Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Topic: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27 (Read 4101 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #50 – September 23, 2013, 08:19:17 am

Sitting here at River Plantation with about 50 other Foretravels. The place is filling up fast.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #51 – September 23, 2013, 08:35:48 am

At Tennessee RV, see you around noon

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #52 – September 23, 2013, 08:49:18 am

Looking forward to meeting everyone. Pulled in yesterday around noon.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #53 – September 23, 2013, 07:41:58 pm

2.5 hours away at Interstate Campground in VA. Not much, but $20 a nite. See you around 11.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #54 – September 24, 2013, 08:37:07 am

All ready to roll to the GV and this thing called ( FOG ) is standing in the way . Just have to wait it out . I am close enough to the interstate that I can hear the traffic which is going slower than what I would call normal , so --I sit and wait ,play with my political camel and wait some more . Here in Wytheville , VA. , it is in the higher section of this area , so fog is normal from time to time . Brad Metzger

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #55 – September 24, 2013, 08:54:40 am

see you when you get here, severe clear here in Sieverville!

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #56 – September 24, 2013, 02:27:50 pm

How about some pictures for all of us that wish we could be there ..

Mark

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #57 – September 24, 2013, 08:29:05 pm

Quote from: MAZ – September 24, 2013, 02:27:50 pm

How about some pictures for all of us that wish we could be there ..

Mark

Ditto that......

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #58 – September 24, 2013, 09:06:08 pm

Can you believe we saw Kenny Chesney tonight!!!

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #59 – September 24, 2013, 09:34:01 pm

and he was awesome! a lot of motorcader participation too

Re: Tennessto see .ee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #60 – September 25, 2013, 07:03:40 am

This is my first GV. Got to meet lots of folks who know about the forum . Some people don't go to it very often for lots of reasons . I did stir the pot to create interest and explained the bennies of it .Tim F gave me a laminated forum logo in full color which is perched in my windshield for all to see . I'll do what I can to help us grow . Beverly said there are 94 coaches here . That is a large number of Foretravel's to be surrounded by but got to admit , it feels great . Get the feeling sorta of like a family reunion . Brad Metzger

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #61 – September 25, 2013, 07:27:21 am

That was Kenny Evans singing last night. He was great.
Dick Amys spoke yesterday, saying the the surging in RV sales nationwide applies to trailers and Class C's. Class A's not so much. New FT coach sales were dead through the summer but have come back strong this month. Used FT sales have been on fire all year, especially late models, which don't last a month on the lot. He announced Motorhome Specialists as an FT dealer. They are expanding their shell business, building shells on Freightliner chassis for Lone Star for use as mobile medical and dental labs. Bloodmobiles may come.
FT is now only building IH's for inventory. Nimbus' and Phenix will only be built as customer orders.
Greg is reducing his responsibilities, aiming at a gradual exit. Lyle Reed is increasing his activities. Corey Rucker continues his ascendency. Right now FT's employment stands at about 160 employees.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #62 – September 25, 2013, 03:46:57 pm

Members of our Forum, we can be proud . Today at this GV in Tenn. we were represented well by Tim Fiedler and John S. Each stood up and gave a short presentation about our Forum telling of what it's purpose is and of the enjoyment each member receives from it . This kind of effort is the very thing that will make it grow . Some folks were interested as questions were ask of me as well . Brad Metzger

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #63 – September 25, 2013, 04:56:50 pm

You are very Kind Brad, thanks for the comments.

GranVention today featured a lot about weights, tires, and Michelin factory reps. Final presentation was James Triana with his usual encyclopedic knowledge of all things Foretravels. I suspect 70% of the questions were related to leveling and slide rooms. Nice to have this resource available to us all!

The leadership from the Motorcade club was very interested in our numbers per John S. over 2500 stung) since the club is looking to find a way to increase the number of members. I sent them to talk to John S. ........ :-)

Show of hands indicated about 50% of the attendees were members. After our little impromptu talk, both John and I talked to quite a few prospective members, and of course current members who reinforced the value of this forum.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #64 – September 25, 2013, 05:13:50 pm

I was passing out our ForeForum cards to anyone who showed the slightest interest...

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #65 – September 25, 2013, 10:21:22 pm

It was nice to see all the Foreforum cards in the windows and windshields.
everyone driving a FT should sign on. So many nice people, so much good info.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #66 – September 26, 2013, 07:17:40 am

This GV event is my first one . I have noticed a feeling that is in the air being surrounded by Foretravel's . Not the same as being at FOT or any other place . I think it's because folks that come her do so expecting a good time and some fun .People are quick with a smile here , quick to say hello etc. just plain feels good . Then there is the food , and lots of it . This is a hard to beat thing .

Brad Metzger

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #67 – September 26, 2013, 09:00:31 pm

Quote from: Brad Metzger – September 25, 2013, 03:46:57 pm

Members of our Forum, we can be proud . Today at this GV in Tenn. we were represented well by Tim Fiedler and John S. Each stood up and gave a short presentation about our Forum telling of what it's purpose is and of the enjoyment each member receives from it . This kind of effort is the very thing that will make it grow . Some folks were interested as questions were ask of me as well . Brad Metzger

Great job, guys!

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #68 – September 26, 2013, 09:38:22 pm

Thanks Michelle. Lots of interesting things going on here. I tried to give you, Steve and the FoFums founders your "props".

FT doesn't "get" social networking or "virtual" communities vs. physical communities yet. The old school Motorcade club which is all about physical communities is "aging out" and as that happens the attendance at motorcade events and rallies keeps dropping. Hopefully FT will embrace virtual communities going forward and realize the broader reach and appeal of virtual digital interaction vs. physical interaction.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #69 – September 26, 2013, 10:12:36 pm

I agree with Tim after participating at the GV these last couple of days.

Understood that in the end it is the physical communities that travel together, but I believe the information dissemination and promotion mechanism going forward for FT and the Motorcade must embrace the digital and virtual reality of this quickly changing world.

The quicker the better to save a good club.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #70 – September 26, 2013, 11:22:58 pm

Thursday nite at the Grandvention, outing to Wonder World

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #71 – September 27, 2013, 01:38:08 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – September 26, 2013, 09:38:22 pm

............................FT doesn't "get" social networking or "virtual" communities vs. physical communities yet. The old school Motorcade club which is all about physical communities is "aging out" and as that happens the attendance at motorcade events and rallies keeps dropping. Hopefully FT will embrace virtual communities going forward and realize the broader reach and appeal of virtual digital interaction vs. physical interaction................................

Interesting theory, Tim, and certainly everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Consider, however, that the declining attendance at FT motorcade events and rallies might have more to do with overall FT ownership population, FT owner financial wherewithal and the basic elements of personal motivation N-Ach, N-Aff, and N-Pow.

The highly mobile FT ownership population is declining because the company went from producing in excess of 300 coaches a year in the late 90's to near zero in 2004 and 2005 and now back to what?..... a target of 25/year? That means that as the population of owners "age out" as you say, fewer total coaches are available to attend and since many FT's are held for longer and longer periods of time, fewer total owners are highly mobile and can attend functions, half a continent away.

The financial wherewithal dynamic is particularly important because the newer model year coach owners tend to be the most influential in determining the content, scope and cost of motorcades, events and rallies. From what I have seen, the long term members have certain things that they have enjoyed in the past and they generally seek to maintain that level of enjoyment. Conversely, new owners, particularly new coach owners, are the spark for innovation and change. As the sponsorship has declined and the costs have risen on motorcades, events and rallies, the gradually declining older owner population has been priced into reduced participation, if not out of participation.

The N-Acheivement, N-Affiliation and N-Power motivational behavior factors are more complex to understand but a widely recognized theory regarding the primary motivational factors (in any person's desire to participate in any social setting), be it virtual or physical, work setting or casual setting......says that a majority of the current FT Motorcade Membership will never be attracted to a "virtual, digital interaction" vs. a "physical interaction". They are mostly in a "face to face", "physical presence interaction", N-Aff motivational mode (derive pleasure from pure social interaction). Many will never try, nor trust nor ever want "virtual, digital" interaction. Only the "digital savy Newbie's" that have never heard of or have limited knowledge of FoFums will be attracted. And that isn't FT's fault. That is simply human nature. So it isn't relevant to blame FT for that. Some of the individual FT Motorcade Chapters have put a great deal of energy and manpower into developing good "virtual, digital interaction" mechanisms, and yet they have not been highly successful in increasing information exchange or participation in their Chapters.

When a group such as FoFums reaches critical mass, by virtue of its digital nature, the members are not intimidated or averse to "virtual, digital" interaction and, just like in a business workplace, there is a greater set of common purpose and a greater mix of N-Ach and N-Pow motivational behaviors that help to spur on even greater participation. Rather than being averse to it, we welcome the broader reach and appeal of virtual digital interaction vs. physical interaction.

The FT Motorcade Club has a "difficult row to hoe" from my perspective. As the population of FT's declines and if the function pricing continues to reduce the number of available participants, the club's nature will gradually change. It isn't too much of a stretch of the imagination to see it becoming more like the Newell and Prevost Clubs that are much smaller in terms of participant numbers, but highly flashy and expensive affairs, with a lot less heartfelt enthusiasm for the social interactions with FT Principals and with fellow FT owners.

It might be interesting to explore this further in a separate thread, if others have ideas on how to preserve and promote the highly positive aspects of the Motorcade Club. Last I knew, Greg and Bev were welcoming input and ideas.

Neal

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #72 – September 27, 2013, 06:14:19 am

Hey Neal'
After reading your post, it crossed My mind to think that maybe someday there will be a FT "club" for those with coaches built before the Nimbus, Phenix-IH era and for those with these types of coaches and on. As later and newer technology become part and parcel of the newer coaches, many of the tech. discussions may not apply to the majority anymore! Your thoughts?
Ed

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #73 – September 27, 2013, 06:20:27 am

Interest thought Ed. I had the comment that we don't discuss the IH much. He said he did not want to post problems with it either. I said that is why we don't talk about it much since owners are not posting. So, if you are an owner of one of the new IH coaches, many of the systems and manufacture items are the same as the Phenix and Nimbus. We do post on those so jump on, the water is warm.

Re: Tennessee Grandvention, September 24-27

Reply #74 – September 27, 2013, 07:10:06 am

In the panel discussion yesterday afternoon we learned that free one year memberships in the Country Coach Club were being given to new coach buyers, in an attempt to get more Country Coach owners converting to FT from their bankrupt company. Hmmm. Many comments were made concerning ways to use the club in supporting coach sales. People wanted more club labeled clothing. FT was willing to support this, but only with pre-orders, not with a large inventory. Makes sense.

Overland Insurance was promoted by the membership as a good broker for RV insurance, since they reimburse the club 10% of sales. They have a good reputation.

Members wanted FT pre-rallies before FMCA rallies. The Southeastern Chapter is conducting one before the Perry, GA FMCA rally next March.

Greg stated that FT was not talking to any other potential dealers beyond Motorhome Specialists.

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