An upcoming poll - a FogFest

[peter halle]

Hi!

This is Peter - a member - not a moderator.  I have been fortunate to meet many FOG members at the classes that I have attended.  I have learned so much from them both while being in a classroom as well as just sitting and talking with them.  My hope is that we can accomplish that on a larger scale.  Many moons ago I mentioned in another thread about a FogFest.

The Fogtainer project was a warm up for this idea.  Fogtainers proved to me that a FogFest is possible.  

I will be working on putting together a poll to gather information so that I can intelligently investigate the results and work / or not work towards trying to make this happen next year - it takes that long to make something like this a success.

I ask that when the poll is posted you answer realistically - otherwise you will just waste my time and make the data worthless - and ruin an opportunity for others who might feel differently than you.

If you have ideas about what should be included in the poll, I am interested in hearing ideas.

Thanks for your support with ideas in the past and also in the future!

Peter - a Fogger

 

[Brice Burrell]

Peter, a FOGfest would be great, I'm looking forward to the poll.

 

[jonny round boy]

Peter,

That would be awesome. Where would you hold it?

Whilst I'd love to attend, I doubt I'd be able to being on the wrong side of the Atlantic [sad]

Maybe we could have a UK FogFest too....

 

[jmbfestool]

Yeah come over and do a fogfest in the UK

JMB

 

[Bob Marino]

Ditto what Brice said; it's a great idea and I amd sure that it would be a heck of a good and memorable time.
Obviously, location will play a huge part in people's decisions...I mean, if it won't be in northern NJ ;D ....perhaps a more central location...like maybe Lebanon, Indiana, would be the ticket. ;D

Bob

 

[lumbajac]

As Bob said, Lebanon, IN is an excellent first choice.  Its pretty much centrally located (in the U.S) and home of Festool USA.  Having been there for routers & cabinetry class this past July, I'd also say there are good ammenities to handle a good crowd. 

However, I have to wonder if Las Vegas (Henderson) might be a better location in terms of cost.  It takes me about 14 hours to get to Lebanon, IN from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by car, and I don't even want to mention what it would cost me to fly to Lebanon (probably the same amount as a Domino, or perhaps Kapex).  I can drive to Duluth, MN in about 3 1/2 hours and then fly to Las Vegas for about $200 round trip.  I'm guessing most other Foggers from around the country could also probably fly to Vegas for a good rate as well. 

Maybe if overseas foggers were interested in attending such an event they might find the flight rates to Vegas to be manageable as well, even from across the Atlantic/Pacific?

I've never been to Vegas, but I'm also guessing room and board fees can be secured pretty reasonably as well

As far as date?  I would say 8 to 12 months out would be practical to allow for the event planning itself as well as members planning with work schedules and such.  Personally, I would prefer a couple day event in July or August... but I'm guessing the heat in July or August in Vegas is pretty extreme!

Corey
Upper Peninsula of Michigan

 

[bonesbr549]

Hi!

This is Peter - a member - not a moderator.  I have been fortunate to meet many FOG members at the classes that I have attended.  I have learned so much from them both while being in a classroom as well as just sitting and talking with them.  My hope is that we can accomplish that on a larger scale.  Many moons ago I mentioned in another thread about a FogFest.

The Fogtainer project was a warm up for this idea.  Fogtainers proved to me that a FogFest is possible.  

I will be working on putting together a poll to gather information so that I can intelligently investigate the results and work / or not work towards trying to make this happen next year - it takes that long to make something like this a success.

I ask that when the poll is posted you answer realistically - otherwise you will just waste my time and make the data worthless - and ruin an opportunity for others who might feel differently than you.

If you have ideas about what should be included in the poll, I am interested in hearing ideas.

Thanks for your support with ideas in the past and also in the future!

Peter - a Fogger

 

[Dan Clermont]

Vegas would be great we could all jump out of a plane wearing Elvis costumes!

You could plan it around AWFS as well which would help convince more to attend

Dan Clermont

 

[Brice Burrell]

Vegas would be great we could all jump out of a plane wearing Elvis costumes!

You could plan it around AWFS as well which would help convince more to attend

Dan Clermont

In theory that's a great idea, but I think we'd want Festool involved and I imagine they're pretty busy at that time. 

 

[Bob Marino]

In theory that's a great idea, but I think we'd want Festool involved and I imagine they're pretty busy at that time. 

  Agree, Brice.  Too much going on at that time.

  Bob

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Thanks Peter for taking the initiative for this.  Its a great idea!

Several questions come to mind, when and where being foremost.  On the when side, its seems that the most prevalent occupation for Foggers is carpenter/builder/remodeler.  Is there an off-time in the year for that trade?  If so, that might improve attendance.  A lot of us would probably prefer summer for other reasons.  If we see the event as mainly indoors, then I think some place like Vegas or Orlando would work fine just about any time.  If we want cookouts, sporting events, etc. then we might want to think about a time and place with nice weather.

The other set of questions involves what we want to do.  Is it mainly social or is it a working/learning thing?  How involved will Festool corporate be?  I could see one scenario where we basically party for a couple of days with fishing, bowling, NASCAR, whatever as optional field trips.  On the other extreme, maybe its basically a mix of skills building and socializing with demos and lectures during the day and optional parties at night.  In the latter case, Lebanon probably makes sense, with some events at Festool and others at hotel meeting rooms.

I like Corey's idea of picking a venue with reasonable airfares.  I can get to Vegas cheaper than I can to Austin, even though its a way longer flight...

Sorry this is so long.  Count me in for the event whenever/wherever/whatever - ah the joys of being retired. [big grin]

 

[bobbobbob]

Great idea!  One more point about timing is that room rates may go up if there's something really big going on ie SEMA or COMDEX (which happen around Halloween and mid-November).  Of course I've heard with the down economy that many hotels have boarded up sections of their hotels since the demand for rooms is so low in Las Vegas...

 

[Alaska Ranger]

Reasons for holding a FogFest HERE! [big grin]
1. We're centrally located to everywhere.  Some of you may misread that and think we're equally hyperdistant from everywhere...... [big grin]
2. We have the facilities to handle a moderate crowd - we hosted a 48-person two-week family reunion this summer, for example.
3. EVERYONE wants to come to Alaska - and our location is on the legendary Denali Highway
4. Especially in winter  [big grin]

Reasons for not holding a FogFest here [sad]

Gee, I can't think of any ???

 

[vkumar]

i agree Vegas. Besides cheap airfares (but expensive taxis), the hotels are cheap too. 

Best time would be the non-summer months, say Jan/Feb/Mar or Sep/Oct/Nov

Vijay

 

[GreenGA]

I think this a terrific idea!  [thumbs up]

I mean, if I drove to Deer Isle Maine to celebrate a piece of software, I could surely drive somewhere to celebrate Festool. [drooling]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks Peter for taking the initiative for this.  Its a great idea!...

I wholeheartedly agree. [thumbs up]

....On the other extreme, maybe its basically a mix of skills building and socializing with demos and lectures during the day and optional parties at night.  In the latter case, Lebanon probably makes sense, with some events at Festool and others at hotel meeting rooms.....

I like this idea, good post Jesse.  Maybe some guy can show us something about chair building.

 

[peter halle]

Thanks for the ideas and great thoughts.  Don't be bashful.  Your idea might be the one that ultimately encourages another member to attend when we have the first FOGfest!

Notice I used the word when - not if.  This is possible.

Ideas?  Ideas?  Ideas?

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

Palm Springs?  I stayed at the Ace hotel there and it was fantastic, great value, it has lots of outdoor facilities for guests to meet. Palm springs has an airport I believe, though I didn't use it as I drove there from San Francisco. Just thought I would throw that into the mix, looking for any excuse to go back.

 

[peter halle]

Palm Springs would be great!  My brother lives there - it would be cheap for me!  No, his house isn't big enough for you guys, so don't get any ideas.

I will throw in some other cities I don't think have been mentioned for your comments, or to spur your thoughts:

Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Richmond, VA - for obvious reasons
Washington, DC metropolitan area
Atlanta, GA
Denver, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Oklahoma City, OK
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
...

 

[Frank Pellow]

Palm Springs would be great!  My brother lives there - it would be cheap for me!  No, his house isn't big enough for you guys, so don't get any ideas.

I will throw in some other cities I don't think have been mentioned for your comments, or to spur your thoughts:

Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Richmond, VA - for obvious reasons
Washington, DC metropolitan area
Atlanta, GA
Denver, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Oklahoma City, OK
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
...

Hey you forgot Hearst, Ontario.  [scratch chin]  Pellow's Camp is just north of there and everyone could stay on the island and help me to construct another building.  [big grin]  A Festool Building Bee would be a big hit on UTube.  [big grin]