The enthusiasm continues to grow for The Great Slow Travel Gathering 2008. For those who were unable to attend, Sunday afternoon's chat was lively and instructive, with a free-flowing exchange of ideas. Leslie Erickson, Kaydee, Sheena, and Teaberry were suggested by Pauline to get the ball rolling on planning, and the four of us have had several virtual meetings, gathering together the thoughts and ideas that our SlowTalk members have provided. In this spirit of working together, we would like to present our suggestions concerning the objectives of this Gathering as well as some of the key parameters for planning the event. We want your input on the approach we are proposing!

In a few days we will post again with an online survey, asking for your input on several very specific questions relating to the date, the location, the type of facilities or venue, and the cost of the Gathering. The results of this survey will be shared with everyone after it's compiled. We're working now to identify an online survey process we can use, and we’re also completing some due diligence to finalize the locations we’ll present for your consideration.

We feel that in order to make this first Great Slow Travel Gathering a success and help pave the way for the future Gatherings, we want to "digest" your information and move forward step by step. We do not believe this will be a long, slow process, just a careful one. Hopefully this can serve as a guide or model for our future Gatherings, too. We thank and applaud all of you for your valued input.

So for now, we’d ask you to focus ONLY on the topics in this thread—look for the questions following "Tell Us Now". Please post just once to this thread, keep it focused, and try to withhold comment on others' opinions. We would like to have all inputs by this Sunday (November 13) at 12 noon. Thank you so much for all the interest in our first Great Slow Travel Gathering!

**********************************************************************************

Objectives for the Great Slow Travel Gathering 2008

These proposed objectives clarify at a top level what we want to try to accomplish and will guide us in our planning. Key elements are in bold.

* Hold a special weekend gathering open to the entire Slow Travel community in 2008
* Make it possible for as many members as possible to participate based on timing, cost and location
* 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, family members and guests
* Ensure a successful and positive event that may lead to similar events in other locations in future years
* Keep this first Gathering relatively simple and easy to plan and execute

Tell Us Now: What do you think of the objectives we’ve defined?

**********************************************************************************

Timing

We recommend the first Great Slow Travel Gathering be held in March 2008.

A 2008 date gives us plenty of time to plan for our venue and accommodations and for members to block this date on their calendars. The March timeframe seems to support the highest possible participation, since it avoids the major travel/vacation season (May 1 – October 31), the winter holiday season (mid November – early January), the worst winter weather (January – February), and spring religious holidays and spring breaks (April).

Tell Us Now: Do you agree with the general time frame?

Tell Us in Next Week’s Survey: We will ask you to provide input on specific weekend dates in March 2008 so that we can finalize a specific date.

**********************************************************************************

Location

Based on the objectives and the time frame, we identified the following critieria for selecting a location. We suggest that whatever location is selected this year, a location in a different part of North America be selected for the next Great Slow Travel Gathering.

* Mild weather in March
* North America – specifically, the Southern half of the USA
* Easy to reach and get around
* Reasonable cost of transportation, lodging and meals
* Interesting, appealing destination; things to do and see
* A variety of possible venues available
* Availability of Slow Travel members to support logistics

A variety of locations have been suggested, including the possibility of Europe. Since this will be a weekend gathering and one of our objectives is to enable the largest number of members to attend, the Gathering needs to be in North America where the large majority of our members live. We want a location with mild weather in March to avoid possible weather issues and enable us to enjoy the outdoors. This criteria leads us to a focus on the southern half of the USA.

Tell Us Now: Do you agree with the criteria we’ve established for the location?

Tell us in Next Week’s Survey: We will propose three or four specific locations and provide some information on each of those locations. Most importantly, we’ll ask for your input so we can finalize our first and second choice locations for 2008 and get started picking a specific venue.

**********************************************************************************

The Great Slow Travel Gathering 2008

What would the Gathering itself be? Although a more structured “convention” with lots of seminars and activities is one option, we suggest this first Gathering be more informal. It can always develop and change in future years. We suggest the following general approach to the weekend:

* Arrival on Friday afternoon
* A welcome gathering and dinner on Friday evening
* Flexible day on Saturday, with optional activities based on the location (e.g. yoga, golf, sightseeing, special interest gatherings)
* Main dinner on Saturday evening (perhaps with special entertainment)
* Farewell brunch on Sunday

We’ve identified some words we’d like to describe the style and feeling of our first Great Slow Travel Gathering: welcoming, warm, fun, friendly, energizing, relaxed, informal, creative, memorable.

And of course we know that great food and wine are an important part of any Slow Travel gathering!

There has been some discussion about the inclusion of children at this special weekend. We believe it’s important that children be welcome, at the parents’ discretion. We really don’t think there will be many children based on the demographics of our group and the fact that airline transportation will likely be involved for many members. If there are more than a few children, some special activities will be arranged for them. We believe that including these younger Slow Travelers will enhance our weekend, not detract from it.

Several people have also suggested the possibility of a gathering where members can bring food or do some cooking. Although this will be difficult since people will be coming long distances, it may be possible in some types of properties like a smaller complex where our group would be the only guests.

Tell Us Now: What do you think about the style and feeling of the Gathering as we’ve described it? How else would you describe an ideal Great Slow Travel Gathering weekend? What else would you like to see happen there this first time?

Tell Us in Next Week’s Survey: The type of property or venue we select for our main group events will have a big influence on our ability to have the kind of gathering we’ve described. In next week’s survey we’ll ask for your input on various types and styles of venues (e.g. large hotel, retreat complex, variety of B&Bs/hotels).

**********************************************************************************

Arrangements

Since The Great Slow Travel Gathering will be organized by volunteers, it’s important to keep the logistics as simple as possible. We suggest the following:

* A leader and small steering team
* Small committees to organize specific aspects of the weekend
* No risk to any member for assuming upfront costs
* Advance registration by a defined cut-off date
* Some advance payment for central charges (group meals, overhead costs)
* Creative approaches to local transportation (limit the need to rent cars)
* Investigation of group rates on accommodations
* Members reserve and pay for their own accommodations

Tell Us Now: What do you think about our recommendations on arrangements?

Tell Us in Next Week’s Survey: We’ll ask several questions to help us with planning: your interest in being part of this weekend, where you would be traveling from, how many people would attend with you, and how much you are willing to pay for accommodations. (You won’t be asked to make any firm commitment for quite a while!)

**********************************************************************************

Thanks again for your input! And watch for the survey next week!

(Posted by Kaydee for the team): Leslie Erickson, Kaydee, Sheena and Teaberry

OK--
I think you have done a fabulous job of digesting all the previous input, writing it so it is clear and giving us an opportunity to respond appropriately. Thank you!

March seems a logical choice to me, as does the general location.

I think it would be good to have a variety of lodging choices to suit various budgets.

the thing I like the best about your "report" is where you describe the style. Exactly! Yes, informal, and based on relationships--new and old. thanks so much for your hard work, so far and in the future.

congrats on getting the Gathering off on the right foot.

jan

Thanks for all your work Kathy. I agree with March as it seems like the only logical option, plus it's a dreary month and it will be nice to have something fun planned. Know my help is offered should you need any!

Clear, concise and easy to follow objectives! Great job committee!
Second week of March is school break for Ontario, Texas and others. Most of March seems fine for us.

Far enough south in U.S. for warm weather (70+F), is also a good idea.

Informal, definately! Like the idea of Fri., Sat., Sun., gatherings for whole group and opportunity to extend own stay for the rest of the week, especially for those of us who will most likely pay airfares.

Also, like the suggestion of a variety of accommodations to suit self and that each one arranges own. No one on committee should be putting down deposits.

Thanks for the update! J.

What a great idea and a way to meet fellow St'rs. My hats off to whomever had this initial idea.I'm still recouping from Italy so haven't read all about it,my body time clock is still off .I could not bring up the chat from Sunday.

With March as the chosen month consideration should be made with regards to the weather without doubt. Keep in mind it should not coincide with college spring break time!

I live in Florida where the weather in March is just about perfect.No rain at that time of year. Orlando as a consideration, has an airport easily accessible to all. There are so many Hotel/Motel/Resort gathering area possibilities affordable to all with many ammentities. There are restaurants galore, shopping ,of course Disney and all the other attractions for the kid at heart.Many will give group rates and provide busing to area attractions.I could help scout out these places.We set up a conference (nationwide attendees) this past year and I know some of the better priced locations.Airfare in March to Fla are usually a pretty good rate and most airlines fly nonstop to Orlando.

Miami also has great weather and so much to do but I think all in all cost so much more esp if someone is on a budget.

Tampa another good possibility.Even Ft. Lauderdale.

Atlanta in March is still cold. Ice storm time so plane flts can be delayed.Happened to us this past yr at a convention. Ohh it was cold!

San Francisco would be great...but is it too costly for some? Same goes for San Diego or LA.I love Calif..but not sure it fits everyones budget.

Ida

Ciao,

What a great idea! Although I'm still a new member (joined in September), I am already so impressed by the helpfulness, enthusiasm and knowledge all the members bring to this incredible forum!

I tend to agree with the proposed suggestions, as much as I would love to see this happen in Rome, it is clear that it makes more sense to hold it in the US, for the reasons stated.

Please let me know how I might be able to help with volunteer/planning activities.

Shelley

Kathy,

What a great demonstration of your organizational skills! I love the way you have broken everything down into clear and well-defined categories.

All your recommendations sound right on target to me.

- Roz

Great job, everyone!

My answers:

Good objectives. I feared that too ambitious a plan might sink this whole idea, but this is just right.

I agree with the timeframe.

I agree with your plans for location.

The style of the Gathering sounds casual and relaxed, just right.

Arrangements sound fine. I think it will be important to build in some flexibility here. Some people may be able to attend for only part of the weekend for instance.

Good job!

Excellent job of defining objectives and categories to consider. I also think the timing, location, style and arrangements for the event sound right on. Thanks for organizing this!

Ditto what Colleen said. Great job committee!

First of all, I was so impressed with the organization of this summary, the objectives, and breaking this process into steps, that when I read it last night, my fingers were "speechless".
I could only have typed "WOW".

I completely agree with the objectives, timeframe, and criteria for location. I love the concept of three days of "welcoming, warm, fun, friendly, energizing, relaxed, informal, and creative"! It will definitely be MEMORABLE!

I think keeping the logistics simple is important, and with the "pitch in and help" attitude of Slow Travelers, this should work very well!

Kathy, you and the committee have done a fabulous job so far! Thanks to all of you for your time, caring, and organizational skills.

I will help with whatever is needed!

Palma

I am in agreement with:
1. the objectives
2. The proposed March 2008 timing
3. The location criteria
4. The format/style/feeling
5. The proposed arrangements

Thank you to the Committee for this pre-planning step.

Looking forward to the more detailed survey next week.

Los Angeles is not as expensive as you might think. A LOT less expensive than San Francisco, and significantly warmer than SF in March! Many different locations to choose from in terms of lodging, we wouldn't need to be right in the (expensive) heart of the city. Less expensive outlying areas are within reasonable distance of activities (everyone is going to have to rent a car anyway in LA, regardless of where you stay). Of course, I live here, so I'm biased in favor of this location!

Wow, Kathy, you and the others have done a great job defining the objectives and laying the groundwork for this event.

March 2008 sounds good and I agree with the location criteria as well as the proposed style and arrangements. I will be happy to give further input on the surveys and to help out with the GTG in ways that I can.

Thanks so much for making all this so clear!
-Krista

This all sounds just right. Well done!
You've really caught the spirit of what we need, and I'm impressed with your organization!
Linda

Kathy, I also want to thank you and the committee for the great start. I agree with all of your ideas. If I may suggest a venue, I think New Orleans might be a good location as it does meet all criteria and I hope (pray) that by early 2008 the city will be ready for tourists.

Objectives are very well written...wish I could get my students teachers to do as well.
I thought in 2008 that Easter was in March. About March 23/28? Won't that force us to have the GTG very early in the month which to me is still winter (nasty word). I am assuming you wouldn't hold the gathering Palm Sunday or Easter week-end. I would love to see some thought given to the first part of April. Spring...warm(er.
The schedule looked great. I have other location ideas when it is allowed to mention them.
A great job so far by the committee. If I can help sign me up.

Vegas Mrs. is correct -- Easter 2008 is the end of March with Palm Sunday the weekend before so it would have to be the beginning of March. I would think the beginning of April would be a better choice. The beginning of March would not be a good time to travel because in many areas of the country it is still winter with snow, etc.

P.S. -- I just checked and Passover 2008 is the end of April which would make the beginning of April a good time frame -- after Easter and before Passover.

Tell Us Now: What do you think of the objectives we’ve defined? PERFECT

Tell Us Now: Do you agree with the general time frame? AGREE

Tell Us Now: Do you agree with the criteria we’ve established for the location? AGREE, Arizona is another location with great weather in March but I'm partial.

Tell Us Now: What do you think about the style and feeling of the Gathering as we’ve described it? VERY WELL DEFINED

How else would you describe an ideal Great Slow Travel Gathering weekend? YOU CAPTURED IT PERFECTLY

What else would you like to see happen there this first time? LOTS OF SOCIAL TIME TO GET TO KNOW EVERYONE


Tell Us Now: What do you think about our recommendations on arrangements? PERFECT


Great job. From someone who has planned events from 20-300 people, I know what goes into planning something like this. I applaude your efforts and willingness to take it on. Wherever/whenever it is, it will be a success, as people with the same interests are gathering...

Linda

Wonderful work, Kathy and the team.

A consideration regarding March: the March break, including immediately before and after, is usually a period of chaos in air travel and with difficult to nail lodging arrangements.

So please take this into account.

The objectives are well set out and thoughtful and I agree wholeheartedly with them.

Timing: I would vote for an early April occasion.
Location: I would prefer something in the SE USA.
Style: Yesssss! We've got style, baby! It sounds wonderful.
Arrangements: I agree with these, also.

I wait with bated breath for the complete survey results.

*Time Frame: Early April clearly looks like it would work best

*Location: Lower hemisphere in the US-yes

*Style and Feeling...: Well said by Kathy and Committee

*What do we want: To meet as many fellow ST in a warm and inviting enviroment, like a family reunion I think.

Thank you for taking this project on Kathy, Leslie, Sheena and Terry. I look forward to next weeks poll of questions and the week after that...
This will be a jewel of a weekend. Grazie mille tutti.
W

Can't make it to the event. Sorry.

But I have to cheer -- your survey is brilliant. What a clear, tight query for information. It's tough to do that.

Thanks to the folks who put it together. Well done.

Great work.

March can be very cold in the South, and rainy as well. Even New Orleans, as far south as it is, can be miserable. Early April seems like a better choice.

Callie