2021 Convention

Well, we thought about coming in 2021...but to book it at the same time as Airventure at Oshkosh...pretty much kills it for us...

James.

@james_sf_douglas

I'm sorry that is a conflict for you and I can appreciate wanting to maximize time at both events. I think though that most people will see this as a bonus and not as a conflict, since generally one can see most of the Airventure event in one day. Oshkosh is only about 1.5 hours away from Brookfield, so I think most people will appreciate the two events lining up. Even for an avid air enthusiast, one could spend up to 3-4 days at Airventure and still attend the entire NDC convention if they so chose. Perhaps that also is an option for you being that they are so close.

In all honesty, the dates were chosen based on what we had originally scheduled for this year and also availability of the host hotel, as well as my own availability. Only major similar interest events like Iola, Chryslers at Carlisle, or the Airflow Convention were considered, otherwise we would never find an open date since car shows and other events happen every weekend all over the country all year round.

Well,

We will have to just not agree on this point. As someone who has attended Airventure on on multiple occasions I find the following is always true:

1. A few days is fine if you are just going to look at airplanes. However, if you go to also sit in on the forums, listen to the speakers, do the workshops, comb the swap meet and do some flying with friends...a week is hardly enough.

2. Commercial Flights in and out of the area, hotels in the area, rental cars in the area are all more expensive with the 500,000 people attending Airventure.

I think scheduling to not set up a conflict was in order. Having the convention before or after a major other venue would have done nothing to the convention and may have enticed some to come who otherwise would not drive a long distance or pay for a long ticket just for the Desoto Club Convention.

James.

The 2021 registration form has been posted to the home page and on the events page for anyone who would like to view or print it prior to receiving the printed copy that will be included in the March-April issue of the Adventures magazine.

5/11/2021 - We are officially proceeding with the convention as-planned, barring any severe changes in circumstances related to COVID in the next several weeks. The only thing to note at this time is that the assumption should be that masks are required in most venues, particularly the indoor ones. Any other small changes will be communicated to anyone registered.

Also below, as will be referenced in the March-April magazine, is a list of other things to see in the area before or after the NDC convention for those wanting to see more.

Within an hour drive - not included in NDC itinerary unless they get added as an unofficial Wednesday tour:

• The Bronze Fonz - a Milwaukee landmark, located on the riverwalk in downtown Milwaukee
• Mitchell Domes horticulture preservation - Milwaukee, WI
• Wisconsin Automotive Museum - Hartford, WI
• Holy Hill (large old church + scenic overlook) - Hubertus, WI
• Milwaukee Art Museum (Calatrava) - Milwaukee, WI
• Grohmann Art Museum - Milwaukee, WI
• Milwaukee County Zoo - Brookfield, WI
• Milwaukee Public Museum w/Imax theater - Milwaukee, WI
• Marcus Performing Arts Center - Milwaukee, WI
• American Family Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers - Milwaukee, WI
• Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee Buck's (basketball) arena - downtown Milwaukee
• Various Lake Michigan and Milwaukee River boat tours
• Discovery World (more geared towards kids) - downtown Milwaukee
• Brewery tours (Pabst “Best Place” historical tour, Miller brewery, Lakefront brewery, MKE brewery, etc.) - downtown Milwaukee. I have taken several of these tours and can recommend my favorites.
• Lake Geneva area - this is a nice area and the county rep has agreed to put together pre or post convention tour packages for anyone interested.
• Cheese shops - my go-to is Bieri's in Jackson, but there are many.
• Bristol Renaissance Fair - Bristol, WI 

Further than an hour, but notable:

• EAA Oshkosh Airventure (July 26 – August 1) – huge event for airplane enthusiasts – Oshkosh, WI
• Illinois Railway Museum, specifically their Transport Extravaganza event on Sunday, August 1, which is their largest event of the year and includes a car show - Union, IL
• Wisconsin Dells - water park capital of the world, shows, attractions (very similar to Branson in layout except replace musical shows with water parks)
• National Railroad Museum - Green Bay, WI
• Historic Lambeau Field and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame - Green Bay, WI
• State Capitol - Madison, WI
• Six Flags Great America, rollercoaster and theme park - Gurnee, IL
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum - Manitowoc, WI

Things to experience:

• Frozen Custard
• Cheese curds (squeaky fresh and also deep fried)
• Bratwursts & sausages
• Good German food (Mader's in downtown Milwaukee I have heard is one of the oldest and best)
• Friday night fish fry

can the chairman of this years convention post some information as to an update on the status of the 2021 Convention? How many people are registered, how many cars are coming, etc.

It would also be nice to have the webpage updated with this information on our clubs home page.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

I am not sure that an update on attendance is really all that important.  Either you are going or you are not.  I plan to attend this years convention whether it has 4 cars/people or 400 cars/people.  All in all, I hope attendance is high along with a great car turnout.  The NDC needs to have a good, high quality convention and I think David Frank and family will produce just that! 

One thing to note: The March/April issue of the magazine is VERY late. This issue contains the last mailed out registration for the convention, which in my experience, is the most important one of all. We had a similar problem with registrations not getting to members in 2012 for the Chattanooga Convention and in my opinion it really hurt the convention. It is my understanding that registration, along with voting ballots for the trustees, are going out this week in an emergency mail out.  Personally, I would have done this a month ago.  Hopefully the information will get into the members hands quickly.

Due to the late mailing of the printed registration forms, the mailing deadline for registering for the convention has been extended to July 6th!

@deanmullinax 

Rich Hartung replying backto you.  My point is that on the main page of the NDC that page about the 2021 convention has not been updated with any current information.  People have to know to link to other sections of the NDC webpage.

If the convention is important and I agree it is at least provide information.  As of the last update a couple of weeks ago from Bill N the convention only had very few people attending and very few cars.  Since if I were going to attend I would be going modern and that would be a two day trip for me each direction.  With only having such a small attendance being posted it does not spark the interest to travel that far.  I have been a long time member of the NDC but my summer vacations do not center around the NDC convention.  I know some members make this as their yealy vacation and some do not.  I know when I ran the convention in Philadelphia I was constantly rpoviding input on the number of members that are attending to help encourage members to attend.

I saw something that was disturbing while attending Chrysler at Carlise this past weekend. One of our members was parked right next toa Desoto sportsman and also a member of the NDC. This member did not even think about asking my friend if he is a members or even talk to him.  I was sitting their and approached this member becasue he had an NDC hat on and I intoduced my self. If I had not done that this NDC member would have just ignored us completely.

This is not what the club should be doing. We need to encourage new members and when we see another DeSoto owner at least go introduce our selves and see if they are a member and if not ask them to join and also mention about the convention.

Rich Hartung

Convention updates 7/15/2021:

After having to find another show location due to an issue with the original location, we have selected the Knights of Columbus facility at 4700 N 145th St, Brookfield, WI. For anyone spectating only on show day, the event flyer is attached.

For any late registrants, we have decided to waive the $10 late fee due to the late release of the mailed form. Registrations going forward should be brought with payment directly to the convention, but please send me an email at desoto2020@outlook.com with your selections so I can plan accordingly.

The final t-shirt order is placed and cannot be changed going forward. We do have extras ordered for all sizes, but once those are gone, they are gone.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone in two weeks in Wisconsin!