They haven't announced dates yet, but the 2012 convention will be held in Iowa.

Start your planning now!
It is less than 1/2 the distance I drove to SOC09, so let's get a great turn out next year!

More information from their website:

August – summer fun, county fairs, and sweet corn...

What better time to pack up your SAAB and join your fellow SAAB owners at the 2012 SAAB Owners Convention in the Heart of America at the Marriott Convention Center in Coralville/Iowa City, August 2-5, 2012! Located right off I-80, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!

The event committee is hard at work planning this years event – SAAB is undergoing some changes right now, but this will be THE place for enthusiasts of all ages to gather with their SAABs.

Friday night will be a big welcome to all attendees with an event following dinner that will be unlike any other SOC event in the past. Have your cameras and video equipment handy!

There will be lots to do on Saturday – Take a drive and enjoy the flavors of the area or gather with friends to exchange your SAAB story! Tech sessions will be running through out the day – ranging from performance enhancement to SAAB history.

But, save your energy, you’ll need it for the crowning event – The Awards Banquet!

Registration will be open shortly, so be sure to check back or follow us on Facebook for updated event details.

If you have questions regarding the event, wish to sponsor an activity, or would like to volunteer for the 2012 SOC, contact us and let us know!

I am seriosly thinking about it. Especially since Antique Archealogy is an hour drive away.

We'll be there - not sure when to when - but I'll be there with the wife and likely the convertible unless I get daring and take the 86' 9000 for a long haul or get another project moving along....

There is some more info available on their website: http://www.saabconvention.com You can make a hotel reservation at the reduced rate on the hotel website with the code provided on the Saab Convention website. Registration for the convention is not open yet.

Lodging Information

SOC2012 will be held at the
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
in Coralville, IA

Book a room online by clicking here or just call the number below.

When you call, mention group code "SOCSOCA" or "The SAAB Owners Convention" to get the group rate!

ROOM RATE: 1 King or 2 Queen beds - $117 per room, per night

The Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center is located at 300 E 9th St in Coralville, IA. Complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the hotel.

Well with the new job I won't be able to take off for this - so thoseof you who are going have fun. Hopefully it's still a fairly good time. SOC has never been nearly as much fun as Saabs @ Carlisle.

Anyone going? I'd be happy to split the cost of a room ...

I might be going, not 100% sure, hope to have a decision nailed down by the end of the week.

Registration is open: SOC2012 Registration Page

Any thoughts on setting up a SaabWorld booth to promote/generate support for the site? Maybe have a banner made/give away some of the window stickers?

I doubt I will go, at least I wont drive, I have to attend a funeral with my old boss Vinny from NY at Arlington on the 2nd.

Sorry to hear that, funerals are never fun.

Press Release from Annette Adams, SOC'12 Board President:

Iowa City/Coralville, Iowa will be the place to be for the annual SAAB Owner’s Convention sponsored by Iowa City SAAB and Meyer Garage. Cars and enthusiasts from across the US will gather for the annual get together. The event kicks off Thursday evening with the sponsor’s dinner. This is a way for us to say “thank you” to all of our event sponsors and begin the festivities. Convention attendees are also invited to attend this event if they wish.

Friday’s big event is the opening of the parts tent. A treasure trove of SAAB parts will be on hand for purchase and better yet, UPS shipping will be available onsite to get your treasures home. Clothing items will be on hand this year as well. Newly formed SAAB Parts of North America will be on hand to answer all your questions regarding parts availability in the future.

Tom Donney, of Tom Donney Motors & Fort Dodge Transmissions, will be bringing a selection of his collection of vintage SAAB vehicles, many of which were part of the SCNA Heritage Collection. These vehicles, along with others, will be displayed in an air conditioned “SAAB MUSEUM WEST” at the Coralville Marriot Convention and Conference Center. Technical sessions covering everything from SAAB 2-strokes running at Bonneville to how to purchase a used 9-5 will be held on Friday and Saturday.

Friday will wrap up with the Mile Hi Body Shop banquet and entertainment in the Museum by Deadnote, an up and coming Iowa band. Then, you better rest up for a full day of Saturday events!

Saturday will kick off with breakfast and the SAAB Club of North America board meeting. Then clean up those SAABs and get them moved to the Genuine SAAB/Taliaferro Imports Showfield for the Concours d’SAAB and People’s Choice. Line-up will begin at 9am along with the swap meet booths. There’s no charge for a space, so clean out your garages and make some extra cash!

Voting for People’s Choice will run all day until the line-up for the traditional group photo. Be alert so you’re sure to be included in this fun keepsake. The Tom Donney Motors/Fort Dodge Transmission Awards Banquet will be held Saturday evening in the ballroom, with a special guest speaker. Parking lot socializing will round out the evening.

On Sunday, a short round table event to discuss future conventions will be held. Your input will be vital to help decide the direction of future events. Following the round table, the SAAB Club Charity Auction will begin. There will be many unique items on hand for the auction as well as a few items graciously donated by the Bob Sinclair family.

So, is anyone going?

My son (Sam, 14 years old now and this will be his 5th event I think) and I are heading out early Thursday morning with the intention of arriving while registration is still open.

So, post them up ... who is going and who wants to meet up?