Pog IV The Beginning

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I think the converters and the suppliers should chime in on what works for them.

As a group however, I do not think we should build or plan rallies based on how many converters we can get to show up. I think the converters and suppliers should always be welcome, and I think they should be encouraged to participate in our seminars. I like seeing the coaches so I see no down side to their participation. But to limit the number of rallies or locate rallies just to get them to show up I think is wrong.

Right now it appears that as a group we can expect to see at least as many attendees in Branson as we had in Kerrville.

As the group grows I would be willing to predict the left side of the country could support two rallies six months apart with similar numbers and the right side could do the same. I would imagine if all the rallies were the size we just had there would be support from converters and suppliers. I questioned one of the converters at Kerrville about the size of the rally and if it was advantageous to his company, and the response was positive. He indicated it was a good size and it allowed him to talk to almost every attendee.

Rather than speculate I think Branson will be the test of where POG is headed. Going from 10 to 25 to over 60 coaches it appears clear there has been growth. If Branson pulls in the same number of coaches and a similar number are turned away, we will know what our rally plans for the future will be.

[MangoMike]

It appears that the POG rally's should be quality, not quantity driven. Once the limit for that particular location has been reached then lock it down. We have a great thing going here. Let's not let the growth bug drive the bus.


Mike

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Ok, let me begin by saying Craps was CRAP this time around. I didn't win enough in Vegas for my bus down payment, hell, I had to wear a dirty shirt I had left over home, but anyway that is behind me now.

I have been checking out some various sites for POG IV, and I will begin by letting you know what my requirements were for the sites. These are ONLY sites that I thought might be considered to be worthy and the final decision is still up to the People in Charge, NOT ME ! I am just the investigator, and I have an Excel Spreadsheet to prove it, if you want to see it.

Some of the requirements are:

1. Able to accomadate 50+ coaches of our size
2. Concrete Pads for the rigs, and paved roads through out the rally site.
3. Complete Catering Options for our group
4. Expected nice weather at that time of year
5. Some pull Through sites, for those towing trailers
6. Various Optional Activities near the area, ( Besides Drinking, near the coaches, which I enjoyed greatly ), ie: Theaters, Plays, Casinos, Motorcycle Rides, etc.
7. Availibility of the Rally site for our group, in October 2007
8. And finally the obvious, 50amp, cable, water/sewer hook ups

Here is the first group of sites for everyones review. Please check out the web sites, look at all the various pages, and POST YOUR THOUGHTS. If you have actually been to any of these, make your personal comments, known.

I should have a few more sites to consider early next week for review. Remember, I am not making the Rally Site decision, I am only providing OPTIONS.

1. Cherokee / Smokies KOA, N.C. http://www.koa.com/where/nc/33173/

2. Sundermeir RV Resort, Mo. http://www.sundermeierrvpark.com/

3. Rayford Crossing RV Resort, Tx http://www.rayfordcrossing.com/

Let me reiterate, these are just a few of the many possible True Rally Sites, but these do meet the requirements that some of you posted earlier as hoping to find in our next rally. I believe these will provide a fun and enjoyable POG IV Rally, up to the standards we experienced at Buckhorn Lake RV Resort for POG III.


Gary S

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Here are two more suitable Very Nice and accommodating possible sites for POG IV.

These Rally Resorts have all but one of the amenities I was looking for in a Rally site for us.

They do not have DIRECT Food Catering at the resort. They have Offsite Catering Companies that come in and feed small to large groups of people, at the pavilion or Tent area.

Which brought up another idea, I had not thought of. While some of the nice resorts do not have an indoor seating pavillion, like Buckhorn had, most would be able to set up Large Tent areas with seating for our entire group.

Check these two possible Rally sites out and post your thoughts.

Willowtree RV Resort, SC http://www.willowtreervr.com/home.html

Holiday Travel Park, VA http://www.htpvabeach.com/index.htm
They offered us 25% Discount, NO other resorts talked about Discounts at all, but then we haven't started negotiating rates either.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of you Mothers out there.

I would also like to give a SPECIAL THANKS to "Mr. Ken Hamill, Owner and Founder of Big Rigs Best Campground Directory ". His home site is in Buckhorn Lakes RV Resort. He has given me many of the names of the campgrounds to call and check on, and will continue to work with me if his assistance is needed. http://www.big-rigs-rv.com/index.htm


Gary S

[Stelan73]

I applaud Gary and Peggy Stevens attempt to set out some sort of criteria for future POG events. The next step would be for our leaders to use this as a "strawman" and come up with a final but flexible set of criteria, set up the old excel spreadsheet and populate with candidates. Once the list is finalized then its a lot easier to select finalist and I would venture to say this list would remain relatively intact going forward with a few annual updates.

Steve Lane

[rmboies]

Gary and Peggy,

Great job picking up the ball and running with it! I thought I would bring another of Tom Trucks suggestions over here from a different thread discussion. I could feel the thread police looming He pointed out that the Country Coach rally was held at River Plantation in Sevierville which is right outside of the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Looks like a nice facility from the website.

http://www.riverplantationrv.com/

We attended the Parliament rally (even though we didn't have their conversion) in Asheville at Bear Creek RV and though we had a fun time visiting, touring the Biltmore Estate, etc. it is not the "place" that Kerrville was/is.

http://www.ashevillebearcreek.com/

Jon mentioned that their are several nice parks in the Gatlinburg area--maybe he can present a list?

For a possible national rally, Meg at Millennium spoke with a customer who had just attended a big rally in Branson held at the ABC resort in Branson:

http://www.abc-branson.com/amenities.html

Check these out and see if any of them meet your qualifications in order to be added to the list.

The Willow Tree Park outside of North Myrtle Beach sure looks wonderful and is fairly new--built in 2003 I believe?

Thanks again for all your efforts......

[lewpopp]

FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I CANNOT FIND THE POST THAT GARY STEVENS MADE A LONG WHILE AGO ABOUT HIS VISIT TO ODR IN PORT ST LUCIE.

This really ticks me off. The post was so far off base on what was here as for the # of coaches, the # of Prevosts coaches, etc, etc.

What I am trying to compare is the incorrect review of my home and now he has stepped up and is reccommending all of these places for POG IV.

Maybe if I re-read the post I would have a different opinion but I doubt it. I hate to be sour grapes but his post was wrong....way wrong and the world continued to spin. I expected such. Damn, I wish I could find that post. I scanned all I could. GET A LIFE(COACH)

Lew

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I CANNOT FIND THE POST THAT GARY STEVENS MADE A LONG WHILE AGO ABOUT HIS VISIT TO ODR IN PORT ST LUCIE.

This really ticks me off. The post was so far off base on what was here as for the # of coaches, the # of Prevosts coaches, etc, etc.

What I am trying to compare is the incorrect review of my home and now he has stepped up and is reccommending all of these places for POG IV.

Maybe if I re-read the post I would have a different opinion but I doubt it. I hate to be sour grapes but his post was wrong....way wrong and the world continued to spin. I expected such. Damn, I wish I could find that post. I scanned all I could. GET A LIFE(COACH)

Lew

Well Lew, the Post you are referring to was dated 01/07/07 @ 12:07pm and my original post started like this,
"
Peg and I just got back from our Florida trip. ( More on that Later We stayed at ORA in St. Lucie Florida, for two days through New Years eve, and had a great time. We talked to everybody in a Prevost that was out and about, and everyone was so nice to talk to. There were probably about 30 Prevost buses of every convertor, along with about 30 other coaches in the park. Most of them were owners at the park."

My original post was not to degrade, or malign your home or anything else about you or the ORA St. Lucie Resort. I was merely overwhelmed by all of the beautiful coaches in the park. It was more than we had seen anywhere else on our trip to Florida. You will notice I mentioned talking with many bus owners, and thoroughly enjoying their comments, and the overall hospitality of the park.

IF THE FACT that I understated the number of coaches, or miss counted them, Pisses you Off, to Bad. Get over it!

As far as MY RECOMMENDATIONS for places to hold the rally next time, they are just recommendations, I am just trying to help. YOU are welcome to jump in and take over this task anytime.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Lew

Whenever I'm looking for one of your old posts, I'll always check ALL THE WRONG forums first.

[truk4u]

Hey Lew, did you mix a grump pill in with your Viagra? What the hell does Gary's POG4 recommendations have to do with your place in Florida? A POG4 rally in Florida has never even been discussed....

Now go back to sleep...