Why are you questioning the decision to have it in OH? I think all it does is undermind what's already being decided. I can assure you the organizers of this have taking all of the factors for success into account while making their decision on a location.
The fact that things almost fell apart in 2011, you were MIA for years, and now you're in a Convention thread saying "I think we should do this and I think we should do that" seems audacious at best.
You're lucky I'm just giving you the facepalm, and not lambasting you sideways.
And for the record, most, if not all, of the greatest car events are held in the same place every year.
Oh ya, 2006 was in PA/Northern NJ...you know, the one you missed.