Well John, don't feel too badly.
Back when I was also a rep on the 190SL Group I had several events that had only a few cars show up every year. Three years ago I invited everyone and we had about 13 pagodas, 4 or 5 190SL's, 107's, 220SE/S, 6.3, 300SL, late model cars and a pre war 370S Manhiem. In all, we had about 45 cars for the afternoon show and about 100 people that day.
This was a two day social event that included the car show, entertainment, dinner, car tour, and at stop at RM restoration along with other points of interest. We also had about 6 presidents of various MB clubs present, so I'd say that event was very good.
( But that's not what you shouldn't feel badly about. )
Two years ago I went to PUB and had a pretty good time. I dragged my wife along and she was kind of bored because it's mostly for guys, ( even though there was a social aspect to it ) so I wasn't too worried about that. The drive getting there was all the excitment anyone could ask for.
( This IS though )
Last year I said in Jan. ( giving everyone plenty of notice ) that I was willing to have a possible summer event in July. About 3 people showed early interest by Feb. and at the end of March or early April I asked again who would be willing to commit. Although some said not to can the event, no one actually said they were willing to show up. ( Compare that ( probably unfairly ) with PUB this year and there were well over 50 on tap by mid March this year ). It doesn't leave for a very encouraging feeling wnen you can't generate interest in a big event, so by mid April I had to call it off.
Part of hosting a weekend event calls for a lot of planning like dinners, rooms for people to stay and many other things which need to be laid out well in advance. Besides, my wife axed it anyway.... since she did most of the work for our last big event.
Now everyone will have to get a Passport to come over to Canada after June 1st but your money is worth 20% more. Other than holding the event at a convention centre to simplify some of the planning, it would be difficult to plan another.
And, this is part of what's good, and not so good about our club. It started on the internet with mostly conversation about our cars. Now that the cars have been fully covered, nut, bolt and washer, it's more than time that we evolve into a real social club with a keen awareness of just how special our cars really are.
I know I point to the 190SL Group a lot but that's only because they have a prefect template for others to copy from. Their yearly convention includes seminars, car show and concourse, banquet/dance, car driving skillis, car tour, usually a stop at some major point of interst, and an extended car tour for anyone who wants to stay on for a few more days after the main event. These guys like to drive their cars, show them off, talk about them and simply get together and have fun. Just like our guys......
I've estimated that there are about 100 190SL's and about 250 pagodas in Canada. That's not a lot of cars for a country of 32 million people. Makes owning either car an honour.