I would really like to come for the social aspect and shoot the breeze with some of my old friends but I'm a bit put off by RSO's attitude toward "locals dropping in." I don't mind paying my share but I have no interest in going where I'm not welcome.
I'm amazed this type of comment keeps coming up year after year, especially when someone who has been around as long as you makes it since you obviously have read my explanation each year the subject comes up.
NSXPO is an event for NSXCA members and is a multi-day event where members pay a reduced fee to attend a multitude of events and where costs are underwritten by sponsors who make generous contributions to the NSXCA for the benefit of its membership. Each year there is a local owner who "complains" that they should be able to just drop in and attend a portion of the event simply because it is held in their backyard. We are unable to have "a la carte" pricing and each year we explain that we cannot accommodate someone who just wanted to attend only a portion of the social event because that is all they are interested in.
Each year there is a track event during NSXPO. That portion is open to anyone to "drop in" but obviously you need to pay if you want to go on the track and we ask that pay for your food if we provide it to our paying members to ensure that there is enough for all paid attendees.
My "attitude" is to ensure that the event is run smoothly for all members who have traveled from around the globe and paid to attend. My "attitude" is also to try to protect the NSXCA from "gate crashers" who may cause a problem that could result in liability to the NSXCA. We sign contracts for many of the activities and are responsible for damages if something happens. We have found in the past that nsx owners have decided that it would be "fun" to try to blend in when not being registered and that has resulted in issues for the club:
1. In Florida, we rented an aviation museum for the group photo. Priceless aircraft were on display for us and we were permitted to use them for a backdrop. Several locals who were not part of the event got onto the property and after the photo they proceeded to burnouts on museum property near the planes. The museum curators were not pleased and we would have been liable for any damages they caused.
2. In California, locals showed up at the host hotel and in the middle of the night thought it would be fun to do burnouts and drag race on the service road next to where we had our parking. The residents in the area complained and the police were called who then warned the club despite the fact none of the attendees were involved.
3. In Pennsylvania, several locals tried to get into the banquet dinner without having paid. This would have resulted in a paid attendee having problems getting a seat and being fed if we were not able to have them ejected from the premises.
These are just a few examples of problems we have incurred when "locals" have felt entitled to show up and attend activities without registering simply because they lived in the area.
If someone pays just like all other attendees, that member is welcome. Quite honestly, each year I am "put off by the attitudes" of some who just don't understand and appreciate the hard work that goes into putting on an event such as this. Cars and coffee events are held regularly all over the country where owners simply "drop in". Other events like NSXPOs are planned 18 months in advance, have six figures costs, are paid in part by sponsors who want to do something for NSXCA members and are attended by members from around the world who have incurred their own expenses to travel and be a part of NSXPO. The event is for them and since it is open to all NSXCA members, all are welcome.
