AUG 12-18 2018 - Goshen, Indiana - FROG International

[F.R.O.G.]

Originally Posted by SYE

Just so you know, the environmental regs do not allow them to do any painting at the fairgrounds, so It will probably have to go back to the factory to do that.

We also don't do painting at the fairgrounds because of concerns about wind, dust, overspray, and just common sense. Does anyone here really want us to be spraying paint on your neighbor's RV if there's a light breeze in your direction?

[MoToYel]

Last year was our first year. We loved it. Very well organized look forward to coming this year

[F.R.O.G.]

A few thoughts on registration ...

Last year we announced that registration would open on a specific day about noon. There were people online at 6:00 a.m., maybe earlier, trying to go to the registration site and filling up their cache. When we opened at noon, a lot of them ended up calling to complain, and learned that they had to reboot and try again. They were able to get in, but were way back in line at that point. Some missed getting tours that they wanted. If we say that registration will open at noon, please don't try to get on at 11:55. The system will open based on the computer clock at noon.

Regarding the idea of "setting up two accounts" and having both spouses trying to register, and then "if we both get in we could always cancel one" is the kind of thing that makes us have to impose cancellation fees. Not only does it create a headache and extra work and expense (we pay credit card processing fees for each registration and for each cancellation, and the time to go through the commotion isn't free), but it also blocks out others who were trying to "play fair" and couldn't get tours or even registrations that they wanted and end up on waiting lists -- an aggravation both for them and for Cindy and me. Please don't do it.

While I'm at it, I'll add a note about SOBs (Some Other Brand). The FROG International Rally is highly subsidized and, like all FROG events, is intended to be a perk for current owners of Forest River and affiliated brand RVs. If you show up in a non-Forest River brand, you'll be turned away. Unfortunately, that happened last year when someone who owned a Forest River unit registered and then traded for a SOB prior to the event. A simple phone call could have saved a long drive and an unfortunate situation.

We're working hard on putting together another great event, and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Goshen.

[eye95]

Everything you said amounts to common sense, basic decency, or both.

Which is why, I suppose, it had to be said!

BTW, letting those people overload their cache helps folks playing by the rules get in. Now you’ve ruined it! [emoji16]

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by eye95

Everything you said amounts to common sense, basic decency, or both.

Which is why, I suppose, it had to be said!

BTW, letting those people overload their cache helps folks playing by the rules get in. Now you’ve ruined it! [emoji16]

Are you just being snarky or are you trowing stones? I am worried that I am misunderstanding your point.

[Joeandsandi]

When will those who asked to be a volunteer be notified?

[doc73]

How long did it take to fill up for just a spot at the rally last year? Other than a factory tour and maybe a seminar (if they have them) or two not probably looking for the tours. I'm just curious.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by doc73

How long did it take to fill up for just a spot at the rally last year? Other than a factory tour and maybe a seminar (if they have them) or two not probably looking for the tours. I'm just curious.

Try 23 hrs and rally was full. And be governed by Frog Bob comments above. Don't try to cheat the system. Later RJD

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Joeandsandi

When will those who asked to be a volunteer be notified?

As I understand the process from previous Goshen Rallies, volunteers will be selected from those who got golden tickets and indicated a preference to be a volunteer.

Getting the Golden Ticket is the first step.

Shifts (the amount of volunteers needed) are filled based on the available volunteer pool and the manning document. The manning document gets leaner every year based on actually utilization in previous years. A few floaters are planned to cover shortfalls due to last minute cancellations (inevitable; so they are planned for).

MAKE SURE that you indicate you want to volunteer and if both occupants are volunteering (Parking and Registration are available), make sure it is clear which teams you are volunteering for in the comments section. Rigs with multiple volunteers obviously have a better chance of being utilized; as it just makes better financial sense.

[F.R.O.G.]

Originally Posted by Joeandsandi

When will those who asked to be a volunteer be notified?

Yes. I can't guarantee that everyone will get the assignment that he or she requests, but there will certainly be some sort of job for everyone. The FROG Rally relies heavily on volunteers.

I usually wait until after registration to start doing notifications so that I know who got a spot.

[F.R.O.G.]

Originally Posted by doc73

How long did it take to fill up for just a spot at the rally last year? Other than a factory tour and maybe a seminar (if they have them) or two not probably looking for the tours. I'm just curious.

Doc, last year the spots filled in 21 hours, as did most of the area tours.

Factory tours are scheduled once people arrive in Goshen, but we'll probably try to ask what factories people are interested in seeing as part of the registration process. That WON'T guarantee that all of those will be available, but it will help with planning.

Seminars are pretty much unlimited, so you don't have to schedule those. When you see the schedule, just go to those that interest you. This year we've managed to rent the Community Center (the large building where the parking team is based), so a lot of our seminars will be indoors.

[Pipcoo15]

Originally Posted by F.R.O.G.

We also don't do painting at the fairgrounds because of concerns about wind, dust, overspray, and just common sense. Does anyone here really want us to be spraying paint on your neighbor's RV if there's a light breeze in your direction?

Bob, not sure if the , no painting was directed at my statement, but if you or anyone who read my comment, I clearly stated, the Unit would be moved to the painting area. The plan was, my wife and I would take in the the event , then move the unit over to the paint shop. Sorry if anyone miss that in my statement. We maybe newbies, but we are not that stupid.

Don&Peg

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

As I understand the process from previous Goshen Rallies, volunteers will be selected from those who got golden tickets and indicated a preference to be a volunteer.

Getting the Golden Ticket is the first step.

Shifts (the amount of volunteers needed) are filled based on the available volunteer pool and the manning document. The manning document gets leaner every year based on actually utilization in previous years. A few floaters are planned to cover shortfalls due to last minute cancellations (inevitable; so they are planned for).

MAKE SURE that you indicate you want to volunteer and if both occupants are volunteering (Parking and Registration are available), make sure it is clear which teams you are volunteering for in the comments section. Rigs with multiple volunteers obviously have a better chance of being utilized; as it just makes better financial sense.

As Herk said, AFTER YOU ARE REGISTERED FOR THE RALLY, send an email to frog@forestriverinc.com with the word VOLUNTEER in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate who in your party is volunteering, and for what area: Parking; registration; passenger shuttle system; FROG office; any position where you need me; etc. (i.e. Mike = parking; passenger shuttle system Yvonne = registration; dining room help). Volunteer spots are filled based on the information in those VOLUNTEER emails. But, please, don't volunteer unless and until you secure your spot at the rally.

Also, be aware that volunteering for parking, for example, may include standing and walking quite a bit during a 4-hour shift. Not everybody on the parking teams can or will be driving the escort carts. IF YOU HAVE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ON WALKING OR STANDING, PLEASE LET BOB KNOW IN YOUR "VOLUNTEER" EMAIL. We have had to scramble around in the past trying to find a replacement for and/or a way to accommodate a parking team member who informed us after arriving in Goshen, that he or she couldn't walk or stand as a parking volunteer.

We had 115 members on the Parking Team last year, who all did a great job, and appreciate all of the hard work that was done under some pretty severe (cold and rainy) conditions. I assume that, with the same number of units attending, the size of the Parking Team will remain about the same.

As in the past, members of the Parking and Registration Teams will be asked to come in a few days ahead of the rally, because that's when that work needs to be done. As Herk also pointed out, if both parties in an RV volunteer for those teams, the odds of getting selected (and having only one unit come in early with two volunteers) are better.

[Herk7769]

Thanks Mike, I forgot about the "Volunteer" email after registration to add names and desires. I was remembering the comments section in the registration process. That area is also used for Handicap notification as well as the nature of the Handicap/special needs.

[spock123]

I realize everyone that volunteers won’t be chosen, with that in mind I plan on volunteering for driving the shuttle carts around. I plan to volunteer for more than one day on that, that was fun and I got to meet people

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by spock123

I realize everyone that volunteers won’t be chosen, with that in mind I plan on volunteering for driving the shuttle carts around. I plan to volunteer for more than one day on that, that was fun and I got to meet people

Yes, being a volunteer "taxi" shuttle driver is a great way to meet and make new friends. It's also a great way to learn the layout of the fairgrounds.

[F.R.O.G.]

Originally Posted by Pipcoo15

Bob, not sure if the , no painting was directed at my statement, but if you or anyone who read my comment, I clearly stated, the Unit would be moved to the painting area. The plan was, my wife and I would take in the the event , then move the unit over to the paint shop. Sorry if anyone miss that in my statement. We maybe newbies, but we are not that stupid.

Don&Peg

Sorry if I made you feel that way. The statement was intended as an expansion and clarification of SYE's reply about environmental rules, not directed at you or anyone else specifically, and not intended to make anyone feel stupid.

[F.R.O.G.]

Originally Posted by spock123

I realize everyone that volunteers won’t be chosen, with that in mind I plan on volunteering for driving the shuttle carts around. I plan to volunteer for more than one day on that, that was fun and I got to meet people

A lot of the shuttle drivers have told us that it's not only a great way to meet people, but also a terrific opportunity to get around the fairgrounds and see some of the floral landscaping and other features that might otherwise have been missed.

Plus, it's just fun to drive a golf cart.

(On edit, I see that Oakman beat me to the punch.)

[Cowracer]

Am i the only one excited that the 2018 Goshen thread is starting to get busy? It means we are all starting to get ready for it. Woo hoo!

Tim

[spock123]

Yes last year it was my good fortune or just plane luck to pick up a newspaper reporter, I showed him all around the rally. I told him as much stuff as I knew about the Forest River rally. It was a local paper but that was fun too. Got to meet people that otherwise I wouldn’t have met. I can’t half see so mostly I was trying not to run over anyone, I didn’t see any floral. I did see all those people that were sitting around at different places around Goshen, I waved at a few and dumb me I thought they were real people. I ain’t to bright or as DW says not playing with a full deck