EOM 2015 - Location Discussion

[Uncle Hud]

Sooooo ... if the noob was to summarize, I'd say, "2015 Eastern Owners Meeting, September 18 through 20, <at a yet-to-be-determined hotel in> Lewisburg, West Virginia."

Maybe this should be done like an auction: "Do I hear any other offers? Going once ... going twice ..."

 

[wheatonFJR]

The meeting organizer chooses the place. Period.

So this was just an informative poll for whoever ends up doing the work.

Good luck somebody.

 

[Geezer]

All you need now is someone to actually do the work for it.
That's all...

That sounds a lot like you're volunteering, wheatonFJR. (?) I mean, with the smiley face and all. And you've been nominated and seconded if you review the "meeting minutes". No judgment, just summarizing.

To be fair, El Toro Joe was also nominated, but I don't see a second -- yet.

...................................................

Also, since I have no idea if Lewisburg is a big town, do we need something a bit more specific for a location? As in, more than one hotel in town?

from post #99: "Lewisburg WV was my favorite place. Restaurant on site and 2 more adjoining. Gas next door. Great roads." There was no specific hotel mentioned in that post, but someone (post #81?) mentioned the Quality Inn hosted an MSTA event that went well.

We have met at what used to be the Brier Inn in Lewisburg before. It is now a Quality Inn. That is the place described above. There are other hotels in Lewisburg but as far as I know they are all near each other, just off the Interstate on 219. Lewisburg is a college town and is home of the WV state fair. Big is relative, but I don't consider Lewisburg to be a big city.

 

[08FJR4ME]

We could just keep it simple and just everyone show up on the set dates.

Dave

 

[Top_Speed1]

We could just keep it simple and just everyone show up on the set dates.
Dave

Brotha Dave, this is how many of them are including SEO, NERDS etc. It sure takes a lot of pressure off of the organizers, and they actually can have some fun too.

I'm game for the "show and go" approach.

 

[wheatonFJR]

We could just keep it simple and just everyone show up on the set dates.

Dave

Brotha Dave, this is how many of them are including SEO, NERDS etc. It sure takes a lot of pressure off of the organizers, and they actually can have some fun too.

I'm game for the "show and go" approach.

I'm all for that. All I need are some good roads, and a parking lot to drink some beers in and socialize. I can find my own dinner somewhere's else.

Unless someone REALLY wants to do all that work, I'm up for a poll question on what people would consider "minimum" features of an EOM, or WTF-0, or SW-FOG, etc...

 

[Uncle Hud]

I'm in for whatever. Always willing to help with details -- and, as illustrated above, always ready to find consensus and consummate a decision.

 

[El Toro Joe]

We could just keep it simple and just everyone show up on the set dates.

Dave

Brotha Dave, this is how many of them are including SEO, NERDS etc. It sure takes a lot of pressure off of the organizers, and they actually can have some fun too.

I'm game for the "show and go" approach.

I'm all for that. All I need are some good roads, and a parking lot to drink some beers in and socialize. I can find my own dinner somewhere's else.

That would also work for me.

 

[Uncle Hud]

I'm in for whatever. Always ready to help with details -- and as illustrated above, always focused on reaching consensus and consummating a decision.

 

[LKLD]

Having never been, I don't know what would be missing doing it this way. That said, if organizing this type of thing is a royal pain, then why not make it simpler? The only thing, in my opinion, that would make things easier, is to have everyone at one motel...if possible.

We might get a better rate, and no confusion where everyone will be at. An onsite restaurant/lounge would be a plus, but if it is a small town, then a short walk wouldn't hurt....much.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I've had the pleasure of attending several of the the organized EOM's...but I've also enjoyed many of the SE Ohio Rambles...the just show up and ride idea, works well. It's all good.

 

[leedavis]

This is what EOM as-is requires.

Event Web site

Hotel liason

Online registration

T-Shirt design and printing

Banquet

Name tags w/lanyards

GPS routes

Event check-In at hotel

Swag

Banquet master of ceremony

 

[08FJR4ME]

I do like the T-shirt feature.

Edit: It helps to remind me of where I have been.

Dave

 

[El Toro Joe]

This is what EOM as-is requires.
Event Web site

Hotel liason

Online registration

T-Shirt design and printing

Banquet

Name tags w/lanyards

GPS routes

Event check-In at hotel

Swag

Banquet master of ceremony

Plus...you've got the folks that help with check-in/registration, and the other behind the scenes stuff.

I'm sure it is a very big undertaking...

 

[Top_Speed1]

This is what EOM as-is requires.
Event Web site

Hotel liason

Online registration

T-Shirt design and printing

Banquet

Name tags w/lanyards

GPS routes

Event check-In at hotel

Swag

Banquet master of ceremony

That's a lot of work and organization. It also entails a Rally fee to help pay for things like T's, Name tag/lanyards, banquet etc.

I'm a cheap bass-tard (so says my g/f Debbie.. cuz I took her to Vegas and didn't slip a (BIG) ring on her finger lol) but I'll bet more than naught, peeps would rather have less fees with the option to buy their T's or whatever (and, if anything!). Dinning can be had as groups (friended) just as in past Show n Go Meets. This is nice, maybe not what an entire group banquet is (go to NAFO if you want all the frills?).

I've put on one Rally/Meet so far in 2014. It was a big success (f/b wise) and I plan on doing it again this Memorial Day Weekend (Wellsboro PA as the "Penn Run"). The only things I organize is a group hotel and rate, some .gpx routes with POI's and I get peeps grouped (more or less) for a walk across the street to 3 different restaurants/pubs (their choice depending on tastes and atmosphere desired). Wellsboro is perfect for these amenities and allows me to do this ad-lib stuff quite easily. No, I'm not suggesting my Meet nor area! (I want it much further away from me if it's not my gig!)

So.... my suggestion (if nobody or group is willing to step up)... how about we do a semi-planned Meet/Rally in (fill in the area) USA for EOM in 2015?. Any nay-sayers can voice-up (of course) but they would be subject to cross fire as to being the possible organizer/planner for a full monte event.

Just my thoughts and .02

 

[Fred W]

I kind'a like the direction this discussion is going. I've always been a proponent of "Less is More" and tried to do that with the NERDS events we had up here, but it got drawn into more and more complication each time. Let me use Lee's list and annotate which items that I personally could do without

This is what EOM as-is requires
Event Web site (I don't need that)

Hotel liason (I would like a room block and a group rate. Nothing more)

Online registration (don't need that. Could just have a thread for folks to say: I'm going!)

T-Shirt design and printing (could do without tee shirts. If someone wanted to do it it would/should be optional)

Banquet (Don't need)

Name tags w/lanyards (Don't need)

GPS routes (Do need/want)

Event check-In at hotel (don't need)

Swag (don't need)

Banquet master of ceremony (don't need if there is no banquet)

So the two things I'd want is a group rate at a common hotel and some ride routes. Don't really need the rest

I guess to a certain extent these other things continue on because "that is the way it has always been done". I'm sure it all started out by emulating some other cycle group's gatherings. It does seem to make some sense that, if it is a major burden on the organizers, just let the thing become less organized.

Like a pick-up game when you were a kid... Fun will happen. It doesn't need to be organized.

 

[BigOgre]

As I was catching up with this thread I kept thinking that no matter how simple you'd like to make it, you'll still need someone(s) to step up and be the Organizer(s). Just comes down to how much organizin' needs to git dun. I wouldn't want anyone who helped organize any past event to be slighted just because one format was simpler than another. Fred's and K.J.'s posts both illustrate this. Keep it simple and eliminate things like swag, banquets, etc. but it'll still take someone to play host and scout out a venue, pre-ride routes, post GPS files and herd the group towards a restaurant or two who've been warned ahead. That needs to be appreciated.

 

[Teehaml]

I kind'a like the direction this discussion is going. I've always been a proponent of "Less is More" and tried to do that with the NERDS events we had up here, but it got drawn into more and more complication each time. Let me use Lee's list and annotate which items that I personally could do without

This is what EOM as-is requires
Event Web site (I don't need that)

Hotel liason (I would like a room block and a group rate. Nothing more)

Online registration (don't need that. Could just have a thread for folks to say: I'm going!)

T-Shirt design and printing (could do without tee shirts. If someone wanted to do it it would/should be optional)

Banquet (Don't need)

Name tags w/lanyards (Don't need)

GPS routes (Do need/want)

Event check-In at hotel (don't need)

Swag (don't need)

Banquet master of ceremony (don't need if there is no banquet)

So the two things I'd want is a group rate at a common hotel and some ride routes. Don't really need the rest

I guess to a certain extent these other things continue on because "that is the way it has always been done". I'm sure it all started out by emulating some other cycle group's gatherings. It does seem to make some sense that, if it is a major burden on the organizers, just let the thing become less organized.

Like a pick-up game when you were a kid... Fun will happen. It doesn't need to be organized.

I will chime in...

I am new to this forum and the EOM but I do plan on going next year where ever it happens. From the list above I can see how organizing all that would be a royal PITA. It would (does) make for quite an event (as you guys and gals know) but I pretty much agree with Fred's annotations and insights. I agree that common lodging and a group rate would be nice. Group rate is not a deal breaker for me though. May I add that I think an attached restaurant/lounge would make it nicer. My hat (helmet) is off to the organizer's that planned that list in the past. I am willing to help however I can.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Since this venue has been used in the past there has to be some GPS routes already completed. I am not sure how much you can get off on a group rate since this is a Quality inn. I don't think they are known for high prices. I am a firm believer in KISS.

Hotel rates start at $74.99 +$9.00 tax (Advanced purchase price $63.00) you can cancel within 48 hours without penalty.

I don't always need a route, sometimes it pays to get lost.

JMO,

 

[LKLD]

Get lost, and let the gps get you back...ideal IMO!

18th-20th?