This is what I wrote to S2k guys...
Quote:
Just an opinion from an observer...
I organize the 2nd largest rotary car gathering in USA called, "Deals Gap Rotary Rally" (www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com).
I had my first 3 events at Fontana Village and all three years, I had issues with them. And last year, They were such a jackasses and nickel and dime me to death that I've decided to go somewhere else.
This year, I moved my event to Nantahala Village (www.NVNC.com) by advice from some of you S2k guys. Well, All I can say is Nantahala Village ROCKED!!! Unlike Fontana Village, We had the whole village to ourselves and as an organizer, NV did more than I expected!! This was also the first year where I had almost no complains from any of my attendees and Almost everyone who attended my event said they would come again and PREFERS Nantahala Village over Fontana!!
OH, Also my sponsors preferred NV over Fontana..
For the Organizer of DBR 2008, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND NANTAHALA VILLAGE as they now have a new management and the owners is an actually car enthusiast!
I'm sure you are wondering how many cars I had at my event.. well, We had well over 120 cars and over 200 attendees. The food was fantastic and FAR more reasonable then Fontana. OVER ALL I was VERY pleased!!
One of my concern was the distance to the US129.. but NO one really complained about it from my group. And most thought of it as a warm up drive to the Dragon.
Lodges were 100% better than Fontana as they were actual houses and cabins vs. trailer homes. The customer service was TOP NOTCH!!! and their new chef and restaurant manager was fantastic!!
If you guys are interested, Call them and asked to speak to Maggie. Maggie is the new group manager at NV.
Since leaving Fontana, I've recieved several Phone calls from them.. Even early as last night.. The thing is, Their EGO and lack of appreciation for us car enthusiast is what got me to switch.. But it was definitely worth it for me as an organizer and for the rotary community. When people are happy, organizing event like this is ALL worth it.. When I was at Fontana, I wanted to quit every year... Things changed when I moved to NV..
Just wanted to pass on the info....
PHIL
PS. Pics from our event: http://www.rotarycarclub.com/showthread.php?t=1707
I'm in no affiliation with NV.. just an organizer trying to give you guys a head up.
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Honestly, NV just is a better place... better lodge, more stuff to do, and us rotary guys being their will only make things better. Also, they aren't GREEDY as fontana. When I was working with Fontana, I felt that they were nickel and diming me one so many things.. Even after telling them that I'm not making TON of money doing this... They just didn't care!!! Just on food, it was going to cost me almost 2 x more at Fontana vs. Nantahala.. And they were going to make me pay IN ADVANCE!!!
i also tried to have the seminar there and they were going to charge me 500 to rent out a conference room.. Geez!! What I made organizing this event didn't cover the time I put in... If I went to Fontana, I would of made nothing!