I'm more than willing to lend a hand with the Drives but there should be a point of contact from the various groups. The welcome packet had a few suggested drives in them but for the most part, I felt if you weren't part of a established group you were left out looking for people to go with. Driving alone is ok, but it's the enjoyment of driving with others makes it far more enjoyable.

Also, just a few thoughts about the drives;

* The white board is a great idea as long as people know where it's at and remember to look.
* Have a common starting point for each drive and a specific radio freq. assigned to drive coordinators so questions could be asked and answered.
* Have people who've attended previous MOTD's suggest drives. Not everyone knows every drive.
* Have drives based on experience. Not everyone has track time.
* Also distances really are deceiving from the maps, so real time driving amounts could be listed.
* This could be applied to other events, but T-Shirts for Volunteers
that say MOTD Volunteer. Yes, I know there's an expense but the benefit is, you know who to ask if questions arise.


Just ideas, so anything is open to being praised, flamed or told you're nuts!

 

All you have said only makes sense but the word significant that caught me. But then again, as you said if it hadn't seemed worth it they wouldn't have been there.

 

You're nuts! Sorry, I just wanted to say it.

Good post.

 

It's not the first time and won't be the last!

 

I am sure everyone has been in a caravan of vehicles at one point or another. The lead car can be driving at a steady 40mph, while the cars at the back will yo-yo from 20mph up to 60 or 70 mph.

It's one of the reasons I enjoy being at the back of our caravan from Pittsburgh, to the Dragon. I loves me the "sprints" to catch up!!!

 

I can't speak for the others, but Way purchased his own nice big tent. It was a notable out-of-pocket expense; but based on his, his "teammates'" and customers' response, well worth it!

 

While I helped with the Casino, I was not directly involved in the vendor space thing either - so my understanding is also limited, but I agree with Edge's general assessment. To that, I would add that there were other resource-type expenses incurred that need to be covered, such as running phone lines (for credit card machines) and electricity.

I'm not saying that this was the point of the earlier question, but I've heard a lot of b!tch!ng and moaning about paying money to NAM for things - and it is hypocritical if you ask me (and I was such a hypocrite until I recently thought this through a little more). The NAM staff (of two) dedicates a lot of its time and resources to making MOTD a reality. In a certain regard, you could consider them a vendor to the community - instead of tangible products however, they are simply providing a good chunk of the behind-the-scenes service both via the website and hands-on at Fontana. When you look at it that way, they are providing something of value to all of us and are just as entitled to make some kind of profit for their service as the other vendors are for their products. If you don't like the service NAM provides, then you can vote with your dollar just as much as you can with the product vendors. But you can't hold it against NAM for fostering the community via this fantastic website and then stepping up to bat to help organize a fantastic and ever-growing event that continues to require more and more effort. Nor can you hold it against them for positioning themselves so well as to be one of the most viable options to provide this service.

Just sit back and think about how much feedback (positive) and complaining you've heard and read over the past few years - then imagine what the event might be like if NAM didn't do all that they do.

I'm not saying that MOTD is NAM - refer back to Edge's comments. And I love the grassroots stuff that keeps making MOTD great. But MOTD has grown to a point where 800-1,000 people NEED some kind of central organization to make it all work. As a matter of fact, part of the discussion we had on Sunday was about this very subject and we expect to have more of a "committee" type arrangement going forth - but all of the rest of us are volunteers with other jobs. At least NAM staff has the ability to incorporate these efforts into the work they are already doing.

Yikes. Sorry for being so verbose.

 

A few very good ideas in there, I think. And the one about a common starting point might tie in very well with the earlier idea of utilizing the old registration area.

 

Mark said he would be willing to post a persons drive in the event planner and have sign-up page and waiver form available.

Here are some sample drives to think about, I believe Aaron will be doing the scenic drive and I will doing at least two myself. If someone else likes one of these ideas, I'd be more than happy to help provide maps for your group and any other support you need.

Usually breaking the groups into 30 cars seems to work out best. If there are more cars then a staggerd start with a 30 min. time lapse works well.

Cades Cove Run (this is very popular and often tied in with a picnic style lunch)
Tuckaleechee Caverns (this would be a great drive over the dragon and then there are some nice restaurants in Maryville for a lunch stop)
Deep Creek Waterfalls in Bryson City (did this run myself this year and it was really nice, they have a pavillion where a MINI BBQ would be great or they have a nice chinese buffet in town)
Dillsboro / Jarret House (did this one in 2006, saw that ATL did it this year)
Cherohala Drive and lunch
Biltmore House
Smoky Mountain Scenic Drive
Smoky Mountain Train Ride (there is one in Bryson City and Dillsboro)
Joyce Kilmer Forest and some kind of lunch.

Those are just a few to start off with. They great part is that you don't have to be a part of a group. Just volunteer and others will join. That's what I did last year. I knew no one at the dragon, hosted a drive, 30 MINIs and 60 people attended and I made some great friends!!

 

Don't have time to read through the thread right now (I know its a pet peeve of mine too), but i will go back and read when possible.

I would love to volunteer to put together and keep a true up to date and comprehensive "Schedule of events" thread. This years only really had the main events and none of the smaller gatherings and such. If possible i would like to start the thread now and have it transfered over to the 2008 MOTD6 forum once it opens (hopefully much earlier this time).

This year I really didn't get to browse the forums alot the 2 months before the event. So I jumped on the week before the event to find a nice schedule of events i wanted to attend but noticed alot of stuff missing from the one schedule thread i found.

Would be nice to have one central place with a listing of every public event so people can pick and choose to go to what they want.

 

What events were missing? Pamalalala (my wife) did that thread, and she got everything that was "advertised" on NAM. If there were smaller "private" events, or events that were setup after we left for the Dragon, those naturally were not included.

Steve

 

I had posted my suggestion in another thread, but I will voice it here as well. Since the road/parking lot is probably going to be closed again...Maybe move the mechanics/installations up to the parking lot area, so there is more room to move cars around/ in and out. It seemed VERY crowded and was difficult to move cars around on the street, but may be easier for everyone in the parking lot.

 

I guess a bit of an apology is in order then. It seems that this year just had a shortage of events going on (just went through the entire Dragon forum). Last year there were Hikes, Mountain biking groups, Scenic Drives, Car color gatherings, and a few other events I didn't see on this years schedule which i though I had pretty much missed out on.

Guess this year only things missed out was the GP gathering, and Motoring File G2G. I thought there was going to be alot more from previous years going on. Guess the only thing I can say is the Schedule should have been an official sticky.

 

[quote=PassatDoTd;1514387]Ok, I feel like I'm just opening my mouth with you guys not being able to hear what I am saying.

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE AREA NEXT TO THE GENERAL STORE IS THE FLOODING. THIS WAS AN ISSUE LAST YEAR FROM WHAT VENDORS TOLD ME AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE THERE AGAIN.

Darkness, I agree with you, and if we could move the installs to behind the grill and indoor pool that would free up the road and adventure center parking lot.

So, you are saying we didn't get SOAKED at the present vendor/install lots when it rained Saturday? The area was so flooded that just walking thru it lead to soaked feet and pants. Unbrellas did ok with the rest, but the walking was terrible.

 

Our first MOTD and it was awesome. I won one of the prizes at the Welcome dinner so it made my trip. (from TX). For the amount of people there the volunteers did great job. From my point of view, (female) I'd like to see more vendors for us ladies. Our Mini has no mods but we love it just the same because it's a Mini! I drove the "Dragon" twice, I tried to pull over so the faster and brave could get their adrenilin rush, but sometimes wasn't possible. (Frankly thought some of them had a death wish) Scenery awesome, loved the mountains.

My disappointments-no fault of volunteers or organizers- I was dissappointed about no area for group parking, and just hanging out with everyone sitting around their cars, maybe this could be something to do at campground. Instead of confining raffles to the people who attend the dinners, why not give tickets to all who register so everyone has a chance at some of the great prizes, do drawings throughout the event and post winners on whiteboards, even though we had our cards filled we had to leave on Saturday to be back at work by Monday.

Sorry to hear the Lodge is already booked, I tried to make reservation before we left and could never get through. No biggie, cabin we stayed in was great, will reserve it again, just would have liked to be closer to the action.

 

No, what I am saying was the rain was more of a problem last year by the General Store than it was this year on the road. By all means, Vendors can chime in hear and say otherwise. I'm going off of what I was told. It only makes sense given this year the Vendors were on higher ground.

 

Personally, I hung out all weekend at either the vendors up top or down by the Detailer area. Saw most everyone at some point or another!

I like seeing what everyone is buying or having installed on their cars. Yes it was crowded by the end of the weekend, but that just made it more of a party for me.

Also, everyone kept/keeps referring to the "Old Registration Area". Some of us have no idea where that is? I still have no clue.

 

I have not read this whole thread but these pictures say a lot..... the energy was way down this year. I go to see friends and cars. I saw a lot of friends but did not see many cars..... when you park the cars together where people can walk around and get to know each other and share ideas and experiences about the Mini as well as meet "screen names" in person..... that is a big part of the magic of MOTD.

I will write more later

 

I'm ready to go back! This was my first dragon and it was just my daughter and I, we had a BLAST. I grabbed a cabin for next year before I even registered!

Someone asked me why I did that when I didn't even know if I'd have fun yet, it's MINI owners and driving, what's not fun? Of course, I'm pretty easy to entertain, but I knew two people before I went and only saw one of them. Met lots of people and saw way too much stuff and the vendors that made me want to spend more money on Sunny.

Spent too much, didn't get in on the dinners I wanted from being an ignorant noobie this trip, but won't miss out next time. I may be female but liked the tire tech talk and wouldn't mind more of that. Food wasn't great at the grill, but I didn't starve.

Had the greatest time driving and met some of the coolest people ever, even if they were all so different. MINI drivers rule!! The big truck on the dragon scared my daughter to death (and made me stall - I was 4 cars back), but I didn't become a complete blithering idiot and managed to finish the drive without too much problem. Of course, I wasn't the fastest and had to pull over for a lot of people.

The area itself is beautiful!!! The sites are breathtaking, and now I'll shut up. (except next year, we're bringing my daughter's boyfriend and their dog)

 

While I had more fun than last year I know exactly what you mean. I promise this feedback is not going in one ear and out another. All parties involved will do what we can to bring that vibe back for next year.

We're already off to a good start with more volunteers for activities and drives.

 

No need for an apology, wasn't looking for one, I just know she tried to get everything, so if there were things missing, just wanted to know.

 

I'd like to see a LOT more small drives. Anytime you get more than 20 cars, you have problems, I think. Two years ago someone came up with a waterfall drive that was so cool that over a hundred drivers signed up for it, and several major jams ensued. Limited registrations and/or staggered starts can solve this problem, but ya gotta be careful, as a lot of the neatest places just don't have room for very many cars.

One drive idea I've not seen done or proposed before is a Dragon movie drive. Start with a trip to the Cheoha Dam from which Harrison Ford's character jumped in The Fugitive, and to Jodie Foster's cabin from Nell. Someone who knows the area and does the research could come up with more, I'm sure.

While I hate to say it, it may be time to hire a few professionals whose job it would be to keep the "trains running on time", as it were. The whiteboard as an info source is so last millenium. We need someone responsible for keeping information available and up to date, and expecting volunteers to do that full time is expecting way too much. Even at Fontana, there must be more up to date methods of getting the word out than a whiteboard that never changes.

One other idea is so obvious that I am surprised it has not been done already. Why can't we pick up our wristbands for meals at the same time we pick up our swag bags? Some may prefer to stand in line to pick em up, but I don't think it is necessary for all of us to do that all of the time.

 

I am not sure any were missing, but I got the impression that there were several smaller drives that either did not get publicized or perhaps were intentionally kept private. The ice cream run was the only drive I saw mentioned this year. Even it was a better kept secret than it should have been, as several of us, including yours truly, were directed to the wrong starting point and wound up striking out on our own with no directions. Had we not stumbled on the line of cars waiting to make that left turn, we might never have found Soda Pop's.

 

Because over half the people would lose or forget their wristbands when they came to dinner.

 

Allison (awisemini), when we were first arriving at Fontana on 28, we passed the old registration area on the left about 100yds before the main entrance. There is a one story building with the old offices and a covered awning out front. It is a good sized area but definitely off the beaten track.

Annette