They *have* been invited just about every year since the beginning, when we got a nice little multi-page spread in the April 1999 Four Wheeler on the 1998 first event. Heck, that was only 15-16 rigs, before we organized, permitted, or incorporated... it was all about who you knew, and I knew a fella who 'wheeled an Isuzu and did occasional feature-work with John Stewart. Right place, right time, and right contacts... we backed into it!

In subsequent years, we tried to repeat that coverage and nada... zip... zilch. In the meantime, for a better event, we've established more structure, planned further ahead, and actively pursued other media involvement, and even permitted and insured the largest BLM-registered 4x4 event not put on by the Red Rock 4-Wheeler club. Even in smaller years like this one, there's a lot of organization and effort that goes into the event, but that's not what sells magazines, is it?

Three or four years in, one of the print mags was supposed to send a staffer out, and we had helped work a deal with Isuzu to make a vehicle available, stuffed with Isuzu-related raffle stuff. That vehicle sat in the Isuzu Cerritos parking garage all weekend while the print guy flaked. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

We've had Isuzu reps, Isuzu vehicles, and Isuzu corporate promotional items at Moab 'Zu Zoo... we've had more than a hundred vehicles there one year... for most years, we send letters to the print rags to get listed on their calendars and extend an invite.

Heck, we generally have a volunteer dedicated to working with the Moab Chamber of Commerce, community calendar, magazines, and websites (this year we got a late start and did not). Next year, this position will likely be open for a new volunteer, and we'll be hyping the 10th-annual event. We'll try again, but honestly, I ain't holding my breath.

We go to Moab, we have a good time, and IMHO, that's good enough. Almost ten years into it, with the history we have had with print guys, I'm damn sure it isn't the location, the participants, or the organizers holding us back. We'll try again, because it is the right thing to do, but success or failure for us is based one the event, not the credentials of the folks who attend it.

Randii