It's The People - ZCON 2010

Robert_Nash · 08-05-2010, 11:51 AM

It's The People - my personal "take" on ZCON 2010

Quote:

A collection of steel, glass, aluminum, electronics and other materials go into making a car. Sometimes, the automotive press and even individuals start calling a particular car an “icon”; but what makes a car an icon?

Perhaps it’s re-defining a genre of vehicles or defining a whole new genre.

Maybe it’s a car that remains true to its heritage – where the basic DNA of the original doesn’t change, even over the course of decades or maybe it’s being so popular that the vehicle has been in production for several decades.

Many say that the Datsun/Nissan “Z” redefined the sports car genre when it was introduced to the U.S. market as the 240Z in late 1969 as a 1970 model; that nothing before it and little since has offered such refined and true sports car performance for such a reasonable cost. Certainly, while modernized, the basic DNA of the “Z” hasn’t changed much over the years; even as the “Z” celebrates its 40th anniversary.

But perhaps a better question than ‘what makes a car an icon” would be, what makes people from all over the United States and even other countries drive or trailer Z cars hundreds of miles just to spend a few days in Franklin, Tennessee?

Well…it’s the people!

Over and over during the five day event, I spoke those who came to the 23rd Annual International Z Car Convention (ZCON 2010) and heard them say nearly the same thing; that “it’s the people who keep me passionate about the Z - it’s the people that keep me coming to events like this”. Many own or have owned other performance vehicles but again and again they said it’s “Z people” who keep them involved – that make them want to drive thousands of miles just to attend a convention.

Of course, the specific reasons for why a person is passionate about cars and passionate about one particular car like the “Z” are as many as there are people. That means there were a lot of reasons why people came to ZCON 2010 this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “Z”. The parking lot of the host hotel was full of “Z” cars (which doesn’t even include the overflow hotels that many had to use) - there were people everywhere! Hundreds of “Zs” from all over (nearly 30 cars from Canada alone) and over a thousand people registered for the five day long event and hundreds more who came to see the car show on a very hot and sticky Saturday!

The host hotel for the event was the Embassy Suites, just a few hundred yards from Nissan Americas headquarters. Registration opened on Wednesday, July 28th with the opening banquet that evening. Registration lines were long but those who braved the wait were rewarded with the opening banquet which included brief messages from many involved with the Z car’s design and development as well as a group video chat with “Mr. K”; (Yutaka Katayama), now 100 years old and affectionately called the “father” of the “Z” car.

As is normal with “Z” conventions, much of the real convention happens in the parking lot as owners and enthusiasts gather and talk about the cars, renew old friendships and generally simply enjoy being around so many who share their passion - many, many hours are spend just hanging out in the parking lots sharing stories, meeting new friends and getting reacquainted with old ones!

The convention was full of activities and Thursday and Friday offered a variety of things to do including a dinner at the Wild Horse Saloon, tours of the Smyrna plant and the Lane Motor Museum; a nearly 180 mile cruise on some of Middle Tennessee’s beautiful back roads to Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division and the museum dedicated to the 101st as well as self-guided spirit and wine tour. Other events included an autocross and a drifting exhibition at the Nashville Superspeedway! Friday evening was left open so folks could spend time getting their cars ready for the biggest event of the week, the car show!

Saturday morning began early as vehicles started arriving at the Americas headquarters building around 7AM. Hundreds of cars parked on the front lawn of the headquarters representing a labor of both passion and love of the “Z” car. Pristine examples of Zs from the first generation (240Z) through the current 6th generation (370Z) were everywhere along with displays of many special Nissan vehicles from the heritage collection. Nissan employees also brought their personal vehicles to display in the adjacent parking garage to put on a show that rivaled the size of the convention show!

The weather had been hot and steamy all week and especially so on Saturday but as well as turning out for the car show, local Nissan employees turned out in a big way to volunteer for the event including taking care of such jobs as stocking free, cold, bottled water at locations around the lawn. Many people took time to escape the heat by visiting the first floor of the headquarters building where they could enjoy some food in the cafeteria, browse at the expanded company store or get a free demo of the Bose sound system in the new Maxima!

Saturday night brought the last banquet of the week – the main ball room of the Embassy Suites was literally filled to capacity as everyone waited anxiously to hear the results of the judged car show; hear from various special guests and, again, a group video conference with Mr. K.

Many people were on the way home by Sunday morning but there were still many who stayed around for the Sunday events which included “hot laps” at the Nashville Superspeedway, “touring light” laps (opened to all and done at typical highway speeds) which benefited the Nissan Heritage Museum as well as a group photo for all Z cars which staged at the Start/Finish line on the front straightaway.

I have traveled to many “Z” events over the years including Chicago, Branson, Tampa, Tulsa and places in-between but as enjoyable as those events are, I don’t think anything is quite like the international convention; especially one held at Nissan Americas Headquarters. This convention was by far, the largest ever held in its 23 year history. The 2011 convention will be in Savannah, Georgia - I plan to be at that one as well!

Robert_Nash · 08-05-2010, 11:54 AM

NOW; What Went Wrong...
It is not my intent, with the below comments, to in any way disparage the overall event or the very, very hard work that I know went into it. I truly hope that these observations will lead to even better conventions in the future.

REGISTRATION: Anybody who had preregistered should have had ALL materials prepared and put into their bags and there should have been at least one totally separate line for those who had preregistered for at least the heavy days then combine/reduce lines if the flow of people allowed it. I know the cash flow is very important but one of the benefits of people preregistering in the first place is so that you CAN have all the registration materials, goodies, badges, etc done ahead of time.

I know attendance was large but the organizer should have had at least some idea of how many people might walk up and register on site and even if they didn't; people who wait to register on arrival ought to be expecting/prepared to wait in line. In total and without any exaggeration, I waited in line over TWO hours to get my materials...I was registration no. 58! To me, that kind of screw-up is inexcusable.

TROPHIES: The biggest single event at the convention IS the car show...why do people enter a car show? To hopefully WIN and get a trophy of some kine and a little recognition from their fellow Z owners. I realize that whatever trophy company they used bears some of the blame but I don't understand how they weren't on top of this days if not weeks before the event...it's reasonable to assume that whoever was supposed to ride herd on getting the trophies ordered, proofed and delivered screwed the pooch on this.

Unlike the Peoples' choice people, at least the judged show entrants found out if they won but winning and not getting the trophy at the banquet is a BIG PROBLEM - this one may not be inexcusable but it's close.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE CAR SHOW: There was more than one problem with the people's choice part of the event. Firs of all, the classes should have been staged together...expecting people to walk all over the grounds and try to remember which 2nd gen or 4th car was the best is pretty ridiculous given the number of vehicles involved. Likewise, putting stock and modified into the same categories is also a mistake...there is nothing fair about putting a totally original 350Z up against a 350 that someone has spent $50K on in modifications.

Again, people put their car in a show to hopefully win something and many people only go to an "AWARD'S BANQUET" to get an award (they sure as hell don't go for the cuisine). Not having trophies for winners is bad enough; not having the results is truly inexcusable.

Based on what I have been told, part of the problem with having results was with the new electronic system they had this year but I have to wonder, was this new system before the Saturday car show? If not, why not?

In any case, the people's choice ballots were PAPER BALLOTS - whatever the problem with the new system, the paper ballots could have been counted manually - someone should have realized that they had a problem at which point they should have grabbed volunteers, as many as necessary, to COUNT THE BALLOTS!

Again, overall, a great convention and a great time but the above absolutely needs to be addressed

SmoothZ · 08-05-2010, 12:00 PM

Ouch, that's not a positive reflection on the event. ZCON is something I've been wanting to go to since 1996. Every year, something gets in the way. I hope they fix the mistakes and learn from previous shows. Savannah is a great place. I might have to bring the family to that one as a summer vacation.

Robert_Nash · 08-05-2010, 01:10 PM

Well, I hate to complain about an event; especially when my club was asked to be the host club for this year's ZCON but we had to say "no" because we realized that we just didn't have the manpower or the finances to pull it off; so...a big

to the ZCCA guys for putting the convention on themselves.

It WAS a great convention and I don't for a moment regret the time/money I spent to be there but I would like to see it improved.

The Savannah site should be great and assuming I can keep my schedule clear I'm definitely going to be there next year!

westpak · 08-05-2010, 02:20 PM

Great first post, I agree 100% people is what makes owning a Z that much more enjoyable, there is something different in our DNA

The second post are great observations, I also agree that things could/should have been smoother in some cases but the impact was very small in putting a blemish on the event.

I think overall considering the magnitude of the event and the fact that no one organizing it was local I would have to give it an A minus, I had a hell of a good time and do not hesitate in making plans to be at the Savannah one.

Mike · 08-05-2010, 02:55 PM

Bob, It was great having dinner with you at the opening banquet. Your observations are spot on. I stood in registration line for an hour right before the banquet, and they gave me the armbands for dinner, and said 'come back later'. Had to wait in line twice. Other than that, it was a great event.

Waiz · 08-05-2010, 03:58 PM

Hopefully you've already sent this a message to the meet organizers to address these concerns and make future meets run smoother.

Robert_Nash · 08-05-2010, 04:01 PM

Another member of our club is gathering comments from myself and others and is going to pass them along as i know a couple of other clubs/groups were planning to do.

westpak · 08-05-2010, 05:56 PM

I just saw the Middle Tennessee club is based in Nashville! I got the impression there was no club there which is why the ZCCA went at it on their own, which they usually do not do.

I did see the club just rejoined the ZCCA this year so maybe that is why there was also no interest or could not really hold a ZCCA convention without being a ZCCA club

Robert_Nash · 08-05-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westpak@HPLogic

I just saw the Middle Tennessee club is based in Nashville! I got the impression there was no club there which is why the ZCCA went at it on their own, which they usually do not do.

I did see the club just rejoined the ZCCA this year so maybe that is why there was also no interest or could not really hold a ZCCA convention without being a ZCCA club

I don't believe we re-joined; we joined but it had nothing to do with us not hosting the annual convention.

ZCCA asked Middle Tennessee Z Club (MTZC) to run the 2010 Convention after it had already decided that the 23rd annual international convention celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Z would be held in Nashville (a departure from the normal chain of events for how the convention winds up in a particular city). In other words, they decided where and then hopped we would take on the responsibility for hosting it.

The problem was that MTZC is a completely member run club; there are no elected officers. We have hosted 8 ZAttacks in our history (we were founded in 1999) - most people who have attended will tell you that that ZAttack is a quality event but the bottom line is that putting on that (essentially two day) event (around 80 cars for the show) is a huge effort for our small group and we generally have just enough money left over after ZAttack to be seed money for the next year.

Bottom line is, MTZC didn't have the manpower nor the finances to even begin to host an annual convention; much less one nearly 10 times larger than our own ZAttack. Our decision was communicated to ZCCA early last fall (about the end of August I believe).

Personally, I was disappointed that our club had to turn down the request to host...I wish our club was big enough and had the finances to have hosted the 23rd...we didn't; it's as simple as that.

As I've said and will keep saying, ZCCA put on a great event and deserve the credit for doing so but even a "perfect" event can be improved upon and I hope the above comments about "what went wrong" will be taken to heart and acted on.

westpak · 08-06-2010, 11:11 AM

that is great you guys joined, the stronger the ZCCA is the stronger we as clubs can be as well.

With the issues that came up, I hope they can be improved next year, the ZCCA guys did a great job specially when you consider they are volunteers and do it for free, the money made at this convention will be seed money for the next guys to start organizing and put deposits down.

kevr6 · 08-06-2010, 11:11 PM

I totally agree with what Robert had to say! I came in second in street mod 370Z class behind a tuner shops entry(I had more done to my car also). I've judged and helped organize VW/Audi shows for about 8 years and this was never allowed. Customers against shops and their resources just isn't fair!

I also waited through the long dinner and left empty handed. I then proceeded to drive home and fall asleep at the wheel multiple times due to how late it was.

The peoples choice awards were next to impossible to figure out unless you've seen these cars for multiple years and new in advance to some degree.

I waited near my car as long as I could and not one judge ever came by, but I did see them in line for autographs.

I heard a rumor that I may have won the 370Z peoples choice, but don't really know.

Overall I did enjoy meeting some great people and seeing some great cars. I really was not planning on doing it again formally based on this experience. But we'll see!

Also, was there info on judge criteria? I listened to them talking to each other and the reasoning for point deductions sounded completely foolish!

OK, enough ranting for me!!
Thanks

westpak · 08-06-2010, 11:45 PM

here is link for judging http://www.zcca.org/downloads/ZCCA_J...anual_2009.pdf

This year the judging was kept electronically and contestants should be able to get results and see where they lost points

300twinz · 08-07-2010, 10:48 PM

Normally People's Choice is one award for all cars in the judged and non-judged car show. There is no breakdown in People's Choice based on car model it is strictly a popularity contest.

I agree with many of your observations and I highly encourage you guys to email the convention team. Your feedback helps the next convention team as they plan the 2011 ZCON.

Z Car Club Association - 40th Anniversary of the Z.** July 28 - August 1, 2010 in Nashville, TN

westpak · 08-07-2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300twinz

Normally People's Choice is one award for all cars in the judged and non-judged car show. There is no breakdown in People's Choice based on car model it is strictly a popularity contest.

I agree with many of your observations and I highly encourage you guys to email the convention team. Your feedback helps the next convention team as they plan the 2011 ZCON.

Z Car Club Association - 40th Anniversary of the Z.** July 28 - August 1, 2010 in Nashville, TN

the people's choice is by model, it just doesn't take into account mods, it can be from stock to ultra modified

At least it was in 2007 where I won 350Z people's choice, I guess I was popular

08-05-2010, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 17	What Whet Wrong... *NOW; What Went Wrong...* It is not my intent, with the below comments, to in any way disparage the overall event or the very, very hard work that I know went into it. I truly hope that these observations will lead to even better conventions in the future. *REGISTRATION: Anybody who had preregistered should have had ALL materials prepared and put into their bags and there should have been at least one totally separate line for those who had preregistered for at least the heavy days then combine/reduce lines if the flow of people allowed it. I know the cash flow is very important but one of the benefits of people preregistering in the first place is so that you CAN have all the registration materials, goodies, badges, etc done ahead of time. I know attendance was large but the organizer should have had at least some idea of how many people might walk up and register on site and even if they didn't; people who wait to register on arrival ought to be expecting/prepared to wait in line. In total and without any exaggeration, I waited in line over TWO hours to get my materials...I was registration no. 58! To me, that kind of screw-up is inexcusable. TROPHIES: The biggest single event at the convention IS the car show...why do people enter a car show? To hopefully WIN and get a trophy of some kine and a little recognition from their fellow Z owners. I realize that whatever trophy company they used bears some of the blame but I don't understand how they weren't on top of this days if not weeks before the event...it's reasonable to assume that whoever was supposed to ride herd on getting the trophies ordered, proofed and delivered screwed the pooch on this. Unlike the Peoples' choice people, at least the judged show entrants found out if they won but winning and not getting the trophy at the banquet is a BIG PROBLEM - this one may not be inexcusable but it's close. PEOPLE'S CHOICE CAR SHOW: There was more than one problem with the people's choice part of the event. Firs of all, the classes should have been staged together...expecting people to walk all over the grounds and try to remember which 2nd gen or 4th car was the best is pretty ridiculous given the number of vehicles involved. Likewise, putting stock and modified into the same categories is also a mistake...there is nothing fair about putting a totally original 350Z up against a 350 that someone has spent $50K on in modifications. Again, people put their car in a show to hopefully win something and many people only go to an "AWARD'S BANQUET" to get an award (they sure as hell don't go for the cuisine). Not having trophies for winners is bad enough; not having the results is truly inexcusable. Based on what I have been told, part of the problem with having results was with the new electronic system they had this year but I have to wonder, was this new system before the Saturday car show? If not, why not? In any case, the people's choice ballots were PAPER BALLOTS* - whatever the problem with the new system, the paper ballots could have been counted manually - someone should have realized that they had a problem at which point they should have grabbed volunteers, as many as necessary, to *COUNT THE BALLOTS! Again, overall, a great convention and a great time but the above absolutely needs to be addressed __________________ Robert* -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

08-05-2010, 12:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
SmoothZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arrakis Posts: 7,952 Drives: giant sandworm Rep Power: 36	Ouch, that's not a positive reflection on the event. ZCON is something I've been wanting to go to since 1996. Every year, something gets in the way. I hope they fix the mistakes and learn from previous shows. Savannah is a great place. I might have to bring the family to that one as a summer vacation. __________________ "Once you go Asian, you never go Caucasian." "I talk to myself, and when I do that, I know I'm talking to an intelligent person."

08-05-2010, 01:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 17	Well, I hate to complain about an event; especially when my club was asked to be the host club for this year's ZCON but we had to say "no" because we realized that we just didn't have the manpower or the finances to pull it off; so...a big to the ZCCA guys for putting the convention on themselves. It WAS a great convention and I don't for a moment regret the time/money I spent to be there but I would like to see it improved. The Savannah site should be great and assuming I can keep my schedule clear I'm definitely going to be there next year! __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

08-05-2010, 02:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
westpak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 405 Drives: 2003 350Z DB Rep Power: 16	Great first post, I agree 100% people is what makes owning a Z that much more enjoyable, there is something different in our DNA The second post are great observations, I also agree that things could/should have been smoother in some cases but the impact was very small in putting a blemish on the event. I think overall considering the magnitude of the event and the fact that no one organizing it was local I would have to give it an A minus, I had a hell of a good time and do not hesitate in making plans to be at the Savannah one. __________________ 03 350Z 587 RWHP - May 2009 Dsport Feature

08-05-2010, 02:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	Bob, It was great having dinner with you at the opening banquet. Your observations are spot on. I stood in registration line for an hour right before the banquet, and they gave me the armbands for dinner, and said 'come back later'. Had to wait in line twice. Other than that, it was a great event. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

08-05-2010, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Waiz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 9,262 Drives: Z33 & GE8 Rep Power: 459	Hopefully you've already sent this a message to the meet organizers to address these concerns and make future meets run smoother.

08-05-2010, 04:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 17	Another member of our club is gathering comments from myself and others and is going to pass them along as i know a couple of other clubs/groups were planning to do. __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

08-05-2010, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
westpak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 405 Drives: 2003 350Z DB Rep Power: 16	I just saw the Middle Tennessee club is based in Nashville! I got the impression there was no club there which is why the ZCCA went at it on their own, which they usually do not do. I did see the club just rejoined the ZCCA this year so maybe that is why there was also no interest or could not really hold a ZCCA convention without being a ZCCA club __________________ 03 350Z 587 RWHP - May 2009 Dsport Feature

08-06-2010, 11:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
westpak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 405 Drives: 2003 350Z DB Rep Power: 16	that is great you guys joined, the stronger the ZCCA is the stronger we as clubs can be as well. With the issues that came up, I hope they can be improved next year, the ZCCA guys did a great job specially when you consider they are volunteers and do it for free, the money made at this convention will be seed money for the next guys to start organizing and put deposits down. __________________ 03 350Z 587 RWHP - May 2009 Dsport Feature

08-06-2010, 11:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
kevr6 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: N.W. Atlanta Posts: 1,515 Drives: '09 Graphite 370Z 6M Rep Power: 666	I totally agree with what Robert had to say! I came in second in street mod 370Z class behind a tuner shops entry(I had more done to my car also). I've judged and helped organize VW/Audi shows for about 8 years and this was never allowed. Customers against shops and their resources just isn't fair! I also waited through the long dinner and left empty handed. I then proceeded to drive home and fall asleep at the wheel multiple times due to how late it was. The peoples choice awards were next to impossible to figure out unless you've seen these cars for multiple years and new in advance to some degree. I waited near my car as long as I could and not one judge ever came by, but I did see them in line for autographs. I heard a rumor that I may have won the 370Z peoples choice, but don't really know. Overall I did enjoy meeting some great people and seeing some great cars. I really was not planning on doing it again formally based on this experience. But we'll see! Also, was there info on judge criteria? I listened to them talking to each other and the reasoning for point deductions sounded completely foolish! OK, enough ranting for me!! Thanks __________________ *Beware...* Daily Sliding In My ZLED!

08-06-2010, 11:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
westpak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 405 Drives: 2003 350Z DB Rep Power: 16	here is link for judging http://www.zcca.org/downloads/ZCCA_J...anual_2009.pdf This year the judging was kept electronically and contestants should be able to get results and see where they lost points __________________ 03 350Z 587 RWHP - May 2009 Dsport Feature

08-07-2010, 10:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
300twinz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 322 Drives: 300ZX Twin Turbo Rep Power: 16	Normally People's Choice is one award for all cars in the judged and non-judged car show. There is no breakdown in People's Choice based on car model it is strictly a popularity contest. I agree with many of your observations and I highly encourage you guys to email the convention team. Your feedback helps the next convention team as they plan the 2011 ZCON. Z Car Club Association - 40th Anniversary of the Z. July 28 - August 1, 2010 in Nashville, TN __________________ WWW.ZSPORT.ORG** 1991 300ZX Twin Turbo

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