Here are the notes from the meeting that I was unable to attend (read the post)
2010 Scion Exposed Planning Panel: Aka, how I spent my "vacation" in Cincinnati.
So some of you are probably wondering what Kent and I were up to last week at the Scion: Exposed Owner's panel last week. Well, here's the breakdown. I have left some details out only because there is nothing set in stone here. The final decisions (with more input from the panel people) will be made after this year's budget is official, some time in early March. Aplogies in advance for getting long-winded.
Everyone showed up around the same time at the Hotel (Courtyard by Marriott), and we were pleased to find some very nice, Scion-embroidered backpacks waiting for us at check-in. Sadly, the rep from Michigan couldn't make it due to having to take a test that day followed up by car trouble, which kept him from showing up at the panel on Friday. A couple of the district reps for the region (Greg and Marvin) picked us up at the hotel and took us to dinner at Nada. Its a very nice, mexican food-themed place, where they are known for their tacos. Dinner was fantastic, including the "pork belly" tacos and the "mexican" coke, which were both big hits. We then scurried across the street (it was damn cold) and had a drink at Bootsy's (the funk guitarist's bar) before being conveyed back to the hotel for a good night's rest.
We made our way to the Regional office the next day, where we were shown around the office, the tech training area (including an incredibly clean garage that Kent got pictures of), and the parts distribution center (PDC). That's the place where all the dealer part orders go to, and are shipped from.
Then began the meat and potatoes. We discussed many topics, some more in-depth than others, all based around the survey that many of us took part in after the exposed even last year. Not to go out of order, but we tackeled the car show portion to a level of minutia that left no stone unturned, and will be likely to make many people happy who were very upset with how the car show went this year. The process and award system was completely reworked, and if only half the changes suggested make it to the event, I think everyone will still be happy
Another high point of contention was the location that the event will be held. While mid-ohio was acknowledged as the most likely place to do it again (being one of the largest draws in the area), there were other good suggestions made as far as alternative locations that could/would draw more people from all over the region, including KY and TN, who's attendance to the 2009 exposed was paltry at best. If we could go somewhere in southern ohio that had the capacity for the owners and allowed us to do the types of things we want to do, that may be a choice as well. The consensus on the one location vs. two location exposed was strongly voted towards one location, and unless they can find two venues that are very close to each other, it looks like the 2010 exposed will be at one location.
As a quick side note: The possibility of cooperating with another region *cough cough* Chicago *cough cough* was brought up, opening up the possibility for a Mega-event that would probably require the likes of, say, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in order to contain the event. That is a shot in the dark, though, so we'll have to wait what that region may say before getting too hopeful
As far as activities: If we do have musical entertainment, it will likely be a DJ instead of a band. Also, as in years past, there will likely be SEMA or SEMA-esque cars on display. A vendor area may be created, so that people can take home ideas for how to mod their cars, and clinics on car modification may be held as well, so that owners can start getting some know-how into their vehicles. A video game tent or tournament is a possibility, as well as a cornhole tournament, with the prizes being custom cornhole boards that will be used for the tournament. As far as "external" events (something other than Exposed) going on at set venue, that will depend on where we go and what weekend we choose. The timetable right now is expected to be some time in July-August.
I think that just about covers it. We were discussing these things from 9 AM till almost 1:15 PM, and while the conversation got tense at times, it was never hostile. Everyone got their say, and I think this year's exposed will be something to really enjoy (despite the rainy weather, which is, and probably always will be, a constant).
Kent, you'll have to back me up on anything I missed. Hope everyone enjoyed reading my long-winded report!
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Subject: Scion Exposed 2010 
Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:00 pm
i am in for sure been registerd since day one. 