2010 National GTG questions and answers thread - Page 2

andy_k · 07-10-2009, 09:33 AM

Thanks for all the comments so far (both positive and negative) they are appreciated.

Let me try and explain the reason for the choice of location.

From the start, in order to get the highest attendance, the idea was a 'family event' not just another 'bunch of blokes standing around in a car park tyre kicking' gathering whilst wives, girlfriends, children and pets were left at home – other car clubs manage that very well with their club weekends, why don't we?

Booking sites wasn't hard, we could have had virtually any site in the country but costs were an issue. Most of the sites capable of accommodating us were asking for prices of £750 and upwards a day which meant for the two days we wanted the site it would have cost us at least £1500 which needed to be paid at the time of booking. The club has no funds (other than Koolvin's bank account

) so at £10 a ticket (which seemed to be the price point people agreed on) that meant we had to sell a minimum of 160 tickets before we could confirm the location or even start to raise money to organise the event. How many people on here can honestly say that they would have agreed to that? A few maybe but certainly not the numbers that we required

Many of these venues also wanted to tie us in to using their own caterers which further added to the costs and took away control. We are a diverse bunch on here, from all races and creeds. A traditional burger van (which is what most sites were offering within our budget) wouldn't satisfy everybody so we had to look elsewhere

We had two generous offers from forum members to use their (or their immediate family's) land/camp sites which immediately lifted the financial burden so we felt we had to go down that route

One was in the very far North East of England (which would have meant an even longer journey for many) and the other which has experience of hosting 'club weekends' like we are planning was in North Wales and was the one we went for.

We've got a good rate for the use of the field, we know the owner so they will be a lot more helpful and flexible than many other sites and they know what they are doing when it comes to hosting events like ours.

Some people wanted to stay in a Travelodge – there are three nearby

Some people wanted to stay in a Hotel, guest house or B&B – there are plenty of good quality ones within easy reach all of which we have spoken to have vacancies as it's early in the year

Some people wanted to camp – this site happily accepts campers

Some people want to travel on the day – as Del320 pointed out everyone gets pretty much the same journey time
.
Some people wanted a restaurant for a meal – there is a superb restaurant 2 miles away that can cater for us

Some people asked about staying on for a few more days – the site will allow that as long as we know in advance

It may not be perfect for everybody and it may not tick every single box but it's a great location, it's secure, it's accessible to everybody and we can maintain control over the event – all of which were essential

Unfortunately, we couldn't arrange a meeting that is in everyone's back yard so we went for a compromise.

North Wales has some wonderful 'driving' roads and the scenery is spectacular. With the meeting being held on a weekend, it's unlikely (but not impossible) that the roads will be blocked with caravans and trucks. The dates we have chosen are still relatively early in the season and during 'term time'. In my experience, most of the caravan owners will have travelled on the Friday night and the volume of trucks /business traffic should be at much lower levels than during the week.

Jump in your car with the family, pack an overnight bag and make the journey as much a part of the event as the meeting itself.

We are working to make this a truly memorable weekend. All it needs is people to turn up with the intention of having a good time rather than looking for reasons not to have fun.

del320 · 07-10-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark300SL

- remember this was feb 2007 and I wasn't so good with a camera then

.

... don't give us that rubbish...

nick mercedes · 07-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_k

Unfortunately, we couldn't arrange a meeting that is in everyone's back yard so we went for a compromise.

One in nobody's back yard

wemorgan · 07-10-2009, 10:03 AM

Negotiators of trade deals and conflicts usually say if the finally agreement upsets everyone you've most likely reached the fairest result

jaymanek · 07-10-2009, 10:50 AM

Sorry guys but the above is utter tosh, a car park near a hotel would have done just fine.. plenty of activities can be planned.. even somewhere like the lake district is much more accessible.. Deep dark wales is no kind of compromise.

Im sorry to be the one to put a downer on it but someone has to be the one to tell it as it is.

Its going to be a small holiday for a few devoted members NOT a national club GTG.

Shame as I was looking forward to a day off work..

andy_k · 07-10-2009, 10:58 AM

hmmmmmm who said this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by a mystery forum member :)

thanks to everyone, we had a fantastic time as did the 500SL.. the V8 got a good work out this weekend. I love that sound...

Portmerion was good and we could have spent the whole day there walking around the trails but we decided to head off to see other places.

Snowdon mountain railway is a must do.. the steam railway could do with a couple of supercharged V8's but the view once at the summit is breathtaking. Pictures just dont do it justice.

Do not take the main motorways or the A55.. the A5 and smaller roads around the mountains are stunning..

bennesspipers · 07-10-2009, 10:59 AM

Too far for me, sorry.

jaymanek · 07-10-2009, 11:00 AM

Yep thats true, wales is fantastic... but you arent getting the point.. great place for a weekend away not a GTG.. there is a distinct difference..

There will only be a handful that can spare an entire weekend.. you have centred this around these people... not the people who do actually just want to come along and meet up with others for the day, check out their cars and yes... "kick tyres"...

Most people's weekends are valuable... I know if i get a weekend away I want to spend it with my wife/family as these occasions are rare..

Sorry Andy, im not trying to pour water on the proceedings, just to make you guys see sense before its too late to change..

andy_k · 07-10-2009, 11:03 AM

nearly every other car club manages a weekend for it's big annual event with several smaller meets through the year - that was the idea here so, we are not missing the point. We are trying to create something a bit different from our 'normal' gtgs of which there are many

GRAV888 · 07-10-2009, 11:06 AM

You can't please all the people all the time and some can't be pleased at all, it's a fact of life.
Maybe we should drive round every members home town.

That way, everyone would be able to join in.

It will take me 6 hrs to get to the gtg, but I don't intend on going motorway all the way.
M25, M1, M6, M54 then A5, A485 and A470. A nice leisurely drive up through the Berwyn mountains.

jaymanek · 07-10-2009, 11:08 AM

ok cool if you think so.

Just remember the biggest meets are always at an easy destination... Merc Club, biggest turnouts are the family days at brooklands.. the ones in scotland, wales, abroad etc only ever attract a few of the retired... and this is a club that has thousands more devoted members than ours.

jaymanek · 07-10-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRAV888

You can't please all the people all the time and some can't be pleased at all, it's a fact of life.
Maybe we should drive round every members home town.

That way, everyone would be able to join in.
.

Im simply trying help by pointing out that the choice of venue is illogical... if you guys think that north west wales will atract a good turnout then fine I must be a fool...

In all sincerity..Good Luck... I will genuinly try and make it but I really doubt i can spare that much time and others must be in the same camp.

GRAV888 · 07-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymanek

Im simply trying help by pointing out that the choice of venue is illogical... if you guys think that north west wales will atract a good turnout then fine I must be a fool...

In all sincerity..Good Luck... I will genuinly try and make it but I really doubt i can spare that much time and others must be in the same camp.

Any location could be deemed as illogical.
We hold it at Brooklands, nobody from north of Birmingham would attend. We hold it in Glasgow, nobody from the SE would attend.
At least it's half way up the UK.

del320 · 07-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymanek

ok cool if you think so.

Just remember the biggest meets are always at an easy destination... Merc Club, biggest turnouts are the family days at brooklands.. the ones in scotland, wales, abroad etc only ever attract a few of the retired... and this is a club that has thousands more devoted members than ours.

Did you look at my table of times? By the same measure, you are 3 hrs 15 mins away. Ambleside is 3 hrs 10 mins.

How close to you would you like any proposed meet to be?

I never measure journeys by mileage - only by (gu)estimate of time.

andy_k · 07-10-2009, 11:16 AM

Jay, we are talking about the end of next June, nearly eight months away.

Hopefully, that gives people enough time to sort out a weekend break.

If we had suggested it for next month then I would agree with you but at least everyone has plenty of notice

07-10-2009, 09:33 AM	#16
andy_k Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bexhill, East sussex Car: Alfa GTV 3.0 Posts: 5,850	Thanks for all the comments so far (both positive and negative) they are appreciated. Let me try and explain the reason for the choice of location. From the start, in order to get the highest attendance, the idea was a 'family event' not just another 'bunch of blokes standing around in a car park tyre kicking' gathering whilst wives, girlfriends, children and pets were left at home – other car clubs manage that very well with their club weekends, why don't we? Booking sites wasn't hard, we could have had virtually any site in the country but costs were an issue. Most of the sites capable of accommodating us were asking for prices of £750 and upwards a day which meant for the two days we wanted the site it would have cost us at least £1500 which needed to be paid at the time of booking. The club has no funds (other than Koolvin's bank account ) so at £10 a ticket (which seemed to be the price point people agreed on) that meant we had to sell a minimum of 160 tickets before we could confirm the location or even start to raise money to organise the event. How many people on here can honestly say that they would have agreed to that? A few maybe but certainly not the numbers that we required Many of these venues also wanted to tie us in to using their own caterers which further added to the costs and took away control. We are a diverse bunch on here, from all races and creeds. A traditional burger van (which is what most sites were offering within our budget) wouldn't satisfy everybody so we had to look elsewhere We had two generous offers from forum members to use their (or their immediate family's) land/camp sites which immediately lifted the financial burden so we felt we had to go down that route One was in the very far North East of England (which would have meant an even longer journey for many) and the other which has experience of hosting 'club weekends' like we are planning was in North Wales and was the one we went for. We've got a good rate for the use of the field, we know the owner so they will be a lot more helpful and flexible than many other sites and they know what they are doing when it comes to hosting events like ours. Some people wanted to stay in a Travelodge – there are three nearby Some people wanted to stay in a Hotel, guest house or B&B – there are plenty of good quality ones within easy reach all of which we have spoken to have vacancies as it's early in the year Some people wanted to camp – this site happily accepts campers Some people want to travel on the day – as Del320 pointed out everyone gets pretty much the same journey time . Some people wanted a restaurant for a meal – there is a superb restaurant 2 miles away that can cater for us Some people asked about staying on for a few more days – the site will allow that as long as we know in advance It may not be perfect for everybody and it may not tick every single box but it's a great location, it's secure, it's accessible to everybody and we can maintain control over the event – all of which were essential Unfortunately, we couldn't arrange a meeting that is in everyone's back yard so we went for a compromise. North Wales has some wonderful 'driving' roads and the scenery is spectacular. With the meeting being held on a weekend, it's unlikely (but not impossible) that the roads will be blocked with caravans and trucks. The dates we have chosen are still relatively early in the season and during 'term time'. In my experience, most of the caravan owners will have travelled on the Friday night and the volume of trucks /business traffic should be at much lower levels than during the week. Jump in your car with the family, pack an overnight bag and make the journey as much a part of the event as the meeting itself. We are working to make this a truly memorable weekend. All it needs is people to turn up with the intention of having a good time rather than looking for reasons not to have fun. __________________ <insert smart sounding witty comment here>

07-10-2009, 10:03 AM	#19
wemorgan Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warwickshire Car: Audi A2, Smart ForTwo Posts: 3,885	Negotiators of trade deals and conflicts usually say if the finally agreement upsets everyone you've most likely reached the fairest result __________________ Will

07-10-2009, 10:50 AM	#20
jaymanek Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: 560 SEC AMG Widebody, 560 SEC AMG, W124 500E, W123 280CE, W123 200, R107-500SL Posts: 10,005	Sorry guys but the above is utter tosh, a car park near a hotel would have done just fine.. plenty of activities can be planned.. even somewhere like the lake district is much more accessible.. Deep dark wales is no kind of compromise. Im sorry to be the one to put a downer on it but someone has to be the one to tell it as it is. Its going to be a small holiday for a few devoted members NOT a national club GTG. Shame as I was looking forward to a day off work.. __________________ Mercland is listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available. 1969 280SL Pagoda in Met Light Blue 1980 123-200 in Sahara Yellow 1985 123-280CE in Champagne 1988 500SL in Met Light Blue Now with Leather 1988 560SEC AMG in Midnight Blue 1989 560SEC AMG Widebody 1993 E500 Brabus in Silver with lots of toys! 1 of 29 UK Supplied Cars Gallery Link

07-10-2009, 11:00 AM	#23
jaymanek Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: 560 SEC AMG Widebody, 560 SEC AMG, W124 500E, W123 280CE, W123 200, R107-500SL Posts: 10,005	Yep thats true, wales is fantastic... but you arent getting the point.. great place for a weekend away not a GTG.. there is a distinct difference.. There will only be a handful that can spare an entire weekend.. you have centred this around these people... not the people who do actually just want to come along and meet up with others for the day, check out their cars and yes... "kick tyres"... Most people's weekends are valuable... I know if i get a weekend away I want to spend it with my wife/family as these occasions are rare.. Sorry Andy, im not trying to pour water on the proceedings, just to make you guys see sense before its too late to change.. __________________ Mercland is listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available. 1969 280SL Pagoda in Met Light Blue 1980 123-200 in Sahara Yellow 1985 123-280CE in Champagne 1988 500SL in Met Light Blue Now with Leather 1988 560SEC AMG in Midnight Blue 1989 560SEC AMG Widebody 1993 E500 Brabus in Silver with lots of toys! 1 of 29 UK Supplied Cars Gallery Link Last edited by jaymanek; 07-10-2009 at 11:02 AM.

07-10-2009, 11:03 AM	#24
andy_k Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bexhill, East sussex Car: Alfa GTV 3.0 Posts: 5,850	nearly every other car club manages a weekend for it's big annual event with several smaller meets through the year - that was the idea here so, we are not missing the point. We are trying to create something a bit different from our 'normal' gtgs of which there are many __________________ <insert smart sounding witty comment here>

07-10-2009, 10:59 AM	#22
bennesspipers Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: boston,lincs Car: '95 W202 C220 Elegance, & '96 S210 E230 Elegance. Posts: 1,402	Too far for me, sorry.

07-10-2009, 11:06 AM	#25
GRAV888 Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rochester (Kent) &Lanzarote Car: Range Rover DTHSE, MGF Posts: 7,924	You can't please all the people all the time and some can't be pleased at all, it's a fact of life. Maybe we should drive round every members home town. That way, everyone would be able to join in. It will take me 6 hrs to get to the gtg, but I don't intend on going motorway all the way. M25, M1, M6, M54 then A5, A485 and A470. A nice leisurely drive up through the Berwyn mountains. __________________

07-10-2009, 11:08 AM	#26
jaymanek Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: 560 SEC AMG Widebody, 560 SEC AMG, W124 500E, W123 280CE, W123 200, R107-500SL Posts: 10,005	ok cool if you think so. Just remember the biggest meets are always at an easy destination... Merc Club, biggest turnouts are the family days at brooklands.. the ones in scotland, wales, abroad etc only ever attract a few of the retired... and this is a club that has thousands more devoted members than ours. __________________ Mercland is listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available. 1969 280SL Pagoda in Met Light Blue 1980 123-200 in Sahara Yellow 1985 123-280CE in Champagne 1988 500SL in Met Light Blue Now with Leather 1988 560SEC AMG in Midnight Blue 1989 560SEC AMG Widebody 1993 E500 Brabus in Silver with lots of toys! 1 of 29 UK Supplied Cars Gallery Link

07-10-2009, 11:16 AM	#30
andy_k Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bexhill, East sussex Car: Alfa GTV 3.0 Posts: 5,850	Jay, we are talking about the end of next June, nearly eight months away. Hopefully, that gives people enough time to sort out a weekend break. If we had suggested it for next month then I would agree with you but at least everyone has plenty of notice __________________ <insert smart sounding witty comment here>

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