[DML] My reflections of the show

[kKoncelik@xxxxxxx]

I ususally do this about this time after each show so now that we have all 
the discussion I think now is appropriate.  Here is some of the behind the 
scenes stuff. 

To begin with this show scared me because of two things it was indoors and 
the second the management at the convention center changed 9 times from the 
contract to the actual show.  The last change came 16 days before the show and I 
had to go down to PF and redo the whole show.  The new management knew nothing 
about it.  As you know the Hotel changed management on Tuesday the week of the 
show.  I was having heart failure early.  I never met the two men with the 
grey hair until the day of the show.  They did a great job.

The new team however quickly got things back in order and I actually was 
quite pleased with the way both the hotel and especially the convention center 
came together.  I cannot think of one thing that I asked that they did not do for 
me at the convention center.  This was something I hope you all saw as well.  

I enjoyed for the first time dinner evening, a rarity for me at the show, and 
I think for the massive amount of people we had the registration lines were 
way way down even though the numbers were way up.  I think the most in line was 
about 6 on Thursday.
We needed help Fri and Sat but managed through.  We had 4 people most times 
but needed more not for speed of the line but for our sanity.

This show was a test to see if I could do an indoor show.  It went better 
than expected.

Now the reason for the blue shorts.

You can find me. I found out in Memphis the day I wore the blue shorts I was 
found a lot easier.  I bought 4 more blue shorts. 2 with pockets 2 without 
(never get them without no place for cell phone)  Anyway again it worked if you 
did not know me or had to look for me the guy in the blue shorts was easy to 
find.

Tux was easy too but it got hot quick.

This show was a lot of pressure up to the show but we actually had fun at the 
show.

Most of you will never know the behind the scenes stuff that goes on but it 
is very interesting.

Shows like this just do not happen and the overwhelming majority of you on 
either  the DML or surprisingly the large number of you privately that e-mailed 
all had a great time. I am glad that you did.

Overall we had a schedule to follow for a change and we were pretty much on 
for Thurs and Fri.  Sat we moved Rob to the evening since he had troubles and 
Fred joined him as well.  
that seemed to work out fine.  It gave me a chance to change into my Tux.

A big thanks to Richard Federico he saved my voice.  I have a throat 
condition that if I talk and try to project my voice it dies and it did.

I am going to push for a lot of outside participation this time.  We did not 
get that in PF except Sean Howley did the videos with me for the Dragon run 
and did the test drives. Aaron Posey and Eric Itzel also helped but we needed 
about 10 more people.

All the special guests had a blast and we made a lot of new friends.  They do 
want to come back.

I took a chance with the BTTF and the Turbo but they seemed to work.  I think 
the Turbo would have worked better if Rob had not been detained by technical 
difficulties but he could have packed it up and gone back home but he did not. 
 Thank you Rob.  You all did get a chance to see the three turbos in one 
place the first time you were able to do that.

Jim Prentice was the surprise of the show.  He is a wealth of knowledge and 
we will bring him back.  He appears not to always be politically correct and 
that seems to make things more interesting.

Bob Gales quote helped the T-shirt industry.

Overall I am relieved that this is over, We are positive in cash flow and 
Chicago looks to be an easier venue since the personnel will probably be more 
stable.

Meeting all of you at the show was a real treat and the way you all treated 
me and my family is appreciated.  We were stressed out before the show but 
seeing all your smiling faces helps relax us.

I really want to thank the Nork.  These are 17-20 year olds doing their own 
music and they helped us out in Mempis and PF plus they did some Huey Lewis 
songs for us.  
For being so young they were a pleasure to work with.  They were on time, no 
attitude, relaible and easy to work with.  This meant a lot for us.  

I use music for two things one is timing. It helps control the flow of the 
show and it is like a watch you can adjust.  So entertainment is not my main 
concern,  They are background and for those that did not come for the cars it was 
a nice break.  I talked to many that came along with an owner and just 
chilled out and listened.  

I am surprised at the comments on the music both the good and, well other 
comments.  Being inside gave it more attention. Also I noticed if you liked 
country you liked the country band and vice versa.  Oh well no matter what music 
you get there is so many varieties that you will never please everyone. 

Many people liked the videos.  We played most without sound at the request of 
some of the vendors and people up front (concours and BTTF cars etc).
We now have them digitized so we can use them whenever.  If there is a video 
at a show you like and want to hear let us know and we will set up a remote 
sound.  Basically it was just meant for background.  We never intended to do 
full audio because of comments at other shows.

The web cam died when we got it all set up and it did not work. Then they 
told us it was dial up after we set it up.  DUH technical blunder but we 
survived.  The rear camera did not work so Eric Itzel donated the projector and we did 
our own screen and got that to work last minute. (this was in the vendors 
area)

The vendor section was packed most of the time so I hope you all got all the 
parts you needed.  My thanks to all the vendors for their participation.  We 
were bigger than Memphis by a long shot.

The amount of people was amazing. We did predict 500 if you recall.  I think 
that most of you following the stats know  we hit the numbers right on.  

The display of new vs returning attendees I had to show you that and at the 
Friday dinner it was just about half with new vs old just as predicted.

I was very distrubed by the professional theft of items . I hope you 
appreciated the quick response and openess with which we dealt with the situation.   
We will do security cameras if possible at the next show and I will tell you 
one thing that some will not like and that is that the next show will not have 
free access.  Everyone will have to buy a ticket. I need to control the crowd 
and we will be watching. I have no choice.

Pigeon Forge turned out to be a great location since there were so many thing 
to do.
I feel that if someone were bored then they must be dead and can't move.
I even got some go carting in.

We were really pleased with the food and food service.  They were on time, 
food was hot and we did not run out.  All good things.  And I got to eat each 
night so that was a plus.
We even stopped in to Marty's room the one night a first for us. 

Please notice that drinks were free.  We were able to do that here for you.  
I really dislike having a dinner and having no choice of beverage.  We went 
through 250 bottles of soda or as Marc hates me to say POP.

The speakers kept changing and most of you are not aware of all of the 
switches that happened.
Marvin Katz was supposed to come but a family commitment kept him from being 
there.
He is another amazing historian of the DeLorean.

Jeff Wiesman was the surprise at the show for you all and he was a pleasure 
to work with.  
We became great friends with both Bob Gale and especially Claudia Wells and 
Sebastian.
At Lunch on Sunday we had a chance to clown around a bit and had a blast.  
Claudia will be back.

On the raffle.  I was ready to call it quits at 9:30 if you could not tell.  
I was dying on stage in the tux.  They brought me a lot of water on stage if 
you did not see it in the back.
The raffle actually ended in 35 minutes much to my relief but Bob Gale 
suggested the autction.  Oh well I said whats 10 more minutes.  Well an  hour later 
we had 4 objects gone 
a second car raffled, my daughter cooking dinner and whatever.  I did see a 
lot of laughter in the audience and no one seemed to leave so I take it you 
were well entertained.  I definately got my moneys worth out of the BTTF people.  
Great bunch of people.

As I told Bob Gale, rarely in ones life do you meet someone that is so 
willing to give so much to make others happy as the BTTF crew.  They were wonderful 
and I hope you all enjoyed them. They went above and beyond what they were 
contracted to do. They want to be part of our show in the future.(pun intended)

Anyway I am on stage dying of heat as you noticed I took off my jacket and 
drank about 5 glasses of water.  We ended at 11:33 and then I had to get out of 
the convention center by midnight or we turned into pumpkins. We kinda made it.

Overall things went smooth and this was the hardest show to set up but the 
easiest to run.

No show would be complete without Kathryn DeLorean.  She has been to every 
one since Cleveland and has become a good friend.  We enjoy her at the shows.

I do hope you all took time out to see Pigeon Forge.  As the web page said 
please get out and see the area so I hope the early judging and free time Friday 
and Sunday gave you that opportunity.  

Thanks for your support 
Remember this is YOUR SHOW
if you want to be involved you may
Please Clubs organize something and do it at the show this is what I ask for 
every year.
I am always in need of volunteers,

This is kinda my download on the show and I hope you find it entertaining.

I am not looking for any comments from this its kinda my thought on it.  
Hopefully you get an idea of all that is required and in the future maybe will 
consider helping us put on the best and biggest Delorean event ever.

Ken


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