Consider this fact. In 2007 (the last time I attended a MINI Vacation i n Vegas – aka AMVIV) there were almost 600 people in attendance at the finale. In 2010 there were (by our accounts) around 250. Weather, the economy and location likely did a lot to bring those numbers down. But none of it detracted from what still has to be viewed as one of the largest and best organized events in the US.

The event started out with cool temps and driving winds that forced participants from the rooftop of the parking garage to a lower floor. That brought temps down even further and definitely detracted from the sunny Vegas vibe that we had seen in years previous. But what likely detracted even more was the location; a full 20 minutes outside of the strip in extreme north Las Vegas. While AMVIV has never technically taken place on the strip, it’s proximately to everything at the Palace Station (just a short cab ride away from the Wynn for example) made for a very Vegas like atmosphere.

But location and weather aside the facilities at the Aliante Station were first rate. And the organization and tireless devotion to the event by member of the Sincity MINI club was also truly inspiring.

The finale featured both the MotoringFile and the Whiteroofradio crew (DB, Todd, Chad and myself as seen above in this backstage pic) doing a two hour show that mixed live podcast, tons of giveaways and even a bit of comedy. For the first time we were able to do a show in a proper venue with real lighting and an incredible technical set-up. It all certainly made our jobs a lot easier. And the 250+ in the crowd did a lot to create the right atmosphere.

All told it was a great time and worthy of being known as one of the best MINI events in the US. With the economy improving and talk of a new location next year, things can only get better. Now if we could just do something about the weather.

We’re going to be bringing the site and the podcast to you live from fabulous Las Vegas over the next few days as we head to into town for MINI Vacation in Vegas (AMVIV). For all those also going, look for us judging the famous AMVIV car show and MC-ing the finale Saturday night.

Now here is a show for you lovers of the long shows! Todd and I are joined by Gabe Bridger and Chad Miller (from Detroit Tuned) to talk about MINI stuff like we like to do. And wouldn’t you know, you just missed out on some prime Black Roof Radio.!

We talk about news from MotoringFile.com, Chad answers some great questions and we interview Andrew ‘Agro’ Ross, Grand Poohbah for AMVIV about the upcoming event that is going to include White Roof Radio Live. Listen for details!

Woofcast 324:

Don’t forget the sponsors! When you do business with MINI of Ontario, Motoringbadges.com or Detroit Tuned, be sure to say you heard about them on The World Famous White Roof Radio!

Download | WRR @ iTunes | 36.5MB |1:19:28

New update from Andrew ‘Agro’ Ross about AMVIV7, happening March 25th – 28th, 2010. In case you missed it, we actually talked to Agro during Woof 308 so you can go back and listen if you haven’t already.

Hi everyone. It’s been a while I know, but I finally have some AMVIV news for you.

We have signed a hotel contract! We’re moving away from Palace Station this year, to another property in the Station Casinos family. We’re going to Aliante Station which is a brand new, absolutely beautiful hotel casino. The hotel part is a bit smaller than Palace, and we will have the entire hotel blocked out for our attendees. Yes, if you see someone in the hotel elevator, they will be another AMVIV attendee.

The parking garage is nicer than Palace’s in several ways.

1st, it’s quite a bit bigger so we can have the Boot N Bonnet show all on the top floor and actually have space to park well over 100 attendee MINIs up there at the same time.

2nd, it has power more easily available than at Palace, so more vendors will be able to have power at their booths.

3rd, it has proper drainage so the detailer can be on the top floor without worrying about getting other cars wet.

4th (and best in my opinion) the ramp up to the 6th floor is a straight shot, so no more driving in circles through the garage to get up top! This also means that vendors with large trailers will be able to get them up the ramp and have them actually at the BNB instead of 6 floors below.

5th, 2 sets of elevators.

6th, a sound system we will be able to tap into for announcements.

The rooms at Aliante are gorgeous with all the amenities you’d expect from a new resort property in Las Vegas. And to sweeten the deal, the rate is lower than you paid last year at Palace. Rooms are $99 per night plus taxes. You can book a room by phone at 1-877-477-SOAR (7627) and use group code S03MINI or book online with this link. The hotel only has 200 rooms, so you if you want to make sure you’re staying at the “home hotel”, you might want to go ahead and book early.

AMVIV 7 dates are March 25th-28th, 2010 and the group rates are good from March 20th to March 31st so you can make a real vacation of it if you want to.

We haven’t decided yet if we are going to have a banquet dinner this year. The results of the survey many of you completed were inconclusive as to whether we should do it or not, however the prices we have from Aliante for food look like if we DO have a banquet this year, tickets will probably run around $36 or $37 a head, which is 1-2 dollars less than last year in a much nicer room.

If you have strong feelings that we SHOULD have a banquet this year, please email me and let me know. The low attendance last year meant that the SCMC wound up paying for the banquet room and actually lost money on the entire event, so we are only going to have the banquet if we are reasonably sure of at least 500 tickets sold. If the banquet doesn’t happen, the prizes will be given away at the Boot N Bonnet Show or possibly at some other sub-event.

The other thing I need include here is this:

Do you want to get a free room at AMVIV7? How about a free shirt in the special “event staff” color?

Well here’s your chance! Once again we are asking the MINI community to help us out with the designs for the AMVIV shirt, hat and book cover. The person who submits the winning design will receive 2 nights free at Aliante Station during AMVIV7 (March 2010), a shirt with your design printed on it in the staff shirt color and worldwide recognition as the designer of the 2010 AMVIV shirt, hat and book cover. Your shirt back design can include your signature or (small) company logo if you would like to promote yourself or your business.

This year’s theme will be “Lucky number 7” and we’ve been throwing around ideas like dice with MINIs for the spots, slot machines, cards and such. The designs will have to work on the regular color shirts (red this year) and on the staff shirts (yellow) but otherwise, it’s up to you.

If you are interested in this, please email me at AMVIVcontest@gmail.com for specs and requirements and such. If you want to see what past designs look like, head over to see the past winners!

That’s all I have for now. Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates. And make sure you let your favorite MINI vendors know that you want to see them at AMVIV. The more they know that people want to see them here, the more likely they are to attend.

See you in March,

Andrew Ross aka Agro

AMVIV is just about a week away! Listen in for Todd’s tip for getting a room in Vegas if you missed out on the great rate Palace Station was offering. There is still time to register for the event if you haven’t already. Even if you don’t register, you should still think about going, but remember, if you don’t register, you won’t be able to attend the banquet. Tickets for that are presale only.

If you do decided to go, be sure to be around the upper deck of Palace Station on Saturday because we will be doing an honest to goodness live show. Woofcast #291 or #292, depending on what happens this week.

Of course, we cover news of the week from Motoringfile.com. If you were wondering what a Space Box is, here you go. Of course, if you are looking for something more practical, check out the image above, sent in by our good friend Jim Peterson, The “Kernel” of C.O.R.N.

More on AMVIV to follow early next week. Stay tuned!

If you missed it, I’ve set up a few White Roof Radio page at Facebook, with links to other cool places on Facebook, including the AMVIV group. Come join us!

Woofcast 290 :

Shownotes/Download | Subscribe | WRR @ iTunes

If MTTS is finished, it must mean it’s time to start thinking about A MINI Vacation in Vegas. Sure, it’s still 8 months away, but it’s never too earlier to start planning a trip to Vegas!

In response to the steep price jump in room rates for AMVIV5, we have negotiated and sliding rate for AMVIV6. The early birds save $20 a night! If you book your room by January 25th, you pay $79 for courtyard rooms and $119 for Tower rooms, which is $10 per night less than in 2008.

That’s a smokin’ deal if you book early.

And, if you are a designer-type that is looking for the chance to attend AMVIV mostly free of charge, plus get a ton of free promotion for you or your company, you might be interested in this.

Many of you will be aware that Dee from CooperCards designed the AMVIV5 shirt, hat and event book cover. We have decided to make this an annual occurrence, having someone in the MINI community design the event artwork.

So, design something cool for AMVIV this year and get 2 free room nights during AMVIV and a ton of free promotion! Yet another smokin’ deal.

All of this information can be found at AMVIV.com.

• AMVIV Design Contest / AMVIV.com