Just my opinion...
It seems as if efforts to organize meetups are futile. Always low response and low participation.

What is the purpose of a meetup? Get together, go for a drive, chat about the car? :wink:

That might not excite everyone. Including me. I'm not a big showoff or have plenty of motivation to show pride in my ride.

What I'm talking about is incentive. Here's what would make me want to go to a meet:
1. See cool mods in person.
2. Hot chicks.
3. Food and drinks.

The first 2 are the main factors of success of car shows such as Hot Import Nights. The last one is because I might be hungry.

There should be interesting things to do as well. Driving in and out a Scion or Hummer dealership would be cool. Contests and prizes for coolest mod or whatever would be a good thing too.

Money may be a factor since food or prizes aren't free. Perhaps a Honda dealership or other companies could sponsor a meet. It's advertising, isn't it?

A good organizer could pull this off. It would be a meet to look forward to.

Remember, it's just my opinion. :shock:

is that your offer to organize a Washington State Meet?? (you are the one in washington, who finds an E parked next to you creepy right?) :wink:

For the few who do go to the meets they enjoy it.. so it is not as important the numbers, those who do this, do this for the fun.. to meet those from the board face to face.. and again to have fun! (this is a friendly board, and the people on this board have become friends!!)

If you need incentive that is fine.. and if others feel the same way perhaps each area can have someone organize meets with incentives, for others just meeting in a neat place is more then enough! Incentive for many is just the fun of it!

I missed out on the one on the East coast, which was held in Gettysburg which is a cool location locally to meet up, and did have an ok turn out.. over all the people had fun.. and enjoyed themselves!

I hope to have a gathering in Colorado when i move, and there are plenty of beautiful and neat places to meet out there.. the photo ops will be more then worth it.

"What is the purpose of a meetup?"

Umm......to meet up?

"It seems as if efforts to organize meetups are futile. Always low response and low participation."

http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=7564FApN&i=9699
http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=7564FApN&i=9700
http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=7564FApN&i=9701

True we didn't have girls boob-washing our windshields with beer soaked T-shirts* but it was still a fun turn out.




* Brendan DID offer to boob-wash my tires but after eating the "Doolittle Buckshot's Meatball Sub" I just couldn't stomach the sight. :shock: :lol:

[quote:1f2fae3056=" "]
True we didn't have girls boob-washing our windshields with beer soaked T-shirts* but it was still a fun turn out.[/quote:1f2fae3056]

Oh My God...is there really such a thing as "boob-washing"??? :? And, really guys...aren't you afraid of what the beer might do to your paint job!?! :lol: What men won't do to get a look at a couple of breasts! I hope those women are paid well to have to deal with a bunch of "boobs watching" :wink:

And just wondering bigbigstick...do you drive a stick...or does it just drive you? :lol:

empire: thank you for posting those images (gee look at that low turn out, such a futile effort huh, grin!!) :lol:

And, really guys...aren't you afraid of what the beer might do to your paint job!?!
As a fairly crude minded guy, when you have a couple Blouse Bunnies hopping across your windhsield the last thing on your mind is paint finish. :twisted:

There actually was a somewhat festive moment at the meet when that lone gentleman busted out the briefcase of Bumper Balls he was selling in assorted colors.
I think those crazy Canadians were the first to lay down the cash and bless their Element with a set of them danglin' doo-dads. :shock:

has the new model bloom worn off? that has to be part of the reason. though there is no doubt that incentives always help! those pics are nice but what have we done for we lately? :roll:

Know what I mean? Know what I mean? Your little sister was plenty hot, Chris, but I think most attendees were out of her universe, let alone her age range! But what's been said about car clubs is unfortunately true, since membership tends to attract mostly social outlying guys. (Or in the case of the Element, social outlying guys and gals!) But it seems most of us had a pretty good time in spite of ourselves, don't you think!? :lol:

And yes, the "new" is wearing off pretty quickly, judging by the number of Element owners who pretend not to notice when being waved at (and not just those being waved at by me, according to other reports!) :P

Does this thread apply to everybody, or just us self-absorbed Southern Californians?

[quote:afdd149b3d=" "]"What is the purpose of a meetup?"

...

* Brendan DID offer to boob-wash my tires but after eating the "Doolittle Buckshot's Meatball Sub" I just couldn't stomach the sight. :shock: :lol:[/quote:afdd149b3d]

Apparently, the purpose is to ridicule me! Pecs, dammit, not boobs!!! And with the newly regrown 2004 belly, not a pretty image.

I'll take the high road (ok, the less low road) on this one and leave Chris's hot sister of it. Plus, colin's got that covered...

Speaking of hot...hey colin, what was the name of the beautiful, wise-crackin, quick-on-her-feet amazon of a waitress at the ABC again? I know you've got it in the iPod there somewhere... :)

-brendan

Brendan as if he didnt flirt with the waitress at the ABC enough what about that waitress at Ruby Tuesdays the night before...

But although she was very nice considering our collective "condition/disposition", I can't recall the rest of her name any longer, because like Chris's little sister, she was so far out of my universe there was no point in remembering it. Odd though, I did remember it that following Sunday, didn't I?

[quote:3e53d73b7e=" "]Brendan as if he didnt flirt with the waitress at the ABC enough what about that waitress at Ruby Tuesdays the night before...[/quote:3e53d73b7e]

As if! I don't even know how...at least, not with the limited amount of beer I could drink before getting back in my E.

-brendan

[quote:7bb76932a3=" "]But although she was very nice considering our collective "condition/disposition", I can't recall the rest of her name any longer, because like Chris's little sister, she was so far out of my universe there was no point in remembering it. Odd though, I did remember it that following Sunday, didn't I?[/quote:7bb76932a3]

Yes, yes you did!

-brendan

Plus I think alot of it has to do with the utility factor of the Element oozing thru. And by that I mean you can butch it up, bling it out, pack it full of audio/video equipment, lower it and add intakes and performance exhausts and the Element's charm is still it's functionality. And the majority of the people that will show up grinning at a meet are going to be those that appreciate it for that reason. Most of the tuner/mod crowd that would throw parties like BigStick is talking about don't give a rat's ass about the Element because it's not immediately seen as being a cool viable platform for what they're interested in. The Element is an easy going vehicle for easy going people and most of the meets reflect that. Give it some time and a wider array of people will start showing up to help fill in the empty slots for the stereotypical "Damn whipper-snapper, heathen, hooligan, loud-mouth, smart-ass kid" with his "belly scrappin', window rattlin', ear deafenin', chrome shinin', dookie-pipe blastin' tricked,slammed, chopped and modded Element".
Keep pushing for more meets, hell, even if just 2 show up take some pics and post them. Alot of the people that read these threads will never post a word. They just enjoy the anonymity of reading what others have to say and show. And few will take the effort or show the interest in wanting to meet others that bought the same car they have in their driveway. The more we meet the more people will see what goes on will give it a shot. It may take combining several other car groups together to get more people active to want to see something different which is why Hot Import Nights is so popular.
The Gettysburg Meet was a surprise for me. I think at one time we had 15 Elements together and while driving thru the battlefield people were ignoring reenactments to stare at the nerd parade of ugly cars :D
We even picked up a couple more Elements just by driving around.
It really was fun.
I think if we ever do have that National Element Meet, and if planned accordingly, everyone should find something worth coming for.
Beer soaked Blouse Bunnies included. :D


And yes, you too can now rent my sister for YOUR local Element meet.
See my website at www.mybrother-mypimp.com
Or call 1-888-Rent-A-Sis
:shock:

[quote:60b08842ef=" "]Just my opinion...It seems as if efforts to organize meetups are futile. Always low response and low participation.[/quote:60b08842ef]
Sounds like you've missed the boat. East Coast gathering in Gettysburg had participants from as far away as Minnesota and Canada. There was no real organization or sponsorship. Some EOC attendees had a previous history to build on and the newcomers fit right in. It all just came together.

My only other car club experience was years ago with an MG car club. We used to have rallies several times a year...some were (semi) serious time and distance events, others were more laid back "hare and hound", or shortest distance rallies that ended at a local establishment featuring food and beverage. They were always fun events with enthusiastic owners that shared a common interest. That's all it takes.

By the way...the Honda SUV folks are having a picnic on the 19th. http://www.hondasuv.com/main2/viewtopic.php?t=3038

Thanks for the literal laugh out loud, Chris! No disrespect intended, of course, merely acknowledging that my old eyes still function! Heh! I'm pretty sure my tongue remained firmly in my cheeks, though since Brian has yet to post any photos (and I know I'm in some of them) I can't be certain!

And yes, you too can now rent my sister for YOUR local Element meet.
See my website at www.mybrother-mypimp.com
Or call 1-888-Rent-A-Sis

Too funny!! :lol:



8)

I think that *some* meets are not overly successful because of promotion. I also think that some meets are unsuccessful due to timing. Other events, like Gettysburg, have been what I consider to be successful.

I have helped to promote as many meets as I can, but only when I'm asked to or I'm lucky enough to read about it.

My suggestions to get better turnout at E-vents:

1. Sometimes these meets get announced in a forum and then you can't easily find the date/time/location/organizer. If you are going to create an official meet, post something about it in the "Meets & Events" category as well as your corresponding regional category, but keep the details easy to find and in the "Meets & Events" post. Maybe even point back to that post from your extra one in the regional category.

2. Tell me about it. I'll get it on our home page and I can even email members in your area. We will do all we can to help promote your event.

*Note: I contacted the "other board" about co-promoting events in order to get better turnout and he replied that he'd rather not.

3. Get a few prizes. Maybe some people do need incentive to make a drive. I can help get a few prizes probably or you can also contact a local Honda dealership or two and see if they won't throw out a few items for giveaways. People do that all the time to advertise; it's not a big deal.

4. Plan in advance. I've seen a few E-vents that were posted as something like "Possible meet this Saturday afternoon at XYZ." Instead, what about picking a date about a month in advance (or even more) so that people (1) can learn of your event and (2) can plan their schedule to fit it in.

5) You won't get as much help from me and others if you are using meetup.com because it is money hungry, from what I understand. See previous posts regarding that site (here on our boards) and you'll get some interesting feedback from members and re: their lack of support of it.

As for the boob-E's, well...that's another story. Ah, the things I miss by being stuck here in conservative "downstate" Illinois. :)

Again...if you want help promoting your event - PLEASE tell me. I'll do all I can to promote it.

Great tips, T Mac! Thanks for all you do! :D

thank you also T-Mac, always the best!

love the other replies too well said!! Now notice "big" has yet to make another reply, i think the intention was to instigate and create some hot blood..

all in all it just went to prove further how we feel about our meetings, and why we do what we do.. and yes it is more about getting together and for some showing the cool things they have added, changed, altered on their E's!!

YEAH EOC!!

Gypsy,
I'm not offering to organize anything. Just my opinion on how things can be improved. I'm not trying to instigate or create some hot blood. If you're so easily offended then you must be contemplating suicide because there's people saying that your car is ugly and boxy. :twisted: heheehe

Empire,
I'm just looking at things from a business point of view. A business owner would always want to increase traffic and revenue by any means that would help their business. For the purists, a simple meetup will be great. To appeal to everyone else, it would help to have a little something extra.
Who wouldn't enjoy a BBQ or at least some drinks? Maybe a drawing for a Cloud Rider grill or a storage armrest would be nice.
The reference to Hot Import Nights is to exemplify a successful car event. It's optimistic to aim high for hot chicks, but at the least it would be great to see the cool mods. I'm not ignoring the utility of the Element. Utility is the reason I bought it in the first place. I also wanted a Mini Cooper but I can't have both--like you :lol: So I do give a rat's ass. Can you give your sister's ass? :shock:
The Gettysburg meet with 14 Elements (from what I see in the pic) is very good. But like Tom Leykis says, there's always exceptions. If more meets can be like that it would be great. I'm just pointing out that response and participation could be better. What do you think about T-Mac's suggestions?

I think everyone here is wonderful.
[/quote]

Tom's ideas are excellent. His willingness to help with events is commendable. I think the key to successful meets is one or two to agree to PLAN...&...ORGANIZE.

The gettysburg meet was succesful by PURE luck! Diane and I spent many hours discussing it but in the end her last minute job move threw a BIG kink into the planning but there were other things planned but overall I would say that both of the meets I have attended have been an absolute blast.

There's a lot of response for a meet from So Cal elements in a different thread. They're having custom sway bars and exhaust for sale too (incentives!).

That's just wonderful!

[quote:046c2ed4bd=" "]Gypsy,
I'm not offering to organize anything. Just my opinion on how things can be improved. I'm not trying to instigate or create some hot blood. If you're so easily offended then you must be contemplating suicide because there's people saying that your car is ugly and boxy. :twisted: heheehe

I think everyone here is wonderful.[/quote:046c2ed4bd]

TMac is really amazing, and always willing and wanting to help.. heck he is the the reason this site is here in the first place.

Big: I realize it is just your opinion.. and i am not offended, i am very happy with my E and have yet to have heard anyone say anything negative about my E, if they did i would not hear it anyhow.. i love it!

Glad you do think the crew here is wonderful.. not quite sure from your initial post in this thread, kinda sounded otherwise..

sure incentives are great, but overall these have just been arranged by the EOC members, just trying to get together with other members of this club.. and that was incentive enough for them..

as far as BBQ, i am sure there is/were/would be tailgating picnics.. of course!!

Glad to see ya back in the thread.

[quote:7f5b880978=" "]The gettysburg meet was succesful by PURE luck! Diane and I spent many hours discussing it but in the end her last minute job move threw a BIG kink into the planning but there were other things planned but overall I would say that both of the meets I have attended have been an absolute blast.[/quote:7f5b880978]

I think the g-burg meet also was helped by the following:

1) Online, off-board EOC-initiated friendships to instigate. I'm talking Diane, Brian, Colin and myself, primarily. Thank you AIM(tm).

2) A previous, fun, and ultimately amusing DC meet with an animatronic George Washington and a near altercation with the Masonic National Treasurer to break the ice for a longer driving meet and to verify that other owners aren't complete freaks (just mostly freaks). I'm talking Chris (Empire), his wife whose name I'm totally blanking on (oops), Brian, Dea, and Kerri and her friend whose name I'm also blanking on (oops).

Hrm, well, I guess those are the reasons *I* went... :)

-brendan

A previous, fun, and ultimately amusing DC meet with an animatronic George Washington and a near altercation with the Masonic National Treasurer to break the ice for a longer driving meet and to verify that other owners aren't complete freaks (just mostly freaks). I'm talking Chris (Empire), his wife whose name I'm totally blanking on (oops), Brian, Dea, and Kerri and her friend whose name I'm also blanking on (oops).

Hrm, well, I guess those are the reasons *I* went... :)

-brendan

And those of us who didn't participate in the earlier event, say, because we didn't own an Element yet? I s'pose we're just chopped liver. Humph! :wink:

All due respect to differing opinions and all that, but this thread stinks!

The sense of community and comradarie is, to me anyway, one of those intangible benefits that goes into making a car something more than just transportation. I'd had been looking to replace my old '90 Nissan pickup for a couple of years prior and having found an extended family here on EOC really helped me make the leap. It isn't just a case of "me-too-ism," but a shared experience.

Maybe I'm a little keen to this because my wife also owns a car (New Beetle) that has a tremendous support community rallied behind it. In fact, we went to Dallas last month for a state-wide New Beetle meetup and we're heading to Roswell, NM later this week for a national NB meet.

I'm ready for a Texas Element GTG and keep hoping that maybe someone will put together something in DFW or somewhere in central Texas. I know there've been one or two gatherings in Houston, but that's a 10+ hour drive for us... A bit much.

And those of us who didn't participate in the earlier event, say, because we didn't own an Element yet? I s'pose we're just chopped liver. Humph!
If ye bringeth me the dry-rotted wax eyelids of Robo-Washington then I shall grant ye admittance into our local chapter.

*Bonus Quest* Bring me back the eyelids of the Masonic National Treasurer and you can be our leader!


Brendan wishes to glue them over his own eyelids.........it's something sexual me thinks :shock:

I concur with Brendan, that the off-site, "private relationships" helped foster part of the eventual camaraderie that came to pass at Gettysburg. I tried in vain to look for an excuse to not go, but at the last minute, having already told everyone at my job I was taking the time off, couldn't come up with one! I knew full-well that some of my best "off-site" Element pals weren't gonna be there, but I had a great time anyway! It was honestly (even if this is embarrassing to admit) fun to meet folks I'd only read posts from, i.e., foxtail, Empire, civicway, brendan, Briboy, msgail, Bald Eagle, etc.

Interesting to me that the Gettysburg meet produced 15 or more Elements, all wearing original factory alloys (though Empire's sported oversized tires). Then again, I didn't find it surprising either that a recent California meet resulted in six(?) Elements, all sporting NON-original wheels!

Heard from one of my old off-site pals this weekend, and it had nothing to do with Elements or meets, but isn't that kinda like life altogether? On/off, hot/cold, now/later. Maybe this should be in the "theme song thread", but even though it's a corny country song, I still have to agree with the sentiment in LeeAnn Womack's song, "Dance". If you don't take the chance, and go for it now, when-the-hell are you gonna?

Rodaniel: You have the gall to whine about a ten-hour drive? LOL! What say you head north, and I head south, and you and your VW-freak wife and I can meet up half-way? Nothing of interest in southern Iowa, you say? We could create something interesting, trust me! :lol:

[quote:b4d146c074=" "]Brendan wishes to glue them over his own eyelids.........it's something sexual me thinks :shock:[/quote:b4d146c074]

I'm starting to suspect that Chris has the hots for me...

...<shiver!>

-brendan

I think you two should need to release your sexual tensions. Fold down your rear sets and put up your rear privacy curtain.

[quote:ea357f98f0=" "]I think you two should need to release your sexual tensions. Fold down your rear sets and put up your rear privacy curtain.[/quote:ea357f98f0]

cringe *shiver* cringe.. yikes.. :shock:

[quote:09bbc45cce=" "][quote:09bbc45cce=" "]I think you two should need to release your sexual tensions. Fold down your rear sets and put up your rear privacy curtain.[/quote:09bbc45cce]

cringe *shiver* cringe.. yikes.. :shock:[/quote:09bbc45cce]
Yeah - eeeewwwww! :?
That might have been a slight mis-step over the line on that one! :wink:

cringe *shiver* cringe.. yikes.. :shock:[/quote:7b9b4ef59c]
Yeah - eeeewwwww! :?
That might have been a slight mis-step over the line on that one! :wink:

ya think (hee).. alas we need to know what meets those two will be at so we can steer clear eh? :wink:

Hope you can call me "Safe in Seattle"!! :wink: :lol:

[quote:4a20309b6f=" "]Hope you can call me "Safe in Seattle"!! :wink: :lol:[/quote:4a20309b6f]
you are so not kidding.. now Brendan is in VA.. i am guessing Empire is not far from there.. I am frightening too close to that area.. yet thankfully fleeing to the west, soon, really soon!

Hey, all I'm gonna say is if the Element is a rockin' don't come a knockin'. :shock:




Squeal like a pig, boy! :twisted:

Wow! How did this thread make such an abrupt left turn?

[quote:c283ff1851=" "]Wow! How did this thread make such an abrupt left turn?[/quote:c283ff1851]

I'm still shivering in fear.

-brendan

HEH well im just glad I didnt get in the middle of your love issues. or hmmmm with 3 it would be a love triangle.

Did we stray a bit off topic here gang? Answer: Uh, yeah.

Let's keep the love fest over at Club X. ;)

[quote:bfffe0cdda=" "]Did we stray a bit off topic here gang? Answer: Uh, yeah.

Let's keep the love fest over at Club X. ;)[/quote:bfffe0cdda]

Perhaps the Club XXX thread? Oops, I guess this doesn't help get things back on track.

Back in September we had a meet at Bear Mountain and we had a good turnout. Around 18-20 elements showed up. We got to meet some interesting people and yes we stood around and complained about the flaws of the car. Plus we learned about some modifications that we can do on our own. I have posted many threads on how to install options on the box. But the place I heard it was here and at meets. I have participated in several meets since I got my "E". Not just here though but also at hondasuv.com. They also are the same as many of us.

It's a shame we can't all meet up all the time because we have this thing called "life" & "family" always intefering. But all the times I have met people in this club it was fun. We talked about the car and we talked about each other. That's what a meet is to me. Just hanging out and talking. Learning more about the car you drive or your experiences with it. Think of it as a "The Royal Order of Water Buffalos" and Tom is the grand poo baa if you will. Just a bunch of people bs-ing and getting to know each other also in the process. You know you did this in kindergarden. It's called making "friends".

Meets will be announced and meets won't be held. Just keep on trying. It will happen sooner or later. Timing is the issue. Try the barbecue over at FDR park this weekend. Bald Eagle mentioned it earlier in this thread.

Have fun all and "Live long and get some."

I've missed so much!!!!!! :shock: The G'burg meet was absolutely awesome!! The drive through the Battlefield and then the chance meeting of an SOP in the parking lot of Bear Country. You couldn't have asked for better!!!!

I'm all ready to do it again!!! Lets thinking about Camping for real or white water rafting!! I hear WV is nice this time of year? (was only in Princeton 2 weeks ago ~ Brian) :lol:

I've got a ton to catch up on. So, let me know if I miss anything good!!!!!

Kerri

Kerri how dare you come to WV and not call me! I would have taken you and Joey to dinner. How was your WV trip?

[quote:1dc1ad22ad=" "]Kerri how dare you come to WV and not call me! I would have taken you and Joey to dinner. How was your WV trip?[/quote:1dc1ad22ad]

:shock: :oops: Ops, sorry Bri!!!! :wink: It was good. Checked out a state park and ate all sorts of down home good food! If we had called, where you guys even near Princeton??? :(

I'd just be upset to find out you were!! :o

Kerri

This goes back to the begining...Ibut ti thought it might be good to have T shirt/merch sales at meets or even have some sponsers set up tables, etc

[quote:fe41915838=" "]even have some sponsers set up tables, etc[/quote:fe41915838]

I am working this angle here in Alexandria. I've approached both Sheehy and Manassas Honda (Koons) and asked for some sort of sponsorship. However, the group that met in January this past year, has not met since and Sheehy is a little apprehensive about doing anything with the group.

Said there just wasn't enough participation. :cry:

Kerri

Hmm. maybe there's a better name for this... Spontaneous Elemeets? Flash parking? I don't know.

When I drive through a parking lot and see an E, I try to park near it. So far, I've never crossed the owners, but what if everyone started doing this? There are more and more E's on the road every day, so critical mass is approaching. Maybe some day enough E's will clump together to create critical mass, whatever that is.

If anyone else out there is E-crazy enough to have tried / try this, let me know if anything interesting happened.

Other idea:
Maybe an element meet could be like a geocache, where everyone could meet at a GPS coordonate and have a party or BBQ or look for meteors or whatever.