Alright folks... about two weeks ago, we had probably the hugest meet in history. Probably 70 or so cars at any given moment in time.

While I thought this was huge, I went to a VW meet the weekend after and they dwarfed us in comparison. We had 70 cars... they had over 450 cars! :eek:

I'm thinking of probably organizing a meet next year (that's right a year in advance for you people that complain that you never get enough notice).

I'm thinking large scale here... like bimmerfest or oktoberfest... but for the south region. I want it to be huge!

To pull it off, we are going to need to collect funds... probably charge about $5 per head ... but for your $5, you'd get food/bevereage and a chance to enter a raffle of some sort.

The meet would probably be in the Ft.Lauderdale area, probably at the park again because they have plenty of space and they are car friendly.

More info will probably be in the works soon...

Let me know if you need some help with the planning Kevin..

Kevin, pleasure to have you out to our event. I am the founder of the South Florida Get Together. We were having our 12th GTG this weekend, for VW and Audi enthusiasts. Of course, with an event of this size, we have a fair number of BMWs, Toyotas, Lexus, Evos, WRXs, Mustangs, Mercedes, Hondas, and other drivers who visit to see what's going on.

This past event had over 525 VW and Audi cars in attendance, and probably another 50 of other makes...plus over 1,400 people.

If you want or need any information or assistance in planning your GTG for BMWs, feel free to e-mail me. I have been doing these events for 3 years and have gotten a good idea of the budgeting needs, vendor relations, and advertising needed to grow the event. My first GTG was only 4 cars...then 17, 34, and so on. You can start small, but do it right, keep it competition free, and priced right, and build word-of-mouth.

You may want to consider making the event free to attend and open, as we do, and only charging the $5 per head for the food/drink/raffle ticket. If you make the cost optional, it makes more poeple tempted to come out and try it. Let some vendors or sponsors pay for most of your supplies and set-up fees.

Again, I'd be glad to offer any information you need...just let me know. Hope you had a good time, and feel free to visit us nest year.

- Justin

Thanks for the help and ideas, I'm sure we'll be in contact as planning something on this scale will not be necessarily easy. I'll have to start planning well in advance... that's why I'm giving people a year in advance if we go through with it.

And in the following years, I'll most definitely be at the VW Get togethers... I was only there for about an hour or so close to the end of the day so I hear I missed most of the events and action.

http://undergrad.nova.edu/kevin/vwgtg12/images/DSCN2261_JPG.jpg

If you are wanting big and more regional, maybe the Orlando area would be better. :devillook

Originally posted by Z Couper
If you are wanting big and more regional, maybe the Orlando area would be better. :devillook

Yeah, but I don't know anything or anywhere in Orlando to plan something. If somebody else were to plan it ... and do it right, then I'm sure it would turn out awesome.

You can count me in for the meet. I would also thru my hat in the ring to help us get a big old meet going.

Keep BayBimmers in the loop. We're good for 40-60 cars now and by this time next year, who knows?

Originally posted by BAMA
Keep BayBimmers in the loop. We're good for 40-60 cars now and by this time next year, who knows?

I was thinking of coordinating with you guys. This way we can have one meet down here (preferably the Winter meet) and one meet up there...

Sounds good...

I would be more than willing to help you out. To get a possible "Bimmerfest South" i think it would be best to have it in August or so. We should incorporate all of the Southeast. To draw enthusiasts from the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Louisianna etc... the location would need to be more central such as Orlando or maybe even in Gainesville where the have Gainsville International Raceway, allthough it's not the most "Hapen'n places". Yea Winter/Summerblaze has been at Racerock in Orlando but we never tried to blow it up to epic proportions. We consistently draw 70 cars to that meet in usually 1 months notice but with hard work from a few dilligent people.

I think it would be great to have a meet downsouth. You would have to take control though and be responsible for it. All we can do here is keep our area guys comming. You get the south pumped up and we will come...Our time to make the drive is due.

i think it would be best to have it in August or so.

Not to dissent in any way...but as constructive consideration and from experience: Holding the event in the period of May - September is more of a drain than you can imagine. It is hot as heck throughout the south, humid as heck, and the rainy season and hurricane seasons are on. When my event first started, it was every 2 months, so we held several shows in that time - we always ran out of water regardless of how much we brought, and people were burnt out and leaving by 1PM from the heat...plus we were constantly dodging and replanning around constant rainy weekends.

I would strongly recommend a winter/spring meet...this would keep it cooler, make it easier on supplies and food, and possibly allow more people to attend due to spring break or 3-day weekend holidays (making it easier for those coming from out of town to make the drive without taking time off of work or school).

We should incorporate all of the Southeast. To draw enthusiasts from the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Louisianna etc...

And beyond. We started pulling in the people from Georgia and throughout Florida and even into Carolina over the past 2 events...but since word-of-mouth began to spread and the event grew, we managed to pull in people from DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts for this last event!

the location would need to be more central such as Orlando or maybe even in Gainesville where the have Gainsville International Raceway, allthough it's not the most "Hapen'n places".

Consider what else the area you are holding the event has to offer. We have managed to grow so quickly and be so successful with out-of-town attendees because our South Florida location has alot more to offer than shows held in more rural areas. with South Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, the Everglades, the Keys, and miles of beaches, bars, hotels, and restaurants, South Florida has much to offer for an entire weekend, and when the GTG is over.

I would recommend the two best locations to consider be South Florida and Orlando. Both have enough other entertainment and facilities, and enough of a draw to bring people from farther away. Tampa/St Pete, then Daytona, then Jacksonville, in that order, would be my next recommendations for consideration.

There was another VW show on the west coast of Florida that used to be large, but the biggest complaint was always the people making the trek down there had nothing else to do when the show was over...some were making 5-10 hour drives, and longer, then heading to a McDonalds and back to their hotel at 5pm, because the town had nothing else nearby to offer. with our event, once we planned it, other pre- and post-parties popped up from many of the car clubs and groups who attend. People coming down from the northeast knew they'd have a Friday night welcome party, the Saturday event, Saturday night touring clubs on South Beach till 4am, and a relaxing Sunday on the beaches or playing golf.

Know that an event of our size, if held in a rented park space and self-supplied with catering or your own food and drink, and with police & fire authorizations and protection, insurance, tents, trach & restroom facilities, etc will run over $10,000. We only charge $5 per head for all-you-can-eat and supply our own food cooked by paid volunteers. Even with 1,000 people, we'd only pull down $5,000. The sponsors and vendors are the reason we can hold this event. Go to local dealerships, performance shops, etc. and see if they'd be interested in sponsoring and vending. Most will...a captive audience of BMW fans numbering in the hundreds in one location is a no-brainer for any vendor. Our title sponsor this year made more than $20,000 at this weekend's event!

Hope that helps. as I said, any questions or info you need or input you want, just let me know. Even though I don't currently drive a BMW...I wouldn't mind checking it out if you get this going! (I've owned a 3.0 Bavaria and a 3-series in the past...so I'm not too far removed ;) )

I am obviously up for another meet. We need to get a lot of people to confirm though. After a date and location has been set, someone should make flyers for others to print out and pass out whenver they see a nice BMW or an enthusiast.

Edit: While I live in Miami and MAYBE could even think of going up to GA for a meet, there is no way in hell we'll get people from Miami ( where a LOT of the cars are at ) to drive all the way up there. Orlando would be the farthest we should consider.

More central location = better. I agree with Keith in that respect. Not very many people are gonna make the drive from GA to Miami. To Jacksonville or Gainesville is more reasonable. Plus, it seems like all the events are in S. FL - spread it out a little.

I think orlando is kinda the perfect area unless its in ft lauderdale its like smack in the middle

I think that Orlando is the best place...We have layed a nice foundation there and no one really complains...

We could use a better place than racerock however...

I'm not overly familiar with Orlando, but I'm thinking a park would be good for something like this. I was checking out Orlando area parks and there is a 300 acre one with a pool, plenty of pavilions, 125 picnic tables, trails, boat rentals, horseshoes, volleyball, softball, etc. If this is the kinda thing we're looking for, here's a link:

http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/parks/cityparks/turkeylake/turkeyLake.htm

It's called Turkey Lake park.