Meet & Greet 2008 - Myrtle Beach

[JediSkipdogg]

It's finally official that the Meet & Greet for 2008 will be held in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC.

WHO: Everyone from here
WHAT: A gathering of people from Diabetes Forum to get to know people in person and have a week of fun just hanging out with other diabetics.
WHERE: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
WHEN: Sunday, June 15, 2008 - Friday, June 20, 2008
WHY: To help people put a name to a face on here and get to finally shake the hands of their fellow members.

More information will be coming in the next week on hotels and attractions in the area. Obviously the first main attraction will be that it's located on a beach. Therefore if anyone knows of any major attractions that they think as a group we should check out let me know. Also, if anyone has been there recently, found a wonderful hotel that they could highly recommend pass that on as well and I'll call and see about a group discount. I've already talked with a few and most are willing to do a group discount for a small group such as ours.

I hope to see everyone there and hope that people can take the time off of work to stop by. If you can't stay the entire trip then that's fine and just try to make it near the beginning. I hope to plan a large dinner on Monday evening. No pressure to attend, where to stay, how long to stay, or what to do. Just stop by, have some fun, shake some hands (hopefully Tony's), and let diabetes take a back seat in a sense for a week.

Please post below to let us know if you will be attending or interested in attending, how many it would be, and if you have any recommendations for the trip. All recommendations will then be looked at for feasibility and cost then brought back here if they can be made apart of the event.

[princesslinda]

When we stay at Myrtle Beach, we stay at "Compass Cove Resort." It's oceanfront in S. Myrtle Beach, easy to find is very family friendly. It has a bar and a restaurant (which has a buffet b/fast available for a charge, of course). There's a lazy river and over 22 water attractions and an arcade.

There's a House of Blues that has some really good shows, a Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, Nascar Cafe and there was a Planet Hollywood there (not sure if it's still there now) and tons of other restaurants to fit any budget. There's also a lot of shows (Dixie Stampede, Riverdance Theatre, Gatlin Bros. Theatre and several comedy shows for those who are into shows)...and lots of golf as well.

Charleston is only a 2 hr drive from Myrtle Beach and there are shuttle tours that pick up and drive back from most of the area hotels (again, for a charge). Georgetown (the ghost capital of the south) is an hour away and has a ghost story cruise in the evenings.....can you tell Myrtle Beach has been a big part of my vacations....we went there a lot as children..and try to go back every few years, just to see how the area has changed/developed.

Hopefully, hubby and I will be able to attend. Would love to see my "faceless friends" and having the ocean thrown in is an extra bonus!

[Alice]

I would normally be there but my neice is getting married in TN that weekend. I'll catch everyone sometime, I'm sure!

[Dawn]

I'm interested in attending. At this time it would just be me attending. There is so much to do in Myrtle Beach...lots of touristy attractions.
Dawn :)

[beau91]

Maybe ,I just look at the map, around 16 hours drive.Heard about Myrtle Beach.And i should stop to see my sister in Allentown PA.Bye Ricky

[jvetter18]

they have the best Golf there!!! i go every year...but it's going to be really hot in late June!! I won't be able to make it...have fun.

Lots of places for "gentlemen" as well. Not that i would know about that....

[JediSkipdogg]

DATE CHANGE
Ok, everyone. There is already one change coming. Due to a conflict of dates, I have decided to move the date of the event to June 15 till June 20.

This new date will give people that want the option to attend this event and the mini one in Vegas if they chose. If people want to do a little country hopping and attend both half the time that's fine by me. I'm open to anything as long as I get to shake some hands.

[CaptDave4499]

Wish I could go, Mrytle Beach is about 4 hours from me.

[katjack]

:) i will be coming to the USA in may 2009 till september
would love to catch up
i will be at a summer camp:)

[cheryl]

Sounds fun, don't know if I could get away a whole week, Myrtle Beach I think is about six hours away maybe I can go for a couple of days, but Sun-Fri, leaves less options now if it was from Fri-till whenever yea a three day weekend would be cool....

I will see what I can do, but I am definately gonna put this as a definate yes, atleast for 2 days.........

Cheryl

[JediSkipdogg]

Chery, you can come down anytime you want and stay as long as you want. If you wanted you could come down Friday and stay till Monday and that would be fine. The only reason I'm not making any Friday or Saturday nights as official dates is because hotels cost more and I want this to be as affordable as possible to all.

My current plan right now just so everyone knows is on Monday the 16th to have a large group dinner somewhere. I'm hoping to keep it somewhere simple that has a large variety of food so everyone can find something they like.

I'm still trying to debate on when I want to drive down and drive back. Most likely I'll drive down on Sunday (it's an 11 hour drive for me) and be arriving late Sunday evening. Then I'll be leaving to come back home Friday morning. So I'll be down there for four full days.

[cheryl]

Yea, I was thinking for myself, to stay from Friday night till Tuesday morning or what have you.....so I only have to take two days off and so does hubby or we might go all out till Wed.....who knows but I get what your saying yea, it can get pricey that time of year.....

Just keep us updated...

cheryl

[deansreef]

i am in at least for a couple of days- the knowledge that can be gained from each other is worth the cost alone...I am about 3 hrs from Myrtle Beach

[nicole]

Yeah, I'd really like to go, but my mom doesn't want me to. Why...I don't know. But yeah, I guess have funnnn, and maybe I'll see you there if I can get her to change her mind.

[Cyborg]

Somehow I missed the original posting of this announcement. Myrtle Beach does sound like a great spot. I am going to try to make it. I'll give a more definitive answer after I find a new job...

[Jan B]

I'd also love to come. I missed an opportunity to go to Myrtle Beach a few years ago. I'll be saving my $$. Plus, that was a working trip I missed -- this will be far superior!

[Alice]

That date change helps me a little...I'd like to try to make it. But, I'm not wearing a bathing suit!!!

[JediSkipdogg]

That date change helps me a little...I'd like to try to make it. But, I'm not wearing a bathing suit!!!

There's tons to do that doesn't require a bathing suit. Of course...there's the problem if you love to shop, you may blow your pocketbook, lol. There's tons of great shopping, some amusement parks, Ripley's aquarium, etc.

I'd love to have alot attend even if it's just for a day or two (preferably Monday as I think that will be the official big dinner night.)

[tanyatype1]

Did somebody say SHOPPING???

[Yodee]

I was so excited to see that there was going to be a meeting within traveling distance (I live right outside of Charleston SC) until I saw the dates. As much as I would love to come that is the same week that we plan on flying back to Idaho to see my parents and to let them meet the first (and only) great grandson!

I hope to hear about it online though - I am just sorry I will have to miss it!

[FatCatAnna]

I am going to see if I can do the drive by myself from Montreal (furthest I've driven alone is 8 hours - have driven to Myrtle Beach which is about 16 hours with my hubby).

To be by the beach is what has got me excited - love the ocean. Have a friend who may let me stay with them if her house isn't rented out for the season.

How soon do you need to know that we'll be attending?

[JediSkipdogg]

How soon do you need to know that we'll be attending?

Right now the sooner the better...

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/meet-and-greet/26346-m-g-2008-mrytle.html

Or I might just cancel due to lack of interest.

[metafizik]

MB is a definite possibility for me as we usually go once or twice a year anyway. We prefer going during the "off-season" if such a thing exists anymore. I will confer with my wife and give more definitive answer soon.

[metafizik]

Sorry about the double post but I didn't see an edit button.

My wife thinks it would be a great idea to go to Myrtle Beach and meet the folks from these forums.

I just wish there was more interest from others here. From what I am seeing there appears to be maybe 2 or 3 at most that seem to want to go. In any case my wife and myself will be there if this event is a go. We are both very interested in meeting others with diabetes especially since we are so new to all of this. And even more so because the members here appear to be such a amiable group of individuals.

[JediSkipdogg]

I just wish there was more interest from others here. From what I am seeing there appears to be maybe 2 or 3 at most that seem to want to go. In any case my wife and myself will be there if this event is a go. We are both very interested in meeting others with diabetes especially since we are so new to all of this. And even more so because the members here appear to be such a amiable group of individuals.

I'm the planner of this and see little interest and so I'm debating if I'll even go. My "ride partner" can't attend anymore and so now the burden on the $20/gallon (ok, it will seem like it) gas might be too much for me to handle. Right now alot with me attending has to do with the interest level and the price of gas by the end of spring.

If I don't get to Myrtle Beach I may try to head south a little bit into Tennessee and see who I can get together then. Of course, I'm also considering a cruise in late summer if Myrtle Beach is a no-go.

[Injecto]

Oh.....MY....GOG.......

[Eddy]

Yeah, I'd really like to go, but my mom doesn't want me to. Why...I don't know. But yeah, I guess have funnnn, and maybe I'll see you there if I can get her to change her mind.


I have a couple younger sisters (who actually are older than you), and I'm admittedly nervous about them going places with groups of "strange people". I should think your mom would be more than welcome to come along with you, if that would help put her mind at ease.

[Janlaton]

It would be great to meet a bunch of new people but already signed up to be doing crafts with kids then.