OMVA - Frontenac Show

[Ryan Harriman]

The FMVA merged with the OMVA for a number of reasons. For me it was mainly due to insurance and liability. Last years event was technically the SFRC Military Vehicle show on paper as I had the insurance for my company extended to cover the event. As my company does numerous off site activities I can't extend it to all of them as I am limited to the number I do per year.

The FMVA membership, who I have been a member since the second year if my memory serves me correctly, has always done an great job organizing the events, shows etc but we grew to the size that we either needed to merge with another group or become an official real organization. What started as an informal gathering of friends tossing money into a hat to pay for a BBQ and a location to gather once a year grew into something much bigger. I am thrilled that everyone's hard word paid off and we created an awesome event that people from the east coast to Alberta attend. The side effect was that we created something so big that we had too, has mentioned above, merge or create our own independent group.

I wouldn't say that politics is the death of every hobby. The death of a hobby is the success of your hobby. When your hobby grows past a certain point, which our group did, there are certain liabilities, legal issues etc that come with it.

My company started off as a hobby, now I am one of the largest independent sporting goods stores in the country. I know all about the extra issues that arise when your hobby grows.

As to the comment about the FMVA reaching out for help from someone and being told to fend for themselves, I am not aware of this and I have been a member since the second year. I do know I have asked the OMVA exec for advise over the years and they have always been helpful. Everyone I have asked from any group has always been helpful. We're all here to make the hobby grow, make new friends, have fun and drive our old green vehicles around.

Ryan

Originally Posted by chris vickery

Personally I thought it refreshing that a new group was created and doing their own thing, and very successfully at that (FMVC)
Seemed to me that much of the strife that had or was happening elsewhere was gone for once. I know that the Frontenac group had reached out for help and were essentially left to fend for themselves...
Such a shame to end up with the old “if you can’t beat them, join them mentality”, as it seems the current management has simply waited it out until the viability of the new group waned.
Politics, the death of every hobby.

[Ryan Harriman]

Now that we've dealt with all of that, onto the most important issue, FOOD!

I anyone coming has any dietary issues...ie no red meat, no meat, or something like that please message me.

I'm going to pick up some veggie burgers as well in case someone doesn't eat meat.

We'll have hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, some smoked brisket, pop, water, chips, salads, etc. Basically something similar to the BBQ's we've had other years. It is usually a pretty good feast.

Bring a lawn chair or two if you can, we always seem to be short on those.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the event. If you aren't able to bring a vehicle to display and just want to stop by the BBQ Saturday night you are more than welcome too. Just toss $5 in the bucket to help cover the costs of the food.


Ryan

[Ryan Harriman]

At this time we plan to continue holding the event in Odessa unless it becomes a non viable location for some reason. It has a canteen, bathrooms, camping space and room to drive around. Now that we have merged with the OMVA insurance is not an issue.

We haven’t posted on Facebook as much as usual lately but there is an event listing for the show. I am running a Facebook promotion for it which will end up costing me about $1000 that my company covers each year. So far 17,500 people have viewed the post and 515 have indicated they are going or show interest in going. 110 people have shared the post as well.

If you haven’t done so I would ask that you share the event on Facebook and invite your Facebook friends.

Ryan

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

Ryan,
Thanks for all of the clarifications!

It sounds to me from your perspective, that going forward that there would be merit in having this annual event, on your property.

This would have several major benefits:

There would not be a requirement to pay for the venue, as you already own the location and have the required space. You would probably be able to use your current liability insurance as it is on site, and would not use up the off site limitations. It would also reach out to the your clients in the established sporting goods area of your business. This is a great population that may be interested in the hobby. As you already have an Internet presence and a web page, you would be able to co-market this event. All of the above seems to be a win-win for the hobby. I remember that in the past you had reached out to OMVA to host some web based information.

The Facebook page of the FMVA has been underutilized and this "free" social media site would be of interest to the younger Historic Military Vehicle folks.

So looking forward, the event may experience some changes in venue and methods. I have always been impressed with the ability of the folks in the FMVA, now the OMVA Frontenac group to put on such an amazing event. That was why I joined in August 2015.

It sounds like to me that things would work best for everyone moving forward to explore various options to commit to change; look at the pros and cons of the current venue; and increase the use of social media/Internet.

Your thoughts?