2012 International Rally

[gaylejoe]

Anyone know what is the current registration for the 2012 Rally?

[wheel interested]

I am assuming you are inquiring about the number of participants already signed up.

For the benefit of others that may be interested and not signed up, the registration form is listed here on the WBCCI web site, http://wbcci.org/documents/SedaliaRegistrationForm.pdf

WALLY BYAM CARAVAN CLUB
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
55TH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION/RALLY
June 27 – July 4, 2012 --- Sedalia, Missouri
REGISTRATION
Convention/Rally Fees for registrations received prior to January 1, 2012 will be $475.00 for couples, $375.00 for singles, and $120.00 for each additional adult. Youths 4-19 $60.00 Rally fees include 3 point hook-up, 30 amp electric, water and sewer.
(Note: NO 3 amp. electric or generator section available).
Rally Fees received after January 1, 2012 will be $500.00 for couples, $400.00 for singles and $130.00 for each additional adult. Through the courtesy of Airstream, Inc, all members pre-registering on or before January 1, 2012 will be eligible to participate in a drawing for up to a total of $2000.00 in awards, These awards may be redeemed at any Airstream Dealership or at the Jackson Center Service Center for parts and service.

[gaylejoe]

Does anyone know how many members are currently registered or signed up for the 2012 International Rally?

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by gaylejoe

Does anyone know how many members are currently registered or signed up for the 2012 International Rally?

I suspect the one-word answer to your question is, "no". Or at least, no one on the forums knows. Recent international presidents have showcased this number in their presidential newsletter but the present IP does not seem to be publishing one.

Last year the official attendance at the international rally was 539. I expect it to be somewhere less than 500 this year.
.

[gaylejoe]

Thanks Nuvite-F, I was just curious.

[RickDavis]

I wonder how many more would be there if the 3 amp parking option had not been eliminated?? At least 25 to 30% used it the last time it was offered in Madison. We have skipped the last 2 that were full hookups only and will continue to do so in the future

[Lance M]

Rick,
How much less expensive would the 3amp parking be typically? As it is now, I'm looking at $595 for rally fees.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by Top

Rick,
How much less expensive would the 3amp parking be typically? As it is now, I'm looking at $595 for rally fees.

When 30 amp was first made available the extra cost was $135. This later increased to over $200. Basically a $270 rally (2 people) became a $500 rally with full hook ups.
I could dig exact numbers out of the check book but this is pretty close.

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

When 30 amp was first made available the extra cost was $135. This later increased to over $200. Basically a $270 rally (2 people) became a $500 rally with full hook ups.
I could dig exact numbers out of the check book but this is pretty close.

Rick, you must have figured out by now that they aren't interested in having people at the rally that don't need full hookups. That's too primative for quality members.

[mbmbstreamer]

Actually, the popularity of 30 amp caused them to look at venues that have the service installed. I'm sure they would offer 3 amp at lower price, if the venue offered it at a discount.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by mbmbstreamer

Actually, the popularity of 30 amp caused them to look at venues that have the service installed. I'm sure they would offer 3 amp at lower price, if the venue offered it at a discount.

Actually they have just chosen not to. If you look at the site used in Gillette for example they have thousands of boondocking sites. No 3 amp, but certainly suitable for generator or solar. The price difference would not make up the whole $200 but since everyone pays for 13 or so nights it would certainly help. The rally has also been fairly profitable for the last 2 years so now that the losses from the Larsen fiasco in Madison have been made up the rally could be priced significantly lower.
It is interesting to note that attendance has dropped almost every year since 30 amp was introduced. I am not saying that is the cause but maybe it wasn't much of a draw either.. Attendance has dropped even faster since 3 amp was eliminated. It is not good to ignore 30% of your potential attendees
I would consider a $ 400 full hookup rally but there are no $500 rallies in my future.
We will be attending Birthday Bash 3 this year instead

[dwightdi]

There were 3 amp campgrounds available that could have been contracted for at Gillette but the EC7 decided everyone should stay in the major Boxelder campground and that was all 30 amp. The only people not in that campground were the handicap and that campground also had 30 amp. There was a small overflow campground behind the auditorium, but it also had 30 amp. At Madison VAC wanted the grass and they thought they would have 100 trailers and half would want 30 amp. It turned out only 20 VAC wanted 30 amp and so leadership turned the 30 grass sites over to the general 30 amp parking. The first 50 VAC members that wanted 3 amp service get the grass parking. The remaining 20 who wanted only 3 amp had to park on the asphalt.

With our attendance down to less than 600 more facilities are now adequate size but many want to just sell 30 amp service. There is a better margin in it for them. I am not sure the leadership sees the benefit of offering 3 amp when they have made a profit for two years by just offering 30 amp. Actual cost leadership is paying out to the campsites are around $15 per night. The rest goes to other expenses and entertainment.

[Lance M]

Thanks for the break down Rick. I have read the whole article in the BB and looked at the program, but I'm still unclear what exactly we get for the $595 besides eight nights at an RV park in MO. Are all meals and events included?

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

.

I am not sure the leadership sees the benefit of offering 3 amp when they have made a profit for two years by just offering 30 amp. Actual cost leadership is paying out to the campsites are around $15 per night. The rest goes to other expenses and entertainment.

And I always thought this was a nonprofit club.

[overlander64]

Greeting Lance!

Originally Posted by Top

Thanks for the break down Rick. I have read the whole article in the BB and looked at the program, but I'm still unclear what exactly we get for the $595 besides eight nights at an RV park in MO. Are all meals and events included?

The International Rally fee includes your parking, nightly entertainment, and use of the conference facilities (workshops and seminars). The basic International Rally fee does not include any meals for member attendees. Most years, there will be a picnic meal available on July 4th . . . during the annual parade . . . this is a catered meal for which a ticket must be purchased several days in advance at the rally. There are numerous catered meals while attending the rally, but you must purchase tickets for these . . . included among these banquets are unit banquets, state banquets, regional banquets, and intra-club banquets (Vintage Airstream Club, Free Wheelers, Computer Club, etc.) -- these are all optional at extra-cost activities.

The International Rally also affords you the opportunity to meet a number of the well-known Airstream vendors from whom we purchase products. While not all of these vendors are in attendance at every International, some of the vendors you might find include: Arlene and Henry Fowler of Fowler RV Interiors, Vintage Trailer Supply, Hensley Manufacturing, Pro-Pride Hitches, Blue Ox Hitches, Reese Products, Dometic, Zip Dee, JPA Drapes, Fantastic Vent (they offer Rally installation specials where I have purchased all three of my Fantastic Vents), as well as several others. There have also been vendors who offer flags, custom embroidery work, specialized RV hoses, specialized electrical reels, and a wide variety of other RV specific merchandise in the main exhibit hall at the International rallys.

Since Sedalia is so close to me, I am hoping to make the trip, but there are too many unknowns at this point in time to know whether the trip will be economically feasible. I have only missed three International Rallys since 1998, and find that they are much like attending large family reunions . . . . I almost always get to visit with friends whom I haven't seen for two or three years.

Kevin

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by Top

Thanks for the break down Rick. I have read the whole article in the BB and looked at the program, but I'm still unclear what exactly we get for the $595 besides eight nights at an RV park in MO. Are all meals and events included?

I assume you're a Vintage club member that alone is worth the cost, just park with that group, it will all come together.

[fltlevel510]

The Good Sam Club is having three major rallies this year. One in Phoenix, one in Louisville, and one in Daytona. Price is $219 for dry camping and $419 for 30/50amp. We attended the Louisville, Ky Rally two years ago with a group of airstreamers and had a great time. Over 3000 units in attendance, 100's of vendors and displays. Good entertainment a lot of quality seminars and the Louisville expo center is all air conditioned. This may be a great place to have an Air Forum Rally??

[LI Pets]

You may want to look at how many days those rallies run?

As in 3-4 days??????? or about $100 a day?

I think the international runs 10 days or $50 a day

[RickDavis]

a couple years ago I broke down good sam, escapees and a few others allowing for the number of days. Seven days for the International if you come in with general parking.
All were considerably cheaper than the international, and in the case of the GS rally mentioned above in Louisville it was also big name entertainment and many more vendors ( We almost went to that one).
Note also that many of these lower cost rallies are held at the same locations the WBCCI uses
Based on a 7day international you are looking at $71.00 a day. This is pretty pricey for no meals and questionable entertainment and a dwindling number of vendors. I do miss seeing many of our friends, especially in the VAC but I suspect we will run across most of you at other rallies.

[LI Pets]

Rick how do you get 7 days?

June 27 – July 4, 2012

And you can stay bit longer for free I think