Sea Ray Homecoming Cruiser/Sport Boat Expo !! Here we go!

[rusty higgins]

WHAT A GREAT TIME...THANKS TO EVERY ONE WHO CAME AND SPENT THE DAY WITH US !!!! LET'S DO IT AGAIN !!



In a nut shell and from the advise of those more computer savy than I, here is the plan.......


What this is all about:

Sea Ray Boats is hosting a Homecoming (Sport Boat/Sport Yacht Expo) in Knoxville TN on September 13-14 2012.

Who gets an invite:

All Sea Ray owners and prospective owners are invited to attend.

Agenda and what to expect:

Thursday September 13, 2012, from 5:00 PM to 6:30PM downtown Knoxville TN at Calhoun's restaurant on the river for the unveiling of couple new models that you all have been anticipating and then, Homecoming festivities begin at the Sea Ray World Headquarters in Knoxville at 9am and will continue throughout the day with demo rides on the new 2013 product line and activities to keep us all hopping until closing time.

Have you registered yet ????? Please do !

Rusty





Sea Ray Homecoming/Cruiser Expo

You can see that I am tossing names around here but I believe we are onto a really cool event that we can make a reality!! Which name does the majority prefer??

Here’s my update with some solid data to absorb. I went ahead and asked for what we want and was given the following response by senior management so please feel free to offer yours.

FACTS,
September 14, 2012 is a Friday and it follows the last day of our annual dealer school. I have been advised that having a “Customer Appreciation Day” on that date, can and will happen if we want (we is you folks.) Before we begin bantering on the date chosen, allow me to add value to the discussion. On that day the majority of our product line will still be in the water from dealer school and personnel around to provide demo’s all day long. All of the amentias will still be in place so that we can enjoy things like a B-B-Q, guided tours of the facility and senior management to offer dialog to us on a very personal basis. With a little research completed, we currently find in excess of over 250 local hotel rooms still available for Thursday and Friday evenings in the Knoxville area if needed. With over extending myself in the facts department, I do know that we (Sea Ray) will do more than to just feed, tour and demo you so get excited like I am.
Yes, you will be able to bring your classics to this event for super photo ops and Yes, in a limit amount you will be able to cruise up to the plant in your Sea Ray boat. Am sorry to say that our dock and plant are not set up for overnight accommodations but there are local marinas in the area that are way cool to do so….that’s why I use the name of SR Homecoming, bring your classic home so we all can see her again.

WISH LIST,
Speaking with the good people in Marketing and Sales at Sea Ray Boats, I am asking for those of you that are in the mood for a move up in boats, that we make ourselves available to accommodate talks of Sales. We cannot and will not remove our dealers from a transaction simply because you do need service after the sale and we are a manufacturing facility, not a marina or service center. But if you ask FWEBSTER who experienced Yacht Expo, he will confirm to you that this is prime time to talk deals with Sea Ray standing by your side…that’s why I use the name of Cruiser Expo, could be big folks!

SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD,
September 14, is the day before the University of Tennessee plays the reptiles of the University of Florida in Neyland Stadium. Wish I could say there is availability for tickets but if you know SEC football that may be feat in itself. What I do know is that there is a ton of other activities in that area of the country that are fantastic. Gatlinburg TN or the Biltmore Estates right across the state line are beautiful places that would take up your full day to enjoy. Blackberry Farms is a world class spa and resort location that would pamper the Admiral like the queen she is. If Clark Griswald knew about Dollyworld his family would still be thinking he was the smartest man in the world. I am a biker so when not at the helm, The Smoky Mountains and Tail of the Dragon are one of my top riding spots in the entire US. Wilderness at the Smokies is probably the coolest indoor water park ever. All of the places I am mentioning also have accommodations and they are real close by
Some have asked if one day at the Ray is enough for us to accomplish all we want. It certainly will be a fun filled and boating packed time but I want your feedback for those that might feel they may need to hear an engine more than once to accommodate a Sale. We may have to move in the direction of using some of Thursday during dealer school if a Sale is on your mind, simply because I would get concerned about lodging on Saturday night, game day in Knoxville….give me your thoughts. Rooms are available right now so I also think it would be best if we start getting serious about this venture real soon…are you with me!

I truly want your input. You know that by me asking the club, is so that I can convince everyone at Sea Ray Boats that we are SERIOUS. I may have to ask Jim at CSR for a thread where we can keep a potential head count so that I can brag to management that CSR is coming in strength but until then, just post your thoughts and I will forward our excitement to Knoxville. I can appreciate and understand any negativity to the info above but this is the real deal folks so please only share your positive comments; it will help us all to make this a memorable event!

I am doing this because some of you dreamed it to be, some of you asked for it to be, and some of you even have it on your bucket list….. Help me make it happen for YOU !

Capt. Rusty Higgins
Sea Ray Boats

http://www.searay.com/ ….my favorite site of course !

http://www.blackberryfarm.com/

http://www.gatlinburg.com/

http://www.dollywood.com/

http://www.wildernessatthesmokies.com/

http://www.biltmore.com/

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

and there are more !!!

Attending List as of 6/30/12

Buckeye Boater # attending 3
mistercomputerman # attending 2
Pyrojodge # attending 2
chuck1 # attending 1 or 2 hoping Ms Judy can make it too.
mwph # attending 2
phlorida # atttending 2
moparlvr4406 # attending 2..... bringing the classic Sea Ray by land
AMFM3 # attending 2
sdarc # attending 2
Summer Fun II # Attending 2
Carterchapman # Attending 2
Alfars # Attending 3
Loneranger # 3
BlewByYou88 # Attending 1
matthewmiller01 # Attending 2+......Knoxville dock by water
Dancin Dave # Attending 2
MonacaMike # Attending 2
ZZ13 # Attending 2
RichmonS # Attending/Solid Maybe 2
Spikedaddy99 # Attending 2
Boater John # Attending 2
OldSkool # Attending/Maybe 2
Zboaterctf # Attending/Maybe 3/5
Rcknecht # Attending 4
CSR_Admin ...no more maybe, Jim's coming
CarterChapman # Attending 2
jason78 # Attending ?
Sadler # Attending 2?
JerryS # Attending 2
Bennie # Attending 2
Prosideus # Attending 2
jff # Attending 2

[moparlvr4406]

***pending vacation approval***
count Kathy and I in and we will plan to trailer the 600 in behind us
I do not think with this much advance it will be an issue

VERY COOL DEAL Rusty
look forward to meeting you

[fwebster]

In discussing this event with Rusty this week, we ended up thinking that this could very likely turn into a huge annual event for Sea Ray owners. If it is like Yacht Expo and Sea Ray decides to give buyers some incentives, this very well could becomes Cruiser Expo, and then you can expect some serious factory incentives to help you buy the boat of your dreams. I know for a fact, that buyers at Yacht Expo are able to buy their boats cheaper than any other way or at any other time of the year, including boat show specials. I see no reason why this event won't be the same. Dealers will not be cut out, but you won't be shut up in a small box and pressured to buy either. Expect a very relaxed and cordial atmosphere, but understand that your local dealer will deliver your new boat and service it for you.

And who knows......you might meet some pretty cool other Sea Ray owners while you are in Knoxville.............

[Phlorida]

I'm in Rusty....let me know when this is firm and I will make arrangements.

[mwph]

As stated earlier, we are in.

I can vouch for a lot of the mentioned local attractions. Top notch stuff. To anyone unfamiliar with SEC or college football in general, do not underestimate the crowd. Knoxville is a great town but it can be tight on game weekend. I think Neyland Stadium holds like 104k. It will likely be full for Florida, and another 10k will be there just to hang out outside.

I mention this to suggest that we try to "sign up early". A block of rooms in the same hotel may help with transportation to & from any activities. It may also help our hosts at the facility. Again, just thinking aloud.

Rusty, If there is anything I can do to help make this a sccess, just let me know. I feel privileged to be "invited". Thank you again.

[rusty higgins]

Thanks for the replies guys ! This is the real deal and the only two things required (and one of those is a given and done)

1-Quality of participants- CSR members, need I say more, DONE !

2- Quantity of participants- We really need folks to join us for this great event, so please, everyone say you’ll come so I can brag to my company that we are on to something that hopefully will become an annual event…it all starts with a showing this year as a kick start to many more.

Rusty

mwph…all I need is for you to come and bring a whole bunch of other members with you!

p.s. I do like the idea of blocked rooms but I have to leave that plan up to the Club to make it a reality.

[sdarc]

Wow, this is the same weekend as the ALMS series at VIR. Is this the same weekend as Shades of the Past in Pigeon Forge? Maybe that the weekend before. Admiral and I got married in a cabin in Gatlinburg. Can we say 2nd honeymoon?

ps. if you go to the Biltmore Estate please enjoy the pipe organ I rebuilt and installed in the Great Dining Room. (shameful plug).

[Pyrojodge]

Get a concrete date and I will be in the car on my way South... I would LOVE to meet some other members and visit a Sea Ray plant!

[Buckeye Boater]

Rusty,

This sounds like a terrific time. The impromptu tour we received at the Merritt Island facility earlier this year was tremendous. We can only imagine what the Sea Ray team will provide when they have time to prepare (not that Rob didn't do a good job!). We are planning on being there!

[Buckeye Boater]

Get a concrete date

Friday, September 14! (See post #1)