So it is planning time for the Bay Area G.G.G. I am sending invites to cottage manufactures in hopes of their attendance. Last year we had Trail Designs, Gossamer Gear, and Mountaingoat Hats and Goods in attendance.
If you were sending invites who would you want to come?

So far I was thinking about these companies...
Trail Designs
Gossamer Gear
Six Moon Designs
Tarptent
MLD
Mountaingoat

It is in the Bay Area. I realize travel is expensive. So who else is close by that I should ask?

Anchor Brewing





...jus sayin

zPacks. Zimmerbuilt. TrailLite Designs (and ask him to bring some stuff from Area 51!).

TrailLite Designs is the only one somewhat close by, but Zimmerbuilt and zPacks are no further away than MLD.

What about some younger bizzes? They may be enthusiastic at the opportunity to show off new offerings and pick up a little extra exposure. We have a few BPL-frequenting gear sellers including, John West/Borah Bivy, Tim Marshall from Enlightened Equipment, Lawson Kline/Mountain fitter,and Jhaura from Litetrail. I know there are more but this comes to mind at the moment.

I also think some UL/SUL bloggers like John Abela or Stick could help provide coverage in a write up after the GGG. I know it would obviously be the preachers and the choir so no new exposure, but faces and names are always a pleasure to put together, and I would be more likely to subscribe to a blog or YouTube channel after meeting someone. In person.

Where is John West/Borah located?

Tim and Lawson are across the continent

Jhaura is in So-Cal

I tried to get John to come last time. Maybe this time.

Chad would love to come, but is not able.

Article in the works.

I believe John West/Borahgear.com is located in Idaho.

True. But these guys can write the whole trip off as a business expense. I would think a good opportunity to demo and sell products too. That said, I did leave out Stephen at Suluk thinking Canada may be pushing it a little. Wood-Gaz / Zelph stoves also come to mind. No idea where they are though.

Doesn't hurt to invite somebody just because it's unlikely that they'll be able to come. Invite a bunch of people regardless of distance and see what happens--you never know whether somebody has a grandmother nearby who needs visiting.

True.

I need to get busy then.

unlikely due to distance and she just took her vacation but Judy from Lightheart Gear.

.

Edited by Ice-axe on 10/18/2012 19:26:57 MDT.

Ti goat and rutalocura are both in Utah I believe

"Seriously, those southern folks are so much kinder than us here in the west.. i am ashamed to ask them to come for fear of what those gentle, kind folks will think of us."

Truth

invite them all, let them make the call as to weather its to expensive or to far

"Seriously, those southern folks are so much kinder than us here in the west.. i am ashamed to ask them to come for fear of what those gentle, kind folks will think of us."

Well I grew up in NJ and FL and have not found that to be true at all I'm sorry to say. Also summered in VA, and upstate NY. Lived in CO, and WA. too. Jerks and good people are everywhere. No one part of the country has the market on kindness covered.

Anyway, just the nice people get invites, no matter where they are from.

Edited by kthompson on 10/08/2012 18:05:44 MDT.

Florida doesn't count as the south. Too many out of Towners. My experience is TX TN SC NM vs dc ny pa and ca.

Edited by mpl_35 on 10/08/2012 13:36:04 MDT.

Quilt Makers: Katabatic, Jacks R Better, Tim Marshall, and others.....

Any of the wood burning stove manufactures: Bushbuddy (unlikely to show up), Robert Kelly of QiWiz Stoves.

Joe from Zpacks

People from Bearikade?

Oakland Raider's Cheerleaders.....

Not sure if any of these people are close by, but it is worth inviting them and they can decide if it is worth it to come out.

-Tony

Edited by Valshar on 10/08/2012 15:41:14 MDT.

I'd invite everybody though. even the rude ones :)

Obviously a little big to be considered "cottage industry" but Western Mountaineering is in San Jose.

I just love these new avatar names.