[JediSkipdogg]

This topic is discussional only and please try to keep it in line. It was brought up in one of the other topics to maybe have multiple M&Gs.

Therefore, do others think there should be numerous regional ones that are small in size and then one large gigantic one?

The small ones would consist of maybe a weekend or week long event but just simply put, a vacation. There would just be a gathering of people in one location to have some fun together. There would possibly be maybe three to four throughout the United States.

The larger one would be an endeavor and would in my opinion be just like an ADA conference or the Children with Diabetes Expo. There would be multiple informational sessions and reps from companies to talk about their products and give out some free samples. This event would be a week long and possibly in some larger city.

Now...I see a few problems with this idea. The first being how many of these a person could go to a year. I'd hate to see lack of interest in one level or another due to someone attending the other. For example, people not make it to the large national one but go to the regionals and say that was enough for them.

Another problem I see is how to gain the interest of reps and speakers from a group this small. Now, you may say this group is large, however, the interest level is not in the thousands. One ADA Expo can easily bring out a thousand people for a one day event. I think the CWD brings out a couple hundred people during their $250 weeklong event. So getting the interest of companies in my opinion would be extremely hard. Not to mention, we aren't backed by any larger organization.

Next I see that we already have the ADA Expo, the CWD Expo thing, along with numerous other shows and information sessions for diabetics that we would have to compete with. So in my opinion, we would have to become better, if not at least, equal to, those events to draw any sort of attendance.

The last problem is the interest level of people in planning. I have seen on here numerous attemps for people to talk about having meetings. Yet I have seen little action to make them happen. That's why I wonder how successful the smaller regional gatherings would be if people don't come through. I started the Vegas event out with an interest level of about 2 dozen. And I get 5.5 showed up. Did I quit when I knew I had less than 10? No, not at all and I pushed through just hoping that others would join. And in the end, it was a great time.

So, thoughts, opinions, snide remarks? Please keep it clean and civil so a moderator doesn't have to lock this.

[jjames]

Ehh - like I said in the other thread, I'd personally like a weekend thing or heck, even a one-day'er get-together. For me I know a cruise or a large national get-together is out of my budget, but I might be able to swing a local / regional one. But that's just me, and I'm certainly not wanting to be the one that organizes anything, I was just wishing a get-together would be close to me. A bit self-serving but aren't we all sometimes?

[princesslinda]

I think there's a great deal of merit to the regional meet/greets. Most everyone could budget for something within a few hrs drive from their home...no need for vacation time having to be used, just have a weekend or even just a Saturday get together.

I don't think that a regional meet would have a lot of bearing on lack of attendance for an "Event," it would just be more low key. If someone can't afford to go to a regional event, they might still be able to meet with some of their on-line friends closer to home. If they can schedule time and budget money to make it to the big "Event" they'll do that, too. I do understand that the big event meeting would have to have much more planning and am very thankful for those of you with the "gifts of administration and organization."

Regional events could be basic "no-brainer type things," requiring very little work. Just pick and day, time and place, those who wish to attend, show up, those who don't, stay home. If not many show up, we're all close to home, so no big deal. Details such as picnic vs pot luck or eating in a theme park or restaurant could be worked at at a later date.

For example: I live in Knoxville, TN. I'm within an hour's drive to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mtns, filled with shopping, nature, picnic areas, horseback riding waterparks, mini golf and Dollywood. Nashville is 3 hrs away, Chattanooga 2 hrs away and Atlanta is approx. 4 hrs away, all with tons of things to do. Any of these are within a few hours drive. I'm not suggesting any of these places, just making the point that everyone has several nice places within a 4 hr drive that would be lots of fun for out-of-towners. If someone wanted to show up at a meet and greet that isn't in their region...all the better.

[Dewey]

For what it's worth, I for one would like to see multiple small gatherings & one large one that's sponsored. I don't think we should expect folks throughout the US to make a long journey to the big M&G (depending on where they're coming from), without some kind of "incentives" (i.e. some costs possibly being covered by sponsors, attending a few small sessions to help in possibly funding the overall event, & getting some new "bling" & knowledge along the way).

Not sure who or what you were referring to with this comment

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

"I have seen on here numerous attempts for people to talk about having meetings. Yet I have seen little action to make them happen."

...but in terms of smaller gatherings: I haven't yet spoken personally with Jen, but fully intend to get something going. So far, I have Brian & Rikki's interest as well....It can be done, it just takes work & synchronization of people's time. Not everyone can take off of work at once and not everyone will definitely be able to make it to smaller gatherings - we simply have to try our best to accommodate everyone's needs. If only two or three can make it, I don't see that as a failure by any means. Sometimes, life happens and things cannot work out.

In terms of our previous talks of gathering (between Shy, Cin, Carwy, myself & a few others): One big issue was that Shy lives in Canada. She would have had to purchase a Passport, and we all know how "cheap" (NOT) those things are. Also, the job she works at had become very busy when our meet & greet was supposed to "go down," so as she had told me on the phone, she was unable to break away.

Despite her inability to go to Vegas the way we all initially had planned, Carwy, Cin & myself all met...just in NC, instead of Vegas. I have small "meet & greets" at least once each year. Often, they consist of meeting up with one or two members (i.e. Cin, & more recently Jack - EasyType2 for those who don't know and EdnBama, to name a few). Likewise, Ed has had talks with me of possibly coming out to my humble home for a visit later this summer.

In terms of getting a larger group (so reps would gain more interest in sponsoring & attending), why not advertise in a few ways? Ideas are:

1. Word of mouth - tell local family/friends/caregivers about the gathering(s) and see if they'd be interested in attending as well.

2. Flyers - Sometimes, you can print up your own flyers or work with a shop (i.e. ask to use their "extra" leftover paper from previous jobs) to get discounted rates. I personally knew of such a shop locally that my volunteer site used to work with.

3. Putting the word out on the 'net. Some users may have sites that they'd be willing to "advertise" gatherings on.

These are just ideas to help get the ball rolling....

Lastly, we need some kind of "catchy" name for the whole "M&G" thing....This too, may help in gaining sponsors.

Just some thoughts. We need to keep open minds and not rip one another's suggestions apart, because there are many good ideas out there. Some may be possible, others may not be....but all ideas are good & it shows that people are interested & sincerely want to help.

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Dewey

For what it's worth, I for one would like to see multiple small gatherings & one large one that's sponsored. I don't think we should expect folks throughout the US to make a long journey to the big M&G (depending on where they're coming from), without some kind of "incentives" (i.e. some costs possibly being covered by sponsors, attending a few small sessions to help in possibly funding the overall event, & getting some new "bling" & knowledge along the way).

Not sure who or what you were referring to with this comment ...but in terms of smaller gatherings: I haven't yet spoken personally with Jen, but fully intend to get something going. So far, I have Brian & Rikki's interest as well....It can be done, it just takes work & synchronization of people's time. Not everyone can take off of work at once and not everyone will definitely be able to make it to smaller gatherings - we simply have to try our best to accommodate everyone's needs. If only two or three can make it, I don't see that as a failure by any means. Sometimes, life happens and things cannot work out.

I'm just going by what is in the Meet & Greet section alone on here. I can count at least 5 other Meet & Greet type events that have been talked about. However, in all cases either nobody wanted to take charge or those that started the post fell through and just let it flop out.

Originally Posted by Dewey

In terms of our previous talks of gathering (between Shy, Cin, Carwy, myself & a few others): One big issue was that Shy lives in Canada. She would have had to purchase a Passport, and we all know how "cheap" (NOT) those things are. Also, the job she works at had become very busy when our meet & greet was supposed to "go down," so as she had told me on the phone, she was unable to break away.

At the time of that meet a passport was not required, so not really sure how that got in the way. And this wasn't included in the above count since it's prior to Tony making the Meet & Greet section. So I'm not sure how many more are in there.

Originally Posted by Dewey

In terms of getting a larger group (so reps would gain more interest in sponsoring & attending), why not advertise in a few ways? Ideas are:

1. Word of mouth - tell local family/friends/caregivers about the gathering(s) and see if they'd be interested in attending as well.

2. Flyers - Sometimes, you can print up your own flyers or work with a shop (i.e. ask to use their "extra" leftover paper from previous jobs) to get discounted rates. I personally knew of such a shop locally that my volunteer site used to work with.

3. Putting the word out on the 'net. Some users may have sites that they'd be willing to "advertise" gatherings on.

These are just ideas to help get the ball rolling....

And why doesn't that happen on here in general? Just to get members to this site? And like I previously said, you have to find a way to draw people to the one sponsored by us when there is most likely already closer to them at least an ADA Expo among many other types of diabetic events. And we would need to draw a crowd in at least the hundreds to get interest from organizations to come out.

Originally Posted by Dewey

Lastly, we need some kind of "catchy" name for the whole "M&G" thing....This too, may help in gaining sponsors.

Just some thoughts. We need to keep open minds and not rip one another's suggestions apart, because there are many good ideas out there. Some may be possible, others may not be....but all ideas are good & it shows that people are interested & sincerely want to help.

I'm very open to ideas. However, I want to make sure that the interest level is there for all ideas. For sponsors, you need a much larger interest level than 3 people. If you let a sponsor down, you may lose them for life. And unfortunately at this time, I just don't see a huge interest level on here for a large scale event. I see some heavily interested ones, but not even a dozen yet for something large scale.

[JediSkipdogg]

One other counterpoint I forgot to mention. Some think alot would be willing or able to attend multiple events in a year. HOwever, I know alot on here have a hard enough time getting one week off that they wouldn't be able to get two week's worth of vacation off.

And for using the smaller regional ones as just a weekend event, how many on here would be willing to drive say 3-10 hours just for something for two days? They would want to make the trip worth their while plus hotel rates are ALWAYS more expensive on the weekend, so now we just cost the member more money.

To me that seems counterproductive. But I'll wait to see what others still have to say on this.

[Dewey]

I stand corrected on the passport thing...(She didn't tell me she needed one, I assumed that she did).

That said, why don't we try & focus on the positives here, so that something CAN come to fruition? Is that not possible?

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Dewey

I stand corrected on the passport thing...(She didn't tell me she needed one, I assumed that she did).

That said, why don't we try & focus on the positives here, so that something CAN come to fruition? Is that not possible?

I am staying positive. But at the same time not trying to waste the times of the reps and put disappointment in any members on here. I'm a realist and just see the numbers not large enough to bother trying. And if we could bring in more members to that, then we should be able to bring in more members here and be the #1 diabetes site around, yet I rarely hear this site mentioned on blogs.

[Cyborg]

Give it some more time. The polls have only been up for a short while.

Personally, I like the idea of having many small regional meet and greets and one major one. If I had to choose between the two, it would be one large one...

[princesslinda]

Not sure if hubby and I are just unusual or what, but there are many weekends we go to concerts, shopping excursions, museum exhibits, etc that are a good 4-6 hrs away from home....just for fun. Sometimes we spend the night, sometimes we just have a LONG day and crash at home the next day (we like to pretend we're still teenagers, I guess ) So i'd definitely be willing to drive a few hrs on the weekend to meet you nice folks.
I'd even be willing to drive to King's Island if I were still a rollercoaster junkie like I was in my teens. I'll bet a lot of you like a good road trip.