Reinvention of WBCCI

[jcanavera]

Funny in that when going to the wbcci.org link you scroll down to a picture with about 10 or so Airstreams in it. Only 5 display numbers. That's radical. The old guard would have never approved that picture on their home page!

When I used to belong, I did not put my numbers on the trailer. I was attending a 2001 regional rally where the one meetings was for the various chapter officers. I was standing outside the door of the meeting room and the guy who was leading the meeting was speaking noting that being a "baldy" (not displaying your numbers on the trailer) was disrespectful of the organization. Later on while sitting by my trailer I was approached by a number of ladies from a neighboring chapter in a different state who informed me that next time I come to a regional rally, they expected me to have my numbers on my trailer. At that point my uneasiness with the organization began.

Obviously the attitudes have been changing.....

Jack

[moosetags]

I wonder if the new AIC round seal is going to be the one we will use above the Big Red Numbers.

Brian

[HHPJ]

Its human nature to mostly equate change with loss.

On the other hand, “If it’s not broke...”

[ROBERT CROSS]

Wally just got to "OLD" and timed out...sad.

Bob
🇺🇸

[turk123]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Like it or not, we live in an internet focused age. As time has gone by, the internet presence of a lot of outfits (not just WBCCI). You either keep up or you start to look very dated. New prospective members / customers (of any age ) come along and judge you by your web presence. That may or may not be fair. It is the way it works.

Both at the national and at the unit level, they have needed a "refresh" for a while now.

Bob

Agreed and I love the logo. We just joined again several weeks ago and we love the new refreshed "style" of the website.

Remember Wally said, "New is not bad. I have new trailers waiting for purchase!!" (He really didn't say that. )

[vintageracer]

When the average age of your club members gets to be about 90 years old it's time for change!

The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) for years was 1948 and older for vehicles to participate at their Rod Runs. Back in 2010 when they changed to a rolling 30 year rule for vehicle age all you heard from the "Old Time" members was they were either complaining to beat the band or quitting the association for good altogether. 2 years later those same complainers were at the Nationals driving their 1969 Camaro instead of the 1948 and older Street Rod. Same thing with the Good-Guys car group when they changed from 1973 and older at most shows to 1987 and older. Both of these organizations are FAR LARGER than the WBCCI and this what these organizations had to do to remain leaders in their respective areas of the hobby.

The WBCCI is no different. Nostalgia is great however it is not the future!

Besides nobody "Caravans" anymore with Wally having been gone for awhile. They "Camp" as been said repeatedly in posts above!

[wkerfoot]

If nobody caravans anymore, why are the caravans sold out a year or more in advance and why are they adding more?


Bill


I wish I had the time to go on a caravan.

Originally Posted by vintageracer

When the average age of your club members gets to be about 90 years old it's time for change!

The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) for years was 1948 and older for vehicles to participate at their Rod Runs. Back in 2010 when they changed to a rolling 30 year rule for vehicle age all you heard from the "Old Time" members was they were either complaining to beat the band or quitting the association for good altogether. 2 years later those same complainers were at the Nationals driving their 1969 Camaro instead of the 1948 and older Street Rod. Same thing with the Good-Guys car group when they changed from 1973 and older at most shows to 1987 and older. Both of these organizations are FAR LARGER than the WBCCI and this what these organizations had to do to remain leaders in their respective areas of the hobby.

The WBCCI is no different. Nostalgia is great however it is not the future!

Besides nobody "Caravans" anymore with Wally having been gone for awhile. They "Camp" as been said repeatedly in posts above!

[Halford1]

I admit that having the numbers displayed on the AS is too ugly for me. I only accept License Plate, that's it. I do not want to ruin my AS with numbers. I have joined yet and if its required to display the numbers, it is not worth it.

[Hittenstiehl]

It would be interesting to know what the real average age of a member is as obviously it's not 90.

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

...Besides nobody "Caravans" anymore with Wally having been gone for awhile. They "Camp" as been said repeatedly in posts above!

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

If nobody caravans anymore, why are the caravans sold out a year or more in advance and why are they adding more?


Bill


I wish I had the time to go on a caravan.

I agree with wkerfoot - many of the caravans are sold out well in advance and have waiting lists. There may be a few caravans that have fallen by the wayside but in general WBCCI caravans are very popular.

Many members have indicated they don't have time for a 20 - 30 day (or longer) caravan. The club has taken that issue seriously and is now offering shorter, 1 - 2 week, caravans. Even that's too long for many members who are still working so the club is going even further and some local units (clubs) are creating very short caravans.

The new web site will allow the information on shorter caravans as well as a variety of camping trips to be much more accessible to all members.

[vintageracer]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

If nobody caravans anymore, why are the caravans sold out a year or more in advance and why are they adding more?

Going and camping in a field of Airstream's as was recently done at the Airstream "National" meet or at the Jackson Center event earlier this year is NOT a Caravan. It's Camping!

When Wally ran things you had Caravan's like the 1959 trip from Johannesburg SA to Cairo Egypt.

Now that was a Caravan!


Part 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C305dX8CV0

Part 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQtbORpIa0k

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

...
When Wally ran things you had Caravan's like the 1959 trip from Johannesburg SA to Cairo Egypt.

Now that was a Caravan!

Yes, when Wally was around he sponsored quite the caravan! He was a promoter to say the least. I think my mother and father purchased their first Airstream in 1958 in part due to the caravans promoted by Wally Byam. My mother and father visited all 48 contiguous states and all the lower provinces of Canada due in large part to WBCCI caravans that were held in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Many of those same caravans still occur today.

Many of us camp - we go one or two places on a given trip and stay for a few days or a week at a time.

Some of us are travelers (100's of nights a year or more or even full-time travel) - camping along the way, visiting friends and family, sightseeing.

Caravanning - whether it's for 3 or 4 days or 3 or 4 weeks is a different experience than either of the previous scenarios. We were on a small, 10 day, informal caravan promoted by our unit and it was extremely enjoyable. Large numbers of people and rigs on a caravan is probably not my "cup of tea" but a small, informal setting worked well for us. For others, designated stops with entertainment and food are just the ticket. Whether is Cajun, Viking, Ores to Shores, See It Made In The USA, they all have their place and are alive and well within the WBCCI.

[Airtandem]

Is the camping the deference between a caravan and a convoy?

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Halford1

I admit that having the numbers displayed on the AS is too ugly for me. I only accept License Plate, that's it. I do not want to ruin my AS with numbers. I have joined yet and if its required to display the numbers, it is not worth it.

I'm afraid that I must voice my disagrrement with you. To me, the Big Red Numbers enhance the visual appeal of an Airstream. Of Course, do what feels right. Without the Big Red Numbers, it's just some other travel trailer.

Brian

[xrvr]

Difference beyween a rally and a caravan. Look it up.

[DanB]

Originally Posted by moosetags

I'm afraid that I must voice my disagrrement with you. To me, the Big Red Numbers enhance the visual appeal of an Airstream. Of Course, do what feels right. Without the Big Red Numbers, it's just some other travel trailer.

Brian

Really?

So my Airstream is just A SOB to you? I guess a substantial percentage of WBCCI members disagree with you.

[DanB]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

Is the camping the deference between a caravan and a convoy?

A "convoy" is a continuous line of similar vehicles. Airstream Caravans rally are not supposed to travel like this. It is more considerate to break up the line of trailers so as not to impede traffic.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

When the average age of your club members gets to be about 90 years old it's time for change!

The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) for years was 1948 and older for vehicles to participate at their Rod Runs. Back in 2010 when they changed to a rolling 30 year rule for vehicle age all you heard from the "Old Time" members was they were either complaining to beat the band or quitting the association for good altogether. 2 years later those same complainers were at the Nationals driving their 1969 Camaro instead of the 1948 and older Street Rod. Same thing with the Good-Guys car group when they changed from 1973 and older at most shows to 1987 and older. Both of these organizations are FAR LARGER than the WBCCI and this what these organizations had to do to remain leaders in their respective areas of the hobby.

The WBCCI is no different. Nostalgia is great however it is not the future!

Besides nobody "Caravans" anymore with Wally having been gone for awhile. They "Camp" as been said repeatedly in posts above!

We go HAMB...😂


Bob
🇺🇸

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by DanB

Really?

So my Airstream is just A SOB to you? I guess a substantial percentage of WBCCI members disagree with you.

I guess that my opinion is as good as yours or anyone else's.

Brian

[xrvr]

Probably better because of your experience.