Howdy all!  A fellow racer emailed with a couple of really good ideas, and I had a few questions for you Midwestern guys and gals...

1.  Since we planned the banquet to coincide with the motorcycle show in Chicago, how many of you (or people you know) went to the show that weekend?  Was it worth planning them together?
2.  I believe a sit-down dinner would be best for banquets from now on, but perhaps at an interesting place.  Obviously, sit down dinners will cost more than appetizers (sp?).  What is a banquet dinner worth to you?  $20?  $30?  $40?
3.  The girls and I were talking, and we think the banquets should become a more formal affair.  Would raising the dress code to "dress apparrel" or "semi-formal" be appropriate, or should we stick with the "business casual" approach?
4.  We've also come up with an idea of having a DJ for the "after-awards" fun.  What do you think of making it an evening of dinner, dancing, and awards?  Don't attack me yet, I'm just throwing it out there.

This is your chance to put your thoughts into motion!  Your imput would be greatly appreciated!

I like the idea of a sit-down dinner followed by an awards presentation and dancing. :D  I never get to dress up any more!

The only downside of having it in Chicago would be the expense.  An event on the same scale in Rockford or Milwaukee would surely be less expensive.

Well, the reason myself, along with several others, enjoyed ourselves so much last year, is that it WASN'T some stuffy awards ceremony.  It was also nice that it was at a casual bar in Chicago - gave us the opportunity to meet up with fellow racers, chat/bench race, have a few cool ones, and then hit the clubs.

I'm sure it also adds to the attractiveness of the event to hold it downtown... people who come from a ways away can go see the sights, etc.  Rockford is a sh!thole.  Not to mention holding a nice banquet there (if formal is the direction you want to go) would be a joke... Rockford's idea of classy is Applebee's.  As for Milwaukee - I don't know anything about Milwaukee, that'd probably be ok - tho isn't it not as centrally-located as Chicago?

My vote?  Downtown Chicago again.  Keep the dress code biz casual.  I don't know about you guys, but I don't exactly think of "fun" as a suit and tie.  Don't necessarily have to hold it at a sports bar, but don't hold it someplace that is champagne-and-caviar either.

Quote.  Rockford is a sh!thole.  Not to mention holding a nice banquet there (if formal is the direction you want to go) would be a joke... Rockford's idea of classy is Applebee's.

     HEY! I resemble that statement! I live in Rockford, and I ate at Applebee's tonight!  ;D

Quote Rockford is a sh!thole.

Apparently Jim has never been to Janesville. ;D This town SUCKS A$$ big time.

     As far as downtown Chicago goes, everything is so expensive - parking, taxi's, hotels, tolls, mass confusion in trying to get around, traffic jams, etc. If it were in the Chicago area I don't think downtown is really the best situation, I think the 'burbs would be better.

     I personally think that the awards presentations should be somewhat formal, I mean this is the climax to a seasons efforts, not just another night out to eat. I don't really care so much about the extent of formalness, but at least have it at some place somewhat respectable.

     Just my opinion!  ;D

Tiffany, I put a folder of information on a possible site in the CCS package from Blackhawk this weekend.  It is called the Clocktower Inn, and is located in Rockford.  I took a quick walk around, and it is just as nice as I remember it.  We could spend a weekend there and never have to leave the premises.  (Unless, of course, hanging with the CCS crowd is too boring for some folks.)  Many folks I have talked to think that it would be an excellent choice.
I worked a booth at the motorcycle show on the day of the banquet last year, and saw about a dozen CCS people.  For my preference, it would be held on a different weekend, so I could be free to relax and not be working for my sponsors Saturday and Sunday.  Also, I totally agree about hating the expense, hassle and confusion of Downtown Chicago, and I pretty much live there!

My $.02.

Sit-down meal 100mi radius of Milwaukee

Awards.  Any chance of changing these?

My personal thought would be every class and region 1st place gets trophy while 2-5 receives a single plaque with all the individual's accomplishments.

i.e.  If I had 1 1st place class, 5 2nd's and 3 3rds, I'd get 1 trophy, and one plaque with the class listings and finishings for the 2nd's and 3rd's...

I don't know what the cost on this would be, but can't imagine it to be immense.

I vote to stay away from Downtown Chicago.  I'm sure there are nicer facilities there, but in my oppinion that doesn't justify the additional hassle and costs.  I would prefer something in Milwaukee or at least in the Chicago burbs.  Rockford would also be better than Downtown Chicago.

By the way - what do you get for a regional class championship?  Trophy, plaque, pat on the back??  How about if you win the same class in multiple regions?

I prefer the banquet with a sit down dinner. I think people should be allowed to dress as they like.

Downtown Chicago is too expensive, too crowded and too little parking.

I agree with Chris, having the banquet the same weekend as the bike show is great unless you are working at the show. I would like it on a different weekend than the show.

Last year, regional championship trophies consisted of a small stand with a rider aboard a sportbike mounted to it.  The bike was about 1/8th to 1/12th scale.  You recieved one for each class and each region you earned a championship in.  Very elegant.
2nd through 5th was a certificate straight out of the laser printer.  Not very elegant.  I agree that it would be neat to have your 2-5 combined on a plaque.  At least it won't turn yellow!

The regional tropies from last year are the COOLEST trophies I've ever seen. :o  "Elegant" is the right word!