Requests for next year [Archive] - Grand Am Owners Club Forums

redgrandam

08-25-2003, 10:24 PM

Well! I would consider the meet a HUGE success! Thank you to all of those that helped in the planning and hosting of the event. It was an AWESOME time, and I will for sure be there again next year!

Now, as with any event, especially when it is the first attempt, there will be always room for improvement. So here are my suggestions (not that I want to be negative, cause the weekend was great, and ran so smooth)

a) get everying at the same hotel, and even better, same floor of a better hotel

b) More crusing. That was my favorite part!

c) More older GA's (like mine), and more Canadians! :canada:

d) fewer dinners at fast food diners, although I know it is hard with so many people, but smaller groups at a restaurant would have been awesome.

e) Longer booster cables for boosting Marta's car in the Dunkin' Donuts Drive through (don't ask why she needed it there =P )

That is all I can think of right now. Again, thanks and congrats to everyone that helped with it, and for everyone that went to make it such a great weekend!

TA^Guy

08-25-2003, 11:11 PM

Well you beat us to it. We were going to post a thread asking people what they would like to see added to or changed for next year.

Don't worry I take no offense to anything. This was a learning experiance for me too and with everyone's input it could only get better.

I agree more cruising would be cool. Kind of hard with so many cars, but maybe I'll print maps and directions up for everyone.

And yes the drive in meals were kind of over done. I did plan on going to Jumpin Jacks, but didn't plan L-Kens on friday night.

Hotels we tried to get everyone into HoJos, but due to a few limitations and people booking rooms late not eveyone was able to stay there.

Please keep the ideas and comments coming, I am taking notes.

Jibo

08-25-2003, 11:28 PM

All I need to see is an earlier meet then you can get more canadians and more older GA's :D

Y2KGPGT

08-26-2003, 07:38 AM

If we know ahead of thime we could try to plan a diner out at a nice site down place. We will just have to see what happens with the planning and how many people come along. There is alway room for improvement. I'm sure that everyone will have some ideas on what we can do different next time. Keep the ideas coming and we will do our best.

'01GTgirl

08-26-2003, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by redgrandam
d) fewer dinners at fast food diners, although I know it is hard with so many people, but smaller groups at a restaurant would have been awesome.

OMG...i only had about 8 cheeseburgers this weekend...i coulda done 2-3 more at least ;) hehehe

CaCathy13

08-26-2003, 09:09 AM

I agree with the fast food options, but with this many people and cars I can only imagine the headache if we all went to a sit down place. We actually headed to Smokey Bones on Sunday night and they divied up our checks separately and it caused them major problems...gp figure.

I think otherwise things went smoothly, and I really thought the "herding" throughout the caravan was great to make sure we all stayed together and no one got lost.

redgrandam

08-26-2003, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by CaCathy13
I agree with the fast food options, but with this many people and cars I can only imagine the headache if we all went to a sit down place. We actually headed to Smokey Bones on Sunday night and they divied up our checks separately and it caused them major problems...gp figure.

OMG!! Those were the BEST damn ribs I have ever had in my entire life! IU don't care how much they messed up the bills, I WILL be going back there next year!

antirice

08-26-2003, 10:34 AM

someone needs to kidnap me next year

mitro

08-26-2003, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by redgrandam
OMG!! Those were the BEST damn ribs I have ever had in my entire life! IU don't care how much they messed up the bills, I WILL be going back there next year!

I totally just inhaled those ribs... they were SOOOOOOOO good!

TA^Guy

08-26-2003, 03:37 PM

Glad your ribs were good, my steak was over cooked, but they fixed it for me with no problem. To bad by the time my new one came back I was full. :lol:

Gimli

08-26-2003, 06:31 PM

I think the best trick for cruising is to stay on four-lane highways and out of rush hour :)

Having everybody at the same place would really be nice. Plus we could probably get a group rate so everyone can afford it.

One thing we could look into would be to make it in a slightly more remote place, like Lake George or something. We can still cruise out to the city if we want but it might be easier to get us all at the same place. Some people could camp out too if they can't afford the hotel.

As far as dining goes, maybe we could look at going some place where they have private rooms for parties.

One important thing I think is to keep this simple. I mean no fancy shirts and registraiton fees, that turns off a lot of people who can't really afford the extra. The way it was this year was perfect. Maybe offer the fancy stuff but keep it optional.

Oh, and bigger trash cans... :angel1:

99ramairgt

08-26-2003, 07:59 PM

:agree:

debbyt

08-26-2003, 08:22 PM

I thought the whole thing was so UNBELIEVABLY phenomenal that I have actually already grabbed people I know with GAs and given them the site to set them up here.

MY FAULT that i didn't book sooner....next time that will NOT happen.

Definitely we could check into group rates and booking a room for dinner. If we planned a fancy buffet type of thing for at least one night the count wouldn't be as crucial to get "on the money"

I LOVED the cruising. DOES ANYBODY HAVE THE VIDEO UP ON LINE IN HERE ANYWHERE? is it up and I didn't find it yet? THAT WAS JUST THE COOLEST THING OF ALL OF IT IT WAS SO AWESOME (even with my car flipping out and trying to explode).

I would like to show it to the people I am telling how very awesome it really was.

We have already decided that next year we are going to bring up some good prizes for the raffle. Hey at the rate we all won we can enjoy more stuff to bring home!

ANYTHING that you need help with let me know. This is what I pretty much used to do for a living (trade shows) so I am sure I can be of help somehow.

I wish we could do one sooner. I dont want to wait a whole year --- it's so far away :(

99GrandAMSE

08-27-2003, 03:26 PM

... I'll be there no matter what changes :D

bluez

08-27-2003, 04:36 PM

i like the idea of cruzing more. i just loved seeing all the ga's in one line, going down the road

zipnsip

08-27-2003, 05:52 PM

Reading about all the fun everyone had makes me really sad that I didn't get to go. If I wouldn't have taken my vacation in April, I would have made the drive up there and back. If you guys need help booking a hotel let me know I am a Front Desk Manager at a Best Western, and usually they offer really good employee rates, but the number of rooms we are allowed is limited, but I think I could help with that if it was needed. I am planning on making it to the next meet. Can anyone say ROAD TRIP!! :D

TA^Guy

08-27-2003, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by Gimli
One thing we could look into would be to make it in a slightly more remote place, like Lake George or something. We can still cruise out to the city if we want but it might be easier to get us all at the same place. Some people could camp out too if they can't afford the hotel.

One important thing I think is to keep this simple. I mean no fancy shirts and registraiton fees, that turns off a lot of people who can't really afford the extra. The way it was this year was perfect. Maybe offer the fancy stuff but keep it optional.
Well Lake George hotel/motel rates will be alot higher, especially during the summer months. I agree, it's a very nice place, but during the weekend it won't be easy moving a large convy though that little resort village.

As for cost don't worry. That is our main focus around this event. A fun, affordable, family event. We didn't charge to attend this event and we don't plan on starting to.
Originally posted by debbyt
We have already decided that next year we are going to bring up some good prizes for the raffle. Hey at the rate we all won we can enjoy more stuff to bring home!

I wish we could do one sooner. I dont want to wait a whole year --- it's so far away :(
Next year I am going to try to do the raffles a bit differently, I already have a few fun ideas.

As for it being sooner it looks like it will be more around june/july next time. Alot of people had a hard time getting off due to work and school and have mentioned that a earlier date would be idea.

Keep the suggestions coming. :D

Y2KGPGT

08-28-2003, 07:11 AM

When we get a better idea when it is going to be we can talk with some of the hotel/motels and tell them what is going on and see if we can get some kind of group rate.

sunrunner_pei

08-28-2003, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by Y2KGPGT
When we get a better idea when it is going to be we can talk with some of the hotel/motels and tell them what is going on and see if we can get some kind of group rate.

That'd be a great idea. As well, if it's earlier in the summer (And planned well in advance) we suldn't have as much trouble with people's vacation times.

Merlyn

08-28-2003, 10:58 AM

And that would all fit in nicely with my change for next year.....

More people.

99GrandAMSE

08-28-2003, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Merlyn
And that would all fit in nicely with my change for next year.....

More people.

More would be nice but as long as everyone that came this year shows up next year, I'll be happy!! :D

martopg

08-28-2003, 10:33 PM

My request for next year....

CLOSER TO SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Having said that, I'm pretty sure it's not happening :cry:

SCGA1

08-29-2003, 12:27 AM

Try to secure more sponsorship, to defray the costs. Personal tracktime for the site would definitely work.

For the first attempt at a big meet, it was suprisingly good. All involved did an excellent job. I look forward to next year. :cheers:

TA^Guy

08-29-2003, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by SCGA1
Try to secure more sponsorship, to defray the costs. Personal tracktime for the site would definitely work.

For the first attempt at a big meet, it was suprisingly good. All involved did an excellent job. I look forward to next year. :cheers:
I had called about renting the track just for us but came up with a few things. First it would be about $20 more a person than normal Test & Tune, and also we can't rent it on a weekend. We could rent it on a weekday, but I fear less people would come if we did.
Maybe I could contact the track and see if we can set up our own little series like those Mustang guys were doing.

Y2KGPGT

08-29-2003, 07:42 AM

John we have to get together this weekend and talk abou this some more. Lets put some ideas down on paper and go over them and see what ones work.

TA^Guy

08-29-2003, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by Y2KGPGT
John we have to get together this weekend and talk abou this some more. Lets put some ideas down on paper and go over them and see what ones work. :agree:

antirice

08-29-2003, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by martopg
My request for next year....

CLOSER TO SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Having said that, I'm pretty sure it's not happening :cry:

yeah! like Indiana or Oh10 or Michigan

'01GTgirl

08-29-2003, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by antirice
yeah! like Indiana or Oh10 or Michigan

GAP is in Michigan tho...that's kinda far for ppl to drive to twice in a 2 month span :(

antirice

08-29-2003, 08:56 AM

thats why I suggested oh10 or Indiana, or have the Chicagoland club host it

99GrandAMSE

08-29-2003, 12:01 PM

30thAnnGAGT

08-29-2003, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by '01GTgirl
GAP is in Michigan tho...that's kinda far for ppl to drive to twice in a 2 month span :(

Wussie!! :D I'll rent you a trailer then! :D And we'll have Shawn drive :)

loverofga

08-30-2003, 03:41 PM

Hey gimli mentioned Lake George. I think that would be a good idea. Chris and I live there so we could start looking at cheap rates now. I know it sounds expensive but if you book early then it would be no problem I don't think. And the lake is only 40 mins from albany. And maybe we could start the weekend like on a thursday and maybe do the track on a friday or do the show on friday and track on sat.

But since we had people in albany this year you got people up north a little to help out if you want to do it in Lake George.

Y2KGPGT

08-31-2003, 02:27 PM

Lake George is a nice place to have a meet but I agree with John about trying to get all the cars out of the parking lots would be hard. If there was an easy way to get all the cars around I would vote for Lake George. We will have to put a poll together and get everyone opinion on the place where it should be held.

loverofga

08-31-2003, 03:24 PM

Wait you said if there was an easier way to get all the cars around. I think it would be easier to go to lake george then do albany again with the troubles we had with the cars

Grandam02chick

08-31-2003, 06:36 PM

I WANNA GO LET ME KNOW WHEN AND WHERE AND MAKE SURE U BRING STICKERS!!!! AND I MAKE SURE TO MAKE MY RIMS BLING AND MAKE EVERYONE BLIND WHEN THEY ARE RIDING NEXT TO ME HEHE

30thAnnGAGT

08-31-2003, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by loverofga
Hey gimli mentioned Lake George. I think that would be a good idea.

I like this idea.... I'm personally all about camping out and what not. I would say so long as we can get around, and it's not ridicuously far from anything that we do, it'd be worth it. Heck, I might even do that to save some cash.

Who wants to share a tent?! :D

Gimli

08-31-2003, 07:56 PM

Well, I said Lake George or some other place like that. If Lake George is too busy we could find some other place just as well.

I don't know the area around Albany but I'm sure we could find some place where there'd be a camping ground and 1 or 2 motels next to each other to accomodate us not too far from the city. Something close to a highway would be nice too, it'd be easier for the out-of-towners to find.

The area around Tatcher park seemed nice, maybe we could find something in that area. Another option would be to find some farmer with a nice big unused piece of land who wouldn't mind us staying there for the weekend.

Just throwing some ideas around...

antirice

08-31-2003, 08:12 PM

whats a Lake George?

JMILLS

08-31-2003, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by Gimli
Another option would be to find some farmer with a nice big unused piece of land who wouldn't mind us staying there for the weekend.

:jazz: Grand Am-Stock 2004!

antirice

08-31-2003, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by JMILLS
:jazz: Grand Am-Stock 2004!

ok, but I'm not sliding nekkid through the mud!

Merlyn

09-01-2003, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by antirice
ok, but I'm not sliding nekkid through the mud!

Good. That is just something I don't want to see.

jayhawk

09-01-2003, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Merlyn
Good. That is just something I don't want to see.

Are you sure?? :brows: :lol: =P

antirice

09-01-2003, 10:37 AM

well, this took a wrong turn somewhere

Grandam02chick

09-01-2003, 07:12 PM

how about in connectuit ( sorry bad spelling) cuz i know on the berlin turnpike there are alot of cheap hotels we can stay at and usually on fri and sat they kinda have everyone meet up there and show off their cars and some race I know that cuz I use to date someone from ct and it's not to far from lebaron vally ?what ya think or we can have the next meet in mass where Im from hehe

TA^Guy

09-01-2003, 08:26 PM

Just to clear the air.

Anyone is welcome to have their own meet anywhere they want.
We aren't stopping you from gathering as a group and having a great time.

But the next meet that ClubECM is hosting will be held at LVD and Thatcher Park.

Grandam02chick

09-01-2003, 08:35 PM

cool,alright for anyone that lives in mass who wants to meet me next sunday in brockton ma on belmont st.and making it a grand am nite hehe let me know or pm me or email me @Grandam02chick@aol.com

JMILLS

09-01-2003, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by TA^Guy
Just to clear the air.

Anyone is welcome to have their own meet anywhere they want.
We aren't stopping you from gathering as a group and having a great time.

But the next meet that ClubECM is hosting will be held at LVD and Thatcher Park.

I think that is great! Definetly needed something said there, before someone suggested Maui or New Zealand. I enjoyed the meet this year, and I say why ruin a good thing. No matter where we go we will have to deal with traffic and stop lights and parking lots. I would like to see us use what we have so far and improve on it, no necessarily change it. Great Job guys, and I am looking forward to next year!

Y2KGPGT

09-02-2003, 06:15 AM

'01GTgirl

09-02-2003, 08:34 AM

it was a long weekend, and i'm too lazy to re-read the entire thread, but were name-tags mentioned?? i know they were suggested at the meet. just something simple with our real names and screen names from the site. i would even be willing to make them...shouldn't be too bad.

Y2KGPGT

09-02-2003, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by '01GTgirl
it was a long weekend, and i'm too lazy to re-read the entire thread, but were name-tags mentioned?? i know they were suggested at the meet. just something simple with our real names and screen names from the site. i would even be willing to make them...shouldn't be too bad.

Good idea. We will add that to the list of things to be done.

TA^Guy

09-02-2003, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by '01GTgirl
it was a long weekend, and i'm too lazy to re-read the entire thread, but were name-tags mentioned?? i know they were suggested at the meet. just something simple with our real names and screen names from the site. i would even be willing to make them...shouldn't be too bad.
We had tossed it around but we were about 50/50 on who wanted to wear them and who didn't.
But I'm with you, I think next year we'll have some name tags. :)

lightningGA

09-02-2003, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by '01GTgirl
it was a long weekend, and i'm too lazy to re-read the entire thread, but were name-tags mentioned?? i know they were suggested at the meet. just something simple with our real names and screen names from the site. i would even be willing to make them...shouldn't be too bad.

that would've been a good idea.......next year :thumbup2: