Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Topic: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012 (Read 3745 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #25 – July 24, 2012, 08:10:00 am

I just saw a list of the South Central group and it looks like eight members will be there.
We will also attend the Canton MC Rally. Looks like the FF group can hold a get together at one or the other.
Gary B

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #26 – July 24, 2012, 08:11:44 am

We just sent our $$ to the motorcade! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #27 – July 24, 2012, 06:31:33 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – July 24, 2012, 08:10:00 am

I just saw a list of the South Central group and it looks like eight members will be there.
We will also attend the Canton MC Rally. Looks like the FF group can hold a get together at one or the other.

We are watching for info on the Canton (FT MidSouth Chapter) rally. No details on the website yet and our snail mail is about 2 weeks delayed due to forwarding.

Anyone have info yet? If so, start a new thread and I'll sticky it

Michelle

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #28 – July 24, 2012, 07:01:28 pm

Steve, Jane Emailed the FT MidSouth Group but has had no reply yet. We are leaving in the AM and will probably have to get any add'l info thru Email.
Gary B

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #29 – July 24, 2012, 08:13:04 pm

Steve, As the politicians say " I MISSPOKE " we do not have an Email address for the MS FT Group. All we have is a phone number and we have left a message with him. I'll let you know what I hear back. Like a lot of us they are probably traveling. Wagonmaster is Larry Perkins 903-984-6072
Gary B

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #30 – July 26, 2012, 08:36:49 pm

Do you have to be a Motorcade member to attend? What advantages are there to become a member?

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #31 – July 26, 2012, 08:55:59 pm

Quote from: Greg and Viv – July 26, 2012, 08:36:49 pm

Do you have to be a Motorcade member to attend? What advantages are there to become a member?

I believe you do need to be a member, but best to check with Beverly Koonce in the Motorcade office to know for sure. The Grandvention is a bit different than the usual Motorcade event in that it's partially sponsored by FT Corporate, I believe.

Tangible benefits to MC membership are listed here Foretravel Luxury Motorcoaches

They include a 10% parts discount from FOT as well as a 10% labor discount for work done by FOT (but not the paint shop), Motorcader magazine (comes out quarterly, I believe) which lets you know what events are in the works, introduces you to FT/FOT personnel, has a technical article or two, and news of new coaches. Motorcade membership also is required to attend chapter rallies and national rallies and go on motorcades. Rallies are usually a couple of days held at one location; motorcades are usually a couple of weeks to a month (or more) and are packaged "tours" that do all the trip planning, caravan from park to park, provide most meals, tour buses to activities, etc. Rallies cost in the few to mid-100's, Motorcades generally $2-4 thousand, depending on the length and itinerary.

Feel free to start a separate topic on Motorcade if you'd like to know more.

Michelle

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #32 – July 26, 2012, 10:03:27 pm

Thanks Michelle, I think we'll have a look, could work out well.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #33 – July 26, 2012, 10:44:38 pm

The Grandvention is a wonderful way to meet up with your friends from around the country. It also is a way to meet the FOT people an the factory staff that comes. To meet James Triana and find out what resources are available. You will learn a lot talking to other FT owners too.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #34 – July 26, 2012, 11:24:16 pm

John,

How much are they charging for the Mineola Grandvention? $500? More? How long is it?
Don

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #35 – July 27, 2012, 07:53:59 am

Quote from: Don Hay – July 26, 2012, 11:24:16 pm

John,

How much are they charging for the Mineola Grandvention? $500? More? How long is it?
Don

Don,

Well, the dates are the title of this thread. The cost is in my earlier post in this thread Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012 (appears to be $579).

Michelle

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #36 – July 27, 2012, 09:24:05 am

I just visited with Bev and the cost is a but under 600 dollars and that includes the campsite and most meals as well as a few activities. There is nothing left to purchase when you get there. They have some kind of trail drive and I know they have other events too. I always enjoy it and they give away door prizes at the events. Not that you will make anything huge back but still nice. So four days camping and about 8 meals and few socials hours. The best part is visiting with all your FT friends.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #37 – August 16, 2012, 03:09:12 pm

The DW and I are planning on being in TX the time of the GV. Does anyone know if its possible to visit for a day and check out what FOT is now offering? And perhaps peruse those units whose owners would like to show off in a act of prideful ownership? We are not Motorcaders.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #38 – August 16, 2012, 03:54:09 pm

I would call Bev in the motorcade office.. Just call the FT switchboard and ask for her. I think you could also call the sales department and they could help you too.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #39 – August 16, 2012, 09:56:51 pm

Thanks John, we will do so.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #40 – August 17, 2012, 11:40:03 am

Quote from: bill velting – August 16, 2012, 03:09:12 pm

The DW and I are planning on being in TX the time of the GV. Does anyone know if its possible to visit for a day and check out what FOT is now offering? And perhaps peruse those units whose owners would like to show off in a act of prideful ownership? We are not Motorcaders.

Hi Bill, I got this back from Bev the head of the Motorcade Club. She said you would be more than welcome to stop by the GV and to talk to a Foretravel Rep and to see the show coaches. Also, the factory is only 2 hours away and you could drive there to look at other coaches if you wished. She will pass it on as well. She said it is not the policy of the club to ask owners to open up their coaches though.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #41 – August 17, 2012, 01:29:36 pm

Quote from: bill velting – August 16, 2012, 03:09:12 pm

The DW and I are planning on being in TX the time of the GV. Does anyone know if its possible to visit for a day and check out what FOT is now offering? And perhaps peruse those units whose owners would like to show off in a act of prideful ownership?

In addition to the show coaches, there should be some "down time" periods when folks will be hanging around and most FoFums we've met are happy to show off their coaches (especially if they've done upgrades

)

There won't be any official forum gathering at the GV, but perhaps we can find a way to identify ourselves to each other so we can put faces with forum handles (our coach has "foreforums.com" at the top of the forward-most side windows, courtesy of Mark and Tanya Z.

). Maybe a FF logo printed out and displayed in a window so folks can see it?

Michelle

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #42 – August 17, 2012, 02:19:54 pm

We Put yahoo in the window at Columbus IN so maybe an FF and our name in the front window would be nice. In fact it might be nice to have Foreforums in as many windows as possible.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #43 – August 29, 2012, 02:01:02 pm

Wow.. a newbie here wanting to know more about Foretravel MHs and I see there is some event in Mineola, TX. This is less than an hour from my home. Would this be an event where I could see numerous Foretravel rigs and learn?

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #44 – August 29, 2012, 03:16:42 pm

The Grandvention is only open to Motorcade members. One must own a FT in order to be in the Motorcade. Now with that said, Foretravel/Motorcade does have a "Pal Rally" once a year where other brand owners can attend.

You can contact the Foretravel/Motorcade office for more information regarding the Grandvention. Who knows, they may allow you to swing by.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #45 – August 29, 2012, 03:56:03 pm

More of a rally for owners than a place where I would be welcome to browse.?.

Actually, no futher it is for me to the factory, I should just make it a point to go there.....and I have gotten good communicatin with someone in office there.

Bet about time of the rally I will start seeing FTs on hwy near my home. I live south of Bogata on hwy 37 which goes south into mineolo.
bb

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #46 – August 29, 2012, 04:09:34 pm

Yes, you will gain a bunch of information on a factory tour. Just call and ask for someone in the sales dept, they will set you up on the tour.

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #47 – August 29, 2012, 04:35:16 pm

Quote from: bbtx – August 29, 2012, 02:01:02 pm

Wow.. a newbie here wanting to know more about Foretravel MHs and I see there is some event in Mineola, TX. This is less than an hour from my home. Would this be an event where I could see numerous Foretravel rigs and learn?

Bill Velting had previously asked, John S. checked with Beverly (Koonce, Foretravel Motorcade office) and yes, non-owners are welcome to stop by the Grandvention and at least see the sale coaches, but do please let her know you would stop by so she knows and can pass it on to the sales staff. If you actually wanted to attend any of the GV sessions, best to talk with Beverly directly and see about working something out. My personal must-attend is the technical session(s)/Q&A given by James Triana and Aubrey Lee.

I do think we'll find some way of identifying Foreforum members' coaches, like a small logo'd sign with our forum "handles" in the window so you can introduce yourself. I'm working on something.

Michelle

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #48 – August 29, 2012, 05:18:02 pm

Thanks Michelle. Hope my wife and I can make it to the event. Bill

Re: Grandvention in Mineola, TX Oct. 23-26, 2012

Reply #49 – August 29, 2012, 10:55:54 pm

If you visit Nacogdoches, be sure to visit FOT (Foretravel of Texas) and MOT (Motorhomes of Texas). Both will have several units to look at. The factory tour at FOT is interesting. Encore RV in Nacogdoches might be a good stop as well.

Time spent perusing this forum will be well spent if you are looking for Foretravel coach.

We had another brand 37' diesel pusher coach. It was OK, but had some deficiencies. We made a couple of trips to NAC, and spent a few months on the forum. We were alerted to the availability of the coach we bought via this forum. After we bought the 1997 U295, we quickly sold the 1997 Other via consignment at MOT.

We attended our first rally a few months ago. It was a great place to meet people and visit about Foretraveling, but not a great place to see the insides of lots of other coaches. We have found the sales lots in NAC to be a better place to walk through coaches.

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