MidAmerica Funfest 2003 - REVIEW

Thanks to Ed, Mike Yager and Mid America for not only inviting me and C6VR out to Funfest 2003, but for throwing such an amazing event!!!

This being my first time at a Mid America FunFest, I was completely amazed and delighted! I don't think I can say enough how much fun it was. This was the best Corvette event I have ever been to!

Mid America, Mike Yager and his staff do such an amazing job with this event. Everyone there is unbelievable nice. The event is so huge, yet so well organized. This event is meant to be a celebration of appreciation for Mid America's customers, and I have to tell you... it is!! Not only are pre-registrations free, but nothing at the event is over priced. Examples: On site registration is only 10 bucks, 20oz sodas and 1 QT bottles of water were being sold for only 1 dollar! (You can't even get a 20 oz bottle of soda from a vending machine for less that $1.10 any more.) They really do everything they can to make you feel welcome, and just have so much to do and see while you are there.

Ed Baumgarten, IT Manager at Mid America, took me for a private guided tour of thier facility in Effingham, Illinois. The best way to describe it? One word: WOW! We started in the corporate offices, which are so clean and attractive, and decorated with great Corvette and automotive memorabilia, it gives a place where people have to work a really neat, fun atmosphere to be in. Yet, Ed tells me they plan to redo it soon, because the design is already a couple years old. I couldn't believe him. They obviously care about keeping things fresh and exciting, even for their employees! He also took me through their warehouses and fullfillment center. The number of parts in that place was breathtaking. And seeing how they pick, fill and ship orders really gave me great insight to the whole process. With their setup, they can take an order via phone or web, and have it picked and put on a FedEx trailer within an hour, ready to move when FedEx takes the trailer full of orders away from the loading dock. A good example, is that I placed a catalog order at the show, and my items were ready for me to pick up within 45 minutes!

The MY Garage museum is another sight that has to been seen in person to truely be apprecaited. Mike & Ed have collected some amazing Corvette and other treasures and have them displayed so beautifully in this large converted greenhouse. I can't even list all the things I saw in there, but everyone that goes through comes out in awe.

I'll have to write more later, but let me just say... if you have never been to Funfest, you really need to plan to be there in 2004!

...By the way...Welcome to all the new C6VR Members that found out about us at Funfest...we're glad to have you aboard!

Excellent review of Funfest.

I've enjoyed this show almost every year, but was unable to attend this year's....thanks for posting this.

Zippy :) :)