Camaro gathering in June 2011

[mpsheedy]

Look on the Maryland Camaro club site for the new venue for the GM Nationals which will be held at the Frederick Maryland fairgrounds.

[sscamaro]

Originally Posted by mpsheedy

Look on the Maryland Camaro club site for the new venue for the GM Nationals which will be held at the Frederick Maryland fairgrounds.

It's not the GM Nationals, It's the Camaro Nationals.

[Phase V]

yeah. the Camaro Nationals are going to be continued by the MD Camaro Club

[StangKiller-SS]

I'd be in for a Frederick Camaro Nationals. Is this the A.C.A's attempt to officially make the Camaro Nationals it's own event? I can't picture them just ending the camaro nationals because it's been huge @ the GM nationals. Hopefully it will draw a good crowd of Camaro owners.

[Phase V]

what happened was the ACA lost their contract with carlisle and the area was too small b/c the show was growing so much and just the amount of work needed to do the show. here's the letter:

Hello Fellow Camaro Enthusiasts:

The Maryland Camaro Club would like to welcome all our fellow Camaro owners to the 13th Annual Camaro Nationals June 23 - 25, 2011.

As you are aware the American Camaro Association has chosen not to put on the Nationals and the M.C.C. (which has been the host club for the last 6 years) was asked by the A.C.A. to put on the Nationals. A.C.A. had a signed yearly exclusive agreement with Carlisle Productions which will not be renewed.

The American Camaro Association will serve as advisors and consultants to the Maryland Camaro Club and will be at the 2011 show.

M.C.C. will be presenting the Camaro Nationals at the Frederick Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD. The host hotel will be the Holiday Inn in Frederick about 4 miles from the show field. Frederick is located off I-70 and Route 15. Frederick is located in a very historic area with many National Historic sites easily within reach. Many Civil War Battlefields including Gettysburg as well as Washington D.C. and Baltimore are nearby. More information will be available in the near future.

Everything will be in place just as it has been the previous twelve years. All 51 classes will still be offered from Non-Judged through Concours classes. All the judges that you have known and seen in the past will be there to judge classes in 2011.

Let me reassure you that the only things that have changed are the club presenting the Camaro Nationals and the location. Nothing else will change, which is the number one goal of the show – to be the same show you have all known, enjoyed and attended over the years.

I’m sure many of you have questions and concerns: feel free to contact Bud Scolastico in the evenings at 610-921-3721 or email Bud at buds396@yahoo.com.

We look forward to seeing everyone in June and having another great show.

Best regards,

April Alderson
President of the Maryland Camaro Club

[4Camaros]

Originally Posted by StangKiller-SS

I'd be in for a Frederick Camaro Nationals. Is this the A.C.A's attempt to officially make the Camaro Nationals it's own event? I can't picture them just ending the camaro nationals because it's been huge @ the GM nationals. Hopefully it will draw a good crowd of Camaro owners.

The Camaro Nationals was and always has been the ACA's event. They had an annual contract with Carlisle to use the facility. The GM Nationals came later - Carlisle's attempt to capitalize on the success of the Camaro Nationals. The GM Nationals have really never taken off. Last year we had over 700 cars - while the rest of the GM Nationals had 300 at best.

The ACA CHOSE not to renew the contract with Carlisle for 2011 and have asked the Maryland Camaro Club to take over the event - with the ACA's support and guidance on all the administrative tasks. The Maryland Camaro Club has provided day of show support for the ACA and has served as the host club for the last 6 years.

The show will still have all the multi-level judging (and judges) that have been at the Camaro Nationals - just at a different venue.

Frederick Fairgrounds, Frederick, MD - June 23 - 25th, 2011.

We had a GREAT turnout of fifth gen Camaros in 2010. I'm hoping we see even more at the new location in 2011.


April Alderson, President
Maryland Camaro Club

[4Camaros]

Originally Posted by Phase V

what happened was the ACA lost their contract with carlisle and the area was too small b/c the show was growing so much and just the amount of work needed to do the show.

ACA didn't lose the contract - they CHOSE not to renew it for 2011. Suffice it to say there were major management style differences.

[Phase V]

Originally Posted by 4Camaros

ACA didn't lose the contract - they CHOSE not to renew it for 2011. Suffice it to say there were major management style differences.

sorry about that wording. its been a long day. thanks for clarifying that

[4Camaros]

Originally Posted by Phase V

sorry about that wording. its been a long day. thanks for clarifying that

That's okay - no offense taken or meant.

I just wanted everyone to know the reason why the Camaro Nationals were moving - that it was a decision on the part of the ACA and not because they "lost" their show site.

[Phase V]

I'm so excited to actually be in the state when it happens this time though. now I will be able to plan for it and go!

[4Camaros]

We will be glad to have you!

I will try to check back frequently to keep everyone updated and answer any questions folks may have.

[Rick's70Z]

Thanks for taking the time to express your thoughts about the GM Nationals. I apologize for the stories and rumors currently circulating the internet regarding the future of the event and Camaros in particular. It appears threre are some folks with misinformation and perpetuating inaccurate information. So please read the following regarding the Camaro Nationals. And truth be told, we have only positive feelings and respect for both the ACA and the MCC for 12 great years in Carlisle. I believe we're all here for the same thing, to enjoy the Camaro and foster and grow the hobby.

As the event manager of the GM Nationals I can and will share some facts with you. The GM Nationals is actually one of our fastest growing shows and we certainly want that trend to continue. Camaros are a large part of that growth with about 500 registered Camaros in attendance in 2010 (that does not account for the other 100+ that were display only Camaros). As a passionate Camaro owner and enthusiast I probably work a bit harder to make sure Camaro continues to lead the growth at the event.

I was in Vegas attending SEMA, the industry’s largest trade show when the ACA made their show plans public. By their own words, they have asked the MCC to present the Camaro Nationals for them in 2011 at a location other than the Carlisle Fairgrounds. They chose to announce on their web site and did not copy me or Carlisle Events. It was first reported to me by industry professionals at SEMA after appearing on various forums.

I was not able to respond sooner due to the time difference and my responsibilities at SEMA. However, after the news broke, I did have the opportunity to chat with a number of industry professionals representing manufacturers, sponsors, electronic media, print magazines and participants associated with the hobby. We have their assurances that they will continue to support our event both in the short and long terms.

Of those I spoke with at SEMA, all think it is unfortunate that the ACA & MCC chose to conduct their inaugural event on the same date as the GM Nationals. Making Camaro enthusiasts choose between two events is never a good thing. Rest assured there will be Camaros at the GM Nationals in 2011 and beyond. However, there will not be a Camaro Nationals presented by the ACA. Even so, we will continue to reach out to ALL Camaro clubs and enthusiasts to reassure ALL GM enthusiasts that the show will go on and be better than ever.

We are currently reviewing the show logistics with the entire Carlisle Events team, as we do every post-season. We are fast preparing Camaro classes for posting on our web site to facilitate registration. Don’t forget about our Gate-N-Go procedures allowing speedy entry to the grounds if pre-registered by the cutoff date. To register for the GM Nationals, or for more info and the most up to date news head to our web site (CarlisleEvents.com).

If you have any thoughts you would like to share, please do so. I will take them into consideration as we continue to plan the 2011 event. I recommend that if you want accurate, current and concise information that you contact me directly using the following resources:

My email (RickM@CarlisleEvents.com)
Office phone (717-243-7855 x124)
GM Nationals Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GMNationals).

Thanks & please feel free to contact me at any time with any thoughts and/or concerns.
Rick Markko

[StangKiller-SS]

I'm not much of a fan of both being the same day because I'd probably want to go to both shows. Not one over the other.

[Camaro Freak]

Sounds like a great idea. Now its even a little closer to home. We will have to see about getting our club involved for the 2011 event. Keep us posted.