I thought the name was too close to the West Coast gathering so I didn't want to be thought of as copying their name, plus I was looking for something "catchy". Hope this works.
The event will be called The Mid-Atlantic Knight Riders' Summit. The name of the event only refers to location, everyone from everywhere is welcome.
Anyway, much planning and much progress. At this point the date is not "etched in stone" but it looks like it will be June 29th and 30th because the kids are out of school at that time, please feel free to let me know if this is a bad weekend for anyone. Shirt design is done(it's subtle but nice), banner design is done, sign design is done, flyer design is done, and the hotels are chosen and the places are really nice. It will be at the Hampton Inn/Hiton Garden Inn in White Marsh, Maryland, right off I-95. The two hotels sit adjacent to each other and are managed by the same company and share a large parking lot. I am still in the process of negotiating group rates for the two hotels and I'll let everyone know which will be the least expensive. The rooms at the Hilton are actually cheaper, but are limited and will go first to those who register for the event first. The rooms at the Hampton are only about $20.00 more/night. The halls at the Hampton should be big enough for us. I plan to have security on site overnight (budget willing) for the cars.
As for dinner; the catering services that I've spoke with have a minimum of 30 adults for the main menu (buffet style with plenty of food) and for the kids menu a minuimum of 15 kids. I'm possibly bringing 6 adults and 2 kids, so we still need about 24 adults and 13 kids to get the dinner catered. If we can't reach that number of people, the cost of the show will be cheaper, but dinner will be on your own on Saturday. The great part about these hotels is that they sit right in the middle of The Avenue at White Marsh and White Marsh Mall, there are dozens of great places to eat that aren't super expensive. You guys tell me what you want to do. Please note that you do not need a car to come out with us.
I'm planning on advertising on a local radio station that seems entusiatsic about the event, but all of the details need to be DONE before I can advertise.
Here's the site for the Hampton Inn (NO LONGER THE LOCATION)
Here's the site for the Hilton Garden Inn (NO LONGER THE LOCATION)
Trophies will be awarded for the cars, and we will have peer judging of the cars. The only thing that would stop this gathering is if the hotel cannot provide a nice group rate, or noone "RSVPs". We can control the number of members that come, so I hope that we can reach the numbers that we need.
I will be posting updates here and I have created a web page on my web site for information, that will be updated as well. For updates and info you can go to:
The Mid-Atlantic Knight Rider's Summit page
If anyone here would like to participate in the show, let me know. Further if there is anyone who has memoribilia that they'd like to display, let me know too. If there is enough interest for tables and/or vendors, I will create a different rate for tables in the bigger hall, which will most likely be a cheaper rate than the cost of bringing a car, but I don't know what that cost will be because the size of the hall will depend on the number of people interested, and the bigger halls cost more. Please note that my intentions are never to overshadow the Knight Nats., but to happen in unison each year, which is why I planned it so early, not to conflict with the Nats. or take anything away from that event. Any insight or tips into planning these events that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Please PM me with any help that you can offer.
More details to come, I look forward to seeing everyone again.
Here's the left chest design for the shirts:
Ryan
