Entry Fee for Beaumiont TX National Show ???

[CW4macret]

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.

Although Todd did not break down what each of the over head cost are that need to be covered / paid by everyone attending I can easily understand the difference in cost. If we hold our local show at the Mall or Ford dealer parking lot there is no charge and thus no cost to pass on to the attendees. If we hold it at the local indoor arena there is a $1000 a day fee. That cost would have to be passed on to the attendees. I expect the daily cost for the venue in Beaumont is allot more than a parking lot in Oklahoma.

[flclassics]

" Most MCA members have no idea the costs that required to put on a quaility show, especially at a venue, not just a hotel parking lot."

Try to make sure of your target before you shoot.

My point is to try and share the load more equitably. More income needs to come from commercial vendors, sponsorships, etc. You will meet a price point resistance from the car owner.

I can't speak for the other shows, but with our show, we know what we are going to have to pay the various entities for the car and/or poeple. I assure you, that you wouldn't want to pay a vendor fee for most shows. It is usually higher as hopefully, the vendor will sell and make money. Most commerial sponsors and vendors have had big budget cuts and you just can't count on that like you used to. No one wants to put the burden on the car owners. Without them, there would not be a show and the vendors and sponsors would not come to the show. There is a fine line that you have to tread between the two. You need cars and the vendors need to see that there is some profit in doing the show. We can all beat this issue to death, but please know, that no show chair wants to make any fees too high. That is called "cutting your nose off to spite your face".

[hopeto1]

Thanks for your comments Pat, but as I stated in my original post the car owner entry fee is $75 and the vendor fee is $50. Your comment of " I assure you, that you wouldn't want to pay a vendor fee for most shows.", doesn't seem to be valid in this case. I'm aware that you can't count on commercial sponsors/vendors like you used to. Times are tough. Is there anything wrong with hiring someone (possibly an unemployed club member) on a straight commission basis to bring in "new" revenue/vendors/sponsors to lower your net cost. I'm not trying to beat it to death. It was just the first time that I could remember a MCA National/Grand National being this high of an entry fee.

I've attended 6 National/Grand Nationals in the last few years.
Is there something that I'm not aware of concerning this venue that adds value?

[jacostang]

So for $75 you should get into the show ($25) a trophy ($10) Tshirt ($20) and dinner for 2 ($50).

You honestly have no idea what it takes to produce a top tier event.

$75 pfffftt! Do you expect the local club to have a loss? Attend one of the Shelby 50th anniversary events hosted by the local regions. In most cases $75 is the LOW end of admission.

Heck it costs $100 buck a day to go to Disney world AND costs $15 bucks a day just to park there.

Carlisle Ford nationals: $ 50 per car, $40 for trailer parking = $90

I'll gladly take $75 without complaining.

Before you go saying things about people you have no idea about... I am the past President of Copperstate Mustang Club and was show co chairman for our western Reginal MCA show at Wild Horse Pass which we had Lynn St James appear at. I have also chaired many other of our shows, so I know the costs associated with any show.

$75 is out of line to come and park your car and have it judged.. If you looking a comparing your show to a Carlisle Event, then WOW. It makes me sick to see anyone who dis agrees with anything here get attacked.. Our National Show was $45 for non members and $40 for Members. We got vendors and sponsors to help with the high cost of having the MCA Staff come in and didnt stick it to the attendees...

If your paying for the parking lot then they are sticking it to you... We had to search to find a place that didnt charge for the lot but we found one...

[aroth28]

Before you go saying things about people you have no idea about... I am the past President of Copperstate Mustang Club and was show co chairman for our western Reginal MCA show at Wild Horse Pass which we had Lynn St James appear at. I have also chaired many other of our shows, so I know the costs associated with any show.

$75 is out of line to come and park your car and have it judged.. If you looking a comparing your show to a Carlisle Event, then WOW. It makes me sick to see anyone who dis agrees with anything here get attacked.. Our National Show was $45 for non members and $40 for Members. We got vendors and sponsors to help with the high cost of having the MCA Staff come in and didnt stick it to the attendees...

If your paying for the parking lot then they are sticking it to you... We had to search to find a place that didnt charge for the lot but we found one...

I respect your opinion. I do have a question though. Should prices never increase? Should all shows cost the same forever? I have no issue paying an additional $25 or so to enjoy a top level national event.

[hopeto1]

I respect your opinion. I do have a question though. Should prices never increase? Should all shows cost the same forever? I have no issue paying an additional $25 or so to enjoy a top level national event.

Of course prices do change, but a 50% increase over comparable shows is HUGE. (No increase in vendor space pricing?) My point is we need to try to do whatever we can to keep those cost down and share the burden appropriately. Just passing increases along to the car owners without any effort to control cost is not the right thing to do.
I'm glad you have no issue with paying the additional $25. Perhaps not everyone in the hobby is as fortunate financially as you are. Nothing wrong with trying to keep things as affordable for most folks as possible.
Thanks, Jimmy Austin
P.S. I'll re-ask my previous question:
Is there something that I'm not aware of concerning this venue that adds value?
Something that I haven't had at Waldorf MD, Pensacola FL, Mesquite TX, Mustang OK, etc?
Is it basically a place to park my vehicle outside, have it judged, meet & mingle with other Mustang enthusiasts
and a place to park my trailer or is there something else?

[jacostang]

I respect your opinion. I do have a question though. Should prices never increase? Should all shows cost the same forever? I have no issue paying an additional $25 or so to enjoy a top level national event.

Well thats a good question, You have to show value. Yes an MCA show on a National Level is attractive but you have to give the attendees something for their money. Just stating thats its a National show wont cut it. Find some sponsors to pick the costs of some of the show and give them top billing etc. etc. The Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup in Steamboat brings in over 400 Mustangs every year... They do it right with events and great prizes.. I have been to many many big shows including the Ford 100 Celebration and never paid anything close to that. If you keep prices down. especially now, you will draw a much bigger crowd and have a much better turnout..
Dave

http://www.rmmr.org/

[Mustang 3]

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.

Sorry- false argument that doesn't hold water under detailed examination.

Preregistration discount only APPLIED TO EARLY PRE-REGISTRATIONS not all pre-registrations. There is almost always an early pre-registration cut off date to which the discount applied..so those PRE-REGISTERING after that date have to pay the full registration amount even though they are pre-registering. The discount is for registering EARLY before the cut-off date and has next to nothing to do with same day entries which many shows do not have (aka sell outs) or have in very small numbers for judged classes...... using "no day of" as an excuse is just plain wrong.

I suspect (My Opinion Only) the real reason for the drop of the discounts are the 2013 changes but in a form the regional club/MCA doesn't want to acknowledge for fear of MCA membership backlash.

The 2013 changes for Judging regarding MCA membership (which I generally support--you want highly detailed judging for your car but do not want to pay the freight with a MCA membership-that dog don't hunt with me).

Regional clubs have to be financially scared over these 2013 MCA Membership/Judging change...how many non MCA cars will NOT appear or show only in a cheaper display only class because of it. Thus some financial reserve is being built into the fee structure...fewer anticipated cars...higher fees thus need to be charged to pay for the event. BUT if MCA were to acknowledge that fact- that members are now going to have to pay higher show fees due to this change- expect membership backlash. Thus blame the fee increase (drop of discounts) on reality-smaller non-member anticipated turn out due to rule changes. Clubs are scared about a potential drop in attendance over MCA rule changes-understandable. Just try being honest with people-you'll be surprised to see how far it will get you.

I'm also sickened by many of the posts above in this thread attacking the posters who dare ask questions of MCA and the Regional club involved. It is NOT about affording an extra $25 fee but what was the cause for the sharp increase. I see that several here instead of addressing the issue as to why higher fees instead seek to silence those who ask questions by critizing the question askers for even daring to question the issue, attempting to belittle them over "a mere $25" by pointing out fees at other events that do not compare in any way shape of form. That is an even worse form of BS and comes form the same mindset of President Prewitt in attacking the "few opinionated individuals" who dare to speak up. Very common business tactic found in a stock MBA school book--isolate those to attempt to issue an opinion opposite of the majority (thus in management) by isolation (belittle them and in doing so pull them out of the main group so they feel unsupported and will thus stay silent as well as sending out a warning to others not to ask questions or face the same fate. Thus totally ignoring the topic at hand (why higher fees) and instead focus and belittle those asking about the fees and how they are too cheap to pay up the mere $25 extra.

Disgusting. And folks wonder why MCA is losing membership and not attracting newer younger members.

[gcvaleri]

....and evidently neither did the MCA Board of Directors. Welcome to a direct effect of the rule change discouraging non-MCA members from entering MCA national-level events. Like it or not those non-MCA "freeloaders" (as some are calling them), fattened up the attendance figures and in effect, allowed the entry fees to be lowered for the MCA members.

When you make a significant change to a system, you should carefully examine ALL the direct and indirect effects of that change before implementing it. Systems Engineering 101

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 ???

[FastDad]

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 ???

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.