The future of NAFO

[Burnspot]

A Honda Hoot perspective would be cool - but critical mass, dollars, energy, and volunteers would be needed.

Agreed, it would be cool... but ther was major frikkin' balking about a $150 registration fee. Now, what would something like that kind of meet cost? Or maybe the mass amount of attendees would cover it?

Well, Honda was involved in it, so I suppose some of the cost was on their shoulders. They held the 2008 one at the Marriott in Knoxville and it was $55/person; local hotels in the area offered special rates (NAFO did get a slightly better rate from Marriott btw). Here's their 2008 brochure: https://www.hondahoot.com/08_HootBro_final.pdf Quite the organized affair.

Probably should mention that Honda staged the last Hoot in 2008 and canceled future ones...probably due to the economy.

 

[Geezer]

I attended both NAFOs to date and enjoyed them both. I also enjoy the regional meets and less formal rides. One of my goals is to attend each of the regional meets at least once. I enjoy the adventure of riding to an event, riding new roads while there, and the pleasure of chatting with the folks who attend. I would not like a large event with entertainment and such like the Honda Hoot. To me the Wheattie campout was just as much fun as NAFO. It's the roads and the people that make the rally.

WFO in Utah had some vendors showing their wares and Yamaha was there with their demo truck and let us try a few bikes. That was nice, but I think it was a fluke where the timing was just right and someone had the right contacts and connections to make it happen. Without the support from Yamaha we will not see that at a FJR rally in the future.

 

[Burnspot]

I attended both NAFOs to date and enjoyed them both. I also enjoy the regional meets and less formal rides. One of my goals is to attend each of the regional meets at least once. I enjoy the adventure of riding to an event, riding new roads while there, and the pleasure of chatting with the folks who attend. I would not like a large event with entertainment and such like the Honda Hoot. To me the Wheattie campout was just as much fun as NAFO. It's the roads and the people that make the rally.

Agreed, I loved the "little" campout...that was fun. I do think something on the order of a Honda Hoot is a bit much...smaller, intimate affairs seem to bring about the better aspects of riding our sweet machine.

 

[BikerGeek99]

I believe that I heard it erroneously reported that MEM was hosting NAFO '12 in New Brunswick (she had already beat feet North to avoid the weather).

I believe the actual plug that MEM wanted to make was for CFR '11 in New Brunswick.

So, no. There was no announcement or discussion of future NAFOs or what that means.

PS - Thanks for the constructive commentary Jay.

I believe MEM was referring to CFR 2011 being held in New Brunswick.

I heard the fellas from Up Nort talking aboot NAFO 2012 in British Columbia.

But you didn't hear it from me, rumors and all that...

 

[luvtoride]

It had been announced at Saturday's banquet that NAFO 2012 would happen in the CFR region of the world.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Too much drinking at the banquets...nobody remembers anything.

 

[beemerdons]

Too much drinking at the banquets...nobody remembers anything.

Maybe you, Wheatie; but when the talk turns to pretty red headed Canadian nurses: PAPA CHUY IS PAYING ATTENTION! Hubba, hubba, hubba!!!

 

[Longrider]

Just a perspective from a Vintage Rider. A long lead time is my critical factor. Cost and location are secondary.

I have to schedule maintenance, ON ME, such as battery replacements, periodic surgery, and all the other "necessities" of advancing age.

I have the time and can usually muster the resources to attend almost anywhere. Knowing when early on is my critical factor.

My $0.01 worth,

Longrider

 

[squeezer]

(snip) Honda staged the last Hoot in 2008 and canceled future ones...probably due to the economy.

Not probably. That's exactly why they canceled it. They underwrote a big chunk of that event and decided their money was better spent elsewhere or not spent at all. Having been to one Honda Hoot, my personal taste goes in the other direction anyway. For me, those mega rallies offer more hassle than fun.

Back on topic:

Why the hell not call an event NAFO every so often? Changing the initials of a regional event every couple of years is more a marketing thing than some call to arms. If it makes a few people go, "Hmm, maybe I'll head that way next year," well, who loses? And if it doesn't, who loses?

This thread is bitching for the sake of bitching. <_<

 

[yamafitter]

As mentioned earlier the current plan is for NAFO 2012 to be hosted in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The normal dates for CFR is usually mid to late June and since NAFO will be replacing CFR in 2012 I would suspect a mid June date would be in the works but that is only speculation on my part.

I do have some contacts with Yamaha Canada here in the center of the universe (GTA - Greater Toronto Area) and would be willing to help out if the 2012 NAFO crew is looking for assistance.

As for DJ Bill, he was been banned from Canada and will have to recite the entire history of the War of 1812 (short version - Canada won) and sing five Tragically Hip songs before being allowed back into the land of beaver tails and high octane beer.

 

[ionbeam]

EOM 2011, September, EVERYONE is invited from across the county. See y'all there.

Done.

 

[wheatonFJR]

EOM 2011, September, EVERYONE is invited from across the county. See y'all there.

Done.

DONE.

 

[Fred W]

Why the hell not call an event NAFO every so often? Changing the initials of a regional event every couple of years is more a marketing thing than some call to arms. If it makes a few people go, "Hmm, maybe I'll head that way next year," well, who loses? And if it doesn't, who loses?

That would be OK if they retained the flavor of the local event. But, it seems that once you call it a "National" that then requires a different scale of accomodations, etc. And for the year that a region hosts the NAFO there is no regional meeting, so if you opted to not go to NAFO, well you may not be going anywhere. Just some observations.

This thread is bitching for the sake of bitching. <_<

Really? Then why did you just contribute to it?

It's not bitching. It's calmly discussing where we want this little online club of ours to go directionally. If you think that is "bitching"... well, I just don't know what to say. :blink:

 

[Patriot]

I think Fred asked a good question to ponder.

Being a "regional meet" does not prohibit any from attending...quite frankly, I prefer the "regional meets" as the emphasis is on riding and parking lot making fun of each other.

I have had fun at the all the regional events I've gone to and distance has never been the issue...only $$...whether EOM, CFO, CFR, Hooterville, MO/AR, or the SE Ohio Ramble. I will attend a WFO one of these years...and don't consider it being a "regional event" any hindrance to me wanting to be there.

I enjoy meeting new friends and riding the great roads...anything else is superfluous to me and therefore unimportant in my considerations.

SO why NAFO again??? If it costs more $$, why???

OK OK Let's receive the question and discussion in the obvious to me constructive tone among family members...even if we are sometimes disfunctional

my limited experience is with two SFO's...I could kick myself for not jumping into the car and attending EOM '09 while clinically depressed with a grenaded engine; I know now that would have been better than a dose of healing meds, but I digress

I too ONLY attend for the experience of bullshitting with as many fellow peeps as possible, for as long as possible, and for riding...different roads with different peeps

having a semi comfortable bed with a nearby bathroom is desirable; a small fridge in the room is great (keep my insulin cool and also freeze water bottles for the rides in the heat)

please take this a factual full disclosure and my logical mind working...no none nada - disses to anyone intended...I appreciated all's efforts and outcomes for NAFO and told them at every opportunity

SFO vs NAFO

1) it was much more enjoyable to sit around the Best Western outside the rooms on chairs stolen borrowed from the pool area, with the bikes parked right outside the room doors, and ******** at will

2) loading and unloading the bike was a snap...it felt more secure to be able to see the bike whenever I wanted

3) the regional meet Thur night meal was appreciated for the lower fee...but please remember the final fee at NAFO is now $120 which is a good number for services received IMHO

First, I enjoyed both of the buffet meals very much...good food, as much as wanted, great choices and piggy me had some of all of it...everything about them was pleasant

hindsight being 20/20, I might have researched choices of venues for the self paid Thur evening dinner, looked into the hotel providing some kind of transportation to a few choices like they do for airport pickup/delivery, etc. I was really tired, didn't want to walk to eat in the heat and hills, but couldn't afford the prices of the Marriott restaurant dining.

if $$$ are the big obstacle; having commercial venues around doesn't add anything other than tempation to really overspend

again, the hard part is looking in the crystal ball for how many might attend and finding a place and time that fits; the nature of the beast is that it can be a crapshoot

I was worried that rides I was on both Fri and Sat had stops for lunch that I encouraged fast food (Hardees)...I got no complaints...course not everyone ate off the $1 menu like I did

 

[Ignacio]

With all of the recent discussion around organizing regional ride events, and now that NAFO 2010 is in the bag, being a rabble rouser and always looking to stir the pot, I am going to open up Pandora's box and ask the obvious question:

Why do we even bother to have a NAFO?

......so why bother having a supposed National meeting, with all the baggage that entails? I know that I definitely had a good time this year, but was it any better than if it had been an EOM, like we've had in the past?

The baggage is mostly attitudes like this IMO. While I think the economy is the #1 reason that NAFO attendance is down this particular cycle, some people stay away because of attitudes like this.

The ideal of NAFO is to ride a cross the continent to attend a seemingly overpriced event......to see new country on the way.....to be welcomed with open arms by strangers at a regional event hosting what we know is THE international event for the two years.....to see a new area of the country while sharing a beer with a person I've only corresponded on the Internet......and to come back home knowing they've been to a great event. Designating one international event every two years helps this.

Luvtoride and others that organized NAFO did a Yeoman's job in a tremendously difficult economic time (again that was the biggy) and overcoming crap from a very small number of folks that seemed to want to **** on things. And a couple folks that were on the fence about it came around and finally got it (thank you folks BTW).

It's easy to tear things down FredW...it's far harder to build things. I ask you earnestly (because I see a concerning tone in another thread ), are you going to be a person that aspires to forge NEW relationships and consensus or are are you going to be a person that sows discontent and try to dissolve things down into smaller sub regions parking lot events? I can tell you from personal experience that the ONLY way these events succeed....whether international, regional, or local....is through BROAD support.

I personally want to thank Heidi and the NAFO 2010 organizing staff for holding a tremendous event under very difficult economic circumstances with a small side of crap. It's a thankless job....but I thank you. And I think TwoWheelNut would have been proud. :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

And I look forward to the CFR volunteers at NAFO 2012 and the open arms they've already extended.

I hope everybody does aspire to ride our continental sport tourers to go and see some place new in 2011 and 2012.

 

[Fred W]

Matt,

It is amazing to me that you somehow come to the conclusion that I have a bad attitude towards NAFO or any other group meetings.

Let me state my exact position so you and others might understand me:

I had a great time at NAFO 2010, I greatly appreciate the effort that the organizers put into the event and told them so.

I didn't mind the cost of the event AT ALL. My concern about the fees were only because I was afraid we would scare the other potential attendees away

I thought we received excellent value at the Marriott. (except for their martinis, which were $10 each!! Ouch!)

What I did mind is that essentially nobody, other than the folks from the EOM region, showed up.

Your description of the NAFO ideal (which you bolded above) is spot-on.

I think that is still worth striving for. But how do we get more folks to show up? I guess that is the root question.

 

[Ignacio]

Your description of the NAFO ideal (which you bolded above) is spot-on.

I think that is still worth striving for. But how do we get more folks to show up? I guess that is the root question.

1. One way is by NOT starting threads titled "Why bother?" That one I know absolutely for sure.

You put things like "How Can We Make It Better?" instead.

2. Worry less about talking about whether people will get scared away and more about the benefit of the higher prices.

As we learned and discussed many times for the 2008 event...you do a bigger event there are only certain hotels that can handle and you get locked into a contract. Predicting the size is hard and you do your best. Dwell on the positives.

3. Once a NAFO is announced EVERYBODY from that region not only has to be supportive...they have to be EXTRA SUPPORTIVE. The people committed to the event then have to occasionally shut down or overwhelm a couple of toxic people or the occasional distracting comment.

 

[beemerdons]

EOM 2011, September, EVERYONE is invited from across the county. See y'all there.

Done.

DONE.

Brother Alan, do you know exact EOM dates in September yet? If you do, please get them to Big-D and I by January 1, 2011; when we announce SW-FOG.

Here are the 3 venues and dates SW-FOG 2011 Co-Rally Masters Dan Compton and Don Stanley are looking at (it will be set in stone on January 1st):

1) Colorado High Country, somewhere in the Gunnison, Silverton, Montrose and Durango rectangle: Mid Week - Tuesday, 9/6 through Friday, 9/10 of 2011.

2) Return to the Kachina Lodge Inn in Toas (Taos), New Mexico, the same third weekend of the month as last year: Thursday, 9/15 through Sunday, 9/18.

3) Devil's Highway '666' Region of Eastern Arizona and W. New Mexico, Springerville or Pine Top, AZ base camp: Thursday, 9/29 through Sunday, 10/2.

Dan and I coordinated with Barb and Heidi to make sure SW-FOG didn't interfere with WCR & NAFO; and we'll do the same with EOM, if we know the dates!

 

[Fred W]

Your description of the NAFO ideal (which you bolded above) is spot-on.

I think that is still worth striving for. But how do we get more folks to show up? I guess that is the root question.

One way is by NOT starting threads titled "Why bother?" That one I know absolutely for sure.

You put things like "How Can We Make It Better?" instead.

Controversial subtitle? Sure. You don't stir the pot with a feather.

(and now I tried to go back and change the subtitle to: "Where were YOU?" but we no longer have the capapbility to edit our own titles...)

 

[Ignacio]

Controversial subtitle? Sure. You don't stir the pot with a feather.

(and now I tried to go back and change the subtitle to: "Where were YOU?" but we no longer have the capapbility to edit our own titles...)

4. And you learn that things like NAFO are from things being BUILT UP OVER TIME AND GOODWILL and not usually helped by stirring **** up.

5. And you learn that once you say something it's always out there. Choose your words more carefully to begin with. (there's a board issue that currently not even admins can change subtitles of threads)