I had a long and thoughtful conversation with Rick Kopec way back at SAAC-25 at Lime Rock about the future of SAAC. Rick was very insightful back then, and he did predict the way we are headed. High points include the value of the cars becoming so great, that they are relegated to museums and garages, no longer used. Modern cars and built cars would be the open track participants. He also was very aware of the importance of the Registries, and how that would end up by beings SAAC's only strength. SAAC would ultimately only become a keeper of the records, a research group for the classic Shelby vehicles, and not do much more. He was not clear on future conventions, but was aware that the future would be prohibitively more expensive, and eventually new thinking would be needed.
He was pretty good at seeing the future!
My own opinion: We are at a critical juncture with conventions. Popularity is definitely waning. Attendance is way down. Costs are stupifying. The current trend is to combine with a stronger group, and we get what they give us. I do feel there are other options, ways to go, but it requires a major re-think. Many on this thread are voicing valid concerns. Where do we go after we use our credit at Indy?