2008 Solstice/Sky at the Dragon Feedback

[MandiLu]

Originally Posted by Appygirl

Food seems to be getting slammed. Last year I had dinner scheduled in Maryville, but people complained it was too far to drive, sooooo which is it- drive for a good meal or take what we can get at Fontana? As I usually am in charge of meals, I really want to know. Thanks

Most definately keep it at Fontana. It was nice to eat and then hang out on the balcony and at by the pool.

[stevemr2]

Originally Posted by MandiLu

Most definately keep it at Fontana. It was nice to eat and then hang out on the balcony and at by the pool.

Sorry that last post was from me.....Mandi was logged in and I didn't realize it. Steve

[Cajun Sky Turbo]

Okay. . I'm with Steve. . keep it at Fontana. .

[yamatr3]

I'm totally disappointed it can't be about the same time. Can we move to the middle of May instead? If we have to go later in the summer, then my vote is for Sept. Here is an average temp by month list.

Wedding Planner - Set the Date, Average Monthly for Robbinsville, NC

It just kills me them moving the nationals around each year. They need to leave it the same month.

[Appygirl]

Yamatr3- I agree that they need to stop moving Nationals around all the time. We are going to try to plan that whatever date we choose for 2009 will become an annual date regardless of Nationals and other events. I am aware of the temps in June, July, August being quite hot. September is usually nice weather. Mid May is as well. I have annual motorcycle trip to the Gap for an entire week the first part of May, so would be hard to do mid May because would have no time to come home and get the Sky and work wouldn't let me off for 2 weeks in a row. June, July, August, Oct works for me. September as long as not on GP weekend. haha October would be beautiful, but prices go up at the lodges due to leaf changing. Not enough nice months in the year!!

[ChiliSky]

the other thing that we have to look at is not just what month works but also what other groups are gathering at the dragon the weekend that we choose. We certainly do not want a weekend where the corvette club is there or the mini coops or a combination of clubs.
Also we get into full hurricane status July through Oct being in the farthest corner of NC helps with that but still chances of heavy storms.
June is a nice month, however yes, the Nationals for 2009 are in June and if Ohio gets the nod for 2010 it will also be in June.
September might be the best month overall, the rates will not have gone up yet for fall colors, but we will get a hint of some good colors, there wont be that many clubs booking weekends then and family based vacations would be over with kids going back to school. The temperatures would not be as hot and the evenings would be still nice, maybe light jacket weather. Also the LEO's might not be out in force like they are now.
We also have not talked about what else people would want. Some chose not to run on Saturday but explore the area, so lets also look at that.
1. What would you like to do in place of a run on Friday?
2. What would you like to do in place of a run on Saturday?
3. Would some people be interested in a shopping venture either day?
4. Would some be interested in going to neighbouring cities for site seeing and or events?
5. What kind of night activities would people like to see?
6. Is there an interest in game night/s?
7. Would some people be interested in a Friday or Saturday poker run?
I will probably add to this list as we go and if anyone else thinks of things put it down. Since being there is so ingrained in our memory now, this is a good time to brain storm everyones wants and desires.
The meals make sense for keeping it at Fontana, it is close, and the extra cost of driving somewhere makes up for the fee's. Appygirl did a great job with the food for Saturday night but I do agree with everyone that the meet and greet food needed to be more......all a learning experience.

[JRinKY]

ChiliSky : the other thing that we have to look at is not just what month works but also what other groups are gathering at the dragon the weekend that we choose.

Very good point.

September might be the best month overall, .....

I agree with September. July is always out for me due to work.

We also have not talked about what else people would want. Some chose not to run on Saturday but explore the area, so lets also look at that.

This topic came up in Druid's thread about the national meet. It seemed the consensus there, and it makes sense to me, that the organizer's focus should be on the meet events, letting people decide what or if they want to do outside of it. As we saw even with the Dragon Pit dinner run, people are fickle, and conditions change rapidly, so attempting to schedule too many things, or too many options, adds exponentially to the work load.

My suggestion, and it is pretty much what we seem to be doing for the regional meet here in August, is to focus on the core events; a couple of runs, dinner, overall organization and scheduling. Locals, or those with local knowledge, can and should make known the options in the area, but I would leave it to individuals to plan their "off time".

[ChiliSky]

JR there were a lot of people this time that did not know the area and wanted to do other things. My point is that I will make available to those people maps with good directions for things to do on their own.. Since this is my neck of the woods I want to make people feel that there are lots of other things to do and that they are not obligated to do the runs. There were even some ladies that were not comfortable riding on the Dragon. I want to plan some things for them as well. Since we are so far out from a lot of things, good planning ahead of time will help. Hopefully everyone will get on board and give me suggestions as to what they want to do.

[JRinKY]

ChiliSky : JR there were a lot of people this time that did not know the area and wanted to do other things. My point is that I will make available to those people maps with good directions for things to do on their own..

Ah...I understand now. I read your post as an intention to schedule those things as events.

I agree that providing a "visitor's guide" is an excellent idea.

[G8TR]

Originally Posted by ChiliSky

JR there were a lot of people this time that did not know the area and wanted to do other things. My point is that I will make available to those people maps with good directions for things to do on their own.. Since this is my neck of the woods I want to make people feel that there are lots of other things to do and that they are not obligated to do the runs. There were even some ladies that were not comfortable riding on the Dragon. I want to plan some things for them as well. Since we are so far out from a lot of things, good planning ahead of time will help. Hopefully everyone will get on board and give me suggestions as to what they want to do.

My suggestion would be that if we're going to make maps available, etc., people would need to know beforehand what is available. You would need to at least list the available attractions, shopping and any other variables on the website so that people could look them up and then have some kind of idea as to what they want to do before they arrive. That would preclude people from signing up for things and then not going because they suddenly hear about a local attraction they want to visit. They would know in advance, hopefully, what they might want to do other then a particular run. By doing this you could put together the maps or brochures and have them available for all attendees as they arrive, and hopefully a better gauge on what people are doing. Just my
As long as we have the kind of time we had this year, GREAT, I'm up for whatever comes.
Ric

[Yellowfever]

We really enjoyed the Dragon and can't wait to do it again! Fontana was a great location. Just the right amount of time. Please keep it there. Everyone did a great job organizing things. Thanks to everyone for their hard work. Maps and a printed itinerary would be greatly appreciated! We really enjoyed meeting such a great goup of people! We are looking forward to the Lexington meet as well.......Kathy

[ChiliSky]

Originally Posted by ricthar

My suggestion would be that if we're going to make maps available, etc., people would need to know beforehand what is available. You would need to at least list the available attractions, shopping and any other variables on the website so that people could look them up and then have some kind of idea as to what they want to do before they arrive. That would preclude people from signing up for things and then not going because they suddenly hear about a local attraction they want to visit. They would know in advance, hopefully, what they might want to do other then a particular run. By doing this you could put together the maps or brochures and have them available for all attendees as they arrive, and hopefully a better gauge on what people are doing. Just my
As long as we have the kind of time we had this year, GREAT, I'm up for whatever comes.
Ric

That is what I am talking about, I want everyone to let me know the things they would like to do ahead of time,,,I will get everything they need plus maps before they come to Fontana.

By the way, where is BARRY? I started a thread looking for him. Could you call him and let him know that we have all been concerned about him.

Thanks

[KYGXP]

Originally Posted by ChiliSky

That is what I am talking about, I want everyone to let me know the things they would like to do ahead of time,,,I will get everything they need plus maps before they come to Fontana.

By the way, where is BARRY? I started a thread looking for him. Could you call him and let him know that we have all been concerned about him.

Thanks

Is this something that I can include in the Registration Packets? You get together and then we can add to the packets

Schedule's
Maps
Dinner tickets
Area's of Interest

[ChiliSky]

Yep, so if car 1 wants to go to Gatlinburg on Sat, I will get together what they need and give to you to put in their packets.
Will also need to have things ready for the weekend because people can change their minds and want to do something else or their too tired and want to stay back at Fontana.
Would also recommend that if any car is going to go for a weekend to any event, they need a GPS. That way they can not get lost, or if they have to pull off during a run, they will have written maps and the GPS. The are so inexpensive now that for safety sake it is a good thing to have.

[NCBlue]

Just wanted to add my thanks to all who helped organize and carry out the events this year-Great Job!!
Suggestions seem to have covered the main concerns-maps of other attractions for those interested in exploring the area instead of doing all the runs, main itinerary available to all upon registration, etc.
As for me, breakfast doesn't need to be as big as it was on the buffet Sat, since we doing the run, and on Fri, they didn't seem as prepared for us in the restaurant (ran out of fruit). But the dinner was good, with a good variety of foods, and a nice dining area for us all to gather.
The Blue Ridge run was great, twotoys deserves special kudos for having to drive that Suzuki-he could make it run! I should have brought a 2-way radio, but managed to keep on track with the group until I found myself in the lead, and didn't know quite where I was going!
With the planning starting now, it sounds like next year will be even more fun! Can't wait to see everyone again!

Rhonda

[Farscape1]

Originally Posted by Appygirl

Hello to all those that attended. I hope that everyone got home safe and sound and that all had a wonderful time this past weekend. It sounded that way from comments at the dinner.

We are already in preparation for 2009. On that note, we are looking for your comments on what worked and what did not work. Below are a few questions that we have and feel free to provide comments on other things as well. I do know that we are looking into a daytripper fee and weekender fee. Also having each person's itinerary on their lanyard. In addition, breakfast fees for each day are being looked into as well. Fontana has offered to have a buffet for us each day with grab and go capabilities so that no one has to miss breakfast and the start of their runs. We are also considering dividing down runs to no more than 10 participants with more leaders, and deleting night run on Friday.

Questions we have: Friday runs- did all enjoy? Should we offer more than 2 options? If only have the 2 options-divide rides into smaller groups by driving style?

I liked having the 2 options for the Friday Runs. Maybe we could break up the size of the group by driving styles, like we had on Saturday.

Was the dinner good?

The dinner was fine.

Was time frame good- 2.5 days? Should it be longer?

Maybe 3 days and incorprate an idea that ChilliSky had...to have a shopping or site-seeing excursion

Was the Thursday meet and greet a success?

A RESOUNDING YES!!!!

Would you like to have breakfast buffet included in fees for each day?

YES...it is really convienent and time-saving to have the Buffet.

Daytripper fee for those local and not staying at Fontana?

Not sure.

Registration upon arrival was smooth?

YES!


SIGN ME UP FOR NEXT YEAR!!!

[southernSKYS]

A poker run would be a lot of fun and not require leaders, sweepers, or groups with different driving styles.

[ChiliSky]

Originally Posted by southernSKYS

A poker run would be a lot of fun and not require leaders, sweepers, or groups with different driving styles.

Yep that was my number 7 on the list. If everyone will keep adding their wants, I will keep a list going......