2009 Annual Yorkie Talk Meet-up Location Poll

[Izzy Princess]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I have never been in "the loop" about the meetup as far as planning, decisions, etc. so I don't know if this has ever been up but what about having 2? One on the west coast and one on the east coast? Then people can decide where they want to go based on all the factors that have come up here (cost, location, people they actually want to spend time with, etc.).

Just a suggestion for whoever is planning the event. Honestly, I didn't even realize there was a "committee" until this thread.

That's because this is not a YT sponsored event.

[chattiesmom]

Alexandria was the desired location by the largest percentage of voters. There was never any discussion about a "vote off". The voting members of YorkieTalk voted for Alexanderia and their votes should be honored. Any other location would turn the entire voting process into a sham and will question the integrity of the "Committee".

[Izzy Princess]

Originally Posted by diggy4

I agree I mean down the line someone is going to miss out either way!!! it has to be somewhere....Im happy with 2

Then you might need two committees to help since one committee can't do both.....way too much work.

[Tnyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Alexandria was the desired location by the largest percentage of voters. There was never any discussion about a "vote off". The voting members of YorkieTalk voted for Alexanderia and their votes should be honored. Any other location would turn the entire voting process into a sham and will question the integrity of the "Committee".

well done...i think there would be some who would be put out with either coast....and just think about our buddies from Canada and beyond that might consider coming...they are coming a long way no matter where it is held....

[Shelby&Seymour]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Whichever coast is not selected for 2009 will be the coast the meet-up will be held on in 2010. The tentative weekend date for 2009 is June 27/28.

Please only cast your vote if you are serious about attending the 2009 meet-up, even if the location you choose is not selected.

This poll will remain open for 7 days only and you may select only one city!!!

I had planned on trying to make it to the meet-up regardless of location...... already had made some decisions ..... like traveling without my hubby & Yorkies, if the location was a long ways away.
I hope that regardless of the location......... all those that voted will at least consider ways that they could attend........ 167 (# that voted on the poll) at the meetup would be awesome!!! For those of us that were in KC..... you all know what I mean.... it was so much fun and really worth the trip. I definitely want to go again and will try to make that happen!

[yorkiesmiles]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Alexandria was the desired location by the largest percentage of voters. There was never any discussion about a "vote off". The voting members of YorkieTalk voted for Alexanderia and their votes should be honored. Any other location would turn the entire voting process into a sham and will question the integrity of the "Committee".

Actually this was posted by Lisa in post #201 - so there could be another vote

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

To officially set the record straight...it was NOT decided at the KC meet-up that the next meet-ups would be on the coasts. In order to select the location for the first annual meet-up, the original meet-up committee began a poll asking East coast, West coast, or Midwest. Midwest won the vote, but it was set forth at that time that in order to make it most fair to everyone, we would have the first meet-up in the Midwest (as the poll dictated), and then it would be on one coast in 2009, followed by the other coast iin 2010. It would return to the Midwest in 2011 and continue in a rotating fashion every three years, so that everyone had a chance to attend at least once every 3 years. This was understood at the time that poll took place back in 2007, and it is our intent to continue in this fashion, as it seems most fair to everyone. If "your" coast is not selected for 2009, it WILL be the chosen coast for 2010.

As for everyone asking about whether or not there will be additional polls to decide the final location, we are hearing everyone's responses, and we will decide what seems like the most fair way to handle the selection process. I CAN tell you that if we have additional polls to determine the winner, we will be charging a fee to vote, which will go toward your registration price if you opt to register. If you decide not to register, you will forfeit that money. I know some of you will not like that idea, but that will tell us who is serious about attending. There are many of us like myself who will attend no matter where the meet-up is held. If you are only able to go if it's on "your coast", then you will just have to remind yourself that if it's not on "your coast" this year, then it will be next year .

But as I said earlier today - really this is about the people and the yorkies - not really the location. (I know for money sake some think it's about location) but in the longrun, how much does it matter where we are if we're together in a hotel or meeting room loving on all the yorkies and getting to know each other better

[chattiesmom]

Voters selected the east coast two to one over the west coast. A total of 107 voters selected destinations on the east coast with 60 voters selecting a west coast destimation.

It seems clear that the East Coast (Alexandria) won for the 2009 International YorkieTalk Meetup. We'll see you in San Diego in 2010.

[simonandhallie]

Originally Posted by Izzy Princess

That's because this is not a YT sponsored event.

That is no reason why there can't be 2. It was a suggestion and if YT is going to be the medium for solicitations, advertising, marketing, and decisions then perhaps the YT members could have a say.

It seems to me that a poll was posted asking for preferences, those votes were cast and a decision has been made. The 2009 YT meetup will be taking place in Alexandria, VA.

[2blkcatsmom]

well im happy the vote is over and i hope in a few months we will know what hotel so i can see how much money it is . im going to try my best to go as long as my husband is not working . that way i dont have to bring my kids

[diggy4]

Well this just seems to be making everyone mad. I don't care where its held someone is going to be left out. I would be able to attend if its on the East Coast but not on the West coast, so being Lisa said it will rotate years that sounds like a good plan....whether it be 2009 or 2010 Im ok with that. My daughter and I would love to attend! can't bring the fur babies even if it was 30 miles from my house being Diggy doesnt travel well but I think it would be very fun to meet everyone and other babies!!

By the looks of the pictures seems like the committee did a great job planning last one, so keep up the good work!!!

[Tnyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by diggy4

Well this just seems to be making everyone mad. I don't care where its held someone is going to be left out. I would be able to attend if its on the East Coast but not on the West coast, so being Lisa said it will rotate years that sounds like a good plan....whether it be 2009 or 2010 Im ok with that. My daughter and I would love to attend! can't bring the fur babies even if it was 30 miles from my house being Diggy doesnt travel well but I think it would be very fun to meet everyone and other babies!!

By the looks of the pictures seems like the committee did a great job planning last one, so keep up the good work!!!

Smokey had a hard time just going 5 miles down the road to the vets...but i got him a doggy car seat that he can see out the window in...and he hasnt gotten sick since....it is great....and they are not that expensive.....get one and start going out every day....go a little farther everytime....then after a while take a little hour long trip and see how he does....seriously ....Smokey threw up everytime before i got his seat.....im sure everyone would love to see Diggy at the Meetup

[erino77]

Ok so I have some questions as far as the committe is concerned. In the "venue for 2009 meetup" thread there were some people who wanted to be part of the committee and nothing was done to offer them that opportunity. What is going on with that? I know it was said that more committee members would result in less agreeing. But I personally think that if people would like to be involved in the planning process then it should be taken into consideration. As this is the YT MEETUP correct? Then YT MEMBERS who would like to help out should have the opportunity to do so. And what could hurt putting some fresh minds and ideas into the process?
I am writing this in regards to the quote about.....
"As for everyone asking about whether or not there will be additional polls to decide the final location, we are hearing everyone's responses, and we will decide what seems like the most fair way to handle the selection process."
I think the "WE", should be more open so to say....."WE" should consist of all the people that want to commit their time to helping/planning and not just the original team, as YT has other members and fresh faces since the committee was formed that could be very beneficial.

I am not looking for an argument here, just an answer as to if the committe is open to some new members

[Jenn218]

Originally Posted by Shelby&Seymour

I had planned on trying to make it to the meet-up regardless of location...... already had made some decisions ..... like traveling without my hubby & Yorkies, if the location was a long ways away.
I hope that regardless of the location......... all those that voted will at least consider ways that they could attend........ 167 (# that voted on the poll) at the meetup would be awesome!!! For those of us that were in KC..... you all know what I mean.... it was so much fun and really worth the trip. I definitely want to go again and will try to make that happen!

**Just quoted you because you posted the number of votes, etc** I hadn't counted or really looked at them! **

I definitely HATE (and I rarely use that word) missing out on the KC meeting (darn family obligations joking). And I really didn't want to cast a vote, because I just don't know if it is a definite YES to anything...until a location is set, date, etc.
With that being said, there were so many great locations to pick from this time. I have friends and family in CA, WA, OR and GA...and love the other locations for what they have to offer....so it was really hard to pick just one.

I think Kimberly is right about doing two...it seems that more would come...BUT it is about our whole YT community, so if everyone is to come and be happy, maybe somewhere in the middle would be better (er, should I say fair) for everyone...that way, maybe more would attend? I think YorkieDaze might have a point w/ that being a central location and fair distance to most.

I really don't know....w/ a group this large, I honestly do NOT think there will be a time/location, etc that will please everyone and/or where more then a handful can attend.

I do think though...at each location...if there is someone from that said location, they should (if they can) be on the committee because having someone near or in the location chosen, that would be a great help and blessing!

And Megan.....OH MY GOODNESS!! Really...do ya think you can come??!!

We will drive where ever the location (if we can attend)...I like to fly and get good deals (from friends), but w/ two, I couldn't just leave one behind! So, we would have a long drive where ever the location.

[erickajm]

I am excited to hear it is going to be in Virginia 2009! I am there! I would have loved to have been at the 2008.

Hopefully, knowing that 2010 looks like California...I know in advance, so I can start saving my money for that one too! I'm ready to book my hotel room!!!

If any help is needed I would personally like to volunteer to help! Mark me down if help is needed.

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by erino77

Ok so I have some questions as far as the committe is concerned. In the "venue for 2009 meetup" thread there were some people who wanted to be part of the committee and nothing was done to offer them that opportunity. What is going on with that? I know it was said that more committee members would result in less agreeing. But I personally think that if people would like to be involved in the planning process then it should be taken into consideration. As this is the YT MEETUP correct? Then YT MEMBERS who would like to help out should have the opportunity to do so. And what could hurt putting some fresh minds and ideas into the process?
I am writing this in regards to the quote about.....
"As for everyone asking about whether or not there will be additional polls to decide the final location, we are hearing everyone's responses, and we will decide what seems like the most fair way to handle the selection process."
I think the "WE", should be more open so to say....."WE" should consist of all the people that want to commit their time to helping/planning and not just the original team, as YT has other members and fresh faces since the committee was formed that could be very beneficial.

I am not looking for an argument here, just an answer as to if the committe is open to some new members

There were 3 of us on the committee for the 2008 meet-up (the only 3 willing to put forth the time and effort to plan the initial meet-up), and we added 2 new members to the committee for the 2009 meet-up, in order to add a fresh perspective, as you suggested. The 2 new members both attended the 2008 meet-up, so they’ve proven their commitment to the cause, and they were the first 2 to volunteer to help out in the future. Additionally, we receive comments and suggestions from EVERYONE through PMs and e-mail, and we use those to make the meet-up even better. For instance, the get to know you game we played at the last meet-up was the idea of someone not on the committee, but she sent a PM with the suggestion. It was also someone else's idea for the pajama party, which I think most of us can agree was the most fun of the whole weekend! We try to hear everyone's suggestions to make the meet-up the best it can be, so everyone has a voice . And we have an odd number on the committee so we can vote on everything without worrying about resulting in a tie.