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I know, I know -- way late to post this!! I've been sitting on this announcement way too long... :(

Here is the flyer that has been sent out a large number of Toyota customers by the dealership up in St. Cloud:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/Minnesota_Hybrid_Meet.JPG

Please note that owning a hybrid is in no way a requirement to attend! I'm hoping to see a good turnout of MN hypermilers from the boards here. :)

Whoo hoo! Congrats!
Good to hear that MN is up and running. If there is anything else that Madison Hybrid Group or Milwaukee Hybrid Group can do to help let us know!

Thanks, Eric! I think we are in good shape right now but I won't be shy about asking if we need something for future efforts. :)

I should probably add... if you guys learn anything club-wise, that you can share with us, be sure to let us know, too.

Like how you managed to get the dealer to send out the announcement to his people?

Like how you managed to get the dealer to send out the announcement to his people?

We had a serendipitous contact. ;) I never would have thought of it but one of our members already has a very good working relationship with the dealer... Not something that can be applied generally, I'm afraid.

Perhaps mentioning that another dealership has done this with good response would help? If the turn out is good and the feedback matches our expectations the dealership itself may endorse the practice to other dealers if contacted directly about it? We'll have to see how it goes this time around.

I posted your flyer in a mileage thread on genvibe.com. A guy from St. Cloud is looking to get squeeze some more MPG out of his vibe without getting too crazy. Hopefully you'll see him there.

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=13039&page=14

and i found a way to list it in the events column of the local paper.

Looks like the 17th will be a busy day across the nation :cool:

Wouldn't it be cool to have these going on in every region of the country at least once a month? Sean, I hope that winter doesn't stage a revolt and try to make a comeback and that you have great weather and a good turn-out.

Thanks, Larry! That last one didn't turn out so great for poor Wayne. :o

Thanks, Larry! That last one didn't turn out so great for poor Wayne. :o
It does look like him and his Accord recovered quite nicely though.:p

Congratulations Sean. Mike and Steve...it's been a long time coming. On behalf of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group and it's members, welcome to the club! If certainly seems that the Midwest is becoming Hybrid Central with Hybridfest and the MHG, MiHG. CPG and CMPG and others maybe planned in Michigan and Indiana.

Sean have I sent you my "How to organize a owners group" handout to you? If not let me know. I'm confident that you've been to enough of our MiHG meets to know what works and what does not. You have a good core group with Mike (Linda too) and Steve and your potential is high if you think big. NW Wisconsin should be a market for you as well.

I know it may be too late for this meet, but you and the boys may want to hit the malls and flower any hybrid vehicle that you see in addition to connect with the Toyota and Honda dealers not only about this meet but about your group in general. A good simple press release is essential because that'll get you radio and TV opportunities.

Like Eric said, if there is anything that Justin and I or the MiHG can do to help and nuture the ... how will this work can't use MHG (Madison), MiHG (Milwaukee) darn...what will your acronym be, MNHG? As I was saying we are here to help you in anyway we can.

Bradlee
Milwaukee Hybrid Group

that idea of flyers on hybrids is good. i see a TON of them up here in st. cloud, where the meeting is going to be held. a guy working on the alarm system here at work has two insights, and is looking for a citrus one. i invited him and i am hoping he will show up.

hopefully the notice will get in the local paper in time. i will check to see if they have an automobile reporter.........

Just a question of logistics.

Why did you choose the St Cloud area over the Minneapolis area for this meet?

Bradlee

Just a question of logistics.

Why did you choose the St Cloud area over the Minneapolis area for this meet?

Bradlee

It was an effort to remain attractive to the customers of the Toyota dealership up there -- the one that sent out all the flyers. If we can get them interested we'll try alternating between Minneapolis and the St. Cloud area.

Depending on how this works out we may actually end up with two groups instead of one. I really can't say just yet.

It was an effort to remain attractive to the customers of the Toyota dealership up there -- the one that sent out all the flyers. If we can get them interested we'll try alternating between Minneapolis and the St. Cloud area.

Depending on how this works out we may actually end up with two groups instead of one. I really can't say just yet.

aww, and i thought it was because i whined about going to minneapolis :p

Hi Sean,

In my opinion, I would not get too tied to a dealer if I could, in either city. Dealers may give you some steady flow but your real membership are the current hybrid owners already out there. And that's where a PR and flyers is crucial. As you know, meets take time and energy and to have them in two locations will be twice the work for everyone . In addition, two smaller groups will not have the same synergistic atmosphere of one larger group. One group encourages diversity, input, shared experiences and support to its members better than two.

If you're thinking a a longer term group, you need a central location that can pull owners in from surrounding areas. Minneaplois would be the natural since your owner market would be St. Paul, Bloomington, Redwing, Winona, St.Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, Eau Claire, Menomonie and even La Crosse. Remember the closet owners group is Madison so you'll have a large area to draw from. In addition, with the work that Chris Schneider has done out of La Crosse, the hybrids are out there. You have fertile ground to sow!

All this is dependent on your long term intentions for the MNHG. This is just my two cents based on our experiences with the MiHG.

Bradlee

i have just spoken with the environmental reporter at the st. cloud times. we did a phone interview and they are going to run an article probably thursday about the meeting. she's also coming tomorrow for a photo........

She gave me a call and we discussed some basic techniques along with the format of the meeting. :)

Many thanks to everyone involved in organizing the Meet on Saturday. I had a lot of fun and really appreciated riding along in a clinic. Reading is one thing, but seeing helps put it all together. So far this tank's computer aggregate is 57.7mpg :D

i am so glad you made it, jennifer. and you have a great tank going! did i get a chance to say hello? there were so many people there it was hard to get a chance to talk to everyone.

i know sean is putting together an article about the meeting.......

Jennifer, I'm also very glad you made it! If you are already at 57.7mpg you definitely picked up some skills! Excellent work. :D:thumbs_up: