sheets:

"Typically about one-third of National Show participants are not MCA members. Non-MCA registrants should be notified during Registration Check-In that a $10 discount on MCA dues can be received by joining MCA at the MCA tent during the show (this will be deleted beginning in 2013)."

NOTHING in the current show rules seem to indicate the removal of the $10 MCA Membership discount-just the instant join MCA while at the show discount was dropped. Remember MCA shows have NON-Judged show classes so yes Non-MCA members can still register and attend.

MCA does not set the fees host clubs of National Shows charge. The host clubs set their fees bases on all the different expenses associated with their event. Putting on an MCA National show can be very expensive for the host club as many have previously shared on these forums.

The events for 2012 still reflect what is being referred to as an MCA member discount. What it actually represents is the additional $10 that non-MCA members currently pay in the registration fee to participate in the show. Instead of it saying registration fee $50, MCA members deduct $10 it could also say registration fee $40, non-MCA members add $10. The reference to $40 or $50 fee is for example use only.

The additional $10 that the non-MCA members currently pay was originally setup as an incentive to non-members to join MCA when yearly dues was $30, since if they attended 3 shows per year they would have paid an amount equal to the yearly dues. Since the yearly dues are now $50, in April 2011 a motion was presented to the MCA Board of Directors to increase this non-MCA registration fee to $25 beginning with the 2012 show season, with the logic being if a non-member attended 2 National Shows per year, they would have paid for an MCA yearly membership. Again an incentive to join MCA.

And now, as we all know, that was recinded in October 2011 when the motion was made and approved to require MCA membership to be judged by the MCA standard in a National Show. With the new rule, there was no longer a need to charge non-members an additional fee, since they can only enter in the display or LMA, LMB, or LMC classes, and once again the LM classes are no longer popular vote, they are judges's choice classes. The incentive to join MCA now being getting you car judged by MCA standards instead of playing additional registration fees.

While I can not speak for the clubs hosting the 2013 National shows and the fees they are charging, I hope my attempt at explaining the non-MCA member registration fee answers some of the questions being asked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtpony94

MCA does not set the fees host clubs of National Shows charge. The host clubs set their fees bases on all the different expenses associated with their event. Putting on an MCA National show can be very expensive for the host club as many have previously shared on these forums.

The events for 2012 still reflect what is being referred to as an MCA member discount. What it actually represents is the additional $10 that non-MCA members currently pay in the registration fee to participate in the show. Instead of it saying registration fee $50, MCA members deduct $10 it could also say registration fee $40, non-MCA members add $10. The reference to $40 or $50 fee is for example use only.

The additional $10 that the non-MCA members currently pay was originally setup as an incentive to non-members to join MCA when yearly dues was $30, since if they attended 3 shows per year they would have paid an amount equal to the yearly dues. Since the yearly dues are now $50, in April 2011 a motion was presented to the MCA Board of Directors to increase this non-MCA registration fee to $25 beginning with the 2012 show season, with the logic being if a non-member attended 2 National Shows per year, they would have paid for an MCA yearly membership. Again an incentive to join MCA.

And now, as we all know, that was recinded in October 2011 when the motion was made and approved to require MCA membership to be judged by the MCA standard in a National Show. With the new rule, there was no longer a need to charge non-members an additional fee, since they can only enter in the display or LMA, LMB, or LMC classes, and once again the LM classes are no longer popular vote, they are judges's choice classes. The incentive to join MCA now being getting you car judged by MCA standards instead of playing additional registration fees.

While I can not speak for the clubs hosting the 2013 National shows and the fees they are charging, I hope my attempt at explaining the non-MCA member registration fee answers some of the questions being asked.

Steve,

If that was an attempt to clarify the issue, I must say that you did not succeed.

The only thing I think I gleaned from your post is that one of the benefits of MCA membership (as it is described on this website) has been dropped.

IMHO, the way to increase MCA membership is to increase the benefits and the value of membership, not swap one benefit for another.