MECCA II - The Official GM Thank You!

[JustMike]

I was asked to give a special shout out to Chris Thomason. Chris was the previous program engineering manager who was responsible for getting the Sosltice into production.

Your turn ....

[sworthit]

First--MUCH appreciation to Mike for all his hard work and hats off to the Wilmington crew.

This is an amazing event! I think what everyone has already stated wraps it up succinctly, all i can say is 'ditto'. Unfortunately, due to family obligations, i was only able to swoop in for the tour and fly out immediately after. (I apologize for not being able to spend any time getting to meet all the great people there.) The weather did nothing to dampen everyone's spirit. What i was able to experience has done much to restore my faith in Saturn. Looking forward to being able to participate in the whole weekend at Mecca next year!!!

Thanks is simply stated, but deeply felt ..... THANKS!!!

[Catch me if you can]

Thank you, Thank you....
This was mine and my son's first time to the MECCA tour. We loved the whole event! From the great gifts we received when we checked in, to the tour of the plant and the staff on hand to answer any questions we had. We liked going thru the plant with the employees and getting to see the whole process. We also did the training on how to build a car on the assembly line which was interesting. So thank you for all your time and efforts into making this a great event!!

[ctyankee]

Returned home to Maryland and a county flooded. Schools closed yesterday and a yard full of water. At least it was dry in the plant. Thanks to EVERYONE who put this together, who spoke to us and who shared their visions and pride in their product from the top people to the people working the line. Thanks for the goody bags. Loved them. Mecca 3?

[R1chy]

When Saturn first started they played up this "family" concept of selling cars and retaining customers. Looked good on commercials and I'm sure it sold some too. But I never really bought it and at the very least looked at it as a cult fad that would soon fade away.

Then I was invited in...

I like to support American products, but from day one with our Sky I've felt something more. Something told me Saturn cared about how "I" felt as a person, not just a customer with money they wanted to get out of my wallet.

...and they acted like family...

At one point during my time in the TLC tent I watched "Bennie" go through 3 $60 cup holders to make sure the one he installed fit and worked just right... over his shoulder were Company executives, who could have easily encouraged him to make the first one fit, but they didn't. Then before sending me on my way, I was repeatedly asked if there was anything else wrong that they could look into.

...and they did what family does, go the extra mile...

From a promotional viewpoint, they could have easily gotten rave reviews with just the plant tour and a few engineers standing around discussing the merits of their design. But they obviously went above and beyond with all they did. I got to meet the boys and girls who birthed our baby, delivered her to me, and even did a TLC tent checkup. In our conversations we found common interests and enjoyed a laugh together.

From Mecca-1 they hooked me on the Sky and Mecca-2 made me feel like family.

...so now I'm in and liking what I see... so when is our next family reunion, Mecca-3?

R1chy

BTW - Next year I WANT to sit at the kids table!!!

[todaresqSL2]

I am happy I was able to actually go through the tour this year. While I still enjoyed myself at the 1st Mecca, being able to see the cars being made, was an even bigger pleasure.

My tour guide Stan was amazing... knowledgeable... and very interested in our thoughts.

A big thank you to everyone that helped with my car at the TLC tent and to all the employees of the GM Boxwood plant. Also a thank you to the GM executives that came out to answer questions and provide insight.

Looking forward to Mecca III and being able to take part in an SWE!!!

[The Dude]

I just returned home to Miami FLA Wed 5/14 (3000 miles RT. I did a slight detour and took the Blue Ridge Pkwy over to the Smokies and hit the Dragon also. Mecca & Dragon sensory and fun overload).

I would like to Thank the Academy:

Mike: for pulling this massive under taking together and making it look so smooth (I know dealing with 10 cars and personalities can be a task let alone 130 cars and 160 people)

Benny: The man with the plan in the TLC booth as always way above and beyond! you are COOL!

Spag: Thanks for the Northern Twisty Run Saturday

Dover Museum Guy: (sorry don't know your name) unbelievable to get our cars on the tarmac and to have the cherry picker to use for photos-Awesome.

To all the others at the plant that made this happen you are the best.

I hear the music I guess my time is up.

Good Luck and good Health to all of the Mecca II organizers and participants. Is it May 2009 yet Mike!

[southphillylakes]

Thank you,
GM, UAW, Justmike, All of the tour guides. All of the plant workers, I not sure I would want over 200 customers watching me all day while I worked, You guys did a great job.

[rmarmion]

I usually don't say a lot, but I have to put my 2 cents in and SAY THANK YOU TO GM, ALL THE UAW WORKERS, ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, JUST MIKE, WHO I KNOW HAD TO HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS PLANNING EVERYTHING THAT SEEMED TO TURN OUT PERFECT. I MUST ALSO SAY THAT MY WIFE PARTICULARLY LIKED THE PAMPERING CLINIC AND SAID THAT its STAFF WAS REALLY GOOD AND DIDN'T PUSH ANY PRODUCTS. ANYWAY, THANK YOU TO EVERONE WHO MADE IT AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE THAT WE CERTAINLY EXPECT TO PARTAKE IN NEXT YEAR!!!

[JustMike]

Last call! ... I'm gonna post my wrap up this weekend and then ask the mods to lock the thread ... so you know you want to add your tanks before then ... You do wanted to get invited back next year don't you? ...

[jazzyjet]

was it just me or was there more than that for people there from the Sky side? Just checking these are a couple of people you are thanking they were just great!

[SKYMAN-CT]

Originally Posted by jazzyjet

was it just me or was there more than that for people there from the Sky side? Just checking these are a couple of people you are thanking they were just great!

Great shot JazzyJet - your right where are all the Sky - Thankyou's
Well one more time from Skyman-CT and Mrs Skyman-CT.

Thanks to all who made the whole weekend such a special event.
- We took away alot of memories and made many new friends.
We're really proud to be part of the Saturn/GM Family.

[JustMike]

Well I was about ready to post my final thanks and then I got a special surprise ... So I'll give it another couple of days while you all enjoy this





So here is the text for those who have trouble reading it from the picture ...

Build it and they will come
The Mecca II Tour
That famous line from the hit movie "A Field of Dreams" says it all
about the recent Mecca II Tour. Despite the dismal weather, 282 Solstice
and SKY enthusiasts journeyed from across the country to attend the
Mecca II Tour on May, 9th with the goal to see where their "pride and
joy" was built. They drove from 22 states including the District of
Columbia and Canada. The enthusiasts who traveled the farthest -
1,743 miles were John and Carol W hite, who are proud Solstice owners from
Fort Collins Colorado. But the honor of who drove the farthest goes to Kim and
Jim Neely of Gulf Port, MS. They drove their Solstice 1,285 miles to
attend the tour. Now those are enthusiasts!

Our guests were treated to a fun filled day of activities. Plant Manager Bob Dolan,
Chairman Dennis Hammond, and President Dave Myers started off the event with a
special video clip made specifically for Saturn. It features rock band Bon Jovi and their
hit single "Lost Highway" along with a slick silver SKY. Dolan thanked everyone for
coming and said "that video clip was just for you". He thanked Solstice owner Mike
Malik for helping to coordinate the event among the owner's enthusiasts and invited
him to the podium to speak to the group. To add to the excitement, plant Vehicle
Implementation Team members unveiled the 2009 Solstice coupe which sent the crowd
into thunderous applause.

Malik was brief by thanking GM, UAW, Pontiac and Saturn for hosting this event for
the 2nd year and stated "We're really, really glad to be here. Last year I said you're
building our pride and joy, but the folks in the Solstice and SKY community didn't
think you understood and then came along Nittany (owns VIN #218 Solstice). With
Nittany, you really proved to us that you DO get it" by going that extra mile and
taking care of a customer. In honor of what you have done and for taking
special care of owners, Malik and North American Solstice SKY Owners Association
Council Chair Kathy Gee, presented the plant a plaque which recognizes
Wilmington Assembly as Lifetime Members.

The visitors were then broken into groups for plant tours and various
workshops. They had an opportunity to experience what it takes to be a
Wilmington team member by participating in a Simulated Work Environment
(SWE) workshop building wooden vehicles. The visitors came away with a
new appreciation for the workers on the line. The owners could sign up to
have a specialized team member finesse body panels, convertible tops and
more outside in the Tender Loving Care Tent. Also, Vehicle Engineers were on hand throughout the day to answer any questions.

Various new events were offered this year. One such event was A Car Clinic for The Ladies. Quality Team Members were on hand to show the ladies how to use the tire inflator, change wiper blades, check fluids, etc. Another new event for the ladies this year was the Women's Lounge. Chair massages and mini facials by a professional massage therapist and esthetician were available in the lounge free of charge. Many of our male
visitors took advantage of this relaxing opportunity. One of the many highlights throughout the day was a surprise activity given to four guests.

Again, members from our Quality team took these lucky guests on a ride through our water test booth and our test track. They were amazed at how much water hits the vehicle during the test and how hard the vehicles are driven on the track.

Just as last year, raffle items were available for purchase by our visitors. They had chances to win a Personal Audio Links (PAL) with IPod, a Bob Lutz signed die-cast Solstice or SKY, or a V.I.P. Race Day Package for NOPI Drift and Drag Racing event. A total of $1,075 was raised and all proceeds were given to UAW Local 435 Veterans Committee.

Employees interested in seeing additional comments from our visitors can visit Pontiac Solstice Forum for Solstice comments or http://www.skyroadster.com for SKY. Also, pictures and video will be playing on the plant's TV system.

A special thank you to all team members who helped organize and assist with this event. Once again, you rose to the challenge and ensured this event was a huge success!

[jazzyjet]

Hey Mike thanks for sharing the GM/UAW The Beeline news letter, and is there anyway to get a copy for the scrapbook?

[marlboromike]

Originally Posted by jazzyjet

Hey Mike thanks for sharing the GM/UAW The Beeline news letter, and is there anyway to get a copy for the scrapbook?

Ditto!...u r the MAN!

[JustMike]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

u r the MAN!

Not really ... seems some thinks that I am an A..Hole and wait till I get that video ...

[sue'ssky]

Mike, that was a "honey" of an article in The Beeline! Can I have your autographed copy???? Once again, a Big THANK YOU to you, and UAW, and Corporate for all the fun and gifts!

Sue'ssky

[marlboromike]

Originally Posted by JustMike

Not really ... seems some thinks that I am an A..Hole and wait till I get that video ...

I would like a private viewing myself.

[e-sarge]

A big thanks to GM & UAW employees at the Boxwood assembly plant and the corporate staffers who all worked together to elevate this beyond just an event, but made it truly an experience. Pretty much everything except the weather exceeded my expectations.

Also, the biggest thanks possible to Mike, Solli, and others from the forums who pulled this event together, to the museum for letting us on the tarmac, and to Spag for leading us through the twisties -- that was the cherry on the top. It was such a rush to see that many Kappas in the parking lots and on the roads, and the reactions from the onlookers.

Thanks from both of us, and we hope to see you all again soon.