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Post by Paisan on Sept 21, 2008 21:20:56 GMT -5
Looks like a decent place, I especially like the idea of having everything in one spot so no worries about having a thingytail or 2 then having to drive to the hotel. If you need a hand with anything, give me a buzz. One thing for this year: I think we really have to work on getting some more publicity for the drive. The more I mention this during my travels this year, the more people think it is a great idea. Any suggestions on doing a press release or something? Mark That is a good idea, I've been thinking about it. Would you like to take that task on? See if we can get local papers along the route to cover it, maybe local TV news, and Drive, Subiesport, perhaps a few other car magazines? Let me know what details you want to know and we can get that ball rolling. -mike
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Post by bat1161 on Sept 22, 2008 16:37:25 GMT -5
I'll try to come up with something and email it or post it here for critique before sending it out.
Mark
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Post by bravo12 on Sept 27, 2008 14:44:39 GMT -5
One thing for this year: I think we really have to work on getting some more publicity for the drive. The more I mention this during my travels this year, the more people think it is a great idea. Any suggestions on doing a press release or something? I get the same reaction when I tell people about this event - they all love the idea. Unfortunately, most of them are not Subie drivers, nor are they interested in a car rally, but they still say its a great thing to do for a weekend vacation if you're into cars. I think its time to start distributing the flyer/ad like we had last year (in pdf format). I'll put up another collection bucket at my regular bar - last year I didn't put it up until just a week before the ride, and I got $50 from it, so putting up a few months in advance should fare pretty well. I also want to start hitting some local Subie dealers/shops and see if they will put up the flyer and/or put some of the business cards where their customers can find them. I'll check with my tint guy again - he used to have a Forester show car, so he'll probably help us out. Of course, we need to blitz all our internet outlets. Anyone with a website/blog/message board should be advertising (its free, right?). I'm gonna send an email to Killboy.com - they are in NC, but they get visitors to their site from all over the country who visit Deal's Gap - and see if Darryl will help us out with a mention and/or a link to the 48hrs.info site. If you guys want, I'll check prices on a small ad in some local papers (I'll stick to the major-distribution ones, like the Philly Daily News or Inquirer, for maximum exposure). A few runs in those papers should garner some attention, if members can afford it. Again, I'll check prices and see if I can get an ad run by November (I'll post the ad here first for review). But, I think concentrating on where the Subie owners/enthusiasts are is the best bet: dealerships, tuning shops, tint/stereo shops, etc. I'm thinking that with exposure, will come some more contributions, not just participants. It would be nice to get like 100 cars on this run, even if it makes for a logistical nightmare, but contributions should be encouraged as well. I'll start working on a new flyer this weekend!
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Post by bravo12 on Oct 4, 2008 22:53:22 GMT -5
Any idea on lodging in Burlington, VT?
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Post by Paisan on Oct 6, 2008 19:39:50 GMT -5
Any idea on lodging in Burlington, VT? Not sure yet but Dr. G has some contacts and also made a contact up there this weekend at the The Glen so we should have some good stuff. Haven't heard back from Tom Salvino at SOA about the kickoff or VT Sports car but should hopefully this week. -mike
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Post by munkis on Oct 8, 2008 15:06:53 GMT -5
I still have to talk to SDC about comming here, I dont see it being a problem. My goal is to have a catered lunch in our Training Center and possibly a tour of our parts warehouse, but that might be tough with insurance regulations.
I am hoping to have a 2009 Forester XT this year but if that falls through it will be a 2009 WRX Hatch.
Jay -SDC
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Post by munkis on Oct 8, 2008 15:48:10 GMT -5
Ok I spoke to the VP
We are looking good, we will be donating more prizes than we did last year, I think last year was close to 2500.00 retail, im going for double that this year.
Also we will host a catered Lunch in our training center.
I need to get a good head count for the catering people.
Our training center can hold about 50 people.
the warehouse tour I will ask about as it gets closer, I didnt want to ask for too much.
Jay -SDC
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Post by bravo12 on Oct 8, 2008 19:53:38 GMT -5
Awesome! Thanks, Jay! I think its the cool extras like this that really gets people to take the plunge and get involved. I know the breakfast at the SOA offices last year was what made me get on-board, and now I'm hooked! These things also impress people when I try to solicit individual contributions. Not to take anything away from what Ted and Mike have made this into, but when people hear about places/companies like SOA, SDC, and the tuner shops getting on-board, they really feel like its something special. I can't wait to see the SDC!
On another note: I was thinking of getting some small (about 12" wide x 6" high) preliminary decals done with the "48HRS.INFO" web address, in time for the scouting trip in November. Anyone else going on the scouting trip that would want some decals, let me know and I'll get back to you in a few days on the cost. They shouldn't be more than $7-9 each. I'll draw something up in Paint Shop by the weekend. I'm thinking just "48HRS.INFO" in a large font, with a smaller "Route Scout" (or similar) underneath, which can be replaced with "Benefits ACS" for the actual run (izzat the charity again this year?).
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Post by nhsilversti on Oct 8, 2008 21:04:25 GMT -5
yes ACS will be the one again. we kinda have a good relationship with them now. speaking of ACS, i need to set up a meeting with them very soon. last year when the donation was made i was told about all kinds of cool things i can do on the ACS site and they are going to appoint 1 person to work with me directly.
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Post by bravo12 on Oct 8, 2008 21:18:56 GMT -5
...they are going to appoint 1 person to work with me directly. Are they implying you need one-on-one attention, Ted? ;D Oh, as far as the route: I was messing with MapSource, putting in the waypoints and trying to flesh-out an initial route. That first day, SOA>SDC>Burlington, VT is gonna be a long one. Looks like almost 9 hours of driving, no matter which way we go, plus time at SOA and SDC. Wherever we stay in VT should know that it will be a late arrival (most likely after midnight, like in Cooperstown last year), unless we stay somewhere south of Burlington, and drive up to VT Sports Car in the morning. I prefer the plan as it is, waking up right near VTSC; that way folks that really need to sleep in that morning can skip visiting the shop if they need to, and still head out with the rest of the group later. Anyway, I was thinking from SDC, taking the Palisades Parkway north to Rt 6 (we should be somewhat ahead of the main rush hour, right?), then east, linking up with I-84, to I-91 north to I-89 north into Burlington. We might hit some later rush-hour traffic around Hartford. But it's lots of ground to cover, so Interstate might be best on Friday (with a little scenic Rt 6 near Bear Mtn thrown in). The alternative would be going up I-87, passing right by where we'll be the next day. I started to route the second day, looping west and north of Lake Champlain, but I'm not familiar with upstate NY. I'm hoping Saturday's Burlington>Lake George could be mostly backroads, to make up for all the interstate driving on Friday. Sunday back to Scranton could be a mix, starting with a run along Great Scanadaga Lake. Just some suggestions to get things rolling again. I'm itching to get the new GPS loaded-up with waypoints and routes. ;D
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Post by Paisan on Oct 9, 2008 8:37:44 GMT -5
Yeah Friday will be almost entirely interstates, not sure if we'll go up I87 to Whitehall and then up on the VT side of Lake Champlain or go over to I91 as you suggest.
Saturday will be almost all backroads in the Northern Adirondacks.
Sunday will be a mix down to Scranton as you said.
The good thing about the stops on this route is if we are behind schedule or we run into weather problems we can shorten or take interstates to make up time.
-mike
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Post by Paisan on Oct 9, 2008 8:38:40 GMT -5
Jay,
That's awsome. I will be working on the 2009 website within the next 2 weeks and will start to get registration pages up etc. so we can get headcounts.
Thanks again for your help and dedication!
-mike
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Post by bravo12 on Oct 9, 2008 11:51:10 GMT -5
Hey Mike, when you update the website, will that include the PayPal button for starting third-party and individual donations? I've been eager to print up flyers with the website and all, but I didn't want people to hit it, and not be able to help out yet.
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Post by Paisan on Oct 10, 2008 21:49:49 GMT -5
Hey Mike, when you update the website, will that include the PayPal button for starting third-party and individual donations? I've been eager to print up flyers with the website and all, but I didn't want people to hit it, and not be able to help out yet. Yup we will have that on there and probably a link to our own page through ACS where folks can donate under our banner directly to ACS (and then we don't get whacked the 3% Paypal fee) -mike
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Post by bravo12 on Oct 10, 2008 22:15:12 GMT -5
Yup we will have that on there and probably a link to our own page through ACS where folks can donate under our banner directly to ACS (and then we don't get whacked the 3% Paypal fee) -mike Oooh! That will be a handy tool! People can be assured their money is going directly to the charity that way.
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