Please Share Your Opinion; Mentone Guide

[barnstorm2]

After last year's convention several people posted that when they went to Mentone that year (first time) that they felt a little lost.

I was thinking that after I finish customizing my flyer for chapter 62 (done but need to convert it to .pdf) I would see if there would be any usefulness in making a "Guide to Mentone" that we could pass out at the convention.

If you guys think it would have some value and can give me input I will make up a couple hundred flyers at my own expense to be given to each attendee (Pam willing).

I was thinking:

1. List of events/seminars
2. Basic Map
3. Basic explanation of the parts and types of gyroplanes
4. A few pictures of who's who to go to for information, help etc.
5. ? Suggestions anyone ? Links? Rotaryforum URL?

Item #1 may be redundant if Pam is already planning a page to hand out.

Please let me know if this is a good idea or if I am off-my-rocker and wasting my time.

[Doug Riley]

It's common to sell advertising in such flyin programs. It could be a money-maker for PRA, in addition to covering the direct cost of publication.

[barnstorm2]

It's common to sell advertising in such flyin programs. It could be a money-maker for PRA, in addition to covering the direct cost of publication.

Thanks Doug!, but the Gremmingers beat me to the punch :)

Tom Milton and the Gremmingers are making a Mentone Convention Programme ( http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4688 )
and I need to not compete with that. I don't know what content they plan to have but if they are including all of the same information I don't want to compete.

I am ASSUMING that what they are making is something more formal for the gyro-converted-fans ect.

What I am thinking of is a tri-fold with a big MAP as the centerpiece and helpfull tidbits.

You have set me thinking though. Perhaps I will add and ad for the Programme the Gremmingers are making in the tri-fold?

[Dean_Dolph]

Tim, glad to see that Chapter 62 can expect their brochure any day now!

I think your idea is a good one if it doesn't duplicate or conflict with what Greg G. is producing. And then some duplication might be good. They could be placed in the individual pre-registration envelopes as well as for those who just visit or register after getting there.

If you include the seminars then you might want to include a disclaimer and tell everyone to check the 'board' at the concession stand for any changes/updates. I think Tom M. is handling the seminars again. Rick Marshall verified at Bensen Days that the air conditioned mobile building will be there again, hooray!

A map to the local restaraunts/attractions in Mentone/Rochester, or wherever would be handy. However, even though it is considerably shorter, it would be tricky putting in a map for the back road from Rochester to the airport. I was able to explain it to Chris S. and Shar last year and apparently they made it okay but then I understand they had an adventure when they played tourist on leaving the airport!

Who to go to for info would be good but how would they indentify those people. This is something that should be thought about and implemented. How 'bout day glow orange beanies with a rotor on top?!! Seriously, there should be some official greeters available through out the crowd.

I would leave the links and gyro type/descripition to the program and hope they include everything. A note telling of the availability of the program and what is contains would be good. Maybe you/Greg and Tom should collaborate. I would also talk to Pam to see if there is any conflict there. If she was going to do something similar then I bet she would be glad to be relieved of that chore.

[GyroRon]

I would like to know if I fly my Airplane up there this year, will I be parked out in the boonies like a outcast or can I park it up close to the rest of the machines and camping area?

[StanFoster]

Ron: Heres where you can park your RV-4. Just to the left of the numbers 18. :D


Stan

[gyroblackwell]

tell you what ron.... you fly up and I will personally help you bring your plane right up behind the museum ! I will probably get in all kinds of trouble for doing it ... but what the heck!
:eek:

[GyroRon]

If the weather is VFR I am planning to come up - I think....? - What are the dates?

[barnstorm2]

Ok, here is a draft of the Map:

http://prachapter34.com/mentone05.htm

[Timchick]

Looks good Tim

[barnstorm2]

Thanks!

I figgure I will work out the draft on the web page and then kill two birds with one stone and have one people can download and print and one to pass out.

[Dean_Dolph]

Tim, airport map looks good! Don't pilots have to have a PRA pass card to fly at the convention? If so you may want to mention that. Is this supposed to take care of that? "If you are a pilot and plan to fly contact the PRA before the convention to make sure you have met air show requirements." You may also want to mention that the private residence/ground across from the PRA office is off limits and the need to respect their privacy. What about radio frequencies in use for Mentone?

[gyroblackwell]

If the weather is VFR I am planning to come up - I think....? - What are the dates?

Check the PRA website under announcements ! (www.pra.org)

[GyroRon]

What are the dates????

[barnstorm2]

What are the dates????

Geeze Ron, Are you allergic to the PRA web site: :confused:

PRA Events
PRA sponsors an annual convention that's typically the largest gathering of homebuilt rotorcraft in the world. It has exhibits, flight demonstrations, contests, commercial exhibits, great food, forums on rotorcraft topics, and unlimited fun! The next PRA convention will be held July 20-23 2005 at the PRA Mentone Airport in Mentone, Indiana. There are also many other events sanctioned by PRA and its local chapters.

[GyroRon]

Yes I do not go on the PRA website. And I posted that last post before GyroMax did. sorry

[barnstorm2]

Tim, airport map looks good! Don't pilots have to have a PRA pass card to fly at the convention? If so you may want to mention that. Is this supposed to take care of that? "If you are a pilot and plan to fly contact the PRA before the convention to make sure you have met air show requirements." You may also want to mention that the private residence/ground across from the PRA office is off limits and the need to respect their privacy. What about radio frequencies in use for Mentone?

Yes, the plan to fly statement is about the PRA pass card. I will see if I can make it clearer.

Freq is a good idea. I will add that.

I think I will make a general 'please be courtious' statement and include the neighbors.

Thanks!

[gyroplanes]

Instead of "stepping on toes" I think we should be dancing together.

Greg & Steph were asking me for program book content ideas. I've spent hours looking for my 1996 program book, I must have put it away real good.

The idea of the program book was fund raising, to sell ads and probably give away the program books. We made some money on programs in 1996, but not a lot. I hired an agency to sell the ads and compose the book. I had a local newspaper print the programs in a comic book format.

I love the approach you have taken, Tim. Building the "program / flyer" on the web is brilliant.

I constantly drag out the pyro club I belong to as a reference, and I'll do it again. They move their convention around every year. One (fairly constant) constant is their program book. They give everyone a 3 ring binder full of information and adverts.
They solicit pre-punched catalogs & price sheets from vendors for inclusion.
They usually start the book off with a welcome from the Mayor, PGI president and the host chapter.
Contest rules are also included.
A map of the site and of the local town.
Ads from local merchants welcoming you and usually offering a discount.
Seminars usually include pre-punched handouts.
And, of course, a daily schedule.

They basically do the same thing every year and don't have to "re-invent the wheel", often it's the same people doing the task. It should become easier every year.

I haven't discussed this with Greg, but I'd bet he'd like to "dance" with you. I will continue to sell the advertising either way. :)

[gyroplanes]

I just went to the new Pyrotechnics Guild International web site www.pgi.org to get details about their 2005 convention. I must admit I haven't belonged or supported this organization much in the last 5 years.

It is uncanny, the similarity of the two organizations, PRA & PGI.

PGI's membership is around 3500 and they are almost the same age as us.

I would like to model PRA after some of their features, I love their site. Check out the web site and go to "convention" scope out locations.... pretty awesome.

Visit their site when you have a chance to linger and look around. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have all of this information about the PRA right out in the open like this.

I would copy their entire operation. They must be doing something right, almost 1/2 of their membership attends their conventions. Curiously enough they do not allow non-members to attend.

I'd like to know what YOU think of the PGI's way of doing business

[barnstorm2]

Thanks Tom!

I did not know the Programme was going to be free. It makes sense, as that puts it in more hands and adds value to the advertisers.

You and the G's are welcome to all of the material I put together. I doubt I can help with much more than I have already posted on the web page unless I get some more good ideas from posters here.

I was thinking it might be nice for some people to volenteer as a 'welcome committee' and we could post their pictures as 'goto' people for questions, problems, introductions and the like.

I am still meeting new members (this will be my 3rd Mentone) and trying to remember what names go with what faces or I would put myself down.

Also, (and this is the first I have said of it, trying not to jinx myself) I might try to FLY to Mentone this year if the weather and mechanical soundness of my gyro are willing.

If I fly my 447 all the way to Mentone I won't be able to carry extra clothes and will need to bum rides to the hotel each night and morning. I doubt I will be looking so fresh (I guess I will learn to wash my clothes in the hotel sink), so I would be a pretty poor go-to-guy.

Since Greg Gremminger will likely fly a greater distance, I think we should have a "longest distance in a legal Ultralight" award so I get a shot at winning something ;) I'm not holding my breath though. I have work on Monday and the weather would have to be PERFECT.

[barnstorm2]

I'd like to know what YOU think of the PGI's way of doing business

Nice site, lots of info. Conventions planned all the way out to 2013!

I like our layout (web page) better. I found the dark page hard on the eyes, but for fireworks you do need a dark background.

I will check out more later!

[barnstorm2]

I have posted hotel listings.

Does anyone know where the banquet is being held this year?