VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION Meets, Tours & Events Full Tours

It has been mentioned from time to time that tours are full and new people can't get registered for the tours.

It has been my experience while hosting tours that if we have more than 100 participants it is hard to find places that can handle the larger croud.

One example if the recent HAPPY DAYS TOUR. We had a limit of 50 vehicles or 100 people. We took over the entire motel. We filled the Carriage Room for the opening and closing. We filled the upper level of the restaurant we had our Wednesday group lunch. Some of our tours required that we devide into smaller groups.

My wife and I were one day chairs for an AACA Glidden Tour when we had 425 vehicles. I can tell you that is lots of work and problems to solve.

There is no rule in VCCA that limits the number of participants if a person is up to the task.

I believe it is better to tour in small town areas and that presents certain limits on facilities.

As a person that has worked on a bunch of tours (over 20) I support all that Backroads wrote and add a little more info. A tour of 80-100 people is a BIG deal (economic impact) for a small town, they are more friendly and accommodating. Travel to and from the motel is much easier and sometimes you can even get a police escort through more difficult areas. If you do get an escort be prepared for people to come out of buildings, doff their hats and bow their heads. I'll let you figure out that one. Also be prepared for people to ask "Where is the car show?" We finally have learned to tell them "This is it" "We are on a week long tour of your town and nearby sights." "Most of the cars will be in the motel parking lot in the morning and evenings but we will be on the road during the day." "Feel free to come by and see them."

A word to the wise. If you think you want to go on a tour request the information as soon as you know about the tour and then send in the registration form ASAP. We all try to make room for newbies when possible.

Another important point! Only a few people put on tours each year and many of them are getting tired and are VERY willing to help anyone who wants to put on a tour in their area. It will not be too far in the future that most will retire from hosting tours. Some already have.