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Having attended CAC for 25 yrs or so I have seen all the changes people have mentioned. Vendors did not like it when the State came in looking for their sales tax, that caused a lot of small time vendors to not come anymore, even the big boy part suppliers changed their way of doing business offering order now, get the show discount but the part will be sent to you. Online sales have made vendors say, why bother going all the way to Carlisle when we can do it all online. Along with the purchasing of newer cars the old car parts sellers were not doing the business they used to do. Even The Big Boy vendors have cut back on showing up to save money in their eyes....to me its foolish not to go to the largest Corvette show going...Hello we are your customers, show up and show us your new items and give us that tiny discount to go along with it.lol. Now lets talk about parking. It was always first come first serve, you would find people arriving at 5 am to get a good spot, I know I have done it too. Then they came out with a reserved spot, it would give you that same spot for the entire weekend and you did not have to get up before the sun rose. It was a good idea but it is also a blessing and curse... People now think its like a condo and very protective of their parking spot. Heaven forbid you cross through it to get to another aisle. We do not own the spot, we just get to park in it. Over the years people, clubs etc have arranged to park or get reserved spaces next to each other, Clubs have asked to rent large Tents that cover their parking area. As Jodi mentioned sometimes the guys who set up the tents are unaware of just where some spots begin and end. I am sure the following year it would be rectified. I know Carlisle is always willing to work any problem out to make things smoother unfortunately for Rich he did not like the spots that were offered as I am sure he enjoyed the spot he had. Carlisle can only do so much to entice a vendor to come and display their ittems. If you go to some of the other brand events at Carlisle you can see the difference between Mfgs. Chrysler and Ford,,,the companies put way more effort into the event than Chevrolet does. So make the best of it as much as you can. while you can I say. It is still the largest Corvette event going, do not let the little things get to you....ok I am off my soapbox
Pete, all you say is pretty much true. EXCEPT....in 2022, we were assured it was for just that one time and only because the tent guys put the tent over too far. For us, it was no issue at all to move over. BUT, to get a call in January or February of THIS year, telling us that our spot wasn't available that we had already paid for before we left in 2022??? And then tell us that we could sit with that club under THEIR tent? What the heck am I paying $160 for then? We were only offered ONE spot. ONE. Facing guest relations. Parking on the gravel. And then we find out about 3 weeks later after we cancelled everything that a buddy of ours got a spot in the same row as we were, and on the other side of the club. My point is, Carlisle KNEW our spot was paid for. And instead of telling the club to move the other direction, or to opt for maybe a smaller tent, they chose to just take our spot to please the club. There is NO justification for it. None. No spin to put on it to make it better. It wasn't a "sometimes things happen beyond our control" thing. That was what happened in 2022. And we were fine with it. But having dealt with the issue in 22, they knew the problem existed and should have figured something else out without denying a loyal patron what he paid for. They blew it. No excuses.
But , on the bright side, I saved the $160 for my spot, $380 for two scooter rentals for 2 days, turnpike fees, $600 in hotel fees, plus the hundreds spent at the show for food and drinks, etc. at the show and around town. I came out the winner and I'm headed for the beach instead of sweating under a canopy for three days.
Things are shaping up nicely for Installation Alley!!! Wheels, Exhausts, Body Kits, Detailing...everything done on-site and while you enjoy the show!!
Can't wait for August!!
I will have all of the available installers posted in the next week or two. We never post anything until the event directory is ready and available, which is in the works as we speak! I can tell you A&A will be back. As far as the others, they will be listed very soon! Just finalizing contracts and confirmations.
Sounds like you were offered my old spot! They asked me to relocate this year to accommodate another group (you maybe?), which I did.
I've had it for the past 4 or 5 years and actually thought it was a pretty good spot, close to grandstand, swap meet, food court, etc...
The spots in the gravel are no longer going to be used for Fun Field at all so it wouldn't have been offered to anyone. They were difficult to sell so we needed to find a better use for that area. You were one of the few! I appreciate your help when we made that decision!! There are going to be times when our field changes for one reason or another and adjustments will need to be made, but we always do our best to make it a smooth transition.
Thanks for the clarification, Jodi! You've always been super to deal with.
Another reason I liked the gravel (I know, I'm the odd ball!) if it rained, you didn't have to deal with mud!
Looking forward to my 31st or 32nd trip to C@C! Only missed a handful since '84!
06-27-2023, 03:53 PM
I appreciate your help when we made that decision!! There are going to be times when our field changes for one reason or another and adjustments will need to be made, but we always do our best to make it a smooth transition.
