Rick Steves Group Meetings

Karen, There seems to be a few RS groups springing up in various parts of the U.S. I'm surprised that one hasn't been formed in the Seattle area yet. I'd be interested to learn if there's a format in the meetings? What sort of things are discussed? I doubt that there'd be enough interest (or RS fans) in this area for regular meetings, although that could happen in future as one of the local luggage stores here has just started carrying RS travel items (including the Convertible Backpack). Also, one of the local Bookstores carries some of the RS Guidebooks. However, there are no Panera Bread outlets here, so that could be a problem!!! Cheers!

Yes, Ken, they MUST be held at a Panera Bread. Legend has it the Akron group tried a Starbucks...they were never heard from again...

I think it's totally informal - just fun to chat about travel in a face-to-face manner - and to put faces to user names. Not sure about Panera vs Starbucks, though (but internet access at Panera is simpler). From what I can tell, it's a grass routes connection - nothing really connected to RS other than helpline connections.

Karen, Thanks for the feedback on the meetings. It seems like a good way for "like minded" travellers to get together and compare notes. Eileen, We have several Starbucks here, so I'll be sure to avoid them so I don't disappear into an abyss! Unfortunately, it appears that the nearest Panera Bread outlets are in Seattle. There's a location in the Northgate area, which is probably the closest to ETBD so will try that on my next visit to that area (I often stop-by Northgate Mall to browse). The Panera Menu looks awesome!

Earlier this summer there was a question thread about starting a group in Seattle (I think it was an off-shoot from the RS matchmaking services proposal floated around the same time) but there wasn't enough interest. I speculate that since ETBD is so near-by, most people in the Seattle area just go there to scratch their travel itch.

There is a group in Akron? Who knew!! Denver started meeting first, then we ran with the idea. Then Atlanta jumped on the bandwagon. I think we choose to meet at Panera's because they have wifi and no table service, so no one is bothering us to leave. Any place would work though. For us Sacramento folks, it is totally unstructured. We talk about travel, and can we talk! Today's meeting was the shortest we've had. It only lasted 2 1/2 hours! I think Atlanta has a start and stop time. I don't know how long the Denver meetings are. It is nice to have give and take in person, to ask questions and to share expertise. These meetings are not in any way affiliated with ETBD. We just find each other on the helpline. We have been meeting at 10:00 a.m., but this month experimented with a 1:00 meeting. We agreed it is too crowded and too hard to park at that time of day. I encourage anyone who loves to travel, and to talk about it, to see about starting a group in your area.

There's been some interest in starting a "Charlotte/Carolinas" group. We are waiting until after the holidays to try for a first meeting. Don't know if I'll be able to go to the meetings (family health issues), but I'll support them in spirit. I've noticed several more posters from the Carolinas lately. We have Panera, and they do great bagels and wonderful soups, but who knows- maybe we could meet somewhere unique?

Aw, come on, Toni - Be a Sheep. Do you really want to taunt the gods with your talk of 'uniqueness'? Unique = Death??? Black Hole??? Lost Luggage Room of Alitalia??? Remember Akron.

I'd love to start one for the "401 Corridor" area here in Ontario. It seems to me that the people from around here are more lurkers than frequent posters but maybe this could draw them out? I recall people from Kingston and Courtice appearing on the boards. I can easily make anywhere from East Toronto to Belleville area.

Ken, the Canadian Corrollary states that Canadian meeting may be held in a Tim Horton's.

401 corridor ??? we are game.

Kent from Kingston, I'll PM you!

Karen, Yes, Tim Horton's might be a possibility as we have those in just about all Canadian cities (even the smaller ones - we have four outlets here in Vernon). However, although I haven't had a chance to sample the Panera Menu yet, I doubt that TH food is anywhere near the same quality. If we get desperate, there's always the ubiquitous McDonald's! Cheers!

I think Tim Horton's would be perfectly safe. Plus, you get to 'roll the rim'... Mmmmmm...donuts...

Just bumping this up to try to catch more 401 area people. Eileen from Texas/CA, how have you become familiar with Tim's and Rrrroll up the Rim?

To the IA, NE, MN and SD people who post. Are any interested in meeting in Sioux Falls or Sioux City? (There are Paneras in both places ;-))

Peterborough Andrea, Once upon a time, I saw some reference online to a "Rimroller: The Contest Cup Unroller!" I thought 'what the heck is THAT?', then proceeded to Google it...Of course, Tim Horton's was involved... And you people think there's only smut and useless flotsam on the The World Wide Web ;-) This info has made me a more well-rounded person. OK - that, and pasta/beer/cake... Deb, I'm glad you can potentially avoid the dreaded Akron Triangle...Panera's are your friends.