In past years, Regional Presidents were encouraged to make a bid to host the upcoming VOI's.
It takes a lot of local manpower, organization and knowledge of what your area can offer to pull off a successful VOI.
In Utah the driving lunch to Park City with reserved parking on Main street and the local fire department providing a ladder truck to take a group picture was a great example, as well as reserving the winter Olympic Training Facility to host a dinner where attendees could don ice skates and circle the World Class Olympic skating venue while others learned how to play curling while sipping on fine wine and nibbling on foods from many different countries. During this event Dodge revealed their spectacular Challenger Drag Pack, and fired up that open exhaust V-10 drag engine inside the facility with great fanfare and gusto.
The ability to have a first class 5 star hotel, directly across from a less expensive sister hotel allowed attendees to choose how much luxury they wished, while keeping everybody together with no need for expensive busses.
Having the President of Dodge, Ralph Gilles there for the whole event was unpresidented. Ran into him all over the place, even while driving on the road course. This kind of access to top management is very unusual, and greatly appreciated. He shook hands, signed memorabilia, and spoke with great enthusiasm about his plans for Dodge. In addition he listened intently to our comments, and was genuine in his desire to gain our input about future products and concerns.
VCA officials, and regional Presidents also were all over the place. Helping out, providing direction and information for those just arriving. Most of them came early and got familiar with the layout and had day long meetings to make sure everything went as well as possible.
Even Vendors got into the act. Not only were most company owners staffing their booths to give first hand information about their products, but also to listen to the membership as to what they wanted in future products, and to improve current ones.
I saw Jon Brobst from Parts Rack all over the place. He even brought down his professionally prepared Viper Pace Car with strobe lights and full communications package to help stage the various races and provide safety instructions to the drivers. (at his own expense)
Dodge sent down engineers to see how our stock and modified Vipers were holding up under track conditions, and designers to see how we were modifying our cars to perhaps give them ideas for future generations of Vipers. At previous VOI's they saw how we were putting on rear wings and front splitters, which most likely gave them ideas to further refine and produce the fantastic ACR's. (Thanks WingKing)
All this, and much more, goes into determining where and how to launch a VOI. For those who's only criteria is that it be a short drive from their homes might be missing the whole point. Every year Dodge understands that some will need to travel great distances to attend. The number of attendees from outside the United States is considerable. Dodge even brings a fleet of factory Vipers most years so that those that do not have their own cars can still drive Vipers on the track events.
So when the official decision is finally announced, do as many of the Viper Faithful do....find a way...don't miss out...make the effort...BE THERE!