“Gathering of the Green Winter Fling” 2004
Announcing the 2004
“Gathering of the Green Winter Fling”
A bi-annual conference for John Deere Collectors, Restorers, & Enthusiasts
Gathering of the Green Website | Workshops | Workshop Schedule | Vendors
CONFERENCE INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
All John Deere collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada are invited to attend the 3rd “Gathering of the Green” conference to be held in Moline this coming March, 2004. The first two were remarkable successes, and initial plans indicate that this one will be another memorable event.
Plan now to join us as we gather to attend workshops, evening programs, tour John Deere factories, participate in special activities for spouses, visit the vendors, attend the fun auction, enjoy the banquet, and help us celebrate and honor JOHN DEERE on his 200th birthday. As in the past, the conference will offer you an excellent opportunity to learn new restoration techniques, pick up new ideas, have your questions answered, share tips that have helped you solve restoration problems, visit with the vendors, and to just enjoy being with people who have the same interests as you. So, whether you have one or a dozen or more tractors, or you don’t have a tractor but just like old two-cylinders, plan to join us in Moline.
You’re Invited…Save the Date
When: March 10*, 11, 12, & 13, 2004
Where: Moline, IL
Location: Holiday Inn Moline Airport
Registration Opens: October 1, 2003
Registration Closes: February 15, 2004
*Conference opens at 6:00 p.m. on March 10.
HOW TO OBTAIN REGISTRATION MATERIALS:
Ø Registration forms may be printed from the Gathering web site beginning October 1, 2003. The web site address is: www.gatheringofthegreen.com
Ø Principal registrants** who attended the Gathering in 2000 and/or 2002 will receive information and a registration form via US Mail between September 15 and October 1, 2003.
**Principal registrant is the person who completed the registration form for the 2000 and/or the 2002 event and submitted a single check covering the total costs for all activities chosen by the listed registrants. To clarify, note that often one person completed the form and included the names of additional registrants; hence the Gathering has full addresses only on the principal registrants.
If another person registered for you, ask that person to register you for 2004, contact that person for a copy of the form, print a form from the web site, or call the Gathering Information telephone number – 815-246-8123 and request that information/registration materials be sent to you.
Ø Call the GATHERING INFORMATION LINE @ 815-246-8123 for registration materials & answers to questions.
HOST HOTEL: Holiday Inn Moline Airport, 6902 27th Street, Moline, IL 61265 Room Rate: $73 + tax
Room Reservations: 309-762-8811
Room reservations are now being accepted. Be sure to mention that you are calling for “Gathering of the Green” reservations. If possible, call
weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Holiday Inn Moline Airport will be the main hotel and will house the
majority of “Gathering” activities. All rooms in the Holiday Inn are reserved
for conference registrants.
The hotel is rapidly being booked so you are encouraged to make reservations
quickly as possible.
Descriptions and Details of the following will be included with the Registration Form & Related Information
FEES
FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE: $18 per person
Everyone who participates in any conference program, workshop or activity must register.
BANQUET on Saturday: $20 per person. Seating limited to 650 guests (see note below). Since space is limited, it is recommended that you register early. Keynote speaker is John Phipps, well-known writer and humorist.
TOUR OF DEERE HOMES, including lunch on Thursday or Friday: Fees to be announced. Sign up information will be included with registration materials.
FRIDAY TRIP TO GALESBURG’S ANTIQUE MALL, with lunch at the Packing House: $24 – Sign-up information will be included with registration materials.
SATURDAY FASHION SHOW & LUNCH at Montana Jacks Restaurant: $10
Sign-up information will be included with registration materials. Located next to Holiday Inn.
JOHN DEERE PLANT TOURS IN MOLINE & DAVENPORT – Nominal bus fee: $2 per tour – pay when boarding bus. - Sign-up information and schedule will be included with registration materials. Children must be 12 or older to tour the plants. No open toed shoes.
Restrictions on photography.
TOUR OF JOHN DEERE PLANTS IN WATERLOO -- THURSDAY OR FRIDAY: $20
Sign up information and schedule will be included with registration materials. Children must be 12 or older to tour the plants. No open toed shoes and restrictions on photography. Lunch on your own at a local buffet restaurant.
HATS: $12 - Order on registration form.
PINS: $10 – Order on registration form.
T-SHIRTS: $12 – Purchase at conference.
IMPORTANT NOTES
· Children must be at least 12 years of age or older to tour John Deere manufacturing plants.
· Banquet – Unfortunately, banquet seating capacity is limited to 650 persons as determined by the Moline Fire Department. Registration forms will be recorded by date of receipt, and the first 650 people who register with the banquet section marked and paid on the registration form will be seated.
· Registrants are not required to be a member of a two-cylinder club to attend the “Gathering.”
· No refunds after February 15, 2004.
WIN A GATOR AT THE “GATHERING”
GATOR Raffle – Be sure to see the information on this site and learn about the raffle. Only 1000 tickets will be sold at $10 per ticket, so your chance(s) of winning is better than in most raffles. Order yours now!
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2004 CONFERENCE
§ Celebrate John Deere’s 200th birthday at Wed. evening (3/10) birthday party – begins at 6:30 p.m.
§ More activities for spouses
§ Tours of historic Deere homes with lunch
§ Trip to Galesburg’s antique mall with lunch on Friday
§ Fashion show & luncheon on Saturday
§ New workshop topics and some repeats – interesting and varied
§ GATOR Raffle
§ Drop-in/small discussion groups (round table)
§ Tours of John Deere manufacturing plants in Quad Cities
§ Tours of John Deere Assembly Plant, Engine Works, & Foundry in Waterloo
§ Fun Auction
§ View early John Deere Walking Plows
§ Banquet
§ Keynote speaker: John Phipps, well-known writer, columnist & humorist
§ Visit the John Deere Commons – see the Dain tractor at the Pavilion
§ Areas to gather and talk tractors – renew acquaintances & make new friends
§ Evening speakers with appeal to all
§ Vendor area – nice variety and lots of them
§ Merchandise: hats, pins, t-shirts
§ See examples of sponsoring club tractors at Moline Tractor & Plow Co.
VENDOR INFORMATION
Contact Bruce Johnson at jdbteam@prodigy.net - or call 630-365-5001 if you are interested in being a vendor. Vendors from the 2000 and 2002 conference will receive vendor registration forms via US Mail.
CHECK THIS WEB SITE REGULARLY FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
E-mail Ken Reese at kwreese@aol.com if you have questions.
The “Gathering of the Green” is sponsored by:
Deer Valley Collectors
Illinois Valley Two-Cylinder Club
North Eastern Illinois Two-Cylinder Club
Northwest Illinois Two-Cylinder Club
Conference activities and prices are subject to change.
8/19/03
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