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National Boards => Road Enthusiasts Meetings => Topic started by: vdeane on January 05, 2025, 03:07:54 PM

Title: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: vdeane on January 05, 2025, 03:07:54 PM
There was an interesting discussion (~10 minutes) on roadmeets in the roadwaywiz year in review (https://www.youtube.com/live/lByNfOSu5-k?si=H9dIYl7ZDhXE7vgz&t=3574), starting about an hour in.  I strongly disagree with his assertion that we need to "reign in" or change how roadmeets are planned.  Maybe roadwaywiz likes to do travel by the seat of his pants, but other people like to plan things out in advance (or need to for their jobs, as pointed out in the discussion).  I already have my 2025 travel plans 95% set in stone (and the remaining 5% is because I can't count on family to narrow stuff down until several months closer, much to my annoyance).  Heck, my Veterans Day trip, being planned only a couple weeks in advance (and only conceived as something I might do someday a month in advance), was spur of the moment by my standards (and only happened because Region 7 opened a bridge two months later than I had hoped)!

Seriously, what the hell?  If he likes to plan his life on short notice, that's fine, but don't force everyone else to conform to that.  Also interesting that the list of meets on the video is much shorter than the list on this thread.  It's as if he's appointed himself High Chancellor of Roadgeekdom or something.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 03:56:44 PM
Yeesh.  What a disappointing conversation.  Although I have been critical of the state of things on this forum as much as anybody -- and indeed proudly moreso -- wrapping ourselves in the robes of some sort of elite clique of roadgeekery really isn't the answer, either.

I mean, how early on was the New Orleans meet announced?  Had to have been a decent number of months. I had to fly down there and had ample time to set things up, so that was fine the way it was, whatever it was.

Still, Roadwaywiz didn't come across well, despite my general respect for him.  For example: "#$&* the freakin' calendar is filled-up already with all of these 'do-nots' (?) who want to host road meets. I'm like, 'Alright, because, I'm sure you guys will do a better job than I will.  You know, we've got city meets on the calendar, like that's still a thing for some reason.  Like like like, what are we doing here?  You know, this is ridiculous!" or "You guys want to be politically correct and I want to find solutions and that's where the conflict is..."

That all said, despite the way he expressed himself, I do share his frustration, given the couple of disasters that we've had over the years of people popping up just with a glimpse of an idea in their heads and when it came down to brass tacks, they backed out of their intended meet -- one very particular and infamous case at the very last minute when people were already on their way there.

I still find the ballot idea restrictive, though.  I think the control can be as simple as: You announce something on the forum and take up a weekend with your announcement, you're obligated to hold the meet.  You don't, you become persona non grata on here ("Fool me once...").  That's all there is to it.  My own sense of responsibility or integrity is why I haven't organized any on my own: I don't feel like I'd do as good of a job as others hosting meets and I just don't have the energy or time to put the work into it.  Doesn't change the fact that I've got the idea for one hanging around the back of my mind, but am I going to announce it in any form before I absolutely know for sure I can pull it off or figure out a way that someone could help do so?  Heck no.  That's just common courtesy (acknowledging that "common" isn't usually recognized by our community...).

Also, I've come into the phase of my life and career where I can broaden my travels and fly out to far-flung meets from my home.  But, given that magical window of when flights are cheapest before their departure date (two to three months prior or whatever), yep, need advance notice.  Still need to get a time request in, too, as was also said in the cast.

Have to say I do like the menu of meets that end up on the calendar and being able to pick and choose which ones I want to attend.  Not sure what the beef is with the "city meets," but it seemed like a decent enough idea to me.  Getting together for a "crawfish lunch" or whatever other meal has been the highlight(s) of meets that I've been to.  Others may be the tour or whatever other infrastructure was seen.  Heck, although I've travelled around the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic as much as I've wanted to, I'm finding myself pulled back towards possibly attending recently proposed meets in this area just to see friends again, despite the logic of me only having limited time countering that sentimentality. :D

I suppose, when it comes down to it, Roadwaywiz used a sledgehammer instead of a scalpel or kid gloves.  Perhaps the cast should just be taken as a warning to those who announce meets that they'd better be people of their word.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: vdeane on January 05, 2025, 04:26:26 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 03:56:44 PMI think the control can be as simple as: You announce something on the forum and take up a weekend with your announcement, you're obligated to hold the meet.  You don't, you become persona non grata on here ("Fool me once...").  That's all there is to it.  My own sense of responsibility or integrity is why I haven't organized any on my own: I don't feel like I'd do as good of a job as others hosting meets and I just don't have the energy or time to put the work into it.  Doesn't change the fact that I've got the idea for one hanging around the back of my mind, but am I going to announce it in any form before I absolutely know for sure I can pull it off or figure out a way that someone could help do so?  Heck no.  That's just common courtesy (acknowledging that "common" isn't usually recognized by our community...).
Obviously shit happens last minute sometimes and can force someone to back down from something they otherwise had the will and ability to host, but both cases I can think of, the meet continued sans host (and Ottawa got a re-do a month later with the host and a couple of us who couldn't make the original date).  But there definitely have been those who just threw out dates even if they weren't in a position to commit, so overall this could be a good system.  I always keep to broad time periods until I'm ready to fully commit.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 05:10:02 PM
Last year I rescheduled the Bakersfield Meet a month in advance of when I originally proposed it.  The reason I did it was that my wife's due date was suddenly within a week of the original meet date.  I didn't explicitly go into the detail about why the date was moved up, but I did tell those who messaged me. 

I know there has been some very infamous flake outs over the years with meets.  All the same valid on occasion valid reasons for changing things up do exist.  I'd hate for someone well respected in the hobby be ostracized over having to cancel or reschedule a meet over an unexpected big life event or actual personal emergency. 

My approach to meets is that I'll schedule them with an ample of notice.  Really I'm not super concerned if a crowd shows up or it is just a couple folks.   Fresno, Bakersfield and Reno were all about the ideal size for me in terms of meet attendance.  Scheduling crossover isn't as much of an issue for me given I'm out on the west coast.

Even short notice stuff can be fun.  In 2022 six of us got together on the fly at Florida Cracker Kitchen in Brooksville, Florida.  That particular venue and conversation was definitely meet-like even if it wasn't a formally scheduled event.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: oscar on January 05, 2025, 05:39:12 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 03:56:44 PMI mean, how early on was the New Orleans meet announced?  Had to have been a decent number of months.

Almost exactly eight months before the meet date on the Presidents' Day weekend. Though that made sense for something billed as a "national meet", which requires more advance planning for non-local attendees.

The NOLA meet had direct conflicts with two annual non-road meets I had greater interest in, that are always scheduled for the Presidents' Day weekend. But the longer lead time helped you, and other attendees as well.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 06:45:56 PM
Quote from: oscar on January 05, 2025, 05:39:12 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 03:56:44 PMI mean, how early on was the New Orleans meet announced?  Had to have been a decent number of months.

Almost exactly eight months before the meet date on the Presidents' Day weekend. Though that made sense for something billed as a "national meet", which requires more advance planning for non-local attendees.

The long lead time didn't help me, since the NOLA meet had direct conflicts with two annual non-road meets that are always scheduled for the Presidents' Day weekend, which for me knocked NOLA down to third place. But it helped you, and other attendees as well.

Although NOLA was marketed as a "National Meet," I see little difference between it and Sacramento.  Everyone was and is invited to both and both have/had a lot planned.

I mean, most of the country is west of me, so anything is going to be a fun trip for me west of whatever and that'll require some time for planning.  So, I think the much bigger problem is with people announcing meets and not following through over how much lead time is given with an announcement.

Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 07:21:26 PM
There is absolutely nothing wrong with announcing and planning meets well in advance, nor is there one single way to hold a meet. Some people want a social event. Others want a rigid tour. The host gets to do what they want, and the community will decide if they want to attend future events held by the person in question. There can even be different preferences by region! For example, a lot of the western community is open to 2-day meets, because if everyone has to travel and there are only a couple of meets each year, it lets you combine two areas that are close-ish but not doable on a single day.

The hobby is (and always has been) what you make of it. Nobody has a monopoly on scheduling, nor can they tell others how to schedule or only let certain people host meets. The community does not have any set organization or power structure. "National meet", etc. are just marketing terms, anyway. I've been to plenty of meets not marketed as such with people from both coasts (such as my Reno meet, and likely the upcoming Sacramento meet).
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PM
Just listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area.   

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: corco on January 05, 2025, 09:05:53 PM
*yawn*

It truly does not matter when people announce meets and it's not worth getting in a tizzy about one person's opinion which that person didn't even post on the forum.

Personally I'm more likely to make things with more advance notice.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: SSOWorld on January 05, 2025, 09:32:50 PM
Broke the derail out - continue your discussion here instead.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: SSOWorld on January 05, 2025, 09:35:18 PM
Whatever people want to do is up to them. There was a political pull here. One tried to enforce an opinion upon the community, but that is not up to that person to decide how meet announcements should work. Since I'm not organizing meets anymore much less going to any unless they're standing out in my view...

I'll see myself out.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Alps on January 05, 2025, 09:39:32 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PMJust listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area. 

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
No, I did not say that. I was saying that these things can be planned out in advance. I am actually considering attending the Sacramento meet.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:42:09 PM
Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2025, 09:39:32 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PMJust listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area. 

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
No, I did not say that. I was saying that these things can be planned out in advance. I am actually considering attending the Sacramento meet.

Gotcha.  I think we have a good lineup for Sacramento planned out.  I have to start looking into tickets coming up pretty soon for As/Mets game. 

All the same a AZ 88, Claypool Tunnel or both at once meet seems like a pretty kick ass idea to me down the line. 
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 05, 2025, 09:44:03 PM
I feel picked on here. I haven't listened to or watched the video in question, but does anyone think I wanted to end up in excruciating pain and unable to walk back in 2017, or ended up being overprescribed industrial strength ibuprofen and suffered acute kidney failure and thus had to miss my own New River Gorge meet? At least I tried to cancel it with enough advance warning to let everyone know.

Not all meets are scheduled on this forum. Several people use only Facebook to plan and announce their meets. And A.J.'s city meets aren't my thing, but they seem to be fairly popular and people seem to like them.

It (road meets) ain't broke. Don't try to fix it.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:46:43 PM
I'm pretty sure the reference people are eluding to here is that debacle in Florida a couple years ago.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 09:53:49 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:42:09 PM
Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2025, 09:39:32 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PMJust listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area. 

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
No, I did not say that. I was saying that these things can be planned out in advance. I am actually considering attending the Sacramento meet.

Gotcha.  I think we have a good lineup for Sacramento planned out.  I have to start looking into tickets coming up pretty soon for As/Mets game. 

All the same a AZ 88, Claypool Tunnel or both at once meet seems like a pretty kick ass idea to me down the line. 

I think there is still a crapton of low-hanging fruit in California, so may as well do the "easy" stuff that requires little scouting to get people out west interested in meets. Sacramento is too easy to not do, with the interesting sights concentrated in 2-3 places. As long as we aren't making people cross the Yolo Causeway, which was a massive mess yesterday PM in both directions. Not to say that I wouldn't like an excuse to visit Arizona again, but the "close" stuff where I don't need to take more than half a day off is nice.

That's the really nice thing about hosting meets in places that have little meet history: everything is new, so there's nothing that was "already visited" on a meet.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:56:08 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 09:53:49 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:42:09 PM
Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2025, 09:39:32 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PMJust listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area. 

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
No, I did not say that. I was saying that these things can be planned out in advance. I am actually considering attending the Sacramento meet.

Gotcha.  I think we have a good lineup for Sacramento planned out.  I have to start looking into tickets coming up pretty soon for As/Mets game. 

All the same a AZ 88, Claypool Tunnel or both at once meet seems like a pretty kick ass idea to me down the line. 

I think there is still a crapton of low-hanging fruit in California, so may as well do the "easy" stuff that requires little scouting to get people out west interested in meets. Sacramento is too easy to not do, with the interesting sights concentrated in 2-3 places. As long as we aren't making people cross the Yolo Causeway, which was a massive mess yesterday PM in both directions. Not to say that I wouldn't like an excuse to visit Arizona again, but the "close" stuff where I don't need to take more than half a day off is nice.

That's the really nice thing about hosting meets in places that have little meet history: everything is new, so there's nothing that was "already visited" on a meet.

And to that end Monterey-Salinas is probably what I'll be hoisting in 2026.  That fortunately is a in cooler/milder climate and more viable for change up of typical months.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 10:05:21 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:56:08 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 09:53:49 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:42:09 PM
Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2025, 09:39:32 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PMJust listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area. 

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
No, I did not say that. I was saying that these things can be planned out in advance. I am actually considering attending the Sacramento meet.

Gotcha.  I think we have a good lineup for Sacramento planned out.  I have to start looking into tickets coming up pretty soon for As/Mets game. 

All the same a AZ 88, Claypool Tunnel or both at once meet seems like a pretty kick ass idea to me down the line. 

I think there is still a crapton of low-hanging fruit in California, so may as well do the "easy" stuff that requires little scouting to get people out west interested in meets. Sacramento is too easy to not do, with the interesting sights concentrated in 2-3 places. As long as we aren't making people cross the Yolo Causeway, which was a massive mess yesterday PM in both directions. Not to say that I wouldn't like an excuse to visit Arizona again, but the "close" stuff where I don't need to take more than half a day off is nice.

That's the really nice thing about hosting meets in places that have little meet history: everything is new, so there's nothing that was "already visited" on a meet.

And to that end Monterey-Salinas is probably what I'll be hoisting in 2026.  That fortunately is a in cooler/milder climate and more viable for change up of typical months.

Do. It. As long as it isn't a big event weekend, June or something is a perfect time for Monterey.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 05, 2025, 10:05:22 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:46:43 PMI'm pretty sure the reference people are eluding to here is that debacle in Florida a couple years ago.

I thought that as well, but I got a distinct "if you've ever had to cancel a meet, you're dead meat" vibe from it.

And when I went to click on the link to watch the video. that post had disappeared, along with several responses. Go figure.

Matching subject to topic --sso
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 10:10:40 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 10:05:21 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:56:08 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 05, 2025, 09:53:49 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:42:09 PM
Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2025, 09:39:32 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 07:32:30 PMJust listened to the episode.  I think it was Alps that said I should get another state as opposed to doing another California meet?  Channeling my Arizona residency years I do have that whole AZ 88/Apache Trail idea in mind for whenever Fish Creek Hill is fully repaired.  That might one of the few mountain roads I can think of that can compete Caliente-Bodfish Road from the Bakersfield Meet in terms of intensity.  To my knowledge I don't believe a dirt State Highway has ever been part of a meet?

The Apache Trail idea isn't all that far fetched as it might sound.  I ran several car club events out there and Tortilla Flat is a built in meet up place to have a meal.  The Old Claypool Tunnel, the Superior-Globe Highway, US 60 and the Miami Burger House are another easy layup for a meet in the same general area. 

Of course I'm not actually committing to this, that whole AZ 88 corridor has a way to go before it is reliable for basic low clearance cars again.
No, I did not say that. I was saying that these things can be planned out in advance. I am actually considering attending the Sacramento meet.

Gotcha.  I think we have a good lineup for Sacramento planned out.  I have to start looking into tickets coming up pretty soon for As/Mets game. 

All the same a AZ 88, Claypool Tunnel or both at once meet seems like a pretty kick ass idea to me down the line. 

I think there is still a crapton of low-hanging fruit in California, so may as well do the "easy" stuff that requires little scouting to get people out west interested in meets. Sacramento is too easy to not do, with the interesting sights concentrated in 2-3 places. As long as we aren't making people cross the Yolo Causeway, which was a massive mess yesterday PM in both directions. Not to say that I wouldn't like an excuse to visit Arizona again, but the "close" stuff where I don't need to take more than half a day off is nice.

That's the really nice thing about hosting meets in places that have little meet history: everything is new, so there's nothing that was "already visited" on a meet.

And to that end Monterey-Salinas is probably what I'll be hoisting in 2026.  That fortunately is a in cooler/milder climate and more viable for change up of typical months.

Do. It. As long as it isn't a big event weekend, June or something is a perfect time for Monterey.

Irony being the star of the show I have in mind isn't the Bixby Bridge but rather the San Juan Grade which carried pre-1932 US 101.  That to my knowledge is the longest Portland Cement surfaced road still fully open to traffic.  The Old Ridge Route is longer but not normally fully accessible.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 11:01:01 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 05, 2025, 10:05:22 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2025, 09:46:43 PMI'm pretty sure the reference people are eluding to here is that debacle in Florida a couple years ago.

I thought that as well, but I got a distinct "if you've ever had to cancel a meet, you're dead meat" vibe from it.


I'm making the T-shirts as we speak. :D

There have to be consequences for those people that say, "Oh, I'm thinking about a meet in X this year" and then disappear or "Uh, I know I said I'd have a meet organized in a couple of weeks, but I just can't now."  That's really the crux of the problem.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Laura on January 05, 2025, 11:05:05 PM
I was asked to be on that episode and really wished I didn't have a scheduling conflict because my opinion of the matter sharply contrasts RoadwayWiz's (Dan's) opinion.

The thing I think is really special about our community is that anyone who wants to plan a roadmeet can plan one. As a nerdy quirky girl on the autism spectrum who has always been overlooked for leadership positions, hosting roadmeets was really my first chance to be able to lead something. I've not always been successful - some meets too short or too long or uninteresting - but I'd like to think that at the end of the day I've been able to share my love of Maryland roads (and roads in nearby states!) with everyone, and being able to do that has brought me a lot of joy. I've been thankful that you all have showed me a lot of grace, especially when I ended up delaying the Cumberland meet for two years. I've made a lot of wonderful friendships through meets and this community and am so grateful.

I also think the City meet concept is great because it provides a "choose your own adventure" style roadmeet. So many people have different experiences with places - the people who have been to a city multiple times may not want to see the same things as someone who is visiting for the first time. I've considered having a Baltimore "City meet" as one of the options as the new Key Bridge is being built.

I don't see an issue with scheduling meets more than six months in advance. My entire summer has been scheduled due to summer camp registrations opening at the beginning of January. I have very limited time off due to chronic health issues so I have to be incredibly strategic about non-sick leave.

I want to love and include as many people as possible in our community. I want them to be able to share their love of roads in the way that makes sense to them. I don't believe in yucking someone's yum. It's okay if our calendar is full of events - people will generally work it out amongst themselves to avoid conflicting overlaps (like Valerie and I are doing with our summer meets). The more participation in our community the merrier!
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 05, 2025, 11:11:26 PM
*watches someone eat kale*

Must not yuck their yum...must not yuck their yum...ewwwwwww...
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Brandon on January 06, 2025, 09:38:04 AM
I'm going to radically disagree with Wiz here, after listening to that discussion and side with Laura.  We already have a decent way of doing this and the hosting of road meets does not need any regulation whatsoever.

The whole point of the thread is to put out ideas, and not every one will pan out.  Sometimes people have schedules change or life changes.  Even with that, most road meet ideas come to fruition anyway.  Others should not be dictating to anyone who does a road meet where and when.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 06, 2025, 02:25:36 PM
I finally listened to the pertinent part of the video and am appalled at the unbridled arrogance of Roadwaywiz. To think that he can dictate who can plan a meet, who can organize a meet, how many meets can be organized, how far in advance they can be scheduled, that the forum should vote on who gets to hold meets, is the height of hubris. Who makes him the arbiter of such things? How's he going to enforce this on Facebook, on what's left of m.t.r, or anywhere else? This reeks of the "East Coast Hive Mind" mentality that we used to rip Calrog for criticizing. It sounds like he wants to turn meets into his own little clique.

As I said before, it (road meets) ain't broke. It doesn't need fixing.

Roadwaywiz should delete that embarrassing portion of the video, forget he ever said it, and hang his head in shame.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Roadgeek Adam on January 06, 2025, 03:35:25 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 06, 2025, 02:25:36 PMI finally listened to the pertinent part of the video and am appalled at the unbridled arrogance of Roadwaywiz. To think that he can dictate who can plan a meet, who can organize a meet, how many meets can be organized, how far in advance they can be scheduled, that the forum should vote on who gets to hold meets, is the height of hubris. Who makes him the arbiter of such things? How's he going to enforce this on Facebook, on what's left of m.t.r, or anywhere else? This reeks of the "East Coast Hive Mind" mentality that we used to rip Calrog for criticizing. It sounds like he wants to turn meets into his own little clique.

The benefit of anyone can do it, as long as you can commit to it. If health issues happen, it's perfectly understandable and you've had several. I personally just announce like 6mo in advance, but I'm very easy to make meets with, cause it's just eat tour done. I announce on the forum and Facebook. Simple, done.

This is not a paid for community and stuff. It's just a hobby. Some take it way too far, some don't take it that seriously. This rant in the original video is unnecessary and a disrespect to a lot of people. Cliques are bound to happen because of regional residency. Some of us have made life long friends in this hobby and most are in the NE, because that's where I've lived outside of the 2 years in Illinois. (I consider you a friend, HB, even if we disagree politically.) 
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 06, 2025, 06:46:41 PM
Because of where I live, a lot of meets are a commitment to attend. I need to arrange the time off, I need money, I need to make sure my schedule allows for it. Putting it in my brain that this thing I might want to do helps me, because generally I can't just go to a meet like a lot of the centralized East Coasters have more ability to do so.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Alps on January 06, 2025, 08:17:06 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 06, 2025, 06:46:41 PMBecause of where I live, a lot of meets are a commitment to attend. I need to arrange the time off, I need money, I need to make sure my schedule allows for it. Putting it in my brain that this thing I might want to do helps me, because generally I can't just go to a meet like a lot of the centralized East Coasters have more ability to do so.
And I like when the Midwest announces a meet far in advance so that I can try to put together plans to attend. I think I'm the highest attendee of Midwest meets from the East Coast, and in exchange you all have been so kind to attend mine.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: froggie on January 06, 2025, 11:35:46 PM
Just listed through the video portion in question.  To boil it down, I think Roadwaywiz has lost track of how this is by and large a hobby and everyone has their own way of doing it, not to mention having their own amount of time (or lack thereof) to partake.

He's free to ignore those who suggest/propose meets but don't follow through.  But to push for the regimentation and restrictions in meet planning that he's suggesting is both in poor taste and also trying to impose structure on something that doesn't really need or call for it.  Nevermind who really gets to say that such-and-such person is "allowed" to plan a meet but someone else can't...

I'll go so far as to say this: it was apparent not just to me but to a handful of others that he wasn't happy I showed up at Cumberland unannounced.  To which I will bluntly say "sorry, not sorry."  I didn't announce my intention because it wasn't necessary plus it would have spoiled one of my reasons for attending (to surprise Laura).  Would it have been nice to know ahead of time?  Sure...but there's usually at least a little room at meets because someone invariably will say they're going but later cancel out.  Likewise, it's not a bad idea to plan on a couple extras anyway because you may have someone who decides at the last minute (or has a last minute change) that they *CAN* go to a given meet, and I'm not the only one to have done this.  And as I recall, Roadwaywiz gave me crap on this forum for suggesting such before the Cumberland meet.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 07, 2025, 03:43:06 PM
^^^

Similarly, I was an unannounced attendee at the 2010 SWPA meet. I vaguely remember the circumstances of that Cumberland meet, and if the meet hostess wasn't upset about you "crashing" the meet, I don't know why anyone else should be upset.

There are some meets that I have been wary about attending because of past poor planning gaffes by the host, or lack of planning. Scrambling to find a restaurant because you didn't check to ensure that the chosen venue would actually be open for lunch, made me leery of attending future meets scheduled by that host.

I think some people have an inflated opinion of themselves and their worth -- or as they say around here, they've gotten too big for their britches.

I'm glad to see such a diverse group from varying backgrounds and geographical areas are in agreement about this.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 07, 2025, 05:49:18 PM
I'm not the biggest fan necessarily regarding sit down meals or not starting early.  I put one in for the Bakersfield meet (granted the Highway 178 Bar & Grill was pretty great) after it was requested but the crowd was about 50/50 on it. 

The INO we met and ate at during the start of the Fresno meet is the model I'd like to replicate going forward in most cases.  We got our food fast and had about 45 minutes to get organized.   

One critique I have for myself is that I feel as though I have underestimated the desire some have to group up in cars.  I need to get better at planning at ways to loop back to a meet up point to accommodate this better. 
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: cl94 on January 07, 2025, 06:30:47 PM
When meets get above 6-10 people, I definitely prefer something counter service, and most of those meets have gone very well. Some of these sit-down meals with 10-20 people go on for hours, and that can cause issues with the tour. Fresno, Bakersfield, Reno (if I do say so myself), Newburyport 2019, and Delaware 2017 stick out as examples of how counter service doesn't mean we can't have plenty of time to socialize. Newburyport was my model for Reno.

Re: carpooling, a lot of people like socializing in the car. Some meets have a bit of "musical chairs". I'm fine driving alone, but carpooling makes stops with tight parking easier to handle. Others may want to spend a few hours not driving if they had a long trip to/from the meet.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 07, 2025, 06:41:41 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 07, 2025, 05:49:18 PMI'm not the biggest fan necessarily regarding sit down meals or not starting early.  I put one in for the Bakersfield meet (granted the Highway 178 Bar & Grill was pretty great) after it was requested but the crowd was about 50/50 on it. 

The INO we met and ate at during the start of the Fresno meet is the model I'd like to replicate going forward in most cases.  We got our food fast and had about 45 minutes to get organized.   

One critique I have for myself is that I feel as though I have underestimated the desire some have to group up in cars.  I need to get better at planning at ways to loop back to a meet up point to accommodate this better. 

What's the rush? :D
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 07, 2025, 07:04:43 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 07, 2025, 06:41:41 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 07, 2025, 05:49:18 PMI'm not the biggest fan necessarily regarding sit down meals or not starting early.  I put one in for the Bakersfield meet (granted the Highway 178 Bar & Grill was pretty great) after it was requested but the crowd was about 50/50 on it. 

The INO we met and ate at during the start of the Fresno meet is the model I'd like to replicate going forward in most cases.  We got our food fast and had about 45 minutes to get organized.   

One critique I have for myself is that I feel as though I have underestimated the desire some have to group up in cars.  I need to get better at planning at ways to loop back to a meet up point to accommodate this better. 

What's the rush? :D


Specific to Bakersfield several really kick ass mountain roads.  We also had a monster winter storm heading our way and we needed to get below 3,000 feet in elevation or east of the Sierra Nevada range before 4 PM.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: froggie on January 07, 2025, 11:31:56 PM
Quote from: cl94 on January 07, 2025, 06:30:47 PMWhen meets get above 6-10 people, I definitely prefer something counter service, and most of those meets have gone very well. Some of these sit-down meals with 10-20 people go on for hours, and that can cause issues with the tour.

A certain SEPA meet suddenly comes to mind...

QuoteRe: carpooling, a lot of people like socializing in the car. Some meets have a bit of "musical chairs". I'm fine driving alone, but carpooling makes stops with tight parking easier to handle. Others may want to spend a few hours not driving if they had a long trip to/from the meet.

(emphasis mine)

Fully agree.  I've had good reason to incorporate such into my DC and Minneapolis meets.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: LilianaUwU on January 08, 2025, 02:45:24 AM
For what it's worth, I need to have enough advance notice because I actively need to save money to even afford to go there. I'm still unsure on if I can make it to Winnipeg due to the uncertainties around it.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: jpi on January 08, 2025, 12:32:59 PM
Here is my take on this, I have hosted over a half dozen meets in Tennessee and Pennsylvania and I always plan these out a year in advance, this way not only do my wife and I have time to put in to be off work and scouting but also for the meet attendees for thier planning. I have been throwing out hints of a spring 2026 road meet in the Harrisburg PA area and yes it is a done deal since there will be lots of construction on 83 by then to check out and also in nearby York. Later this spring is when I plan to start scouting both areas a little more in depth and will start a poll on here for dates in April 2026, then when the poll is done then I create the Facebook announcement which will be in the fall of this year.

Both Steph and I prefer far in advanced planning when it comes to things like this, we do the same things with our cross country trips (which the next one will be in July 2026) Also as most of you know my meets are structured "old school" with a sit down lunch, road meet tour and at the end the option for a dinner or do what ever you want and as always I am very open and flexible for anything that comes up and this includes unannounced visitors  ;-)
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Laura on January 09, 2025, 04:06:58 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 07, 2025, 03:43:06 PMSimilarly, I was an unannounced attendee at the 2010 SWPA meet. I vaguely remember the circumstances of that Cumberland meet, and if the meet hostess wasn't upset about you "crashing" the meet, I don't know why anyone else should be upset.

Mike and I were also unannounced attendees at the 2010 SWPA meet! We were new to meets and etiquette and decided to go at the last minute due to weather.

Froggie, I was very happy that you surprised me!!  :bigass:
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: dgolub on January 11, 2025, 09:33:08 AM
Yeah, I also feel that there's no reason to restrict when people can hold meets.  Let's remember that road meet hosts aren't employees of any centralized organization.  We're all volunteers who do this because we want to be doing this.  Yes, it's good practice to try to avoid conflicts with other meets and arrange a time that works for as many attendees as possible.  But if we wind up having so many meets that some of them have to conflict, then I'd say that that's a good thing because it means that there are lots of opportunities for people to participate in the hobby when it works for them.  If someone's situation is such that they have to schedule something at the last minute, I'm still grateful to them for organizing even if I can't make it.

I'll also note that I've never been to a Laura meet that was anything short of awesome.  I certainly hope that other roadgeeks recognize this as well and that anyone deciding who gets to host would have given her the opportunity to contribute everything that she's contributed.  If not, it would have been a major loss to our community.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: jeffandnicole on January 11, 2025, 10:05:03 AM
I half wonder if there is some sort of hidden agenda here by saying don't schedule a meet more than 6 months in advance...so others can swoop in and announce a meeting just over 6 months in advance so the date wouldn't already be taken, and others who eyed that date and were waiting would now have to find a new date.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 11, 2025, 10:05:03 AMI half wonder if there is some sort of hidden agenda here by saying don't schedule a meet more than 6 months in advance...so others can swoop in and announce a meeting just over 6 months in advance so the date wouldn't already be taken, and others who eyed that date and were waiting would now have to find a new date.

I think SSO was correct in his assumptions that seemed to imply:

1) Wiz was probably annoyed that others announced meets far in advance before Wiz was ready to announce his own, thus restricting when he could schedule his, and thus raising the spectre of those who announce but then don't follow through

and

2) Wiz trying to establish some sort of weird leadership in the roadgeek community with him and those on the cast.  I mean, who reviews the ballots?  Therefore, such would help avoid another situation where people snatch up dates before he could schedule his own. 

I used the word "disappointing" very deliberately in my initial response here, since Wiz did seem to outright state that if other people besides him organize meets, you end up with meets of lesser quality.

All that said, it's evident he's standing alone in his comments and this is now more broohaha than it needs to be. 

So, let's just go have fun at the meets that are coming up...and curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 05:59:16 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

I think this nonsense has happened before.  Some time ago, I asked our Admin director if there are any changes between preliminary and final schedules and she said they're rare.  And, if people in the grades ahead of mine had not already announced their retirements, I'd have considered not even taking this round. 
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 13, 2025, 03:35:58 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.

That was a weird way of saying "nepotism."
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: SSOWorld on January 13, 2025, 06:31:29 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.
There are companies that do job interviews to consider promotions.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Brandon on January 13, 2025, 07:24:55 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 13, 2025, 03:35:58 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.

That was a weird way of saying "nepotism."

Resume and experience is how we get jobs in the private sector.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: vdeane on January 13, 2025, 08:43:24 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.
NY has been moving more towards that with entry level positions, first with "exams" becoming training/experience profiles (which is not without problems) and now with NY HELPS waiving exam list requirements for many positions.  Promotional positions are still with traditional civil service test, however.

(personal opinion)
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 13, 2025, 09:01:12 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 13, 2025, 07:24:55 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 13, 2025, 03:35:58 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.

That was a weird way of saying "nepotism."

Resume and experience is how we get jobs in the private sector.

Dear heavens, nepotism is even more rampant in the private sector! :D

(Have you heard of Sanford and Son or any other company that ends with "and Sons"? :D)

Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: GaryV on January 14, 2025, 07:45:40 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 13, 2025, 07:24:55 PMResume and experience is how we get jobs in the private sector.

Experience being, "Here, do this project for us, which we won't pay you for. Maybe if we like it we'll hire you. Or maybe not. Either way, we got some free work done."

Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 14, 2025, 12:07:03 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 13, 2025, 09:01:12 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 13, 2025, 07:24:55 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 13, 2025, 03:35:58 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2025, 01:44:07 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2025, 04:58:38 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 11, 2025, 12:21:19 PMand curse NY Civil Service for their lousy scheduling of promotion exams that prevent attendance at one of them thus far...
Honestly, it always makes me nervous when promotional exams come up for exactly that reason.  I was waiting with baited breath the last time they did the STA/ACPA exams before they were announced (at the time, I didn't know about the preliminary schedule link).

You guys have to take tests for promotions? Kentucky has done away with entrance exams for initial hires. It's all done by resume and experience now.

That was a weird way of saying "nepotism."

Resume and experience is how we get jobs in the private sector.

Dear heavens, nepotism is even more rampant in the private sector! :D

(Have you heard of Sanford and Son or any other company that ends with "and Sons"? :D)



Shoot, I knew a father that ran a healthy business representing people so they could obtain Social Security Disabilty and Social Security Supplementary Security Income.  He was particularly proud of when he successfully argued that a stripper was due benefits since she was only able to perform that one particular job.

Anyway, he felt compelled to bring his two drug-addicted sons into the business.  One surprisingly took to it okay, but his vices caught up to him.

The father passed away, one son disappeared into poverty and crime.  The son that held onto the business eventually just stopped showing up and the employees bolted.  Come to think of it, I'm not sure how the office property was handled after all of that.

I mean, even well-intentioned nepotism is still nepotism.

At a law firm I worked at, a senior partner insisted that his son work there as well as a junior partner.  Junior had been financed by his father to travel the world and whatnot prior.  Was a little funny when a bigger-than-expected trial popped up and Junior actually had to work for once.  Truth be told, he was a fun guy to be around.

And, heck, the first job I had was at a video store owned by a father and semi-managed by his son...in that case it was a good thing since the son was a better manager than their actual manager for a while...

In any matter, the idea that the private sector is some sort of bastion of meritocracy is patently unfounded.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: vdeane on January 14, 2025, 12:53:17 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 14, 2025, 12:07:03 PMHe was particularly proud of when he successfully argued that a stripper was due benefits since she was only able to perform that one particular job.
That must have been an interesting argument. :-o
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Scott5114 on January 16, 2025, 08:00:07 AM
Regarding meet hosts being unable to hold the meet for whatever reason... I feel like most of us are pretty sympathetic to that, since life is unpredictable (so long as it's not just someone flaking for no good reason). Still, I think a good insurance policy just about any meet host could use is to communicate the plans with the other attendees local to the area, so that if the primary host needs to bail out for whatever reason, they can pass the reins off to someone else. This is a lot easier now that a written itinerary has become standard issue for a roadmeet.

This was basically what ended up happening with the 2022 Oklahoma City meet; the initial planning was handled by @JMoses24 who was in contact with me during most of the process. He ended up having to drop out of hosting due to health issues (though he did make a brief appearance at one of the stops), but since I knew the area and his plans, the meet went on just fine.

I have to confess that, while I didn't watch the video that touched this off, I have a hard time understanding why there would be an issue with doing an exploratory inquiry before committing to a meet (as was alluded to upthread). I know there's been at least one instance of throwing a meet idea out there but didn't get any confirmed interest for the city and/or dates proposed. Better to know if that's what's going to happen ahead of time, rather than putting in the work to plan an itinerary and then getting no interest.

Surprise attendees...so long as it's not an issue where there's a cramped table or limited parking or  whatever I don't see why that would be an issue. If there is such a situation, the host should say so.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 16, 2025, 09:44:46 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 16, 2025, 08:00:07 AMI have to confess that, while I didn't watch the video that touched this off,

Just watching the couple of minutes vdeane referred to would help.  This wasn't about an "exploratory inquiry" like what happened with that one particular recent instance where the meet went poof due to lack of interest or not finding a good date for it.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PM
The quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 16, 2025, 01:16:55 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PMThe quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.

Didn't Gene VanDusseldorp drive all the way from Kansas City for that one?
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 16, 2025, 02:03:09 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PMThe quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.

Dude tried for years to get back into the good graces of everyone here but couldn't.  A grown adult using parental figures as an excuse for a last second cancellation was incredibly lame.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Brandon on January 16, 2025, 02:10:53 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 16, 2025, 01:16:55 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PMThe quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.

Didn't Gene VanDusseldorp drive all the way from Kansas City for that one?

Yes, he did.  He had a hotel reservation set up too.

It was a CF that made the 2014 St Louis meet look well planned by comparison.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: bandit957 on January 16, 2025, 02:13:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 16, 2025, 02:10:53 PMIt was a CF that made the 2014 St Louis meet look well planned by comparison.

St. Louis 2014 was one of the best meets.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Brandon on January 16, 2025, 02:52:26 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 16, 2025, 02:13:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 16, 2025, 02:10:53 PMIt was a CF that made the 2014 St Louis meet look well planned by comparison.

St. Louis 2014 was one of the best meets.

Never said it wasn't good.  It was a hell of a fun time, but just not planned very well.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 16, 2025, 03:24:20 PM
Fun > planned
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 16, 2025, 03:38:38 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 16, 2025, 02:03:09 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PMThe quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.

Dude tried for years to get back into the good graces of everyone here but couldn't.  A grown adult using parental figures as an excuse for a last second cancellation was incredibly lame.

After the fact someone did explain that the host was mentally unable to function without assistance, and theorized that the parents may not have known what was happening until the last minute and were unable or unwilling to help with hosting the meet when they found out about it. At the very least it probably led people to make sure they personally knew the host or knew people who did, before committing to a meet.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on January 16, 2025, 07:24:02 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 16, 2025, 03:38:38 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 16, 2025, 02:03:09 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PMThe quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.

Dude tried for years to get back into the good graces of everyone here but couldn't.  A grown adult using parental figures as an excuse for a last second cancellation was incredibly lame.

After the fact someone did explain that the host was mentally unable to function without assistance, and theorized that the parents may not have known what was happening until the last minute and were unable or unwilling to help with hosting the meet when they found out about it. At the very least it probably led people to make sure they personally knew the host or knew people who did, before committing to a meet.

Did he not show up to the Orlando meet last year, or am I thinking of someone else?  Good graces attained?
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 16, 2025, 07:33:56 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 16, 2025, 07:24:02 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 16, 2025, 03:38:38 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 16, 2025, 02:03:09 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 16, 2025, 12:52:47 PMThe quintessential example of the "cancelled meet" that caused issues is this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23572.msg2396187#msg2396187).  Although most I have known that have gotten so far but had the host drop out were for legitimate reasons, Jacksonville certainly lives on in infamy.

Dude tried for years to get back into the good graces of everyone here but couldn't.  A grown adult using parental figures as an excuse for a last second cancellation was incredibly lame.

After the fact someone did explain that the host was mentally unable to function without assistance, and theorized that the parents may not have known what was happening until the last minute and were unable or unwilling to help with hosting the meet when they found out about it. At the very least it probably led people to make sure they personally knew the host or knew people who did, before committing to a meet.

Did he not show up to the Orlando meet last year, or am I thinking of someone else?  Good graces attained?

His dad brought him to my Raleigh/Durham Meet in 2022 and there were no issues.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: hbelkins on January 17, 2025, 01:53:04 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 16, 2025, 03:38:38 PMAt the very least it probably led people to make sure they personally knew the host or knew people who did, before committing to a meet.

Heck, there are people I personally know that I'd be hesitant about attending a meet they hosted due to poor planning issues in previous meets in the past.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: JMoses24 on January 25, 2025, 04:35:27 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 16, 2025, 08:00:07 AMRegarding meet hosts being unable to hold the meet for whatever reason... I feel like most of us are pretty sympathetic to that, since life is unpredictable (so long as it's not just someone flaking for no good reason). Still, I think a good insurance policy just about any meet host could use is to communicate the plans with the other attendees local to the area, so that if the primary host needs to bail out for whatever reason, they can pass the reins off to someone else. This is a lot easier now that a written itinerary has become standard issue for a roadmeet.

This was basically what ended up happening with the 2022 Oklahoma City meet; the initial planning was handled by @JMoses24 who was in contact with me during most of the process. He ended up having to drop out of hosting due to health issues (though he did make a brief appearance at one of the stops), but since I knew the area and his plans, the meet went on just fine.

I have to confess that, while I didn't watch the video that touched this off, I have a hard time understanding why there would be an issue with doing an exploratory inquiry before committing to a meet (as was alluded to upthread). I know there's been at least one instance of throwing a meet idea out there but didn't get any confirmed interest for the city and/or dates proposed. Better to know if that's what's going to happen ahead of time, rather than putting in the work to plan an itinerary and then getting no interest.

Surprise attendees...so long as it's not an issue where there's a cramped table or limited parking or  whatever I don't see why that would be an issue. If there is such a situation, the host should say so.

Just to back up what Scott said, I had had significant surgery a little over a week prior -- the four and a half hours I did that day was pushing it. 8 was just not going to happen without being heavily medicated for pain.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: tckma on May 28, 2025, 04:54:56 PM
So, I basically read the first few posts on this topic, skimmed the rest (especially when it went off-topic), and I haven't listened to the episode.

Here's my take.

Let people announce road meets as far in advance as they like.  Why is it a problem?  If they're not nearby, people need to plan travel, accommodations, and budget.  Let people announce road meets as close to the event as they like.  Why is it a problem?  They might not get nearly as many folks to show up, but so what?

My first ever road meet was Corridor H in 2016 -- I lived in Maryland at the time, sufficiently close to the meet, yet I still had to book and pay for a hotel, as it was a two-day meet... my wife had a death in her family and had to travel internationally on short notice, so I ended up having to change to a hotel that allowed dogs because suddenly she wasn't going to be able to stay home to take care of them -- and that meant I couldn't participate in the pre-meet meal.  I remember making and packing sandwiches and sitting in the parking lot of the restaurant and eating them... and leaving my car running and unlocked at Sheetz stops (so that the dogs could be in A/C and have access to water) because it was 9342893942834834 degrees out that weekend... something that made me super nervous to do even when I parked right next to a State Trooper.  It all seemed very last-minute to me, especially given the juggling I had to do because of the funeral... and yet I had a fantastic time.

I, for one, put the meets I'm interested in on my Google Calendar when I find out about them, then promptly forget about them because I'm not in the habit of checking the forum regularly -- then I get a calendar reminder and go "oh crud, there's a meet TOMORROW?" -- usually meaning I don't attend.  I have enough roadgeek friends on FB that I now get invites to some meets, which helps.  BUUUUT, I have factors in my life that prevent me attending many road meets, whether planned well in advance or by the seat of my pants.

I'd like to go to meets that are further away, but I really haven't been able to.  My finances have been really REALLY strapped since I got laid off in 2018 and was unemployed for 6 months -- though it's been over five years, I still haven't fully recovered.  The Philadelphia National Meet was really close by, and at the time I lived within 3 city blocks of one of the pre-meet locations. 

I'm trying to convince my wife to come with me to a meet -- I don't like leaving her behind, especially since I have another hobby due to which I'm basically never home between January and April each year.  I haven't been able to convince her, and I get the feeling she'd be bored, so I've only gone alone to road meets.

I'd also like to go to this weekend's Pittsburgh meet.  BUT we recently had to move (due to a complete ass of a landlord), and we're in a place where rent is higher and we're struggling.  My car is on the fritz and needs repairs I can't afford -- plus I'm upside-down on the loan and can't really sell it.  We bought another car, and while that's currently reliable... it's another car payment.  June rent is coming due... which means this meet is probably a no, especially considering it's 4 1/2 hours' drive and $42 in tolls each way (or 5 1/2 hours if I don't take the Turnpike), meaning it'd probably require a hotel... unless I leave my house at the ass-crack of dawn.  Meaning it's probably a no.

I've been to (hmm... counting...) four? five? road meets in close to ten years.  Yet I've made some great friends in the hobby -- people I now confide in, even though I've seen exactly two of these folks in person a grand total of once outside of road meets. 

As for hosting meets... given that a lot of people plan travel in advance and need to budget... not cool to cancel last-minute.  Sure, shit happens, but... given the linked post blamed parents I at first thought the would-be host might have been a minor.  I'd have been super pissed if I had booked a hotel and a flight and was on my way.

I have an idea for a road meet in my head, BUT... I don't feel like I could commit to hosting it.  My impostor syndrome tells me I wouldn't be very good at hosting, and, "most roadgeeks have probably seen this stuff anyway."  My logical brain tells me I probably don't have enough material for a full afternoon-long meet.  So you'll probably never see me host a meet.
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: Rothman on May 28, 2025, 05:09:21 PM
You're only with your wife eight months out of the year?
Title: Re: When you announce your meet - too early?
Post by: tckma on May 28, 2025, 05:28:53 PM
Ha, no.

I volunteer as a mentor with a FIRST robotics team -- high schoolers.  Build season is early January to early March; so I'm at work 40 hours a week, and with the kids for several hours after work once or twice a week, plus usually 9-5 Saturdays.  Then there's competition season, early March to mid-April... same meeting schedule plus competitions all day either Thursday-Friday-Saturday or Friday-Saturday-Sunday most weekends, all over southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, with District Championships up in Bethlehem.

When the team I'm with makes it to the world championships, that's travel to (in recent years) Houston or (in prior years) St. Louis, Atlanta, or Orlando, for an entire week in mid-April, usually by myself*.

So *basically* never at home.  She describes herself as a "robotics widow."

*One year, she came with me to worlds in St. Louis, but stayed with the dogs in the hotel instead of coming to the competitions, so that didn't really count.