Starting a Travel Group...

Frank and I started this whole group thing in Denver almost a decade ago.

I'd say that the average meeting here would be 6-8 people, and that's a good minimum, maybe a few less. Occasionally, it's been only one; at other times it's been 14 or so. Quite often, particularly when the group is big, there are several conversations about different parts of Europe going on at the same time. We just talk about whatever we feel like; I don't think there has ever been a topic we later felt should have been avoided. There is usually at least one person (couple) planning a trip somewhere and others who have already been there advising them.

Often we just talk about the people who aren't there (just kidding, maybe).

At the last DC group:
We had an RS book on the table to simply identify it as the meeting spot; I picked a location where people could easily order and pay for their own food (no awkward tab-splitting math); I picked a day and time that was conducive to something as simple as coffee and dessert AND picked a location I'd be willing to go to even if no one else showed. We discussed past and planned trips, traded tips, got to know each other and basically just talked for an hour and a half. I viewed it more as a social meal/opportunity to put faces with names. Just a nice way to get to know some fellow travel enthusiasts.

Just back from SW France. Live Manhattan.
Travel group sounds good to me.
There is a Meet Up group Sundays at 53rd St Citicorp Center.
I am interested in France, China, and Spain.

I also am curious with other peoples experiences thru EuroCentres.
Have been pleased with their programs in France, Spain, and Italy.
There is a possibility for Beijing. I would prefer to be in Shanghai.
Jetlagged but welcome discussion.

Hi Jane,
What do we do at these meetings? We talk about anything related to travel! Some people will come with questions such as how to pack or how to plan or how to get from point A to point B. Or someone will have just been on a trip and will have a report with pictures and/or souvenirs (such as a piece of fabric or a belt or a handbag) and there's usually someone there who's planning or dreaming of a trip.
I started our group by private messaging (through the Rick Steves Travel Forum,) a few people who lived in our area, asking if they'd like to meet up and if the 3rd Saturday of the month would work for them. Pam, Monte and Sharon figured out the best location for our meetings because they're more familiar with Moscow. We've made some great instant friendships because of our common love of travel. Some of us have even traveled together and hope to again....soon!
We often have only 6-8 at our meetings but we're a pretty rural area. That's one reason I always try to figure out how many might be coming each month so we can determine if it's worth it. (Although it's fun even if it's just 2 of us!) We've had people join us in Moscow from Spokane and Coeur d'Alene as well as from Lewiston and Clarkston.
I hope you start a group Jane, it's really easy and you'll meet some great people!

We usually have 4-6 at our St Louis meeting. We just talk about past trip experiences, travel tips, upcoming trips, whatever comes up. For the past several months we have always had someone about to leave on a trip or just back, so we have had a lot to talk about. We have also been sharing trip pictures. We have no formal discussion topics. We usually put a Rick Steves book on the table to identify the group. It's basically just a fun time talking to other people who love to travel. We meet in a St Louis Bread Co (Panera Bread) so everyone can get breakfast or coffee or something on their own and no one cares if we keep our table for awhile.

I'll just add to what Darcy said that we have cancelled a time or two due to low attendance and winter weather. Mostly if there are 3 or so and no one is coming from a long distance (more than a half hr drive) we'll meet up for coffee and chat. I think the most we've had was around 12 which was a lot for the small room where we meet. It's pretty casual but always entertaining!

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll put out a few feelers. I know there's at least on person from my general area who posts on this forum; I can PM her. And I've met people on tours who have traveled with folks from the Tulsa or greater Tulsa region. Sounds like a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Thanks for the tips. We probably can't even start setting this up until mid to late October (other commitments), and I know it can take a while to get going after that, but I'll let you know how it turns out.

We have been meeting for 5 years now. Decided to meet at Panera in Sacramento because it was centrally located, they have wifi (so we can look up train routes, etc.), have no wait service and because they don't seem to mind that our meetings go on for hours. We always meet at the same time & location each month. (3rd Saturday) to avoid confusion. We've never had an agenda and are never at a loss for things to talk about!
If someone is going on a trip and has questions, they may post this here before the meeting so we can bring in information for them. We have anywhere from 6-22 in attendance. Often the Bay Area group will join us!
I've discovered having travel in common makes for an interesting & fun group.....and ready friendships!
It may take a while for the group to build up at first. Good luck!

Agree with everyone else. Wanted to echo what Darcy said.. even with just 2 it's still fun. We've had anywhere from 3 to 15. I like the smaller amount best (6-8)... easier to talk to everyone together. When there's lots of people, I like to move around and talk to as many people as I can. I picked a place that has table service so no one has to leave the table to get food or drinks, it's never a problem when paying the bill, they're happy to do many checks. They don't care how long we stay, they have a nice patio when the weather is nice, they have big, long tables and.. they serve beer and wine which some people enjoy. Every one that has ever come to a meeting is very fun to talk to and always interesting. I've met so many wonderful people and made many friends. And there's nothing more more fun than talking to like-minded people about travel!

Jane, here in Seattle we haven't had similar meeting for a long time. I remember one organized by Lola. I also worked some weekends so maybe they were more. Probably most people think we don't have to have it when we have Rick Steves travel office here. But it is in Edmonds which is in northern suburbs of Seattle metropolitan area and for us from Seattle or south surburbs quite far and discouraging by infamous Seattle traffic. Instead or besides a world map I would also have a map of Europe. My opinion is that topics or things don't have to be avoided, anything could be discussed. We are in free country. Discussion is spiced by different opinions. Even if you have different opinion you can still be my friend. How many does it take to make a good group? I think a good group is not made by numbers but by good people. If I have to say number then three plus. What people do at these meetings? Well, they plan their future trips and talk about the past ones. There is almost always someone who knows the area where you want to go better than you and you can get some valuable advice.
Tulsa is a relatively big city so I am sure you will find enough people for the meetings. If I lived there you could count on me.

WARNING !!! These meetings can be addictive! We drive to the SF Bay Area meeting on the second Saturday, then 90 miles to the Sacramento meeting on the third Saturday. Sometimes to GET information for a future trip, sometimes to share information with some one planning a trip, sometimes just to check in with fun people who love to talk about travel (and who don't think you are "showing off" when you reminisce.)

"who don't think you're showing off when you reminisce"... Exactly!

To add to what has been said here, the Rick Steves books on the table are to identify us to new people. We are fine with people using other guidebooks for travel. :-) The Sacramento group has been meeting for 5 years. We started off pretty strong with a core group of about 8 people. Now we generally have from 14 - 20. With our informal meetings it's easy to move around and chat with different people. Even if no one has a trip planned at the time, it's nice to pick up travel tips or learn about new destinations. As kat said, we always meet the 3rd Saturday of the month at the same location. That way people don't have to check the forum to see where or if we are meeting.

Laura B is right, the meetings can be addictive!

"Who don't think you're showing off when you reminisce..." I hear that! Not to mention, when people say "Tell me about your trip," but their eyes begin to glaze over almost as soon as you start talking. (Although I must say I'm the same way when people start talking about their genius grandchildren. Sorry!)

Again, thank you all for the tips and especially for the encouragement. I'll give it a go. Soon.

Zoe and I have met a few times and also had Diana join us once
We usually just gossip about the rest of you:))

Okay.....I gotta ask:

What was/were the biggest surprise/s when you met your fellow forum posters?

When you "know" someone just thru typed words, are the personalities still the same in person? Do people "match" the mental images you've conjured? (Of course, not that it really matters.)

What's the funniest thing that has happened at one of your travel meetings?

I do wish the RS Forum would allow posters the option to include a photo, but then I'm sure some would take liberties w/ said photo (giggle, giggle).

Putting names/faces together is always fun.

And, yes, you know how gossip happens just thru PMs; I can only imagine how so tempting in the comfort of face to face :)

Our little group has a lot of fun when we meet. Even though there are only three of us for now, we have a great time listening to each others' travel stories. One meeting was all about travel bags. Tony brought one he plans to use on his next trip, George and I brought 2 that we have bought for our next trip. The discussion went on and on about the selection of travel bags for sale on the Rick Steves online shop, and Tony had brought the Civita RS bag for show-and-tell.

Another hot topic during our last meeting were the new trips for 2016 that Rick has added. We all agreed the new trips look great.
Our meeting serves to keep us all excited about travel.

Margaret, I do not think the personalities online always match the personalities once you meet them in person. A person who is very outgoing online may be shy in person, or more reserved.

I must agree with Susan, Laura B, and Jane, "(People) Who don't think you're showing off when you reminisce..." I hear that! Not to mention, when people say "Tell me about your trip," but their eyes begin to glaze over almost as soon as you start talking."

That is the great part about our group. No eyes glaze over. We are always interested in talking about travel.

I do think it is nice to put a face with the name.... I have only met a few people from here but you can always friend people on Facebook. Don't quite understand why one would need to remain anonymous unless the posts are offensive or embarrassing !

Margaret, a few of the people I felt like I somewhat "knew" from reading their posts turned out to be just as nice, interesting, and funny in person... but even more so. Spending time together, interacting, sharing stories and laughing together creates a real friendship over time. Very different from just reading a post on a thread. Pretty much everyone I've gotten to know in person have been really wonderful, fun people.

I hate to write and I'm not good at it, so I'd venture to say I'm different in person than I am in writing... I'd like to think I'm warmer in person than on paper.

I had no pre-conceived images in my head of what people looked like before I met them... so no surprises there.

Can't think of any one funny thing that's happened at a meeting. Just a lot of fun in general.

I have to agree that Susan is very warm in person. And she's one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. I enjoy the interaction between everyone at our meetings. It's the best way to indulge my passion for talking travel.

The funniest thing that has happened at one of our meetings was after a discussion of travel underwear. Monte suddenly stood up and started unbuckling his belt. Darcy and I burst out laughing and said No! Turns out he was going to show us his plastic belt buckle. Uh huh. Too funny!!

I would not say I've had any surprises when meeting people in person except that I enjoyed them even more than I thought I would!

Jane - let me know if you get one started. I would consider it since I live in Broken Arrow!!

Andrea, that's very kind of you to say. For the record, Andrea is one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. A very special person.

Kim: I'm planning to give it a shot. I'll PM you.

Anyone interested in starting a group in/near Chicago. Or if there is one already, I'd love to know about it.

Thanks,
Sharon