I posted in the Gathering section about this, but the message got very few hits. Since I sometimes don't get past the Collings Guitar section, I thought I'd post here, to give it a fair shake.

David R and I are willing to do some work putting together our fourth annual, consecutive fall forum gathering. Last year's gathering was great fun, and I look forward to seeing everyone again. It was intimate though - read that as very low attendance. I hate to ask for special factory tours (and believe me, the forum gathering gets a VERY special tour) and other favors from local guitar stores if the turn-out is to be very low. It's a little more worth everyone's time if we can guarantee a decent turn-out.

If you're interested, please respond. I think for now we should consider either the first weekend of September, October or November, with planned activities from Friday afternoon to Sunday. Weather can be warm to fabulous at that time of year, and those weekends hold activities for non-guitar travelling partners.

And then there's the cost of travelling these days....

I refuse to give up on Gatherings. If there's not enough interest this year, or not enough people can manage a trip this fall, we'll try again next year.

David

David,

As you know, I'll do whatever I can do to help. And I'm sure Pat at Quincy's will as well. Let me know if you get a good group.

kdd

Quincy's Guitar will be happy to be involved!

Pat

I would love to attend.

I'd like to attend; I've got a new 00-42koa coming out in September. Avoid Winfield and IBMA, though.

Bill

I'd try to make it. Always wanted to go to Austin. October/November would work for me. Thanks.

Jim

I'll do what I can to be there...September wouldn't work, but more than likely I'd make it in Oct or Nov...and, the weather is bound to be better than it was when I was there last week...HOT and HUMID...but still had a 'buckin' good time!

Dale

I live close enough, so "why the heck not"....

I've done bidness w/Pat, and would like to meet some of y'all.

And hey, is Kinky coming?

quote:

Originally posted by Mark EL:

And hey, is Kinky coming?

Probably, but not to the gathering!

Where is this going to be held??

Philco3

I'd love to attend but the problem for me has been the weekend selection. In both cases I had camping trips planned. Usually the first or second week in October is when we go to Door County for the Fall Colors. I think a better weekend would be the weekend before Thanksgiving, wherever that falls. Maybe changing the dates would also bring in more people who have scheduling conflicts.

The gathering would be in the area of the factory. In years past, we've found lodgings in south Austin and in Wimberly, both very short drives from the factory or anything else in the area. Austin offers night life, Wimberly offers great daytime activities. Both offer eats, drinks, and great guitar stores. We did find it convenient to all stay in the same place last year, so we could stay up late and jam.

As far as the actual weekend, I want to find the weekend that accomodates the most people. So please, if you're considering coming but your calendar is restrictive, let us know what works for you, and we'll let the majority rule.

Kevin and Pat, thanks for offering to help, and for jumping in so quickly. We'll be in touch.

I'd still like to get a few more commitments before we start chosing dates and planning activities, but in the brief time this has been posted in this area, things are looking good. David and I may work under the "if we build it they will come" philosophy.

David