President’s Article September 2013

As our Club attempts to attract new participants to our quality schedule of events, several organizers have tried different formats to create an experience that everyone will enjoy and remember. Most recently, Mike Lingenfelter, our Regional Vice-President from Indiana, has organized and hosted a Fall Colors Drive that originates and occurs around the Great Lakes Region and upper Midwest. One of the features Mike has used during his fall driving tour has been a “come and go” touring method. Participants can drive the entire tour, or join and leave the tour to fit into their personal schedule. During this event, the route is established; events and overnight stops are published. With this style of touring, each participant makes their own reservations at the hotel of their choice. By creating an “ala carte” lodging experience, all participants can pick hotels that fit their budget and style.

The Iowa Chapter will attempt to adapt this style of lodging choice to its Fall Colors Tour this year. This year’s tour will begin at BMW of Des Moines and wind its way through Iowa with a luncheon stop at Zimmerman BMW in Cedar Rapids. We will then meet, at a yet undetermined point, the North Star Chapter from Minneapolis. The entire group will then continue on to our destination of Dubuque and enjoy a 3½ hour dinner cruise aboard the Dubuque Riverboat down the Mississippi. Participants are encouraged to make their own reservations in a hotel or B&B that fits their budget and lifestyle. The list of hotels and B&B’s has been published via our email contacts list and will be sent out several more times before the event begins. Hope to see you there.