The worst part of the rally.....

[rmcclure]

This rally was a first for both my wife and I. We both enjoyed ourselves in spite of the heat, met some old friends and caught up, and made some new friends as well. A big thanks to Sam Booth for organizing the Gettysburg ride and for his time spent helping those interested to understand some of the history, as well as for recognizing the problem of the oppressive heat and modifying his well plannned agenda to try to moderate some of the worst effects of the heat.(The visitor's center had A/C). Next rally, we will have to allow for more time at the rally site in order to take it all in. There really was a lot there.

One thing we felt could have been done better was communicating changes in times and venues for lectures and presentations. A sheet of these changes(as up to date as possible) could be handed out at registration. We registered, then walked to where the first presentation we wanted to see was to be held, and found about twenty people waiting for the same presentation. No notice of the schedule change was given at registration, and none was posted at the original scheduled presentation site. After about 15 minutes waiting for the presenter to show up, we, along with several others gave up. It was only by chance that we walked by the education building and found the change posted on the front of the now closed building. We were able to catch the last half of the presentation. On
Saturday, we saw a presentation listed for about an hour later in the afternoon that we also thought we would like to see, so we went around the grounds and came back in time for it to start, only to see a venue change and a schedule time change now posted showing that the new time for the presentation was actually earlier than when we had first looked at the schedule on the original building and it was now being held somewhere else. Needless to say we missed that one. I'm not sure if the problem arose from the heat, a shortage of volunteers required to do everything, or inadequate communication. That part was frustrating.

Thanks to the organizers and all who did volunteer.

[Visian]

One thing we felt could have been done better was communicating changes in times and venues for lectures and presentations. A sheet of these changes(as up to date as possible) could be handed out at registration.

you are right on with this and I hope we make the investment to do better soon.

a mobile app is perfect for this, a simple site that can be updated in real time, one that sorts seminars by topics instead of time (or allows the sort variable that the user wishes) would be extremely beneficial and effective in getting the word out, as pretty much everyone these days uses a net-enabled mobility device. ad sales could support this.

to complement this would be an SMS announcement system, to which members could subscribe as they registered. this could be used to broadcast changes, and think how much vendors would love the ability to announce sales, special time-limited offers, etc.

hey, maybe we could even use the app to shorten the Closing Ceremonies???

Announcer: OK, Bob's BMW.

Crowd: stares at their phones.

Announcer: Next, Twisted Throttle. Scroll down to see the bike they gave away!

Crowd: stares at their phones.

We'd be done in under two minutes, and completely entertained!

ian

[Newstar]

hey, maybe we could even use the app to shorten the Closing Ceremonies???

Announcer: OK, Bob's BMW.

Crowd: stares at their phones.

Announcer: Next, Twisted Throttle. Scroll down to see the bike they gave away!

Crowd: stares at their phones.

We'd be done in under two minutes, and completely entertained!

ian

Clean Up in Aisle 12!!!

(You just made me spew my coffee!)

[Boingo]

I thought this was a fantastic rally, and had a total blast.

My hat is off to the organizers and all the volunteers. As the heat increased, I and many others appreciated all the efforts to keep us cool and hydrated. The Oktoberfest party with Blechblos'n was *AWESOME*. I am sure in December or January, the ideal of flame spewing classic cars driven my hot chicks sounded like a good idea. I was disappointed with the booing, but understood the frustration with heat during the closing ceremony. Very happy our GLTB friends were given a chance to get together.

CanÔÇÖt wait to see you all next year.

[lineman126]

Yeah it was hot but, there were alot of things done to help with the heat. Misting stations and free water were the best options available and provided!
If your going to complain about it then don't come. I managed to sleep in a tent for the whole week and rode my arse off daily in 100 + degree temps. Conditions weren't perfect as they shouldn't be.
Overcome and adapt! That is the answer to all the whiners complaints.

SUCK IT UP!

[98288]

Not "worst" only challenges and solutions. But, ya can't solve it all I suppose. It is impressive that a core group of individuals and a massive assembly of well coordinated volunteers can provide a three day event for the almost 7,000 attendees.

We heard a bit of very vocal whining, booing and testosterone driven dissatisfaction but I guess that's just representative of the diversity of a population. Somewhat ignorant though when directed at those giving it all their best effort for the attendees' benefit. Like someone else said "suck it up". The big mouth behind us bitched and moaned (with a loud hoarse voice) but he didn't get off his ass to help distribute water when volunteers came with some supplies.

No we didn't really enjoy the heat. It limited some of our activities but that didn't stop us from volunteering (loved the Beer Dispensing Technician duties!!) and Mary from loving her first opportunity to be part of a seminar panel. Me, I just kept soaking my head and hat with the nearby faucet and encouraging folks to visit Nova Scotia.

Our glass is always more than 'half full' and we had a wonderful time. I know that we're not alone in that sentiment. - Bob

[Paul_F]

The worst part of the Bloomsburg Rally was the booing by the crowd at the closing ceremony. It was totally unacceptable. The people on stage had worked extremely hard to pull off an excellent rally. Free water and the mist tent and sprinklers were available to help as many as possible. I must have been in the minority to have brought water to drink during the ceremony. Yes it was hot and the cars made the heat worse, but the organizers had no control over the heat wave.

[98288]

The worst part of the Bloomsburg Rally was the booing by the crowd at the closing ceremony. It was totally unacceptable. The people on stage had worked extremely hard to pull off an excellent rally. Free water and the mist tent and sprinklers were available to help as many as possible. I must have been in the minority to have brought water to drink during the ceremony. Yes it was hot and the cars made the heat worse, but the organizers had no control over the heat wave.

right Paul..... situational awareness on the bike and situational awareness in challenging conditions. Take a walk in the desert with no water..... is it the desert's fault??? geesh. - Bob

[RVB1019]

I hope I get banned from this site but you're a bigot and an as*hole

+1

[henzilla]

MOD Time

Fellow members, this particular view on this subject in this thread has been dealt with ...we thought. Sometimes just letting go is the best response. You nor I will change any persons personal beliefs mindset with any feedback.

If a few posts are not edited or removed in the next hour, this thread will be put to sleep. It is being discussed between the mod team currently.

edit: I realized some may have signed off for the evening and an hour limit was not practical, appreciate those who responded and will check in the AM. I'm out...

[RIK]

Thanks.

[grafikfeat]

MOD Time

Fellow members, this particular view on this subject in this thread has been dealt with ...we thought. Sometimes just letting go is the best response. You nor I will change any persons personal beliefs mindset with any feedback.

If a few posts are not edited or removed in the next hour, this thread will be put to sleep. It is being discussed between the mod team currently.

edit: I realized some may have signed off for the evening and an hour limit was not practical, appreciate those who responded and will check in the AM. I'm out...

A warning? Why not ding and Ban like you did to me before I could defend myself?

Seriously... reading these posts... Why do you guys even go to a rally? To bitch about it later?
The worst part of the rally? Reading all the piss and moaning afterward.
Sheesh...

Stay Home.

[moondog]

"My two cents worth:

Pros: No one could have predicted the weather, so I made the best of it with friends I like to be around.


CONS: BMW MOA NATIONAL RALLY HAS NO BUSINESS offering the gay, lesbian, transexual, bisexual community a platform of performance at the national rally. (LGTB or was it LGBT?) printed in our rally handbook for a forum in in the arena. That was what it was, wasn't it? That was what everyone around our camp space said the LGBT was, and there were many who were peeved that MOA would sponsor this."
Boos at the closing ceremonies bothered as being 'low-class'.

Perhaps they should have scheduled a bigots' meeting at the same time.

I agree. No room in MOA for attitudes like Mr. Homophobe...

[moondog]

MOD Time

Fellow members, this particular view on this subject in this thread has been dealt with ...we thought. Sometimes just letting go is the best response. You nor I will change any persons personal beliefs mindset with any feedback.

If a few posts are not edited or removed in the next hour, this thread will be put to sleep. It is being discussed between the mod team currently.

edit: I realized some may have signed off for the evening and an hour limit was not practical, appreciate those who responded and will check in the AM. I'm out...

If I am being asked to remove my opinion why isn't Mr. Homophobe being asked to remove his opinion?

Letting go isn't always the best course of action...

[JDOCKERY132445]

If I am being asked to remove my opinion why isn't Mr. Homophobe being asked to remove his opinion?

Letting go isn't always the best course of action...

I removed my post.
Moondog does raise an interesting point though. Why was the post that was bigoted not removed?