February 2013

The latest information has been released regarding the GLAMARAMA 2013 Rally scheduled for the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen Indiana from Wednesday, September 18 through Sunday, September 22, 2013. We are pleased that Dane Bailey, the Singing Auctioneer, has graciously agreed to be the master of ceremonies for the rally. Check out his website www.singingauctioneer.com to learn of his extensive experience in leading events with humor, music and good clean fun.

New information regarding early arrival has also just been announced. While early arrival is from Sunday afternoon, September 15 through Tuesday, September 17, 2013 those choosing to enter the rally as a group will be authorized to enter beginning ONLY on Tuesday, the 17th. This change is warranted by the tight fairground schedule requiring that electrical wiring layout and parking layout can’t start until Monday morning.  As the rally date approaches, we will provide a list of campgrounds in the area to accommodate those groups planning on an earlier arrival to the Elkhart area. Also, early arrival camping fee at the fairground is $25 per night. Key individuals-GLAMA Executive Board, specified Parking and Security members will be requested to arrive on Sunday afternoon to begin setting up and arranging facilities. The Security and Parking chairmen, Ken Schlacht and Rick Hahn, respectively will advise which members will be authorized to arrive early and receive a waiver on parking fees. Please note that individual coaches entering the fairground early may not have water and electric available until Tuesday.

For those interested in leading a seminar or craft class please select the Seminar/Craft Presenter Form link from the right navigation bar on the rally website to access that request form. Print out the form using your browser print command, complete the request form and send it to Dick Montgomery, Seminar Chair. His contact information is included in the first paragraph of the form. We hope you will share the valuable knowledge you have gained through your years of travels with the many others who will attend the rally.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to communicate directly with Jon or any of the rally chairs. Their contact information can be found on the rally website under the GLAMA Planning Committee link. Also, in the next month we hope to have our rally website http://gla2013plng.blogspot.com/ linked with FMCA for ease in connection. We hope to see you all at the rally.

GLAMARAMA JANUARY 23

We hope the new year finds you in good health and looking forward to new opportunities to travel, learn, make new friends and share. Progress continues by the Rally Planning Committee toward the exciting time when we can all meet at the GLAMARAMA 2013 Rally at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen Indiana. The artwork for the rally book, rally buttons and rally bar is currently being selected. This same artwork will be incorporated into the registration form still under construction. YES, I Know! You want to be able to register as soon as possible. As soon as we know when it will be published notification will go out to your chapter President and National Director to share with you. We hope to include a link on this site directly to the online registration form that will be hosted on the FMCA website at www.fmca.com. The dates for the rally are Wednesday through Sunday, September 18-22, 2013 with early arrival Sunday through Tuesday, September 15-17.

For those interested in leading a seminar or craft class please select the Seminar/Craft Presenter Form link from the right navigation bar to access that request form. Print out the form using your browser print command, complete the request form and send it to Dick Montgomery, Seminar Chair. His contact information is included in the first paragraph of the form. We hope you will share the valuable knowledge you have gained through your years of travels with the many others who will attend the rally.

GLAMARAMA December 19

The Planning Committee has been working hard this month. We are making great progress in planning a successful rally.

We have determined that the base registration fee will include full 30 amp electric. Higher amperage and full hook-ups will be available on a limited number of spaces. Make sure to check back for when registration begins to take advantage of these amenities. One evening will be reserved for chapter events, promoting tour attendance, chapter dinners and other activities that allow for quality time with friends and new acquaintances. We are ahead of schedule in selecting art work for promotional materials, and official GLAMA letterhead has been designed and delivered.

We are also engaging in a push for sponsorships by sending out letters to encourage vendor participation. Sponsorships go a long way in assuring a financially successful area rally. This being the Great Lakes Area Motor Coach Association’s first annual rally, it is imperative that we collect sufficient funds. We want to avoid charging high registration fees or requesting financial assistance from FMCA for future events.

That said, other area rallies have gained support from their chapters and, in some cases, individual members through the purchase of full, half, quarter page or business card rally book advertisements. Not only is this a great way to promote your chapter and even send a goodwill message, it also will provide financial support for future activities. You might be surprised by the interest an ad can create for your GLAMA chapter.

Some of the discussions still in the development stages include tours and outings offerings. Let us know if you have any questions or comments. We are doing everything we can to make sure that everyone who attends has a wonderful time.

Make sure to mark your calendars for the GLAMARAMA 2013 Area Rally, September 18 through 22, 2013 at the Elkhart County 4H Fairground in Goshen Indiana. Early arrivals begin Sunday, September 15.

Finally, all GLAMA officers and the GLAMARAMA Planning Committee wish you and your family the happiest of holidays and a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

GLAMARAMA November 1

GREAT LAKES AREA MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION

2013 Rally Planning Progress

The Great Lakes Area Motorcoach Association (GLAMA), affiliated with Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), selected the name GLAMARAMA 2013 for the coming year’s Great Lakes Area rally. The rally will be held at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Goshen Indiana on Wednesday, September 18 through Sunday, September 22, 2013. Early arrival will be Sunday through Tuesday, September 15 through 17.

Working with the FMCA, a production schedule has been approved and deadlines set. Rally artwork and forms are in development to create an extravaganza atmosphere. We look forward to creating an exciting and fun filled time for all those who attend the rally.

In order to make this rally a success, it will take time and energy contributed by GLAMA chapters and other individual members as has been the case in all area rallies. Those who have volunteered in the past report that being part of the process actually made their experience at the rally that much more enjoyable. Committee chairs have already begun their work on preparations and will soon need your help. More details about volunteering, including contact information and specific areas of need, will follow in subsequent blog articles.

Regular posts will be added to this site to keep you updated on the progress of rally preparations. We welcome your comments questions throughout this process.