[DeTomaso] Convention ideas

[JJD1010 at aol.com]

I'm also from Texas and have only been going to the event for several  
years. I think they are doing a great of job of making us feel welcome and  
included. There's always been an empty seat someone was willing to share.
 
Jeff
6559
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 8/20/2010 8:14:50 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
jtaphorn at kingwoodcable.com writes:

Dave

I can appreciate those feelings about being an outsider  at Vegas.  What I 
saw on my first visit from Texas were people who  had known each other for 
a 
long time having a great time.  I would  have described everyone as 
welcoming 
when you approached.  However,  they had their cliques and their routines 
from years of attendance and  didn't naturally think to always include 
others 
as to what was going on  each day.  Fortunately, I was President of POCA 
and 
as such many  folks put forth an extra effort to be inclusive.  That said, 
I  
recognized that year that new attendees in effect missed half of what was  
going on at the event.  I appreciate that it feels odd continually  worming 
your way into strangers conversations to eventually be a  comfortable 
member 
of the group.

To address that, the new Fun Rally  Committee has put forth great effort to 
plan activities for the event  ahead of time and create an Itinerary.  The 
itinerary educates new  attendees on the events agenda/calendar as well as 
the rational for  various decisions that are made with regard to the 
Rally's  
operation.  Every registrant receives an itinerary prior to the event  that 
allows them to plan ahead and engage activities of the Fun Rally with  the 
greatest appeal.  No longer does the information pass by word of  mouth or 
previous experience.  We also place "first timer"  identifying markers on 
the 
person's badge to identify them as a first  timer and request attendees to 
take special notice.  Efforts are made  and generally successful to find a 
seat in a vehicle for anyone who wishes  to participate in a destination 
drive.  New participants are informed  where and when to sign up and where 
to 
show up for departure.

It  may not be perfect, but the desire to make first timers feel included 
has  
been a personal passion of mine to address.  I wish that you would  give us 
another chance.  Frankly, I am not sure what more could be  done.  I've 
attended the East Coast Events as well and I believe our  current approach 
reflects a best practice. Yet, I welcome all  suggestions.

JT
Fun Rally  CoChair