[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

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

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.

[The Champ]

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.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by The Champ

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!

[63 Pontiac]

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.

[Goatracer1]

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.

[gtohurstjudge]

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.

[gtohurstjudge]

Originally Posted by Goatracer1

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.

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.

[PontiacOaklandClub]

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

[carbking]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

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.

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.

[Dick Boneske]

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.

[gtohurstjudge]

Originally Posted by Dick Boneske

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.

[Dick Boneske]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

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.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by Dick Boneske

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.

[Simple Man]

Originally Posted by The Champ

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.

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.....

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".

[Simple Man]

Originally Posted by carbking

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.

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.

[Simple Man]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

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.

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

[CDN2PLS2]

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

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

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.

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....

[gtohurstjudge]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

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

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.

[Bentwheelbob]

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.