John, hope this answers some of your questions. A close friend is still a director, that is the title they use, will try to pin him down this year and get some better answers for you and the group.
As to the post card, most people are so overwhelmed with garbage mail, they don't look at it if it does not fit the regular bill measurement. I know I have told our mail lady to throw it away. Some of them do, some don't.
The Summit is not run by a professional organization, just guys from the group that put it on every year. There has been personnel change over the years. But basically just a group of FJ guys that want a National event. One guy drives a Scout!!!!
The FJ Summit is an annual event, held in the same spot year after year. The promoters are FJ owners that decided it would be kool to get everyone together for the first year, it just kept growing and growing.
Drivers are from every state, Mexico, all provinces of Canada and a few from Europe and South America I have been told. But like any event, Colorado participants out number every other state. I do not have a break down of numbers but possibly could get that.
To be honest there have been calls to move it, some feel it has been there too long, but this year we have a very large number of first time attendees, nearly 80% I was told. It normally sells out in less than 30 seconds. (350 trucks) Meaning they have a lot of money to start with. Deadline for the July event is 1 April. Nothing is sold until that day. Waiting list is said to normally be near 700. I am one of 8 that has made all FJ Summits. My guess is there are more Kappa people that have made all 12.
It is quite expensive to attend, but you do get quite a bit from them. For a family (3.5) to attend close to 500.00. With tee shirts and souvenirs They charge for vendors to show up, minimum I think is 500.00 cash with matching product to over 10,000 cash and matching product. Their raffle generates a tremendous amount of money. They sell tickets every day of the event. I am guessing on this, but close to 20K on the raffle. It could be more, but not much less.
They have several high school scholarships and mountain rescue as their main charities. Both have been guaranteed the scholarship and the mountain rescue funds will go on for at least ten years after the final event. Money in the bank.
It is a different group no question, but several have tried the moving to other areas and none of them have come anywhere near what the Summit is. I do believe they now have a Canadian Summit.
Our cars have been a dead item for a lot longer than the FJ, died in 2014 model year. But the Summit continues to grow, bring in new people and a lot of it is the experience of Ouray, Silverton and Telluride. Many that don't get in the Summit go the week before or the week after. Paradise for scenic off roading. But it does have some of the most beautiful mountain roads in the country surrounding it, so it isn't just off road specific. That is why all the movie stars/multi millionaires own homes in Telluride, sheer unsurpassed beauty.
I think Rob and group have hit on a great place, being that most are east of the Mississippi it would be a western area, and people love to go to the mountains for vacation. I am anxious to see how it works out for the group. I have volunteered to lead runs and help anyway I can, but it is just too far away to be involved with the planning of it.
Comparing apples to oranges I guess.
The Kappa cars are getting older and 4000 mile trips are not something that is going to happen much longer. Toyota is required to make parts for them until 2024, that has a large in put to I would think.
Plus the FJ Cruiser has held is value beyond belief. 2007's that sold for 27-30K are still bringing well over 17K. I recently turned down 22K for mine. Will never sell it, just like my Yellow Skpel. Love them.