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.

[ThinAir]

Grandkids made my life a whole lot busier and made it more of a challenge to get to things.

For me there is something magical about the Red Rock Classic and I wouldn't miss it [well actually I missed Torey, UT but I was wearing the shirt that day in France and hanging around with Johannes so it was a remote RRC ;-) ]. It's just a drive and a lot of parking lot time, but it's perfect for that area.

I will always regret that I did not make WCR 2005 because my car wasn't running, but I made it to WCR 2009 and had a blast. I've made it to WCR at Portland and Medford as well. I used to do Rt 66, but decided RRC & WCR are more important to me.

To me, WCR 2009 (Irvine/Lancaster) and WCR 2011 (Medford) were perfect events - lots of parking lot time, great drives, and a great track event added on at one end. The chance to cut loose and just drive my car is really special and I just don't get the opportunity because PCA does most their stuff in this area down in Phoenix and I just can't get myself motivated for it. Of the two WCRs, Medford gets my nod for best event because it was well planned and the drive was very well led.

The time required for WCR gets to be a factor for me, Oregon is a long way to go without just making a vacation out of it (which is what we did for Medford). Unfortunately this is going to be tougher in the future because we lost radiator fans in our Eurovan Camper on both occasions that we've towed the 914 across Nevada and my DW says no more towing (I'm going to look into an add-on tranny cooler).

Going to these events has really enriched my experience of being on this forum. There is nothing like meeting someone face-to-face. Yes, it's a 914 event, and driving is an important aspect, but it's really about the people. I go as often as my overall circumstances will allow.

Thanks for asking Joe - looking forward to seeing you at RRC 2012 in beautiful Beaver, Utah!