Gathering, Long post with a question. Options

[JoeSharp]

Gathering, why aren’t we getting the participation that we should be? We have over 14,000 members now. I can’t say as all of the last 4 or 5 events that we have had here I have considered flops as far as numbers go. I don’t understand it.
One of the reasons I enjoy gathering so much is the Brainstorming. I feel that it is very important because, we as creative individuals will be turning ourselves lose into Mother Nature’s realties in a creation of our own invention. Brainstorming with anyone that can get themselves to an event and adding their IQ to mine, I am sure that the total will be at least an IQ of 120. And who knows, they may have a totally different insight into what you are thinking about.
Just because you are here you are a unique individual. You have an affair with a car that even Volkswagen pushed off on Porsche. And for years Porsche owners have looked down on us and treated us like they had something shoved down their throat.
No matter who you are, you will find Respect at our gatherings. You will find unique individuals like yourself, interested in the same things as all of the other unique individuals there.
So my question is how can we reverse the trend and get more people to come to our gatherings?
Sorry about the long post.

[aircooledtechguy]

I think lately anyway, the economy has played a big part in folks turning out for at least the larger events like WCR here in the west coast. Folks are tending to hold their $$$ closer right now. Going to an event cost real money especially if it's way out of town.

I can say that up in the PNW, we have quite a good bunch of folks who get together fairly regularly. Our Teener Tuesdays are a lot of fun. What keeps these good, besides the fun folks, is that they cost only gas money and maybe a few bucks for food or beer to share. Basically there are no real expectations at the occasional GTGs; it's all brainstorming (is that the new word for BS'ing)

The thing that keeps people away is last minute event planning. The bigger the event, the more planning is needed and thus a longer lead time. People need to feel like there is going to be some organization to any event or enthusiasm will not build and the numbers will be down.