Any of you folks been here???

[Chaz]

Here is the site:
http://therally.com/?utm_campaign=RNN09483_05152010&utm_source=cheetah&utm_medium=email
(at least I hope that works)

I live about 2 hours from there and just seen it was happening. It sounds interesting but before I waste my time and precious fuel, I'd like to hear from anyone who has been there.
I figure it "could" be a good place to learn a few things and I might even be able to contribute a little on things I have done.
I figure a REAL bus rally would probably be better but this is pretty close for me to get to. And I'm hoping there will be some of you there. (I'd LOVE for somebody to take my "baby" out for a spin and tell me what is good and bad about her. After all, she IS my first!  )

  Anyway, I thought you all might like to know about this and I was curious what you thought.
   Best,
      Chaz

[Sean]

It's a giant marketing and revenue-producing event for a single company, Affinity Marketing Group (owners of Good Sam, Camping World, and just about every RV publication and directory).

Personally, I would not waste my time or money.  YMMV.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Chaz]

I can relate to the idea of supporting the "big company", but, I kinda thought it might be a good place to get ideas and such. Altho I can't afford all the "latest and greatest" I still like knowing what is out there. It gives me some new ideas of what I can build myself as well as what I might get to buy "used" in a couple years!     

Have you been there?? I was just curious about what it was like. I did go to the "Dealers Show" a few years back - altho not supposed to - and it was kinda cool. But I like looking at mansions too. 

  Thanx Sean,
     Chaz

[Sean]

Chaz,

Have not been ourselves, but talked to folks who went a couple years ago when it was in Redmond, OR.  Overall I did not get the impression they felt it was worthwhile, but for your purposes it might be useful.  I think we have a couple vendors on this board who go regularly; perhaps they will chime in.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Eagle]

Chaz

I was at the last one here in Louisville about 10 years ago.  These rallies are made up of S&S units consisting of TT, 5th Wheelers and MH's very few Buses will be here.  A lot of vendors.  It is just like a huge flea market.  I also have attended many of FMCA's conventions which consists of S&S MH's.  We attended FMCA's convention in 1999 at Brunswick Maine at the Navel Air station and there were over 7000 MH's there.  I doubt if there will ever be another one that large. 

[rv_safetyman]

Chaz, I meant to reply to this and then forgot.

The Rally is said to be a decent rally.  As someone pointed out, it is for all types of RVs.  We signed up to be a vendor several years ago and then had to drop when Pat got sick.

Our products are pretty focused on Motorhomes.  We have decided to concentrate on FMCA events and various manufacturer related rallies (doing Fleetwood rally next month).

Since The Rally is in your backyard, I would go.  There should be lots of vendors there and many of the seminars could be informative.

I have hear folks describe the seminars at these events as being self-serving.  I can't speak for all rallies, but FMCA is very strict about using seminars as a blatant sales tool.  They police their "non-sales seminar" policy pretty well.  I think most vendors try hard to provide good information about their products and how they apply to the market.  Kind of a fine line, but I think attending seminars are a worthwhile effort.  Before I was a vendor, I would pack every spare moment with seminars.  Almost always got something out of every one.

As noted, none of the commercial rallies (FMCA/The Rally/etc.) are bus oriented.  There will be buses there, and many of the products apply to buses.  You can tour S&S motorhomes to get ideas.

Obviously, bus rallies (and there are lots of them) will be directly related, but there will not be many vendors or seminars at most of them.

Jim

[TomC]

I went to "The Rally" in Albuquerque, NM last year and it was a good rally-lots of vendors and new rigs to look at.  Entertainment was good-especially liked seeing Neal Sedaka.  Suggest you take your car and go.  Good Luck, TomC

[bobofthenorth]

We were just down the row from Tom last year.  As rallies go it was a good one.  The admission price is relatively high but Neil Sedaka alone was worth the price of admission.  The vendors were pretty standard RV vendor fare.  They had a few vintage RVs on display which was a nice touch.  Albuquerque was kind of a PITA venue because the parking was about 15 miles away from the show site.

We went to some of the seminars.  Like all rallies some of them were lame and some were excellent.  I have an advantage over most people when I go to things like that because I don't know that much so there's always lots for me to learn.  YMMV.

[white-eagle]

when we first got our s&s motorhome, we went to the "rally" in Louisville.  It was such a PITA that we left after 3 days.  overcrowded, confusion about parking and transportation back and forth to parking, etc.  that said, if you have a high tolerance for the pita factor, there will be a lot of vendors selling lots of stuff, so plenty of ideas and lots of mh with lots of bells and whistles to tour.  Probably even some big converters, so you can look inside at all the mirrors on the ceilings, all glittery and such.

what the rest of them said is true also, put on by affinity as a large and expensive show for you.  Personnally, i'd opt for one of the regional FMCA events where there will also be lots of vendors and mh to tour.  a lot less crowded and better organized (usually).