Vintagers

[Kevin McCormack]

Quite a bit of vendor / participant discussion sotto voce about this, Eric. Chuck posted some pictures and elaborated on the near-fiasco with the FPC when we couldn't locate one of our Fox shooters. Concensus is he never came back to check the leader board to see if he had made the team and most likely left the premesis before the 3PM shootoff! This, after having signed up, paid $50 for the qualifiying round, and coming back to turn his scorecard in!

There were in excess of 150 shooters overall but in typical fashion they trickled in & out in small groups according to their event classes and gauges. Hopkins staff did a good job checking with vendors through the tents periodically but nothing like prior events at other locations which shall remain unnamed. You have to remember that this is year 2 of Hopkins involvement in the VC; the learning curve IMHO is still steep for them.

Having been to every one of these things since the first one at Addieville (with the exception of last year), I can tell you one of the biggest problems with these events is advance publicity. Before the first VC at Pintail Point in MD, there was exactly ONE sign in the window of Albright's Gun Shop in Easton MD regarding the event. Last weekend at Hopkins, there was NOT ONE SIGN or notice at the full-service sporting goods store (think a "mini-Cabela's") or attached restaurant and quick-stop gas mart less than a half-mile away! I bet I talked to 20 people on Saturday who had no idea that they could go there for ice, paper towels, bottled water, bug spray, etc. And this at an establishment (Hopkins) that's been in operation for the better part of 25 years! After doing these type events since the 1980's, I'm convinced the key is a 'total immersion" approach with a little bit of Chamber of Commerce connection flavor (e.g., what's nearby, etc.). Also - ads in ALL the specialty mags, nearby storefronts, and on our BBS sights many months in advance. Without advance publicity these things happen in a vacuum.

[John Truitt]

I was at last years and this years VGC.

What Mr McCormick said is spot on.

Much more shooters this year over last. Much more shooters on the course and entering events.
More vendors. I don't know how the vendors felt. If guns were sold or not. I know I bought one but overall I just don't know how it went for them.

I will say this as far as from a shooting perspective (again shooting, nothing else): Mr and Mrs Hopkins and their excellent staff have done and are willing to do everything that has been asked of them. They made adjustments that were asked of them from last years event and made them much better this year. THEY ARE LEARNING and WILLING TO DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES to make this shoot a success.

IMO: advertising for next years event needs to start now. Just like Kevin said, all the usual magazines, journals, parker pages, LC smith journal, etc. Get the word out. On line sites, etc.



As for the course:
1. sub gauge course (410,32,28,24,20)
2. large bore course (16,12,10)
3. Two practice five stands
4. One competition five stand (FPC and Main event shoot off for HOA)
5. a great 6 machine driven flurry set up
6. 100 bird main event course (on a totally different part of the property)
7. Rifle course for big bore, stalking/ stopping rifles/ cape gun/ drilling/ etc


It is a big place. I do suggest a golf cart or gator or something. some were walking it but a cart helps.
Trappers at all stations and fields.
Water coolers on the course

great targets!!!!!!!!!!! for all events, each course with its own flavor.

Excellent staff. Very professional. they know what they are doing.
remember this is only their second time dealing with a side by side event. They are used to NSCA. so it is a big learning curve and very different than what they are used to.

I have nothing negative to say about the event, course, location, people, etc.
I am thankful the VGC is back and around and back again for next year. I will do everything I can to support both the VGC and Hopkins and the PGCA.

[Edwin Obrecht]

Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack

Quite a bit of vendor / participant discussion sotto voce about this, Eric. Chuck posted some pictures and elaborated on the near-fiasco with the FPC when we couldn't locate one of our Fox shooters. Concensus is he never came back to check the leader board to see if he had made the team and most likely left the premesis before the 3PM shootoff! This, after having signed up, paid $50 for the qualifiying round, and coming back to turn his scorecard in!

There were in excess of 150 shooters overall but in typical fashion they trickled in & out in small groups according to their event classes and gauges. Hopkins staff did a good job checking with vendors through the tents periodically but nothing like prior events at other locations which shall remain unnamed. You have to remember that this is year 2 of Hopkins involvement in the VC; the learning curve IMHO is still steep for them.



Having been to every one of these things since the first one at Addieville (with the exception of last year), I can tell you one of the biggest problems with these events is advance publicity. Before the first VC at Pintail Point in MD, there was exactly ONE sign in the window of Albright's Gun Shop in Easton MD regarding the event. Last weekend at Hopkins, there was NOT ONE SIGN or notice at the full-service sporting goods store (think a "mini-Cabela's") or attached restaurant and quick-stop gas mart less than a half-mile away! I bet I talked to 20 people on Saturday who had no idea that they could go there for ice, paper towels, bottled water, bug spray, etc. And this at an establishment (Hopkins) that's been in operation for the better part of 25 years! After doing these type events since the 1980's, I'm convinced the key is a 'total immersion" approach with a little bit of Chamber of Commerce connection flavor (e.g., what's nearby, etc.). Also - ads in ALL the specialty mags, nearby storefronts, and on our BBS sights many months in advance. Without advance publicity these things happen in a vacuum.

I passed this on to the management of Molly’s ( mini Cabelas). Bet you see some signage in the future.