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soldiermedic · 12-23-2009, 10:19 AM

While I appreciate both coasts, you have to add the midwest for a set of locations. We do have BUDWEISER here in the midwest!

ROBERT CROSS · 12-23-2009, 10:20 AM

Andy,

NYS is ready...Letchworth State Park - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

The rotating schedule works very well for our national breed club,(dog show), and we are usually able to attend when it's in our area.

Nothing works better than the KISS principle.

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 10:24 AM

there's already a non denominational gig on the books for next summer...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f290...0-a-58563.html

and folks can opt for 2 days or 5 days or anything in between.
______________

threads like this are great for brain storming...

but almost NEVER work for real planning.

everyones got a vision of WHERE and STYLE and WHEN and HOW...

and those things seldom (never) MESH at the 1000s of folks planing level...
______________

again, PICK a date, PICK a spot, PICK a theme and get the ball rolling...
______________

IS the difference THIS TIME that....

-someone (with "forum authority") is gonna COLLECT MONEY and REGISTER PEOPLE and PLAN CATERED MEALS, and so on...??

______________

basically the feedback will be "when it's close to ME and fits MY schedule, I'LL COME!"

cheers
2air'

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 10:30 AM

2air, the OP states that a "Wagon Master" would be appointed to lead the logistic efforts. They would solicit volunteers from the forums to help them (probably all local to the region so they could scout out locations, activities, etc. The idea to make an already popular rally the official National Rally is a good idea. The difference between the rallies that already happen and this one is basically marketing. We would promote the heck out of it on the site, in email newsletters, etc.

I consider this a big experiment and maybe it will work and maybe not. The same way AIR was a big experiment when it got going. If we do our due diligence we should be fairly successful and if we learn from each event they should get better.

Maybe the name should not even be AIR National Rally. I think AIR National Party would be better!

RickDavis · 12-23-2009, 10:33 AM

I too would favor something of the boondocking or limited facilities type, preferably somewhere other than a private campground.. Of course we tend to avoid anything with Resort in the name anyway.

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

there's already a non denominational gig on the books for next summer...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f290...0-a-58563.html

and folks can opt for 2 days or 5 days or anything in between.

2air, that's an Airstream Life event. What is proposed here would be an AIR Forums event. Maybe one year our National could be in JC as well.

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

the OP states that a "Wagon Master" would be appointed to lead the logistic efforts.
They would solicit volunteers from the forums to help them....

so then basically you are soliciting a WAGON MASTER now?

who will do ALL of the real work with volunteers THEY recruit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

...The difference between the rallies that already happen and this one is basically marketing.
We would promote the heck out of it on the site, in email newsletters, etc....

and the "official forums" role will be to PROMOTE the event?

sorry but that's not doing much.

the O.P. also mentions 'non profit' which lead me to interpret that the FORUM STAFF would be organizing...

but again IF the wagon master is really doing ALL of the work...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

...If we do our due diligence we should be fairly successful and if we...

so who is WE?
______________

2 b clear...

my post isn't meant to be antagonistic, but rather CLARIFYING...

the "forums" role is just to PROMOTE the event?

ONE of the reasons i spent HOURS gathering the info on EXISTING forums events

and running polls 2 years ago was to encourage THIS PLACE...

TO PROMOTE events that ALREADY had 'wagon masters' and were already happening.

and it went NO WHERE here (the mods hated those polls)
_____________

so back to the o.p.

u r just RELAYING what's happening on another site and suggesting that IF SOMEONE HERE...

does the work...

AIR will do the promotions?

is that it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

that's an Airstream Life event. What is proposed here would be an AIR Forums event. Maybe one year our National could be in JC as well.

i understand palooza is an ASL event, but the point is, it is OPEN to all forums members and somewhat centrally located.

have 100s from here signed up yet for that gig?

IF you wanna throw AIR support toward PROMOTING a forums gig as the 'official annual'

why not look at the already planned POPULAR things on the calendar and HELP the current WAGON MASTER for those events?

several of them could be made larger or expanded with some support from the home office...

cheers
2air'

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 11:01 AM

We = AIR Forums members

Yes, AIR Forums role would be to promote this event. We would also manage the registration process and collect deposit and payments from attendees. Front monies needed for deposits before the monies can be collected, etc. Although a volunteer Wagon Master would lead the effort we would be there working with them and enabling them to host a successful rally. Each year the previous years Wagon Master will help educate the following year's Wagon Master. Just like a party at your house it's fun to host your virtual friends in your neighborhood.

This poll is not intended to solicit a volunteer but instead to get feedback from the members on their desire for an event like this. Although I did not consult the previous polls I did look at the links you posted. This poll is different as it was designed to find out how far members were willing to drive to attend. It looks like he largest responses so far is less then two days. That's useful for planning.

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 11:27 AM

how many attend the irv thing?

50 or so?

again we've already got rallys HERE with greater attendance than that.

IF you quickly read the posts in the first 2 links...

EVERYONE mentions LOCATION as a key issue in determining attendance.

IF the goal in THIS thread is to hone that info more..

some of the poll options should include "how far is too far' choices, like...

"no, if it's more than 1 days drive" or "no if it's more than 2 days drive"

these would complement choices 2/3 already included.
_________________

again i'm not against a big rally, having attended MOST of the large gigs here.

event with 40-80 trailers attending, have had no need for a 3rd party to collect fees/float front money.

so unless you are expecting 500 or more trailers...

self registration has worked for the other large events here.

large sites would be needed IF 100 or more are expected, but no one will know if THAT happens, till it happens.

the folks that ALREADY take on the tasks (and fun) of planning AIR forums events should be applauded.

they do a great job and each with their own style....

to quote a forum friend i met at a "4 trailer rally"...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainJones

In a way every Forum rally is a national rally.

I am sure no one would be turned away for not being in a "local group". That is one of the best parts of this Forum.

cheers
2air'

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

the folks that ALREADY take on the tasks (and fun) of planning AIR forums events should be applauded.

they do a great job and each with their own style....

I agree. As I mentioned earlier, we might just piggy back on one of their events and call it the AIR National (if it's OK with you).

FYI - We do promote the other non-profit rallies around the forum by offering free banners, rally calendar (with RSVP system), discussions, etc. The difference would simply be more promotions for this event then the other non-profit events.

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 11:48 AM

call it what ever u like.

"ok with me" ?

since when is that a PRErequisite for anything here?

the goal of "FEATURING" one of the current/popular events as the 'forum national' has merit.

and planning a 'hole new BIG gig' is a great idea too.

but means SOMEONE stepping up 2 do just that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

...FYI - We do promote the other non-profit rallies around the forum by offering free banners, rally calendar (with RSVP system), discussions, etc. The difference would simply be more promotions for this event then the other non-profit events.

yes i know this.

the problem is that wb' events, which are NOT freely OPEN TO ALL forum members...

get the same level of promotion as ALL COMERs air events.

in fact the wb' stuff gets MORE space/support here, since there are private groups for those people HERE.

and every new mod picked in recent history is a wb'er...

neither of which, btw is "OK with ME"...

imo the goal should be MUCH GREATER SUPPORT for every event that is AIRFORUMS based and open to every1.

cheers
2air'

Frank's Trailer Works · 12-23-2009, 12:00 PM

Okay I am about to be the first to step up and say I will do the job. The difficult part for me is this continuous notion of "no structure, no rules" I think the people that keep saying that have never hosted a rally. I have hosted a rally or two and I can tell you it is a gigantic amount of work. Most people just show up and enjoy themselves never realizing all the planning, arraigning, and coordinating that takes place. Making sure everyone has a great time and that they have all their needs taken care of is tremendous job. Another big constraint is venue. Not every State Park, National Park, or even campground is willing to have a large group come in for a rally. I know this because I have spent many hours looking for a location to have a WBCCI rally of 80-100 rigs. Once you step over to private land the responsibility issue come into place.

Just some thoughts. I am sure Mr 2Air will point out how wrong I am about all this...

byamcaravanner · 12-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

the midwest for a set of locations. We do have BUDWEISER here in the midwest!

Steve from Milwaukee says "...and that is a good thing how?"

byamcaravanner · 12-23-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

FYI - We do promote the other non-profit rallies around the forum by offering free banners, rally calendar (with RSVP system), discussions, etc.

This is much appreciated and a win-win for all concerned.

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

and every new mod picked in recent history is a wb'er...

Ironic that WBCCI's took the opposite path and went outside the club for theirs. LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

imo the goal should be MUCH GREATER SUPPORT for every event that is AIRFORUMS based and open to every1.

Our goal is to support our members and remain neutral. We want to be the communication tool for Airstreamers online and not a club. We provide free advertising for non-profit rallies in an effort to promote the events because this is what our members want. Right now more WBCCI events are promoted because there are more WBCCI events that take place. If someone hosts a profit based rally, we would be happy to put their banner in rotation for a small fee.

Lets get this thread back on topic. AIR National, are you in? If so, please vote and let us know how close it needs to be.

ROBERT CROSS · 12-23-2009, 12:46 PM

As much as I love our Airstream and enjoy AS Life, a "rally palooza" at the factory just isn't our cup of tea.

We are "campers" with a limited number of Airstream days per Season, the cost benefit just doesn't compute for us.

A camping get together with the people here is much more appealing.

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

...We provide free advertising for non-profit rallies in an effort to promote the events because this is what our members want. Right now more WBCCI events are promoted because there are more WBCCI events that take place...

i think you have a naive view of 'non-profit'.

who doesn't GAIN financially from the irv gig?

the campground sure does, so does the catering company.

think those organized TOURS they have scheduled are for free?

basically the only one NOT profit-ing is the wagon master...

and that might be a maybe too.

since MANY rallies are hosted by those who own an rv/stream related business of some sort.

it's a common approach for vendors to 'sponsor' gatherings, under the non-profit scheme.

wally did it, a/s did it, dealers do it, rehab'ers do it, camp ground owners do it, CLUBS do it, and so on...

and they ALL stand to profit financially IF done well and focused on the right crowd.
____________

even the air forums stands to PROFIT in many ways from declaring a formerly populist event the NATIONAL rally.

sponsor tie ins, advertisers, vendors, MORE members join, and so on.
____________

too many folks define NON profit without considering ALL the $$ gains that might happen.

or only think about IF the competition may profit.
____________

back to "our" mythical annual event...

so what exactly is the beer company gonna do? set up a both and offer samples?

this of course is problematic since MANY of the wide open spaces, state parks and small rv parks are etoh PROHIBITED.

LARGE commercial campgrounds or fairgrounds or PRIVATE grounds might allow a beer vendor...

but now a license and insurance is needed.

and a simple forum rally just became something else.
__________________

when the goal of a rally is to provide a venue for folks to connect and create FUN themselves...

it takes a LOT LESS planning and cost/risk than when the goal is to ENTERTAIN others...

some folks like to PAY someone else to entertain them...

and others just wanna camp with friends (even a larger group) and make their own fun.
_______________

some forum rallies for example have "prizes" that are donated by vendors...

my experience is that WHEN THAT happens TOO MUCH,

the rally morphs to a "what am i getting" thing...

and away from a LETS GO PLAY thing.

many of the best rallys have only sunrise/set tightly scheduled.

with pot lucks (really pot luck), impromptu beverage sharings, music eruptions, bike rides, hikes, star gazing and

the occasional alien autopsy.

cheers
2air'

DanB · 12-23-2009, 01:15 PM

2air'

Maybe your overthinking this a little right now?

It's not very often Andy offers up something for discussion, and it is really beginning to sound like you want to burn him at the stake for doing so. Why don't you just let this run a couple of hours and see where it goes?

My opinion - I owe a lot to Andy and Airforums. He hasn't gotten a dime from me (yet!) and his site has provided me with some great friends and even better education. I wouldn't mind if he "profited" some!

Merry Christmas!

**Andy R** · 12-23-2009, 01:26 PM

Beer sponsor would donate kegs. A member would pick them up and bring the kegs to the event. Same thing for the wine sponsors. We are not talking about having booths and formal stuff like that. More like a bunch of kind micro brew, good tunes and lots of people casually hanging out. I don't think we want to have this thing anywhere that BYOB is not allowed.

The idea is to make this what we want this to be and an overwhelming number of people to respond basically just want to get together, eat, BBQ, drink, listen to music, go mess around at the local attractions and have a good time. We don't all have to go to town at the same time for planned events, that actually sounds like a PITA getting everyone together.

Some ideas I like would be a BBQ Cookoff and Cocktail competition. Maybe Jimmy Buffet Friday where we break out the pink flamingos, sport the beach clothes and put back the rum drinks? There are lots of fun idea that we could.

I am not talking spring break belligerent festival but just normal people having a normal good time.

2airishuman · 12-23-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanB

...it is really beginning to sound like you want to burn him at the stake for doing so. Why don't you just let this run a couple of hours and see where it goes?...

if that's the sound u hear read the posts again.

and then how'bout you post your thoughts and i'll do the same.

no one is getting burned on any stakes here.

but the 'national rally thing is a recurrent theme, regardless of WHO starts the thread.

it's a GOOD IDEA, like any rally is but without details means almost nothing.

it's pretty clear that the EARLY responders interpreted this as a THING being done BY THE FORUMS STAFF...

andy has clarified that now, which is helpful.

these posts are a series of questions/answers and thoughts to help further clarify details.

nothing more.

providing the exchange is POLITE the original goal of ALL threads here was to have an insightful "SPIRITED" exchange on the ideas.

of course if the owners thinks my posts are somehow VIOLATING that spirit, he's got a delete key.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

...I don't think we want to have this thing anywhere that BYOB is not allowed...

i agree with this notion,

but SOME of the potential wagon masters don't. and some current POPULAR rallys limit booze.

andy have u ever even been to an AIR forums event?

IF etoh is PART of the event, it really LIMITS the use of public lands and state parks.

private campgrounds or private property would be the focus, if the booze is ANYTHING but informal.

and FREE drinks means some will OVER do it (even air forums people) and stuff WILL happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

...The idea is to make this what we want this to be and an overwhelming number of people to respond basically just want to get together, eat, BBQ, drink, listen to music, go mess around at the local attractions and have a good time. We don't all have to go to town at the same time for planned events, that actually sounds like a PITA getting everyone together.

Some ideas I like would be a BBQ Cookoff and Cocktail competition. Maybe Jimmy Buffet Friday where we break out the pink flamingos, sport the beach clothes and put back the rum drinks? There are lots of fun idea that...

again total agreement and this is basically what happens at most air events NOW.

i think there are issues with having ANY vendor deliver etoh OR food to an event,

liability changes significantly when these things are included.

cookoffs, parades, tours, naked twister, finger painting, food, kites and so on are all good.

again EVERYONE has their own vision of WHAT IS DIS THING a RALLEZ?

cheers
2air'