What would it take to get 500 plus avid FOG members together at one time for a giant FOG Festival?

I have been pondering that question now for over two months.

I certainly have my thoughts, but what about you?

Peter

I think Peter said he'd pay for everyone's airfare.  If so, I'm in!  Peter is da man  

 Count me in.

 Bob

Yeah, and I hope he knows I only fly first class.

Sounds like fun!

Fred

For those who have responded, this is a serious thought of mine.  To pull off something of the size I hope could happen will take months of investigation and planning.  I would love to work towards something for next year.  Hopefully next summer.

Things to consider when you do something of this scale are location and the possibility of travel arrangements for attendees, available activities for traveling family members who will not be attending the "show", adequate lodging and food nearby, weather history around the planned date, COST, etc.  Then there is venue, food vendors, local licenses, etc.  Then there are speakers, demonstrators of goods, any special guests, etc.  Add to that development of, and review and approval of training demonstrations / classes.  I could go on, but this should give an idea of what I have been pondering.  I want to hit a home run.

Adequate notice to the possible attendees is absolutely a necessity.  Ten months is normal to start the advertising for attendees process if the event is going to announced to out of state attendees and the demographics would indicate the possibility of younger children in the household.

For those who mentioned airfare and first class airfare - I loved traveling for business for three years.  For two years I travelled almost exclusively first class.  I too enjoy first class and would also much rather travel that way.  I have given away tickets to everyone I know and have only saved enough for my wife and I to go to Australia.

It has been suggested that I might be willing to pay for airfare.  To that, with humor in my writing, to quote Steve Jobs of Apple when he asked about whether or not Flash would be supported on the iPhone or iPad - "Uh.  No."

My post was designed to get information to see if this could be a possibility.  I love the banter and the joking, but in four weeks this thread will be lost to history if there isn't interest.

I appreciate any posts here - humorous or otherwise.  I feel that that I may have sent the wrong signal with my initial post and wanted to let everyone know that this project is something that I would love to bring to fruition.

Maybe too optimistic,

Peter

I, of course would love to see an event like this in the vicinity of Festool's headquarters.  I can't speak for Festool here.  I have to think about the FOG as an independent entity.  Along the idea of being in Indy around the Indy 500 - that would be a draw - but attendees costs would spike upwards tremendously and there would not be any bargaining power with lodging providers, food vendors, etc.  Additionally, air travel would be more expensive and more limited.

Peter

You show up and I am there, Darcy, I will give you a cup of refreshment.  It's a deal!

Peter

If the site is anywhere within a two day drive of Toronto, and the lodging costs are not prohibative, and there is enough scheduled at the event to fill at least two days, I would probably attend.  I would probably also volumteer to help in some way (or ways) both in advance and at the event.

I would love to attend this type event. For me - if drivable range - I will be there. Far cheaper to drive than it is to fly and rent transportation. I am driving 13 hours to Lebanon next week for the router class.

Would be nice to have Festool and dealers there demonstrating products. I think many of us have no access to local dealers so this would be a great time to get hands on with sanders and such.

Might want to check out other vendors big gatherings for ideas. Big Green Egg cookers does this and others I am sure.

A requirement is a German beer tent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   
Oh - and if Uncle Bob shows up, I can pick on him IN PERSON!   

Seeing that they already have the color ( well, sort of ) and the percieved quality as well as the upper level pricing in common, perhaps BGE would be willing to team up with Festool and make a special promotional Festool branded cooker and host the event as well ? The new Kapex carriage could be quite easily adapted - or wat to think of the MFT-3 BGE ? It's all about expanding the "system" 

In the interest of full disclosure: I don't own a Kapex, nor do I own a BGE. For me another thing they have in common is that I would REALLY like to own both of them....
And yes: I would be willing to cook/smoke ribs for the bunch of you in a blue leopard dress if it would buy me them. I'll even add wooden shoes to close the deal...

Regards,

Job

I would love to see you there!  Thanks for the kind words.  Meeting members like you in person WILL be fun.

Peter

I would enjoy that and it works for me next summer because I have all my vacation planned for this year.

I'm in. Would love to see it in Indiana for obvious reasons. I would also be willing to help out at the event.

There is a lot of Hoosier's in this thread, I am not sure if we can be trusted now.

I love Indiana.  Festool USA is there!

Dude, there is some crappy German beer out there! Be careful what you ask for 

I'm more for local stuff... There must be a micro brewery close to the event...

Anyhow, I'm not sure if I could attend this event. Too much traveling involved...

Yes i know!
I do like some of those micro brewery.But i cannot do Bud,Miller,Milwaukee's best("the beast")