StingerFest - Where shall it take place?

[Ucinn]

The only problem I see having it in conjunction with those big shows and in the same city as those, is hotel space. It's already hard to get hotel spaces there as the ford show in Detroit we had to book almost a year in advance to get a hotel within 25 miles of the show. Just some more food for thought.

 

[MikeyCanuck]

How about Denver, Colarado?

 

[Kia Stinger]

How about Denver, Colarado?

Not too bad - but picture driving from Miami or Long Island... I think something a little more "central" would work for more people. But let's see. Maybe more people from the west coast will be interested than the east coast...

 

[Ucinn]

More from the west coast would be interested if you held it in Denver.

 

[Gentracker]

When I had my Genesis coupe we had a yearly meet at the Tail of the Dragon. It's not central of course but it is very much worth the drive. People come from all over the world to drive that road.

If not the Dragon, then perhaps South Cali, since it's Kia's HQ? They could possibly host.

 

[Ucinn]

Or in Georgia where the Kia plant is, but to get the best turnout, I think the first should be central to as many as we can.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Okay, well, we're going to start in the U.S. because most of our members are here. With a little strategic planing - we can also make this easily accessible to our brothers and sisters to the north in Canada.

We also have a large Australian presence here - so perhaps every other year we'll have a separate event "down under". Or, perhaps, we can figure out a way to have StingerFest there simultaneously...

In the meantime, we need to figure out where in the U.S. we're going to have StingerFest take place. We need to throw around a few ideas and then start a poll...

I think it would be best to have the event somewhere central/north'ish so that it's not TOO far a hike for anyone to come.

If we were to have it where I live in Florida, that makes it a challenge for anyone in California, New York and the central/northern U.S. - and it goes without saying - that would be quite a hike for anyone in Canada.

Same goes for Texas. California would make it difficult for anyone in New York, and New York would make it difficult for anyone in California. So we need to try and be fair and make this as easy as possible for as many people as possible.

I think Nebraska or Iowa might actually make the most sense...

But that's me! I want to hear/see your thoughts and all come to an agreement on where it would be best to host StingerFest...

Thank you!

This is a great idea and sounds like tons of fun! I agree it will take a lot of planning and compromise from everyone to make it work, but think we can do it!

It maybe easier to start with smaller regional events that would create & build interest for an official StingerFest. This would also give feedback on local Stinger turnout to determine where the most members are and would be willing to travel.

Just looking at a map Denver, Kansas City, and Indianapolis seem to be centralized and all have major highways inbound from all directions. The only other thing I can think of that may be a big deciding factor is snow for RWD owners. I only have summer tires so that limits me to locations without snow!

Either way I love the idea, and would be cool to see if we can get a small event in SFL to get this ball rolling!

 

[Paul32]

This is a great idea and sounds like tons of fun! I agree it will take a lot of planning and compromise from everyone to make it work, but think we can do it!

It maybe easier to start with smaller regional events that would create & build interest for an official StingerFest. This would also give feedback on local Stinger turnout to determine where the most members are and would be willing to travel.

Just looking at a map Denver, Kansas City, and Indianapolis seem to be centralized and all have major highways inbound from all directions. The only other thing I can think of that may be a big deciding factor is snow for RWD owners. I only have summer tires so that limits me to locations without snow!

Either way I love the idea, and would be cool to see if we can get a small event in SFL to get this ball rolling!

If you come up to West Palm Beach, I would come down from Daytona Beach/Flagler Beach area. Have a son in Homestead, so might even entertain Miami.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I'm surprised the Florida members haven't got something going already by now... Or, really anywhere! There hasn't been any large meets within our group yet?

 

[Kia Stinger]

Perhaps we should have a competition to see which state can get the biggest meet together? The winner of that competition dictates where the meet will take place. In other words, if Texas has the largest turn-out - StingerFest is held in Texas... Thoughts?

 

[gilthanis1]

I understand the want/need for better regional meets first. However, all we need is 200 people to really get this rolling. If we can get 200 commitments, then we're officially good to go - and a LOT of people will be there. Perhaps many more than 200... Let's do "regional meets" outside of this one. For the time being, let's keep throwing around ideas for the location of Stinger Fest.

Really, I'm all for Chicago or Detroit. I don't know how many others are. I think it would coordinate really great with either one of those HUGE auto shows. And anyone who's never been to one - they're quite an event. We could kill two birds with one stone, sort of speak - and have the huge car show - and Stinger Fest - the same weekend.

And since Kia will be on board - and they'd also probably be pretty thrilled to have it based around one of those huge auto shows - who knows what they'll do for us...

But let's keep planning this and see where it goes. We're going to have a Stinger Fest this year - we just need to know where it's going to take place. And it HAS to be somewhere in the central/northish'ish United States to allow for our Canadian brothers and sisters a comfortable trip...

I wish we could fly in our Australian brothers and sisters... Who knows? Maybe...

I'd definitely be down to do this when Chicago has their International Auto Show. My step daughter saw the Sunset Yellow in person there and dam near cussed me out b/c I turned down the 1st offer of one lol.

Kia had a gigantic display and presence, and it would be definitely a cool experience if Kia is involved to help pull this off. I vote for doing it in Chicago during the Auto Show there. Its the most central and better availability for Canadian owners. Plus the FOOD IS AMAZING!! I spent over a year there in boot camp and after, so I definitely ate my unfair share.

I personally wouldn't go to Detroit on a dare, but that's just me. Chicago seems like a better centrally located option.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

If you come up to West Palm Beach, I would come down from Daytona Beach/Flagler Beach area. Have a son in Homestead, so might even entertain Miami.

Im happy to come up to West Palm and there has been talk of a few trying to meet at the next Coffee & Cars on 7/8.

I'm surprised the Florida members haven't got something going already by now... Or, really anywhere! There hasn't been any large meets within our group yet?

Me too and haven’t heard of any FL meets as of yet. We’ve had a few events in SFL that had some interest but nothing worked out. The next one that was mentioned was in WPB or Ft Lauderdale on 7/8 and I’m up for either location. Hopefully that day works for others and we can get a good showing of Stingers.

Perhaps we should have a competition to see which state can get the biggest meet together? The winner of that competition dictates where the meet will take place. In other words, if Texas has the largest turn-out - StingerFest is held in Texas... Thoughts?

Good idea and that means Florida would actually have a shot! I might be a little biased but I vote yes

 

[RandallK]

Hey all, I hate to beat a dead horse and hate to sound bias towards my backyard..

I have been lucky enough to work for companies that have displayed at both SEMA and CES along with going to car shows for almost 30 years now..

Just having a traditional show or gathering IMO isn’t as attractive as say a show with a track day involved all in 1. It would be perfect for all those who just want to hang out, socialize and show off their cars and give others an opportunity to drive their Stingers on a race track that... If we are to expect any consistent and decent turn out.. it needs to truly be an event..

Just my $.02

We get allot of national events because we are basically the middle of the country... it also can be held at a track if the planning/timing is done..

St. Louis Racing | Gateway Motorsports Park Race Track - Madison,Illinois

 

[Mp GT2]

Somewhere in the east coast would work am in jersey, I heard Georgia by the Kia factory

 

[Paul32]

Im happy to come up to West Palm and there has been talk of a few trying to meet at the next Coffee & Cars on 7/8.
Me too and haven’t heard of any FL meets as of yet. We’ve had a few events in SFL that had some interest but nothing worked out. The next one that was mentioned was in WPB or Ft Lauderdale on 7/8 and I’m up for either location. Hopefully that day works for others and we can get a good showing of Stingers.
Good idea and that means Florida would actually have a shot! I might be a little biased but I vote yes

I'm up for West Palm on 7/8. I would stay at a hotel near by Sat. night. We could meet there and all go in together. I hear there is a lot of cars at the PB cars and coffee.

 

[TazDevil62]

Central US, gives everyone a chance to get there.

 

[Paul32]

I'm up for West Palm on 7/8. I would stay at a hotel near by Sat. night. We could meet there and all go in together. I hear there is a lot of cars at the PB cars and coffee.

OK, I'm in for West Palm Beach on July 8th, Cars and Coffee. I have reserved a hotel for Saturday night and we can meet there Sunday morning if all is agreeable. Let's start a list of committed attendees.

 

[Paul32]

Central US, gives everyone a chance to get there.

The Florida meet would only be a regional get together not the Stingerfest. But all is welcome.

 

[StingerGT68]

Georgia at the KIA plant could be kinda cool. Tough for west coasters, though.

Florida would likely guarantee us good weather, plus that's Sal's home base.

Chicago could be good for the Canadians but people in Texas and California would be losing out a bit. Maybe we should just keep this to USA Stingers for now.

I feel like I wasn't helpful here lol

 

[Weareblondi]

sal, the mrs and i are in. we drove to chicago for a comic convention. the whole point of the meet is to meet. if i don't know anybody, so be it. i will make friends when i get there. and if they are all a-holes, i can play nice by myself. as for sal's suggestion for a florida meet, even though it isn't the right thread for it, have offered, since my location is between fort lauderdale and wpb, come to my carrabbas, first round is on me no reason to just stand around, large parking lot in front and a huge one in back. just give me a heads up so i can make sure that i am not at another location doing teachbacks to the line cooks and such.