Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

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Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

July 23, 2013, 08:13:21 pm

This may have been posted already, if so let me know where. I wrote to Beverly and she said the registration is $597 for two. Here is the link:

Foretravel Conversions : Upcoming Events

I have attached a copy of the program that I got from her. Not sure we are going to attend, but would be interested in who from the Forum will be there.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #1 – July 23, 2013, 08:39:35 pm

It's scheduled at least a couple of weeks to a month too early for us to attend this year.

Thanks for posting the schedule - I think that's a first; making the schedule made available ahead of time - kudos to Bev! I so do wish they would stop differentiating "Men's" and "Ladies'" seminars and having all the really good technical stuff in the session titled "Men's" and fluffy decorating and crafts in the "ladies". Personal pet peeve, I know, but how about a coach technical basics session for the gals? I'll bet some would like to learn but are too intimidated by the "Men's session" title.

Now to come up with something fluffy for the guys to do in their "new" session

-M

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #2 – July 23, 2013, 08:47:33 pm

Men's how to bake a cake with the MIX setting on the micro-convection oven! Now I bet that would be a big surprise coming out of the Men's session!

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #3 – July 23, 2013, 10:52:14 pm

Quote from: Michelle – July 23, 2013, 08:39:35 pm

I so do wish they would stop differentiating "Men's" and "Ladies'" seminars and having all the really good technical stuff in the session titled "Men's" and fluffy decorating and crafts in the "ladies".

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #4 – July 24, 2013, 12:07:21 am

I for one was not impressed by the program. I would have liked to see a technical "boot camp" of sorts for our coaches. There is sooo much to learn. Most of the Foretravel specific seminars seem oriented toward marketing Foretravel coaches and services. I'm not going to pay $600 to sit through a bunch of sales oriented presentations. Like I said, I don't think we will be attending. If there was going to be a good Foreforums turnout (which does not seem to be the case) I might change my mind. At least I could learn from them!

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #5 – July 24, 2013, 07:59:51 am

They will be weighing coaches there. That is a first. You also get time with James Triana to ask questions of him. Silverleaf is there too. I had Dale out to the coach to adjust a couple things for me too in Mineola. As to the sales part, it is great to see the different remods David F has done. He has pictures and will tell you what is what and if they have done it or can do it. He is not pressured by jobs in the bay and running to and fro. Finally, I will say I have met some wonderful people from around the country at them. It is ten meals and entertainment and camping all rolled up too. 4 nights camping fee at close to 40 bucks with tax is 160 dollars. I figure it is usually 20 to 30 dollars a meal when the two of us go out to cheap places, so that is 200-300 dollars. Entertainment in the smokies is around 40-50 bucks a person. So that is also a factor as there is two nights of that.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #6 – July 24, 2013, 08:01:37 am

I agree with the end and ladies stuff too.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #7 – July 24, 2013, 08:59:09 am

We'll be attending our first Grandvention but not the pre-rally. In part to use the $100 off coupon given to us for joining the Motorcade Club but also because we love that part of the country. If the weather is decent we hope to head north afterwards via the Blue Ridge Pkwy..another favorite.

Our Michigander friends Roger & Karen Kirk will be attending both events.

~ Bill & Jan

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #8 – July 24, 2013, 09:06:25 am

Quote from: George Hatfield – July 24, 2013, 12:07:21 am

I for one was not impressed by the program. I would have liked to see a technical "boot camp" of sorts for our coaches. There is sooo much to learn. Most of the Foretravel specific seminars seem oriented toward marketing Foretravel coaches and services.

George,

Since it's sponsored by FT, to a good degree it is designed that way. Showing the direction of the company, what's new, etc. It's more rally than technical convention. Lots of fun, too much food, a great place to meet other FTers.

We have only attended one FMCA chapter rally, the then-Cat/now-Diesel RV Club one last spring. It had quite a bit of technical content, which makes sense given it's charter - being for diesel-engined RVs and their owners. And of course Brett Wolfe being a key officer in the chapter. If you're looking for the opportunity to attend a rally with more technical focus, you might look into Diesel RV Club - Home if you are an FMCA member (and as Brett previously posted, if not currently an FMCA member they are running a BOGO membership special with recruiting incentives).

BOGO ? Buy One, Get One FMCA Membership

Michelle
FMCA F336308

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #9 – July 24, 2013, 09:07:09 am

We are going. It will be our first organized motorhome event of any kind. Figured we had to try one once!
Sorry to see that there appears to be little Foreforums interest but look forward to meeting all you good folks that do show.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #10 – July 24, 2013, 09:15:09 am

Our mid Atlantic group has a tech talk every rally and much of the rally has discussions on that too. Learned a lot at rallies about my unit.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #11 – July 24, 2013, 09:30:18 am

The GV is a great experience. I did not feel that last years was too Salesy. Lots of techno stuff. But as a good friend on here PM'd me, a GV maybe good to attend every other year or every 2 years..

And I think everyone enjoys looking at the new coaches!

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #12 – July 24, 2013, 10:34:11 am

Midge & I signed up this morning to be at the Grandvention. We always enjoy meeting other Foretravel owners. Hope to see you there.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #13 – August 07, 2013, 07:35:06 am

Nanci and I also plan on attending both the GV and the prevenention. This will be our first GV. We look forward to meeting alot of people with a common interest. Also, I find just conversations with other owners offer alot of information.
Hope to meet alot of you there.
Jerry

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #14 – August 07, 2013, 08:57:04 pm

Anne and I are going to the Grandvention and pre-rally. I am impressed that they are weighing coaches. That was a suggestion of mine at the Buddy Rally.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #15 – August 10, 2013, 07:29:31 am

Audrey & I will be attending. We always have a great time at the the Grandventions. Meeting all the folks is really great. We try to make it a point to sit with different folks at each meal. I like John's analysis of the $ numbers.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #16 – August 10, 2013, 08:43:20 am

Sadly we have made our last trip so we will not be at the Grandvention. We began the process last nite of removing ten years accumulation of STUFF from the FT so we can put it up for sale. ( There were a few surprises.)
Maybe we should have a contest to see how much STUFF you can pack in a Foretravel.
Gary B

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #17 – August 10, 2013, 09:30:00 am

I think I understand what you mean about stuff in a FT. I know when I moved coaches last time, I could not believe that much stuff was in there. I am sorry to see you hang it up Gary but understand too.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #18 – August 10, 2013, 10:23:05 pm

We've attended one GV and enjoyed ourselves. They just never seem to be where we're going recently. Off subject but in line with Gary and his "stuff". Each summer we find a place where there's a nice grassy spot and take EVERYTHING out that isn't bolted down. Gives us a chance to sort and see what we must not have needed and see what we'd lost during the year. We have no problem running 2500 to 3000 lbs under max and have been doing this for 13 years. If we didn't use it during the past year we probably won't be using it this year either so it doesn't come back in.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #19 – August 14, 2013, 10:51:40 pm

We are going to attend the Grandvention in September, and look forward to seeing many Foretravel folks we have met along the way. Gary, we met at a rally in Brunswick, GA in April. Sorry to see you will not be there, but I fully understand. All the best to you and please keep adding your two cents to the forum.

Neal & Joanne Waldron

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #20 – August 15, 2013, 08:42:50 pm

Here a couple of recommendations for those Foretravel owners passing through Knoxville on their way to the Grandvention.

1. We have covered a lot of ground in the last couple of months as we made our way from the Seattle area to Asheville, NC. The cheapest diesel we have seen east of the Mississippi has been on the east side of Knoxville off of exit 398 on I-40. There is a Pilot there and several other stations with RV friendly pumps. Today we paid $3.69.9 credit. Even a few miles away, in either direction, we saw significantly higher prices.

2. We had some service work done at Tennessee RV which is located off the same exit. This was once a FT dealer. James Holder, the Service Writer we worked with is very knowledgeable and actually owns a '93 Foretravel which he bought new. He has years of FT experience. The tech we worked with was Brad Armstrong. Again, very knowledgeable about Foretravels and has years of experience. I must say it was one of the best FT service experiences I have had. I highly recommend both of them. So if you need anything done on your way to the Grandvention, given them a try. I don't think you will be sorry.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #21 – August 15, 2013, 08:57:53 pm

brad is a great tech. He worked on my first two FT exclusively.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #22 – August 15, 2013, 09:10:16 pm

Brad has been a fixture since the Foretravel ownership days at the Kodak location. I'm still debating whether to go to the GV by myself as Beth will be at school during this time.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #23 – August 15, 2013, 11:53:32 pm

I will be attending this years GV and I am looking forward to meeting all from the forum.

I was wondering where and when the pre-rally is being held? Thanks, Tony

Recently I had work done twice at Tenn. RV and had a wonderful experience their service area is excellent. James and Curt service writers were very friendly and very accommodating. The work done by Brad and Mike the techs as mentioned above were knowledgeable and professional. I certainly recommend Tenn. RV to anyone needing some service.

Tony

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #24 – August 17, 2013, 07:01:49 am

No pre-rally. There is a post-rally-Lil Taste of the Smokies.

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