PLUS ramblings - *** PLUS2009 (our bi-yearly gathering) *** Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
Tennessee has had three PLUS events. It's time to share the fun with the other 49 states. I'd love to find a city with a low-fare airlines hub and the walkability of Gatlinburg.
The real challenge is PLUS has grown too big for most hotel conference centers and isn't big enough for most dedicated convention centers. Gatlinburg (PLUS2007) fit the niche we are in, at a reasonable price and in a very family friendly atmosphere, though I will admit the hotels were a step back into the mid-20th century...
About being a PLUS2009 Steering Committee member:
I have a lengthy list of steering committee volunteers and I'm still looking for more. The window is open for a couple of weeks.
Many have asked more details about what the Steering Committee does. Here's my standard answer:
The steering committee is a group of about ten people that help me put on this event. Everyone gets assigned a task (education, facilities, merchandising, registration, entertainment, banquet, press, finances, etc.) and my job is to keep everybody pointing in the same direction. Since there are a zillion details, I rely heavily on the steering committee members to make the best decisions.
We have a one hour conference call once a month to keep everything coordinated. When PLUS finally does happen, the SC members put in a lot of long hours as they oversee their areas of responsibility.
Sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it? It is. In return you get free access to PLUS, my never-ending thank yous and gratitude from all the PLUS attendees.
____________________ Chuck Smith at http://www.PlanetChristmas.com
Don't forget our three PlanetChristmas rules: Positive, family friendly and Christmas centric
You have now personally seen Bronner's and Frankemuth. I Believe that this would be a GREAT place to host Plus and I bet The Bronner family would love to have us there.
I bet Zender's would be thrilled to have us at thier hotel. it would be fun!!
plus there are lots of hotels around frankenmuth and Birch Run.
Plus if we set it early enough we could get Wally and/or Wayne to be the keynote speakers.
I would be happy to contact Frankenmuth chamber and start looking at a location to hold Plus there. It would definatley be a PLUS to Remember!!
Maybye one of our michigan members would be happy to be the liason this year and work directly to set things up there.
my.02 cents worth.
Last edited on Friday February 15th, 2008 08:32 pm by Scot Meyers
____________________ Scot Meyers http://rockymountainlights.spaces.live.com
"What matters most to me? Helping people to decorate their hearts with peace and love"- Wally Bronner
Always wanted to go to Bronner's so I am game and never been any further North than Washington DC, and west than Nashville. I know the other big cities always thrown out are Orlando,etc but I think there has to be some sort of Christmas store nearby. I know the vendors are the best Christmas store but somewhere else the family can go to also would be cool. Oh and has to have go carts nearby.
csmith wrote: Tennessee has had three PLUS events. It's time to share the fun with the other 49 states. I'd love to find a city with a low-fare airlines hub and the walkability of Gatlinburg.
I remember from previous years that you used a convention service to provide a list of locations that met the necessary criteria. Before we have every city in the U.S. listed here in this thread it might be good to post that list and at least use it as a starting point.
One of the places that I remember being on the list is Hot Springs, Arkansas! Of course this is the best choice and besides I know my buddy Chuck Hutchings is just dying to come visit AR!!!
TED wrote: I remember from previous years that you used a convention service to provide a list of locations that met the necessary criteria. Before we have every city in the U.S. listed here in this thread it might be good to post that list and at least use it as a starting point.
No need to worry. The big boys are involved
In order for me to keep track of anyone thinking about being a Steering Committee volunteer, please send an email to csmith@planetchristmas.com so I can keep all the requests in one place.
____________________ Chuck Smith at http://www.PlanetChristmas.com
Don't forget our three PlanetChristmas rules: Positive, family friendly and Christmas centric
I'm serious about Myrtle Beach...we can meet all the requirements to host a PLUS.
I'll post more details if this goes into a serious location discussion and the list gets published again of the space...
I ran hotels last year and we had a few big enough to hold the event and we have a convention center...not too big but not small...we are kinda just right...
Plenty of hotels in all price points...from superfancy to downright dirty cheap....
the beach...
plenty of resturaunts...krispy creme on every corner...we have bars...(even in the hotels...lol)...even have a few unfamily friendly one's for those who may be so inclined...even one to please the female crowd...
the beach...
Plenty of stuff to do...amusement parks...go carts...ripley's aquarium...dixie stampede...the new hard rock park...minor baseball league...house of blues...too much stuff to list...
the beach...
We have a lot of outlet shopping and a few christmas stores...mostly ornaments and indoor stuff...a dept 56 store...
the beach...
A major airport with a discount carrier...spirit airlines...sign up for their $9 fare club and you could fly to PLUS and back for 9 bucks each way....that could save a ton of money for a lot of people...
Did I mention I have a beach...?...and we are "family friendly"....sorry guys...no thongs or naked ladies...it's illegal...
I second that Jen. Myrtle Beach is a GREAT idea! There are some smaller Christmas stores throughout and if you can't find anything to do, then there is just something wrong with ya.
jen grissett wrote: I'm serious about Myrtle Beach...we can meet all the requirements to host a PLUS.
I'll post more details if this goes into a serious location discussion and the list gets published again of the space...
I ran hotels last year and we had a few big enough to hold the event and we have a convention center...not too big but not small...we are kinda just right...
Plenty of hotels in all price points...from superfancy to downright dirty cheap....
the beach...
plenty of resturaunts...krispy creme on every corner...we have bars...(even in the hotels...lol)...even have a few unfamily friendly one's for those who may be so inclined...even one to please the female crowd...
the beach...
Plenty of stuff to do...amusement parks...go carts...ripley's aquarium...dixie stampede...the new hard rock park...minor baseball league...house of blues...too much stuff to list...
the beach...
We have a lot of outlet shopping and a few christmas stores...mostly ornaments and indoor stuff...a dept 56 store...
the beach...
A major airport with a discount carrier...spirit airlines...sign up for their $9 fare club and you could fly to PLUS and back for 9 bucks each way....that could save a ton of money for a lot of people...
Did I mention I have a beach...?...and we are "family friendly"....sorry guys...no thongs or naked ladies...it's illegal...
And you can camp out at Pirateland Campground
Go to the Gay Dolphin for Souvenirs......NO it is a Gift shop!!!
plenty of Mini-golf around
Guess I'll leave my thong at home tho
David Balch wrote: Guess I'll leave my thong at home tho
Uh, oh. If you're not wearing your thong then your not wearing...I'm not liking the image in my mind right now.
In another thread, it was suggested that a central location be considered for PLUS2009, such as Ohio or Kentucky. Living in the KC area, neither would be considered central in the lower 48, geographically speaking. In fact, I believe the geographic center of the 48 states is even west of KC, around Lebanon, KS. Now PC population wise, I'm not sure what is central.
I also have tried to remember the criteria used to select a site, now that the PLUS2007 website has been shut down. Seems like it was an airport within close proximity, availability of Christmas stores, and plenty of family activities. What have I missed?
So if that criteria will be used by the PLUS2009 SC, and your looking for a central location, what about Branson, MO? Branson is located 30 minutes south of Springfield, MO, which has an airport. And a new airport is being built in Branson scheduled to open in 2009. The Grand Village contains 26 Christmas specialty stores open year round. And as far as family acitivites, there are 52 live music theaters, Silver Dollar City and Celebration City amusment parks, lakes for boating, fishing and swimming, tons of miniture golf and go-cart tracks, outlet shopping galore, 12 championship golf courses, and more.
As far as convention and lodging facilities, in August 2007 the new 220,000 sq. ft Branson Convention center was opened. Adjacent to the convention center are two Hilton Hotels with 536 rooms in the Branson Landing area, that contains 100 shops, a dozen restaurants and lounges, plus two marinas. But there are many more convention and meeting facilities located throughout the Branson area, plus 18,000 guest rooms of all categories that might fit the PLUS2009 criteria.
Also being in the Missouri Ozarks with all the hillbillies, things aren't that expensive compared to Boston or DC. Just another option to consider.
jen grissett wrote: plenty of resturaunts...krispy creme on every corner...we have bars...(even in the hotels...lol)...even have a few unfamily friendly one's for those who may be so inclined...
