A big thank you Dream Cars Weekend

Just wanted to pass along a big thank you to Tara for putting on a great show even when others where putting up large barriers, she still managed to pulled it off!  I also find it interesting when others try and lump her show (there was actually 3 different promoters/shows going on at the same time) with the other shows. It’s ok, her and Don, have done more for car cruises around Central Florida then any other so called network.  That is why the Central Florida Challenger Owners will participate in more Orlando Cruising events then any other network.   It was also nice of her to name me specifically in her email.  It was a pleasure helping and because of the people of Orlando Cruising I would help again, where I can.

Here is the letter she recently sent out.

I would like to thank everyone who attended as a car participant, a spectator and an exhibitor in the first ever Dream Cars Weekend.  After 10 long and tireless months of promoting, advertising and organizing it was a huge success overall.  We encountered some bumps and bruises along the way but pulled together and had a great time.  The final count was 360 registered show cars, 525 rooms booked, Friday night party sold out at 300 people, Saturday night party sold out at 500 people, and 28000 square feet of exhibition hall filled with vendors.  Below is a bit of history, behind the scenes information and thoughts on looking ahead.

How Dream Cars came to be

It started with Disney taking notice of the car community with the huge interest from the Mustangs and their national event. Thru a friends’ recommendation, I was encouraged to organize an open car show in contractual partnership with the Mustangs. I accepted the challenge and signed my life away in October 2012. I did not chose the date nor location, I followed the Mustang’s lead. I did everything myself from learning web design to passing out flyers, including financing it up front. Disney comes at a cost, room bookings along with a minimum food and beverage sales. Hence the necessity for nightly parties. As time went along, the car community assisted by passing the word around and giving me encouragement.

When things changed

RPM came around in early spring to develop an automotive trade show in December and requested involvement in Dream Cars. Since our views were not the same and I was not swayed by the glitz and glamour, I declined. However the Mustangs were having doubts as to the success of Dream Cars. July 1, the Mustangs and RPM went into contract with Disney therefore Dream Cars had to choice but to step down. RPM immediately involved Festival of Wheels to host an indoor trophy show. Dream Cars was in the dark from that point forward. My concerns about confusion and parking fell on deaf hears. I wanted to postpone Dream Cars but I didn’t want to be a quitter either, so I persevered.

What is being said

It has been brought to my attention that some negative comments have been made about the overall events. Many are inaccurate because they pertain to either the Mustangs, RPM or Festival of Wheels. Please, stand up and put the record straight. Dream Cars had no communication and no knowledge what they were doing. Plus I can’t control the heat either. Thank Mother Nature we didn’t have a hurricane.

The bottom line

The facts are in the numbers, Dream Cars did very well in attendance, marketing, room bookings, food/beverage sales and organization. Disney is thrilled with the performance of Dream Cars. Yes Disney they fell short in several area and are aware of it. For those of you that ran into problems, please separate Dream Cars from the others. Dream Cars had absolutely nothing to do with and no communication with them. For obvious reasons is why I kept Dream Cars out of it.

Thanks to the volunteers

My original plan was to stay close to the show car area and registration, to meet everyone and answer questions. However I had unexpected issues come up that took me away. I cannot express my gratitude enough to the volunteers, most of whom I did not personally know until the day of the event, that stepped up and took control over registration. Plus the parking people who made a valid attempt to keep the area clear for show cars and the exhibitors who assisted with the preparing the hall for opening day. Jim Landi of the Central Florida Challengers Owners group took control of the hall and made the fire marshall happy. You all have my deepest thanks.
Looking to the future

I had so many people asking if I was going to tackle this event again. I would like to because I feel that the potential for a grand show was cheated due to other things that were taken out of my control. I do not give up easily. I now have hard numbers to use and the community interest behind me. I was traveling into unknown territory before. Here are a few of my own observations:

Non compete clause in my contract
Cooler time of year, when Disney is not quite so busy
Pay Disney staff $$$ to secure the parking area for show cars
Spectator parking in the convention center lot (my original plan)
All car attendees to stay at the resort (no issue with getting in)
If adequate space available for day of show, space to be set aside
Exhibitors will be in the Coronado ballroom, front and center.
Continuous shuttle running from the ballrooms to the show car area

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