Increasing contest attendance / 11th Annual CAPI IMAC, Aug 25-26, Bowie, MD

[dmichael]

All,

First- I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware that the 11th Annual CAPI IMAC is being held on the last week in August, the 25th and 26th, at Prince Georges Radio Control Club south of Bowie, MD, east of Washington, DC.

Second- we are appreciative that it takes an investment of time and money to spend the weekend flying in an IMAC contest. The rise in the cost of gasoline in the last couple of years has certainly contributed to the cost. Traditionally, with early Saturday morning start time, contestants would need to travel on Friday, spend two nights at a hotel and travel home on Sunday. In an effort to cut your hotel cost in half, we are going to push back the start time on Saturday morning to 11AM. The potential benefits are:

1. Moving the start time back 2 hours should give many potential contestants the opportunity to leave Saturday morning and avoid staying in the hotel Friday night.
2. The PGRC field is an awesome place to fly- but, due to the sun, the best time to fly is from late morning until dusk. Saturday flying conditions will be better overall.
3. Those who still want to come in on Friday or can be at the field early on Saturday will have more opportunity to get that practice flight in without feeling rushed.
4. Increased turnout. This is, of course, our main reason for trying this.

Third- At this point we are not planning on serving lunch on Saturday- instead, we are planning on having a dinner at the field. Since we plan on starting later, we should end later and we'll be flying at dinner time.


At this time I consider this a test. We're trying to find ways to make attending a contest more enjoyable and increase attendance. If this format doesn't help then we'll re-evaluate for next year. If it works like we hope then we'll probably continue this way. Either way, we hope that you'll come out on the last weekend in August to fly with us. It's important to attend and support the contests we have if we want them to continue.

Comments are welcome.


Dave Michael
11th Annual CAPI IMAC

[DrFun]

Dave all sound good.

I was planing to attend first time to CAPI this year and starting 11am on saturday gives me an option to start driving from Lehigh Valley PA at 6am and be there at 9:30-10:00 am.

[dmichael]

Glad to hear it- are you the fellow I met up at the LVRC contest last year with the BME Yak?

[DrFun]

Yes Dave,

That was me, I am Galip and it was my first competition. Attended 2 more after that.

Could nat make to Salem, CT. Hope to see you at LVRCs this year.

[TheTank]

Dave, thats a good idea. With this setup, I may be able to make this contest. Its ideal for me to go stay with Family in Lebanon County PA, Friday night, and then make the rest of the trip Saturday morning. I will do my best to try and make this contest!

[dmichael]

John, we would love to have you come down. I'm looking for ways to increase attendance- I hope this works for you and others.

Dave