Northeast Reunion � Need Feedback

It�s bittersweet; our New England regional reunion is growing up. We�ll miss Sokokis Lake and all the local support, but we�re looking at more attendees this year than the area can hold. In search of a larger location, I came into contact with Adirondack Marine, located in Lake George, NY. Adirondack Marine has been a Correct Craft dealer for decades and has offered unprecedented support for this year�s reunion � including supplying 2008 demo boats, demo water ski equipment from their ski shop, local sponsor recruitment, help with lodging, event coordination and more.

For those of you who have not been to Lake George, the lake is located in the heart of the Adirondack mountains of New York and home to the famous Americade Motorcycle Rally. The town of Lake George is at the southern tip of the lake where you�ll find shops, restaurants, bars and everything else you�d want in a lake community. Located just north of Albany and west of Rutland, VT, Lake George is about four hours from Boston and five hours from Portland, ME.

With beautiful Lake George as a backdrop � and the tremendous support of Adirondack Marine � the 2008 Northeast Reunion is sure to be a fantastic event.

Here�s where we need your thoughts: There are two date options for the reunion in Lake George.

The first option is to stick with the weekend of August 22-24. This falls during peak vacation season on Lake George. The lake will be full of boating traffic throughout the day and the village will be full of people. Average resort rates will be $200-$450/night (with lower priced campgrounds in the area). Permits would be required for some of the things that we want to do (e.g. water-skiing and footing in the 5 m.p.h. zone and use of the public boat launches and docks).

The second option is to move the event out two weeks to September 12-14. Falling shortly after Labor Day, the area would be far less crowded but still 100% functional. The town would be more accommodating and all amenities better-priced. Water and air temps are virtually the same as the end of August but average hotel/resort rates would drop to between $89-$200/night. Permit requirements may change, launch and dock space would be ample and we would see lighter on-water traffic.

In my opinion, the later date will make for a better event and a great way to wrap-up the season. However, I recognize that pushing it out beyond Labor Day is a challenge for those of you who have children returning to school. I also know that for some, the summer ends on Labor Day. I�m interested in everyone�s thoughts on the two date options.

We�re excited about hosting the reunion in Lake George and look forward to seeing those of you for whom New Hampshire and Maine were just a bit too far in previous years. I�m hoping this is the last move for this event and, like Green Lake, we can build the tradition of returning to the same location year after year.

Thanks for your input,
Keith

Keith- That's terrific! We would prefer the September dates.
Thanks
-Brad

Wow a mention in the same sentence as the Famous ReidP (his majesty)...I am definatly moving up in the world.

I think it is awesome what Keith has been able to put together here. Here is the type of arrangement that will grow these Reunions. Which we need since it is up in the air as to what C/C will be doing.

I would think that post Labor Day would be a winner. What a beautiful time in that area. Unfortunatly it is bad for us as that weekend is the 50th anniversary celebration for the West Shore Water Ski Club.....sure can't miss that.

Awesome job as usual Keith.

john

82wake2001 wrote: I being a new cc owner was planning on going to one of the two reunions..now that its at lake George i am in the middle of the two with 8 hours of driving either way!! I might just have to go to both haha//

I can't speak for the NE reunion, but Green Lake is a good time. I've flown out from California two years running, and this year will be towing a boat, 2170 miles each way. Give you are only 8 hours away, I'd highly recommend you book a room or campsite, and register. Worth the drive. BKH

Later date sounds good Keith. I looked into accomodations, after we talked before. Looks like Lake George has a ton of little motels right on the water, even with dockage for guests. Sounds perfect. As you noted, they are pretty pricey in-season, so if early Sept is out of season, all the better.

Riley wrote: Where you're teaming up with a dealer, it sounds like it will be different, (more formal and promotional rather than like a reunion), than last years NE Reunion or the Green Lake reunion.

Bruce, you make it sound like Adirondack's involvement is a negative! It seems like they will be able to offer support (just like MWCC does for GL) as well as familiarity with a potentially great reunion location. While the skiing was great last year at NE, the logisitics were tough. Finding a good location as well as having someone local with a lot of insight (just like Mojo at GL) has proven a challenge here in the east- so Adirondack is bringing a lot to the table.

Lake George has some size to it but with running north-south and with the mountains along the sides skiing should be decent at least mornings and afternoons. Once we get a date banged out it will come together. I have always wanted to do some camping on one of the smaller islands on lake george, might put me too far off of the beaten path for this event but at least it will be a good opportunity to scout out the good islands for another time.

Bruce,
Both reunions are CCF events. Adirondack's role is as a sponsor of the event, just like MWCC. It's our schedule, our events, our show -- just better with their support. As Tim mentioned, they will also be our local connection to the area, coordinating group discounts for room rates, camping, Friday and Saturday night dinners, coordinating local sponsors, provide detailed maps of the lake, clue us in to where the calm water is, etc.

Taking place in a community like Lake George, this year's event will resemble much more of what Green Lake has been for the past two years.

I really think it's going to be great!

-Keith

M3Fan wrote: bkhallpass wrote: and this year will be towing a boat, 2170 miles each way. Seriously?

If seriously means stupidly, then the answer is yes. I've got the vacation time, wife said yes, and the daughter is still young so we don't have kid stuff on the weekends. I said why not. BKH

Ken, there's plenty of time to reschedule whatever else is conflicting with that weekend.

Seriously, I understand that we can't pick a date that works for everyone - it's just not possible. Hopefully letting everyone know early allows for the best chance of scheduling around the event. Another benefit of the post-Labor Day weekend is that there should be less competition for everyone's time - summer weekends fill up fast.

So far, the support for the Sept. 12-14 dates is very strong. I'll give it a few more days but unless there is overwhelming objection, we'll be in Lake George on these dates.

Ken, I hope there's a way you can make it work. I truly believe it�s going to be an extraordinary event.

-Keith

Keith, eather of the dates work for me but I think September would be better all around. Less boat traffic would be nice. I live about 45 miles away from lake George and have spent manny hours on the lake. It can get really rough when its busy. I'm looking forward to going this year. Its ironic, I was just at Adarondack marine Friday buying some parts and was saying how they should have an event like this. This will be my first but certianly not my last! Can't wait.

Well I am excited, forgive me I am jumping the gun... Do we know event locations or at least a central location we should try to book near? FYI were just under a dozen boat-in campsites left for that weeked on long island last I checked, nothing looked available at the battlefield campground but I didnt look too hard at the other campground in town. It might be easier this year to book boat friendly motels or day use docks this year to keep the group in the same general area and then scout out locations for future years while we are there.

Keith wrote: Since there has been no objection to the September dates (besides personal scheduling conflicts - sorry Ken), the Northeast Reunion will be in Lake George, NY on September 12-14. The info page and registration will be up shortly. Thank you to all who provided feedback. -Keith

Believe me, I would have been the first one to register for our reunion. I have a work obligation I can't get out of. I'm absolutely bummed about it. If by any chance it does change to the weekend before or weekend after the 11, 12, count me, Patricia and my boat in. We were looking forward a journey to NY. I look forward to the cool photos and video clips.

I will make a donation to CCF around that time to help offset some of the food or entertainment costs. Have a drink and burger on me. Looking forward to '09!

Mike / Kyle, I hope we can still get together over the summer to do some boating. Maybe we can do a BBQ weekend or something.

Ken

Sept 12-14 should work for my wife and I. We will be bringing a classic restored 69 Barracuda, and a beautiful restored 77 SN. This will be our first CCF reunion... We can not wait.

Both boats purchase through CCF! Thanks Keith.

CRYSTAL LAKE in little Gilmanton Iron Works NH...