Here I am late to the show as usual! Anyway, what a great idea this is! I'm pretty open to any place or date.

I actually love Vegas, so that works for me. We're already planning a 2008 trip to Italy so that's good too. Scott's from the East Coast, I'm from Hawaii - either of those would work. I've never been to the midwest or southeast and would love to visit - a GTG would be a good excuse. And, we live on the West Coast so Vancouver, California, Arizona - all good!

I'm happy to help in any way - just no singing for me either .

I love the Washington DC idea!
But does Dean?
We are talking about a large enough group to close him down for an evening to outside business.

I also agree that whatever the festivities are, they should be limited to a weekend. Many can't get away for a drawn out affair. Those who can, will be able to find ways to entertain themselves.

We are basically talking about a mini-convention. And we should plan it like a convention. Selecting locations and dates based travel on accessibility, hotel availability, affordability, & size of the group. There are many destinations where a group of our size is sought after and courted. We can negotiate hotel rates and entertainment offers.

Additionally, we need a handle on WHERE people will be coming from and make the destination convenient for the largest percentage of attendees possible.

I think we really need to start a poll before this thread goes any further.

First question should be to narrow down to a date.
Second question to choose a general destination.

Really Big GTG Poll

I started this thread and have been following along with the input the last couple of days. It sounds like there would be a lot of interest! Count me in, and as long as I don't have to do a solo, I'm happy to (try to) sing and dance again!

My thoughts are very similar to Deborah's. I think it's natural for those of us who love to travel to immediately want to jump in with ideas of locations (ideally one that we love or works for us), but I do think we need to step back and consider some general questions.

1. WHO is seriously interested in being part a "big" GTG?

2. WHEN is the best time of year that would work for as many of those people as possible?

3. WHAT would we do at the GTG? (I liked MarionP's thoughts on a possible weekend plan)

4. WHERE is an ideal locale given costs, widespread appeal, accessibility?

5. And last of all, WHERE would be a specific location?

I think we do need to be very sensitive on costs issues to make the GTG widely accessible to those who would like to be part of it.

At some point, a few people need to step forward to take the lead and the rest of us need to offer input but let them "do" it. (I know I started the discussion, but I wasn't trying to be "the" leader.) I do see an advantage of having the GTG in a locale where one or more "core" members are located and could help with a bit of the legwork.

Re. my own personal thoughts/preferences... I think Jan/Feb may work best in minimizing conflicts. It is a slow, sometimes boring time of year for many of us. I'm thinking weekend-- Fri/Sat nights perhaps. And I'll admit I wasn't thinking Vegas-- haven't been and I'm not drawn to go. I somehow envisioned us somewhere that had a more genuine charm, perhaps more consistent with the ST style. But that's just my reaction. If the "big GTG" concept works, we will have a chance to have it in a variety of places over the years, so I'm pretty flexible about location. I'd encourage consideration of easy accessibility for as many people as possible, along with reasonable costs.

I've just seen a poll posted, but I'm going to post this anyway! And then go vote and check the results of the poll.

Kathy

I chose Washington DC because it's a hub and it's an easier flight for those coming from Europe and also from California. I've never been there though, so I have no idea what the vacation rental situation is there.

January is too soon after the holidays IMO. February would be cool though. Super Bowl weekend would be great... I bet that is an uber-slow weekend for vacation rentals.

I would be happy to help with searching for rentals and also with the food planning.

I wonder what Pauline and Steve want to do? Obviously, the queen and the dottore must attend.

We are pretty flexible, but if the decision comes down to Jan/Feb/March someplace warm would be preferable. Just not used to really cold weather anymore!!

I would be more than happy to negotiate group hotel rates and possibly group airfare. Also if you decide on the Atlanta area, I may have some suggestions....

All The Best,

When Deborah mentioned the word "convention" I immediately thought of New Orleans! I know it is not a "hub", but a terrifically fun and beautiful place with a rather European feel, and it would be a nice way to contribute to the rebuilding of the economy there. Just a thought.

I think New Orleans is a great idea! Thanks for thinking of this.

All The Best,

New Orleans! Why didn't we think of that before - warm in the winter, has a European feel, and wait, I haven't been there. Plus, plus, plus.

Marcia

I was just trying out Priceline for the first time and saw this place:
http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/hotelPhotosGuide.do?...6Bf10050493&plf=PCLH
Isn't Gatlinburg, Tenn. beautiful in the fall?

New Orleans would be awesome---even if its a "two-plane" zone from here But keep in mind February is Mardi-gras, so you'd have to make sure it wasn't over that weekend. Actually February isn't so great for us--I still vote for March!

quote:

Isn't Gatlinburg, Tenn. beautiful in the fall?

Hmmm. Maybe beautiful. But the traffic there is unreal. There is one road. If you wanna go to Gatlinburg, you have to take that one road. And everybody and his dog apparently wants to go to Gatlinburg.

New Orleans sounded great for a few seconds until somebody mentioned "Mardi Gras".

But I definitely want something warm. There are those who say they had sooner die than go to Las Vegas, but I would be in the camp that would substitute "Canada" for that. Canada in February or March is not my idea of a vacation. I left Michigan because I couldn't take the winters and the last time I looked on a map, Canada was even farther north!

Give me warmth!

Wow! It's really great how much enthusiasm there is for the idea of a Really Big GTG—and how much has happened in just a couple of days!

After quite a few of us met in the Chat Room today to talk about the concept of a Really Big GTG, Sheena, Teaberry and I volunteered to work together to summarize some of the key considerations and issues that have been raised by everyone on the message board and in the chat room. We hope this will assist with tomorrow’s chat on this subject. Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm for the possibility of our Big GTG. Just imagine: all of us in the same place at the same time!

1. Potential objectives for the GTG (what we want to accomplish)

Organize a special weekend get-together open to the entire Slow Travel community sometime in 2008

Plan a fun and informal weekend compatible with the style and philosophy of the Slow Travel community

Develop and strengthen relationships between people who love travel and share many common interests, and extend a warm welcome to newcomers and family members

Ensure a successful and positive event that may lead to similar events in other locations in future years

Based on these objectives and the input on the discussions and the chat, we developed some criteria to help focus our thinking and decisions and to identify some issues that need to be resolved

2. Timing

Plan now for 2008 to allow for arrangements and scheduling

Avoid major vacation period (May 1 – October 31)

Avoid the year-end holiday season (mid November – early January)

Avoid the possibility of severe weather months that would impact transportation at either the destination or member locations (January and February)

Pursue a date in March or April avoiding religious holiday weekend

3. Costs

Be sensitive to cost issues to allow broader participation

Consider transportation costs when selecting locale

Ensure economical accommodations (a target maximum needs to be defined)

Ensure economical meals and facilities costs

Consider potential of low-cost airlines and more fare competitiveness

Pursue group airline rates (convention fares)

Pursue economical options for transportation from the airport to the actual GTG site

4. General Locale
Note: We recommend avoiding further discussion of specific cities/areas until we get a consensus on some more general issues.

A North American locale with likelihood of pleasant weather in March or April

Easy for most North America-based members to access by plane or car

Good airline connections and many direct flights

Interesting and appealing destination for most members (setting, activities etc.)

Home base of one or more members who are willing to handle some logistics and coordination

5. Alternatives for the "Style" of the GTG

Retreat or “compound” facilties offering a more intimate, home/family-style environment

A larger hotel with meeting/convention facilities; everyone staying in the same hotel or nearby

A “host” facility for the major GTG event, using a variety of nearby accommodations (perhaps with different price ranges)

Unfortunately, I have a family commitment tomorrow (visiting Charley's relatives... after two weekends of ST GTGs, what can I say??) and can't be in the chat. I'll look forward to hearing about the next steps.

Kathy

The Luberon Experience
My Slow Travel reports, notes, photos and blogs

Wow, Kathy. EXCELLENT summary and focus.

quote:

There are those who say they had sooner die than go to Las Vegas, but I would be in the camp that would substitute "Canada" for that. Canada in February or March is not my idea of a vacation. I left Michigan because I couldn't take the winters and the last time I looked on a map, Canada was even farther north!

Earline,
I betcha our Vancouver contingent will argue that with you...there'll be cherry trees a'bloomin' in Vancouver in February or March, I'd wager...and it more than likely will not be cold at all! Still, I truly get what you are asking for, when you say warmth...

"Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours."" ~ Robert Byrne
Brenda

I've been "off" for a week or so and so haven't seen anything about the big GTG...Wow!. I see that at least three people hate Vegas but others would like to come. I would like to point out that there are hotels/motels for all price ranges. And while food is no longer in the $2.95 all you can eat range, there are places for all price ranges. There are all kinds of shows, some free, most not. Shopping draws in people from all over the world. There are direct flights from Asia, Oz, N.Z and of course, Europe. I think almost every airline in the US/Canada flies into McCarren. I don't think of it being warm here in the winter...it is about 65 right now at 9 p.m and I've got the heat on, but for people from the east or other cold areas maybe the 75 degrees we had today would seem warm. For those who don't want to gamble, and lots of people come here without ever putting down a coin (or bill) there is Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon...very scenic, the Valley of Fire just within a few miles. Grand Canyon is about five hours driving, or there are air tours that are pretty great. It is very hot here in the summer and I wouldn't recommend that time of year to anyone, but the city does fill up then. Oct is great here weather wise. April is also usually sunny and warm but the winds can howl that month. Anyway, I think there is something for everyone to do here.

I'd like to repeat a couple of suggestions for focusing discussion about the GTG... for the chat and perhaps also for this thread.

It's important to get first agreement on the major objectives (what we want to accomplish) for a Really Big GTG and then to agree on some key parameters. From this, criteria for selecting a specific destination/location can be developed. Only then can there be a useful discussion about locations.

I'd strongly suggest putting aside proposals and debate on specific locations until the criteria is established-- once we have the criteria, that should point us toward several possible destinations. And even then, several posible destinations might be investigated in parallel.

We should think of this also as a long-term process. Hopefully this would not be a one-time-only event and future Big GTGs can be held in various places.

Just some thoughts--

Kathy

I am with Kathy; the presentation is very good;good job Kathy.
I have my pencil ready with some input for the chat.

Great job, Kathy. You have taken the bull by the horns here and it sounds like you would be the perfect person for my nomination:

I hereby nominate Kathy as La Presidentessa!

Kaydee, Sheena and Teaberry,
Thank you so much for the time you have put into this already. Great ideas to keep people focused!
I won't be able to go to chat today but look forward to reading a transcript or summary.
J.

Kathy,
Could it be that in your life as an HR Director, OD (Organizational Development) is one of your specialties? I love our OD staff in the HR department I work in - they always know how to capture a kind of "pie in the sky" idea and section it into something that makes sense and create a nice starting point for those involved.

Anyway, great work! I'm sorry I missed today's chat, but will review the transcript when it's ready.

One last parameter. It really and truly has to be accessible. Not only for me who can get in and out of a wheelchair but for Joseph T who is on a vent and for other slow trav mom's who can't deal with stairs, etc.. When we are down to the final 3 we need to use our contacts in the travel community and get realistic evaluations of accessability. Hotels lie, convention bureaus lie, tourist and chamber of commerce lie.

Also what about interpreters for the deaf? I was totally shocked a couple of years ago to find out that an internet friend from an aol travel board was deaf!!

One of the tenets of slow trav is introducing a "new" kind of travel for everyone. Including those of us in wheelchairs or with vision or hearing problems. For the disabled community slow travel is truly the only kind of travel.

Virtual tourist had a get together about 2 years ago. My friend in Citta de Castello went. She said there were over 1,000 people there.

This could end up being a lot more work than the original coordinators imagine.

Here is the transcript from today's chat about this.

2006-11-05 11:02:00.0
Shannon: OK I am going to go first.
Shannon: Firstly I think this is a killer idea and I think it will be fantastic no matter what.
pedmar: north pole sound good or what?
Shannon: we have lots of time
teaberry: a little warmer please, pedmar
Shannon: I am going to throw out San Diego as a location
teachick: Just no Vegas. All I ask
Shannon: and that is it. Terry you are up!
teachick: Or Reno or any place like it
teaberry: Wow, that was quick, Shannon
teaberry: Ok, let me preface this by saying that yesterday there was an informal chat about this very subject
teaberry: and kathy (kaydee), sheena and myself had a private discussion after
teaberry: Kathy brought up some great talking points, and she posted them in one of several threads about this GTG
teaberry: I agree with Kathy that it would be a good idea, before we decide on a place or a "when", that we outline some of our goals
teaberry: in that I mean: hotel or self-catering
teaberry: be near a major airline hub
teaberry: be cost-effective
teaberry: warm location, or doesn't matter
teaberry: how much will the European contingent factor into the equation?
teaberry: how much will bad weather factor in, as in time of year
pedmar: self catering near paris between april 8-23 castle exc price big hub CDGplenty activities from city style to country good cool weather not hot not cold or do 2 one in europe and another in america as to accomm everybody
teaberry: i know this is a lot - but i agree that we should all think about these things, in the interest of trying to get as many of us to be able to enjoy such a GTG
teaberry: any comments?
LoveItaly: Weather is of primo importance.
teachick: to you, yes
LoveItaly: Yes
Shannon: yes. I want to ask everyone a couple of things.
Shannon: firstly - warm weather important? yes or no.
BGE: not really
teachick: no
pedmar: how warm april is ok in europe?
Earline: A big YES
MarciaB: For me weather is not the most important thing
LoveItaly: Mild weather would be great unless we're skiing.
Pauline: Somewhat important.
teaberry: doesn't have to be real warm, I'm just not interested in real cold
Palma: Doesn't have to be WARM, but no snow for me!
BGE: a lot of this will likely take place inside, yes?
Janel: Warm is better
pedmar: mix in and out
teaberry: but there are travel considerations
suncoast: I like Spring weather. Brisk but no snow and early flowers
Pokey: mild temps, just not freezing
Sheena: We have to consider weather in terms of transportation
BGE: so weather's what % of the factor, really???
MarciaB: Time of year may be more important, plus length of the GTG
Chris: I don't want bitterly cold weather or weather but it doesn't have to be WARM
teachick: no runny noses would be nice
Shannon: I am just trying gauge it for the transcript
MarciaB: And no one wants to be stuck in airports due to weather!
Shannon: next question:
teaberry: If we pick a warm spot, we should also consider the time of year that we are going - if it's mid winter, there is always the possibility of snowy weather on the departure end
Shannon: do we take over a hotel. My answer on this is no.
teachick: I agree shannon
suncoast: April is good for me to get away business wise. January & February were slammed
teachick: too impersonal and too expensive
Pauline: I have been to conventions where you get a group rate at a hotel and have the events in the hotel and it was fun.
Doug Phillips: Agree - but what are our options?
teaberry: i for one would not be that interested in a hotel. something like a retreat with cabins would be nice
teachick: unless it's a VERY cool hotel
teachick: what about the Coronado?
Pauline: Yes, I agree - a very interesting hotel or a retreat place would be great.
BGE: I'd rather a luscious place like a castle...in France! BUT, a good hotel can be a good thing, if you get one with some ambience and a great location!!!
teaberry: check out retreats.com in your free time
MarciaB: But a small hotel? We need to think about catering for a lot of people, too.
Doug Phillips: Where is the Coronado?
teaberry: san diego
Pauline: I love the Coronado - great old hotel (in San Diego)
Shannon: a question for the Europeans here:
teachick: could be a good spot
Pauline: I think we should assume it will be in the US. We have lots of smaller GTGs in Europe.
Chris: Coronado might be a little expensive. I was just checking their prices this morning.
LeslieS: Crikey, what's wrong with a pub in Tuggeranong?
Pokey: hotel del coronado, mucho mucho expensive, but fabulous
Shannon: do you think you can come to this thing? And if so when the best time for you would be.
teachick: also near Mexico in case people want to drive over the border.
MarciaB: Let's not forget that Leslie Erickson has volunteered to help with logistics if we pick the SE USA
teachick: I also love the idea of New Orleans
suncoast: WHat happened to New Orleans
LoveItaly: No border crossing for me!!
pedmar: second choice is florida
Pokey: me too teachick NO
MarciaB: David and I also like NO!
Dennis Michael Martin: Are we able yet to come up with even the roughest guess of how many people would come? Everything else depends, in the end, on that. Around 50. Over a hundred? More?
Shannon: Let's move on the Brenda - Brenda your five minutes is on.
BGE: Before I get into the details of my thoughts, I'd like to say this right up front...I'm all for a GTG in North America and another one in Europe, if we can't hold one for everyone, then I'd love to go to 2 of the little suckers!!!
BGE: What do we want to accomplish, and how do we wish to go about doing it? Here are my random thoughts, in no particular order of importance:1. No matter where this is held, I’ll be making a mini-vacation of it, taking a week or more in that location, so that I can actually see and feel the area.
Shannon: sounds good.. what else Brenda?
teachick: I'm for two as well
pedmar: second that double whammy GTG
BGE: 2. From my experience with many, many conferences in many lovely locations, what I know is this…when staying in a hotel or residence in some stunning city or location, if I go there for the days of the conference, I rarely see anything but a miniscule glimpse of the area.
BGE: This also might be true for this GBGTG…because I want to participate in everything that is going on, whether it is a group yoga session with Kathy, a vocal rendition by Ginger and Palma and the rest of the ST virtuosos or a party with good food and great wine that lasts til the wee tiny hours. So, having the option to stay on longer, either before or after the GTG, will be a good thing for me.
BGE: 3. What do I want to have happen?…A GTG that will allow as many ST’ers as possible to attend… I’d love it if it could be an international GTG, but that seems like it is sliding off the map a little bit…I so loved the idea that we floated around somewhere in all of the posts over the past few days…have this GTG in a castle in France!
teachick: As a slow chick I agree
BGE: …A lovely and comfortable location where we are all staying close-by…likely a hotel or some other similar location to accommodate all of us.…A long weekend, if possible, so that we have as much time together as we can squeeze out of this lovely event!…
BGE: 4. What do we want to accomplish?…My thoughts are to create a 3 – 4 day GTG that works for the majority of us when considering dates and location.…I hope we can find a way to allow the maximum attendance with the least amount of hassle for the attendees. This will include making the accommodations and accessibility of the event as easy as possible for most of us. This will include having economical accommodation available, direct point-to-point travel where possible and a central location, of course.I still like the idea of an internati