NEC Classic Car Show Birmingham

[EddyEdden]

What a great honour it was to be invited to show my 2010 heavily modified C6 Grand Sport on the CCCUK stand at the NEC Classic Car Show.
Thank you Mike and Debs for organising such a great stand on such a limited budget. Everything you arranged exceeded our expectations and we felt very privileged to be part of the event. The carpeted area was a great asset to the stand it really helped the cars stand out compared with stands without.
The stand generated a lot of interest from the visitors who were keen to ask questions about Corvettes and the club in general which, in some instances
resulted in new members signing up to the club.
The show we feel is of far greater importance than the Nationals as a shop window for the club. This is not to take anything away from the Nationals however the Nationals is attended predominately by Corvette owners and club members. The Classic Car Show at the NEC attracts a wider audience of potential new members.
I understand that 40+ new members were signed up during the show; how does this compare with the Nationals?
There should be no financial gain or reimbursement for those standing with their cars, the kudos of being invited to attend and give something back to the club far outweighs the cost to any individual.
The passion, dedication and commitment exhibited by Mike and Debs is outstanding and makes it a pleasure to be part of this group.
Also, being part of the Central South group you get to eat cake!

 

[Nassau65]

What a great honour it was to be invited to show my 2010 heavily modified C6 Grand Sport on the CCCUK stand at the NEC Classic Car Show.
Thank you Mike and Debs for organising such a great stand on such a limited budget. Everything you arranged exceeded our expectations and we felt very privileged to be part of the event. The carpeted area was a great asset to the stand it really helped the cars stand out compared with stands without.
The stand generated a lot of interest from the visitors who were keen to ask questions about Corvettes and the club in general which, in some instances
resulted in new members signing up to the club.
The show we feel is of far greater importance than the Nationals as a shop window for the club. This is not to take anything away from the Nationals however the Nationals is attended predominately by Corvette owners and club members. The Classic Car Show at the NEC attracts a wider audience of potential new members.
I understand that 40+ new members were signed up during the show; how does this compare with the Nationals?
There should be no financial gain or reimbursement for those standing with their cars, the kudos of being invited to attend and give something back to the club far outweighs the cost to any individual.
The passion, dedication and commitment exhibited by Mike and Debs is outstanding and makes it a pleasure to be part of this group.
Also, being part of the Central South group you get to eat cake!

Very well said.

 

[monty]

What a great honour it was to be invited to show my 2010 heavily modified C6 Grand Sport on the CCCUK stand at the NEC Classic Car Show.
Thank you Mike and Debs for organising such a great stand on such a limited budget. Everything you arranged exceeded our expectations and we felt very privileged to be part of the event. The carpeted area was a great asset to the stand it really helped the cars stand out compared with stands without.
The stand generated a lot of interest from the visitors who were keen to ask questions about Corvettes and the club in general which, in some instances
resulted in new members signing up to the club.
The show we feel is of far greater importance than the Nationals as a shop window for the club. This is not to take anything away from the Nationals however the Nationals is attended predominately by Corvette owners and club members. The Classic Car Show at the NEC attracts a wider audience of potential new members.
I understand that 40+ new members were signed up during the show; how does this compare with the Nationals?
There should be no financial gain or reimbursement for those standing with their cars, the kudos of being invited to attend and give something back to the club far outweighs the cost to any individual.
The passion, dedication and commitment exhibited by Mike and Debs is outstanding and makes it a pleasure to be part of this group.
Also, being part of the Central South group you get to eat cake!

Think it’s a typo there Eddy, it was, I think 14 new members that signed up. Rob Tring will correct me if that’s wrong.

 

[curious bystander]

Re-embursement of lodging, fuel expenses etc for members bringing their vehicles to shows or events (to my knowledge) has only ever happened on very few occasions, and to their credit not members claimed.

When I arranged the NEC those requiring accommodation got a cheap hotel room (think £65 per night) and as a thank you for their time and effort we all had one meal together (two course) paid for by the Club. Alcohol was not covered before anyone asks.
No mileage or fuel costs were paid.
The whole lot came to less than £2K (2018?)
Now it seems that the general opinion on here is that Club members should be very grateful for the chance to put their cars on the stand. Times must have changed because I had to twist arms at times just to get enough cars to turn up.

 

[Roscobbc]

When I arranged the NEC those requiring accommodation got a cheap hotel room (think £65 per night) and as a thank you for their time and effort we all had one meal together (two course) paid for by the Club. Alcohol was not covered before anyone asks.
No mileage or fuel costs were paid.
The whole lot came to less than £2K (2018?)
Now it seems that the general opinion on here is that Club members should be very grateful for the chance to put their cars on the stand. Times must have changed because I had to twist arms at times just to get enough cars to turn up.

You are correct Bill - when I was 'in the chair' it was difficult at times 'encouraging' members to bring their car to a show, spend the time helping setting things-up, manning the show and stripping it down later. As you say at times 'incentives' were needed. And what of those perhaps who have the rarer and perhaps more interesting cars who may be struggling with the cost of bringing their car to the show and perhaps funding hotel costs? - not forgetting the one or two people using the show for their own benefits and as a selling platform for their car?

 

[monty]

When I arranged the NEC those requiring accommodation got a cheap hotel room (think £65 per night) and as a thank you for their time and effort we all had one meal together (two course) paid for by the Club. Alcohol was not covered before anyone asks.
No mileage or fuel costs were paid.
The whole lot came to less than £2K (2018?)
Now it seems that the general opinion on here is that Club members should be very grateful for the chance to put their cars on the stand. Times must have changed because I had to twist arms at times just to get enough cars to turn up.

It’s not that members should be grateful, the members where grateful, there’s a very big difference in the two phrases.

£2000 in 2018 has escalated in the last 6 years, the difference now is we either do it on a limited budget (whatever path that takes) or the club doesn’t do it, unless it wants to pay out a lot of money, this then puts the clubs expenses too high to manage.

Its ok to pay hotel bills etc ( if it’s acceptable) if the clubs finances are in a very healthy position, even then the committee have a job to do for the members to make the club function for the foreseeable future.

Having been (and still are) a committee member of many off road sports clubs and the current chairman of the biggest off road organisation in Europe, I have seen clubs go under because of spiralling costs that were not kept under control, so I think it’s sensible to look at better ways to distribute finances and cut down on them where they can.

I know every members personal financial situation is different but if it means we have to tighten our belts spending wise for the sake of the continuation of the club then so be it, it might only be for a short while who knows.

I would rather keep the NEC show on the CCCUK agenda than see us not do it, even if it means we do have to get local members cars there, but it’s not restricted to local members cars, again that’s all down to the clubs committee to decide.

Plus keeping show costs down inevitably keeps membership fees down.

Everyone has a different opinion but one things for sure, no one wants to see the club make losses even if it’s just for one year.

 

[EddyEdden]

Typo? I stand to be corrected. It comes from years of practice of only half listening to the better (?) half. Though still a great outcome.

 

[EddyEdden]

Surely if you wish to benefit from being a club member shouldn't you support the club where and when you can to help keep it's head above water.

 

[CaptainK]

I never realised the club paid for all exhibitors expenses, fuel, food, lodging etc, that’s a BIG chunk of change.
My own thoughts are that if you would like your car on display and it’s picked to do so for what ever reason YOU pay your own expenses. Just my opinion.

Same here - that's the main reason why I haven't attended the big events so far as its too costly. I just presumed everyone paid for themselves.

 

[Pitre]

It’s a fine balance. As a committee we make spending decisions based on available funds and associated benefit to the whole body of members. Obviously, some events (Nationals/Lakes) are open to more members than others (e.g. NEC/Olympia) and we take a view on the overall strategy each year.

I would anticipate that participation in future NEC/Olympia shows would be largely member-funded with the club paying for overheads (carpet/electricity etc.) and probably funding a ‘thank you’ meal for participants as in previous years. But local members would be encouraged to participate so hotels/travel etc. can be minimised regardless of who is involved.

We do listen to member’s feedback and are grateful for the support we receive. Ultimately, the committee is accountable for the long-term financial viability of the CCCUK and will make decisions accordingly, bearing in mind the requirement to meet committed expenditure (printing, overheads etc.) and those pressures have increased fairly dramatically in recent times.

 

[Chevrolet]

I didn’t attend this year but tried to catch-up via YouTube. I watched 3 vlogs in hope of seeing a positive review of the Corvettes but no coverage whatsoever.

I tried that last night, skipping thru several long YouTube videos, hoping to find a couple of minutes of a YouTuber salivating over the fantastic Vettes on display. Couldn't see any. Plenty of all those cars you didn't even want/desire when they were new?

 

[Rob59C1]

Yes, let’s see some photo’s

A photo of each of the Corvettes on the stand and the two on adjacent stands. Sadly I didn't get a chance to see any of the show so there may have been more elsewhere

 

[Rob59C1]

And for those that couldn't make it to the show and wanted a YouTube video, here's a wander around our stand, so you can see just how good it was.
A great job by Mike Debbie and the whole Central South team
(Choose 4K for best quality)

 

[Chevrolet]

And for those that couldn't make it to the show and wanted a YouTube video, here's a wander around our stand, so you can see just how good it was.

Thanks Rob, another great video!

 

[Chevrolet]

What a great honour it was to be invited to show my 2010 heavily modified C6 Grand Sport on the CCCUK stand at the NEC Classic Car Show.

Great looking car that, including the Edelbrock Supercharger!

 

[monty]

And for those that couldn't make it to the show and wanted a YouTube video, here's a wander around our stand, so you can see just how good it was.
A great job by Mike Debbie and the whole Central South team
(Choose 4K for best quality)

Brilliant video Rob, shows just what the CCCUK stand was about, well done.

 

[FIVE RED]

Brilliant video, really shows off a superb stand & equally superb selection of Corvettes. Again - well done to all

 

[mycar]

And for those that couldn't make it to the show and wanted a YouTube video, here's a wander around our stand, so you can see just how good it was.
A great job by Mike Debbie and the whole Central South team
(Choose 4K for best quality)

Great video Rob

 

[Corvetteville]

Really excellent thank you

 

[JonnyC4]

I had the privilege to be part of the stand twice, with my 35th anniversary C4. The atmosphere and being together with people of the club is what makes me do it every time. It's a 630km trip to get my Corvette to the NEC, which include petrol, Eurotunnel, etc. double for me, as I need to get to Belgium again. I've never complained about it, as it's an honour to be there.

It's a whole hassle in getting it all done, to have a stand on this show and it's takes a bit of money, with the carpet and electricity. Prices are always rising every year, rules getting different, etc. Don't forget the effort that it takes to organise it all.

It was great to meet Mike and Debbie last year, as they brought in the C8 Stingray on the last minute, to help us have 8 Corvettes on the 70th anniversary stand. This year they did a great job with the members of their region and hopefully next year I can come by again, to see the stand and the show. I'll fly in again with Danny.