QUOTE(Batman @ Jun 18 2008, 05:43 AM)

this just goes to show that carlisle isn't what it once was for this club.
I guess the question is - "what was Carlisle representing for this club?"
For some, it was to show off the group as a whole to others and attract new members.
For some, it was to show off in front of 40000 spectators in a field of 2400 show cars.
For others, it was a way to meet up with the other members in one central place.
And for others, it was an excuse to sit in a hotel room and/or on the showfield and drink.
Attendance peaked in/around 2003. I started up ModernMopars to respond to the fact that it was obvious that neither ASOG, ASEC, or Stratusphere (or 2GS, or 2GSS) was going to meet those "tent/group numbers" that we strived for.
Regarding folks staying at different hotels - I myself have only stayed with 'ASEC' for one Carlisle event. And I've stayed with the Stratusphere group for two Carlisle events. The other 10 Carlisle events I attended, I stayed elsewhere.
It has nothing to do with the "club". It has everything to do with my desire to not put myself in a position to deal with adult behavior that I do not wish to be involved in and do not want my kids to be witness to.
I'm sorry that I don't share some of the same "entertainment values" that others do. It's my choice, and I don't force it upon anyone else. And I made the effort to not only see everyone at the show itself, but drove out to the "party hotels" to hang around and participate. Not to mention the effort I put forth in previous years to get people involved and interested in the show. My commitment to the groups I'm involved in is there - whether I attend the show or not.
I appreciate the effort Batman put forth. He stepped up and got the group rate for the hotel. He pushed and promoted the show. And some responded. And some didn't. I myself wasn't able to commit to the show until the past week, and I missed the group rate cutoff. It happens. And now, with less than 30 days, hotel options get fewer and fewer. I have a problem with paying lots of money for a hotel room that I wouldn't pay an hourly rate for. So I searched and found an acceptable location for me. Turns out that hotel is now booked full.
QUOTE(Batman @ Jun 18 2008, 05:43 AM)

I"m sure gas prices and ecomony drops are a big factor anymore too.
This year, that is the biggest factor for most. It'll be almost $300 in fuel alone for me. I can still make that commitment and plan on doing so. If someone else can't, so be it - I'm not gonna look down of someone because of it.
Since we know the dates for the 2009 show already, I'll be checking out hotels and trying to set up group rates before I leave the show. Of course, that's no guarantee that people will take advantage of it. But at least the effort will be made.