Kaapse Kombi Kult annual kamp-out: where to now?

[fig]

We’re starting the planning for next year’s Kaapse Kombi Kult kamp-out, which will be the eighth one, and I’d like to hear people’s ideas about how we take this event forward and feedback about what you’ve liked and disliked about the previous seven kamp-outs we’ve held.

The past two events have been hit or miss whether we held them or called it a day. I started this event because I love VW buses and interacting and especially road tripping and camping with other bus enthusiasts. I funded the first event from my own pocket and there was no gate charge. We asked for a token R20 fee for the second event, which apparently caused a lot of unhappiness, although unfortunately none of the complainers had the courage to communicate their issues to me. Most of the unhappiness was apparently concentrated in one particular club, many of whose members have never returned (this club, under new management, is still a strong supporter of our event). The following year we upped the entrance fee to R50 as R20 didn’t cover costs. For the past two years entry fee has been R70, or R120 for people who arrived on the Friday. We don’t host this event to make money; we do it for the love of it. From the third event onwards we recovered our upfront cash costs, but we don’t pay ourselves anything for our time or the venue. I’m usually about R10,000 down by the time the gates open.

Over the years we have made minor changes/improvements to the event based on feedback, mostly to address the needs of day trippers. However, these have just increased the cost and work involved in hosting the event, but never led to more people attending.

The original idea behind this event was that it was not intended as a car show as such, but rather a weekend gathering of bus enthusiasts who enjoy the opportunity to convoy and camp with like-minded enthusiasts. It was always intended to be a particpants’ event; not for spectators like a traditional car show.

After our experience last year, if we are to continue to host this event we want to take it back to its roots. We went to a lot of additional expense and work to satisfy the demands of spectators and day trippers, and all we got was more complaints and unhappiness. This is an obvious drain on our energy and enthusiasm and we don't want to continue if it's not enjoyable for us.

So the 8th Annual Kaapse Kombi Kult Kamp-out, to be held from 14-16 February 2014, will be geared for participants who intend to come for the weekend. Non-bus drivers and spectators will be welcomed, but we’re not prepared to make any special considerations for them.

We are planning to move the official start forward to Friday afternoon, to make it a full camping weekend. We also plan to raise the entrance fee to R150 for the whole weekend (children under 12 free), and we will not reduce the price for people who don’t come for the whole weekend. We will still invite commercial and private vendors to bring parts, etc, for sale.

How do volks feel about this? Would people still attend a more intimate participants event? Is the proposed gate fee realistic? The format would remain much as it has been, unless we get any great ideas for improvements.

So fire away volks. We’d like to hear all ideas and feedback about how best to sustain the biggest VW bus gathering in South Africa.

[kts customs]

Fig i have no prob with the gate fee would pay more if i had to.
The only thing i would like to have is to have some one cleaning the
toilets all the time, even at an extra cost.
so my family can join in.

kevi my 2cent

[Terry Phillips]

I don't think the price is bad for a full weekend camping,I assume that R150 is per person.

[IMPI]

I will still be there and will still be available for whatever. I also like the whole weekend idea. I will also be 11 next year
Armand

[sean]

KKKK rates number one in my books for a car event!

Its a lekker drive out of town, even for the Johannesburg guys. Best of all is as Fig says, its to camp there. It isn't just to view some cars and then go home in the afternoon.

I honestly couldn't moan about a single thing about the event, except for the idiots moaning about the event that couldn't lift a finger to help and support....

The average camp spot goes for around R100 p/p p/n, so the weekend price is an absolute bargain, plus what other camp site can you attend with all the entertainment and classic buses to enjoy?

I personally wouldn't put any effort into trying to accommodate people that actually don't really want to be there...

[retrovan]

Sounds as if it would be a perfect weekend.

Still think I should try to get interest from my side into joining with the CT guys, and make a full VW week out of it, by getting the CT guys to camp here in our car Museum, then driving through to Gerhard in Bloemfontain, then on to Fig.

This will make a nice two weekend VW road trip, if you include George. This will also have both sides included, as the JHB guys can go down and come up with the CT guys.

This could become the start of an Annual VW Aircooled Pilgrimage Rally across South Africa that we all want so bad.

Could be run under the banner of ACVWSA, with metal Rally year badges.

Herman

[splitfan]

I dont have any issues with this (as long as I still get "my spot") This is for me the best weekend in the year by a long shot !

[beetlefanatic]

You can double the price and it would still be a bargain. Hope I can make it next year.

[Sambabus]

The only regret I have about the last 3kkks is my absence. I will be there next year, come hell or high water. R150 is fair.

[Bugger]

My Spot is Booked as usual as I go Camping as you all know

[Madbones]

Hi Mr & Mrs Fig,
This event is special to us for a number of reasons. It pulls together VW lovers of all kinds and even if you don't know everyone you feel welcome.
We always get to see a few old friends and we always leave having met a few new ones.It should be kept simple in my opinion as there is no reason to go commercial with vendors trying to make money. No issue with car guys selling car stuff but food and beverage should be catered for by campers. We should bring what we need, the more you put on to please the more issues I would think. This is really a VW camping and bonding weekend which is loved by most and agree this is not a premium car show for day trippers. To end it all we get great entertainment and we rate William Blackrose as one of the best entertainers, so this alone is worth the gate fee for sure. You should stick to the basics and not have to cover the costs for holding this great event by opening up your home. Kudos to you guys for an event my family can't wait for in 2014.
The Madbones Family

[fig]

Fig i have no prob with the gate fee would pay more if i had to.
The only thing i would like to have is to have some one cleaning the
toilets all the time, even at an extra cost.
so my family can join in.

kevi my 2cent

Thanks Kevi

That's very useful feedback.

FYI, for the past two events we had someone on toilet duty all day, with instructions to clean hourly. We got fewer complaints after that.

Next event we will ensure the toilet cleaner is on duty well into the evenings as well.

[fig]

Thanks for the positive response volks.

Yes, Herman, we've been missing the Cape convoy! The past few events it's been up to Sean and Christian to fly the Cape flag. Please rally the trops and make a convoy of it. Jolas has already volunteered to lead the convoy from George to Joburg.



Please keep the comments and feedback coming.

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

Hi fig.

Where exactly do you have the campout?

Cyndi

[vw59beetle]

Christian

I also think it's a great weekend and I especially enjoyed the last one. R 150 is more than fair. Just look at the entry fee for the logo event coming up. They are asking R 200 for a half day event( my opinion way too much)
The only complains I've heard in the past was language and behavior by a small percentage of the campers. I did not see or hear it, but know that it did upset some people. It is not your duty to babysit and I know it's out of your hands, but I do agree that there is no place for it around young children. It is a family event after all.

Please people watch what you say and look who's around you.

The Figs have my support for years to come.

Wernher