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**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 08:47 AM

One of the other forum communities that Social Knowledge manages, iRV2 is having the 10th Annual National Rally this year. It's become a pretty popular event for the members and is highly publicized around the site during the year.
http://www.irv2.com/cmps_index.php?page=2010

Each year a new Wagon Master is selected, a member from the area where the event will take place, and they are in charge of putting together the logistics. Do you all think this would be fun for AIR? We could move the National around each hear to strategic locations so that each year it's in a new region allowing more/new members a chance to attend.

Do you all think this would be fun and popular here on AIR? Have any ideas or suggestions to making it a success?

**moosetags** · 12-23-2009, 08:49 AM

That sounds like a great idea. Something like that could really become quite an event.

Brian

Inland RV Center, In · 12-23-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

One of the other forum communities that Social Knowledge manages, iRV2 is having the 10th Annual National Rally this year. It's become a pretty popular event for the members and is highly publicized around the site during the year.
http://www.irv2.com/cmps_index.php?page=2010

Each year a new Wagon Master is selected, a member from the area where the event will take place, and they are in charge of putting together the logistics. Do you all think this would be fun for AIR? We could move the National around each hear to strategic locations so that each year it's in a new region allowing more/new members a chance to attend.

Do you all think this would be fun and popular here on AIR?

Excellent idea.

Part of Airstreaming, has always been to visit many parts of our country. That's been way in the shadows of IBT's thinking.

Especially since there is considerable objections to the way WBCCI is run and managed. Losing over $100,000.00 and asking members to pay for IBT short comings, has upset all to many members, myself included.

Forecast's don't look very good for much more of a life for WBCCI, unfortunately.

Andy

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 09:00 AM

Here are my ideas for an event like this.

Have it somewhere fun with lots of side activities. Change locations every year something like this:
- Northwest
- Southeast
- North Central
- Southwest
- Northeast
- South Central

This way it switches coasts each year and a stop in the central regions in between. That way it should always be fairly close for 12.5% of the members and within 2 days for 25% of the members.

On iRV2 we have an AIR National forum where the members can discuss the event, help plan, talk about options for a place to hold the event, etc.

My vision would be to attract some beer and wine sponsors. I have a relationship with New Belgium Brewery in Colorado or even get local sponsors (Jack Daniels in Tennessee). IE, this would be more of a party then a rally. We'll recruit our members to play some music (we have some awesome musicians) and if needed we can get some bands lined up too.

Although the event would probably be 5 days long, costs should be kept to a minimum (non-profit) and packages for weekend or shorter stays should be provided. Even daily rates if possible. The idea is to not make money but host one big fun shin dig...

Airtandem · 12-23-2009, 09:00 AM

Good Idea

. Go for it.
mike

1953 Flying · 12-23-2009, 09:05 AM

Sounds good. I just hope there will not be too many rules or regulations.

byamcaravanner · 12-23-2009, 09:15 AM

Andy,

Great idea, but I checked out what you are charging... for my family, $973 for 6 nights, 4 meals and a train ride is WAY more than I am willing to spend.

ArtStream · 12-23-2009, 09:21 AM

Andy, I think it would be a great idea

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

Great idea, but I checked out what you are charging... for my family, $973 for 6 nights, 4 meals and a train ride is WAY more than I am willing to spend.

Those rates are set by the members of the other site. Most of the members over there own very high end diesel pushers and camp at expensive campgrounds. Don't take those rates as any indicator what an AIR National would cost.

IMO, the rally should be a non-profit event in an effort to keep costs low. We would/should find locations that are cost effective and try to steer clear of places that would drive the prices up.

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1953 Flying

Sounds good. I just hope there will not be too many rules or regulations.

There will be only one rule.
1) There are no rules!

Well actually, the rules would be the same as here on AIR. Just try and be respectful and have fun. No other structure needed...

1953 Flying · 12-23-2009, 09:29 AM

There will be only one rule.
1) There are no rules!

Well actually, the rules would be the same as here on AIR. Just try and be respectful and have fun. No other structure needed...

Fantastic...

I'm in. So where are we going?

Lily&Me · 12-23-2009, 09:40 AM

Sounds like a WONDERFUL idea! We would so like to meet some of the people and personalities on the Forums, which we have had limited opportunity to do thus far. We also really like the idea of rotating the location, and keeping it strictly non-profit.

We sincerely do hope the WBCCI does not die, but that the powers-that-be there are willing to listen to and act on the feelings of the members.

Charlie M · 12-23-2009, 09:50 AM

Great idea! Be flexible, move the dates each year to accommodate the climate. The South would be great but not in July etc.

Boondocker · 12-23-2009, 09:52 AM

I would be most interested if the event was as close as possible to boondocking. I think the Balloon Rally is a good model for this type camping. The more developed/RV park like it would be, the less interest I would have. In fact, the FCU rallies would be an excellent model in my opinion.

I imagine there are tons of venues that would work with a bit of imagination. For example, I bet the Bonaroo site in Middle TN could be rented. It is already used for a big party every summer, why not one more?

Other sites might be BLM or National Forest boondocks in the west. Or even a massive beach rally down on the sand at Corpus Christi.................

BradS · 12-23-2009, 09:53 AM

I think this sounds like a great idea. So many groups get bogged down with Rules and Who is the ruling class that they take the pleasure out of most things. My wife and I enjoy meeting people and getting to know them.

**Janet H** · 12-23-2009, 09:55 AM

I'm in as well and would vote for a mostly unstructured event. The number of attendees would impact what could be done. Some potluck hubs, maybe an outdoor movie?

Travel distance is a consideration and I like the idea of moving it around the country.

pmclemore · 12-23-2009, 09:55 AM

Sounds like fun - and I like Charlie M's suggestion that we adjust the season for the region chosen. Don't think I'd head South in the heat of summer.

Pat

DanB · 12-23-2009, 10:03 AM

Andy,

Let me know when you want to start accepting bids and proposals! The great State of Ohio is ready!

How about a Walleye Rally on the shores of Lake Erie?

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 10:10 AM

this issue has been discussed several times, going WAY back to 03 or so...

here's an old poll...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f232...all-21427.html

and thread...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288...lly-21394.html
__________________

how is this different than any other air rally on the calendar?

they are all open to everyone...

they are all loosely organized...

they range for 2 to 5 days...

they have NO rules (not even the forum rules) and NO ONE to enforce them.
___________________

why call it a national or international or ANY nation thing?

make it galactical!
___________________

NOW if the goal is for the FORUM owner to SPONSOR an annual event...

it's like any other rally...

-pic a date
-pic a location
-start a thread
-get it on the calendar

and so on...

it's been written many times here...

"if you plan/build/post it they will come"
______________

we've had forum events with over 80 trailers and a couple of hundred people...

LOTS of FUN!

so ANY one of the regular REcurrent events could be designated the "forum annual gig"...

here are/were some VERY POPULAR rally'ez...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f232...6-a-34073.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f232...7-a-37689.html
______________

as the old poll shows 99% of us would support somethin'

but details are needed.

the thing on the other forum GREW UP from a member based need for a gathering.

so far no one HERE has done that.

while population centers are at the PERIMETER of the country (mostly)...

picking ANY coastal location makes this a REGIONAL event regardless of the name.

since locations like that mean MOST members here (75%) will need to travel 3-5 days to attend...

and is NOT likely to happen.

which brings us back to HOW is this different than the other gigs on the calendar?

r U looking for volunteers to step UP and organize or r U planning to put on an event andy?

cheers
2air'

**moosetags** · 12-23-2009, 10:15 AM

I, for one would lean toward hook ups, but would consider boondocking. Larger campgrounds usually have some sort of undercover gathering place, which might be a good idea in case of rainy weather.

We haven't talked about a length for this National Rally. I would propose five days that goes through a weekend. That way folks could attend the whole thing or just the weekend.

Brian