Originally Posted by pleue

few thoughts.
BAM 9 was the first time I came out, had a pretty good time, pretty awkward sometimes since I did come by myself, but I found someone I knew and spent most of the day trying to hang with him (hi dickson!) so that was alright. I'm a pretty social guy, but the curve of approaching people interested in a similar car when no one was actually around their car was difficult. That's generally what you break the ice with and what you want to talk to the other person about to begin with.

The tough part about that location is that the parking lot is away from where everyone congregates. I think the Ideal setup regardless of restriction would be

Cars
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tables, BBQ, sound stuff, booths, show cars, vendors
all the other cool things planned for this year

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Cars

Sorry, the zeros represent all the cars (maybe organized into clusters (color or type (impreza, forester, legacy, other etc.) That wouldn't be hard in the massive fields to do it by color. People won't be too upset parking away from all the folks they already know.

Since the ideal layout in my mind isn't the case, I want to create a system so I can come this year and meet people WITH their cars, ask about them, shoot the shizz. It's impossible at the location on the time of year. 100 degrees in that stray field with no shade so no one wants to stay away from the grass, water, and canopy for long. So first things first, it would be great to push it later. TI is a fantastic idea and location and I know the leasing company folks really well from living there so it's a possibility in the furute, but probably out of the question now. Never too hot there, the back side is not so windy (where they hold dragon boat stuff)

So. An organized time block 1-2hours of an open house. Want to show off your car? Grab a lawn chair, set up in front of it, pop the hood, and wait for folks. Not so into showing it off? Just take the gallery walk. Make it a specific timeframe so everyone knows to be there in advance and they won't be missing other stuff going on.

Seperate organized time block (1-2hours) of BAIC swap meet. Want to sell parts? Want to buy parts? What better place to see it all in one place. Pack your trunk, bring your money, and sell out the car or in front within reason (don't spread out all over the place and take up other parking spots. I got lots of things to sell, tons of stuff I'd be tempted buy.

This way, there are two opportunities to meet and greet, show cars, talk parts and mods, meet folks (connect faces to cars and so forth) and meander through all the great automobiles you guys have without taking everyone away from the central area for the whole time.

Photoshoot signups. Want to organize one? Put your name, iclub name, phone number, and car type (what you have, what you're looking for) and time you want to do it (afternoon only as things wind down) on a sheet and post on the big bulletin board. Check back during the day, call, coordinate, and round up at the special photo shoot lots that have been organized by the BAM crew. Props to a vendor who would donate detail spray, tire dress etc. Or a camera man who would volunteer to do pro shots or charge for prints and finals emailed out.

Like gearing out? Install lot, share your tools, know-how, and learn some things from all the other folks there. Horrified at the idea of doing an up-pipe? Some folks here can do em in less than an hour. This can be risky, liability, leaky fluids, cleanup etc.

For events:

Lawn games organized area: bocce, badmitton, croquet, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, etc. Grab a partner and get out there. Have an area where people are intersted in playing can hang, meet other members, find a 2nd and play a round. Collect gear from members to use or buy a cheapo set of multiple sport stuff. Incentivise getting out there (play a round, share 1 new thing about your partner (yay subaru summer camp!) get a dollar off 1st raffle ticket or something). Let's folks meet new folks.

Karaoke booth: nuff said.

Carnival games: setup, pay to play, win a raffle ticket or two, or win nothing haha. Have fun other booths if you could (mustache painting, etc.)

Slip and slide: great past idea. guest judges. Hit a high enough score, win a raffle ticket. once again, incentivize (that's not a word is it?)

Car show: great idea. You need different classes. Way too hard to choose. More cars maybe. Have a panel of judges go around the big parkign lots where folks snap photos, display on the projector for the crowd, and clown on the person a bit ( can get a printer out or cheapo metals you sharpie write on for eg.) Possible awards off the top of my head.

Dirtiest interior
Most door dings
The that'll buff out award
Lowest
Highest
Ugliest wheels award
Most creative use of zip ties
Tallest wing
Biggest ricer
Biggest exhaust tip

etc. etc. Make it fun, funny, gets new folks out in front of the crowd, people will remember each other as the dude with more curb than wheel or something like that.

This way there's a bunch of mini events, everyone has an individualized experience, but there are big events sprinkled in (bbq, raffle, parking lot car show awards, other car show voting,) that bring folks all together. Phew didn't plan on writing much at all.