Silverdome or Rock Financial?

[J. Davis]

Hey guys thanks for all your replies last week on the Silverdome show. So far it looks like a great idea. Now I am wondering which you like better... Silverdome or Rock Financial showplace. We have a quote from Rock, but nothing yet from the Silverdome.

We were thinking of doing the show at the Rock after Autorama sometime in April. We have talked them before and would take up the entire 200,000 sq. feet of space. This would be enough for about 400 "selected" cars, 300 booths, entertainment stage, and small swap area.

Tell us what you think...

Thanks guys...

P.S. We had come up with a logo for this last year also. We would love to do this show but would need help and participation from our the cruiser community. We have tried events ourselves with hired help over the last two years and failed miserably.

[Mike]

Rock Financial would be great!

[Bill Beckley]

Rock Financial would be my choice also!

[Jerry Drenzek]

Either venue would work. You may get a better deal on the Silverdome since the new owners will be trying to get it going again. Also you should contact the local car clubs for assistance/volunteers. I would also like to see a car corral of cars for sale and a swap meet outside in the parking lot.

Ol Skool

[Ken Savage]

The Silverdome is a larger facility than the Rock, and in my opinion, is more centrally located to attract a wider audience and more cruisers. The rental rate should be much better at the Dome.

[Nick Tisch]

Silverdome. Rock Fin is a long ways away for any east siders.

[Thaddeus R. Zolnoski]

My choice is the SilverDome. Larger facility - more room for possible parts vendors and food vendors.

[Todd A. Young]

Are the Woodward Ave. Cruisers going to be at Autorama this year? See U there?

[David Percell]

Is there any new info about this show? If you wouldn't mind indulging me for a few minutes, here is my two cents:

First off, it's a great idea - another class car show in the area would be a big plus.
I understand the space limitations, but whenever I hear the term "select few" I tend to recoil a little.
I personally would stay way away from that impression - I understand that the only way to get certain inticing cars to a show is to guarantee that they will be protected (in this case from the elements).
The Autorama has the benefit of having ALL cars indoors - really not much of a choice as the show is in the winter (in Michigan) and it really doesn't help some since you still have to get the cars to the show (again - in the winter). p.s. one of my friends was none too happy either when after having to drive his restored truck to the show (no fit in any of our trailers) there was no water available for clean up at Cobo this year!
If this is going to be the plan (and everybody else that doesn't get accepted into the inner circle is kept outside) and the cost of the venue rental is going to necessitate quite a few happy "more or less average" participants - I for one would be praying really hard for good weather.
I think the idea of a family event is excellent. The problem is that there isn't anything other than the car show for a FAMILY to do. Trust me, mom and dad are happy when the kids are happy. And we all know the attention span of most kids. The drive in thing at the Silverdome is a cool thought - but it will have to be family friendly or mom may not be too happy - and we know how things are when mom is not happy. I don't know of any family stuff at Rock Financial. In contrast, there are a few shows of note in the area that in my opinion are quite family friendly (for the sake of comparison). For instance, the Motor Muster at Greenfield Village. I understand that this is not a hot rod show, but in the broader sense there is many things to do if someone (participants included) should want a break from the chrome. Autorama was very smart to include the guy with the Bicycles and then there are always the toy and model vendors and the model contests. I'm not sure (I got there late this year) but I thought they had a pinstriping class or something, too. Another example of "multiple activity venues" would be the Frankenmouth Show. I understand that it is pretty hard to beat a "touristy" town for things to do - but there it is. There is all of the shops and excellent restaurants and one of the hotels has the water park for the kids. I'm not suggesting that Pontiac or Novi is going to be the same type of draw as a museum or tourist town, but these are the things that make it easier to draw a large amount of participants - especially families.
Hate to say it - but the last thing to think about is the asphalt - oh yea! For all of us "average" folks that makes for a long day. I don't seem to remember many trees at the Silverdome parkinglot! Does that mean that it could't be an awesome show - of course not. But if you are going to be dependent on volume of participation to offset costs and be successful - things to be considered. The show has to be a standout to be successful. There are a lot of cruises and shows in the short Michigan summers - and you have to make people want to choose this one.
I think the classes was a great idea! Even one for the person without a car at the show - maybe the ABC's of polishing a car - any car. The polishes have changed a lot in the last few years and us older guys aren't used to reading the labels! Talk about a sales pitch for a car care vendor - "here let me show you how easy this is to do ........." I for one would love a class on entry level body filler and even paint. I don't think I will ever be brave enough to do my own paint - but hey, its good to know so a person has half a clue what my painter is talking about! I mean - maybe I could even help him then (course that usually costs MORE!).
Well anyways, thanks for the time - I will be looking foreward to seeing how this progresses.