2013 Ohio Road Meet - Cleveland (Rocks!)

[Dr Frankenstein]

Brandon is right; my second road meet ever was one I organized.

[hbelkins]

I would LOVE to attend a Cincinnati meet if it works with my schedule. H.B. - if you plan to host it, what are some possible dates you're considering?

At this point, I'm not. Next thing I do will most likely be a Lexington-based central Kentucky meet once work starts on widening New Circle Road and the DDI at New Circle and Leestown (US 421) and that may not be in full swing until next year.

[oscar]

Hosting a meet is easier than you might think.  Choose a place to meet, usually a restaurant that most people will like, and is local to the area.

That part can require some thought and advance planning.  Desired features would include not only good food and drink, but also good parking (preferably where some people can leave their cars during the meet, but a park-and-ride or other place away from the restaurant is another option we often use), reasonable lighting (I've been to some meet lunches dark enough that I couldn't read the menu), an online menu for people to review in advance would be nice (included in our typical meet announcements), not so loud people can't converse, able to seat a large group together and preferably at one table, ideally also extra table space for maps and other goodies, a clear understanding in advance on whether or not there can be separate checks (either can work, so long as there are no surprises for either attendees or the wait staff), and most importantly whether the place will be open when you want it to be (I went to one meet where the restaurant we had planned on had unusual hours the weekend of our meet).  Others can probably add other things to think about.

This usually has not been much of a challenge.  Parking seems to be the most common issue, but that can be planned around.

[Duke87]

They say hosting a meet is easy, but having attempted it once and having it not work out all that well, I am not inclined to attempt it again anytime soon without assistance.

[SSOWorld]

Agreed with Oscar.  Even though there were no construction sites of major proportions in Dubuque, Iowa, there is a boat load of historical sites (locations of former bridges and old routing) to show off - It's amazing what you can do in 2-3 hours.  Plus, the luncheon brings the enthusiast in all of us out as we discuss various subjects on or off the subject.  The modern architecture even gets to us - an occasional road stub...

I found it fun to host the meets I did in Wausau, WI and most recently in Dubuque.

I've found that scheduling for a meet comes well in advance.  Competition for good dates is tough - especially during the longer daylight times.  As far as parking, I found a public free parking structure to relocate all the cars to so that we don't impede on the lunch establishment's policy of customer parking only and also avoids having to park in parking areas that require paying for it.

[hbelkins]

They say hosting a meet is easy, but having attempted it once and having it not work out all that well, I am not inclined to attempt it again anytime soon without assistance.

I've done four, and all worked out well. The things that others have mentioned are all worthwhile hints. To me, the key is scouting your tour, and knowing what you're going to see and where you're going to park to see it. I did quite a bit of recon for the recent Ashland Tri-State meet. I also ate at the restaurant prior to the meet to see what it was like. That may not be an issue if you choose a well-known chain -- I did Charleston, WV at Quaker Steak & Lube, I had not eaten at that particular location but I had been to a couple of others -- but if you're going with a local or regional outfit, it might pay off.

(Speaking of QS&L, I saw a new one somewhere recently that I didn't expect, but can't remember where now.)

EDIT: It's in Florence, Ky., visible from I-75 and not far from the "Florence Y'All" water tower.

[vdeane]

They say hosting a meet is easy, but having attempted it once and having it not work out all that well, I am not inclined to attempt it again anytime soon without assistance.

I thought New Haven went pretty well, though I've never seen a meet that went exactly as planned.

[A.J. Bertin]

I've never hosted a meet before (mainly because I don't know enough about the infrastructure and road projects in different places away from the area where I live), but one thing that's important is choosing a date. Generally what the host will do is suggest a general time frame and some specific dates. A lot of times he or she will put together a poll and ask people to vote on which date (or dates) work best for them. It's important to realize that there will always be scheduling conflicts and that not everyone will be able to attend. As Scott mentioned, the meet should be scheduled well in advance. It usually works pretty well when the date is announced at least a couple months in advance, so that the people who plan to attend can put it on their calendars and make the necessary arrangements to go.

[JMoses24]

They say hosting a meet is easy, but having attempted it once and having it not work out all that well, I am not inclined to attempt it again anytime soon without assistance.

I've done four, and all worked out well. The things that others have mentioned are all worthwhile hints. To me, the key is scouting your tour, and knowing what you're going to see and where you're going to park to see it. I did quite a bit of recon for the recent Ashland Tri-State meet. I also ate at the restaurant prior to the meet to see what it was like. That may not be an issue if you choose a well-known chain -- I did Charleston, WV at Quaker Steak & Lube, I had not eaten at that particular location but I had been to a couple of others -- but if you're going with a local or regional outfit, it might pay off.

(Speaking of QS&L, I saw a new one somewhere recently that I didn't expect, but can't remember where now.)

EDIT: It's in Florence, Ky., visible from I-75 and not far from the "Florence Y'All" water tower.

And that is right next to Florence Mall, which has a large parking lot. Also, it's 5 minutes from my home. So, there's that as a possible meeting spot... I haven't been there, so I will want to try it if that is the place.

EDIT: This perhaps should be spun off to a separate thread. I was going to begin a new thread, but saw this one existed with HB mentioning that there had been issues getting the planned one going.

[SSOWorld]

Yeah I saw that water tower. Wasn't there a problem that people had with it saying Florence Mall - implying advertising - that prompted the change?

[hbelkins]

Yeah I saw that water tower. Wasn't there a problem that people had with it saying Florence Mall - implying advertising - that prompted the change?

The water tower said Florence Mall long before the Florence Mall was ever built. I remember seeing it saying Florence Mall when I was a kid. Don't remember when they changed it to Florence Y'all.

[JMoses24]

Yeah I saw that water tower. Wasn't there a problem that people had with it saying Florence Mall - implying advertising - that prompted the change?

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the state made Florence change it in 1974 to comply with the state laws. The state said it was illegal to advertise something that didn't exist (Florence Mall did not open until 1976).

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2001/04/07/loc_water_towers_loom.html

[Roadgeek Adam]

If we're looking for a host for a Cleveland meet, I can likely take over for a possible July date. (Since it is confirmed I am going to Cleveland in July). I will defer though if you guys prefer a Cinci meet though.

[hbelkins]

If we're looking for a host for a Cleveland meet, I can likely take over for a possible July date. (Since it is confirmed I am going to Cleveland in July). I will defer though if you guys prefer a Cinci meet though.

No reason there couldn't be both.

[JMoses24]

If we're looking for a host for a Cleveland meet, I can likely take over for a possible July date. (Since it is confirmed I am going to Cleveland in July). I will defer though if you guys prefer a Cinci meet though.

No reason there couldn't be both.

Agreed, no reason both can't happen. We'll just have to confer on dates.

[vdeane]

If we're looking for a host for a Cleveland meet, I can likely take over for a possible July date. (Since it is confirmed I am going to Cleveland in July). I will defer though if you guys prefer a Cinci meet though.

I'll have to let you know when I'm free in July when I find out when the family picnic is.

[Roadgeek Adam]

If we're looking for a host for a Cleveland meet, I can likely take over for a possible July date. (Since it is confirmed I am going to Cleveland in July). I will defer though if you guys prefer a Cinci meet though.

No reason there couldn't be both.

Agreed, no reason both can't happen. We'll just have to confer on dates.

I'm looking at July 13 atm.

[JMoses24]

If we're looking for a host for a Cleveland meet, I can likely take over for a possible July date. (Since it is confirmed I am going to Cleveland in July). I will defer though if you guys prefer a Cinci meet though.

No reason there couldn't be both.

Agreed, no reason both can't happen. We'll just have to confer on dates.

I'm looking at July 13 atm.

I'm personally targeting mid-September for Cincinnati...let's say, 9/14?

[Roadgeek Adam]

Sounds fine to me, but I'm still working out details for a Cleveland meet.

Not going to announce anything until June 13 probably.

[Duke87]

Not going to announce anything until June 13 probably.

This from the guy who announced his last meet five months in advance. 

[Alps]

Sounds fine to me, but I'm still working out details for a Cleveland meet.

Not going to announce anything until June 13 probably.

Downtown square. Old bridge stubs, with views of current bridges. State-name shield at OH 10/OH Tpk. interchange if it's still there. Dead Man's Curve. Jennings Freeway/OH 176. Any questions?

[Roadgeek Adam]

Not going to announce anything until June 13 probably.

This from the guy who announced his last meet five months in advance. 

This because I learned to not do that.

[DanTheMan414]

At this point, a Cincinnati meet in September would be the more likely one I would be able to go to.  It's been a few years since I've been to Cincy, and it would give me a chance to grab a couple of the few remaining counties I have yet to clinch in the Buckeye State.

[jpi]

That weekend in sept. for Cinncy should be good for me, the next weekend I will be in the chocolate capitol of the world

[A.J. Bertin]

I'm personally targeting mid-September for Cincinnati...let's say, 9/14?

Count me in! I'd be totally up for that.