bhtooefr
TDIClub Enthusiast, ToofTek Inventor
Want a Fest in your neck of the woods?
The sooner you start planning, the better!
Here's where past and present TDIFests have been held:
(click for Google Map)
If you want a Fest in your area, start looking up hotels now. Historically, the Fest rate for a hotel has been $99/night (a room block will get you discounts off of the normal rate, so don't be afraid to look at hotels that are above that rate).
Tools that can be useful for finding hotels are the city's chamber of commerce, and the Cvent Event Venue Directory. Some city websites and Cvent will let you filter based on requirements.
Here's some hotel requirements that have been compiled (thanks VeeDubTDI and Airwolf):
Larger hotels can work, but present more logistic problems due to sharing the space with others. On the other hand, a smaller hotel may need to be dealt with earlier, or it won't have room for us.
It's also not a bad idea to stay at a candidate hotel for at least a night, and try their food - that way, you have an idea of what the accommodations and food are like.
Also look at local attractions - both those that will appeal to TDI drivers, and their families. Remember that this is Labor Day weekend, so you may need to jump on those attractions quickly.
Please note that organizing a TDIFest will involve volunteering several hundred hours of your time, and a strong team, to make this event a success. However, your contributions will be greatly appreciated, and support the club significantly.
If anyone wants assistance in compiling a list of hotels to research for their desired area, I'd be glad to help. Post in this thread or shoot me a PM, and I can compile a Google Map with the suitable hotels and the airport (and any landmarks you want pointed out) in your city of choice.
The sooner you start planning, the better!
Here's where past and present TDIFests have been held:
(click for Google Map)
If you want a Fest in your area, start looking up hotels now. Historically, the Fest rate for a hotel has been $99/night (a room block will get you discounts off of the normal rate, so don't be afraid to look at hotels that are above that rate).
Tools that can be useful for finding hotels are the city's chamber of commerce, and the Cvent Event Venue Directory. Some city websites and Cvent will let you filter based on requirements.
Here's some hotel requirements that have been compiled (thanks VeeDubTDI and Airwolf):
- 90-120 guest rooms, 200 room-nights
- 200 parking spaces guaranteed available - block off our side of the lot
- Meeting space no extra charge
- suggested banquet style minimum seating - 125
- Registration suite for entire weekend
- 500 - 750 sq ft
- lockable doors
- Food
- On-site catering
- Enough space for 110-175 people to eat
- Max $5000 food minimum
- Free WiFi in guest rooms
- Car washing area (loading dock?)
- Electricity available outside
Larger hotels can work, but present more logistic problems due to sharing the space with others. On the other hand, a smaller hotel may need to be dealt with earlier, or it won't have room for us.
It's also not a bad idea to stay at a candidate hotel for at least a night, and try their food - that way, you have an idea of what the accommodations and food are like.
Also look at local attractions - both those that will appeal to TDI drivers, and their families. Remember that this is Labor Day weekend, so you may need to jump on those attractions quickly.
Please note that organizing a TDIFest will involve volunteering several hundred hours of your time, and a strong team, to make this event a success. However, your contributions will be greatly appreciated, and support the club significantly.
If anyone wants assistance in compiling a list of hotels to research for their desired area, I'd be glad to help. Post in this thread or shoot me a PM, and I can compile a Google Map with the suitable hotels and the airport (and any landmarks you want pointed out) in your city of choice.
