Starfest 50th Anniversary Convention

Las Vegas, Nevada

By Joe Schumann

All roads led to Las Vegas for MBCA members October 1-5 for the 50th Anniversary Starfest Convention. Members from sections from the USA, Canada, and around the globe were welcomed by the host section Desert Stars of Las Vegas events chairpersons Don and Betty Lloyd and all their section members and Jim O'Sullivan, national club president. The host resort was the newly opened South Coast Casino where attending members even had their own floor of the casino garage reserved for parking of their prized possessions.

Attendees were greeted with a welcoming reception and cocktail party at the Grand Ballroom of the casino complete with entertainment, including Reba MacIntyre, Dolly Parton, and Marilyn Monroe.

The first venue was the Concours car show with placement of vehicles spread over the rolling hills on the first fairway of the exclusive Spanish Trails Country Club. The Marque was represented by a wide assortment of pristine, classic motorcars from gullwings, the 300CE cabriolet, 300D Adenaurs, the Pullman Limo and many modern day cars as well. Club director Joe Schumann, representing our South Florida section at Starfest and was one of the Concours judges for the event. Members were treated to an open-air barbeque lakeside, under tents on the manicured green of the club adjacent to the judging field.

Trophies were presented at the Concours Awards Banquet with innumerable sumptuous choices that evening complete with music and dancing at the country club. Time trials, autocross, defensive driving classes, and motor cross kept members occupied throughout the week's festivities at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, a scenic drive to the west of Vegas while a road rally puzzled others throughout the downtown area. A tour of the new 228,000 square foot, Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz dealership with its spotless service facility, amazing parts center, Maybach studio, rental center, nail salon, Starbuck's coffee bar, child's play area, and vast underground climate controlled, new vehicle storage area with enumerable vehicles to choose from also enticed members during the week.

Tech sessions were offered at the South Coast resort including one by George Murphy, technical director for MBCA on Aging MBs and Buying a Used MB. If you would like a copy of George Murphy's PowerPoint presentation contact director Joe Schumann via email. Sightseeing was a popular diversion selected by many when time permitted to such close destinations as Red Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Grand Canyon and of course Las Vegas and the Strip, to name but a few.

The finale to the week's activities was the Final Gala Banquet held in the Grand Ballroom of the South Coast where newfound friends and acquaintances could say farewell. Driving awards and trophies were presented during the night's festivities. Members were treated to flowing hors d'oeuvres, wine, and several delectable choices for their main course, followed by dessert. John Fitch, American racing legend featured in the Nov/Dec Star magazine was in attendance to recount his days as the only American to race for the Mercedes Benz factory team. Dr Dieter Ritter head of Mercedes Benz was present to meet the members and speak on the alliance and support between MBCA and Mercedes Benz of which the Loyalty Reward Program is a part. Music, dancing, and a host of entertainers filled the night's celebration.

This was a great opportunity to meet, speak with, and to exchange ideas and perspectives with other members of the club. I encourage all members to try to attend one of these national or regional events, in addition to the all of the activities sponsored by your South Florida Section. You can find information on these in the national MBCA website www.mbca.org and the STAR magazine

(That's Joe in the red shirt.--Ed.)