[Coco] New and fresh ideas for next years CoCoFest

[KnudsenMJ at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/18/05 3:46:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
nick at launch.net.au writes:

>1)  We merge the CoCoFest with other classic Tandy computer users such as  
the
>TRS-80 Model 1/3/4 users, Model 100 users and MC-10 users? We can  call it
>the "Classic Tandy Computer Fest". This would increase the  number of
>attendees and offer some variety while still remaining "Tandy  Retro".

This has been suggested many times, including back when I was living in  
GCCC-Land and active with the Club and the Fests.  Back then, ISTR there  was a 
fear that the TRS-80 folks would swamp us out, being far more  numerous.  Today, 
I'm not so sure -- do they have the passion and staying  power that the Coco 
evokes?  Hard to imagine anyone getting as excited  about the "Black and White 
Trash-80" with its text-only screen, but then who are  we to talk ;-)
 
Anyway, GCCC should contact the TRS-80 club(s) to check on interest.   Do 
they have any Fests?

>2) Chase some outside sponsorship. The ideal would be to approach  Radio
>Shack Corp. and see if they're willing to sponsor us. We would be  promoting
>their brand name as a major contribution to the evolution of  the home
>computer. They were one of the top computer suppliers in the  80's. I know
>it's a long shot but I would start with them at  least.


Generally, corporations like their buried mistakes (in their opinion) to  
stay buried.  Would Ford Motors sponsor an Edsel Collectors Fest?  OK,  unfair 
comparison to the Coco, but you get the idea.  Still, couldn't hurt  to ask.  
Even though Radio Shack is almost totally out of the computer  business.  But 
then, IBM is out of the PC business!

>3) Start planning the fest from now so that we can include special  guests,
>drum up attendees and get the whole classic Tandy computer  community
>offering ideas and suggestions to make this into one big retro  festival.



In my days at the GCCC, we got Steve Bjork, and Dennis, and I forget who  
else.  So yes it can be done, and is worth trying.  If Kevin Darling  could be 
resurrected...
--Mike K.