Here is what I saw during my limited time while running my swap meet space. What I can say is the show was huge, and I personally like the new layout as it goes back to the way it was in the 80s and 90s. From what I was told by LA Roadster club members, it will happen again next year, at the same venue.
THANK YOU! Great photos, I'm trying to relate to were things are located since about 10 years ago when we were out there. Bob
I didn't mind the layout. I wasn't crazy about having to park in parking lot 9 and having the long walk to the swap meet and back to the parking lot.
Thanks for the pics Ron, I really appreciate that you took the time to post them here. From a sellers point of view how did the swap turn out as from all the pics and videos that I've seen there didn't appear to be much foot traffic and it was easy for the camera guys to take pics without the public getting in the way. Also seemed to be lots of real neat stuff on offer.
I did ok but expected a lot more sales. I heard mixed reactions from some people who did amazingly well, and others who did nothing at all. I like using the Sway Meet Space as a home base, and it makes it way easier to connect with people and meet new ones. LA Roadster club members told us it was completely sold out, but there were sporadic open spots all over the 3 days in different areas. The only recommendation I would make is to make it easier for people who buy large items at the swap meet to get them out to their trucks in the parking lot.
The specialty parking was a little better, I was were the tunnel dumped into the grounds. This was one of the few times were being early didn't help, when I was walking in the swap they were lining up the late comers in front of the Avalon building...right next to the swap meet.
Ron, it's my understanding that the club was able to juggle the layout a bit for more swap spots on Thursday morning. If I remember correctly Ken said they added another 50 or so. As for the sporadic empty spots, they were sold and no shows for whatever reason. My cousin was in that category as his business took priority needing his attention just before we were to leave. I personally like the pre-sale of the swap spots, but things happen. Overall, the club did a fantastic job this year and worked there ****s off trying to make everyone happy. What people don't realize is the show is made up completely of volunteer staff of club members along with their friends and families. I want to thank everyone involved for making this event happen year after year and look forward to next year's show at the Fairplex.
I went on Saturday this year, I was a little sad that some people were packing up around 10-10:30. I started walking at 7, some spots were still covered up.......I went Friday last year and the same thing was happening. I get it, lower volume of people buying......it's just sad. I bought some things, had to make 2 trips back to the Panel. I still had a great time. Hopefully I'll try both days next year.....this show needs to continue.
Being an invalid this year, I simply was not up to walking the swap. I did rent a scooter on Friday and did about 1/4 of the swap area. My perspective of it was it was too spread out without logical lanes to walk to make it practical for walking and seeing the whole thing. If you were going to walk it, you really had to be dedicated. And, as @1oldtimer put it, it was a long way away from where they parked us for the Specialty Car parking (all the way up by the Mexican Village). I have some constructive criticism I would share with the club, if they were interested in hearing it, but I'm not going to complain about it, in fact I have no complaints, I thought the show was great. But great can always be better...
The best thing that ever happened was when they went to pre-paid, pre-chosen swap meet spots. That took the fighting and saving spots out of the event, which was so hard to deal with. It was like the great land rush, once you waited in line for 24 hours or more. I absolutely have no complaints about this year, just make it easier for people who buy large items in the swap meet to have a way to get them out to their cars.
The Jalopy Journal
