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I liked the general content. Having it next to the fair worked out well. The specific areas like MPG challange and main tent were easy to find and people there looked like they knew basicly what they were doing.

Things I disliked.

I would have liked a sheet with a timeline of what was happening. The presentations were documented well enought but other things like lunch and dinner seemed to be missing (though I think they were written somewhere a simple sheet to fold up and put in my pocket would have been nice.

Also, There was no indication on when and where to meet to stage our cars for the show.

I could be wrong on some of this, but thats my thoughts anyway.

What about you guys? I know eric and they hybridfest team want to know and if any of you are like me you might have forgotten to hand in the evaluation forms.

Nice thread Tom!

Please let me say that I also enjoyed the fest. Seeing all the cars and exhibits was fun, but I especially liked meeting all of you.
One thing that really stands out in my mind once I got back is that we all seem to be very peaceful, calm minded, patient and friendly people.

There are a couple of things which I think could have been improved for the fest-

*Although not an official HF gathering, too bad the Friday night Coliseum bar was so noisy! I wish I had known the area better, to find a more accommodating atmosphere.
Tom you were sitting right next to me and didn't know who you were until almost leaving! :(

*All the guest speakers in auditorium #2 were fantastic and believe I attended them all.
The only drawback is that doing so I had to miss all of the technical presentations across in #1 while there was plenty of time later to mill about the main lot.

That said, my son and I were so very glad we attended. Was great fun for all of us.
-Steve

Great Things:

Ice Cream Social

Hotel, Very Clean, Nice, Close,

Hot Georgia (Steve) just said and I agree. I really drove all the way to Madison, WI. for the opportunity to Meet the people that I have talked/written to on the Forums in person. I don't think there is anyway to express my enjoyment to meet all the members that attended Hybridfest 2006.

The dinner was I thought, Great.

The final speaker, was really interesting for me to listen to. Very interesting.

While on the subject of speakers. One person just keeps coming to the "Very-Front". I think the Ladies name was Linda. She is some kind of a wonderful person (IMO). She very much touched me with Her comments on Eric Becky and his total commitment to making Hybridfest 2006 a "Tremendous-Hit". Her sincerity was very touching and Heartfelt I think by everyone in the room.

The Space between the Vehicles in the Vehicle Show was just Super. Great Job There. No-Boo-Boos.

Eric, I know this has been said many-many times to you. So one more time is not going to Hurt anything. You and the Madison Group Volunteers went way beyond the Call-Of-Duty. Regardless of comments here that will be made for "Further-Improvements" for next Yrs. 2007 Hybridfest. You all did a Stand up job of pulling this Yrs. 2006 Hybridfest off. It was just Great and I think I can speak for all the Members that I came into contact with that there was No-One that did not have a Simply-Great-Time and we owe that to "You and Your Team of Volunteers". Thanks to all of You.
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Hybridfest 2007, things to consider:

After the Ice Cream Social, a restaurant large enough for all of us to hang out. Quite:
Possibly Reserve a room for Hybridfest Members. Even the very place we were at, if they could adjust the Volume-Way-Down so we could talk to one another. The food and service I thought was just fine. * Bonus, it is within walking distance and easy for out of towner's to find.

This has already I think been decided. Two Day Event: Saturday & Sunday Hopefully, or Friday & Saturday.

Lunch, maybe it could be discussed & possibly improved on.

Here is one thing I wish could be addressed: If there was more wide spread advertising so that more members from all the different Hybrid Forums would be aware that Hybridfest 2007 is going to take place and give them time to set aside time to attend. Like GH, Priuschat, Etc. I'm not very informed on this but would any of the Larger Manufactures possibly pay for or Advertise Hybridfest themselves. Just throwing the idea out here. I think that is what Eric is looking for. Ideas.

I do not recall seeing any Honda Accord Hybrids. There may have been one there but I missed it. If we could get the owners attention maybe they would show in greater numbers next yr.

I never thought about it until it was way to late. I think we all could get some "Brochures" from our dealers and have them as handouts along with our own personal Handouts. The public likes to have something in Hard Copy to take with them. (IMO) Again just a thought.
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Eric,

Thanks, for asking our thought and opinions of Hybridfest this yr. and what we think that could be added to Hybridfest 2007. If you don't ask then how are you going to know what others think.

Terry

I liked the fact there was a Hybrid get-together and all of the cars were represented and there are pictures, videos, and discussion for those like me who couldn't attend

I didn't like the fact that I couldn't go. I am too far away and couldn't fit that big of a trip into my schedule :(

I wish there could be sub-fests through-out the year in many locations for those who cannot travel as far ... In an ideal world, one almost every week, in a different state ...

or something like the classic car/hot rod people do and plan a cross-country tour America ... Maybe an award for the person who gets the best mileage on the whole trip and for segment winners.



I still think it was great and am a bit envious of all you who could attend. Maybe next year ;)

As a member of Toastmasters, I'll tell you what we tell all our members, the evaluations you receive - both positive and negative - are the best love-letters you will receive. The very fact that people are taking the time to provide feedback for improvement proves that they care and really want you to improve.

With that said, I did not like the heat, the sun, not the eventual thunderstorm. Please take care of those items next year.

I agree that the spacing of the show cars was excellent, most excellent. Not only that they were spaced every other space, they were staggered so not even the backs were at each other. Whoever came up with that idea is a genius!

I didn't really get a chance to see any of the speakers except to walk through, stand for a little while, and then move on.

The hotel was nice. It was great - of course - that there was a walk-way to the convention center. That was ideal.

It seemed to me that the speakers and their topics were pretty technical. As odd as it sounds, I would have done a less-than-technical presentation for free to the guests of the fest. Just an overview as to how the Prius works. I already have a PowerPoint presentation I've created for just that reason. A Honda owner can do theirs, etc.

All in all, the fest was a huge success. With an initial event as good as that, I can't wait to see next year's outting. This thread is a great idea. After all, now is the time to make note of the last-minute things that had to be taken care of at the time. That way, we know they will be done in anticipation of next year.

Y'know, I didn't even realize that all the spacing was staggered
across rows. But that's exactly the right way to do it -- makes
it almost look like there are more cars, but people wandering
the aisles can *see* all of them and crossing into one empty
space to take a look at a car in the farther one almost brings in
that "duck into a shop" feeling. And I know mine spent most
of the day with the doors flung wide open and that didn't cause
any problem with walking around and seeing all the display paper.
.
Some of the other review stuff is hitting various mailing lists,
so it won't necessarily show up here. But it's all good.
.
_H*

Hey everyone. Don't just limit to likes and dislikes. Add some stuff about what else you'd like to see next year and what else we should keep.
For example
Should the additional full day be Sunday or Friday?
How about a moderated panel where you can ask questions of the "experts"?

I would like to know whether mpg contestants in general found the elevation profile map to be useful. Have already heard that a few of the 'experts' benefit from these.

Hope that I don't appear to be fishing for compliments here.

DAS

Perhaps if there was a training session on how to use the maps, they would be considered more beneficial. Another problem is that since the course was secret, the first objective was to stay on course. Having had experience in topo map reading, it was definately a benefit. I think for most others, a navigator would be needed to read both maps and give the driver input.

How about a moderated panel where you can ask questions of the "experts"?

You mean we could have "The Hybrid Experts of The Round Table" could issue "Hybrid Laws" aka the Miller commercials (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Laws)?

Possible worthy candidates for the Hybrid Round Table:

Mr. Powers
Mr. Gerdes
Mr. Dabrowski
Mr. Morrisette

Hey everyone. Don't just limit to likes and dislikes. Add some stuff about what else you'd like to see next year and what else we should keep.
For example
Should the additional full day be Sunday or Friday?
How about a moderated panel where you can ask questions of the "experts"?

First of all, I want to say that I'm not a hybrid owner...yet:) Even though I don't own one, I wish I could have went. I love to learn new things. Meeting everyone would have been even better. :) With that said, I would vote for Sunday. Perhaps have it wrap up a tad early to give people time to get back home.

You mean we could have "The Hybrid Experts of The Round Table" could issue "Hybrid Laws" aka the Miller commercials (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Laws)?
"We're geeks of the Round Table
We glide whene'er we're able.
We photograph and topograph
With footwork impeccable.

We drive well here in Madison
From Chicago, Milwaukee and back again.

We're geeks of the hybrid table
Our mileage is formidable.
But many times we're given rides
That do seem quite unstable."


Sorry. Couldn't help myself.


Back to the original post. I found, wedged between Hobbit and FireEngineer, that while some people were fascinated by the wiz-bang techno-jargon, others were just as fascinated by my real-world numbers and how the seats folded. Then they asked other questions about things non-technical. So when creating a "panel of experts" it's good to have people who can answer the techie questions, but also consider people who are more adept at addressing "average" things.

When Linda [?] went over the map with me, I didn't plunk an
actual *route* into the GPS but I did scan around on the screen
just to make sure I knew what it *looked* like on the GPS as well
as the google-map or whatever on the paper. Even when not trying
to navigate a route, the Garmin tells me what street is coming
up, so that was useful. I didn't really use the terrain data
but I'm not used to doing that ... maybe I should have. I was
already sort of late for my run and wanted to get my butt out
there before the next entrant needed to go...
.
_H*

Let's see where this trial balloon goes.

What about a few of the hybrid owners allows visitors to take a ride in their hybrid? One of the goals of HybridFest is to encourage people to buy a hybrid, so if they ride - even drive one, it might sway them. ;)

You know, I strongly considered this. But not my car, of course. I have a lifetime mileage record that I don't want those leadfoots to ruin. I'm sure someone would give test-drives in their car. Then again, there's insurance and all that. Oh man it would be bad is something happened. But I really do think it's a great idea.

As I recall all the major dealers were giving test drives. Maybe we could offer to go with them on the test drive. That way the dealer takes care of the liability

Hi All:

___I know Terry’s HCH-II was taken out by Rich (Pravus Prime) but did anyone else offer a test drive to one of the public? With more room and a 2-day event next year, we should all have the opportunity to test drive some of the vehicles on display let alone swapping with one another … Car’s that is :D

___Tony, whenever I loan my Accord out, the lmpg takes a hit. That is how it has to be done if you want to drive someone else’s Prius, HCH, or Insight :( I remember cringing at the aFCD whenever Dan showed up after taking my Accord back and forth to and from home during the Pittsburgh Marathon Attempt. The same when Bradlee and Justin where driving her back and forth around their locale while I was putting huge miles on Bradlees Insight for the Tour Del Sol. In both cases, at least they were trying to hold the Accord's lmpg up and doing so over a scant few miles vs. letting someone who knows nothing about hypermiling taking our automobiles out for 10 miles and ruining a whole tank ;) So far, I do not ever remember harming someone’s lmpg but I know it will eventually happen and I will feel bad about it afterwards :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Let's see where this trial balloon goes.

What about a few of the hybrid owners allows visitors to take a ride in their hybrid? One of the goals of HybridFest is to encourage people to buy a hybrid, so if they ride - even drive one, it might sway them. ;)
Chuck,

I did let several Guest as well as a Member drive my HCH II at Hybridfest to let them see and Feel 1st hand how the HCH II drives. One Lady already had a HCH II on order. They all really appreciated it very much. Since I am not a Hypermiler I was not concerned about them ruining my FE. I also had Guest inside the HCH II with the doors shut and windows up demonstrating
the Navagation and X/M Satellie Radio. Again the HCH II was running with the Auto-Climate Control set. Everyone of the Guest went overboard thanking me for showing them how the things on the car operated 1st hand. Well worth the Drop in FE (IMO). I enjoyed showing as well as letting people drive the Hybrid to let them see for themselves how very quite and smooth the HCH II really is while your driving it.

Terry (tiger)

Hi Terry:

___Do you know how many gallons of fuel you saved just by doing just what you did? You probably convinced someone thinking about a 32 mpg sedan to purchase a 50 mpg sedan instead! Do that math over a lifetime and the ½ gallon of fuel consumed 2 Saturdays ago comes out to nothing compared to the thousands of gallons saved from those that were finally convinced that an HCH-II or Prius II is the right purchase!

___Why don’t you tell everyone about Dennis’ phone call today as an example ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Chuck,

I did let several Guest as well as a Member drive my HCH II at Hybridfest to let them see and Feel 1st hand how the HCH II drives. One Lady already had a HCH II on order. They all really appreciated it very much. Since I am not a Hypermiler I was not concerned about them ruining my FE. I also had Guest inside the HCH II with the doors shut and windows up demonstrating
the Navagation and X/M Satellie Radio. Again the HCH II was running with the Auto-Climate Control set. Everyone of the Guest went overboard thanking me for showing them how the things on the car operated 1st hand. Well worth the Drop in FE (IMO). I enjoyed showing as well as letting people drive the Hybrid to let them see for themselves how very quite and smooth the HCH II really is while your driving it.

Terry (tiger)

Just to add a further comment to the above remarks I made on the above Post. I received a phone call today from Albany N.Y. from a man by the name of Dennis and he and his wife are in the process of gathering info. for the New Purchase of a 2006 Prius. He was calling me to get the Facts on how best to handle Dealers and how to also find out what the actual price is on the Prius. I also let Dennis drive my HCH II while he was staying at a friends house (Wayne Gerdes). At the time we discussed the Prius as well as the HCH II. So as I pointed out in my last Post here. That is 3-New Hybrid Owners that I know of that I personally let drive as well as showed and discussed my HCH II. Like the Nav. Etc. and all the other benefits of the Hybrid vehicles in general. A little time and a Smile, plus correct info. to people without expecting anything in return sometimes yields (Fantasic-Results) that one cannot place a price tag on. I'm glad I was at Hybridfest 2006 and also at Wayne Gerdes house to meet and talk with Dennis from Albany N. Y. Another Hybrid owner in the making.

tiger

Whoa there, Terry. You don't get credit for Dennis' Prius purchase. That's all me, baby!

I roomed with him in the hotel. All night while he slept, I stood beside his bed and said over and over, "buuuuuyyyyy aaaaaa Preeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuusssssss." Sure it's creepy, but it works. :D

Hi Tony:

___So that is how all you Prius owners were first turned to the dark side! Creepy indeed and it worked great :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Whoa there, Terry. You don't get credit for Dennis' Prius purchase. That's all me, baby!

I roomed with him in the hotel. All night while he slept, I stood beside his bed and said over and over, "buuuuuyyyyy aaaaaa Preeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuusssssss." Sure it's creepy, but it works. :D
Oh-Great and here I thought I had something to do with His & the Wife's decision. :(

tiger