Just being the first to pull the grenade Pin.....

[Texas-Saluki]

Dennis,

I have to agree with your assessment with the hotel. I have to admit I prefer Marriott properties and stay in them for the majority of my business travel.

I am not sure if we have out grown the facilities or if the current management does not understand the requirements of a major outdoor event. What I know is clear is we have received push back the last two years, with this year even more.

The event is always moving so fast it is hard to keep up with all of the comments and I was shocked to hear what the hotel pushed back on us this year. The problem is maybe we are growing in our ability and capacity to plan this event but they still view us as a few people getting together and need a place to stay.

Questions I have for the group. Do we have anyone that plans large events for corporate gathering? Our requirements are a bit different but if we can find some of the key contacts at major destinations this may become an easy solution.

If we do choose to move the location for 2009 I would recommend we develop a specification requirement. This would outline all of the needs and size of the group to ensure we don’t get to a point where they say “you can’t do that” when we are in the middle of doing it.

The Austin group always does a killer job on this event and I don’t want to create extra work for them nor take away the fun of planning the event. We all have real jobs and doing extra stuff always falls to the bottom of the list.

Cammer let us know how we can help. We can create a committee, I can create a private forum on the txcobraclub.com site to keep the planning to the core group (this is brain storming) to create both the specification/requirements for 2009.

Let me know how I can help

[Bwana Snake]

I have talked for over a year now about one of the most fantastic cruises, if not the best, in the state of Texas; from Bandera west on Hwy 16 to Vanderpool, north on Ranch Road 187 to Hwy 39 into the west side of Kerrville (crossing the Guadalupe River at least a half a dozen times / not to mention at least a dozen good swimming holes along the way). Then leaving Kernville on Hwy 19 to Fredericksburg then to Lukenbach on FM 13276 and on to Boerne then back to Bandera on Hwy 46 / 16.

Ann and I were in Bandera a several weeks ago and not only did the cruise in our Corvette but talked to Mr. Reese the owner of Old Town Square Hotel in Bandera about hosting a small Cobra group, 10 couples / cars, for a cruise in late May / early June and he was very receptive and had Sandra his hotel manager contact me for the details of my request.

After reading the post today I called Sandra and gave her a brief overview of what we would require for our event and the dates. She responded that they had a complex that she referred to as “Mansfield Park” about a mile out of town and thought that would work for our function. It is a ball park / rodeo arena / baseball park. They host large biker groups on a regular basis and for the most part turn over the town to the function. She is going to do a little research and get back to me in a few days.

Question, would this venue / location be acceptable? If so we could scout the location in early June.

Gary

[Cammer]

To All,

I am in complete agreement with finding another location for our spring event.

It became very obvious to me on Thursday night that we had outgrown the parking lot.................last year was marginal...........this year we had outgrown the lot.

The other problems that manifested themselves this year......from the treatment of our group by the management of the hotel and reports/complaints made to me by the group members have made it obvious that we need another venue for our event.

I intend to discuss all of this with my contact at the hotel............the person I have been dealing with since we started at this site...... to see if we are getting the correct message from the hotel............I just want to hear it exactly from the hotel management...........what were/are the problems or current objections to this event being hosted at the hotel.

Irregardless of what they say.................I definitely have surmised that the hotel/parking is no longer sufficient for our needs.

Everyone in the Austin group feels the same way.................we WILL HAVE a new location for our event next year!!!

We will be actively searching for another location for next year.............we WILL find another place that appreciates the income that flows to them as a result of hosting our event!!!!!

Our thanks to all who attended this year...........for all the effort/work put in by all................this year was by far the biggest event that we have had.........lots of new cars/members...........this wonderful group is expanding by leaps and bounds...........don't you just LOVE it???

Dee Walters/Cammer

[tomh440]

Saluki, you took my idea. Sorta like a spec for the event. I had been thinking of where to move it and I was thinking about how many rooms, trailer parking, car show parking, food and other necessities......

The Austin group (myself included) had started talking about scouting out alternatives.

I'd like us (Austin) to come up with about 5-8 alternative places to hold the event. We can hash it somewhat, and than have a small number of "reps" from each chapter discuss it as a group to come up with a place.

I too like the idea of a smaller town. I know Burnet and Marble Falls have frequently have car shows during the year and really appreciate having them!
Possibly at the fair grounds, possibly the Marriot in Horshoe Bay, Canyon of the Eagles on Lake Buchanan, Hyatt in Bastrop...............

The Austin group has already started discussing this and want to start checking them out.

We'll also need to start looking for the date so when we find a place we can reserve it.

Tom.......the other Yellow car.