RIV and price

[Jeff Miller]

Don't shoot the messenger.

Brenda has been an asset to BlueBird for many years, and surely can
recall better times. She'd rather be introducing a RIV that is free
to all owners,...

I'm sure that the cost of the fairgrounds rental has risen, as have
many costs.

In '98, if I remember correctly, I recall paying $150 for a coach
with two people, and that included up to $100 of rally service at
BlueBird.

It is my opinion, that in those days the RIV was mostly funded by
BlueBird, and meals etc. were sponsored by dealers, as more of
a "perk" for their owners/customers than a source of revenue. Times
were good with BlueBird and with dealers, and cash flow wasn't being
watched as carefully. Bluebird probably doesn't have the leverage to
force dealer participation that they used to either.

The current pricing indicates to me that the RIV costs are to be
borne by the attendees and not significantly by dealers and BlueBird
Coachworks. With the attendance dropping from around 500 coaches
in '98 to 350?? last year, and possibly futher with the large price
increase, their cost per coach will likely far exceed any estimates
that BlueBird might be making based on a 300-350coach attendance.
Vendors will similarly be unimpressed if there are less attendees
(customers) and their fees increase (Perhaps they should be invited
across the street LOL).

It is a shame to see the RIV become less of an annual event, it used
to be one of our favorite annual stops albeit at an inconvenient
time. Advertising is expensive, RIV was great P.R. and a good way to
advertise and create sales and leads for BlueBird IMO, sorry to see
the cost get in the way of participation.

One plus for this (proposed) new arrangement is that there will be
more opportunity for BlueBird "wannabees" to attend as I don't expect
that the attendance across the street will be limited to current
owners.

I hope that however the participation is split across the street,
there will be a large group descending on Perry this year.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com