Ferrari Mailing List: Successes, failures and lessons learned...308's in '08 Review

[jim (jimshadow]

Well, as you can tell by the photos that have circulated, the event was a
success by most accounts.    We had a great crew on hand to hang out, talk
cars, swap rides and generally have fun.   It truly was a pleasure meeting
one and all who attended and it was good to see some old faces again.  (I
first met Rick and Nancy Lindsay and Ferrari Willi back in 2000 in Indy)
The biggest signal to me that this was a success was that each and every
person who drove/trailered their beloved Ferrari asked about "next year."
So from that perspective it was a hit.   From another perspective it was not
so much a success....

In setting this show up, I had been in contact with the Habitat Director
talking about what we wanted to do.   He knew up front that we had some
costs to cover, both expected and later some unexpected costs.  He was very
understanding about this and said from the first moment that in a first time
show he just didn't expect anything.  He was looking at a long term
relationship and expected that this would be an annual event.  Unfortunately
at the end of the day there were just not enough people through the show to
be able to raise any $$ for Habitat.  In fact, we're (I'm) slightly in the
hole on this one.   It just kills me to have to say that we struck out but,
the idea of the show was conceived in the public and it's only fair that the
results are public.   I've been told that I'm being way too hard on myself
over this but I do take responsibility for it.    

That being said, I've learned some valuable lessons for "next year".   I
still like the idea of a car show to benefit a charity and I've already laid
the ground work for an up front donation from Harrah's and now understand
what needs to be done in order to better advertise for the event, even
though we were in multiple print ads and 2 TV interviews...I've made many
notes in my binder already. :)

 

Memphis Habitat will not go completely unrecognized, however. I am planning
on making a personal donation on behalf of the event.   If anyone is
considering any charitable giving this year and wants to donate to the
Memphis Habitat on behalf of the "308's in '08" Ferraris you can find a
donation form here:

 

http://www.memphishabitat.com/pdf/donationform.pdf 

The main website is:  http://www.memphishabitat.com/

 

I appreciate all the interest in this event and hopefully we can have twice
as many Ferraris next year!

 

JIM