K&J Kruise

[cfesmire]

Both great ideas. I was planning on doing a diner soon anyway, there's a very nice stainless that was renovated in Augusta that I would like to copy. I also thought of something like Jerry's Packard showroom.

[BillC]

I've been toying with a design for a restaurant called the Rocket Cafe for a few years. It was originally going to be a structure on our N scale layout, but I decided it would make at great showcase for my 1/87 models. Maybe 2008 will be the year it goes from sketches to reality.

[cfesmire]

Hope you can find the time so we can all see you make progress on it Bill.

By the way, you mentioned acquiring a sponsor. How does one go about getting one without looking like you're standing with an outstretched cup in hand?

[BillC]

I am working on that part. If we actually could get some coverage in the hobby press, it might be reasonable to contact various manufacturers for prizes or funding the construction of the venue. Since neither one is likely to be very costly, it might work.

The fact that a number of modelers mailed their creations to the Kruise is very useful.

The big issue is what the payoff would be for a sponsor or sponsors. Scale billboards? Special displays? Product placements (like the movies)? All questions that would need to be answered.

[superba]

Hey about an antique car show as well as a custom car show.

This 1/87 Kruise is absolutely fantastic, I really wish I had particpated now.....maybe next year.

[cfesmire]

Billboards are easy. As well as using a sponsors name in the naming of the event itself. Working the name of a product or manufacturer into an event would seem to be the easy part. Keep in mind how small and obscure the site that sponsored this year's Kruise is. With a little more exposure/advertising, the Kruise could well have been a much bigger deal (perhaps not so manageable for one person however).

[BillC]

Well, I am certain Masterpiece could be a sponsor (I have an "in" with the guy who handles the North American market) but I want to see if it's possible to spread the wealth, so to speak.

As far as the person conducting the contest, doing exactly what was done this year is all that's needed. Provide a venue, set up some judging rules and categories, and take lots of great pictures. The photos from this year's event should be enough to spark some interest in the magazines like Scale Auto, FSM and I think I can get some coverage in a certain publication where I also have an "in."

There are some great new models like the Athearn 1931 Ford and 1955 Ford, on the market, Ricko PT Cruiser and upcoming Ford Deuce Hot Rod, some of the Woodland Scenics AutoScenes vehicles and maybe even one or two from Masterpiece itself (the van would make a great catering truck).

So, whether it's another visit to the Gilmore gas station, a classic car/hot rod show, cruising a diner or crowding a gas station, I am sure this concept has some legs. We might even consider having one for the U.S. and one for Europe (save on postage, for one thing).

[Christian]

billc said:

We might even consider having one for the U.S. and one for Europe (save on postage, for one thing).

Intriguing thought. I have been following the Kruise with fascination, but it certainly looks to be quite some work for the organisator, not sure who would be able to pull that off in Europe.
Maybe on a smaller scale without sending the models, just having a theme & a thread in the forum, although participation would probably be lacking.