STAR Attendance - 2012 - 2018

[hhemstreet]

Attendance stats for the last 7 years:


http://www.hemko.com/hh/starattendance2012-2018.pdf



Harry

[Patmo]

I would have never guessed that Vermont outdrew LaCrosse, or that we had more people in Colorado Springs than LaCrosse.  Not surprised that Lexington or last time in Colorado were larger than any of the other years though.  Interesting.....

For comparison purposes only.....this week the BMW MOA (the largest BMW club with some 30,000+ members) has their National in Des Moines, Iowa.  They expect somewhere north of 3,000 members to show.  The % of MSTA attending a STAR is much higher than the % of BMWMOA members attending their national event.  (And their numbers have had a steady decline over the last 5-10 years too)......don’t really know what this all means.

[fartymarty]

......don’t really know what this all means.

We're DOOMED! 

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Yes there is decline all over, but I think the National numbers this year for BMW may have a lot to do with the location? I can only imagine what would be said if
the MSTA or COG set up a National event in Des Moines IA.  "What happened, was Topeka all booked up?" 

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Personally I also think the attendance numbers that the MSTA produce is pretty darn impressive considering the total number of members.

[fz1grl]

Did I miss something between the top part of the stats and the summary at the bottom
But I read it as 273 attended in South Dakota not 173 as is stated at the bottom and in the graph.  It makes it look a whole lot better I think.

[hhemstreet]

Sharp eyes to combat fat fingers!

Should be corrected now - thanks Denise!

Harry

[DirtFlier]

[...I can only imagine what would be said if the MSTA or COG set up a National event in Des Moines IA...FartyMarty"]

The BMW clubs (MOA & RA) don't pick sites because they are near challenging roads.  Most of the attendees camp onsite and often times never leave during the event because everything is provided on the grounds: food, entertainment, vendors, etc.  This is the European style of motorcycle rallies and it works for them.   

[Patmo]

Yeah....I recall that one year their national was in Lima, Ohio.....the only curves in that area are on the entrance ramps to I-75...

[fartymarty]

[...I can only imagine what would be said if the MSTA or COG set up a National event in Des Moines IA...FartyMarty"]

The BMW clubs (MOA & RA) don't pick sites because they are near challenging roads.  Most of the attendees camp onsite and often times never leave during the event because everything is provided on the grounds: food, entertainment, vendors, etc.  This is the European style of motorcycle rallies and it works for them.

Well that's good to know, thanks D'Flier, I had no idea that's the way they rolled. (or don't roll as the case may be. )
        ...as for it working for them...doesn't seem to percentage wise. *
The few times I've ridden with BMW folks THEY RODE!.. and they RODE FAST & CURVY!.... seems somewhat inconsistent (or incongruous?...whatever) with their rally.

Makes me think about us a bit. In addition to the STAR attendees survey, perhaps we should also ask those that didn't attend this year's rally: "why?" After you get past the personal problem answers (Couldn't get off from work, health issues, conflict with family event, etc) there might be some insight to be gained?

Regardless, it's refreshing to see so much discussion here on the forum.

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*edit: Well several days later it seems the BMW MOA estimates were a little low, according to Voni Glaves the count was 4580! Someone commented that it was low. 
    Link

[HawkGTRider]

Yes, it would be interesting to know WHY people didn't attend. We can work our behinds off to improve certain issues, but if we're missing something big, it could all be for naught.

[Brick]

I remember from years ago that there were obviously many members who never attended any event but maintained a membership. I still don’t understand that.



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[RichGrab]

I remember from years ago that there were obviously many members who never attended any event but maintained a membership. I still don’t understand that.



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I was a member from 2007 to 2011 and didn't even own a bike where I resided at that time. I became a member going to  MPFB in 2007 with my brother Steve and had such a great time, I figured this group was for me. I continued my membership for the benefits of the forum, the magazine, an occasional hotel discount and just knowing I could attend an event if time and the availability of a spare bike came along. Since getting my VFR in 2011 and then the BMW Raffle bike in 2016, I've attended as many events as I can (usually no  more than 2-3 a year), but wish it had been many more. I'll keep my membership active and continue to support the club and attend as many events as I can - and some day when I join that great club "retired", I'll go to even more.

[Ride4MS]

Well, I fit that long time member category, and not attending events.  Joined HSTA/MSTA in 2002 and attended our first event, STAR 2015 in Ark, then was busy again busy in 2016, but made time for 2017 in Col. Springs.  And this year, even after all the hard work, wondered why we had not made time for the other years.


All those years made for an expensive STAReview, but we enjoyed it.  Until last year, I think that was the first year that I joined for more than one year at a time, and Denise as MOH each year also.  Think how much we would have saved it we had joined as LifeTime member years ago.  But, HEY, the money went for a good club.

 

[africord]

@Brick.  For some of us, life just happens.  I attended the 2013 BS Rally and the 2015 STAR Rally.  Since then, I've had a career upset that has limited my vacation time and my ability to allocate time to events.

[Brick]

All,
I understand ALL of those reasons and more.   I guess I was also referring to those who had not attended ANY HSTA/MSTA event. Not just STAR.

Just another note... and remember this is how I feel and I do not think others need to feel or do this. It’s just my .02 worth.
After the first couple of years as a member I decided I wanted to “support” the club that I loved. So at renewal time I decided to re-join as a Sustaining member. One year at a time. Yes I got/get a few benefits from sustaining member BUT I feel it’s MOST financially beneficial to the club. Just a small way to donate to the club.

Brick


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[hhemstreet]

http://www.hemko.com/hh/starattendance2012-2018.pdf

Dan Igoe suggested that I include STAR attendance compared to membership numbers, so that has been added to the chart. Note 2018 uses 2017 numbers since 2018 is not over yet.

We should just do East and West STAR's and not go back to Vermont