EIM Event Ideas for 2014
#1
10-17-2013, 12:58 PM
EIM Event Ideas for 2014
All:
Please read the info below and post up with your replies and ideas. It's not too early to start thinking about the 2014 motoring season!
-----
Several folks have suggested that we start this thread to allow the sharing of ideas and preferences; to lend our support to those things that we like and don't like; places we'd like to see, etc. So here it is. Of course, it's always nice to leave open the possibilities for emerging events that look like fun. For example, our run to MINI on the Mack didn't have a lot of advance planning but turned out to be a highlight. It's also good to have room for one or two local drives in the summer so that folks who can't break away for the big, out-of-area events have a chance to join us.
This is a month-by-month accounting of our traditional gatherings and other items suggested or recommended by various folk along the way.
Some of the events are footnoted [ ] with additional info below.
*** 2014 ***
January
- Meet-n-Eat at Wig and Pen, Iowa City (probably on 1/25)
February
- Meet-n-Eat in the Quad-Cities area
March
- "Spring has Sprung" Meet-n-Eat in the Cedar Rapids area
April
- Annual Border Skirmish Drive (this year we will likely return to the NE Iowa twisties; probable date is 4/19)
May
- An out-of-area, Thursday thru Sunday event TBD [1]
June
open (as a reminder, in '13 we did the Luau at the Winery and deanman farewell)
July
open (in '13 we did the Ice Cream and Detailing Day)
August
MINI Takes the States (MTTS) 2014 [2], [3]
Holy Cross Festival and Parade
1st Annual Copper Cooper Cruise, Houghton, MI [4]
September
Swamp Fox Festival in Marion
A Return Trip "Big Adventure 2" to the Smokies (?) [5]
October
12th MINICooperIowa Fall Tour (EIM's turn to plan and lead)
MINIs in the Ozarks [6]
November
Final Meet-n-Eat of the year
December
No events to be scheduled
----------------------------------------
Notes:
[1]
Traditionally this Thursday thru Sunday event was aligned with the series of High Plains Motoring Society (HPMS) events that included MINI motorists from the Denver, Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis clubs. The event destinations alternated between the Black Hills and the Ozarks until last year, when a repeat trip to Branson was announced. Since many in EIM had been to the Ozarks twice in 2012 (once for the May drive and once for MITO '12 in October) there was little interest in going back again so soon. This led to our decision to go independently to Door County, which turned out to be a great destination.
Early rumors from the HPMS folks indicate thoughts of doing a St. Louis to Minneapolis drive along the Mississippi River. This would seem to be significantly less attractive to our group since (1) we have plenty of other opportunities to motor on these roads; and (2) the route is fairly close to that which will be taken by MTTS 2014.
So unless things change, the best option may be to "do our own thing" again. We haven't been back to the Black Hills since May '11...is it time again? Other suggestions welcome.
-----------
[2]
The biennial, national MTTS event starts in San Francisco on July 26th and goes west-to-east, finishing in Boston, MA on August 9th. There are always a select few among us who choose to do major portions--if not the whole route--associated with this event...but it's a huge commitment and most of us just can't devote the necessary time on the schedule. Here's a link to the route: MTTS 2014
As far as organized EIM participation, it might be doable for us to join the MTTS caravan in St. Louis on Monday, 8/4 and participate in the transit to Chicago the following day and the Chicago-area festivities. The fact that this would be Monday thru Wednesday could make it challenging for folks who are working.
We're open to suggestions on what, if anything, we should do in conjunction with MTTS.
-----------
[3]
The projected dates for MINIs in the Mountains (MITM) 2014 are in direct conflict with MTTS 2014; as a result, MITM is up in the air and it hasn't been included on the schedule above.
-----------
[4]
The 1st Annual Copper Cooper Cruise was a great suggestion made based on the fun we had at MINI on the Mack and an opportunity for our group to explore a fun, new area. This would be a Thursday through Sunday drive (first and last days for transit).
Here's a link to more information: 1st Annual Copper Cooper Cruise
-----------
[5]
Our "Big Adventure" to the Great Smoky Mountains last month was clearly a big hit, as there has been a lot of offline discussion about the possibilities of planning a return trip. Is there enough interest in going back again in 2014? For the same length and time of month? FYI, smieska has already made the offer to arrange for the Wyndham condos again since that worked out so well...as long as we book early they should be able to arrange for as many condos as necessary.
So we need to get an idea of the numbers of folks who have a serious interest in going back and slaying the Dragon again.
-----------
[6]
MITO is a Thursday thru Sunday event. We usually have a handful of EIMers who are regular attendees so we always integrate this event into our calendar.
-----------
Please read the info below and post up with your replies and ideas. It's not too early to start thinking about the 2014 motoring season!
-----
Several folks have suggested that we start this thread to allow the sharing of ideas and preferences; to lend our support to those things that we like and don't like; places we'd like to see, etc. So here it is. Of course, it's always nice to leave open the possibilities for emerging events that look like fun. For example, our run to MINI on the Mack didn't have a lot of advance planning but turned out to be a highlight. It's also good to have room for one or two local drives in the summer so that folks who can't break away for the big, out-of-area events have a chance to join us.
This is a month-by-month accounting of our traditional gatherings and other items suggested or recommended by various folk along the way.
Some of the events are footnoted [ ] with additional info below.
*** 2014 ***
January
- Meet-n-Eat at Wig and Pen, Iowa City (probably on 1/25)
February
- Meet-n-Eat in the Quad-Cities area
March
- "Spring has Sprung" Meet-n-Eat in the Cedar Rapids area
April
- Annual Border Skirmish Drive (this year we will likely return to the NE Iowa twisties; probable date is 4/19)
May
- An out-of-area, Thursday thru Sunday event TBD [1]
June
open (as a reminder, in '13 we did the Luau at the Winery and deanman farewell)
July
open (in '13 we did the Ice Cream and Detailing Day)
August
MINI Takes the States (MTTS) 2014 [2], [3]
Holy Cross Festival and Parade
1st Annual Copper Cooper Cruise, Houghton, MI [4]
September
Swamp Fox Festival in Marion
A Return Trip "Big Adventure 2" to the Smokies (?) [5]
October
12th MINICooperIowa Fall Tour (EIM's turn to plan and lead)
MINIs in the Ozarks [6]
November
Final Meet-n-Eat of the year
December
No events to be scheduled
----------------------------------------
Notes:
[1]
Traditionally this Thursday thru Sunday event was aligned with the series of High Plains Motoring Society (HPMS) events that included MINI motorists from the Denver, Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis clubs. The event destinations alternated between the Black Hills and the Ozarks until last year, when a repeat trip to Branson was announced. Since many in EIM had been to the Ozarks twice in 2012 (once for the May drive and once for MITO '12 in October) there was little interest in going back again so soon. This led to our decision to go independently to Door County, which turned out to be a great destination.
Early rumors from the HPMS folks indicate thoughts of doing a St. Louis to Minneapolis drive along the Mississippi River. This would seem to be significantly less attractive to our group since (1) we have plenty of other opportunities to motor on these roads; and (2) the route is fairly close to that which will be taken by MTTS 2014.
So unless things change, the best option may be to "do our own thing" again. We haven't been back to the Black Hills since May '11...is it time again? Other suggestions welcome.
-----------
[2]
The biennial, national MTTS event starts in San Francisco on July 26th and goes west-to-east, finishing in Boston, MA on August 9th. There are always a select few among us who choose to do major portions--if not the whole route--associated with this event...but it's a huge commitment and most of us just can't devote the necessary time on the schedule. Here's a link to the route: MTTS 2014
As far as organized EIM participation, it might be doable for us to join the MTTS caravan in St. Louis on Monday, 8/4 and participate in the transit to Chicago the following day and the Chicago-area festivities. The fact that this would be Monday thru Wednesday could make it challenging for folks who are working.
We're open to suggestions on what, if anything, we should do in conjunction with MTTS.
-----------
[3]
The projected dates for MINIs in the Mountains (MITM) 2014 are in direct conflict with MTTS 2014; as a result, MITM is up in the air and it hasn't been included on the schedule above.
-----------
[4]
The 1st Annual Copper Cooper Cruise was a great suggestion made based on the fun we had at MINI on the Mack and an opportunity for our group to explore a fun, new area. This would be a Thursday through Sunday drive (first and last days for transit).
Here's a link to more information: 1st Annual Copper Cooper Cruise
-----------
[5]
Our "Big Adventure" to the Great Smoky Mountains last month was clearly a big hit, as there has been a lot of offline discussion about the possibilities of planning a return trip. Is there enough interest in going back again in 2014? For the same length and time of month? FYI, smieska has already made the offer to arrange for the Wyndham condos again since that worked out so well...as long as we book early they should be able to arrange for as many condos as necessary.
So we need to get an idea of the numbers of folks who have a serious interest in going back and slaying the Dragon again.
-----------
[6]
MITO is a Thursday thru Sunday event. We usually have a handful of EIMers who are regular attendees so we always integrate this event into our calendar.
-----------
Last edited by Gil-galad; 10-17-2013 at 01:55 PM. Reason: Update
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