:rave:

 

Thanks Brian. I'd like to back up a couple of points that were made.

1. Keep an emphasis on "Team" as it really does take an actual ground team to assemble a meet. Don't try to go it alone.

2. Make your bids attractive, well thought out, detailed, and INTERESTING. We don't want to get a bar napkin with some stuff scratched on it. Think "presentation".

Have at it!!

 

I think I'll be the only East Coast-er to vote for the West Coast. Bring on the road trip!! :yes:

 

No voting required bro - you want the meet somewhere specifically? Just submit a bid for it!

 

Brian i love the sig brought em, broke em, wrecked em! be back better, faster, more durable next year!!

 

Yeah - had to steal the pic from your sig too! Great shot by Ben

 

NALM was great this past year, and I hope to attend next year, but there are so many things that will change between now and then that i cant even begin to plan anything this far ahead of time.

I will watch the threads in this section and chime in sometime next April/May.


by next year i will have graduated college (will have full time "real" job), have a new daily driver car (might not have my legend), but if i have some extra money I might have a coupe.

 

by next year i will have graduated college (will have full time "real" job), have a new daily driver car (might not have my legend)

damn so who is gonna drive brian and I back from the track after we break our cars again :rofl: and who i'm I gonna cruise with while my car is STILL broken from the track, even thou i fixed it and it decided to break down AGAIN right b4 we leave :rofl: good times...good times

 

Cool! can't wait

 

what about NALM 09 in like arizona or utah? or something like that?

 

You mean a NALM potentially in one of my home states? Unheard of! I have a "longest distance traveled" reputation to uphold! lol. I'd LOVE a local southwest U.S. meet. I bet somebody around here will put us a bid together.

 

You don't have a Legend. Check the Civic forums to see when the NHCM is being held next year. haha

 

well lets see, my dad has two of them, so potentially he would drive one down and i would drive the other... the civic would stay in washington.. but the legends would come to arizona..

and yes 4cruizn you need to be there and travel minimal distance.. haha!

 

NALM 09 Alaska! Put the legend where the beauty is.

Wish i could submit a bid for ATL but in all honesty, it is within spitting distance of the last one. Wheres the fun in that?

 

NALM 09 Alaska!

:werd:

I may have to do the bid for that one. NALM at the North Pole. Photoshoot at Santa's house, cruise down the Alcan, dodge some moose and elk along the way. Sounds like a blast to me .

 

haha that would be the ultimate trek!

 

Well I put up google maps and started looking at distances to different cities wondering what my limits could be. Anything east of Chicago would be easy (after Chattanooga anyway) but to get anywhere people would want to be beyond that, Dallas TX is the next nearest city which is double the trip Chattanooga was(and the same route till Knoxville). So that means this will be an easy trip or a super-mega-ultra-penultimate-road-trip.

Guess I'll bump heads with some of the local members.

 

With all of the talk about where it should/could be, in reality, it all depends upon the bids submitted. If Dallas were to submit the only bid, Dallas gets it. If a second city were to also submit a bid equally as good as that Dallas bid, the tie breaker would go to the city who has not had an NALM. If that second city's bid is not as good as the Dallas bid, then Dallas is still in the running. Make sense?

 

well, i submitted a southern california bid last year, unfortunately, i only had a week to work on it. this weekend ill talk to some of the so cal gang and see what we can put together.

make the damn thing almost a week long, make the trip worth it.

 

well, i submitted a southern california bid last year, unfortunately, i only had a week to work on it. this weekend ill talk to some of the so cal gang and see what we can put together.

make the damn thing almost a week long, make the trip worth it.

Dates and length are entirely up to the bidding party. We had Thursday through Monday planned this year and I actually left Sunday evening late. I would say that I was completely satisfied as well, but depending on how many events you want to pack into it, that may not be enough time.

 

ya know? I'm going to buck up to the bar and call bull$hit. I'm too lazy to go back and read the thread submitting for '08 NALM but I *thought* the idea was to establish a location for '08 and then the locations would switch back and forth between somewhere Eastern and then back to somewhere Western.

WTF is up with these "bids?"

When was it ever established that the location would be per a winning bid?

 

last year when east one and noone from the east stepped up and made a bid. it was open to the whole country bids.

now its been decided to skip the bs coast selection and just go straight to the bids as it makes more sense. hey, its how the Olympics are done, it works for them. if only we can do planning 2 years in advance.

the process makes total sense to me. :dunno:

 

yes, we have a nalm committee. it was formed from the few ppl who have attended all of the past 5 (or 6 is now?) nalm meets.

in the past the event had issues with getting it done right. vegas seemed to be VERY succesfull, this years meet, althou it suffered from issues from past meets, we know why.

The committee is tehre to ensure the event coordination and planing is done right. this year had great success again (even with our troubles). The committee is for the best of this event. its the only way we'll ever get any kind of recognition from Acura.

Its designed based on the NSX national meet system.

 

yes, we have a nalm committee. it was formed from the few ppl who have attended all of the past 5 (or 6 is now?) nalm meets.

so is this committee going to expand? Take in new members? What about those of us that are newer members that just couldn't have made all the NALM meets?

in the past the event had issues with getting it done right. vegas seemed to be VERY succesfull, this years meet, althou it suffered from issues from past meets, we know why.

issues from past meets would be ... ?

The committee is tehre to ensure the event coordination and planing is done right. this year had great success again (even with our troubles). The committee is for the best of this event.

I never questioned the intentions of the committee, just asked where it came from and what criteria was needed to sit on it.

its the only way we'll ever get any kind of recognition from Acura.

what is it "we" are looking to get from Acura? What is it that Acura can recognize us for that will be beneficial to "us?"

I'm not trying to be a dick, just asking some questions is all.

I've done YEARS of work in the online community I'm involved in and if someone were to pay me for the time myself and the others put in I wouldn't be working a regular job anymore !!

 

The committee has a base group that has been with the event from the beginning, and as it seems now, they set up minor area coordinators (those who are somewhat familiar or near the are to be temp. committee members aka grounds crew.) The group was agreed upon by those who have helped at several events in the past.

The reason for the set up now of submitting the bid for the whole country is to get everyone involved and try to make the best possible meet for the whole community (trying to get large show attendance and get more goodies.) This whole thing was done on a volunteer basis, so no one gained any coinage from it, maybe brownie points, but thats about it.

 

Hope you all have time to read all of this, but here goes:

For the first meet in Dallas in 2005, which Lee aka sleeprlegendcp pretty much set up completely, he and I worked together trying to get some sponsors for the event. We approached Honda North America in Torrance California with a pretty good outline of the event, and tried like hell to get them to at least acknowledge us, only to be told that we were too "grass roots" for them. We got the same response from Interstate Battery (who I have a connection to) and the local DFW Acura Dealers Association. Lee pushed for running the 2nd year in Tulsa the same way, but ran into some personal issues and bowed out of the planning, leaving it to Tyler (tnelson) and Phil (rangerjoe) to set up since both of them were fairly local to Tulsa.

At dinner in Tulsa, Dave (searchin4acoupe,) Tyson (4cruizn) and I realized that we were the only 3 to have attended both meets, and figured that we should "help" choose the location of the next meet. Very informal - believe me. We actually just toyed with the idea of trying to put some structure around it to ensure that the event continued. I can't remember who posted it, but there was a regional poll posted, and the West coast won. We then started scouting cities in the West, while trying to stay true to the basic format: cheap & accessible hotel, plenty of attractions, track/auto-x event, drag strip, cruise route, and TONS of picture backdrops. The real reason Vegas was selected was because there was a track day that we could piggy back on with the NSX guys, and Vegas was close enough to draw people from SoCal, NorCal, and there was PLENTY of reasons to drive for it. Tyson and I pretty much planned everything that was scheduled in Vegas for the event, and realized that we spent a TON of our personal time working on something that 1. nobody asked us to do, 2. we weren't getting paid for or any kind of reward aside from the satisfaction of planning a killer meet, and 3. we had no idea if the things we planned would actually work. We knew something needed to change, but we didn't know what. That was where we met Ben (BenL) for the first time, and realized that the NSXCA was set up in a manner that commanded attention from Honda NA, as well as many other big sponsors, and that if we ever wanted to get the nod on sponsorships, we needed to model ourselves after what they do for NSXPO each year. Ben had been one of the early pioneers with the online Legend community, and was also an NSX enthusiast, had attended several NSXPO's and was exposed to much of how that selection process took place. Tyson, Dave and I all agreed that Ben's expertise in this area was a welcome addition to the "committee" and that we all agreed to do our best to keep this event moving forward.

This year was the first time we actually tested the waters with the whole committee thing, and a bid process. Trust me, we all wondered how our own self-declaration as the NALM Committee would come accross, and we probably could have handled it a million different ways, but we simply said "fuck it" and tried to run with the ideas we all shared. We posted the regional poll, the East won, and we got a total of 0 bids. We opened it up to the rest of the country and got a handfull of bids on the last day. Chattanooga won, and we had a killer time working with the ground team in planning the longest, and most involved NALM to date. This one really was a fantastic time.

Each year, more people say they're going to come out, and don't. Each year, several people who show up say they will not miss the next year. Each year, Tyson, Dave, and I laugh and realize that we're still the only ones who've been to more than 1 NALM. I mean, Phil (rangerjoe) was at the Dallas meet for like 30 minutes in his Armada, and then he drove that damn Armada all over the Tulsa meet the next year, but c'mon, it's a LEGEND meet so that really doesn't count!

I know this is getting long, but what I'm really trying to convey, is that we didn't plan on declaring ourselves the deciding authority over the National Meet, it just kind of ended up that way. I know that I would still be involved even if my opinion didn't matter, just because I always have a fantastic time at these events, and it's the one weekend a year that I can really focus on just this fucking car that I dearly love, and my wife knows she can't say shit about it!!!

You want to change the way it's going down, step up and change it. We gladly welcome you and your ideas with open arms. All we're here to do is organize people, and try to plan out the best time for everybody we can based on what has worked, and what has failed in the past.

 

This last year definitely commanded respect for NALM and all those involved (i think this year made the community a definite force to be reckoned with) . From all the prizes we had from SR, Brian, Hella, and Adams. Not only that this year had t-shirts to celebrate the event for years to come.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveCFPrez
I'm not trying to be a dick, just asking some questions is all.

doesn't make up for being one.

Not sure what you are trying to imply, but if you don't like the questions then simply don't answer them. (If you can't stand the heat.....)

 

I need to add a couple of edits above, but instead of just changing that post, I'll add them here so you don't have to read that whole novel above!

The committee started as Dave, Tyson and I. We added Ben after the Vegas meet for his expertise and valuable info he could provide to the meet. After this year in Chattanooga, the committee decided to include Stevieray simply because he was willing to do whatever it took to make this meet happen, and he demonstrated that fact time and time again. He also shared the common vision that the rest of the committee members have, and that typically means when one of us has an idea about the meet, we send an email that is usually responded to with "I agree" and "agreed" responses: meaning we all typically think alike and are usually on the same page. Lastly, SR was included to break ties since there were 4 of us, and as we continue to grow and put more into this event, there will be deadlocked decisions that we need a swing vote on.

As I see it, after next years event, we may end up adding additional members to the committee based on what they have done to further the current events, and their committment to NALM.


As far as something coming up, *knock on wood* none of the committee members have experienced that yet, I'm sure it will happen, but I like to think the Legend Lover In The Sky is smiling upon us and making sure we're all able to attend - Legend or not. Dave made Vegas without driving, and Ben flew into Chattanooga this year. It's that kind of passion to attend that all of the NALM Committee members share - we'll do almost anything to be at the meet every year.

Damn, I'm preaching again!


EDIT: Also, the whole rotation of venue thing didn't really work out so well this year, so we're trying something new for 2009 with national bids from the start. If that doesn't work, we'll figure something else out. They way I see it, if you're passionate about helping to throw this meet, let your bid be the starting place and lets go from there. I have no problem driving up to the Pacific NW for NALM...

 

OK. A small qualification here .... I've just enjoyed (half of) a really GREAT bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and may make some typos (both mentally and physically) in the following reply...

Dave! I appreciate all of your comments and understand the roots in previous organizational efforts in which you have been involved. That being said, there is an element of "face time" that is important here. Although I attended my first NALM this year and spent a pitifully short time there (circumstances known to those who count), I appreciate the efforts of the NALM committee in making sure the 2008 event actually happened. In looking back on the previous posts regarding the possible location for NALM2008, it is pretty clear that while the "east" won the poll, the requisite kanones to actually put together a meet did not follow. In addition, if you look at those that "voted" from the "east", very few put their gas money where their internet desires were. Outcome? Chattanooga.

So, while your questions are clear and reasonable, I suggest another course of action. If you'd like to make a significant contribution to NALM2009, you should put together a bid from the Seattle area (or wherever else you would like to sponsor) and see what happens. I, for one, like the new system and will be thinking about possibilities in Indianapolis for the next NALM.

The bottom line is .... if this forum is viewed as a democracy, then great! But .... if NALM planning is viewed as a democracy, that is a different animal. The reality is ... many post, some posture, few produce. I'm happy with the crew that has produced! Hats off to Brian, Tyson, SR, BenL, Dave et al. Keep it comin', guys!

Gerry

 

I appreciate the efforts of the NALM committee in making sure the 2008 event actually happened.

Even though I haven't been I as well appreciate the hard work they have done! I know how much time and effort these things take!

In looking back on the previous posts regarding the possible location for NALM2008, it is pretty clear that while the "east" won the poll, the requisite kanones to actually put together a meet did not follow. In addition, if you look at those that "voted" from the "east", very few put their gas money where their internet desires were.

yea, I think I made a pretty snide comment when it was first posted.. Now to *ME* that means the East pretty much gave (give) up there voice in the matter. But since there was such a great bid by Tenn. then I gotta hand it to the folks that picked up the slack. To me East dropped the carton of eggs. NALM '09 (to me) should be semi-west-area.

There have already been comments made about NALM in the NW --

but it rains over there, i enjoy my car to be clean. and porkland is there, home of the other white meat

southwest FTW.

thank you very much. I'd rather deal with rain than lung choking smog!

The reality is ... many post, some posture, few produce. I'm happy with the crew that has produced! Hats off to Brian, Tyson, SR, BenL, Dave et al. Keep it comin', guys!

Gerry

Yup those guys above are the reason this keeps happening.

Truth be told I'm not going to drive over to the east coast just like some east coasters aren't going to drive over here to the NW. Now if NALM was going to switch from one coast to another (as I had originally thought that was the case) then I'd be happy to help out in a support role for something within a 20 some hour driving distance.

 

What started as Lee's brain child in 2005 has become what we know as NALM now. Prior to 2005, the idea of a "national" meet had been discussed a lot but had never come to fruition. What makes NALM a truly national event is that it has consistently attracted people from across the country. Of those who attended NALM this year in Chattanooga, none were from there -- save Lee himself who didn't even have a Legend.

I too have noticed that every year we have people saying, "I'll be there for sure next year," and yet we do see so few repeat attendees. Regardless it's been a blast meeting different people from various parts of the country and I love any excuse to travel to uncharted territory.

The momentum is here, the enthusiasm is growing, and I can't wait for what NALM 2009 will bring. Be there or be square.

 

+1 on everything Brian and Tyson said.

 

Vegas encore FTMFW!!!

 

If the NALM committee wanted the most exposure, would it not be a good idea to try to promote a NALM in alternating quantrants of the states i.e. N.W., N.E., S.W., and then S.E? Depending on qualified bid, of course. Any Central States would be a bonus for everyone.....

 

A very good point, but with the "here today, gone tomorrow" activity with most members on this forum, we felt it best to open the bids up Nationwide from the start each year, to ensure that any area of North America (Canada eh? ) could capitalize on a strong local scene by hosting NALM that year.

When I first joined this site, there were local meets like every other month with 8 to 15 people out every time. We're hard pressed to do better than 5 now with months of notice and rescheduling!

 

Blackend : Yes , I understand the difficulties and am grateful for all your
organizational efforts. I'm just suggesting to keep it somewhat feasible for
all locales to participate.