CHECK-IN

It is VERY important that you check in with event staff as soon as possible upon arriving in Columbus.  We will be located at the Embassy Suites (official hotel) in Dublin.  We will try to set up a registration area in the hotel lobby or public area so we can be easily visible.  If you don’t see us, please check back again later.  We may have to run out for food or something.

When you check in, you will receive a lanyard and ID badge.   Each registered member (not guests) gets a goodie bag and a shirt. If you ordered extra event shirts, we’ll have those at that time as well.  You will need those badges for the various activities.

THURSDAY

If you will arrive on Thursday, PLEASE check in with event staff as soon as possible.  We want to get as many people checked in before Friday morning as possible.

Nothing formal is planned for Thursday.

FRIDAY

If you are going on the tour, it is VERY important that you check in with event staff BEFORE 10am.  (that time may change to 9:45am depending on schedule)
The key is…get there early.  We do not want to be rushing people through check-in when we should be lining up to depart for East Liberty.  We appreciate your cooperation.

We posted the list of 150 for the Friday tour at Honda’s East Liberty Plant.
- If your forum username is on the list once, you have one spot on the tour.  
- If your username is on the list twice, you have a spot on the tour and you can bring one guest
- If your username is NOT on the list, you will not be able to attend the lunch/tour at Honda’s East Liberty Plant on Friday.  (Some users who are not on the list are already kicking around ideas of a place to go for fun that day.)

The agenda I have been given from Honda for Friday (6/20) is:
10am – start prep for departure to East Liberty Plant
11am-11:30am   - arrive at East Liberty Plant.   Check in and begin lunch.
****YOU MUST BRING PHOTO ID. IF YOUR NAME IS NOT THE LIST, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN.***
11:30am-12:00noon – Lunch is served and presentations will be given.
1:00pm-2:45pm – plant tours
3pm-4pm  - Element tailgate reception in front of the plant.  The tailgate will  be canceled if it rains.

Honda has lots of rules and regulations for the plant visit. I have distributed those rules to anyone who is going on the tour.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Friday night is an open night.  We encourage members to meet up together, go out for dinner and then come back and mingle in the parking lots.  Shake hands and meet the many fellow Honda lovers, check out the modifications that have been done to some member’s  vehicles and just have fun!

SATURDAY

Saturday’s main activity is a visit to TRC – the Transportation Research Center.  Lunch will be served and there will be several Ridgeline demonstrations and the Element Drifter will show off with some demos as well.

*We were just alerted of a TRC policy that may affect some of you.   No minors are allowed at TRC – period.  We apologize for any inconvenience for those of you bringing the family and hoping to bring everyone on Saturday.   Also, as you might expect, they do not allow cameras, video cameras or any cell phones that can capture video.  They will be VERY strict about this and we are asking for full cooperation from our members and guests with these policies.  Thanks!

*You may be required to show photo identification at TRC upon entry. So, your name needs to be on our list.

The tentative schedule for Saturday’s trip to TRC is:
10am – depart from hotel
11am – presentation followed by lunch
12:30 – 3pm  - demonstrations
3pm – group photos in parking lot (we may also be taking aerial photos – stay tuned)
4pm -  depart back to hotel in single line of Hondas on interstate (if there’s a way for us to set a record, we will)

SATURDAY NIGHT

We will have our buffet dinner at Dave & Buster’s in Columbus – not too far from the hotel.  If you signed up and paid for the buffet, we’ll look forward to seeing you there.    We only reserved room for the number who have signed up.  That being said, if you have a few extra and want to sit in their restaurant area, eat off the menu but pop in to mingle in our conference rooms, we are not going to lock you out.  Just please understand that the buffet and reception is for those who registered and paid for it.

We will also give away some prizes at the buffet. After everyone has had their fill at Dave & Buster’s, let’s head back to the hotel parking lots for more mingling.

SUNDAY

Head home when it’s your time.  Travel safe.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

• Have fun.   Introduce yourself to others and make new friends. This is our sixth national car/truck club meet that we have organized.  We have made great friends and in fact, many are considered family at this point.  So, don’t be shy!
• Be flexible.  There is a lot of work and preparation that goes into every meet, especially this year.  But, things happen.  Weather.  Traffic.  Rule change.  We do our best to set it up for you to arrive, check in and enjoy.  But, every once in a while we hit a bump.  This year will probably be no different.
• Help each other out.  If you see that someone just arrived at the hotel, point them in the direction of the check-in event staff.  If you are leading a group on the highway during our travels, think about others and do your best to keep yourself visible.  Let’s be good to one another.
• Be prepared.  I know it sounds silly, but think about water, sun screen, gas or any other thing you may need during the day.  We don’t want anyone stranded or burnt to a crisp.
• Drive safe.
• If you are on the tour list but do not plan to go or cannot be checked in before we need to depart on Friday, please contact us ASAP.  We have many on the waiting list who would love to have your spot.

Let me finish by saying thanks to you.  Gas is insanely expensive.  Many of you are driving BIG drives. Some are flying in.  This is not a cheap meet for any of us.  So, thanks for your support of these clubs.  Thanks for being a friend.  Thanks for making these clubs and these events so much fun!