This post is about a mile long so have patience…………………

Wow! After reading this bunch of responses, I am very enthused to get this show on the road again. PiP IV will happen and I will be more than pleased to look after the arrangements. The input has been great and I may call upon some of you for advice or assistance going forward. It looks to be an event that is wanted and one that we all look to as one of the events we might target to attend using some of our vacation time, money and/or miles.

It will take some doing to have it live up to the standards being set and reset with each event that happens. Somehow it must seek to achieve the spirit of all the parties including the 1999 and 2001 PiPs, the DUS Do's, the various Stateside Do's including CatManDo, SEA, SAN, New Orleans, and Anna, Wendy, and Nick's ORD fling this summer, the upcoming first ever South America bash, and all the other terrific events we have been able to enjoy.

People are, as Randy says, the main reason we go. That being the case I am going to do as I did with the PiP 2001, and list a few of the main cities seeming to be the popular frontrunners and let the gang here decide. I can get to Perth anytime and I bet that a few people will be keen to do that trip as well. So much more fun with other travel fanatics to hang out with anyway. I am getting the impression that someplace in the U.S. will be easiest in terms of achieving the numbers needed to make it a PiP worthy of the title and heritage of the event. The two coasts appear to be the ones to which people can most easily get within time available and on the greatest variety of airlines.

I am partial to California as I am a native of Berkeley and would be very pleased to welcome people to my home state for such a party. The San Francisco FT contingent is huge and will have plenty of good resources for partying. The East Coast is also a great option however. Hmmmmm………

a) Northern California
b) East Coast
c) ?????

geo1004 said:

"The FT Do-Down Under!!!"

Will happen at some point I believe but maybe as a separate party. Will follow up on this one in a separate thread.

Kempis said:

"I missed Party in Provence but I am not going to miss this one. Looks like a great chance to finally use some KLM points."

We will look forward to seeing you there this time. I will keep an eye on the Futbol schedule. :

Spiff said:

"Perth! Perth! Perth!!! (if only I really did get three votes...)"

Keep an eye out for another thread on a Do Downunder. The Margaret River beckons…..

Studley said:

"Oops, you mean Techgirl this time, right?"

She's the one. We had a brief discussion about it in Chat some months back and it sounds like terrific way to use a bit of vacation time.

Randy Petersen said:

"I think that we really try to do something domestic in the US…"

It is shaping up that way at the moment and as it would be most accessible by the greatest number of people given time, budgets, and award ticket availability, I am leaning in this direction myself.

"I think we've found over time that the destination is always cool but we tend to still spend most if not all our time in each others company."

That is one of the great things about this board. Far flung people getting together over great distances because we want to hang out together. Exotic destination parties abound as it is so we could schedule this one for more of a middle ground and people could attend the other Do's as time etc. allows.

"….seeing over a 100 FTers at one of the next events would truly be way cool."

Anna, Wendy, and Nick's Do in the Windy City is headed in that direction. I too hope for that kind of turnout at this one also.

"How about a PIN - party in Napa which would allow some great times, and great side attractions?"

Excellent! Wine as a mini-theme for any of the party is one I can absolutely get into.

"I'd suggest here at the House of Miles…………."

Bet there are more than a few that would make that pilgrimage. : )

Ling said:


"What exactly is the PIP?"

Fun, fun, fun.

"I just think something more feasible for the majority of FTers would be nice."

Linda, I think this makes a world of sense for this event, and I will be following this advice for a party for everybody. I promise a trip report if a mini-Do happens in Australia. : )

Mudgal said:

"While I have not attended any FTer DO's, it has not been for lack of interest . . . I certainly would love to put faces to names of some chat buddies."

That is one of the more interesting activities. Reminds me of trying to imagine the faces of DJ's as a kid. With VJs now it is a different world, but faces with names at FT Do's is a blast. Chat and posting is never the same again, in a very cool kind of way.

Jongar said:

"SYD or MEL if Oz……….."

As above, keep an eye out for that to happen, but in a different thread. Barossa could be a good alternative or addition to Margaret River.

Joh said:

"……….with TWO oz dollars to one $US Australia is an incredibly inexpensive destination once you are here….. "

Absolutely. I use that one with my wife when rationalizing the expenses. : )

"Another possible option to consider is somewhere South American……"

Santiago is on the cards for November this year. The first one in South America I believe. I would encourage everybody looking into a trip down that way to check the thread in Community.

chemist661 said:

"….I will start my award trip to OZ in PER in Nov."

If I head down there, I will e-mail you because it would be around then if I could swing it.

RTW4 said:

"I was at the Catman's party in NYC in March of 2001. It was fabulous . Please count me in . I will be reading theses boards with interest.!!!"

I will keep track of all people expressing interest and set up a mailing list for those that miss the new posts to the thread or who want to attend but have not checked FT in a while.

belle3388 said:

"'P'raque in spring is very nice too, I heard..."

Me too Belle. Maybe on a European run one of these days we can get a few people together there. Would love to visit it some day myself.

magic111 said:

"….there is going to be an event in dus-summer of 2003 (see my profile)……"

I have got to get to that one. The pictures of the last one tell me the fun is way to much to miss again.

Echelon

avek00 said:

"I hereby nominate the city of Atlanta for the next PIP."

I actually talked about that with Loco Miler and Belle3388. The working title was "Party in Peachtown" so we could work the acronym properly. Still tossing it around in the back of my mind.

SanDiego1K said:

"A successful FT weekend event requires committed organizers."

Ain't that the truth. One thing I have to say though is that the PiP 2001 was the most easily coordinated event I have ever worked on. I think that the frequency with which this gang travels made it so painless. I walked away having broken exactly even and with a tremendous sense of encouragement to do further events.

Finally, if you have read this far, let me say that I hope everybody makes a big effort to attend one of the fantastic events that are already set to happen this year. As SD1K has so correctly said the effort is huge, and those organizers would be very gratified to see a good turnout sat the events they are organizing. I will periodically post more on the PiP IV over the coming months and will set up a mailing list to ensure all are made aware of developments.

Thanks for all the feed back and I look forward to seeing you all at an event soon.

Mike