1ST LIVIN LITE REGIONAL RALLY

[daplumbr]

And the Oregon coast to boot! I'm looking forward to exploring the area for a few days and if there happens to be few good people around, bonus!  Bummer about Christian, however. That's a regressive mistake on KZ-RVs part IMHO. Car dealers are hiring people in that position because they realize the value-added of having someone really good at customer service being the front-person. 

[admin]

Christian was never directly linked to Livin Lite so she would have been removed as our point of contact no matter what. Its just crazy to me that Crossroads would let her go without any sort of transition plan for moving LL to the KZ management.

She did a great job at spear heading a lot of valuable projects and communication. I consider her a welcome member of this community and a friend, with or without being related to the company.

[leslie]

I was one of several LLers to meet at Flat Rock in South Carolina at the end of March last year. No prior organization, and a good time was had by all. Nothing official to do with the factory, either.

So, that was the first official, unofficial LL rally. Now that we have been qualified to have a great time with no planning, I think we will have a lot of fun winging it.

See everybody in July!

[pinstriper]

I have to say, I had premonitions about this kind of collapse. It happens every time I become a brand loyalist. Kiss of death.

Someone needs to dig up an article on Net Promoter Score, and send it along to the marketing wizards at Thor, because they have squandered a golden egg. I have lost count of the other RV'ers who have stopped by our campsite to see and talk about out trailer. But maybe that doesn't translate to the balance sheet.

I honestly don't know if this is a case where they have grown so successfully that they don't need an engaged and free promoting customer base, or whether the thing is done and just needs liquidating. I'll bet Thor themselves don't know the answer to that, but I am quite sure they are asking that question themselves.

Christian was better than we could ever have expected, but really this whole thing was so unusual and so unlikely that I can't say I am at all surprised. Shame for her, but I am sure she will land on her feet as she has a good head on her shoulders and she will find a place that values her integrity and engagement. Thor just isn't that place.

As far as the rally goes, this was something WE, HERE, US, started, and which LL glommed onto. It was all about us idiots getting together and getting silly in someplace that folks were looking for a reason for which to go to...for...ahem.

So we're be there, fishing, liquoring and giggling and shit-talking the rat bastards in between impromptu cocktail parties and pot lucks. I didn't need any cheesy chinese-made t-shirt a size too small to pathetically proclaim my brand allegiance louder than the decals on the side of my camper already did.

Maybe we can have a brand un-loyalty event Friday night or something, involving a razor blade, a can of Goof Off, and a campfire where we strip off the Camplite logo decals. And from henceforth, if someone asks what our trailers are, we say "Oh, it's an Avion !"

What we need now, is something we have needed for about 6 months and didn't bother addressing because we expected LL to do the heavy lifting: a social coordinator, to decide when we're having what kind of potluck and who is doing what, when. It needs to be someone who is well organized, has time on their hands, and likes working with strangers they have never met.

NOT IT !! I CALLED "NOT IT" !!

I nominate Leslie.

All in favor say "Aye".

[leslie]

Ha! I am having a great time exploring Central Florida. I have been having so much fun, there have been days when I didn't even come to this board to see what everybody here is doing.

When I get back home, I will post a trip report about all of my adventures! I will be sure to include the time I bonded with an alligator! Now I'm ready for a bear!

[ammobob]

[p][attachment id="1253"][/p][p]
[/p][p]pinstriper, we must have been on the same page because before I knew that Christian was gone I replied to her e-mail from Friday with the attendee list. [/p][p]
[/p][p][font color="#193ee6"]Hi Robert!
 
Just wanted to pass you the most updated registration list for rally registration. I haven't heard of anyone else, but wanted to make sure that you had the info that I do ?
 
Thanks!
 
Christian[/font]
[/p][p]
[/p][p]Had a gut feeling they would back out after they cancelled the National Rally. Here's what I sent her yesterday morning b4 I hit the forum and saw Sean's message. Timing is everything![/p][p]
[/p][p][font color="#193fe6"]"Thanks and was thinking about asking you for the list last week but with 4.5 months to go thought I'd wait a month or 2. I have been laying low and thought I might start some interest in planning for July in early May. Would guess by then we would need to start firming up the plans for what LivinLite might want to do. Hope you been thinking about it since it's a bit more off your end though I am willing to help any way I can. Suspect we should plan most things for Saturday the 23rd since most folks will arrive on the 22nd and leave on the 25th. I am out on Sunday the 24th headed to Olympia National Park in Washington State for a few days.[/font][/p][p][font color="#193fe6"]
[/font][/p][p][font color="#193fe6"]
[/font][/p][p][font color="#193fe6"][font color="#e61945"]I would like to say 1 thing though and this is just my opinion. Don't let LivinLite cancel out on this. With the discontent on the forum (including Yahoo's forum, just ask Don Neufelder) about all the changes made to the Camplite models, cancelling the National rally and questioning Thor going cheap to pad their bottom line, cancelling this would be a severe blow not to sales but reputation. It will not be so much about a meal, Tee shirts or whatever LL does but, probably more about the face time with someone at a level to deal with the tough questions that are sure to come.[/font]

Just my 2 cents worth as I will be camping no matter what happens. Keep in touch and let's start planning in May."[/font][/p][p][font color="#193fe6"]
[/font][/p][p][font color="#090103"]I won't stick Leslie with anything (unless she volunteers) since I brought this up in the first place. I am sure we as a group can come up with some basic plan and execute from there. Just like my e-mail said we'll start working on this in May.[/font][/p][p][font color="#090103"]
[/font][/p][p][font color="#090103"]I have attached the attendee list for those who want it.[/font][/p][p]
[/p]

[charliem]

I have to say, I had premonitions about this kind of collapse...............

Christian was better than we could ever have expected, but really this whole thing was so unusual and so unlikely that I can't say I am at all surprised. Shame for her, but I am sure she will land on her feet as she has a good head on her shoulders and she will find a place that values her integrity and engagement. Thor just isn't that place........................

Maybe we can have a brand un-loyalty event Friday night or something, involving a razor blade, a can of Goof Off, and a campfire where we strip off the Camplite logo decals..........

[font size="3"]Ditto on Christian. I was skeptical at first, but she turned out to be a worthwhile addition. However, I sensed she was going native with us of late and that was probably her downfall.

Instead of removing decals how about adding one? Something like "PRE THOR" or "SCOTT'S" or "ORIGINAL" or "CLASSIC"? Something like the antique auto tags available in some states. [/font]

[admin]

I couldn't agree more with you guys. WE as a group have come together without LL and WE will continue on with or without them
I am honestly disappointed that I can't make it to the west coast rally since last years east coast one was such a blast. I'm sure you guys are going to have many, many stories to tell, and maybe some that dont need to be told online Either way its going to be great.

[pinstriper]

[font size="3"]However, I sensed she was going native with us of late and that was probably her downfall.
[/font]

Yeah, my Spidey-sense was tingling this way, too. I think she may have been the only one not drinking the Kool Aide but instead advocating for some of the resistance to the changes that we've echoed here so much.

[pinstriper]

On the plus side, all of the spots reserved by LL, Inc. should be opening up shortly, if anyone was looking to get into Loop M with all the fun kids.

[leslie]

If I were to be Chair of anything for this rally, it would be Chair of NO Organization. Here's why:
It is just a long weekend. I am sure everybody wants to do their own exploration of Ft. Stevens, so we need lots of free time.

Considering time limitations, I think all that we need is a Meet-and-Greet for the first night, a pitch-in meal for another night, and a time set aside for a "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" for our campers. Oh - perhaps a campfire after the meal, dependent on weather.

Any other time we spend together would depend upon individual common pursuits. I purposely chose a large campsite so that, hopefully, we could get together there for the Meet-and-Greet. Not having set eyeballs on it, we will have to see...

[pinstriper]

IIRC your place is right next to the camp hosts.

[daplumbr]

[quote timestamp="1458328513" source="/post/19664/thread" author="@leslie"]If I were to be Chair of anything for this rally, it would be Chair of NO Organization. Here's why:
It is just a long weekend. I am sure everybody wants to do their own exploration of Ft. Stevens, so we need lots of free time.

Considering time limitations, I think all that we need is a Meet-and-Greet for the first night, a pitch-in meal for another night, and a time set aside for a "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" for our campers. Oh - perhaps a campfire after the meal, dependent on weather.

Any other time we spend together would depend upon individual common pursuits. I purposely chose a large campsite so that, hopefully, we could get together there for the Meet-and-Greet. Not having set eyeballs on it, we will have to see...[/quote]I favor the minimalist approach too. We could probably even combine the meet and greet with the pitch in meal! I have it on good authority (Pinstriper) that it will not rain, so the campfire after the meal is an automatic "go". 

[pinstriper]

Rain in July ? Pshaw !!

Don't believe me ? Well let me tell you something, pardner! If it rains on us, I will....I'll....well, probably just go fishing and then sit around getting liquored up like usual.

[leslie]

IIRC your place is right next to the camp hosts.

OH NO!