Hey everybody! It's 2009 and thoughts have turned to Team Sol's annual Vegas Invasion! I've been planning VI's yearly East Sol Train for a couple of years now and the time has come to get this one organized. Check out and if you're interested in attending, on Team Sol Wyoming's forums, where this year's East Sol Train is being planned.
Hope to hear from a lot of you!

Not going to be able to make it this year (hopefully 2010) but if anyone needs a place to stop over on their way through Kansas City they are welcomed to stay with me.

Sorry to hear that. I'll keep Kansas City in mind in case anyone does a crazy long drive from back east this year.

I don't think I will be able to make it, but I won't outright say I'm not going... not yet.

No love without registering, post info perhaps?

http://teamsolwyoming.freeforums.org/vi ... 13.html#16

Perhaps Team MoKan can participate on the way west and support the Invasion.

Both TNT(Team Sol Colorado's president) and I have tried unsuccessfully to get the 2009 East Sol Train off the ground. After the complete failure last year, I don't think there is any interest to continue. TNT and I have discussed alternatives and would eventually like to see a meet this side of the Rockies. We'd like to try something like a biannual meet of former East Sol Train attendees; once in Denver and once in Kansas City.

Last year's VI, the date decision was un-democratic and resulted in the loss of a large number of potential attendees due to finals. The entire East Sol Train was canceled because it was too early to navigate the pass safely.

The main reason for the East Sol Train was to make the trip to Vegas not just a "grueling drive" but part of the VI experience for attendees. The fewer people who express interest, the fewer still will join; nobody wants to drive for 3 days by themselves. I drive from eastern Wyoming to the California coast in between 16 and 19 hours at least once a year but if I'm by myself I don't really enjoy it. Vegas is easily 10 hours from Denver, which is actually a fun drive with a few other Sols.

St. Louis is a great idea and I'm sure Team Sol Colorado and Wyoming would be happy to make the day drive. If we could get a group of planners together for the central US chapters, I'd like to start planning meets such as you suggest.

As for increasing membership bases, I guess we all have our own strategies. Speedy G. (TSCo's former president) used to pull people over and hand out fliers whenever he had the chance. TNT and I are working on a business card approach. The truth of the matter is that California is always in the majority because of its population and climate. I live in the lowest-populated state in the nation. My chapter is relatively new but that's no excuse to have only 3 members when I see Sols every day. Colorado is huge but the active member base barely needs two digits. I think if we want to accomplish anything we need to start being proactive with our recruiting. Ideas welcome.