2009 Annual Yorkie Talk Meet-up Location Poll

[Tnyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

I have remained quiet on the 2009 threads until now (those who know me know I stay away from YT drama), but I need to say something...

This was the most frustrating part of the last meet-up. Last year, the meet-up committee posted a poll just like this, and after the Midwest won out by a landslide, the meet-up committee chose KC because it was the middle of the US. Then, they asked me to be on the committee as their 5th member because I was originally from there and could offer insight. Due to outside circumstances, 3 of the 4 original committee members ended up resigning from the committee, which only left 1 original member (Jodie) plus me. After counting through the original discussion threads to see how many would "for sure" be there, I decided it would be worth my time to put the meet-up together because there were SO MANY who said they would FOR SURE be there. This was AFTER KC was already chosen! I ended up planning the whole thing, with Jodie (LuvMySissy) helping with vendors and Michele (MyFairLacy) helping with the raffle and goodie bags. Then, after committing so much of my personal time to putting the meet-up together, we had a VERY LOW turnout compared to the original numbers who said they'd "for sure" be there. This is very disappointing from the perspective of those of us who committed to making the meet-up happen for you guys!

Like you said, I TOO hope all those who voted are SERIOUS about coming, because otherwise it's going to be just like last year - HUGE initial responses with LOW registration once the details are posted. I do realize things come up, and people are not always able to make plans that they'd originally hoped for, but I hope people can see it from my perspective and the committee's perspective that it takes A LOT of time to put together something like this for such a large group, and it's frustrating to us and our families who are neglected during the planning stages when people don't follow through with their commitments. I'm not wanting to offend anyone with my post, but I ask that you see it from our perspective. That is precisely why Jodie chose to make the poll so we could see who was voting for what - so that people are hopefully accountable for their votes and will follow through with attending once they say they will. This was in lieu of charging everyone an upfront fee to be allowed a vote, which was also something the committee discussed.

As for other expenses, there is no way to know at this point what the registration fee will cost. We will not know this amount until we know a location and can start contracting with hotels. Unfortunately, "pet friendly" hotels have a way of changing their tune when you tell them you'll have 50-100 dogs in their hotel all at once (trust me...I called EVERY hotel on the KC Plaza area - many that were pet friendly, and only ONE would allow us), and they also have a way of changing their tune on refundable pet fees. We will try to find a hotel with a campground close for those interested in camping, but that's something you need to keep in mind while voting too if you're interested in camping. I know there is camping in San Diego. I can't speak for the rest of the locations. I'm sorry some thought the registration fees were high for the last meet-up, but we actually lost money on the initial registration fees (but I had to offer a cheaper price and create an incentive for people to register right away since I owed a $1000 deposit to the hotel 1 month after my original post went out about all the details), and we only "profitted" 14 CENTS on the next higher registration fees above the cost of the food. We made a little more on the later rates ($10 or so), but that just went to cover the meeting room expense. As those of you who followed the 2008 meet-up thread know, because of the low registration, I was actually looking at paying close to $1000 out of pocket at one point because we had not met the minimum food and beverage charges the hotel was requiring, due to the low registration. Fortunately I pleaded our case and they agreed to drop the minimum, but these are the reasons we are concerned with only those serious about attending casting their vote. We had a great time at the 2008 meet-up, and I can only hope 2009 will be just as great, if not BETTER! Again, I do not wish to cause drama or offend anyone by my post - I just ask that you look at it from the committee's perspective to see why we are seemingly such "sticklers" about some of this. I know you would each feel the same way if you were devoting MONTHS of YOUR time to putting together such a nice event for your fellow YTers. Thank you! And I hope to meet you each in 2009 !

thanks so much for your post...and i for one dont think it should cause drama...if telling the truth causes drama ...then people just need to "get a life"....sorry but im all about people getting along and drama is at the top of my "P" me off list........that being said.....i think a big issue with one coast or the other is the fact that no one wants there furbaby to have to be in a carrier and alltitude adjustments to their ears and such for such a long time....i know that most people probably will not go to the opposite coast than what they voted for....my comment about being serious about voting is this.....if you are serious that if it is on ""your"" coast that you will come vote...if not dont...cause all your vote would be doing would be possibly pulling it away from people who would have def come if it was on their "coast"...i know that is my issue....i more than likely will not fly because of my Smokey...i love to fly...but i dont want him going through all that.....so for me west coast would be out.....just please Ladies and our few Gents....think before you vote....it can influence someone else's vote....I for one think this is a great thing to get all these furbabies together and the rest of us who type till our fingers are sore sometimes.....lol...here's hopeing for a great 2009 meet up

[Gingergirlsmom]

Lisa, thank you for explaining this from your perspective and for undertaking such a huge task. I'm sure it is frustrating. I' also suspect that the event will grow each year...now that you've got pics from a previous event, etc...more people will be anxious to go.

So that there is no confusion about my intentions when you all are going through posts later, here is the best I can do on explaining my plans to attend: I will be there if it's any East Coast location since we can get there by car. I'm currently researching plane travel with teapots (I'm getting great advice here at yt) and am trying to determine whether or not Bernie, who is 17# can fly in the event that San Diego wins out. I won't come if I have to leave him at home. So....I'm watching the results closely and hoping (just a little) that it lands in the East. If another location is chosen, I will decide as soon as possible what my plans are so that I cannot be mistakenly included in a count if I'm unable to go.

[LuvMySissy]

I would like to offer a thought for some of you closer to the East coast if the destination ends up being West coast next year. How about making it a vacation (with or without your family) and also consider attending even if means leaving the fubutt(s) home? If San Diego is the selected location, I will have to seriously work on Sissy learning to use a carrier and being content. If that doesn't happen, I will come without my furgirls (since I could only bring one anyway). Obviously, I would love to have them with me but I could also love on everyone elses!!!!!!!!!

[chachi]

I am so excited! I just talked to My Husband and He said even if its as far away as San Diego there is a very good chance we will go. I think hes hoping it will be San Diego Anyway we will just be taking a vacation I have never flown with my dogs before so that will be an experience. Also my 8 y old daughter will have to go with us. I am so excited!

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by chachi

I am so excited! I just talked to My Husband and He said even if its as far away as San Diego there is a very good chance we will go. I think hes hoping it will be San Diego Anyway we will just be taking a vacation I have never flown with my dogs before so that will be an experience. Also my 8 y old daughter will have to go with us. I am so excited!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

I would like to offer a thought for some of you closer to the East coast if the destination ends up being West coast next year. How about making it a vacation (with or without your family) and also consider attending even if means leaving the fubutt(s) home? If San Diego is the selected location, I will have to seriously work on Sissy learning to use a carrier and being content. If that doesn't happen, I will come without my furgirls (since I could only bring one anyway). Obviously, I would love to have them with me but I could also love on everyone elses!!!!!!!!!

Well, still keeping fingers crossed for the East Coast, but if it's San Diego that's someplace we've been wanting to go. I might just have to squish Bernie into one of those tiny little carriers. We'll have to see how that goes.

[FL Tink]

I really want to go with Bella. I do have concerns of flying with her for 8hrs to San Diego. There are no straight flights from Tampa...so that means a plane change somewhere. I adore San Diego but am unsure if that would be a possibility for us. I guess i need to start working on the carrier too.

Anyone that flew to Kc have a layover with your dog??

[KathyinCali]

Originally Posted by FL Tink

I really want to go with Bella. I do have concerns of flying with her for 8hrs to San Diego. There are no straight flights from Tampa...so that means a plane change somewhere. I adore San Diego but am unsure if that would be a possibility for us. I guess i need to start working on the carrier too.

Anyone that flew to Kc have a layover with your dog??

Hi there,
I've flown several times with Lucy when there was a layover. From Los Angeles to Raleigh which with the layover ends up being about 8 hours. Lucy does fine. I take her into the bathroom and put a potty pad down for her in the stall. To get Lucy used to her carrier before she ever flew for the first time I started taking her places in the carrier I was going to fly with. Like the mall, Lowes, etc...

[daisy mae06]

Thank you Lisa ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))) you are so right...

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

Lisa, thank you for explaining this from your perspective and for undertaking such a huge task. I'm sure it is frustrating. I' also suspect that the event will grow each year...now that you've got pics from a previous event, etc...more people will be anxious to go.

So that there is no confusion about my intentions when you all are going through posts later, here is the best I can do on explaining my plans to attend: I will be there if it's any East Coast location since we can get there by car. I'm currently researching plane travel with teapots (I'm getting great advice here at yt) and am trying to determine whether or not Bernie, who is 17# can fly in the event that San Diego wins out. I won't come if I have to leave him at home. So....I'm watching the results closely and hoping (just a little) that it lands in the East. If another location is chosen, I will decide as soon as possible what my plans are so that I cannot be mistakenly included in a count if I'm unable to go.

Yes, we do understand the concerns with flying your babies from one coast to the other (the same issue will be true for everyone on the West coast if the East coast wins the vote), but that is the good thing about doing it in the midwest one year, and then one coast one year, followed by the opposite coast the following year. Hopefully that would allow EVERYONE to have a chance to go at least once every two or three years, for those who can't fly your babies across country. If you're concerned about that, I would recommend looking into flights with layovers. I've flown Sukoshi both nonstop, as well as with layovers, and I think the layover is preferable for those long hauls. I am able to take her to the bathroom to go potty between flights, and she is able to relax and take a nap during the layover. It is also more of a problem for our beloved YT teapots, as they don't have as much space to turn around in their bags as our smaller babies do. And we completely understand that these issues are out there. The frustration comes in if you voted for say Alexandria, and Alexandria won the vote (or another East coast location), and then you still chose not to come. At that point you've affected the vote, but aren't even taking advantage of it being in your chosen location. I think we would all understand if you voted for Alexandria and San Diego won, so you weren't able to attend the San Diego year. BUT...we WOULD hope to see you at the meet-up the following year when it would be on "your" coast since you indicated you were serious about attending. We also realize that things come up, and none of us knows what our lives will be like in 2 years, but this is the general place we're coming from when we ask you to be serious about attending. Remember that whichever coast is not selected for 2009 will be the coast the meet-up will be held on in 2010 .

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by FL Tink

I really want to go with Bella. I do have concerns of flying with her for 8hrs to San Diego. There are no straight flights from Tampa...so that means a plane change somewhere. I adore San Diego but am unsure if that would be a possibility for us. I guess i need to start working on the carrier too.

Anyone that flew to Kc have a layover with your dog??

I had a layover when I flew with Sukoshi to KC for the meet-up, and she did fine. I think the layover may be preferable to some dogs, as they can get out and stretch their legs in the airport, go potty on a pad in the restroom (if your dog uses potty pads), and they can take a nap and fully relax during the layover. One weird thing about Sukoshi is that she doesn't do very good in the car (gets big bug eyes, whines, won't settle down and just lay down), and she's done this since we brought her home, even though we take her everywhere with us and we've always gotten her to our destination safely. However, when she gets on a plane, she does do some circling in her bag at takeoff, but other than that, she doesn't make a sound, and she lays down for the whole flight. So she actually does BETTER in a plane than a car. I don't know why...that's my angel , but maybe your babies will be like that too. We were SO WORRIED about taking her flying the first time because we thought she'd be disruptive to the whole plane, and she didn't make a peep! Guess you never know!

[MissPinkBarbie]

If the meetup is gonna be a few more days [than the last], I would definitely come...even if it's in San Diego...that way, like Jodie mentioned, it would be a little vaca for us.

I'll have to convince Hubby (again) to go with me as I wont be able to handle Daisy myself on such a long flight.

San Diego is a beautiful place. Hubby gets to go once a year for business. California is actually where I wanna end up anyway in a few years. It's where my heart is!

[MissPinkBarbie]

A few more days meaning the entire length of the meetup to be longer than a weekend..

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by MissPinkBarbie

A few more days meaning the entire length of the meetup to be longer than a weekend..

Yes - This suggestion is something I've seen mentioned in several of the evaluations I've received so far. It seems none of us were ready to leave each other when the weekend was over! We will definitely look at extending it !

[MissPinkBarbie]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

Yes - This suggestion is something I've seen mentioned in several of the evaluations I've received so far. It seems none of us were ready to leave each other when the weekend was over! We will definitely look at extending it !

I know..by the third day, Daisy and I were just "settling in".. lol

It was way too short! We were havin too much fun...