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Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652084 February 11th 2014 1:59 pm
Joined: Jan 2004
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Doc you look right at home,
as far as facebook goes
never did it and never will.

Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652136 February 11th 2014 7:59 pm
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,696
Likes: 172
Old Timer
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Posts: 32,696
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Any info would be nice!


Jim & Lucy Newkirk
1965 Chevy Bad Influence
1981 Chevy-the Love Shack
2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van
2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet.
Club Vannerz.
vanninvanner@comcast.net
Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652235 February 12th 2014 4:23 pm
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 395
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enthusiast
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 395
H-m-m-m-m-m!
Nice to see so many people agreeing with me. Not tryin' to start something, but I'm not at all suprised.

Here's a little back history.......
In 1986, when I got my first computer and immediately went online, there was NO Internet, only sites like AOL and Compuserve. you had to be a member of those sites in order to access their forums and the info they contained. But, you could communicate through them with people of similar interests, just like we do here on the vanning.com forums. And we also had E-mail, so that we could communicate with people that were on other sites.

I can't tell you how much info I traded with other vanners over the years, from e-mails and posts to full sets of documents. When I attended the C. of C. in Brighton, England in 2000, I had over 70 files and documents with me at my table, pertaining to stuff I had discussed with other vanners during the past year, and all ported directly from the Internet into a palmtop computer I held in my hand. What an instant reference tool!

As an NEVC Rep, I'd get up at meetings and practically beat them over the head with requests to pick up on this technology and get with the program. I mean, I did this for YEARS without any results! I could never make them understand how useful this stuff was, and how valuable a tool it was for communicating with other councils. To this day, there are still recent members of the NEVC Executive Board that don't have a computer in the house or know how to use one.

It really wasn't until Astro started vanning.com in the 90's that people around here started buying computers, learning how to use them, and going online. And now some of them want to abandon it for Facebook??? WTF!!

So, here's my agenda for this year. Seeing as the two NEVC Co-chairs for 2014 ARE on Facebook, I'm going to try to convince at least one of them to put up a little info here on vanning.com, whenever they can. Hey, it can't hurt to try!

Wish Me Luck!

Tequila, loyal vanning.com member

Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652245 February 12th 2014 4:46 pm
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,091
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Thank You.....

Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652247 February 12th 2014 5:00 pm
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,014
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The saying is a picture is worth a thousand words. But in this case I think what Smiley posted on the VCVC site is worth all the pictures that were taken at the CofC.


"My CofC 2014 Recap (pics to follow)

Well, it's over. 18 months in the making, and now it's over. The 37th Annual Council of Councils meeting was hosted by the Vintage Chevy Van Council in New Orleans, LA. While sitting in the meeting at CofC in Tampa 2011, Amie leaned over to me and said, "We could do this", and away we went.


The first of our guests arrived from Seattle on Saturday, February 2. Sunday saw Canada and more US vanners arriving, by Tuesday night, the hotel was just about being run by us and the party was in full stride. From the first moment that people began to arrive, we knew our hotel selection was a hit, but little did we know how well it was going to go. We buckled up and were prepared for almost anything.


Our goodie bags given to all council reps included generous donations from G-Man and Taz, French Quarter maps, sightseeing guides, hundreds of Mardi Gras beads and masks donated by Chris Munzial (QQVanner), Mardi Gras doubloons, and whatever else we could cram in there. They weighed about 5 lbs. a piece. The "rep gift" was a frosted shot glass with "Voodoo on the Bayou, CofC 2014, New Orleans, LA, Council Representative" on it.


Wednesday was our big arrival day, with nearly 100 of the rooms being filled in a matter of hours. Eddie Smith, Steve Cottell, Wookee, Mary, Jacques, and Taz helped to get the hospitality room up and going. It was packed. A pub crawl ensued as those who'd been in town for a couple days took the new arrivals by streetcar to explore Bourbon St. for the evening.


Thursday was the official CofC kickoff day. There were CofC and National Truck-in Board meetings, sightseeing tours, eating and drinking binges, and all manner of fun. Parties popped up in various hotel rooms til deep into the night. I lost track of Jacques, Eddie Smith, Chris Munzial, and Mac during this time. I later found them in the pics posted of some of the wild happenings in the notorious party room, 109.


The hotel has a great breakfast area where dozens would congregate, have a generous breakfast, and plan their excursions for the day. Our hospitality room kept king cake and red beans & rice flowing for days. You could also buy your official CofC shirts, dash plaques, and pins there from our vendors. In addition, we gave out official "host" shirts to all those in the club who came to help out. We sold posters with the official event artwork, signed by the artist and limited to 50 pieces.


By Friday, it had warmed up a bit and the outdoor hot tub got to see some use. By now, we'd easily reached 300 in attendance and spread to several different hotels. Our 2pm showing of the Vannin' documentary sold out and we had to add a second screening at 3pm. A stream of 100+ vanners paraded the 5 blocks to the theater in grand fashion for each showing.


Friday night's entertainment was provided by Levee Mule. The slide guitarist, Joel Cangiolosi, is the artist who designed the CofC artwork and is also my close friend who painted the van for me. We were concerned that with all the local attractions and proximity to the French Quarter very few would come to our weekend parties. Couple that with a bad band performance, and you're looking at an empty room by 10pm. Those fears were unfounded as the Friday night pajama party was packed and spilling out into the hotel atrium. The band was scheduled and paid til midnight, but with the heavy and enthusiastic crowd, they played on till about 12:40. Then the parties migrated to the hotel rooms, again.


By this time, we were enjoying a waterfall of praise from everyone in attendance. Eddie and Chris had been vital in keeping the wheels greased on this machine, from escorting theater goers, to running errands, and then stepping up after a LONG party night to take the reins as the sergeants-at-arms for the main council meeting on Saturday morning. Eddie even woke up before me to assist the hotel staff in changing the party room into the meeting room.


The meeting went off without a hitch, and Mrs. Wookee took the minutes. It was decided that the 43rd National Truck-in will be held in Altamont, IL, and the 2015 CofC will take place in Denver, CO. Wookee took a personal moment to thank the vanning community for all their support this past year as well, but his moment in the sun was yet to be.


He and Mary were in charge of organizing the Saturday van show. By the time the meeting let out at 1pm, the van show was in full swing throughout the hotel grounds, and in the first sun sighting of the week. The Phoenix was there, center stage, and it choked me up quite a bit. Terry and Mona had spent the better part of the week readying it for the trip and it looked glorious. Virtualvanner Doug donated $250 to the council for awards for the show and Wookee took care to see that they were the best we could get.


A short time after 1pm, One Mind Brass Band set up shop in the center of the van show… and the home run was complete.


Seeing all these vans and the huge crowd in the center of the hotel grounds with a great brass band laying it down was one of the most memorable moments in my life. We did it. We really did it. But we weren't done.


Saturday night. Would everyone take this last hurrah in New Orleans to head out the the French Quarter? It was the best weather of the week too. We took a risk and hired a DJ instead of a band. Would it pay off?


The party kicked off at 9pm. We had a photo booth come to capture all the attendees in their Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball costumes. It seemed everyone (except Amie and I, who'd been too busy to get one together) was in costume, and the room was packed tighter than the night before. It was truly an amazing sight. The DJ spun a mix of New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and rock music till midnight, and the party blazed on for hours afterward.


The next 12 hours were a mix of short naps, graciously accepting tons of accolades, thanks, and congratulations on such a successful event. More than one of whom I would consider some of the "original vanners" stated that in all their years that this was the best CofC they'd ever been to. It certainly kept this extremely tired man on his feet a little longer. I was told that I was true 2%, for the first time. It's a notion I've never previously assumed or taken lightly and it was an honor to hear that. Judith made sure to tell us that at no time during the event did you ever see "behind the scenes".


Jacques, Rick, Speed, Amie, and I loaded out on Sunday morning amid more sentimental discussions, hugs, and goodbyes. The sun was out again, and I felt truly content. Taz and Jill hit the cruise ship with about 50 others for their wedding trip and the slow vanner exodus reluctantly began.

Members of the Nats Board were extremely impressed and there's already a wave a talk about holding CofC in NOLA again.

Monday morning, I quietly loaded out all the rental tables & riser, and my PA by myself. It was at that time that Buffalo Bob from FL, spotted me. He reminded me that he'd hosted CofC three times in the past and that he's been vanning since the early '70s. This was his favorite of over 30 CofCs he attended. He said he could tell how much effort, care, and organization went into our plan and execution. He finished by saying that "You're the kind of people that make vanning worthwhile". It was a highest honor that I'll never forget.

I want to thank every single person who helped in every way over the last 18 months. You may not think you did very much, but every little bit helped fuel the tank to make this possible. All those who helped create or purchase calendars made this possible; everyone who donated and bought club merchandise like club pins and t-shirts; those who gave their time to make donated items for goodie bags and raffles; the endless assistance with advice and guidance we received from vanners throughout the community; those who generously gave their time and effort and weren't able to make it; and those who were able to be here to assist and grease the wheels for a truly flawless effort. As always, I'm truly overwhelmed by your dedication to our club. The entire vanning community just got a big taste of who we are and what we are capable of. You all are the kind of people that make this life worthwhile for me.

Smiley "

Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652400 February 13th 2014 5:01 pm
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,841
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Well said Smiley!It was Great to meet you and Amie,
and as for all the accolades bestowed on you, Amie, and the rest of VCVC. They were all well deserved!!! I didn't hear any negativity the entire time I was there, just the opposite, all I heard was what a Great Time and what a VANtastic job you did! I agree it was one of the best CofCs that I have attended!!! Job WELL DONE!!!
As soon as I recover I'll post my pics!!


Smitty
1976 Ford, 1976 Ford#2, 1978 Ford, 1988 Ford
2000 Dodge,1995 Harley RoadKing, 1999 GMC Hightop Cobra

Co Chairman Southern Ohio Van Council
Tri County Vans SOVC Rep
Member Tri County Vans 1975 to Present.
Former President Tri County Vans (No officers anymore)
Former Vice President Tri County Vans
Host of the 23rd Nationals 1995, 30th Nationals 2002, and 1999 C of C
Certified Nats Judge


Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652402 February 13th 2014 5:02 pm
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,841
veteran
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,841
Oh yeah and when you guys do it again we will definitely be there!!


Smitty
1976 Ford, 1976 Ford#2, 1978 Ford, 1988 Ford
2000 Dodge,1995 Harley RoadKing, 1999 GMC Hightop Cobra

Co Chairman Southern Ohio Van Council
Tri County Vans SOVC Rep
Member Tri County Vans 1975 to Present.
Former President Tri County Vans (No officers anymore)
Former Vice President Tri County Vans
Host of the 23rd Nationals 1995, 30th Nationals 2002, and 1999 C of C
Certified Nats Judge


Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652418 February 13th 2014 6:45 pm
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,359
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Deb Offline
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Thank you Virtual for posting this information and as always for keeping us Vanners updated. Sounds like a wonderful time was had; wish I could've been there to join in the fun.


Action Vans of Michigan
Second Generation

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Re: CofC2014, "Voodoo On The Bayou", February 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.
VCVCSmiley #652745 February 16th 2014 1:34 pm
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,841
veteran
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Posts: 2,841
Tried to create new album on Photobucket so I could share pics from C of C. No luc!!! Agravating!! I may try again later!!


Smitty
1976 Ford, 1976 Ford#2, 1978 Ford, 1988 Ford
2000 Dodge,1995 Harley RoadKing, 1999 GMC Hightop Cobra

Co Chairman Southern Ohio Van Council
Tri County Vans SOVC Rep
Member Tri County Vans 1975 to Present.
Former President Tri County Vans (No officers anymore)
Former Vice President Tri County Vans
Host of the 23rd Nationals 1995, 30th Nationals 2002, and 1999 C of C
Certified Nats Judge


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