Calling all NC members + anyone interested
 

I'm fairly new to this forum and in the brief time have grown to appreciate the benefits, and the members, and would like to meet up and get to know each other...

The topic of a GTG has reared it's head...comments have been positive, so let's do it!

Chime in if you are willing to support, and also let us know if you're available to be part of the team to help put it together.

I'm in
 

I am in High Point and would love to help make a GTG happen. Just let me know what I can do.
Shane

Another fellow, "NCBenz" here, organized a nice little parking lot/lunch GTG some time ago. It was great, got to meet a bunch of nice people and one guy was even here in town from Maine!

He was talking about doing something at his house this year but it never materialized. If someone wants to organize something within an hour or so of the triangle area, I'd come. I also have a good friend in HP so I wouldn't mind coming down that way.

Heck, all we need is a parking lot and a place to eat, and we're in there. Where was the last one at, like a BJ's parking lot by a Golden Corral? That worked fine.

Tony, what are you doing up at 6AM on Saturday!?! It is Saturday, right?

If my "parts pulling" schedule permits.........I would attend.

Good idea.
 

If we can do it the first whole week in Jan - you know, holiday travel and all...

I'd be interested.
 

I'm a bit more West (off I-77) but would be willing to meet up. After the holidays would be better.

Chuck

Feb or later works for me, If you guys have it in the lower regions of the state I am sure we can get a caravan up there.

I agree with the idea of after the Holiday season...Is later January a good option for most? - And a 'nothin' fancy kind of thing in the winter months may be best.

But Spring will be a differant deal --- Already have some idea's for a Spring thing too --- Tech Session...I'm thinking fuel related as it seems a regular topic of discussion -- IP's, injectors, GP's, and also 'fuel' and additivie discussion/presentation - Q&A on ULSD, BIO...

But --- I don't want to jump ahead of a winter GTG, So let's get some feedback and commitment and plan it!

For later in the year...
 

If there is interest more around Spring time .. I'd be willing to host. I live on Lake Norman and have enough room to park 15 or so cars. We could have a picnic / grill out. I'm about 30 miles North of Charlotte.

I'm up for meeting elsewhere earlier in the year.

Chuck

Full Blown Spring Tech Session
 

That's really very nice of you to offer --- we should put you on the list of location options for GTG's.

Here's what I'm thinking...

In my work, I deal with several differant types of business - and have one customer whose core business is the Diesel industry, primarily Heavy Truck/Commercial Vehicles, but they are also involved in 'automotive' diesel and the world of DuraMax, Powerstroke, Cummins...BUT the tech session I'm brainstorming about is MB Diesel focus.

They are the Bosch Central/Master warehouse for the surrounding 6 or 8 states - They have a drive in facility, a 'dressed' to the nines rebuild shop for pump and injector work - Several hundred thousand $$'s of equipment fully dedicated to Diesel, and a really knowledgeable and sharp guy that runs it...

I actually called the company President/CEO this morning and bounced the idea to him -- he's very curious and open to discussing. He's traveling parts of the next couple of weeks, but will give me a meeting before the end of the year.

So I'm "thinking", just thinking, about maybe a full scale type of tech session - demonstations on injector and pump rebuilds, a remove/replace of same on a MB diesel.....A true southern BBQ meal kind of thing, door prizes --- A really full blown "tech session" open to any and all forum members from everywhere. Make it an East Coast members sponsored event open to all.

I'm also a 23 yr, card carrying member of another 'group' or CCA. That group (we) did/does this kind of thing annually, and it was/is always a huge success and helped to inform and solidify the 'members'. And maybe this format exists already, and I don't know it...

If we set up a small 'committee', round up a few sponsors - primarily for door prize kind of stuff, the actual out of pocket $$'s, or 'registration fee' to all who attend can be done for just a small amount over true per person cost of their BBQ meal. (gotta have tables, chair, tent...and those cost also). IM(firm)HO, the registration fee, paid in advance is a must - as this will help insure attendance, and not leave a select few, holding the bag. And naturally -- the more that attend, the cheaper this can be done.

And of key importance is, an 'open book' financial statment of the event...No hidden monies or expenses of any nature--nothing to create an assumption of, or question of this being anything other than 'non-profit', and it's provided as a service to those who attend.

I'm almost certain I can get a gentleman, who is a Heavy Duty Industry recognized authority on Diesel Fuel, to come in and do a NON BRAND specific presentation on additives, pros/cons, along with Q&A on ULSD, BIO, WVO.....

Anyway - this is alot....but IMHO, it would be a blast, and I'm willing Co-Chair the event with someone - I also have experience in 'rounding up' sponsors which historically have included automotive Factory Dealerships.

Can we do this?? First annual "MercedesShop Diesel Tech Session" event in Greensboro, NC (provided above facility can be 'over taken' for a Saturday :))

Let's Diesel Diesel it -- seriously. Randy V.

Sounds Interesting
 

Although I am probably the farthest away from anything west of Greenville (Buxton is on Hatteras Island - as far east as you can get & still be in the US), this is something very interesting.

If the location isn't too far away (unemployed, no income, not much $$ for fuel, accomodations, etc.) this is something I would like to attend.

I'd be willing to drive down from southwest VA. I'd love to see other Benz's and talk to other owners. The idea of the tech session sounds great!

dagObx -- Greensboro, NC is my thought. No idea as to registration fee, as there is no 'estimate' yet on the level of support.

I think it would be neat to draw folks from all over --- I canand will visit a couple of differant economy hotels in the area and work out a deal of somekind if some would like, or need to stay over. So if you know other members, doubling up in hotel can be done......AND remember, "what happens at a tech session, stays at the tech session!"

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....