Forum > General Discussion

STAR attendees….question

<< < (2/4) > >>

stevegrab:
I agree with Bill that June, in summer is a better time for any sort of riding event. Later in the year weather is less predictable. There are a few places we should not go in June, one is Texas, and when STAR was there last time the event was held in April. There were some people not happy about that, but it was necessary.

As for the lower attendance this past year compared to prior ones, was it much lower than Canaan Valley, or are we comparing the the events before 2020? Last year I was itching to do something and planned to do STAR once I heard it was on. In 2020 I had planned to go to Cape Girardeau, and then when it got rescheduled I decided to do something else. (My brother and I had been trying to get to Deal's Gap area for years, kept being derailed and decided 2022 was the year, and we'd skip STAR. Had I know STAR would be in Knoxville the following year (I thought it was headed out west for some reason) I might have come.

I heard attendance from our corner of the world (Northeast Ohio) was very low, where if its within a day or two ride we usually have a 6-10 or more.

Some people just don't want to do things, we saw that at our work conference this year which was a hybrid in-person virtual after 2 years full virtual. But those who came enjoyed and we committed to doing hybrid again, instead of virtual only. But we still have no idea how many will come, will it be closer to the numbers before 2020? Or more like this year, or somewhere between? Dealing with similar things at church, if we plan something how many do we expect, considering we've had fewer events and attendance for services is also way down.

Ride4MS:
2014   Rapid City   SD   Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza   273   
2015   Springdale   AR   Holiday Inn Springdale   ?   
2016   Stratton Mountain   VT   Big Bear Lodge   265   
2017   Colorado Springs   CO   Hotel Elegante   315   
2018   La Crosse   WI   Radisson La Crosse   290   
2019   Bristol   VA   Holiday Inn Bristol   317   
2021   Davis   WV   New Canaan Valley Resort   375

Those are the numbers from the STAR HISTORICAL DATA on this forum.
I don't know how to decipher why the numbers are what they are, being CO was 315, and usually eastern is higher with more members. And then VT was only 265. My comments on June 28 would be a good place to start asking questions, but, will enough people respond to give some ideas? Who knows.
As they say, The Times are a Changing.

Yamaharley:

--- Quote from: brider on June 28, 2022, 10:38:50 AM ---IMHO STAR needs to stay in June if you want attract a younger crowd of working folks.

--- End quote ---

As one of these younger and working folks (with young children), I agree.  There's no way we would be able to attend during the school year.

Anecdotally, I heard a few that changed plans due to 100+ degree forecast.  Thank God that didn't materialize.  How does your registered/no-show rate look?

africord:
Our perception of the location is a probable driver.  Except for Colorado Springs and Stratton Mountain, eastern locations appear to be doing better. I was at Springdale, but my schedule hasn't cooperated since. 

RIDEMYST:
Move STAR to a cooler time of the year!

I'm reading through the comments here and I just scratch my head.

"Keep STAR in June to attract younger members."
Really? We've had ONE Star that wasn't in June (2008 Kerrville, TX) and nearly all Star's have been in June. Where are these younger members we are attracting? I think we've tested those waters, guys! Go to any major rally with 100K+ in attendance (Bike Week, Sturgis) and look around. If you're in your 50's you will be a youngster! I believe our average member's age is 60+... sad but true.

"June has more predictable weather."
I agree....it's gonna be HOT!
I rode through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and of course Missouri to get to this year's Star and yes the weather was predictable as I rode in 102 degree temperatures En route!

Consider this, after Labor Day the kids are back in school, you aren't stuck behind that minivan with Mom & Dad and the kids and dog on those great twistie roads!

Our focus needs to be on satisfying our existing Star attendee's and riding in triple digit temperatures in not my idea of fun. 
It's time for a change, IMHO. -JEP-

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page