2008 Rally - Branson, Missouri - June 12-15, 2008 - General Thread

[Eduardo37]

Rally

I have always wanted to go to Branson. All other things being equal, I will be there. (A year from now is a long time to make commitments. Many things can happen in that time, unfortunately glitches as well as the good stuff).

I'll be attending my first Heartland rally in Houston Oct. 19 - 21. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

[jbeletti]

Hi all,

Hope you're all having a pleasant Sunday. Ours is super. Wish we were at the trailer this afternoon though.

Thanks to all for their input on the matter of SOBs at the rallies. Here's what I am currently "contemplating":

Local Chapter/Regional Rallies:
The chapter leader/president may decide if owners of other brands may fully attend in a Heartland Owners rally.

National/International Rallies:
Heartland Owners in Heartland products only.

So that's what I'm thinking at this time. When we get the club fully developed, there will be many more people attending Chapter rallies (in aggregate) than will attend the the National/International rallies.

That all said, I'd like to reiterate that at any rally, it's totally reasonable to expect friends and relatives to also be camping in the same campground and for some rally events, that those people join in. A potluck may be a good example. An event where part of your rally fee includes a dinner and a show would be an example of when those additional parties and their expense would not be included in our numbers. In cases where SOBs were allowed, I'd say they'd be allowed at full rally rates with fully rally benefits. But let's cross that bridge as we get closer to it.

Oh yes, if you have another couple camping with you as part of your rally unit (1 rig and 4 people sleeping in it), that's always a "go".

Thanks to iefrpo01 for bring the matter up. I feel it's good discussion and discussion that would have to have been brought up at some point anyway.

Thanks gain to all who weighed in.

Jim

 

[Paul & Nan]

From the prospective of someone who has owned SOB/s as well as a BH, if you want to go to a rally with your friends join, or form, a Good Sam group and have(or go to) a rally. Over time we have done both, depending on ownership and time available. We currently own a BH and are GS officers, so we try to do both. When there is an owners rally, no matter the brand, it is just that, an owners rally, no SOB's, no questions asked. Look to the Airstreamers, Holiday Ramblers, etc. Sorry if anyone takes offence, but so be it. Nan

 

[wfwilson]

Gayle & I agree with Jim! A Heartland Owners rally should be just that. Heartland Owners. SOB should not be aloud.
If we want a mixed rally we can go to GS or a general rally could be organized.
There has to be a benefit to the owners group or it will not grow!
That is our 2 cents for what it is worth!
Regards
Wayne

 

[navyAZ1]

Wow, now I know why my wife always calls me a "Pudd'n Stick"! Great ideas Jim looking forward to meeting all of ya'll in Branson.

 

[big kahuna]

SOB...I know what it means with regards to this forum but everytime I see it another meaning also comes to mind and I get a chuckle. Maybe the term should be shortened to OB?

 

[iefpro01]

Jim - sorry I got this started. But as you said - someone eventually was going to ask. Yes it is cool to have an exclusive club - as long as those who you like to spend time with belong as well... ​

Being that I am not retired - I have limited vacation and tend to spend it with extended family. But I agree the rules are the rules - we all live under rules everyday and it is a part of life. With that said it is worth mentioning that it may limit folks like me from coming to the rally. But, as Gawelsh pointed out, it sounds like the rally has more than enough attendees - so I am sure you will not miss me - LOL. In fact if I don't come - there will be more left over food for everyone - LOL...

Please this is not intended to be a compliant or an argument - it is a simple point of fact. That is why I asked the question in the first place. I consider myself an honorable and ethical person who try's to follow the rules of the situation I decide to enter. If I don't like the rules then it is my choice to not attend. In this case both sides have good points - but the majority rules (I assume) in this club and those rules must be honored.

Jim - I guess, if possible, what might be helpful would be to figure out what activities the SOB's can attend and what they can't. That way each person can decide if it is worth coming with extended family or friends. Just for FYI DW and I still plan on coming, We just may not attend many if any of the "Owners Only" events if our family does come. But everyone needs to be clear on this; I am fine with that and it is my choice.

 

[jbeletti]

iefpro01,

No worries. We still hope you can make it and next year, after all the event planning is done, we'll have a good sense of what is okay for non-rally attendees to hang around.

Until then, let's all enjoy the rest of the summer, however hot, cold or wet it is. It's going to be 95 here tomorrow. My one AC is going to by hating it I'll bet.

Happy camping,

Jim

 

[SmokeyBare]

Greetings from Belfast Maine,

The Lobster Festival at Rockland Maine was good... heading to the State Fair in Bangor today.

Jim, include Karen and I for the Branson Rally in 2008.

Yes, we fully expect Karen to be with me this time... No new Grandbabies on the horizon yet !!

We both have wanted to visit Branson for some time now... this will make that visit even better !

 

[jrlebaron]

Hi all we have had our Big Horn 6 weeks and loving it. How do we sign up for the rally? We've never been to one and would love to meet with other owners of the same 5ver. I'm sure I can learn from all of you. Thanks
Jim

 

[jbeletti]

Jim,

We will begin taking reservations for the 2008 Branson rally in February or March. Save the date until then!

But, if you're up for a 600 mile road trip this October, consider joining us at the Myrtle Beach rally.

Happy camping.

Jim

 

[theharveys]

We (myself, wife and daughter) spent a week in Branson earlier this month. It was our first time there and we all had a great time. I would love to go back. We stayed at the Branson KOA and we can report that the campground is very nice. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. They were in the process of widening (and leveling) several of the sites and adding some nice patios and stone walls. We could see that when the work is completed, the campground will be even nicer. It is also very close to the downtown area, and access to all the shows and restaurants (and lightly traveled alternate roads) is easy.
We were glad we chose that campground instead of the America's Best Campground as the KOA is so convenient to downtown.

 

[NWTFHunter]

2008 Rally

How do we register for the 2008 Branson Rally? Do we make our own reservation at KOA or what? We have not attended a rally before so not sure how you handle this. Thanks for help.

 

[jbeletti]

I have 100 sites blocked at the Branson KOA. No need to reserve there unless you are reserving early or late days. I plan to open up rally registrations by the end of the month.

Jim

 

[jmgratz]

I see everyone's point and we do plan to be there next year. Didn't mean to ruffle the feathers, just making a comment. Rally's are really cool and a lot of fun. Not wanting everyone to think I'm one of these complainers just think some things need to be pointed out I also believe in pointing out things when somebody does a good job and I believe Jim is doing just that. See Ya at the Rally in Branson!

For those wanting to rally with SOB's check out "THE RALLY" put on by Good Sam. It is in March 2008 in Perry Georgia. We went last year in Oregon and had a blast. You have much fun, get much information, meet tons of people and have a memorable experience. You can get complete information on the Good Sam website at www.goodsamclub.com then click on THE RALLY link. By the way we hope to be able to make the Heartland Rally but are not sure of our schedule yet.

Jim and Sheila Gratz + Frostie (toy Eskie) and Penny (toy Yorkie)
2007 Landmark Golden Gate
99 Ford F350 full Banks Power Pak equipped

 

[jbeletti]

2008 International Heartland Owners Rally Registration is now open!

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[SmokeyBare]

Thanks Jim for opening the Registration.

I attempted to use KOA's 800 number to get the early days we wanted... The 800 number takes you to a nationwide KOA system and not the Branson KOA.

Placed a Call to Branson's KOA Phone Number... The office is closed until March... but they do in fact have Full hook up sites through out the winter. Last attempt... I sent an Email to the Branson KOA... we'll see what comes of that.

Jim, a Question about site assigmnents. It would be nice for us who will be coming in early to know where we will be parked... so we can TRY reserving the very same site for the post Rally days.

Will we be given our RV site number after we register for the Rally?

We're looking forward to our Branson visit.

 

[GregH]

Phone number for Branson KOA

Marv and Karen,
I spoke on the phone with them today. The phone number I used was 800 467-7611. I think the number rolled to their house however as she said she would put the information into her computer later today when she was in the office.

 

[Paul & Nan]

Jim-tried to go to registration site your email allows-got something selling their service, nothing for registering. Nan

 

[jbeletti]

Hi Paul and Nan,

Sorry you had problems with the link. This is the first I am hearing of any trouble with it.

Wondering if you clicked on the hyperlink below the button??

Here's a direct link to the registration site.

Thanks,

Jim