My blunt answer is that in my opinion only a fool would pass up an opportunity to participate in a Festool End User Training Class in either Henderson, NV9 near Las Vegas) or Lebanon, IN (near Indianapolis). Those are hands-on learning experience for the participants.
People, including FOG members (we are people, too) begged Festool to bring training to locations near to us. In December 2012, Allen Kensley (then the Festool USA Regional Sales Manager for Southern California) and Steve Bace (the original Festool USA Trainer who runs the Henderson, NV Training Center) constructed the prototype of the Road Schools at In-Touch Tools in Palm Desert, CA where they built a farm table before our eyes, meanwhile providing tips on the use of not just the Domino 700 and the TS75, but many other Festools. They also discussed how these worked in congunction with other tools.
There was no reservation fee then. In-Touch Tools not only opened a custom woodworking shop they operate, but provided generous catering and beverages. The sad thing is that people RSVPed and then did not show up, so there were empty chairs. At least the left over food was donated to charity. As part of the feed-back session ending that day, the participants made it clear that we wanted future such events to have a fee to make the reservation. Our collective experience is that when a reservation requires a fee, a larger percentage of those signing up actually show up.
Earlier this year Allen Kensley became a Festool Application Specialist and began the USA Festool Road Schools at K119 near the San Francisco Airport. I gladly used my credit card to reserve a spot and also reserved a motel room because for me that is an almost 8 hour drive. A day before I was to leave I became sick. The motel did not charge me and K119 refunded my fee, which I felt was very generous. Look back on FOG for accounts and pictures of that event.
I finally did catch up with Allen when he conducted a Road School at Anderson Plywood Sales in Culver City, CA about a 30 minute drive from my condo in Hancock Park. The demonstration was marvelous, as was the food and fellowship. Those of us who attended were offered either a refund of our deposit or store credit. I was needful of CT22 bags and used my store credit then and there.
That was a special event because prior to joining Festool USA Allen K had been a sales associate at Anderson. In the years since then I have had the pleasure of seeing Allen K talk Festool countless times at many dealers, and despite my over 65 years making good money building with wood, every conversation with Allen K opens my eyes.
These Road Schools are the kind of important benefit Festool provides. I think it foolish to pass up such an opportunity, but perhaps your mileage will vary.
