MEAD 2019

[toohers5]

Im with talltigeguy 100 % You can ink me in for #7c

[MtnMan210]

what they said.....the no crowds is one of the biggest influencers of us really liking this trip

[D&P Powell]

You can ink me in for #7c

Thanks Tim! You are the man!

[D&P Powell]

If it were at a place with lots of traffic, it would be less desirable, IMHO. There is no better water than Mead in September.

I couldn't agree more, but I had to offer up all of the locations on the Colorado River we could think of that might fill our needs. It appears from the results of the survey most everyone agrees with keeping it at Temple Bar Marina. We have been in discussions with them over the last few weeks to see about additional accommodations. They want to work with us. For those of you on the waiting list, please follow this thread closely over the next few months for updates!

[chpthril]

I think it would cool if the Lake Mead Tige Owners event could stay............wait for it..............at Lake Mead

In all seriousness, I hate that some folks dont get accommodations at temple bar, but on the other hand, I think there is some benefit by the size of the event being organically managed. I feel that if an event grows too big, it looses its identity. Too big and its hard to socialize, too big and it becomes a nearly full time job for more then one person, to pull it together, so they get burned out.

[Germaine Marine]

Dave,

First and foremost you are killing it. I think most would agree the event is the best its ever been (bar none) and gets better each and every year. While I understand that a select few like the way the reunion was years ago the reality is..... things change. What I really liked last year was all of the NEW families which included a lot of young kids. Tige isnt what it used to be 5 years ago in this area (a small click), its growing rapidly which means so is the owner base. If the reunion has always been about families and the owners why would any of us be ok with trying to keep some of that new owner base out? Thats not what the reunion has been about and it sure isnt what Tige is about. Tige is about family and you always find a way to welcome family whether its new or old.

Some of the saddest emails I have gotten over the last few years have been from new owners who have been told they cant attend because it was sold out. Those same emails detailed how they have felt like a click existed and that the event was more about that than anything else. That is crap. Sorry, and just not what any of this is about. The last few years have been a drastic departure from that. I for one am a fan.

I have no problem helping in any fashion if that means more NEW people get to experience the event. I have made some awesome friends etc and It would be selfish of me to want to keep that all to myself.

Further, I have no doubt that even if the group gets bigger the event will flourish. Events like this are what they are because of the people. With the group from years past, the new people that came last year and the new people that we see coming into the brand that should not be a concern for anyone.

This dialogue is awesome, and I have no doubt that the event will continue to evolve and cater to more people whether its at temple or anywhere else. We all know how neat the seclusion is with Temple and if a venue change happens I have faith that the coordinators will move it somewhere with that same feel and vibe wherever it might be.

[talltigeguy]

Foiling reunions are a thing. A big thing. It is not unusual for 70-80 hydrofoils to show up to one of these reunions.

What makes the most successful reunions is much the same as what exists at Temple bar. It is somewhat important that the reunion is in an isolated place where people can't really get lost on their own. And people who want to socialize easily find each other. Also, there are not other people around that you are trying to figure out if they are part of the reunion or not.

There is a bigger place on Apache Lake outside of Phoenix. It has a pretty sizable hotel, I am guessing 50 rooms. It gets fully booked for the foiling reunion in October. It is located at least 30 minutes up the road from Phoenix, and has a very isolated feel, which is good. I think I made this pitch before. It is a little harder to get to, and is 8 hours from St. George, and probably 6 hours from Vegas. That makes it pretty unappetizing for the Northern Utah guys, although a flight to phoenix is pretty cheap if you don't want to bring the boat. It seriously would be a great place for a boat owner's reunion.

[Bad05]

I think it would cool if the Lake Mead Tige Owners event could stay............wait for it..............at Lake Mead

In all seriousness, I hate that some folks dont get accommodations at temple bar, but on the other hand, I think there is some benefit by the size of the event being organically managed. I feel that if an event grows too big, it looses its identity. Too big and its hard to socialize, too big and it becomes a nearly full time job for more then one person, to pull it together, so they get burned out.

Agreed Mike and having ran it for a few years myself I understand all the struggles that have been discussed which is why I keep chiming in. Could it be bigger if there were more accommodations, of course, but he reunion with friends is what kept us coming back each year not the swag. I understand from a sponsor's perspective that a larger reunion get's them the most bang for their buck but this was more about the people or the Tige Family than the sponsors.

[Germaine Marine]

Agreed Mike and having ran it for a few years myself I understand all the struggles that have been discussed which is why I keep chiming in. Could it be bigger if there were more accommodations, of course, but he reunion with friends is what kept us coming back each year not the swag. I understand from a sponsor's perspective that a larger reunion get's them the most bang for their buck but this was more about the people or the Tige Family than the sponsors.

As a sponsor I can tell you the size means nothing. Their truly is no ROI from the reunion. For us, It’s done as a show of support for the owners and Tige. I have had the privilege of truly being on both sides of the coin.

You said it yourself, what keeps people coming are the people and good people at that. Last year we had awesome NEW people, and guess what? The reunion was awesome, undoubtedly the best it’s been.

So, is it the people or the local that are most important? For me and just like you mentioned John, it’s the people and friendships that are most important and every year that list of people I love to hang with gets bigger which is a testament to the Tige family.

The group of awesome people have grown, and continue to grow. I see no reason to slow that.

On a side note, lake mead is open to the public other weekends in September if a small group outing and or having to be at mead is a necessity.

[D&P Powell]

All good points.... now as one of the coordinators for the last three years, please allow me to chime in.

I believe first and foremost, we cannot forget this event is so special because it has always been a reunion for owners, put on by owners. Yes, we receive plenty of support from Tige, Germaine Marine, and other sponsors... but as long as I am involved in coordinating it, I believe the focus should be on the "owners event" aspect of it. With that said, THAT'S the very reason I have ran a survey for the last two years. We are reviewing those results and continuously trying to improve, while paying our respects and showing our appreciation for those who came before us.

This years results spoke VOLUMES about what everyone wants (please keep in mind, as a coordinator I did not participate as I did not want to skew the results one way or the other). The majority are willing to go wherever we have the reunion, but the majority also prefers to keep it at Temple Bar. For that reason, I will do everything in my power to keep the event at Temple Bar. I have been in constant communication with the Temple Bar Marine management. They understand our challenges (accommodations) and want to help. They want us there as much as we want to be there. Selling out in 2 hours this year really opened up their eyes (and ours) on those challenges. We have EIGHT Tige Boat Owner families on the waiting list right now. I believe its our responsibility to try to accommodate them as best as we can.

Lastly, please allow me to address the comments about sponsors and swag. The majority of the work we have put into this event over the last few years has been around getting sponsors and donations. In 3 years of doing this, and 6 years of attending, I have never been approached with someone complaining about too many sponsors or too many donations. In fact, we receive quite a bit of positive feedback in this area. If it truly is a concern among the majority, I will address it like I have all of the others shared in the past. Please remember though, this is an event for ownerS (capitalized and bolded S intentionally) by ownerS. One voice is heard, but the majority of voices are acted upon. In all honesty, this event would be a BREEZE to coordinate if we said "no sponsors other than Tige and Germaine" and didnt have a raffle or any swag at all. However, by all indications, people seem to enjoy and appreciate the donations we have received from the various sponsors and the sponsors seem to appreciate the publicity we have provided them. The more people we have attending, the more sponsors are needed to make sure we all walk away happy.

Good discussion. If anyone wants to talk about any of this offline, or you have concerns over anything I have said, please feel free to reach out to me at (95one-seven75-3816).
Sincerely,
Dave and Pam

[Bad05]

You are doing everything right Dave! The reunion is awesome and although I don't have my boat I still look forward to coming out and seeing everyone!

[D&P Powell]

Potential sponsor letters went out today, as many sponsors distribute their donations early in the year. The event will be here before you know it!

Potentials.jpg

[D&P Powell]

We have our first two sponsors confirmed! Lakewakes Wakesurf and Zombie Wakesurf. Please like our posts on Facebook and Instagram to show these vendors our appreciation! Thank you.

[D&P Powell]

Who is attending the Germaine Marine So. Cal grand opening this Saturday? Asking for a friend (no really). Word has it they will have a raffle!

[sandm]

want to but roped into another job.
have not made the drive to LA since moving to vegas and this would have been a good opportunity.

wish them the best to a successful big weekend.