[Dayton Area] Monthly local meets?

[jwight]

Don't see any signs of another Ohio gathering before winter. Some folks in Texas are thinking about regular meetings to keep things in motion, and IMHO that's a good idea.

Ohio's too big for us all to meet regularly in one place, but maybe the larger locations could try a monthly meeting or something to stay in touch. What do you all think? Thanks!

[mike-in-sa]

Our San Antonio group regularly gets 12-15 smarts for a monthly drive. Next Sat. we are taking another winery tour thru the Texas Hill Country. Most of our members hang out on smart usa insider. We usually do 1-2 get togethers a month. Our SA dealer gives goodies for a drawing. I usually donate a little smart diecast or two for the drawing held at lunch. Everyone is welcome.

[jwight]

Sounds good, but a little too far to drive for us Ohioans.

[mike-in-sa]

True, but our concept might work in Ohio. Someone has to take the ball and run with it and getting the dealer involved is the key. The one common denominator to your attendance is the dealership. They see everyone sooner or later. Getting them to steer folks to your event makes everything easier. Making the event different every month helps too.

[PlainCityVWBug]

I believe there is 3 Smart dealerships in Ohio. Maybe even alternate between the 3 dealerships.

[jwight]

I think for local meets the dealerships are too far away for some of us. The folks in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincy can certainly meet there, but people from outlying areas would probably prefer to meet closer to home.

Once winter is over, I think a meet in Cleveland would be good since we haven't had one there, plus something state-wide - probably in Columbus. All TBD for now, so any suggestions are welcome.

[mike-in-sa]

We don't meet at the dealer either. We shift to different parts of town to make it closer to members. The sales people at our dealer are very active in telling customers to get involved in our group. They donate shirts and hats to give away. We get a lot of people who are waiting on their smarts and many times some will ride along with someone with a smart.

[deaconpark]

Originally Posted by jwight

I think for local meets the dealerships are too far away for some of us. The folks in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincy can certainly meet there, but people from outlying areas would probably prefer to meet closer to home.

Once winter is over, I think a meet in Cleveland would be good since we haven't had one there, plus something state-wide - probably in Columbus. All TBD for now, so any suggestions are welcome.

John. A meet in Cleveland sounds good. Maybe something in the Flats after a meeting at smartcenter. Maybe even the Rock HOF? Don't want to get too close to the lake or they might burn... oh yeah, that is the old days.
Russ

[jwight]

Russ, sounds like a plan. Also considering something like an April Fools Cruise assuming the snow is gone by then.

In the interim, what do you all think about stealing the Breakfast Club idea from the Carolina chapter? Meet once a month for coffee, etc. at someplace convenient for each local group.

Since we're in Ohio, Bob Evans sounds like the right thing to do and there are plenty of them around. Each locale can certainly pick their own meeting place.

For the Dayton area smarties, there's a Bob's on Col Glenn Hwy and also one at Wilmington Pike/I-675 that are both pretty easy to get to. Any other suggestions?

[SmartBumblebee]

Sounds good, but there is also Panera's. They have a separate room if you want.