winmutt - Greensboro, NC area where I'm thinking about doing this is about 308 easy diesel miles from Gwinnett Mall exit.....Driven it many many times!

Think you could rally some support from "down your way"??

Maybe give the ol' one finger salute as you pass thru a cetain area of Greenville, SC ---- JUST KIDDING, that was wrong and I appoligize! ....please don't salute anyone along the way! Just having fun here....they actually have more cash on hand, than the Big 3 combined, so they're due respect for that.

Wow, you're mighty ambitious!

As far as something earlier than the spring time, as you know our winter is pretty much the last 2 weeks of Jan and the first 2 weeks of Feb. You don't want to go scheduling any kind of parking lot GTG's during this time - at least in my humble opinion. I'd rather not be standing around outside in the chilly wind, meeting new folks and trying to check out everybody's ride or doing some tinkering. For this first meet, I'd suggest something simple like meeting for lunch on a saturday or sunday. Something folks wouldn't mind driving an hour or two to come to. Then, wait til spring to have your big event that would draw everyone from upwards of 4-5 hours away.

One thing the truck guys did one year was to do a tech session at some guys commercial garage. We planned some repairs/upgrades to a few of the guys trucks and then rotated them into the garage over the course of the day while the others chatted, helped or whatever. Meanwhile, out in the lot there was a little impromptu show and shine. This was more of a spring time event though.

I don't have much time now days but I'll help our where I can. I used to be in the hotel industry and I have a little experience organizing events.

Evan, I'm up at 5 every day. I agree, something simple for now, and a blowout later in the spring. Unfortunately, it looks like I may be in Bahrain the month of March. That would suck for me.

Greensboro
 

is doable for me, although the hotel/motel cost might be a problem. Since I snore like a freight train I doubt anyone would want to bunk in the same room with me.

Anyways, it sounds like a good plan. The idea of meeting for a "shore session" probably is best due to weather concerns - then plan a blowout meeting in April or May when its warmer. Hell, who knows - maybe I'll have a job by then :D

Hey Evan - I agree, and now realize I need to make my 'thoughts' and times more clear...During the winter months is not the right time for an all out, full blown tech session. I'll support and appreciate a 'winter time' GTG - lunch somewhere is good plan.

MY THOUGHTS on the 'full blown' event were and are geared to mid/late spring --- For several viable reasons, the key ones listed below...
1) Weather/location
2) Committee needs time to arrange event & get the word out
3) Attendees need time to plan 'their' schedules, and logistics of a long day trip or weekend trip.

Most of us are busy, have families and jobs and as many are aware, the economy isn't the best right now...and the only way a 'full' event will work is to schedule out several months.

Make sense? SO - what about some Carolina/Va., guys getting together to talk it over and see if we can pull it off.

I'm the new guy here with an idea --- You members, with 'forum' time seniority over me can make the call on a 'soon' GTG...lunch and a roundtable to bounce my idea around....