ACLR810

Hey all, just thought I would pass along to everyone that 2002 may be the last year Bloomington Gold is in Bloomington (again). It seems there are plans of moving it to the Chicago area (as if Chicago needs another Vette show). Our mayor, Judy Markowitz, does not seem to support having the Vette show here. She refuses to provide a $5,000 incentive package to the organizers, even though the show brings in $5,000,000 (yes $5 million) every year in revenue. She considers it a bribe. We lost it once to Springfield because of lack of space, then the Interstate Center brought it back. I really hope it doesn't go away (since I live in Bloomington anyway) but am not holding my breath. There was talk of moving it this year, however since so many reservations and plans are already in place, it will probably stay here for '02. Anyway, just information for anyone interested, let's hear some thoughts on it. Any new news on it I will try to post.
My opinion - :bs

Chuck Gongloff

Does the phrase "cutting off your nose to spite your face" seem to apply here. Chuck (Bloomington Gold Judge for 9 years)

killain

What is with these people? it was moved once already. And I've got news for your mayor, $5.000 is chump change. Our mayor wouldn't hesitate a second over 5.000 dollor incentive package. It's only once a year, what does she want? :confused:

MassVette

Attitudes like hers put most of the industries and military installations below the Mason-Dixon line. But the stupid northern voters KEEP electing these types...
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Easy Mike

I've been to Bloomington and enjoyed it. I have no desire to travel to Chicago for a Corvette show and I suspect I am not alone in my preferences. I think Her Honor is making a mistake. Perhaps you can do some gentle lobbying and bring her to the light.
:)

ACLR810

I caught in the paper today where the final vote for this year should be in by next week, will advise....
The place they are considering is Pheasant Run resort in Chicago suburb. The article said the place is bigger and the Vettes can "park on the golf course" which I am sure the golfers at Pheasant Run are just ecstatic about! :mad
I can see it now, it's gonna be a like a scene out of Caddyshack, the groundskeeper will be blowing up all the Vettes on the course!

Edzred72

Sorry to hear this. Although I've never been down to Bloomington for the shows, and can't comment on it's facilities, Pheasant Run is a beautiful Resort. It is in a far southwest suburb of Chicago. Easily accessable from Innerstate 294 and in an affluent neighborhood. I'm not lobbying for the change, don't get me wrong. I think it should stay in the nameplace of it's title. Yo want for me ta call Vinny..an have him pay dis maya a visit?
make hur an offa she no gonn-a refuse? :jester :jester :jester
Seriously, I think it's a shame to move it. Would a petition signed by vendors, entrants, and enthusists be of any help? I'll sign!! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

Paul Borowski

I cancelled my room out there two months ago!!! I got tired of how they've been saying for years they were going to "pave" the Interstate Center roads. I've been going to Bloomington since 1990 and 2001 was my last year to attend. Took my '75 out in 2000 for the 1975 Silver Salute, and in that "mud bog" we parked in 24 cars showed up!!! Took my '80 out last year for "Survivor" and at least the day it had to be judged it was starting to dry out!!! This year also I believe the Corvette Museum is having the 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration that same weekend!!! Probably will go to that instead. When Bloomington was in Springfield, IL I thought it was the best!!! Plenty of hotels being a "capital" town, great areas to "cruise", and the people of Springfield seemed great!!! Seemed they loved having the show there!!! I believe it was there '93-'97!!! :yesnod:

Tom73

Paul,
I have got to agree with you. The people and business' of Springfield know how to deal with large conventions so they were very capable in handling the attendies of the show there. Really enjoyed the "street party" that the hotel/motes assoc. put on. Nothing like that in Bloomington.

I would love to see it go back to Springfield.

tom...

A C

Another vote for Springfield. I liked the layout better at the fairgrounds...and they had trees for shade :eek: . The show at Bloomington is just a big open field full of Vette stuff.

AC

Tom73

One thing at Springfield that I thought was so cool :cool: was the infield parking. You would drive in, go through the tunnel, and emerge onto this field of nothing but Vettes :cool: :cool:

tom...

Paul Borowski

I AGREE!!! Also, leaving those tunnels with just all Corvettes on the road tours too was cool. I was near the front of the '94 Road Tour when I "Survivored" my '74 and Corvettes were still leaving the fairgrounds when I returned!!! People were lining the streets just to watch!!! Yeah, the infield being all Corvettes was great!!! At the Interstate Center all you see are Dodge Tow Vehicles, Ford Escorts(volunteer worker's cars), and ex-school busses too! The infield at Springfield seemed "picture perfect". I was out there all five years it was there and even when it did get rain-it sure did'nt get to be a mud bog like the Interstate Center!!! Love to see it back in Springfield. They also put out those neat signs which every one was taking(I think I have one from every year there!). The people there enjoyed the show I think as much as we did!!! :yesnod:

Tom73

Time for a letter writing campaign. Here is their e-mail, bginfo@bloomingtongold.com so lets all e-mail them and let them know our preferences.

tom...

A C

Thanks.....sent my mail. :smash:

AC

SBR

I hope that the show stays in Bloomington but if it moves I would love for the show to go to Chicago.

SBR

P.S. the mayor of Bloomington obviously has never heard of the phrase, spend a dime to make a buck!

LT1driver

I like to go each year, if it moves to Chicago I am no longer willing to go. Telll that to the mayor.

Tom73

..and now I see on the local papers web site that their air show, which has been there 18 years, may be cancled this year. What are they trying to do, just do away with the tourist dollar?

tom...

Corvettes White

Move it to Long Beach, California. Then I could get to go. Great convention center. Big parking lot. No snow.

:) George

SBR

I just looked on the BG website and I do not see a show date listed. I hope that they will not cancel this years show.