Chickamauga 2018

[bdtex]

I still have all of the stuff from our 2016 HTBAR Tour of Chattanooga/Chickamauga. I will look through all of it to see if there is anything useful for the CWT tour.

 

[War Horse]

As with the Gettysburg tours,we need to determine if any CWT members can guide parts of the tour and are willing to do so.

We've already seen interest from @Eric Wittenberg. That's an excellent start.

 

[bdtex]

We've already seen interest from @Eric Wittenberg. That's an excellent start.

Yeah. Saw that. Need to scroll back through this thread. Mighta been a coupla other folks too.

 

[War Horse]

Yeah. Saw that. Need to scroll back through this thread. Mighta been a coupla other folks too.

Lol, take it from me. Start writing down page numbers that contain information you'll need. It beats continuously rereading the entire thread. Been there done that.

 

[bdtex]

Also since I work with Jim, if you all want him, better try to line it up soon, his calendar fills up pretty fast, and he is already busy the Anniversary Weekend, the 15th and 16th.

I read your book ,"Bushwhacking on a Grand Scale: The Battle of Chickamauga September 18-20, 1863",prior to my visit to Chickamauga in June 2016 and it was very helpful. Might you be available to guide for even a 1-3 hour time slot for a CWT tour of Chickamauga in September or October 2018?

 

[bdtex]

Lol, take it from me. Start writing down page numbers that contain information you'll need. It beats continuously rereading the entire thread. Been there done that.

Already did that. Got Eric and Lee White written down.

 

[nitrofd]

Dave Powell is also a member of CWT,maybe he could be talked into coming.he does a tour every February at the park that he puts together.if you can't locate him here go to his blog.Chickamauga Blog".

 

[Jamieva]

What is peak leaf season there? I would imagine the view from lookout during that time is amazing

 

[Drew]

@Drew expressed a possible interest in being the "lead man". Not sure where he lives. I've never done this in any other capacity than an attendee,and that's only been twice,but I'd like to learn how. I know a few folks who have been tour coordinators that I can ask. It would be June next year before I could possibly do any advance scouting. I live in the Houston area and I have a trip to south Georgia scheduled in late June next year. Eric has suggested that the Hampton Inn in Ringgold would meet our lodging and meeting needs.

Drew is 600 miles away, but that's a day's drive and a lot closer than Texas. Absolutely ready to help make this happen.

 

[Gentizzy]

Was at Chickamauga today with a group. We were led by Jim Ogden who gave a fantastic presentation, taking us around the battlefield.
This is a battle that until very recently I knew very little about. The more I read about it, the more fascinating it is. Definitely would be interested in attending this event.

 

[bdtex]

Was at Chickamauga today with a group. We were led by Jim Ogden who gave a fantastic presentation, taking us around the battlefield.
This is a battle that until very recently I knew very little about. The more I read about it, the more fascinating it is. Definitely would be interested in attending this event.

I've experienced that too. As you can see,we are in the very early planning stages but I am enthused.

 

[bdtex]

Can LBGs be hired through the NMP for group tours like individual visitors are able to do? Just curious if that is even an option.

 

[Podad]

Can LBGs be hired through the NMP for group tours like individual visitors are able to do? Just curious if that is even an option.

Lee White would probably know

 

[Bee]

We need to establish a local venue that can accomadate a large group with private seating. I would suggest one group meal.

As a business person, I would like to add this: IF you folks (I will not be there) choose to reserve a banquet room, make sure that you get firm commitments regarding its use. Out of 30+ CWT members on the bus, only 13 showed up for dinner. This meant that half the reserved area upstairs remained darkened and unused. Extra staff that was hired might have either been put onn hold or sent home. Does not bode well for future arrangements at selected venue.

My suggestion is to exercise flexibility by arranging ones own dining accommodations

 

[GS]

If you plan, they will come... including me, if I can bring my book, Trapped in the Crossfire, and sell copies. Will you have tables for sutlers, and authors?

 

[winchester]

By all means contact Jim Ogden. He is the historian and works for the National Park Service. He may be able to give you a very interesting and guided tour. And the idea to operate out of Chattanooga is a very good idea. If you have interests in areas not covered by the park service, let me know and I'll see if I can help you there.

 

[nitrofd]

Lee White would probably know

There are a couple of guides that advertise in the Ft. Oglethorpe newspaper but it is nothing like the LBG's at Gettysburg..

 

[KLSDAD]

I can help by picking up @Buckeye Bill on my way thru Cincinnatti!!

 

[bdtex]

As a business person, I would like to add this: IF you folks (I will not be there) choose to reserve a banquet room, make sure that you get firm commitments regarding its use. Out of 30+ CWT members on the bus, only 13 showed up for dinner. This meant that half the reserved area upstairs remained darkened and unused. Extra staff that was hired might have either been put onn hold or sent home. Does not bode well for future arrangements at selected venue.

My suggestion is to exercise flexibility by arranging ones own dining accommodations

I have not coordinated any battlefield tours but I have served as the Vice-Chairperson for 2 conventions held at hotels. The hotels don't make money on room rentals. Food and beverages and banquet/conference/ballroom rentals are where they make their money and the banquets were the hardest part of the committee duties. The hotels demand a guaranteed amount of revenue from food and beverages and then it becomes a matter of selling enough tickets to cover that cost. Enough tickets aren't always sold and then the event and/or the person signing for it becomes responsible for the shortfall.

I was not at the the 2 Gburg retreats so I'm not sure what was done there. As an event planner,I would not be in favor of trying to schedule and manage a banquet or 2 unless they were also speaking engagements. If it's just dinner,I would prefer compiling a list of local restaurants then making group dinner reservations close to the event when a firm headcount is known. Most of the better hotels provide some type of breakfast for guests and I'm guessing that lunch is on the road.

We could reserve a smaller conference room to socialize and for authors and vendors to set up shop. I'm guessing we could stock that room with our own water and soft drinks too.

That's just some early thoughts on the matter.

 

[bdtex]

I can help by picking up @Buckeye Bill on my way thru Cincinnatti!!

You better.