20 February 1982

The 1982 meeting, hosted by the North Carolina/South Carolina Van Council was held at the Radisson Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 20, 1982. Representatives from Florida Van Council (FVC), North Carolina/South Carolina Van Council (NC/SC), Southern Van Council - East (SCVE), Southern Van Council - West (SVCW), Maryland Van Council (MVC) and Southeastern Virginia Van Council (SEVVC) were present. An attendance roster was circulated.

Sam Andrews, Co-chairman of the Council of Councils Committee chaired the meeting. The following topics were discussed:

(SVCW) noted money situations were a factor but have had good support at all sanctioned. FVC agreed with the money situation and pointed out that distances to the events are a hardship, but have had good support for centrally located events.

Doubling up, tents and campers are on the upswing. Attendance is slowing down, but the number of people per van has increased to 4 or 5. Decrease in younger vanners was discussed. FVC reported they have more young vanners coming in. MVC noted that they had more father-son combinations. SVCE reported more families and older vanners. NC/SC VC also noted more family vanners.

FVC noted that they had a severe problem with dogs at truck-ins. People have been bitten, as well as getting dirty feet. They suggested the possibility of registering dogs at the gate or through pre-registration. MVC suggested leashing people and letting the dogs go. SVGW said that they had alot of large dogs but no problems so far. NC/SC VC noted that they had no dog or animal problems so far.

FVC stated that they are trying to hold the cost between $18 and $20 by going to smaller events at smaller campgrounds.

SVCW is also going to smaller truck-ins with a $15-$18 range. They also suggested using unknown bands for music to help lower costs. MVC reported truck-in costs around $20. They also have smaller local events. Also trying to make them closer together to keep costs down. SVCE noted they charge 1/2 gate price for Saturday night events only. MVC stated that they try to inform people about promoter-backed events by telling them. you won't get what you pay for.

It was basically agreed that campground facilities are on the decline. FVC discussed their lawsuit regarding the breach of contract for a campground lease. MVC stated they had good success by actually leasing the entire campground. By doing this, it gave them complete control over the campers. SVCW stated that they have a diverse problem with facilities. They noted that they have actually had to truck in water for events. SVCE also started facility problems. They also pointed out that use of state campgrounds was prohibited, due to alcoholic beverage laws.

FVC reported 42 clubs, SVCE reported eight (8) clubs, NC/SC VC currently showing nine (9) clubs, MVC 39 clubs, SVCW has approximately sixty (60) with 35-40 independents and SEVVC reported eighteen (18) clubs and noted that one club's membership had dropped from 35 trucks down to five (5). The general consensus was that there are no grudges against independent vanners. The Council of Councils is 100% for communication with all vanners.

SVCW said that all their council meetings were held at all truck-ins. NC/SC VC noted that they had tried this without much success due to the partying atmosphere. FVC noted also it is hard to control meetings at truck-ins. NC/SC VC reported a decline in attendance at council meetings. MVC noted a strong attendance, but if a club missed three (3) consecutive meetings, they were dropped from the roster. There was a discussion of clubs dropping out of the council due to dissension. SVCE noted that they handled problems immediately instead of letting things stay up in the air too long and creating ill feelings.

There was a lengthy discussion concerning vendors. MVC pointed out they use a first-come/first-serve basis with a fee in the range of $40-$50. FVC stated that they have steady vendors due to the fact that they are starting to organize with $50-$75 fees. They also noted that by placing the vendors around the band area, business was better. SVCE stated that vendors are dwindling at truck-ins, due to high overhead, long distance travel and vendor fees.

SVCW said they had trouble getting vendors due to the long distances to their events. Rather than charging fees, they were going to more donations by the vendors.

SVCW stated that they thought too many clubs were only interested in making money at their events even though they were supposed to be basically nonprofit. FVC stated that one way or another their profits went back to the vanners, i.e., better facilities, bands, trophies, etc. SVCW also said there was a big emphasis on show and shine in their areas and that they had a lot of top quality expensive show vans and forced them to spend more money on bigger and better trophies.

It was generally agreed by all the council officers that there needed to be some new and different ideas to draw truckers to events.

MVC noted that they had introduced women's mud wrestling and mechanical bulls. They also held games for men's teams as well as women's in order to create more enthusiasm. SVCW told about a "beauty" pageant that they had started. This pageant did not involve any nudity, but was a test of a girl's knowledge on vanning. This seemed to be real popular at all the events. Other ideas and games were exchanged but it was agreed that the events would have to have something new or different to draw truckers.

FVC announced that one of their members, Judy Pilon, had volunteered to create a clearing house for all events. She will also send notices of events to national magazines for publication.

The 1983 Council of Councils meeting will be hosted by SVCE and will tentatively be held in Birmingham, Alabama.

FVC concluded the meeting by stressing the continuation of strong communication among all the councils. It was the opinion of all the officers that this is necessary to continue the vanning movement.

The meeting was adjourned and the officers took the opportunity to swap collectibles.

MARGIE BLANKENSHIP

SECRETARY

NC/SC Van Council

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