The G T O Tiger Times October 2017 Volume 22 Issue 10 The Voice of the G T O and Pontiac Enthusiast in Central Pennsylvania Preidnt Mesag If, let ’s say 70 of our members attend with their cars, and talking to our friends in the Long Island GTO club who stated they are coming in force, just between our In the past at this time of year we wind down the sea- two chapters we could see roughly 100 cars. This is be- son reflecting back on the season that drove right past fore many of our guests from our yearly show attend. us. This year is different. Rather than kick back and re- And, IF , let ’s say 100 of the 175 attend, we could see lax, we ’re getting ready to hit the full speed ahead lev- nearly 200 show cars before guests from all over attend. er. June will be here before you know it and we ’ll be Pittsburgh is down the pike and they have quite a few front and center on the National Stage. members as well. With the events we ’re promoting in- cluding family orientated activities that include kids, we We ’ve been courted by the GTOAA for many years to have many tangibles in our favor for potentially high host a convention, and in 2018 we ’ll be hosting GTOs numbers. This is IF the stars align. There is weather to and Pontiacs from all over the nation. We ’ll also see In- consider, and unexpected adverse surprises. I like deal- ternational guests as members outside of the USA will ing in real numbers and keeping things in perspective, travel to attend a convention. For those who may not which is why our goal is to procure the average attend- know, the GTOAA has many members in Canada, Aus- ance. Basing numbers on anything higher than that can tralia and even in Europe. Don ’t expect to see them spell disaster. Anything above the average is a bonus, bringing their Goats however, that ’d be great, but cost- and who doesn ’t like getting a bonus? ly. With the convention in Eastern PA I am hoping to see Canadian cars though. For many chapters, hosting a As we forge ahead working on, and preparing for the convention is a once in a lifetime event and we want to convention, I am hoping YOU will be a part of this. Most make sure we do this right! of our membership has never attended a convention. I will tell you they are A LOT of fun. You will see cars It is my hope that you, our membership turns out in from all over the country and have the opportunity to force. Typically a convention will see roughly 10% of its meet and interact with celebrities you ’ve only read bout, total membership attend. 300 -350 registrations is typical attend their seminars and enjoy a week of GTO/Pontiac with mid 200 cars combined in the concours/pop fellowship. Some of your fellow members have been showfields. The 2017 convention held in Springfield, working hard the past 2 years putting together a formu- Illinois saw roughly 417 event registrations with about la that will afford everyone who attends a GR -RRR!eat 256 show cars, of which 73 were concours. This was a time. great turnout and a great convention. We are in a Vic unique situation to possibly draw as many. A couple of factors indicate this. This is the first time back in the east in 4 years, (folks are eager for a convention) and the first time ever in this region. (2014 saw it held in Pittsburgh). Talking to one of Mecum ’s managers who scouted where to hold their N.E. Auction they re- searched the best area based on percentage of the pop- ulace of the region and chose the Harrisburg area. Their research indicated 25% of the nation is easily reachable in this area. Being told by them we chose an excellent area to hold our convention was very reassur- ing. The Valley Forge area is in a hot bed of enthusiasts and located in a major travel hub of all points north, south east, and west. Another positive factor is our highly successful and popular Pontiac Show. Each year we are seeing just about national numbers with 175+ cars. Using this as a base we have the potentia l to draw above average numbers. SVGTO.COM The GTO Tiger Times, A 2006 -16 GTOAA Award winner for Chapter Newsletter Excellence October 2017 Club News 2018 SVGTO Membership Annual Banquet This is the time of year I begin sending Our annual banquet will be November 18, Random Pontiacs reminders for 2018 membership dues. 2018 at Enck ’s Custom Catering Banquet Dues are the same as in the past. Some facility just south of Manheim. Appetizers of our members have paid in advance will be served at 5pm with a buffet at and are good until January of 2019. A 6pm. few joined after June and took advantage Once we approve the menu and costs per of the prorated dues. Many choose to person at our October 22 nd meeting at renew at our banquet which is a great the Hillside, you will be informed. A head time to do so. See Secretary Russ with count will be required by Monday Novem- your 2018 dues he will process you. You ber 13. Great Food, GREAT people, door can also renew online on our website ’s prizes and more, I hope you can make it. Members Only page or mail your fee and For our newest members this is a great registration to Bob. If your contact info time to meet many of your new friends. and car ownership has changed please More to follow …… inform us so we can keep our records current. 2017 Marked our 11th SVGTO All Pontiac Show. Hard to believe that we have done Your GTOAA dues will be with them, and 11 shows already. Many of our members you can submit them to the GTOAA when were there in the early days but many of you are reminded by yours truly. you were not. As I perused the archives I came across the newsletter article about Just to remind: GTOAA members: Your our first show in September 2007. I have GTOAA dues must be current as of Janu- included a reprint of this article on ary 1, 2018. If not, you will be removed page 5 . From our humble beginnings from our active roster. If you are unsure hosting a show of 27 cars, to the present, of your GTOAA renew date all you need where our show regularly draws 150+ it do is look at your issue of The Legend ’s is quite amazing indeed. Take a minute to address label, your expiration date will be look at where we started and marvel at on it. If you receive a reminder from me where we are now. that is also a heads up indicator. Dues As we embark on the putting together are accepted the month of January. If the biggest event in our club ’s history, we you haven ’t renewed by the 31 st of Janu- can be secure in the knowledge that ary it ’s assumed you chose to leave us. those 11 successful shows have given us ATTENTION! You will be removed from our active invaluable experience to organize one of member roster and will not receive up- the greatest gatherings of Pontiacs ever! Be sure to check out the dates. You will be reminded often from website now until January of renewals. I hope Also from the archives, I have attached you choose to renew. the latest SVGTO Retrospective issue www.svgto.com from August 2007 . This issue was our first issue produced in PDF format, but For the latest information of also it features a story on the upcoming events. US30 Musclecar Madness, which was the show that introduced our future leader, Vic Schreck, to SVGTO! An historic event indeed! Next Meeting: Membership Update: The next club meeting will be Sunday October 22nd, 1pm @ Hillside Cafe We have welcomed the following new members since our Pontiac Show: Ronald Fies; ’64 GTO Jim Teague; (2) ’64 GTOs – ’74 GTO Charles Schultheis; ’67 GTO If you have comments about, or suggestions to WELCOME TO ALL!! help improve The GTO Tiger Times, please We have reached a milestone in memberships: 83 members. Our previous milestone was contact Russ Esenwine. 81 back in 2015. To give you an idea how much our clan has grown, I recall 24 members when I joined in 2006. In 10 years ’ time you can see how much we ’ve grown. We ’ve [email protected] grown while maintaining our 100% affiliation to the GTOAA. Page 2 Recent & Upcoming Events SVGTO.COM 2018 Convention Speakers CONVENTION SPONSORS & VENDORS WANTED!!!! As work continues on our convention and plans begin fi- nalizing, we ’ll keep our membership well informed. I want We ’re looking for Sponsors and vendors for our conven- to inform you of the VIP ’s who will be in attendance. The tion. If you have an employer or a friend who you think below are scheduled to present seminars and will be in may be interested in being a sponsor please let Vic attendance for you to meet and chat with. Although they know. I would love to chat with them and provide them have been scheduled, their schedules are subject change. information on how we can promote them.