Just my 10 cents worth but I believe all the players need to get fair dinkum about this. How about pool money and pay someone $100K a year to organise this. Spread across all the associations, I believe it would be money well spent.
The first Temora Natfly had movies shown on the side of a hangar, a bar for the campers, really good workshops presented by LAME's, the chance to get hands on while they were building an aircraft over the event. As a builder, thats what I want. I dont give a toss about looking at new aircraft but some of you will. Rotax wasnt even there this year. One of the major players in our hobby. I am a builder and I want to be able to see and touch product. Although a nice glass package is pretty to look at, its not for the vintage aircraft I am building.
How about paying suppliers to come! Thats a novel idea! Its expensive enough in fuel and accommodation. Lets make it attractive for them to come. Spend money to make money guys! Its not rocket science.
I want workshops where I can participate in. Making cables, wiring an instrument panel, how to use a torque wrench, actually building with some wood. Not being told "anything I need to know about building a wood aircraft is in AC43". I knew that but would have loved to have some hands on stuff. The highlight of Ausfly was catching up with all mates. The rest was blah.....
Scotty