...

 

Pay vendors eh?

That's a good way not to get my money.

 

I think helping vendors with traveling expenses (at least lodging) sounds like a great idea! I can only imagine how empty my account would be if more vendors would have been there this year i'm a lady and we like to spend money - please more vendors please

 

The Dragon Meet is a grassroots, very uncommercial event where just about all the vendors are also MINI owners/drivers. If vendors have good products to sell us, they will more than pay for their trips to the Dragon selling those goods to us all.

I had my Wanda 15% pullied and UNIchipped by Detroit Tuned last week at the Dragon, who paid their own way and came to do a little business while also enjoying running the roads there. I am so happy to have had her modified by two of my good MINI pals who also happen to be Vendors.

The fees for the basic and deluxe registration packages went to group insurance, tee shirts, and a few nice little goodies. I do not like the idea of paying Vendors to attend. If you are only planning to attend the MOTD Meet to sell products and not enjoy the roads, you are missing out on one of the best driving areas in the US to experience MINI motoring at its finest! Pay your own way by selling your products.


Clover

 

I don't see that NAM's pockets were "fattened" by this year's Dragon [or any other]. Organizing, reserving and getting people to cater events isn't free, nor were the t-shirts and other materials NAM offered to publicize the event.
Likewise, if this year's vendors were not paid to come and still came anyway, something doesn't seem right to pay future vendors...talk about "fattening" some pockets....

 

MOTD-2005 was NOT a NAM event, per se, Jeff. It was a MINI enthusiast event, which was offered the NAM storefront to sell tickets to dinners and to offer event tee shirts to raise money for two charities, the Ryen Neal Fund and the Smoky Mountain Conservancy.

NAM made a nominal fee for processing and administering sales and provided a Calendar of Events for folks to help plan their time at The Dragon.

While Mark Ferguson/NAM provided a centralized organizing/facilitating function, MOTD was really organized by DC Metro MINIs, Atlanta MINIs, MKO, and all the other MINI clubs that arranged for a variety of drives and events.

Many thanks, in particular, to DC Metro MINIs for a wonderful job of manning the registration process and overseeing much of MOTD's organization.


Clover

 

You guys have to remember that I was only offering a suggestion to the problem that everyone seemed to have.... not enough vendors. Don't get too offended, as these are just brainstorming ideas to think about.

You could even mutate the plan to something like comping the hotel stay for vendors, etc. For me personally, I could care less as I'm in NC and the drive isn't that bad. But for the guys based in CA or AZ, it would be a great incentive.

 

stylin99,

I have attended each Dragon Meet since the first one in '03, driving all the way from Los Angeles, and I, for one, prefer to see fewer vendors, than having MOTD become overly commercial.

I like running the Dragon and hanging with MINI friends. If MINI-owning vendors want to join us, they are welcome to....I do not see paying their way, at all.

If vendors view the Dragon as a commercial opportunity, by all means, come and show your wares. It is really not reasonable to expect the very price-conscious MINI community to pay your way there.

I think a lot of us love the remote beauty and non-commercial quality of MOTD. The event is not vendor-centered. If you want a nice spot for vendors to show and share their wares, the ball field at Fontana Village might work rather nicely.


Clover

 

I agree with Clo! Don't spoil our mountains with commercialism! I grew up near Gatlinburg and saw what it has become over the years and its really sad!

This year at the Dragon, one of my favorite times was going to the pottery store, seeing where cheese was made and visiting a local woodworker. I for one would like to see these "local" folk come sell their wares to help support the local economy.

 

I agree with both of you. MOTD should not become a commercialized event just for the vendors. MiniMom, where did you go to the pottery store? I love the idea of getting "local" "vendors" to come by.

Chris

 

At the chili cookoff the caterer had home-grown cheese and we went to find where the farm was. There was a pottery place there as well. Can't remember the name of it but the little lady gave us a tour and showed us how they turned mud into some of the most beautiful things.

The pottery place, the farm that made the cheese and the woodworker's shop were all down the same road.

We had asked these people if they would be interested in showing their crafts next year and they all said yes. There is a local craftsman's guild that we are going to contact.

 

Yellow Branch Pottery and Cheese is the place!

Hugs,
PB

 

Actually, Yellow Branch Pottery and Dairy contributed the cheese platter to our MKO Welcome Dinner. I went there twice during the week and bought both cheeses and pottery. I also visited the Wood Gallery (on the same road) and bought an awesome red oak hand-turned salad bowl. Love to support the local artisans who depend upon visitors for their livelihoods!

Clover

 

Thanks! I knew you would remember the names of the places, I think we passed you leaving as we were entering the place!

Cometgirl bought a bowl from the woodworker. Really cool stuff and the place was amazing! My hubby bought lots of cheese!

 

Yes! I saw y'all heading into the parking lot of Yellow Branch Pottery as I was heading out! Love her cheeses! Down the road, the woodturner's wife was very interested in my MINI, so I had her sit in the passenger seat to see how roomy they are! LOL! She loved it!


Clover