Reading 16 meet info

[svxcess]

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Reading 16 will be held Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26, 2015

MORGANTOWN HOLIDAY INN

6170 Morgantown Road, Morgantown, PA 19543

SEPTEMBER 16


Got the rooms contract from the HI today. Because of the small pickup in rooms the past couple of years, they had decided to limit our block severely. They originally only gave us 10 rooms (5 king and 5 two-queen) for Friday and 12 rooms (5 king and 7 two-queen) for Saturday.

They agreed to keep the rates at last year's level, $89.00/night plus 11% tax (Total of 98.79/night). There were a lot of rooms not picked up last year, less than 10.

I talked with the hotel and said I needed at least the same number of rooms for Friday AND Saturday. I also needed a bigger block. They still reminded me that most of the block went unfilled the past 2 years.

I told them I was back in control of the rooming and would try my best to fill whatever they gave me, and possibly surpass our block. They agreed to expand the block as follows:

For Reading 16 we have 20 rooms for each night, (5 king suites and 15 two queen suites) If we register and commit early enough, we can add more rooms to the block, but only the two-queen rooms.



The amended contract was electronically signed and returned and is in their reservation system NOW! When reserving your room, be sure to give the Reference Group Code SVX to get this rate.

As always, your CC will not be charged anything in advance, or any sort of hold placed. Your card will only be charged AFTER you check out on Sunday. Even if you are not sure, reserve your room anyway. You can cancel anytime up until 6:00pm on the date of your arrival without penalty.

Don't delay this time. We want to let the hotel know that we are serious and they will cooperate in whatever way they can.

Reservation Cutoff Date for the preferred rate is WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015. After that any rooms not picked up will be returned to the general inventory. Rooms may not be available at the discounted rate after that date and on a space-available basis.

Reservations:.. 610-286-3000
Group Code: .. SVX

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[SVXRide]

Thanks, John.

Bill

[SVX92-97]

John, who died and left you boss I thought you were getting to old to be the Reading ring leader

[svxcess]

Just a heads up to let you know that the hotel is now smoke-free and there are NO smoking rooms.

Not too many king beds are available overall, but some will be included in the block. If we sign up early enough with room preferences and exceed our block, we may be able to accommodate most requests.

Now that the rooms are taken care of, we will need ideas and input for activities and events and a call for volunteers local to the area to assist in any way they can. Everyone is encouraged to get involved. All suggestions are welcome.
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[Conn SVX]

Just checking the miles. Looks like 235 miles from here. ( 6 hours ) That is almost doable with my situation. I may come this year. ( next year ) Anyone else from the Conn. area making the trip?

[Sean486]

Originally Posted by Conn SVX

Just checking the miles. Looks like 235 miles from here. ( 6 hours ) That is almost doable with my situation. I may come this year. ( next year ) Anyone else from the Conn. area making the trip?

It would be nice to meet you, come on down.

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by Conn SVX

I may come this year. (next year) Anyone else from the Conn. area making the trip?

If it's doable for you, you should probably convince Dan to come along as well.
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[Conn SVX]

Who is in the Conn. area that would be interested in forming a convoy to go to the meet ?

[SVX92-97]

Conn looks like you might be the lone wolf representing CT

[svxcess]

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UPDATE:.. BUMP TO ORIGINAL POST

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[Conn SVX]

So Dan if I go you won't' ? I was hoping for you and maybe someone else
To have as travel parteners
Not much interest on this so far. Where us everyone.
If I go I will , most likely, have my winter rims and tires still on.

[svxcess]

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Originally Posted by Conn SVX

Not much interest on this so far. Where is everyone?

Don't worry just yet. I've been doing this since the beginning. Give them a couple of months. Now that the rooms are taken care of, any thoughts on activities, volunteers, etc.

I would hate to have a "Little Red Hen" scenario.

Look it up.

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[wdb]

Subscribed. I live nearby and usually show up.

[Conn SVX]

Still no people in the Conn. area or coming through to the meet. Would like to hook up. Safety in numbers. Mini meet then convoy down.

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by svxcess

Now that the rooms are taken care of, we will need ideas and input for activities and events and a call for volunteers local to the area to assist in any way they can. All suggestions are welcome.

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It is now only 5 1/2 months until Reading and seems that no one is interested in getting involved in making the next Reading a return to how it used to be.



Back in May, I asked Aredub for his thoughts and insights on this, since he was there from the very beginning. Here they are:


Truthfully, I have no suggestions… only observations.

Obviously I find myself at a disadvantage in that

a.) Not actually having my ass in the seat of an SVX has caused me to be somewhat reluctant to be involved in the community, and,

b.) Considering that, I’ve lost any influence I once had (most members do not know me from Adam).


That being said, and being an old “marketing” guy, my observations say that the lack of excitement about the meet is mainly due to the lack of "pre-excitement."

When I was involved, I tried to create a spirit of anticipation -- and this was before there were really any expectations of events, or “workshops” or… anything else for that matter.

People “talked” to other people about being there, shamed other people if they weren’t planning on coming, damned near cried if someone had to cancel. The thing is, there’s no real build up.


As you’ll notice in the “history” of Reading I wrote, BEN started the patter several months in advance.

To be truthful, the next Reading thread should have already begun and people talking… making plans, etc. Information would continue to “trickle” all year, with suggestions, complaints, epiphanies…

THEN, about 6 months before the meet, the cheerleading should be hot and heavy… building as time goes along. Despite all of its perceived failings, it still remains the largest, longest, best gathering dedicated to SVXs in the United States.


As far as the Network is concerned, with Facebook, Twitter, etc. people are becoming overwhelmed with too many places to keep up with. I think this may have something to do with the Network slowing down and fewer people using it as the “Around the stove at the general store” meeting place it once was.

And, of course, with that description, the “old guys” just don’t like the company they have to keep -- myself excluded -- I’m nothing if not tolerant of all ilks (witness: Eddycat)

Is it all getting “old and stale?” Probably. What can be done to “re-energize” it? I haven't a clue. But, and, again, despite all of its perceived failings, I definitely wasn’t “upset” as our dear friend Trevor speculated...

I was happy: happy just to be there, happy to hang out for a weekend with Huck, happy to see Harry, Tom and Di, even the youngsters and, of course, you.


Throughout the 10 years as a consistent and constant attendee, there was one thing I NEVER brought with me on the trip: EXPECTATIONS. To me, that was part of the allure --

The people who were SUPPOSED to be there, would be there.. The things that were SUPPOSED to happen, would happen. I simply refused to be disappointed, come what may (save a terrible accident or an arrest). I’ve arrived at every one of them happy, and left content -- looking forward to the next one and having NO expectations of what it would be like.

Perhaps this isn’t what you wanted to hear, but, that is my humble opinion on the state of things.

Randy



Maybe that is enough these days. Once again ideas and input are welcome and volunteers are needed to help get things finalized on the local level.

Reunions can be as simple or elaborate as you want. If it is just about the people, just show up and you will not be disappointed.

Like with any event, if you need entertainment and activities, that requires more effort.

Please LeVar, say it ain't true...

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