TheSamba.com :: View topic - WinterJam 2010: Volkswagen Festival - Daytona, FL Feb 18-21

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:43 pm

Grand_Pooh-bah wrote: P.S. You are a KICK ASS Friend to me and everyone else here in the MIA! DON'T FORGET IT! Thanks for the kind words and I pride myself on being a good person. I have a pretty thick skin and don't get pissed easily. I don't like people saying we squeezed people for money or were making excuses. Believe me I take these comments and try to improve the event for next year. It's the comments and the way they are presented and whom they are presented by that get me thinking WTF. I have and always have supported you guys.........Shit I was there when we all had hair :lol: . I also was there when we rolled MVD in the 80's. With the growth we had and the amount of cars we would need an army. Winterjam has a staff of 5 total! It is a labor of love not a money making business. Hopefully we can pull off 2011 but without funding it may not be possible.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:46 pm

wide5guy wrote: Grand_Pooh-bah wrote: P.S. You are a KICK ASS Friend to me and everyone else here in the MIA! DON'T FORGET IT! Thanks for the kind words and I pride myself on being a good person. I have a pretty thick skin and don't get pissed easily. I don't like people saying we squeezed people for money or were making excuses. Believe me I take these comments and try to improve the event for next year. It's the comments and the way they are presented and whom they are presented by that get me thinking WTF. I have and always have supported you guys.........Shit I was there when we all had hair :lol: . I also was there when we rolled MVD in the 80's. With the growth we had and the amount of cars we would need an army. Winterjam has a staff of 5 total! It is a labor of love not a money making business. Hopefully we can pull off 2011 but without funding it may not be possible. P.S. I'd pay 10 bucks to cruise around with you guys anyways......although a cash prize would be nice 8)

Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:01 pm

Nuff said, get to work, you have less than a year to get ready. 8)

That's All Folks!

Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:47 pm

OK, handshakes and group hugs all around. Next topic.... [-o<

Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:18 am

wide5guy wrote: .. I, for one don't think the whole weekend should be planned. Let people do as they wish ...

This is how we attend shows. Do what we want and hit the events when/if we want. If you don't like an event, go find or start your own party. I can't speak to DD as we never made it there but we had a blast everyday and everynight regardless.

Good job and thanks again to those who worked to put this weekend together.

P.S. I like the idea of a main street thing on Friday

Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:27 am

Does anyone know a good therapist? I am still somewhat new to the VW scene, but I have come to realize that as with anything, you can't make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time. There are issues with every single show you attend whether it is east coast or west coast. My wife and I got involved with this community to grow friendship and we have been extremely lucky to have meet some wonderful people. We as a group need to let the "small" mishaps roll off our backs and enjoy the broad spectrum of events that each show offers.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:36 am

RAMZROD wrote: Lo Cash John wrote: Keep in mind that with the Bus show and VolksJamboree being FREE to spectators there are very limited chances for the promoter to make money on this weekend.

:roll: If the purpose of these events is to make money, then it must be run like a business. Hire staff and pay your volunteers.

An event of this caliber should not depend on spectator fees to make their money. Money should be made from the sponsors. There's only so much you can squeeze out of spectators before they "choose" their events or don't participate at all.

If its going to be run like a business, then you should expect to pay to get
in like you would for any other car event that is run by a business. All west
coast shows that are run buy businesses have a $15 cover charge. All UK Shows
that are run by business have fees from 15 pounds to 85 pounds per weekend.
We would have no problem paying staff if we were actually making money.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:40 am

Lo Cash John wrote: Actually I was there Friday night. But, we got there at 8:50pm as the band was breaking down and I agree that was as total disaster for whatever reason. My feelings are that all those who paid $5 for 20 minutes of a so called crappy band need to contact the promoter ( Joe AT VolksVision.Com ) and let their feelings/complaints be known.

There party started @ 7PM & was supposed to go to 11pm. You werent
paying $5 just to see a band play John. There was also a DJ that played
for 4 hours, plus there were cars & people too. Friday night is not about
the band.

I got there at 7pm and the issues I seen had nothing to do with the band.
100's of people were congrated outside the pavillion from 7pm onward &
just didnt feel like paying $5 to get it. This was way before a band even
got on stage.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:42 am

RAMZROD wrote: Do what you have to do CASH, in the end the public will decide. I think the Friday night party proved it already. If $5 wasn't such an issue, then that pavilion would have been jamb packed instead of everyone parking outside and later ditching.

Well thats just ashame Ramsey. You'll support BugJam with a $5 entry fee
& $2 parking fee, but dont think WinterJam is worth supporting for $5 one night? :twisted:

Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:48 am

RAMZROD wrote: When did this turn into $5 for WinterJam? Wasn't the $5 for the Friday party?

Its $5 for WinterJam because all of the events work together under 1 roof
by one promotion group. Some events loose money, others have to carry
them. Its just how it works...

BUS SHOW
The Bus Show looses money every year. Its because theres no way to make
enough money to cover the venue costs. The Venue is super expensive.

DYNO
The dyno loses money as well. We only charged $35 in advance to Dyno
your vehicle. The Dyno company charged us $60 per vehicle.

PARTY
Destination Daytona was free the 1st year, because the Venue paid for
everything. This year we paid for everything. We couldnt afford to lose
money on the Bus Show, The Dyno & the Friday Night Party.

VOLKS JAMBOREE
Is the only show that actually has made any money, and it carries the other
events that are loosing money each year.

By charging $5 at the Party Friday night, we were trying to raise money to
help pay for WinterJam in general, not just the party!!!

Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:58 am

wj32796 wrote: wide5guy wrote: RAMZROD wrote: wide5guy wrote: RAMZROD wrote: Do what you have to do CASH, in the end the public will decide. I think the Friday night party proved it already. If $5 wasn't such an issue, then that pavilion would have been jamb packed instead of everyone parking outside and later ditching. Here's what I'm refering too. If the scene won't support events then they simply won't happen. I agree the band was'nt the greatest so there was less incentive to enter. But mention about enthusists being squeezed is BS! You tell me of a show where there is as much bang for the buck.........

Actually Bill, what's BS is to take a day off of work on Friday to enjoy the pre-party and come to find out that no one is going inside. I'm sure is was a surprise for the majority to know of the cover charge and more of a surprise for you guys wondering why no one wanted to come inside. "Word" got around of such a great party from last year that many made it a point to make it this year. I believe if everyone was aware of the cover charge in advance, you guys would have filled it up. As far as the squeezed comment goes, interpret as you wish. I don't think that comment was directed to bash. It was just a simple observation. Overall I had a great time this year and in the past years as well. If you would have come inside you would have known we were at capacity as far as cars are concerned. We would'nt be able to host anything at Destination next year because of that and our relationship with them was already strained. If it's BS then do me a favor and don't come next year at all! Obviously you are in the minority here. Yes there will be bumps in the road but thats how events like this are formed. You try stuff and if it works you go with it. If not then it goes away. I, for one don't think the whole weekend should be planned. Let people do as they wish ....shit I'd like to hang out myself. But this "BS" about driving up and being dissapointed is a joke. Plus it has been advertised for months on the website. Hey I register at your event and pay to drive on public streets and sit in traffic. For what? Because I support what your doing.......Get it? ](*,)

Soooo, it was advertised to last till midnight, and it was over at 9:00 oclock, even one of the promoters was leaving when the band packed up at 9:00. With all that said and done you wouldnt be dissapointed if you were expecting it to last to midnight, like it was advertised for months on the flyers and website? Really, not just a little bit dissapointed?

Actually it was advertised til going til 11pm. Destination Daytona (vevue)
shut it down at 10:30pm.

This was out of our hands. Dont bitch about 30 minutes.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:07 am

vujade wrote: DYNO
The dyno loses money as well. We only charged $35 in advance to Dyno
your vehicle. The Dyno company charged us $60 per vehicle.

That's a shame. I was ready to cough up $50 but got there late! :(

Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:26 am

I would like to thank everyone who came out & supported WinterJam this year.
It doesnt matter whether you showed your car, vended or swapped, or just
came to support the show & have a good time, it was appreciated by all :)

Also, I would like to thank the following people who made it all happen:

KREW/STAFF/VOLUNTEERS
Bill Dwyer
Chris Nowviskie
John Jones
Kathy Jacobs & family
Chadd Magee
Bubba Corsi
James Lai
Robert Adams
Bradley Neitsche
Dee Gilbreath
NY Mike

Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:34 am

Bill it was my first time doing Winter Jam. We got there thursday, aside from the cold and not bringing a thicker jacket i had a blast the whole weekend. I hit every event except the H2o and skate events. Sunday was great, a little stressful getting into the venue, but that's to be expected. Maybe next year you have two lines, with a couple of more people helping out. (I have no problem lending a hand.) The venue was great and i scored a few good deals in the swaps.

Definitely ready to do it again next year!

Jeff
Spanish Flea

Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:10 am

DUBDAWG WROTE: My wife and I got involved with this community to grow friendship and we have been extremely lucky to have meet some wonderful people. <<<<< swingers! sssshhhhhhhhh!!!!

DUBDAWG WROTE: We as a 'group' need to let the "small" mishaps roll off our backs and enjoy the broad spectrum of events that each 'show' offers. <<<<<<<see what I mean! shhhhhhhh! :twisted:

Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:21 am

ratlookvw wrote: DUBDAWG WROTE: My wife and I got involved with this community to grow friendship and we have been extremely lucky to have meet some wonderful people. <<<<< swingers! sssshhhhhhhhh!!!!

DUBDAWG WROTE: We as a 'group' need to let the "small" mishaps roll off our backs and enjoy the broad spectrum of events that each 'show' offers. <<<<<<<see what I mean! shhhhhhhh! :twisted:
Your just upset you haven't been "invited" to join the group, we only allow married couples Chadd, unless your from Colorado (Kevin at KCW) then you have exempt status. Don't hate the players, hate the game!
Just ask Bill & Bubba. :o

Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:40 am

I don't mind paying a spectator fee for any/all of the events WJ weekend. We make the drive from Tampa and stay from Thursday to Sunday and we look forward to it far more than Bug Jam which is about 30 minutes from our house.

I'd even pay $25 for a spectator "badge" that gets me in to all of the events WJ weekend, just to watch. Then pay extra to participate in whatever events I want.

I think most everybody would pay for the events, because they are worth it. People paying to come in would surely increase your bottom line and allow you some extra money to make some events even better (such as the BBCruise).

In any area, you'll find people that will bitch about paying for something, but I think they will be the small majority.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:08 pm

Joe, I've got no beef with paying $5 bucks for anything. I just want people to know if they feel like they didn't get their money's worth to let it be known. I do wish Friday night had been rockin' like it was last year. That night was worth $10+ at the door.

While everyone may not agree, WJ needs to make money every year. Period. The venues are bitchin' but since they're public access I don't know how you can do it. You are right though, pretty much every west coast show has a spectator fee. I'm sure if Bug-O-Rama Productions had WJ, they'd make it $15 per person to get in.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:01 pm

I wonder what all the retailer's at the Saturday show would do without the extra 100's upon 100's of extra people there that day? Seems a way for the WJ organization to get a "kick back" to help alleviate the costs. But, I'm no politician. And hell, the Alte Schule guys supported the Roach Motel on their own! Bless your hearts guys....
I'm gonna google grants and the like...there has to be an out that helps all involved.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:36 pm

Spanish Flea wrote: Bill it was my first time doing Winter Jam. We got there thursday, aside from the cold and not bringing a thicker jacket i had a blast the whole weekend. I hit every event except the H2o and skate events. Sunday was great, a little stressful getting into the venue, but that's to be expected. Maybe next year you have two lines, with a couple of more people helping out. (I have no problem lending a hand.) The venue was great and i scored a few good deals in the swaps.

Definitely ready to do it again next year!

Jeff
Spanish Flea Thanks Jeff and I've got your cooler waiting. You going to lakeland?