All Mitsu Cookout -- Sunday, August 24th, 2008 - Page 8

Onefast99gsx · 08-25-2008

Hi Curt- Have you ever had the cookout on a Saturday or thought about doing it that day of the week instead of Sunday. I'm from central WI and I'd consider going then. I just don't like making long journey's on a Sunday. Perhaps you should do a poll to see if you'd get more out of state interest if it were a Saturday. If it works out for most people to keep it on Sundays then that's fine too. It would be nicer if it were more closer to the border such as Woodbury or something. I think you'd get more people like myself from WI. Rogers is just over 3 hours from my driveway. Just stating some thoughts is all.

sleepydsm · 08-25-2008

I think this was a good cookout, I don't think it's too long either! Curt, thanks for all you do.

AJ · 08-25-2008

160 cars or 100 cars, Curt, I'd keep it going. It is "the" MN mitsu event and even thus who don't own them anymore enjoy the photos and the times we can make the trip out to look. As EVOs continue to drop in price you'll probably see them replacing some more of the 1Gs and 2Gs.

Lots of nice looking EVOs in those pics btw.

**Goat Blower** · 08-25-2008

It was the perfect length for me, we were there for two hours. I'd agree on maybe having someone collect the cash at the parking lot entrance, kinda like at the track, to keep everyone honest and pay up.

We had a good time, thanks for putting it on Curt!

curt_gendron · 08-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Blower

It was the perfect length for me, we were there for two hours. I'd agree on maybe having someone collect the cash at the parking lot entrance, kinda like at the track, to keep everyone honest and pay up.

We had a good time, thanks for putting it on Curt!

Thats got me thinking. Maybe next year, I'll have someone collect the cash at the entrance and give the people a voucher so they can finish there registration at the tent. I just hate to have to do that for the 5% of people who can't figure things out or just don't want to pay.

As far as doing it on a Saturday. I'd also prefer to do it on a Saturday, and we have had it on Saturdays in the past. It doesn't seem to affect attendance either way. This year I chose Sunday, because the Bemidji rally was going on Saturday, and the auto-x guys told me originally that they'd skip the Corvette auto-x on Sunday. (there was a MAC auto-x on Saturday)

Thanks for the compliments guys,
Curt

A//// Guy · 08-26-2008

Yea it is a great event, and Id definitely keep it going even if the numbers were lower this year. Im sure numbers fluctuate, and not everyone can attend for one reason or another.

We did show up a little before 2, but I was getting antsy towards 4 for the awards to be given out.

Thanks Curt for organizing it all though!

**Kracka** · 08-26-2008

I say keep doing it even if the numbers continue to slowly drop. DSM's and 3/S's are getting old and there are fewer of them on the road. I look forward to this every year.

adm2204 · 08-26-2008

Quote:

Why does it seem you are shooting for specific numbers, or even making such a big deal out of how many cars show up? You're not running a business, there should be no reason to expect increasing numbers year to year. The more the merrier, obviously, but is it that much of a deal breaker if you lose a few cars from one year to the next? There are ways to cut costs.

Barely breaking even is all a part of the deal... You win some, you lose some. If I had a dime for every time an event I helped run barely broke even, or didn't break even at all, I'd have a lot of dimes.

It's hard to tell if you're venting frustration or just taking this whole thing far too serious. Lighten up, take the good with the bad. You run a great event and have done so for as long as I've known you. No reason to be discouraged over such trivial details.

I agree wholeheartedly. That was the most fun I've had in AGES. It was great to see all the cars there and it was all organized VERY well. I would hate to see an event cancelled because the number of attendees isn't constantly rising. I can assure you that now that I've been to two of the DSM events this year I'll be attending any and ALL future events that I possibly can. I must admit I didn't register because I had only barely enough money to buy gas to drive there and back. Next time I will definitely register. My apologies also for the burnout in the parking lot I wasn't really thinking about it. I'm sure the school expects good behavior in order to allow the usage of their parking lot. To anyone else who agrees that the events should continue (despite attendance numbers) and enjoyed them as much as I do give some more encouragement to the organizers and everyone who did a fantastic job of making it an AWESOME event.

**Kracka** · 08-26-2008

Is the point of the Cookout to hang out and have fun with other enthusiasts or to get data to write down on a piece of paper after the fact?

Nobody wants you to take a loss on the Cookout so if needed charge more for registration, charge for food similar to how we do at dyno days, etc. Its hardly like the event was a total failure; you broke even and still had a great turnout!

**Kracka** · 08-26-2008

Rogers is quite a hike for some people, a more centralized location would definitely boost attendance.

**scheides** · 08-26-2008

Curt, this event was awesome. I think you are feeling a bit burnt out after a full weekend of organizing a car event. One day is hard enough let alone a whole weekend! I still like the length of the cookout, and you're right--if you want to not be there as long, come later!

Don't sweat the numbers, whether you broke even or not. Life (and business) has its ups and downs and you can't let one setback kill everything for you. With the number of volunteer hours that go into events like these it is impossible to 'break even' with it, and I think some small changes would really bring the event into its own. Charge admission at the gate(s), get people in charge lanyards that say 'staff' on them, and really I think you should consider delegating more! Have someone else do the vote tallying or the registration (or complete registration as you suggest), etc. You're stressing yourself out because you were looking at a clip-board all day and not the cars you invited there. I think this year there was a VERY strong showing of SUPER clean cars and we are really seeing the cream of the crop at this show.

Remember, the economy is down and its possible we're seeing the results of this as well. You did a good job scheduling around the autoX and rally events scheduled this summer, and despite the lower turnout, everyone had a damn good time!

Lastly, I'm wishy-washy about the two-day event. I think if you want to grow the cookout, axe the dyno day. Dyno days are DAMN fun, but I honestly think that it hurt the cookout numbers this year. If you do keep it, lets convince the out-of-towners to bunk up with locals and keep them around for the whole event, and anyone that is at the dyno day needs some sort of encouragement to come back the next day for the cookout.

Keep your head up, we all had a good time!

curt_gendron · 08-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by scheides

Lastly, I'm wishy-washy about the two-day event. I think if you want to grow the cookout, axe the dyno day. Dyno days are DAMN fun, but I honestly think that it hurt the cookout numbers this year. If you do keep it, lets convince the out-of-towners to bunk up with locals and keep them around for the whole event, and anyone that is at the dyno day needs some sort of encouragement to come back the next day for the cookout.

Keep your head up, we all had a good time!

Chris, I think you might be right. We did have 6-7 out of towners staying at the hotel, which was good. But I think there was at least that many locals that chose to come to the dyno challenge and skip the actual Cookout because they didn't want to make two trips.

A centralized location might help the numbers by a few, but with all the stuff I need to bring to the event, it is always going to be held in my back yard. That I can guarantee.

I don't think picking a different time a year is going to help. I personally like the second half of August. The weather is usually a little cooler than planning a July event. In September a lot of kids are busy with school. In the Spring I'm way too busy planning the Upper Midwest 3/S Gathering. My preferred weekend would have been the weekend before last. But with the DSM/EVO shootout going on that weekend, I felt it was too big of a conflict.

later,
Curt

**cmspaz** · 08-26-2008

I think a slightly earlier date would help. Quite a few of the DSMers I know on a personal level are college students. EVERY SINGLE ONE had class starting the 25th. There would definitely have been at least a couple more cars there if it had been a week sooner, ignoring the fact that my car was still down at that point.

And on that note, you really can't expect numbers to grow every year, when these cars, save for the Evos (Mark exculded), are getting into their teens. Things break, it happens, not everybody can bring their car every year anymore. I know at least 3 people who have broken DSMs that still came to spectate.

Now, this was my first cookout. I've only had this car since April. I have to say, I had an absolute blast. I could easily justify paying more to do this again. If the money's an issue, just up the price, people will still pay it.

curt_gendron · 08-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmspaz

I think a slightly earlier date would help. Quite a few of the DSMers I know on a personal level are college students. EVERY SINGLE ONE had class starting the 25th. There would definitely have been at least a couple more cars there if it had been a week sooner, ignoring the fact that my car was still down at that point.

And on that note, you really can't expect numbers to grow every year, when these cars, save for the Evos (Mark exculded), are getting into their teens. Things break, it happens, not everybody can bring their car every year anymore. I know at least 3 people who have broken DSMs that still came to spectate.

Now, this was my first cookout. I've only had this car since April. I have to say, I had an absolute blast. I could easily justify paying more to do this again. If the money's an issue, just up the price, people will still pay it.

Colleges starting up the next day has always been an issue. But next year there are five weekends in August so we may luck out. The Shootout is the middle weekend. If the Bemidji rally is the last weekend, we can squeeze inbetween. Most schools will probably start later than this. We'll see.

This is the first year the Cookout has declined in numbers. We've had: 23, 42, 55, 75, 100, 113, 137, 142, 166 and now 134. So it is kind of disappointing to see a decline. At least thats what I see when I'm "staring at my clipboard."

later,
Curt

twack · 08-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by curt_gendron

We've had: 23, 42, 55, 75, 100, 113, 137, 142, 166 and now 134

looks like were not that far off from normal, just last year had a great turnout.

Matt D. · 08-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by curt_gendron

This is the first year the Cookout has declined in numbers. We've had: 23, 42, 55, 75, 100, 113, 137, 142, 166 and now 134. So it is kind of disappointing to see a decline. At least thats what I see when I'm "staring at my clipboard."

You tried something new, the two day event, and saw a decline on Sunday. As was said, what about the people that showed up Saturday and not Sunday? I still don't see why not breaking the 166 mark next year would be reason to throw in the towel. Stick with it. We love what you do for the Mitsubishi enthusiasts.

white_4gGT · 08-27-2008

[quote=curt_gendron;253655]
This is the first year the Cookout has declined in numbers. We've had: 23, 42, 55, 75, 100, 113, 137, 142, 166 and now 134. So it is kind of disappointing to see a decline. At least thats what I see when I'm "staring at my clipboard."
/quote]

I really think one big factor is the economy and cost of gas. If you factor that in, I bet you had a great turnout.

I am one of those that couldn't make it but wanted to. Things come up and sometimes things that need attention need to be taken care of.

I am planning on showing up next year.

TkrPerformance · 08-26-2008

mdost03 · 08-26-2008

My car would have been there had it been running, but I still attended. I am sure there were more people in the same situation I was in as well. Don't get rid of the event just because we were short some cars this year. I say we go back to the 1 day event next year and maybe charge a little more for food and everything. $5 seems like a great deal for all you can eat food, but I wouldn't mind even paying $10 just because you get to see a lot of great looking cars and meet a bunch of people you might not have before as well. There are ways to avoid just breaking even or not breaking even at all.

Also, I like the idea of having "competing sponsors" at the event. Doesn't seem fair (IMO) that only 1 shop or dealership can sponsor. I say, the more the merrier. It can only help the event, not hurt it. Plus, the more sponsors, the more potential prizes that can be given away.

I guess what I am trying to say is, DON'T GET RID OF THE ALL-MITSU COOKOUT!

**Kracka** · 08-26-2008

I always like the timing, mid/late August seems to work well since summer is kind of winding down.