By now you have probably heard that our Club has been selected to host the 2021 Austin Healey Club of America Conclave in Big Bear, CA! That’s a big honor for us and only the second time the event has been held on the West Coast in recent times. For many of you, it will be a chance to attend a Conclave for the Zirst time without travelling cross country.
So, what is a Conclave? Well, it’s sort of a hyper- Healey Week. Where we normally have 50-75 cars and 150 people at Healey Week, we can expect something like double that number for Conclave. Surely, we will have good attendance from our Club, as well as the San DiegoAH Club and the Golden Gate AHClub, but we will also have visitors from as far away as New York and Florida! In addition to the usual events you experience at a Healey Week (car show, poker run, scenic drives, tech sessions and social events), Conclaves also have some unique features including Concours Judging, Rally, Gymkhana and Funkhana. There are also usually a Ladies Event and an Arts, Crafts and Photography competition.
Are we up for it? I am sure we are. By virtue of holding a Healey Week each year, we have a cadre of event specialists, as well as a thoroughly developed and documented road map for hosting such an event (thanks Mike Scroggie!). I have already heard from a number of the “usual suspects” who have agreed to handle their regular duties.
But we need more volunteers! Due to the special events included in a Conclave, we need to staff the following positions: -Ladies Event coordinator. Develop an event theme and plan, organize and promote the event. This is usually a paid event so there is a budget for bringing in an interesting speaker or instructor (as well as a bit of wine and cheese).
Past Ladies Events have included jewelry making, ladies tea and best hat contest, historical tours and speakers, etc.
-Signage and Décor Coordinator. Conclaves usually involve a bit more elaborate signage and decoration than a Healey Week. This would include outdoor banners, directional and event signage at the hotel, decorations for the various social events, banquet centerpieces, etc. There is a substantial budget for these items.
-Music Coordinator. Our Conclave will include several cocktail gatherings and one theme dinner. We need someone to create appropriate “play lists” for these events. The theme dinner may include live music and a performer would have to be selected. We do have a local event coordinator in Big Bear to assist. The hotel has all the audio equipment needed.
-Videographer. We want to be able to document our event, including a video presentation at the Zinal banquet.
-Silent Auction Coordinator. The Silent Auction is a key piece of the Zinancial plan for Conclave. The Coordinator would be responsible for soliciting items for the auction as well as running the event.
-Photo Contest and/or Arts and Crafts Contest Coordinator. Attendees will bring and display their best Healey related creations. The Coordinator needs to arrange the display of these items and manage the voting for Best of Show.
Do any of these sound interesting to you? If so, drop me an email.