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Ed Emerick · 06-13-2011, 05:31 AM

I just wanted to share my feelings on how to update the International Rally and see if maybe we might get the leadership to take some notes!

Sandy and I have attended 10 International Rallies over the years and as of late have not attended for a number of reasons. Most because they are the same old same old and in need of updating to keep our interest.

We just got home from Alumapalooza (by the way of the Spirit of Cleveland Rally, that was great!) and feel that the WBCCI could learn a ton from attending that event!. First the parking was very simple and we felt welcome when we arrived, a refreshing start to the week.

The seminars were up to date, applied to what I needed to know and most of all FUN!

The entertainment, well what can you say, from Antsy to SKY, to the ASL staff and support (who in themselves were very good entertainers!) there was something for everyone.

I think the WBCCI needs to look at this event and events like it and see what TODAY's Airstream owner is looking for.

I hope for the future of the International Rally that they consider changing the way they think. Until then I think I will continue to spend my travel dollars on events like Alumapalooza and the Spirit of Cleveland Rally.

mbmbstreamer · 06-13-2011, 05:48 AM

I agree with you, Ed. We will take back ideas for our Unit rallies. I will also forward thoughts to our Region for their Rallies!

wheel interested · 06-13-2011, 07:25 AM

Matt will you ask them to bring back the 3 amp section too, to reduce the overall cost of the rally? I have attended 3 Internationals but always opted for the more affordable 3 amp. The Vintage Open House is the fun event! Everything else, as well as those indoor parades, can use culling out and updating.

mbmbstreamer · 06-13-2011, 08:41 AM

I will put it on the list.

The GA Unit Rallies don't offer 3 amp. But our rally fee is $20 per person and the Full hookup fee is $7 per night!

Air Apparent · 06-13-2011, 08:59 AM

Ed:

I agree with you. We attended Alumapalooza rather than the International. Alumapalooza was fun and there were no Lawrence Welk cover groups. No flag police, no hat police, no tuxes, just fun doing what you want.

I was surprised to see how young the President of Airstream is as well as Rich Luhr. It's easy to see that Airstream isn't targeting or primarily selling to the WBCCI crowd any more especially with the Eddie Bauer edition being their most popular model right now. I now understand why Airstream is no longer supporting the WBCCI at the International. Airstream is growing while the WBCCI is dying. Good business decision.

We attended one international and will probably never attend another.

We are planning on attending next years Alumapalooza again.

I've given up on the WBCCI. We will remain members only as long as we have fun with our unit. We are doing a lot of Airstreaming but most outside of the WBCCI.

RickDavis · 06-13-2011, 09:14 AM

Probably everything that can be said about the international has been said, however:

1 The rally is too expensive. The rally last year showed a profit of $117.00 per trailer.
The past IP deserves credit for good planning on that one. It does mean that that could have been a $ 400 rally with hookups instead of $500.
( It doesn't take an accountant to know why the previous one lost $100K)

I suspect the same would be true this year as the sites are $15. per night. Unfortunately a 7 night attendee is paying for 13 nights. I am tired of paying for some one else to camp for anywhere from a week to 3 weeks so they can volunteer for a few hours ( I know, some do more) go on tours, eat breakfast free and possibly attend a few dress up dinners on my dime.

2 We need 3 amp, or even boondocking back for those who want it. 30% did at Madison the last time it was offered.

3 It would be nice to have real entertainment. It seems like smaller rallies can do it but not the International. Don't blame it on old people picking it. I am past 70 and it doesn't appeal to me.

4 The vendor situation is bad and getting worse. As the rally gets smaller the vendors are less likely to come. Perhaps they are charged too much? Perhaps some consideration could be given to an OUTSIDE vendor area such as Escapees does.

I probably should just write the event off as not offering enough value for the buck. There seem to be more and more things to do with our Airstreams without the International.

In my view it is not the cost, but the value you get from it that influences our decisions

hutch309.2 · 06-13-2011, 06:19 PM

The last International rally we attended was Lansing Mi. in 2004. We have not attended any International since that time. Pricing at these rallies are unreasonable. We have attended Int’l for 10 years in a row with 6 years as, 2VP, 1stVP and last year as President of Region 2. I think there would be more going to Int’l if we were given a choice of 30amp, 3 amp or generator section . Have less expensive entertainment. We have a lot of talented members in the club that could provide entertainment. Lowering International rally fees would bring up attendance.

drag'nwagon · 06-13-2011, 07:48 PM

Ed,
Although I did not see them (nor anyone else), I heard that there were a few WBCCI higher ups (exec.s, three digit folks) sitting in the terra port for most of the Alumapalooza event. I am curious to know if anyone else saw them or talked to them, or...?
I understand that these fine folks did not enter into the event nor even try to participate or take note of what was happening (except for Antsy playing Saturday night

) in the small field behind the factory.

Ed Emerick · 06-13-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drag'nwagon

Ed,
Although I did not see them (nor anyone else), I heard that there were a few WBCCI higher ups (exec.s, three digit folks) sitting in the terra port for most of the Alumapalooza event. I am curious to know if anyone else saw them or talked to them, or...?
I understand that these fine folks did not enter into the event nor even try to participate or take note of what was happening (except for Antsy playing Saturday night

) in the small field behind the factory.

I did see at least two of the IBT members in the Terra Port. Now don't quote me but I was told they did not attend Alumapalooza because the WBCCI would not pay their way..................

I also was told that one of them did hear Antsy on Friday night and said that his music was not International quality...........

All I can say is WOW.

drag'nwagon · 06-13-2011, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the post Young Man!

I gotta believe that in the terra port for that event, is the same as being at that event. As for the high standard of "International entertainers" with regards to Mr. McClain, duh.....I do not know what to say other than entertainment evidently is the last thing on thier mind!

RickDavis · 06-14-2011, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Emerick

I also was told that one of them did hear Antsy on Friday night and said that his music was not International quality...........

All I can say is WOW.

I have to agree that he is NOT International quality.. It would be a giant step DOWN for him.

Care to name those IBT members??

Ed Emerick · 06-14-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickDavis

I have to agree that he is NOT International quality.. It would be a giant step DOWN for him.

Care to name those IBT members??

From the numbers on the coaches it was John and Don.

Ed Emerick · 06-14-2011, 05:34 AM

I should say that again the value for the rallies we attended were more than expected. At Alumapalooza for the Tuesday through Sunday with the entertainment, tours, seminars and we got water and electric (3 amp) and a place to dump gray when needed and a great dinner the values is there. If you have not had a chance to go to this event don't miss next year's.

At the Spirit of Cleveland for $100 you parked on Wednesday night through Sunday. It was dry camping with very very good food included. Also a ride on the Good Time II with a meal and a cash bar was included in the $100. They had pay as you go tours, things in the area to visit within walking distances, and down town Cleveland was right up East 9th street. I wondered how they could give us all that for $100? I later found they had a number of sponsors that helped with the cost and I still think the Cleveland Unit(thanks for hosting this!) will take a little hit as well. I was told that next year the fee might go to $200, even at that cost it is well worth attending.

$500 for the International????????

Ed Emerick · 06-14-2011, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebird

Ed:

I agree with you. We attended Alumapalooza rather than the International. Alumapalooza was fun and there were no Lawrence Welk cover groups.

I did see a huge age spread at Alumapalooza. There were very young families and some couples in their 80's. I saw both WBCCI and non-WBCCI members, matter of fact one of our more staunch WBCCI Unit members were in attendance and told me what a great time it was. What I liked was the mix of ages, kids running around, dogs with no mandated "dog zone", new Airstreams and old Airstreams. It was just cool to see the mix.

nswhite · 06-14-2011, 12:41 PM

Favorite part of Alumapalooza was Happy Hour. The International could sure use one.

Gene · 06-14-2011, 01:01 PM

Sounds like Alumapalooza was a good deal. This is the 2nd year we haven't been able to fit it into our lives, maybe next year.

As for old people's music, I was raised on rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, blues, jazz, and more rock 'n' roll and I'm plenty old. This music became popular in the early to mid '50's, so anyone 65 and older had an opportunity to choose it or champagne bubbles. My parents didn't like Lawrence Welk either though Perry Como was their style. When Alan Freed came to NYC in 1954, music changed fast, but not for everyone.

This is really a culture wars issue—the WBCCI leaders seem to prefer Welk, a military styled organization, and little democracy. Formality is disappearing and even news anchors are starting to not wear ties. 1940's culture may doom the WBCCI.

Gene

Pahaska · 06-14-2011, 01:21 PM

We had a great time at Alumapalooza and we are signing up for next year. I'm 78 and I really enjoyed the kids and dogs and happy hours.

I stick with WBCCI only because of good friends in the unit. I will never attend another International rally. WBCCI is stuck in the Senator McCarthy era and will probably die before it.breaks those shackles. It was nice to spend a week at JC without having folks marching around with flags and praying. IMHO, marching around with with flags belongs in the military and public praying belongs in churches.

WBCCI could learn a lot from Alumapalooza for the international rally, but they will not "lower themselves" to do so. This year, the international rally will be another cash loser with way less than 600 rigs and attendance at future years will be even fewer as the old guard dies off.

tcrum · 06-15-2011, 10:32 PM

We are new Airstream owners and attended Alumapalooza. My wife and I feel we are young (47 yrs old) with 4 teenage boys. We didn't bring the boys this time. We really enjoyed Alumapalooza as our first Airstream event. We considered the International but in no way can we justify the cost of the event. Hopefully, ASL Alumapalooza will be able to figure out how to get a lot more trailers into the fields at Jackson Center. This event will get huge.

Nuvite-F · 06-16-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nswhite

Favorite part of Alumapalooza was Happy Hour. The International could sure use one.

For a good Happy Hour at International, go over to the vintage parking area.

(The International at Bozeman was the first place I ever saw a gas-engine-powered Margarita machine. . . )
.

nswhite · 06-16-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

For a good Happy Hour at International, go over to the vintage parking area.

(The International at Bozeman was the first place I ever saw a gas-engine-powered Margarita machine. . . )
.

And that's the point. Happy Hour at Alumapalooza was for everyone. The International does not have one.