Sometimes watch Turner Classic Movies and they have a "club" you join and get together in some city to do movie stuff. I realize we are scattered all over the USA and yes, i know, foreign countries, but would it work to have a Mingle Convention somewhere? This is just a BASIC IDEA.... it would take some discussion and work or is it just too much to consider and I'm gonna get the pic of rabbit with pancake on his head. ?? what do you think.

Personally I like the idea. My experience, I did a camping thing on DH, most people won't actually commit or show up. Talk is cheap, action takes effort and money!!!

Kid - i know that money and time off work, or illness all detract from this. Just want people to sort of think over what we might try. There might not be any interest.... or someone might have a Really BRight Idea

Somehow I KNEW thats how this was going to end ! LOL --- does he balance it, or is there syrup on the "hair" side?

Two words; VEGAS BABY.

Been to Vegas. Driving. NIGHT, when I came over "the hill", the sparkling lights were quite the sight to see. Actually rode the roller coaster in one of the casinos. I prefer the Gulf beaches or the Rocky Mountains, but Vegas was FUN

This idea was recently discussed (can't recall which thread) and people brought up some good and bad on the subject.

I think the main issue is reaching people.
To plan such an event it needs quite a large range of people knowing about it.
There also needs to be a way to get the information out to all the members and right now, the only option is the Community Forums.
The problem is that most people don't use the forums.
So, any attempt to organize even a small get together will be limited to those that use the forums.
Taking only the forums into consideration, not ever person in the forums are interested in a general meet.
This leaves a very small handful of potential participants and that small handful is not going to be local to each other or available to attend a meet.

Another issue is drinking/drug use.
An open meeting can cause people with self-esteem issues or compulsions to have alcohol or drugs for 'courage'.
Its not a very good meeting if it's filled with drunks and drug addicts.
You can make all the rules you want but what you ask for and what you get is often very different things.

Lets say you succeed in getting 10 people to agree to a meet.
Of those 10, some will be drinking or taking drugs.
Others will be looking for sex.
By the time you isolate it, it might be you and one other person.

Plus, some people will not spend huge amounts of money to just attend a meet.
You would need to set up the meet during and around an already established event.

For instance, down here we have Cruisin' The Coast.
Its a 50 mile car show.
Set up a tent at center point and coordinate the meet according to that.
Then, someone must be at the tent at all times.
I know if I go to the M2 location and nobody is there, I'm gunna turn around and leave.
Without some type of accurate communication, it just won't work.

Not for me...

It's a good idea.
But, logistics...


Given six months or so notice,
to get use to the concept of it,
I could possibly do a Dallas group meet up.


I don't do New Orleans, and I don't do Vegas.

you got it rock

the last one i recall from dh took a couple months just to nail down a date and where. but it did turn out to be a blast.

so animal lover your mission should you choose to accept it. is to keep the mingle meetup thread on the first page of recent posts

So how 'bout Amsterdam?

I'd be up for that, or Scotland

i could like that with enough lead time to plan crystal
tho your house might get a wee bit crowded

That, would indeed be a cool place
to have a group meet.

Had one here at my place on the Oregon coast in 2010, by invitation only,
no fees of any kind and people from all over the states came, it was
indeed, a blast, for the most part..and a week long.

It can be done, the Texans have had a few get-togethers..it is always
going to be just forum people as that is who everyone knows..and would
know about it.

Vegas is a great idea for the selection of flights/prices/accommodations
from every state..outside the US, well, those members are going to have
to REALLY want a a vaca.

I'm interested in a meet up . I've had brief visits to different parts of the
States and Europe (including Amsterdam), so I'm open-minded regarding the venue


A few of the tasks on the checklist would include:-

1. Getting a head count of those in the forum that are genuinely interested in making this happen
2. Throwing out a list of potential venues for a general consensus
3. Throwing out a list of potential dates for a general consensus. My preference is the year 2020 for ample saving and planning time, but everyone can decide what's most feasible to them
4. Based on the head count of interested people, individuals can be asked to coordinate the folks from different districts whether it be the States or Europe
5. A committee has to volunteer to plan and coordinate the event.

I don't want to be in charge of it , but I don't mind being part of the Planning and Coordinating committee. Anyone else willing to be on the committee?

Great ideas peggy. I'd be willing to be on the committee but like you, I don't want to be in charge.

Late summer of 2019 or spring of 2020 sounds good. That way it would be warm enough to camp which would cut back on accommodation costs. I agree ample time is needed, some of us might need a passport along with time to save.

Well this is a start River. Anyone else interested in forming a planning committee?
If so, feel free to inbox me if grand public announcements aren't your thing lol

Cool! Now we just need someone to be in charge and a few more committee members and start planning!