MMA and the NEC - Pete's view

[Pete]

Firstly, I must give my most sincere thanks to all the MMA members that gave up their time and supported the club at the NEC this year - without them we would not have a presence at the show and raised the Clubs profile.

Secondly, these are my personal views and have not been reviewed or endorsed by the MMA Committee.
However, we discuss the event and the club's attendance at length, including whether we should attend on a year by year basis.

I have read with interest the comments that have been made regarding the 2017 event, and the feedback is much appreciated. As always, everyone has a point.

This year was particularly difficult as space is always a premium at the NEC.
Initially we were offered very poor size stand, and indeed there is lots of competition for space.

We re-negotiated and improved our allocation.
My position was that if we could not show the Club in a good light and make the most of the vehicles, then we would rather not attend than put ourselves in a bad light.

Steve Billson handled this all superbly on behalf of the MMA.

Whilst the location was improved, the size and shape of the stand was constrained, and meant we were still seriously compromised on layout and indeed size of vehicles we could display.

Our approach to the display has changed over the years.
There have been times when we have put on very elaborate displays within our extremely small budget.

We cannot compete with the larger club in terms of the "Wow!" factor.
Therefore we opted for a different approach.

We lay the vehicles out in such a way that the display is very "open" and we actively engage with members of the public.

Where our members agree, we let young and old sit in the cars, most other clubs actively discourage engagement with the public.

We find people can relate to our cars much more than some of the expensive ones, and as such we create a lot of interest.

The approach seems to work, as year on year we have increased the number of new members who join the MMA at the NEC.

2017 was a new record for us, so we must be doing something right.

At the end of the show I met at length with the NEC organiser on the MMA Stand.
They now appreciate the sheer size of the cars, especially when I told them that we had "Compact" cars on the stand!

I also explained that we have some significant "Anniversaries" coming up - with 1968, 1969, 1970, and indeed 1971 being key "Muscle Car" dates.

This was useful information to them, and they will now try to accommodate our stand and size requirements if and when we commit to the show.

Hopefully, with earlier planning and engagement we can put on a more vibrant display for 2018.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

One final point.
It is my view that as all members who give their cars, time, and company at the NEC without reward or recompense, I would request that Members do not put forward other Member's cars as a sort of "Fantasy Display" suggestion.

It could well be that the owner of the identified car does not want to (or can't) display the car; and this debate can put them in a difficult position.

However, please feel free to offer your own car to be displayed.

That's quite enough from me.

Many thanks, and drive safe!

[Gas for GOSH]

Excellent post Pete, thanks for taking the time to share the behind the scenes detail. My own views are firstly, as many have acknowledged, there is a great debt of thanks to Steve, people who bring their cars up and everyone who pitches in to make the thing happen. I know how much it costs to get your car up there and sort out accommodation/food etc so it is no small undertaking by display car owners and organisers. Secondly, there are the venue constraints....and it is really good to her you had the opportunity of discussing that with people involved from the NEC/show side Pete because if that results in a bigger area that will be a right result. Thirdly, there are car constraints - it is voluntary and I agree totally some people just would not want to undertake that commitment. I do think it is an honour to do it but people have to want to do it. Fourthly, and this is the main reason for the reply I think it again demonstrates the honesty and maturity in this club that people do offer their genuine views, they do so in a constructive way and we can therefore have a considered debate and sharing of information. Most 'professional' companies I come across cannot even manage half of that so for a club to do it I think shows why it is a good organisation.

Without adding in more expense or people's time I'm not sure there is an easy suggestion for creating further impact but it is a positive challenge to consider over the Christmas turkey. Steve, thanks again for leading on this show - grand job

[rossk]

Very good post & well done to everyone who was involved, it was a shame I couldn't make it this year but it's in the diary to visit next year!