Bus Rallies in General

[Blacksheep]

Just trying to get a handle on what everyone across the country would like to see and attend IF they were to attend a bus rally! I personally have only attended One Large rallies for 9 years straight and one small rally. There have been informal get togethers but those were just that, and not really a rally as we know them.
If you have other ideas as to what you would like to see IN a rally, please post it. Maybe I can add it to the list.

NO, I am not going to be putting a rally together but to be honest, when I was recently in Arcadia, I was in a conversation with another bus owner and his opinion differed regarding what he expected. Although this was I believe his first attendance, I was surprised at what his opinion actually was and thought I would ask our nation of bus enthusiest that we have here exactly what they would expect or want.

Please rally hosters of present, refrain from posting what you have at your OWN rally but more of what you would want IF you traveled to another!

Thanks...

[Sean]

Ace,

I don't see my preference among your listed choices.

To me, vendors and seminars make a rally worthwhile.  I couldn't care less about entertainment -- I generally don't attend it, and would rather not pay for it.

Meals I can take or leave.  I don't care for pot-lucks.  Either cater the meals, leave them out altogether (eat "on your own"), or make it optional at extra cost (e.g. cash-basis food vendor, or purchase "meal tickets" in advance).

Because larger rallies attract more vendors and more seminar presenters, I prefer larger rallies.

FWIW, YMMV, etc.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Tenor]

Ace, being the second (Sean posted while I was typing) to vote, I'd like to vote for them all!  I went to my first two rallies that were less than 30 coaches and had a ball.  These were self entertained, potluck for some meals and food supplied for others in the same rally.  I'd like to see some large rally closer to the midwest.  As an entertainer myself, (and having done a dozen or so regional and national RV rallies) I've gotta support having entertainment!    The Monaco National rally even had complimentary champagne!  Now I know why S&S's cut corners - they gotta afford the entertainment!   I'd like to see seminars at all rallys.  There is always something new to learn.  Vendors are not too important.

Glenn

[Blacksheep]

Sean, first off I want to say how sorry I was that I wasn't able to spend more time with you when you visited our coach. You know the situation so no need to go into detail here but what little time we shared was most enjoyable!

I REALLY appreciate your input. It gave me some ideas that have never been addressed and I really like the idea regarding the meal ticket/s. Not everyone likes what is offered by a caterer and if a planned rally has a menu in advance, those attending can choose to eat or not eat by sending in a pre payment for meals. Maybe they could receive an arm band or a meal ticket IF they chose to attend the meals and no arm band or ticket if they chose not to. Let's face it, as an example, not everyone likes fish if the caterer was offering fish and it was listed as a meal in advance! The registered party has the choice of cooking for themselves or attending the rally meal. This might also help the rally host/club know in advance how much food will be needed and how much they will have to spend rather than cooking on a limb and then having a huge bill and/or many left overs!
As for entertainment? I agree to an extent but I feel that technical seminars, although very educational are for those that are interested. For example, the seminars that were held in Arcadia were good BUT, none of them had a full house so to speak. There will always be those that are not interested. I feel some sort of entertainment could be on the grounds to keep the "others" occupied, not to mention things for the women and children.  My opinion is, something should be happening all the time for everyone!

Keep the comments coming....
Ace

[bobofthenorth]

I'm with Sean - the paid entertainment doesn't do anything for me.  Its the seminars and the vendors that will keep me coming back.  My choice isn't really on your list so I didn't vote.  My vote would be:
- lots of vendors
- catered meals
- over 100 coaches
- no official entertainment

As I mentioned last night, I think the challenge is to facilitate attendees meeting new people because that is what will keep us coming back.  The insistence on wearing nametags at Arcadia was a great idea but there are more things that can be done.  There are some structures that can be incorporated into seminars that will enable participants to meet each other.  Mentoring or buddying between old repeat and first time attendees is another possibility.  

Good idea for a poll and very timely - just need a few more options.

[Blacksheep]

Bob, as I stated, I know I don't have all the options listed but you bring up some more good points. I like the idea of having newbies meeting and getting to know old regulars. Some people are shy and some are more out going. If there was a way to team the two together, more friends would be made in the end and at the same time, it would be fun! Remember the "after Rally get together" we had? Although it was a bit cool for us southerners WITHOUT the scotch, many new friends were made and fun and laughter was had by all! Yea I even saw you laughing at times!
As for Vendors? I think a rally needs vendors. The more the merrier! For example: almost every bus, not all of them, had "junk" out in front for sale. That JUNK brought people out in a parade like fashion every day just to see what deals they could find. It's no different if a rally had MANY vendors. I think a rally of good size (100 plus) should have a fair like atmosphere. Let's face it, we're ALL looking for a deal here and there and the old saying goes, "one man's junk is another man's treasure"!

In my conversation with the new guy I mentioned earlier, I made the comment about I wish the rally could grow bigger than it was and his comment was, it's big enough. I also said that if A rally had some corporate backing, it's possible that it could fill the empty fields with motor homes (s&s) and he stated that if it got bigger with more vendors, it would become more of a business. Uhh am I missing something here? Anytime you pay money to be some place, regardless of what it's intention is, it IS a business! ONLY time I consider anything not a business is when it's free and I don't see anyone saying that word!

Ace

[RJ]

Ace -

Interesting poll, and interesting comments, thus far.  Here's my take, even though I didn't get down there this year, sadly. . .

I went to each of MAK's BCM conventions in the middle '90's, and they were completely different from a bus rally.  Oh, sure, there were a lot of buses in attendance, but the emphasis was on the vendors & seminars.  First year, the Oak Ridge Boys were in town, and our convention ticket got us in to see them, too.  But it was an industry convention, just like most industries have, so quite different than Jack's in FL and Dave's in OR.

The first time I was at a major bus rally, in the commonly known term, was Arcadia 2003/2004, at the old Horizon yard.  To be honest, even though I've been in the bus industry for years, I was almost totally overwhelmed!  So many different buses, so many people to put internet names to faces, so many seminars (one of which Luke & I put on together), and literally not enough time to do everything I wanted to do.  But I had a GREAT time!

Two years later I was back, the first year at the Turner Center.  Again, with so many coaches, renewing old friendships, making new ones, putting on a seminar, and the fact that neither time I was there in my own coach, there's just too much to do and too little time to do it.  But again, I had a GREAT time, and was really bummed not to be able to make it this year.

This last summer I went to the big rally in OR, and although attendance was down due to fuel prices, there was still a respectable turn out, I got to do another seminar, put internet names to faces and make new friends without enough time to do it all, again.  Naturally, I had a GREAT time. . .

So I've seen the two big annual rallies on each coast, MAK's conventions, and been able to drop in, for a day, at a couple of local gatherings.  As you can probably surmise, they all have their pros and cons. . .  But being the genuine busnut that I am, I love it all.

With that out of the way, I'd say I would lean more on having decent seminars for both the guys & the gals (especially "new" topics), a few vendors (but not enough to turn it into a "convention"), and lots of free time to visit.  For meals, I like the idea of optional meal tickets for a catered vendor, but that gets into the sticky area of having sold enough tickets to warrant having the caterer be there.  Modifying that somewhat, to have a meal ticket for the "big bash" on New Year's Eve, with pot luck or everybody on their own on other nights, would help keep meal costs down.   Oh, and the caterer MUST be able to serve 200 or so folk quickly, so you don't have people finished and getting up to leave before everybody's served.

Entertainment is a mixed blessing.  Impromptu "pickin' & grinnin" sessions can be a lot of fun, paid folk don't always appeal to the "masses", and some forms just plain flop totally.

As for the "shy" folk, how about having them park between two "old timers"?  Might ruffle a few feathers, but it would also give the "first time" folk an opportunity to meet and get to know some of the folk who have been around for a long time.

One thing I have noticed, tho, is that more and more folk who attend have coaches that are already finished, as opposed to those who are in the conversion/reconversion process.  Don't know if this will have an adverse affect on attendance, particularly at seminars, so that's something that has to be considered.

Something else, too, along this line.  As the demographic ages, we'll be seeing a gradual drop in the number of folk enjoying our hobby.  Besides the aging issue, another one is the increased complexity of the modern coach, and the difficulty of the average "shade tree technician" to work on them.  Just like our cars.  This may be a moot point, because the younger generations are growing up with all these complexities and think nothing of them.  (You know, if you have computer problems, call over the neighbor's 14-year old.)  Then again, maybe not. . .

Will be interesting to follow this thread further!

FWIW & HTH. . .

 

[Melbo]

We had a ball at Jack's bus rally

Impossible to please everyone at every rally

Particularly if you run out of scotch

I would think that every rally or convention would have it's own personality

The ones you like you go back to and the rally or convention you don't like you just never return

I kind of like the idea of mixing people up based on how far along their conversions are and if they are new or old

BUT I still stand by my observation that if you like a rally or convention you will return and if you don't you won't be back

It was nice to meet you Ace

Melbo

[TomC]

In 1995 I went to the Bus Conversion magazine get together in Laughlin, Nv at the Riverside resort.  We had the Oak Ridge Boys entertain, both MCI and Prevost had their factory reps there along with Detroit and Allison.  It was a big get together in a big tent in the parking lot with somewhere around 500 buses.  All I had in my bus was the rear bed, bathroom, a cooler for my refrigerator, hot plate and microwave-and I had a blast!  I would love to see that caliber of bus conversion convention again, and not have to here about the organizers wimping out because it is too much work (I'll gladly be on the organizing team!).  Good Luck, TomC

[JohnEd]

Ace,

I am diagonally opposed to Jacks rally ....living in Orygun,as I do.   I surely hope to make the event at least once after Momma retires.  I feel really bad keeping her nose to the grindstone, particularly since I have been retired for 19 years now.  Really bad.

I hope to meet you and many many others when we do or before that time if possible.

Thanks for what you are doing here and find an organizer spot for Tom

John

[Dreamscape]

We haven't made it to any of the larger bus gatherings yet so I have no input there.

That is the reason I started a smaller get together in Texas. We don't have seminars etc., but we have lots of fun. With fewer buses and bus nuts to visit with we all have the chance to relax, have fun and get to make friends with everyone.

Smaller rallies offer a chance to kick back without the pressure of trying to see everything.

The larger rallies have everything a busnut could only dream of.

We need all kinds, small, large and in between to help us with this disease we all have. They all offer us the satisfaction of getting out and enjoying life.

So you see, all shapes and sizes are important, no one size is better than the other.

One day we will make to Jack and Paula's and to Busn USA in Oregon. Until then, be safe, enjoy life and make lots of friends doing it.

Start a smaller bus rally in your area, it's lots of fun and you don't have to drive so far!

TBR 2009! Be There!

Happy Trails,

Paul

[JackConrad]

   OK, I voted for the type of Rally I like, not our rally.  I prefer a small rally of 12-25 coaches with potluck meals (maybe meat furnished) and "make your own" entertainment. However, to accomplish that at our rally, I would have to refuse admittance to over 75% of those that attended (that will never happen!).
   We have found that potluck does not work for more than about 35 coaches. With many food choices the lines are so slow and the last in line usually have a choice  od several bake beans and potato salads (all the good stuff is gone). 
    To show that you will never please everyone, When looking through the rally comment forms yesterday (yes, we do read these), one requested no evening entertainment and the very next form requested more evening entertainment. Another requested all potluck meals while one wanted full meals with menu choices every night.
   One of our primary concerns is always rally fees. Obvoiusly, the more we offer, the more we have to charge. Our goal to to try to provide something for everyone AND keep the rally fee low enough that everyone can afford to attend.  Jack

[travelingfools]

We've only been to one rally, Bussin '08, and didn't even have our bus with us, but still had a great time. As "newbies", both to bus conversions and to Rallies, the things we loved we're being able to see buses and talk to the owners who built them. We left Fla with a sense of confidence that we could actually do this. I don't think we would have got that same great info had we spent a bunch of time with manufacturers or bus salesman. The few vender's there were ok, but we spent much more time (and $$$) at the folks selling stuff by there bus...sort of the flea market atmosphere. Food I could go either way on.. I love cooking and entertaining, but the night of the chicken dinner gave us the opportunity to meet a bunch of new folks. More entertainment would be ok, but not at the cost of a higher entrance price. I like to see group activities / entertainment.. For us, the whole rally thing is about meeting new folks and making new friends. As far as the number goes, at this point Id prefer bigger rallies..the more buses, the more there is to learn, but I can also appreciate a smaller rally where you get a chance to just relax and hang out for a few days..

[Busted Knuckle]

   OK, I voted for the type of Rally I like, not our rally.  I prefer a small rally of 12-25 coaches with potluck meals (maybe meat furnished) and "make your own" entertainment. However, to accomplish that at our rally, I would have to refuse admittance to over 75% of those that attended (that will never happen!).
   We have found that potluck does not work for more than about 35 coaches. With many food choices the lines are so slow and the last in line usually have a choice  od several bake beans and potato salads (all the good stuff is gone). 
    To show that you will never please everyone, When looking through the rally comment forms yesterday (yes, we do read these), one requested no evening entertainment and the very next form requested more evening entertainment. Another requested all potluck meals while one wanted full meals with menu choices every night.
   One of our primary concerns is always rally fees. Obvoiusly, the more we offer, the more we have to charge. Our goal to to try to provide something for everyone AND keep the rally fee low enough that everyone can afford to attend.  Jack

Well said Jack! And I agree there's no way I would shrink the size of my birthday celebration/Party either! LOL!    BK  

[RJ]

I am diagonally opposed to Jacks rally ....living in Orygun,as I do.

John -

Hmmmm. . . living in OR, eh?  So there's no excuse for you to miss Busin'USA next June outside Salem, is there?

Right?