2013 Summit Rogue Attendees

**Brian-n-VA** · 01-25-2013, 08:13 AM

Summit VI (2012) was my first Summit and I spent the better part of the year planning to attend and gladly paid the registration fee. When the event sold out, many people on the forum "suggested" that people should show up anyway. This was quickly discouraged by the Summit staff as it takes away from the experience of the paying attendees and increases liability for trail rides etc. Very good response, I might add.
So...let me get to my point. Within minutes of arriving I met someone and began talking about the "registration point", they told me that they NEVER register for the event after the first time they attended because it was a "waste of money" and they come for the "Raffles". It was unsettling to hear this but the theme was repeated by several others, even the bar tender in town who drives a Jeep goes over to buy raffle tickets and planned to sell his winnings on E-bay unless he won tires!

I realize the raffle tickets raise funds to help the Summit offset expenses but, if ticket sales are restricted to REGISTERED Summit attendees it could accomplish a few positive things. One, discourage rogue Summit attendees thereby reducing the liablities on the Summit (one lawsuit could end the Summit for all of us) and two, increase the odds of winning for the registered guests. I saw SERVERAL un-registered guests walking up to get their raffle prizes.

Personally, I will ALWAYS register for the Summit because I appreciate all the hardwork, time, and expense that goes into the preparation and organization of this amazing event and would encourage every attendee to commit to the same!
What say you?

Brian

**Woodsman** · 01-25-2013, 08:24 AM

Hmmm, announce wherever the raffle tickets are being sold that raffle winners will be required to show their FJ Summit registration badge when claiming their prize ? Organizers may not be a fan of this idea if they know a sizable portion of raffle tickets are sold to those not registered.

Not sure of all the legal-schmegal stuff, but as long as the unregistered attendees aren't riding along in our groups on the trails, they would be just like anyone else on the trails in Jeeps, ATVs, etc.

Nevertheless, I agree, if you aren't a registered attendee, you should not be there trying to fit into the Summit group.

**Brian-n-VA** · 01-25-2013, 10:41 AM

I actually saw several non-registered wheelers in the organized trail rides. That is why I brought that point up.

**Woodsman** · 01-25-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Brian-n-VA previously said:

I actually saw several non-registered wheelers in the organized trail rides. That is why I brought that point up.

Oh. Interesting.

**nkybrad** · 01-25-2013, 11:43 AM

I agree with what you are saying. This will be my first summit this year and I could only imagine how pissed I would be if I sat at the raffle and saw prize after prize go to non-registered people.

Just make people show their Summit badge when buying raffle tickets. If someone says they left it at camp or their hotel room, tell them you understand but they need to go and get it. People might get upset, but it's the fair and right thing to do. I know where my registration fees go, and I am very happy with that. They do not go towards someone else coming in who is not registered and winning prizes/riding trails. IMHO.

Racer001 · 01-25-2013, 12:03 PM

In some of the North Carolina state trails, you need a pass to prove you have paid. Its a sticky pass that you wrap around your roof rack bar/bumper/whatever. May be a good idea to pass them out to registrants as they arrive. That way you can tell who is legit on the trails as well.

**Smalldog** · 01-25-2013, 12:06 PM

Aren't the trails all on public property? I don't think people can be prevented from running public trails...

This stupid app keeps changing my forced signature[/url]

**Brian-n-VA** · 01-25-2013, 12:18 PM

The Summit does issue windshield "Trail Pass" stickers - they are just not being checked. @ Smalldog, yes, they are all actually county roads in CO but when you allow someone in your group and you are telling them to follow along you really should have a waiver signed from each vehicle assuming the risk.