2018 POCI
 

Thinking about going for the first time, what do I need to do, some kind of registration or something?

Yes you do need to register: https://secure.poci.org/POCI_Annual_...gistration.cfm

Do you need to do the $65 convention registration also just to be a spectator?

Is there a way to see the schedule of events? Went to the link and there doesn't seem to be any way to check and see what is going on during daily at the convention. I may not be able to make the whole thing.

No need for a registration if you are a spectator. If you want to participate in any of the events then you need to register.

POCI tends to keep the details of the schedule hidden unless you register which is unfortunate. In their Smoke Signals magazine they will talk about the events but not the details of when they occur.

Lodging Recommendations
 

Planning to attend the convention (as a spectator or registered attendee)?

Since this thread has such a broad title, I would like to recommend two mom-n-pop motels (one of which my dad, wife, and I will be at) that are worthy of your commerce

1. http://www.blackhawkmotel.com/

2. http://www.indiantrailmotel.com/

These are across the street from each other and are about a 5 minute drive from the host hotel called the Chula Vista (which is already full, BTW).

These family-owned destinations are not part of some corporate-owned chain and therefore will FEEL your commerce. Support them.

Mike, last I heard, the schedules and convention booklets are being mailed within a week. I presume once someone receives his copy, it is likely that the events could be scanned and uploaded to this thread... Plus, the club website (POCI.org) will probably post that info, too.

No doubt about secrecy! Found that out years ago.....

I haven't been to a POCI meet since 2001 (I've been to 2 of them). At that time, IIRC, the whole schedule was published and made available so a guy could figure out what days to attend.

I guess I'll consider booking a room in the Dells for the days I think I can make and decide on registering after I can see a schedule.

I can't believe that there aren't lots of folks like me that want to see the schedule before sending their money in.

You're taking your car and wanting to only be there for certain times?

:confused:

The schedule will be published on the POCI website February 15. It is not a secret.

Spectators do not need to register. Keep in mind, Wisconsin Dells has a ton of hotel/motels/water parks. Several "mom & pop" places near Chula Vista. Since the convention is during the week, Jun 24-28, there should be rooms available at most places.

As a preview, here is one of the items that will be in your goody bag if you register. Kind of a nice memento to remember the event.

PM me for further details. Our Badger State Chapter and God's Country Pontiac Association are the two clubs that co-sponsor the event along with POCI.

Dick, are non-POCI spectators allowed in now?

:confused:

I was convention co-ordinator for the 2017 convention at Texas Motor Speedway. If you are going to hang out at the convention you need to register
for the event and pay the registration fee. You also need to be a member of POCI to attend. The average Pontiac enthusiast has no clue what it costs to put on
a POCI convention. The budget to put one of these on is about 100,000 dollars.
The fees for the registration, tours and banquets pay for putting on the event.
You are supposed to have on your convention credentials lanyard to partake of
any events at a POCI convention. The POCI convention is for the benefit of paying members, not the general public who want to sneak around the event for free. The same is true for Good Guys, an Autorama car show etc. You have to pay if you want to play.

So if I wanted to check out the swap meet, and the show cars, I wouldn't be allowed, as a non POCI member? This is the same cr@p that happened to me years ago. Nothing has changed. Sounds like the POCI of years ago, that many complained about. Not the "newer, friendlier" POCI that some are trying to sell.

It's not a question of being friendly........it is the cold hard facts of the cost
involved in putting on the event. If the event offers you nothing that you think
is good enough to spend your money on or join the organization for, then POCI
is not for you and that is fine, whatever floats your boat. To spend 100K on an event then allow everyone to just partake of everything for free would be financial suicide.

No one said "everything for free". I didn't want to do trips, or meals, or seminars, or meetings, etc. Not even hang around the motel.
Do the vendors at the swap meet get instructions to "check for membership", before you take someone's money for parts?

the swap meet and car show are for paying event goers. If you are sneaky
and determined, perhaps you won't get caught and escorted off the premises,
but don't be surprised if that happens.

John, I live close enough I could go down for a day and still drive home that night.

It's only a 2.5 hour drive.

I've only got so much vacation time and most of it is already committed.

The way the convention is scheduled - everything during the weekdays - that makes it a week's vacation to do the whole deal. For myself, I could probably devote 2 days to the convention this year.

It's my problem - not anyone else's - so I'm interested to see the schedule so that I can pick which 2 days to come for.

On a different note....

As far as non POCI members being able to come and see the show...

My wife and I were members and were there for most all of the events when it was hosted by the Tomahawk Chapter in 2001 at Treasure Island, but my brother from Florida flew in and he and my sister's family were able to bring my dad down to enjoy his last car show before he passed on. Basically there was a van full of non members that had access to view the cars both inside and out. I really don't remember there being a requirement to be a registered convention member to see the show. It was 17 years ago, maybe there was a daily admission charge, but I really don't think there was.

As to the costs involved in running a national convention - I was a committee member for the GTOAA show held at the same venue that year - so I fully understand the $$$'s involved.

I don't mind paying the $65.00 to register for the show if there are actually things I can attend and participate that require registration.

Sounds like an organization that everyone would want to join!:gag: Do they employ local police do the escorting?

I'm a life member of the Studebaker Drivers Club. We also have national meets, held in various cities around the country. If the general public want's to walk the show car field, they are more than welcome. If the general public want's to walk the swap meet, maybe buy some parts or shirts, they are more than welcome. They want to check out the displays in the host hotel? More than welcome.
You would be surprised how many new members we get after a national meet. But I guess POCI isn't interested, things must be fine status quo.

Have Fun!

It's not like that...non-members can certainly walk around and look at the cars, and probably go through the swap meet as well without any issues. You do need to be registered for other events being held during the convention like seminars, etc.

That's actually how I joined the club way back in 1982, when the convention was held in Bloomington, MN. Since I wasn't yet a member I left my Bonneville out in the visitor's parking lot, but I walked in, checked out the cars and talked to some people, and eventually I found the sign-in table and joined right there.

Stuart

Thank's for verifying my recollection of visitors at a POCI convention being welcomed to attend to see the show and swap. That was my belief for the 1996 show that I attended down in Moline, IL, but I knew that my family did at the Treasure Island show in 2001.

I don't think that anyone here wants to cheat the hosting chapter out of any duly earned money by "sneaking" into the "registrants only" parts of the convention.

The annual POCI convention is a draw for future members, if the show and swap are open to all.

Here here!

I let my POCI membership lapse a couple years ago but I'm going to rejoin for a year basically just to attend this convention and likely get a swap meet space. I have family in the area so no need for a hotel and all the meal expenses.

Boy things have changed since my chapter put on a convention. $100K ! Maybe but you should be able to do it much more reasonably. Did you say $65 just to walk around the car show or flea market? Does that include the $39 you have to pay to become a member? How do you draw locals/non members who might want to join? I haven't been to a lot of convention but I have been to about 10 and no one ever asked me to prove I belonged there except showing a ticket for some special function. Most areas in these locations are open to the general public anyway. The host hotel isn't going to throw you out. You might be there for some other business. I thought these conventions were to bring Pontiac fans together for fun and sharing info not to make POCI/ chapter a ton of money.

I have spoken with the POCI board of directors members in charge of the
putting on the convention each year. They have clarified to me that in a hotel
setting they have no way to police the car show or swap meet areas so non paying spectators can access the show and swap meet. All things going on inside the hotel are out of bounds. In last years convention it was held at the
race track and race track personnel only let paid convention goers into the track
for insurance purposes, so I was correct in what I said regarding last years meet but not the 2018 meet.

You just pointed out why the convention fees are so high. If everyone that went to the convention paid their fair share, the fees could be a lot lower.
The convention is so POCI members can come together, not every Pontiac owner who wants to sneak in for free. Personally and this is just my opinion
not that of POCI, if I paid to go to a convention and followed the rules and traveled a 1,000 miles to get there and had a weeks worth of hotel bills and some local guy got to the swap meet when it opened without paying anything and bought that part I had been desperately seeking right before I got there, I would be super pissed and for good reason. Just food for your thought.

No secret for the 2018 POCI Convention Schedule of Events.... we just got it finalized this week! You can register for the convention at: https://secure.poci.org/POCI_Annual_...gistration.cfm

Here is the Schedule of Events, as of 2/15/18: call Paul at the POCI club office at 763-479-2111 if you have any questions

Sunday, June 24
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Early Bird Registration Open

Monday, June 25
7:00 am Board of Directors Breakfast
8:00 am Board of Directors Annual Meeting
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Registration Open (closed for lunch Noon-1:00 pm)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Swap Meet setup and Open
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Tech Inspection Open (closed for lunch Noon-1:00 pm)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Driving Tour #1
8:20 am – 4:00 pm Driving Tour #2
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Harley Davidson Museum Motor Coach Tour
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Driving Tour #3
9:30 am – 4:00 pm Circus World Museum/Ringling Mansion Tour
10:00 am - Noon Ride the Ducks Boat Ride
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Shopping & Antiques Tour
11:00 am – 4:00 pm Driving Tour #4
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ride the Ducks Boat Ride
7:00 pm Convoy To Big Sky Drive-In (Movies start at dusk)

Tuesday, June 26
7:30 am – 5:00 pm Driving Tour #1
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Registration Open (closed for lunch Noon-1:00 pm)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Swap Meet Open
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Tech Inspection Open (closed for lunch Noon-1:00 pm)
(Last day for Points Judge)
8:30 am – 11:00 am Oakland Breakfast
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Harley Davidson Museum Motor Coach Tour
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Driving Tour #2
9:30 am – 4:00 pm Circus World Museum/Ringling Mansion Tour
9:30 am – 5:00 pm Driving Tour #3
10:00 am - Noon Ride the Ducks Boat Ride
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Shopping & Antiques Tour
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Don Meyer Seminar
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Early Times Chapter Meeting
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Street Rod/Modified Chapter Meeting
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ride the Ducks Boat Ride
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Judges Training Meeting
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Custom Safari Chapter Meeting
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Hot Laps at Dells Raceway Park
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm GMC Chapter Meeting
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm PCPV Chapter Meeting
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm POCI Welcome Night

Wednesday, June 27
6:30 am Judge’s Breakfast-Chula Vista host hotel
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Registration Open (closed for lunch Noon-1:00 pm)
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Points Judged Car Show
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Swap Meet Open
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Tech Inspection Open (closed for lunch Noon-1:00 pm)
(Popular Vote and Road Warrior only)
9:00 am -10:00 am Firebird Chapter Meeting
9:00 am – 10:00 am Overhead Cammers Meeting
10:00am – 11:00 am Little Indians Meeting
10:00am – 11:30 am Grand Prix Chapter Meeting
10:00 am - Noon Ride the Ducks Boat Ride
10:30 am – 1:30 pm Road Warrior Cruise
11:00 am – Noon Tim Dye Seminar
11:00 am – Noon Cruisin’ Tigers Chapter Meeting
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Alex Beloff III Seminar
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ride the Ducks Boat Ride
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Happy Hour Chapter Night Banquet
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Chapter Night Banquet

Thursday, June 28
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Popular Vote Car Show
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Points Judge displaying Vehicles
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Swap Meet Open
9:00 am – 10:00 am Protest Period for Popular Vote Vehicles
10:00am – 1:00 pm Popular Voting
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Happy Hour Awards Banquet
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Awards Banquet

I won't be attending, so maybe should have no opinion, but food for thought:

The swap meet is a result of vendors that travel large distances with (generally) large trailers of material for sale. At the dozen or so POCI conventions I attended prior to the GMC fiasco, swap meet vendors were required to pay for their spaces. It would seem that if the vendors pay for their spaces, then customers should get in to the swap meet area free. If you are going to charge the customers, then the swap spaces should be free. By requiring customers to pay, POCI reduces the value of the swap meet for the vendors, especially the professional vendors.

Again, won't be going, even though I have several truck-loads of Pontiac stuff to sell; some of which is one of one (known).

Have no issue with fees for the tech sessions, banquet, etc.

Jon.

Many opinions. I have contacted POCI to clarify whether spectators can attend the convention to view the cars, swap meet, etc. When I get the answer, I'll share it on this thread.

Dick, go back and read all my posts. I already talked to the people on the POCI board of directors in charge of the convention. There is no policing of the car show and swap meet in a hotel setting due to the impossibility of the task.
Credentials will be checked at all events held inside the hotel. At the 2017 POCI
convention where I was the co-ordinator for the host chapter, the show was at
the race track and there was one gate where you could enter and credentials were checked. This was due to track insurance regulations.

I did read your posts and understand your position. I've been a POCI member for nearly 40 years. I've witnessed people at conventions who don't display their cars, but participate in the rest of the events (free food, entertainment, etc) They're too cheap to pay the registration fee. I've also had friends & relatives visit me at POCI conventions and walk around the grounds, looking at the cars and swap meet area. I never gave a thought to the fact that they hadn't paid to register. I would likely not be a member if that was handled differently.

Bottom line--some of the people who attend and don't pay are future POCI members, some are freeloaders. That's not going to change. As some have said, vendors at the swap area would not be happy if we prohibited non-paying visitors from buying parts.

Enough sour grapes on this issue. Hopefully we'll have direction from POCI on how to handle this at our 2018 convention.

A-men.

Now submit your vacation requests at work and no matter what it is, plan to DRIVE your Freedom Machine to Wis. Dells at the end of June!

...besides, if you are the long-distance DRIVEN (registered) attendee, you're going home with a RediRad - my way of encouraging people to DRIVE 'em, make memories, and kill bugs.

Sorry! That ain't what was said. What was said, is that I would be escorted off the property, if I was found without credentials. At the swap meet, or on the show car field. Real welcoming club they have there.

Don't worry, I won't try to "sneak " in. Between the razor wire, and the armed guards, I wouldn't stand a chance. Not even mentioning the patrols every 20 minutes they probably conduct. Or the German Shepards.....:p

Just wondering how POCI get's new members to join. Word of mouth? That's been working well the last few years, eh? Lot's of PO'd people, from what I understand.....
Showing a non member what the clubs all about, maybe letting a non member walk the swap meet? ABSOLUTELY NOT! AIN'T HAPPENING! YOU WILL BE ESCORTED OUT!
I remember a few years ago, a POCI board member came on here, trying to sign up new members. I told him of my interaction with the people running the Grand Rapids MI event umpteen years ago. He basically said "that's the old way, that's the old group, that doesn't happen anymore, we're a bunch of friendly folks, give us another try." It would appear that person was "either misinformed, or lying through their teeth"., because it appears, that it's "business as usual".

Well said, Jon. POCI needs to recover their cost's, at the least. Make a profit? Not a problem.
But to say "you'll be escorted off", because you want to walk around, and see the show cars, or maybe buy a part at the swap meet ,just doesn't sit right.

Duly noted. So they would, if they could, but they can't, so they wont.

I've Always thought of it as supporting the hobby. I know some that FreeLoad.

I think you misunderstood my post.

I thought it was ludicrous that someone posted that someone would be escorted off the Chula Vista property for simply looking at cars or going through the swap area.

I've got your back on this one.... ;)

You can't make that assumption........they have NEVER tried to police the swap meet
or car show for spectators in a hotel setting. Last year it was a requirement by the race track for insurance purposes, so that confused me. Sorry, I'm not perfect. Quit trying to make POCI look bad. If you want to go for free then have at it. Nobody is going to stop you. I don't know if I'm going or not, but if I do go I will
be paying the 65.00 registration fee.

What a bunch of cry babies. Most of you will never bother to show up anyway yet you want to b_tch about what might be. Get a life. This whole entitlement mentality is why we have so many problems in society today. Everyone feels like they should get all the benefits regardless of their contribution. Get a clue - life doesn’t work that way outside of Obama and Pelosi’s world. Sorry if this p_sses you off, but your something for nothing attitude sucks.

My Mama always said if you can’t say something nice, keep your mouth shut. My recommendation is to join POCI and support the car make you love or move on and visit your local multi-make car show.

Thank You!:D
It is ludicrous to think that. You would hope an organization actively seeking new members wouldn't be that way. But that's what I heard years ago, and that's what I heard yesterday. Sounds like the same ol' same ol'....:rolleyes:

Already said I won't be there, but Thank You for the offer, none the less....

Perfect. Your avatar says it all - some bitter guy sitting behind a keyboard. We’ll be sure to post plenty of pictures so you can see what could have been....

I'll be looking for them! Thanks!

This is what you originally posted:

"I was convention co-ordinator for the 2017 convention at Texas Motor Speedway. If you are going to hang out at the convention you need to register
for the event and pay the registration fee. You also need to be a member of POCI to attend. The average Pontiac enthusiast has no clue what it costs to put on a POCI convention. The budget to put one of these on is about 100,000 dollars.The fees for the registration, tours and banquets pay for putting on the event.

You are supposed to have on your convention credentials lanyard to partake of
any events at a POCI convention. The POCI convention is for the benefit of paying members, not the general public who want to sneak around the event for free. The same is true for Good Guys, an Autorama car show etc. You have to pay if you want to play."

Just because the convention that you were part of was held in a private setting, YOU assumed the exact opposite of what has been the general practice at all other conventions.

It was you that was trying to make POCI look bad. Simple Man never said he wanted to partake of any part of the convention that was not open to the general public.

I didn't attend the POCI convention in TX. Now knowing how restrictive it was, I'm glad I didn't attend.

I don't want POCI excluding the general public from getting to go see the cars. I hope they never host another convention that operates in that fashion.

I wouldn't object to a nominal "car show" fee as that is commonplace for many large shows. But to limit the car show to fully registered convention participants was just plain wrong.

I registered for Chula Vista a few months ago and paid the $65, as did my two friends that are going with us with their cars.

If you want to see the schedule of events, look at the POCI.org website, it's not secret.

POCI does not discourage non-members from attending the car show and swap meet. That is according to POCI officials. If someone wants to participate in the convention further than that, they must be a POCI member and pay the registration fee.

Thanks for the clarification, Dick. That's not what I was led to believe for a long time, and that was reinforced just a few days ago. However, the retraction was made. To me, anyway, any group that is trying to increase membership would be committing suicide, basically, if they tried to discourage the general public from seeing what the group is about.

THANKS, CHAMP!:)
You said it better than I could ever have said it. POCI can run their national conventions any way they see fit. But why shoot yourself in the foot, by excluding the public, and maybe future members, by being hardnosed about "everyone must pay, for any event we hold". Several have said that's not the policy, whether it was in the past doesn't matter. Maybe they're seeing the light.

You're pretty good! Got me all figured out, just from my avatar. But you forgot the rest of it. You know, the part about living in my mom's basement, and my job at Burger King. If you're going to bad mouth me, against your mom's advice, at least get it right!:rolleyes:

Man I can't wait for winter to end, this site is a real bitch fest as of late.
You phuckers need to get away from your keyboards.

So sad...