Meet & Greet - Family event questions & general discussion

[gettingby]

I have to say that I don't have any problem with a meet and greet. The problem I have is the fact that those who are trying to "plan" it need to take into consideration that some of us have families (ie: kids, spouses) so there needs to be someone offering ideas for families. I don't know about everyone else but some of us have to budget our money wisely. I, for one, cannot afford a trip where the entertainment is a show at $90 a pop.

[JediSkipdogg]

I have to say that I don't have any problem with a meet and greet. The problem I have is the fact that those who are trying to "plan" it need to take into consideration that some of us have families (ie: kids, spouses) so there needs to be someone offering ideas for families. I don't know about everyone else but some of us have to budget our money wisely. I, for one, cannot afford a trip where the entertainment is a show at $90 a pop.

This years Meet & Greet was kinda in one place because of one certain member really pushing it hard.

In the next week or two I'll be taking the location thread and then asking for ideas in the most populated areas. Preferably I'd like personal experience with each of those areas that have a wide variety of items to do.

I think you brought up a key point in why there needs to be two seperate greets. Some members have kids and I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, the last thing I'd want to do is spend all week in sessions on a medical disease with my parents. At the same time, there are some members on here that can and want to break away from their family to go to something like that.

Keep an eye out for the next few weeks for location ideas for the vacation half of the M&G.

[gettingby]

Jedi, I think if you are looking for "family ideas", you should listen to what Rikki and Dew have to say. I believe they have some wonderful ideas, if only someone would listen. Rikki does have some wonderful ideas from what I've heard.

[JediSkipdogg]

Jedi, I think if you are looking for "family ideas", you should listen to what Rikki and Dew have to say. I believe they have some wonderful ideas, if only someone would listen. Rikki does have some wonderful ideas from what I've heard.

I have, but we aren't quite there yet. Gotta see what the people of DF want first. Then we go to idea stage.

[camjen1]

Okay is everyone ready for my opinion again?

First of all the meet n greet hasn't even gotten past location yet so ruling it out as not family friendly is way to early.

Next, whenever you vacation you have to spend some money. Now with that being said you don't have to chose to stay in a 5 star hotel and you don't have to choose to do all the activities other members are doing.

If one can't fund the vacation to an annual meet n greet then maybe a mini meet n greet is more for them. If not then maybe catch the next meet n greet the following year.

What it comes down to is this meet n greet is not going to work for everyone. It's impossible to make EVERYONE happy. Even though I have no participation in setting up the meet I without a doubt know that all ideas will be taken into consideration.

[Dewey]

I moved the posts here, as Tony was simply laying ground rules in the other thread.

I agree that not everyone's going to be pleased & not everyone will be able to attend, but folks, we need to try & work together & not argue....As Tony also stated, we shouldn't rip folk's ideas or posts apart. This upsets people and may make them not want to help or attend.

Lastly, I was thinking about the meet & greet "sessions" for Brian's meet & greet (I'm talking like one or two sessions at like maybe an hour or two tops). Some people may have misconceptions that the sessions will be daily for the duration of the M&G. I don't think that would be the case...it probably would be more like a couple of sessions (maybe one or two days' worth, tops) of the entire time. I also believe that there are some companies who'd be more than pleased to join in. Not sure about sponsorship yet (will be contacting various companies to see if anyone's interested or can help), but when I was part of a local pumpers group, we usually had less than 20 folks in the meetings & still had reps from Animas, MM, Smiths (well, I sat in for the Smiths rep. ;)) and Lifescan come to discuss upcoming products, etc. It can be done, just need to get more into the logistics of everything as time goes on. I know that the family vacation one & the sessions one will be separate, but just wanted to mention that.

There are many good ideas to be discussed for both the meet & greets & I think folks are just trying to learn more so they can decide if they'll be able to be a part of things.

[JediSkipdogg]

I'll say a few points then I'm off to bed....

Firstly, I think Brian has failed to express what his idea truely is. From my understanding he wants a week of sessions with reps from all companies. He then wants money coming in from them to help lower the cost of the trip with excess money going to himself so he may start a diabetes lab up some day. But he's been kinda quiet on what his full idea is.

As for the kids....just so everyone knows, there's a TON for kids to do in Vegas. I was actually amazed at the number of kids out there. I didn't gamble that much at all till my departing day. The rest of the time I went to about 10 attractions and only spent $80 total on those attractions. Finding kid attractions are actually pretty easy to do and that is what I'm making sure I have in locations I'm picking out. I don't want kids to be bored but at the same time don't want parents/families to have to spend a fortune (I would love to do Disney world but at $200 per person for a 4 day theme park pass that may be too expensive.)

FYI...my total Vegas trip for myself was under $750...therefore I'm all about keeping it cheap. I know where to find great rates and lower rates for most services so once we have a final location I'll be posting all of the rates for different places, and remember, the earlier you book, the cheaper it is.

I will be adding so new posts in the morning on a few ideas that I want to get a general consensus on, so stay tuned.

[Cyborg]

I like the idea of "inexpensive" as opposed to "cheap"... ;)

[JediSkipdogg]

I like the idea of "inexpensive" as opposed to "cheap"... ;)

Same meaning here.

[Carwy]

Firstly, I think Brian has failed to express what his idea truely is. From my understanding he wants a week of sessions with reps from all companies. He then wants money coming in from them to help lower the cost of the trip with excess money going to himself so he may start a diabetes lab up some day. But he's been kinda quiet on what his full idea is.



Okay is everyone ready for my opinion again?

First of all the meet n greet hasn't even gotten past location yet so ruling it out as not family friendly is way to early.

Next, whenever you vacation you have to spend some money. Now with that being said you don't have to chose to stay in a 5 star hotel and you don't have to choose to do all the activities other members are doing.

If one can't fund the vacation to an annual meet n greet then maybe a mini meet n greet is more for them. If not then maybe catch the next meet n greet the following year.

What it comes down to is this meet n greet is not going to work for everyone. It's impossible to make EVERYONE happy. Even though I have no participation in setting up the meet I without a doubt know that all ideas will be taken into consideration.

Jedi,
I have to agree with Camjen1. Brian has not gotten past the location phase yet. Heck I think keep it in Vegas, there is a lot for the little ones to do there.
No where has he said it will be a week of meetings with reps from different companies.

[JediSkipdogg]

Jedi,
I have to agree with Camjen1. Brian has not gotten past the location phase yet. Heck I think keep it in Vegas, there is a lot for the little ones to do there.
No where has he said it will be a week of meetings with reps from different companies.

I agree there is tons to do in Vegas. However, there was alot of complaints last year (and even some in this thread) on the location of Vegas being chosen because nothing for kids. It seems lack of support for Vegas.

As for the week long meetings, Brian has talked about a huge conference with tons of events to do. I really don't consider that a one day affair, but maybe that's the vibe I'm getting from him.

Unfortunately, it appears we can't work together, so it's best to just work seperate and plan our own events.

[Cyborg]

Heck, if Brian is putting one together in Vegas, it sounds like fun!!! :D