Discussion Thread: 2015 European E500E Gathering

[gerryvz]

HONCHO'S NOTE:

This thread is intended to be a discussion point for ideas, planning and execution for a potential 2015 European E500E Gathering.

Posts pertaining to this topic have been collected and moved from the 2014 Euro Gathering thread to this new thread, so as not to derail the 2014 Meeting thread.

All ideas and discussion are very welcome here by the group. Posts containing insults or other negative material will be deleted.

Thanks
Gerry

Early planning and ideas are already well underway for next year's Yurro Event. Discussions are trending toward making it a two-day event, perhaps involving a certain company based in Zuffenhausen, and a certain shop in Baden Baden?!?

I definitely know that I'm not going to miss it. The tour of Brabus alone this year (as well as with the Classic car warehouse and the awesome dinner with the group, and the great hotel as the home base) made the event totally worth attending.

 

[bing]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Those new XWX's on that 113 are making me misty eyed...

Have you checked recently the price of these vintage tyres ?? A big WTF was my reaction when I was looking for my friend's W116 6.9

Early planning and ideas are already well underway for next year's Yurro Event. Discussions are trending toward making it a two-day event, perhaps involving a certain company based in Zuffenhausen, and a certain shop in Baden Baden?!?.

I with you on this , Gerry. I've been dreaming of this certain shop in Baden Baden . Real must for MB V8 and V12 fans! Need to drag that bloke from Idaho over here if it happens don't ya' think? [emoji13]

 

[Michal]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

I also think it should be official, a two days event, especially when people arrive from a distant places. I wrote it already, that I have never been in place like Brabus HQ before. And even if they have groups like us every weekend, I felt special. Our guide did a good job. All of it, made this event so good. To make it even better, maybe it should be more people involved. Here in PL we have a quite nice MB event. The total number of organizers is about 8/10 persons (one for one thing: accommodation, sposnors etc.) It helps a lot and things goes fast.

 

[036]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

We need more time, we need more space....we need T shirts and other "tasty" 036 stuff, badges, stickers etc.... We need racetrack!!!
Why don´t we meet at Bernard´s Garage? Why don´t we meet by Nico Ockhuizen?? Why not Nürburgring?? ( noone is oblidged to drive on the ring with own car).....

 

[195910]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Hi All,

I am receiving very good Feedback from participants, thankfully all is positive.
Most suggestions are about expanding the event to two days, be sure it will be 2 DAYS next year

I already have some ideas and will discuss them with Jelmer&Co.. as Arkady is currently occupied in his new lug bolts (see other thread)
There will be a scenic drive, private collections, event a track if participants wish for a track day; More time with the cars and the people.

My only request for next year is that we get more cars! people need to show up to make these events event more successful, and a mention on local forums as well as putting out a good word is necessary...

Michal: be sure that the tour is not something Brabus does regularly.. they only do tours for media or high paying customers... and definitely not for 37 people at once!!
I had to discuss the matter directly with Brabus executive manager Constantine (Son of Bodo) to make it happen.

Regards

 

[195910]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Oh by the way, I already have the Badges and stickers designed!

Its based on our MB Club Kuwait member's badges.. very classy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=121-7dkl2y0

 

[195910]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Gentlemen, I have received a rather upsetting E-mail from Jelmer about what I stated regarding ideas for next year:
=============================
Ahmad,

What are you doing? Why are you posting what you're posting? Why are you
posting about ideas you're having, badges, etc?

This year we (Anna and me) really wanted to help, but you cut us out.
This time we made plenty clear that we would start planning the meet for
next year, which was decided with great support from everyone we spoke
with. Yet now you post this?

I'm not sure what you want to achieve with this, except for making
people think we're competing for organizing a meet and splintering the
community.

Please, give it a rest. We've had two meets that you did, now it's time
for someone else.

--
Jelmer
================================

I want to make a number of points clear about the International W124 500 Event:

1 - The event is an initiative from me Eng.Ahmad Rida, it is a non profit event and I do not do this for money... so Jelmer and "his friend" idea of charging participants money to attend is not acceptable to me. I will not allow this event to be a commercial interest for others, I myself did not ask for a participation fee although I HAVE spent time and money organizing the event.

2 - This event is for the owners and enthusiasts of the W124.036... not to make money.

3 - I have said in a number of posts and occasions, that I welcome everyone's suggestions, you Jelmer are welcomed to suggest and comment on the event organization and I will try my best to do what is agreeable to all participants.

4 - After last year's event you requested that you participate in organizing the 2014 event and I agreed... can you please let everyone here know which of the venues did you arrange? You requested to arrange the hotel for the participants, and I was really happy with this ... but then did you arrange Gladbeck and the discount rate ? You have not made a single phone call to any of the venues nor to other participants... hence you did not demonstrate any effort in organizing the event except for showing up.

5 - Jelmer, all the host venues I organized the event at wither its BRABUS, Remise, MeilenWerk, Porsche.. did not charge us money for everything they provided... If you and "your friend" were looking for something in return just for showing up then I would have suggested that you both withdraw.. As far as I know things were pre-arranged and did not need too much effort.. I called you about 5 times to make sure everything is going well, I called Brabus, the A45 Lady and Arkady.

6 - My absence in the event this year was explained to you and others.. my letter of invitation ended up in Kenya!! .. but next year I will be there and even if everything goes wrong there will be someone on my behalf.. and he will attend to all the minor issues that were in the last two events... FREE OF CHARGE.

7 - I DID NOT EXPECT THIS FROM YOU JELMER! After the success of this event and the reputation that we now have, you and "your Jealous friend" now want to steal the event from me and turn it into a business. I am sad to hear this.

 

[Jelmer]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Ahmad,

Although I don't see the reason for posting my email here and don't think you should have done this, I won't edit or delete it because people might see that as "abusing powers".

The idea about meets like these is that they are done by the community, for the community. Last year we (Anna and me) really wanted to help out, but you didn't let us. We, as in everyone at the meet, discussed next year's event, and decided it would be good if Anna and me prepared everything. It would, as I suggested a while back, be a two day event, which would cost a few Euro's. We would be able to scout locations, prepare routes, shoot some pictures, and prepare directions for everyone.
The money would be used to pay restaurants and events in advance, so we aren't messing around like we did at Porsche last year, or at the remise this year.

1 - The event is an initiative from me Eng.Ahmad Rida, it is a non profit event and I do not do this for money... so Jelmer and "his friend" idea of charging participants money to attend is not acceptable to me. I will not allow this event to be a commercial interest for others, I myself did not ask for a participation fee although I HAVE spent time and money organizing the event.

This makes it sound more like you think it's YOUR event, not for the community.

2 - This event is for the owners and enthusiasts of the W124.036... not to make money.

What happened to it being YOUR initiative?

4 - After last year's event you requested that you participate in organizing the 2014 event and I agreed... can you please let everyone here know which of the venues did you arrange? You requested to arrange the hotel for the participants, and I was really happy with this ... but then did you arrange Gladbeck and the discount rate ? You have not made a single phone call to any of the venues nor to other participants... hence you did not demonstrate any effort in organizing the event except for showing up.

You didn't let me.

5 - Jelmer, all the host venues I organized the event at wither its BRABUS, Remise, MeilenWerk, Porsche.. did not charge us money for everything they provided... If you and "your friend" were looking for something in return just for showing up then I would have suggested that you both withdraw.. As far as I know things were pre-arranged and did not need too much effort.. I called you about 5 times to make sure everything is going well, I called Brabus, the A45 Lady and Arkady.

Who is "my friend"? Who is wanting something in return? As I explained before - certain bits cost money, like having breakfast, lunch or a tour. These were free, which is great, but not everything is. Expanding the event to a multi-day event means doing more diverse things, some would cost money. It's not wise to have everyone grabbing their wallets at every turn.

6 - My absence in the event this year was explained to you and others.. my letter of invitation ended up in Kenya!! .. but next year I will be there and even if everything goes wrong there will be someone on my behalf.. and he will attend to all the minor issues that were in the last two events... FREE OF CHARGE.

I know, and that's really sad, and I'm sure that explains at least some of the overreacted responses here. Again with the money, though?

7 - I DID NOT EXPECT THIS FROM YOU JELMER! After the success of this event and the reputation that we now have, you and "your Jealous friend" now want to steal the event from me and turn it into a business. I am sad to hear this.

Ahmad, I already started preparing you for this a year ago. I let you know in our Skype chats that I would like to host the event next time, I sent you emails about it and I even wrote it here in the forums. I'm sorry you didn't pick this up.

Although I really don't know who my jealous friend would be, and I also don't know why you all of the sudden think I would want to make money with this, you should know that the only thing on my mind is making the next meet even bigger and better. It's not that I don't think you can't do that, but you'll have to admit it's much more practical for someone who's actually close to the location to organize something. Combine this with the new people I met and the offers I received, I thought it was a clear cut case.

I apologize to everyone for derailing such a nice thread with negative messages like these. I won't be posting any more on the subject nor will I post any mails.

 

[500AMM]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Well, well, well - I won't say this is interesting reading, more clarifying maybe, but I won't comment further.

We must avoid introducing negative vibes into this, so I propose that post #191 and #192 are left here until midnight CET (central europe time), then they are taken away from this thread, or deleted completely.

Then we start over again - I'm sure we manage this guys - I'm absolutely convinced!

Ciao,
Arnt

 

[Christian_K]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Im all for Jelmer and Gerry to host the next event in Germany.
We already said that one day of the planned two, will be at Bernards Garage. Please nto two tours again. It was boring. We need more time at the cars and more of column driving finally maybe Grilling together.

 

[195910]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

1 - My initiative does not equal my Event. it is not an Ahmad event... it is an event organized by Ahmad.. you don't buy a car and then give it to someone else to drive just because you drove it once. the same applies to car clubs and forums all over the world... we are not communists.

2 - Yes Jelmer, it is everybody's event... so who gave you the right to exclude me and say I should not organize this ??? while I am welcoming everybody's help.

3 - Would you like me to post the E-mails where I ask you about the progress on the Hotels ? or about Nico ? or about ideas ? All of which you replied by saying that its best if I did them because you don't have time....I have always credited people for every effort no matter how small..

4 - Jelmer this was your opinion and nobody else, the fact that you are now justifying the money with "breakfast and drinks" is rather weak .. 200.- Euros for drinks! But as Gerry once said: "Opinions are like ass holes, everybody has got one" ..

5 - I will of course discuss next year's event with everyone who participated or even with new participants. An international event is about credibility and reputation (for people to drive 3000km to attend, and for companies like Brabus to be a venue) and I thank everyone who participated for their trust in me and excuse me for any shortcomings.

 

[gerryvz]

Guys,

Let's not kill the goodwill and momentum from the event that was just planned and executed. It was a very good event, particularly in terms of the activities planned and the fellowship.

There are many things that could have been done better. From my perspective (and I plan events as part of my job, and have been planning and executing MB-related events since 2001, when I hosted the M-100 Lode Star Fest (6.3, 6.9, 600) in Portland, Oregon.

My advice would be as follows:

• Create a single, definitive document (booklet) that lists all activities, plans, times, locations, and short URLs to Google Maps/directions that people can punch into their phones to get directions quickly
• Post the schedule here on this Forum including all dates. I waded through the 2014 "official" thread several times and I was unable to get some key details, and finally had to send Ahmad email and just ask him outright to confirm what I THOUGHT was going to happen.
• Have a clear leader (and possibly co-leader) and then delegate key tasks to 2-3 other "trusted" lieutenants. I did this with Jeff Wong, in planning the California event, with some helpful support from other SoCal guys like Glen and 600Eric.
• Conduct periodic meetings (conference calls are fine) with the event team so that you can discuss the feasibility of certain things and figure out next steps. Perhaps once per 8 weeks at first, and then the last two months perhaps every two weeks. This ensures alignment.
• Decide on venue early and get everything reserved. Nine months is not too early to reserve hotel. You can always adjust downward if needed.
• Consider charging a modest registration/participation fee to all attendees. Say EUR 60 / USD $75 per person. This would go to pay for both days' lunches (so people are not haggling on money, and the cost can be pre-negotiated with the restaurants) and any supplies and/or a T-shirt or other token of the event. Any/all drinks at lunches/hotel/dinners would need to be covered by the attendee.
• Another good reason to charge a fee (it is NOT for a profit but rather to cover costs for lunches/t-shirts only) would be to guarantee attendance and minimize no-shows. If someone pays EUR 60 to attend up front, then it is MUCH more likely they will come as opposed to just saying they will show up and then not coming or canceling at the last second. Look how many no-show cars there were this year !!
• Have name badges with the person's name, country, car owned/attending, and forum name (if applicable) - Jelmer did this and it was VERY helpful at this year's event.
• Have a check-in table or other place where people coming can officially notify the organizers that they are present and they can received their book/shirt/whatever detailing the event.

What is most important is that there is a general agreement to have an event leader (and co-leader if desired) and that this person is motivated and willing to work hard to make the event happen, and to engage others and to delegate tasks so they don't have to do everything themselves.

It would also be an excellent idea to engage the venue owners (say Bernhard if that is the decision) to get them engaged. For California we used Jeff Wong's Global HQ as the home base and then branched out from there. Captruff was instrumental in getting Matt at Leistung Autohaus on board, where we had the tech sessions and part of the gathering.

I am willing to at least facilitate a global conference call in the near future (as many people can join as want to and it is toll free calls for everyone in their country) so that folks can begin to work out the differences expressed above and start to agree on a hierarchy or set of leaders and lieutenants for the event next year.

If someone wants me to be more directly involved, or as an adviser, I am also happy to do this.

As far as my initial ideas for a 2015 event:

• I would propose that we try to host part of the 2015 event at Porsche in Zuffenhausen with the fellow there who led and managed the 500E project at Porsche. Perhaps something special could also be done with the Porsche Museum (or the MB Museum for that matter).
• I'd also propose a two-day event with part of it being at Bernhard's shop in Baden Baden, which could be a home-base.

2014 was a great event in Germany, and I was told that it was better than the 2013 event. The world is our oyster for these events in the US and in Europe, so let's not fight about it, but rather discuss it as adults and plan to "raise the bar" even higher for 2015 !!

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[320E]

Dear all.

As Gerry mentioned, people like Jelmer had some expenses (e.g. name badges, etc.) for the community event. Are there any other expenses by other people? Because there was no fee for the 2014 event, shouldn’t we refund to these people?

Furthermore, I would like to offer a helping hand (organization?) for the next event. So please tell me, if I can contribute in and way.

Best, Simon

 

[Jelmer]

Simon,

The badges weren't that expensive, and our own initiative. Don't worry about paying that back

It would of course be a completely different matter if all lunches had to be paid, which is exactly the issue that I wanted to address for the next meet.

 

[bing]

The world is our oyster for these events in the US and in Europe, so let's not fight about it, but rather discuss it as adults and plan to "raise the bar" even higher for 2015 !!

Well said , Gerry!

 

[Taxi Driver]

WHERE WERE YOU????

International 036 meet!? Roma, there was 2 from Russia 2 from Sweden( should have been3 as mine w its 6liter did not start last minute)
1 from Poland 1 from the UK 2 from Holland.
There were initially talk about Norway, Denmark, Finland a few more from Sweden, where were they? boy did they miss something.......

Me Cobra/Torsten and a third Magnus "beifahrer" did attend the W124CC meet Mecklenburg/Rygen, a four day event Very well organised.
Among all the cabriolets/coupes there were 1 E500 1 E60 1 E500 Limited !!

We did about 4000 km in this litle tour Germany. Could be said, only spoted 1 500E the Almadine w Bot signs wich did not attend, but drove
by Brabus and 20 some 036'es?? Can we say the E500E is a rare Bird?

Many thanks to esp. Ahmad, sad you could not make it, Gerry, Bernad, Bing, Martin and many more, also Simon nice to have you in our
ride to the Steakhouse, good to see new enthusiasts showing up, thank you all.

I do belive there should be some fee and a two day event with a parkinglot for all participants cars to park, that I missed and all should stay
at the same hotel, column driving offcourse. Would 30-40 cars be too much to ask? Looking forward to 2015 Roger

 

[Maui]

I would love to attend next year just to meet the folks and see their beautiful cars on their home turf.

 

[gsxr]

Y'all can schedule some laps at the Nürburgring, in which case I would be even greener with envy...

 

[036]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Why don´t we ask Mr. Alois Ruf??
You feel me? Silver 500E with 400 tkm on the clock?

 

[036]

Another idea to think about . Where are they based though ?


RUF Automobile GmbH

Mindelheimer Straße 21

D-87772 Pfaffenhausen

Tel.: +49 (0)82 65/911 911

Fax: +49 (0)82 65/911 912
E-Mail: info@ruf-automobile.de
Webseite: www.ruf-automobile.de

https://maps.google.de/maps?q=Ruf+A...heimer+Straße+21,+87772+Pfaffenhausen&t=m&z=9

 

[texas993]

Somebody say RUF?

 

[Klink]

Some like it RUF...

 

[gerryvz]

Let's turn attention to next year's meeting. It's not too early to start planning, honestly. Is there a date in the near future when people are interested to have a phone call so that we can at least resolve who wants to be involved & make commitments in positions of leadership and supporting roles?

Then the leadership team can start making decisions and delegating tasks. I think it's a good idea in the next couple of months to set a date & basic framework for the event so that people can have it on their calendars.

For a US event perhaps something on the East Coast (Boston/New York) area would be good. There are a lot of cars and owners there, and some interesting resources, tracks, etc. Perhaps Jimbo can help be an organizer for this? And maybe a desire to do another event in California too?

 

[Michal]

I liked the idea of 2014 meeting: you want to come, you have time, you have funds, you are coming. I do agree, that some pre fees will help arrange the next event.
However, we can not treat these payments as an attempt to force people to 100% declaration of arrival. I'm sure with some of those who did not come, simply could not and any charge would not have changed it. (I'm not talking about I wish/maybe people, who knows from the beginning that they will not come, and despite of it put themselves on the list. I think we don't have them here)

Also remember, that too high fees might discourage potential participants.
So, I think the best option is: we pay some money but we get some group discounts (hotel/lunch/drinks/etc).

As for the meeting. I agree with Gerry, it's all about people/atmosphere/places/cars. It is not (and will not be) a VAG event (Worthersee for example) where guys have whole new setups every year. In our case it should be about something more - the memories connected with 036.

We were talking a lot about best moments, while we were driving back to Poland. I thought, why don't to archive them next time. So I spoke to friend of mine. He can make (edit and publish) a nice dvd for us, some kind of document let's say - all for free. All we have to do, is to record as much as we can in HD.

I also spoke with Jelmer and Anna, they already know what can I do for the next event. So looking forward to some more instructions.

And the last thing. I think that the one of the main organizers should be Ahmad.


Michal

 

[gerryvz]

Let's keep this thread focused specifically on ideas and planning for future events.

(People can make up their own minds, based on their own desires and financial circumstances, as to whether they want to fly or ship their car from one continent to another for a meet.)

Thanks
Gerry

 

[Cobra]

Hi all fellow enthusiasts,

Sorry for the delay, been away on an other trip.

The 2014 meeting was a true higlight for me this year, the visit at Brabus was totally unreal, the classics department was a like a dream, the visit at Remise
Düsseldorf was watering the mind to go to Remise Berlin in a not to far future...

I will also try the beertrick in the kiosk in Berlin to, as i did in Düsseldorf, when the cashiere saw the badge that i´ll got from Jelmer, the beer suddenly
went free of charge, this badge will follow me throuh life...or had this something to do with the excellent arrangement..?

The good company of fellow enthusiasts at the bar in the hotel on friday and at the dinner saturday night in the steakhouse that Berrnard recommenden
was very nice and interresting.

And of course the opportunity to meet all the people who have the same interest that i have.

And i am still haunted of the apparence of the black E500 6,5.....waking up at night screaming....GIVE IT TO ME!!!

I am now a hard better in the Swedish Lotto....

The arrangement of this GTG was extremly well performed, and i am very thankful to all who have been involved in it, no one mentioned, no one forgotten, as we say in Sweden..

I am very curious of the next years meeting, and a two day meeting seems to me to be the way to go, in practical it was much like a two day meeting this year for us who
stayed in the same hotel both the night before and after the meeting.

A look at Bernards garage sounds like a good idea, i will bring the videocamera..

And Michals idea of a official video sounds really good, i know that the German 124 CC club annual meeting that Roger, Magnus and i participated in the weekend before have for many years
made a official video from every meeting, this is produced of one member who have done so for many years, this also a way to share the the experience with those not able to participate.

If you only find a person who is willing to do this.

Thank you again, you who arranged this, very well done!!

Best Regards
Torsten

 

[gerryvz]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[036]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

Best regards and huge thanx from Temur 073 & Co.
He is also talking about 2 days event, and, as he just came back from Green Hell- why not meet there 2015?

 

[Bzliteyear]

+1 for California.
interested in Germany also.
PL

 

[Dortmunder]

I think it would be good to find a date for the 2015 event very soon so that everyone can make a cross in the diary. In my opinion a 2 day event would be fine and we would have some nice talks in the evening as well.
Looking forward hearing more.

 

[036]

Re: Official Thread for the 2014 International W124.036 Event

please please please from 15 of july till end of august....

 

[Jelmer]

Remember that there are two other meets going on, at 11-14 June and 18-21 June. Need to stay clear of those dates.

 

[036]

Remember that there are two other meets going on, at 11-14 June and 18-21 June. Need to stay clear of those dates.

What meetings??



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMJu7nK3drA

 

[Jelmer]

What meetings??

W124 CC and W124 Germany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMJu7nK3drA

Holy. Shit.

 

[gerryvz]

How about the last weekend in June 2015 (June 27 & 28, 2015)?

 

[Michal]

For me, June is fine. Now, if we are thinking about the future, it's a perfect moment to set a constant date. It can be any of the summer months, but it should be always the same period (first/second/last weekend of something).

please please please from 15 of july till end of august....

Sorry, did not see you wrote that

 

[Cobra]

Hi

I think the most important thing is that the different W124 meetings do not collide so you do not have to choose.

It would be nice to visit them all once in a lifetime.

BR
Torsten

 

[Cobra]

Just as a curiosity, one 1 300 000 of the swedish people ( about 25 percent of the populatian ) was emigrating to the USA in the late 18 hundreds ,and in the the first of the 19 hundreds, so it is
probably more people of Swedish ancestory in the USA than in Sweden....

We are just 9 million now....including all new commers..

BR
Torsten

 

[036]

Sorry, did not see you wrote that

Now i´m better- i´ll be able to find 2 days at nearly any time.

Another thought... maybe we also should consider where Autobahns are close to our meeting, and where Autobahns don´t have any limits
Here in north Germany we can have a nice blast for 30 km´s easy. Only 2-3 days a year tourists passing to Denmark....

 

[gerryvz]

So ... folks ready to start discussions yet? Lots of forum posts, no action.

 

[Jelmer]

I agree with Gerry - it's time to start by with picking the lead organizer.

During the last meet I offered to take this position but as you might haven noticed, this whole stuff between Ahmad and me has dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. Via Christian I learned that he also sent his initial rant via email to all the participants, who all have my email address, none of whom have contacted me.

Regrettably, there also hasn't been any communication between Ahmad and me. I don't want to make this a competition about who's doing the event, and have therefore decided I won't take the lead and initiative. I can help, sure, but I won't be pulling this. Maybe next time.

 

[500AMM]

I wasn't participating in none of the GtGs, but I have used quite some effort to negotiate with Ahmad to clear up and calm the "storm in the water pit", which it actually is IMHO. We need some roof height to tacle unexpected incidents, build experience and loyalty.

The idea about a GtG here in Europe gradually became stronger during 2011-2012, and Ahmad did a great contribution so it ever became a reality in 2013. It was just a start, a feeler, to see how it was met by the owners. Everyone was excited about this. Then it developed a bit further for this year, regretfully with some - let's call it "misunderstandings", but anyhow - the 2014 GtG was arranged and to a higher grade! I don't say Ahmad did this alone, but he deserve credit for his contribution to establish a tradition bridging the 036-owners much closer on the European continent. It's pity he doesn't chime in here, clear up, and enjoy the confidence.

However, the life goes on and the loyalty follows the chosen leader, whoever it may be. But just to make it simple, why not roll the leader job for the 2015 GtG? I would gladly have you to take duty, Jelmer. I'm sure you will do a great job with the needed support around.

 

[gerryvz]

I think it's a crime that you don't want to take a leading role, Jelmer. I am not seeing why we can't have co-leaders with defined roles and responsibilities, as long as this is worked out in advance. Or Ahmad should pass the baton for this year to you, and he can do it again for 2016?

Honestly, leaders just step forward and lead. So I say "Just Do It."

How about we set up a phone call say toward the end of July, in the evening European time. I know some folks will be on summer holiday, so I want to be sensitive to setting up a date that works for everyone. If you are interested to participate then please chime in and let me know, along with date(s) that work for you. I want to set this up far enough in advance that it works for everyone's calendars. If we need to postpone until September, when people are back from Holiday, that's fine too. Basically I just want to get the ball rolling so that we can get folks engaged.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Cobra]

Hi

Is there any development in the planning for 2015 or is it a locked situation?

Just asking as the last meeting was a succéss and me and probably not only me
is looking forward to 2015.

BR
Torsten

 

[gerryvz]

I have offered twice to host an international conference call with any and all interested parties to begin the process of initial organization. So far nobody took me up on the offer. But I remain hopeful that someday it will happen.

 

[500AMM]

I have offered twice to host an international conference call with any and all interested parties to begin the process of initial organization. So far nobody took me up on the offer. But I remain hopeful that someday it will happen.

Yes, it's been a total silence around this, but let's say it has been a needed "sit-back-and-think" period - or who dare to stick out their head first...
You're right about the missing feedback, Gerry. When I read your post with the teleconf invitation I thought (...yes, I was just thinking, sorry..) that it was a great initiative and I would gladly participate on that. I am pretty busy most of the time, but I make room for a teleconf of course. (I'll be away to Cyprus for a week vacation between 11. - 18. September, so I am not available during that time)

C'mon Urops - please chime in now.

 

[bing]

Well, here's an open invitation from Bernard to begin with:

He also strongly wants the next International 500E meet at his garage next year. So like Jelmer, Gerry and other suggested as some sort of "Home base". The area he lives is really the "best" area for driving around. The S-Class Club also goes out there for the most beautiful rides. So maybe next year we know more whats new about all his planned developments.

 

[Taxi Driver]

Well, here's an open invitation from Bernard to begin with:

Ready when You are, Mr Bing, Sir. See you at Moe's 2015 Roger

 

[gerryvz]

Yes we should get going on planning.

I propose June 26-28, 2015 as the date for the 2015 event.

 

[Cobra]