That Mike can TYPE! I just scrolled through to see how many letters each of you typed. I don't have time to read war and peace, LITERALLY! Our host is loving all the clicks and ad space.

Some people gotta just lighten up. We're here for the minis. not for the hate.

I'll trawl back through the pile of photos in their tubes and verify, but I can't remember off the top of my head anyone since the early 2000s having a banner in amongst the cars - except for 2008 when Mini Addicts (shamefully a few memmbers of a UK club on holiday) banged their luminous one down when no-one was looking and seriously p*ssed everyone off.  IIRC that was the point at which the Gentlemans Rule of no banners between the rows was "enforced", usually by Jay from atop his podium.

Clubs other than the host hold their banners at the back of the photo - there are a whole bunch in 2013 - and I may be remembering this wrong, but Mike was told that at EMW and is certainly holding the big CMU banner (upside down for comedy effect) behind the cars in 2014.

For me, it's not specifically about CMU, or Mike (who really ought to have remembered), it's purely about the aesthetic of the photo.

Jay takes these photos for a living, and when he says it makes for a better photo to have nothing between the rows it's true - in the same way it makes for a better photo when all the Minis are in front of the much bigger Binis instead of being mixed and ruining the size of the line.

How big was this damn banner? 

Strictly just the CMU logo as seen below. I never displayed MSUSA anywhere but on my Mini... It's a club banner.

I haven't seen the picture or a close up of the banner,  but just out of curiousity does the CMU banner have any Mini Sport or Mini Sport USA graphics on it?  Like I said, I haven't seen it, just asking if it did have any commercial graphics on it.

Direct out of the organizers mouth, it was because CMU didn't sponsor the event (stated a couple of times for clarification). Then I put money down on the table to find that it had nothing to do with money as he wouldn't take it. This thread was started by someone stating that it was an "ad" and they should get a discount on the pictures, and also that many requested it edited out. So those people were upset that much because I didn't ask Mike, being the first time in MME history where a club has to ask permission.... And they didn't buy the picture in protest because I didn't ask Mike? That's all crap.... Nice try, it's hatred towards CMU and/or me. Did COMO ask for permission or sponsor the event to hold their banner, nope... Hmmmm....

Never before would you have to get a club banner approved, that's just stupid, really stupid, seriously stupid. So I guess MME needs a banner committee and the rules need to be in the registration packet and announced before the picture (Size, colors, verbiage, and most importantly the club). Note, a BMW (As you said) banner is a business banner, not a club banner. Jemal did a great job explaining the difference, it's free to go back and read it again.

Your quote "Would CMU want a BWW banner in one of your event photos?" suggests that MME wouldn't want a CMU banner in their photo, even if I asked permission for the first time in history, or if we sponsored the event. I guess you need more than 1,100 US members to have some credibility at MME. But don't worry we're still growing...

I really think the issue here was that Guido didn't ask first. How an event gets ran is up to the organizer. Would CMU want a BWW banner in one of your event photos? Probably not. At any rate I'm sure there wouldn't be an issue had he asked first. JMHO.

Thanks Big Al,  but obviously my joke flopped. I was trying to make light of this silliness. I've been going to mini meets for more years than I can remember. I go to reacquaint with old friends and to make new friends. And to remember those we lost. I go to have a good time. It's my fault if I don't have a good time. I don't go to be right. 

The organizers spend their valuable time, energy and money to put on an event for us. And I am grateful that they do. It's a wonder that another group is willing to do it all over again. And I will attend their event, God willing. 

What I do know is, this years panoramic photo has cars, people and banners. What will we remember when we look back at the photo?

6464: Jim, I 'm sure Meb (mikes) remarks were not directed at you

If we had a Miss America contest covering Mini owners you would be chosen "Miss Congeniality" But that won't happen-

BIG AL-(The oldest poster on this forum)

MEB, It was a joke that obviously wasn't funny to you. Sorry you were offended. I meant no harm whatsoever. If you remember the mini crowd at the ice cream stand, we all were having a good time. I know it took your time to plan and your hard earned money so we all could have a good time. I was commenting on your generorisity in a  very subtle way.  I'm apologize again. Jim

Mike , all the way from Australia you are a good looking dude , ( cough splutter choke )

I've held up a Canadian Flag with the only other Canadian at a Mini Meet West in southern California...not a problem (maybe because Mini Meets West were first held in Nevada and British Columbia)...however, I don't understand the problem debated here.

I drive my Minis long distances, so CMU has no particular attraction for me, but I could care less if its banner was in a group photo.

I recognize that the MINI was initially designed in the UK, got some German technological additions, and has been built almost exclusively in England.  It is also the marque successor to the storied Classic.  So, having MINIs with Minis at a Mini Meet in not an issue for me.

I also pity the MINI owner who is amused by Mini owners tinkering under their bonnets while all he has to do is select the sunglasses for the day.  But that is life, different strokes, change is constant as is the passage of time.

Cheer up, we have something special to share...and keep, friendship.  

Jim,

Sad, I never expected that comment from you.

I'm outta here.

Mike

MEB, thanks for the points that are wrong or pointless. It's hard to believe that people still can't handle the fact that some Mini owners love the idea of a classic only club. There is nothing cooler than seeing 75 classic Minis in line on twisty mountain roads. Would a 4,000 pound, 4 door, AWD, SUV in the middle of the line take away from the experience for the others? For many, you bet!!!! We see that every day at home. But you are going to force them to deal with it because you and a few others think we should? Evidently the 1,100 US members and the members from the other 34 countries feel they have the right to be a part of this. Note, BMW MINI owners come to our event and enjoy riding in a classic. That kills the gossip that we hate MINI owners, more lies. The idea that me running CMU means I can't go to events that have both is really a stupid stupid comment. If I ran a Corvette club could I not go to a street rod show that has other cars? Maybe I'm going to just look at the Corvettes. Am I not allowed? Not that it matters, but not all of the events I have gone to overseas have been for both...

Here's some history as you don't seem to go on facts... I started Classic Minis of Florida when FLAME (now defunct from a hater) decided to have both classic and new (2011/12). As time went on we had members from around the world join as we were the only classic only club at the time. So, as it seemed silly for someone in Africa to join Classic Minis of Florida, we emailed all of the members to vote on a name change. Classic Minis United was born. We did some events in Florida as we grew. Then one I put on after many hours of organization, travel, and my own money only had about 10 Minis. At that point I decided to head for the mountains with the thought that even if nobody came, I was going to have a blast. The following year happened to be the Mini 50. I based it on UK/Europe camping and a lot of drives, fun drives. Well, the rest is history. By listening to the members and fine tuning it, there really is nothing like a CMU event.

Yes, I can't imagine what it would take to put on a cross country highway event for new cars. But I did drive my Mazda 3 from central Florida to MME, so I can feel your excitement! Wow! There was a classic Mini just feet behind me and I couldn't pull away! I forgot to mount the video camera to the Mazda, so I'll have to just keep my memories. We did do the England to Lithuania trip in a classic Mini on mainly back roads. We went as far as Latvia for a total of about 5,000 miles in 12 countries. But driving a new car across the US sounds exciting, maybe next year.

If you knew what a CMU event was, you couldn't compare the drives in any way (Although EMW two years ago had a GREAT drive! And then the haters yelled at the organizer during the banquet. It was mean and rude. I had to tell here that there are only a few like that in the Mini world. Sad...) Talk to some that have come to a CMU event before you compare. I hear some were upset at MME because we didn't sit in a field for 5 hours on a HOT day looking at the same 50 cars that were in the parking lot a few minutes earlier. Instead we went to lunch and an AMAZING FUN mountain drive. It's called choice... Some people have FUN sitting in a field or parking lot, and some have FUN flying through the mountains. We don't hate the sitters, we just go on our own way. Should we be forced to sit? We were also told that of the 4 drives in the handout we could do what we wanted, I guess not..

You copied my post so I assume you read it. You might want to read it again. It says nothing about me killing MME. It says that MME is going to kill itself and then blame me, just like Spring Thing. Hating and blaming something else on your failure is certain death to anything. If people choose a CMU event over a MME, you might want to think about changing things. I don't think they come for my good looks, OK, some do, all the way from Australia... But I don't see change happening, hence my conclusion.... Next year will be great, it's after that when it will go back in the slump.

So there you have it! Be happy and stop the hate.

I didn't attend, so have no 'valid' opinion, but I feel that there should have been more club banners present, paid or unpaid...  Of course, I feel it should also be for classics only, not MINIs - but that's another exhausted debate...

After all, isn't the function of the event and panoramic group photo all about promoting the 'hobby' anyways?

I feel really fortunate that I haven't attended any events outside of IMM2007 (many banners present) and seriously wonder what would happen if I just showed up and said 'hello' at a stateside event without enrolling/registering, either with or without my mini.  "Sorry, you didn't pay, you can't be one of 'us' today..."  I don't need the stress...

To be totally honest, I've really lost a lot of interest in owning my mini, and it's mostly due to the people.  Sure, I like my car, but the human element (fellowship) was always an important aspect.  The amount of nit-picking, squabbling and pettiness has escalated over the past few years, and I'm entertaining the idea that if someone wants my mini, tools, spares and the garage, it wouldn't take a whole lot of consideration for me to sell the lot.  

It used to be fun, give some/take some and it'd all balance out in the end.  It seems now like nobody 'gives', and it's kinda spoiled the fun. 

MEB, I never thanked you for buying me the ice cream. But couldn't you find a 7-11 that was closer to the  hotel like a normal person would do? Oh, it was the drive, now I get it. Anyway, thank you for your generosity. You were missed at this years meet. Not by me, maybe by someone else. Hopefully you'll make it to ohio next year. Jim

Mike,

I find it it funny that you're stating how much you like the UK/European events. As far as I know, all the events you attend over there, including IMM and London-Brighton, are open to Minis and MINIs; while YOUR CMU events are open to Minis only and not open to MINIs. So your stance on the Mini/MINI divide is similar to one of those hypocritical pastors who tells his flock to "do as I say not as I do".

Admit it, Your reason for starting CMU and your classics-only CMU events were strictly because MME started allowing MINIs. I'm a dedicated classic Mini owner and have been into them before you'd even heard the word mini, but I am still open to MINI owners. You talk about driving your Minis, as I write this I'm enjoying MTTS2016 with MINI owners as well as Mini owners. At the mid-point in Green Bay WI with over 2,000 miles down were heading to Palm Springs CA. Let's see you organize such an event.

Your talk about MME not being driving events is BS. I was involved with organizing MME2015 and as such we had 3 driving events, one to Ocean City MD, one to an ice cream store/dairy farm, and the rally. All three were on nice rural roads and each was over 100 miles.

You can try and kill MME, but based on the acceptance the Mini drivers have gotten on MTTS2016 by the MINI drivers, I say that anyone who doesn't want to be a part of your Mini-only clique would be welcomed in MINI circles.

Mike

I know a person who wouldn't want to see people in a group picture let alone a banner.

Jemal may not always "get it right" but when he does I'll give him his props.
Good job.

Some people feel it's a shameless self promotion.
Let's face it, the classic mini scene in the US is changing. Not necessarily for the better.
The familiar faces, fewer and fewer. With aging enthusiasts passing, fewer and fewer younger people are showing interest in our quirky little cars and not a whole lot of new/young faces embracing this iconic car and are showing interest in the new MINI.

Anyone that promotes car clubs and interest in the classic mini are our best ambassadors .

COMO and OMO has had great support with ideas , material and volunteer support in making MMEast 2017 in Columbus a great event. The fine folks that put MME on this year have passed on reusable supplies and information. Fastclown has offered his time to help out at our meet.

I don't have a "Horse in the race" but feel we should not let personal feelings get in the way and work towards bringing more mini fans into the fray and promote the love of our classic mini.

There is a thread that's been made a sticky at the top. 

Although it's listed as an info thread your ideas of what you enjoy and would like to see at meets are not only welcomed but encouraged.
I know Air2Air mentioned he'd love to see a hill climb at an event. Great idea but would be very hard to pull off . It's been mentioned that "drives" are very popular and more will hopefully be added to next years event.

Again your thoughts and ideas are welcomed. It will be YOUR EVENT.  

Thanks, SxS   

Jemal nailed it.

Club banners have always been a part of the panoramic photo. Just as the COMO banner was held up this year and they didn't sponsor the event, but we didn't hear any crying about it.

When I was told the next morning by Mike that since we didn't sponsor the event we couldn't have a banner in the pic. I said it was a club banner, he said it didn't matter. I said that would be a first and said it should have been announced before the event or at least the photo. So I apologized for not knowing the new rule and set down some sponsorship money on the table and asked if it was enough. He wouldn't take it. So obviously it's not about the money (As confirmed by someone in his group.). At the "Presidents" meeting this was brought up at the end of the meeting to find out if this was a new rule. Everybody but Mike and his few followers were in dismay that a club would have to pay to display their club name in the pic. Mike walked out.... So evidently this new rule is specific to one club as COMO was never mentioned or approached.

Note that CMU members organized and lead (I lead one group) the 2 hour CMU style (Fun) drive to the lunch/pic stop. We brought plenty of our club radios to help keep the groups together. It was flawless and everybody had a great time. The reason I and 10% of the classic Minis came to this event (and helped) was that the format had changed to offer drives and half the cost of a usual MME. We came to support it in hopes that it would grow back to what it used to be. But then we ran in to this crap.... The same hatred killed the long running Florida event and is on schedule to do the same to this event (with some of the same characters). Just as in that case, CMU and myself will somehow be blamed for it. So, as COMO is a great group and not a part of the haters, we will fully support it next year. Then following that I will sit back and watch MME slowly die as it has over the past few years, and then hear how it's my fault.

As I get to travel to many Mini events in the UK/Europe each year, I have to say that seeing club banners being proudly flown is great to see and shows the unity among Mini owners from many areas. We have a GREAT time with hundreds of friends from many countries. Then we come home to this crap, so sad.... But on a happy note, our CMU events are not like MME. We are a big fun family like the UK/Europe. No gossip or hate at our events, just having fun with Minis and making new friends. Club banners are welcome, haters and trouble makers are not.

I also find it sad that Jay might have lost some money due to this. Haters don't typically think of others as seen in this example, actually they usually just don't think.

We're going to have a GREAT time at the Mini 57 in October!!!!