Questions about Hosting a Meetup

[MerryAnvil]

(I also posted this on MLP Arena but I thought I'd check here too!)

Hi there,

I'd really love to meet other collectors from Oklahoma/nearby states, and since there aren't any planned meets that I can see in this general area I was interested in possibly hosting my own. So I was wondering...what sort of public location would be the best place for a meetup, in general?

I'm mostly wondering this since I live on what is essentially a small farm, and I also have house pets, so I know that might not be doable for people with hay/animal allergies.

Now I was in the BJD community quite heavily a few years ago, and I know people occasionally held the meets at anime conventions, cafes, malls, parks, etc. But I haven't the slightest clue what pony meets are like, since I've never even been to one.

Any input would be much appreciated! Also, if you live in Oklahoma, Texas, or the surrounding states, I'd love to hear any location suggestions and get a feel for the interest in a possible meetup in the future!

 

[evilbunnyfoofoo]

If everyone was allergy free, I think having it in a barn would be prefect. You're about three hours from me, but I would gladly come and bring food and such, I even have some folding lawn chairs I could offer. The only meet I went to was actually in someone's house. It was very cozy and nice.

A park would be good, but we'd have to make sure there were restrooms or something available. Because I have to tinkle a lot.

 

[tulagirl]

If everyone was allergy free, I think having it in a barn would be prefect. You're about three hours from me, but I would gladly come and bring food and such, I even have some folding lawn chairs I could offer. The only meet I went to was actually in someone's house. It was very cozy and nice.

A park would be good, but we'd have to make sure there were restrooms or something available. Because I have to tinkle a lot.

Ha ha I hear that!!

 

[Tak]

I've heard of having them in library conference rooms. They aren't terribly expensive. I'd host one at my home if there were enough people in the area.

 

[PonySurprize]

Hello. I live in Tulsa, not sure where everyone else is from. I've never been to any sort of meetup, so this sounds fun c:

 

[evilbunnyfoofoo]

I'm right at the Red River on the TX side, maybe one mile. I think I'm maybe 35 miles to Durant. I would so dig us all getting together. We can have a blast!

 

[MerryAnvil]

If everyone was allergy free, I think having it in a barn would be prefect. You're about three hours from me, but I would gladly come and bring food and such, I even have some folding lawn chairs I could offer. The only meet I went to was actually in someone's house. It was very cozy and nice.

A park would be good, but we'd have to make sure there were restrooms or something available. Because I have to tinkle a lot.

Haha that's alright, I'd definitely make sure there were restrooms nearby. Hmm okay. The barn is pretty nice and big, the only thing is, um...my mom is very Southern, and proud of it. So she has rebel flags and Confederate memorabilia all over out there. Of course this doesn't bother me (they're my roots too after all) but I know it might bother some people nowadays so I figured I'd mention it. If y'all had a problem with it we could always rent a room at a public space, though! There's also a toy show in OKC that runs a few times a year (I think it's like January, March, June, September, and December?) with spaces for rent, so that might be something to look at as well. My mom and I are hoping to go there in June to display/sell some Breyers and I might bring a few ponies for show if all goes well. Here's the link if anyone's curious!

I've heard of having them in library conference rooms. They aren't terribly expensive. I'd host one at my home if there were enough people in the area.

Hm, yeah a lot of other people seem to be suggesting that on MLP Arena too. Thanks for the input!

Hello. I live in Tulsa, not sure where everyone else is from. I've never been to any sort of meetup, so this sounds fun c:

Oh nice! I live about an hour west of Tulsa ^u^ Me neither, it sounds like it'd be super fun though and there's hardly any pony-related activities in this area so I thought it'd be nice to do at some point.

I'm right at the Red River on the TX side, maybe one mile. I think I'm maybe 35 miles to Durant. I would so dig us all getting together. We can have a blast!

Nice! Me too, it would be awesome to meet other pony folks!

 

[evilbunnyfoofoo]

Haha that's alright, I'd definitely make sure there were restrooms nearby. Hmm okay. The barn is pretty nice and big, the only thing is, um...my mom is very Southern, and proud of it. So she has rebel flags and Confederate memorabilia all over out there. Of course this doesn't bother me (they're my roots too after all) but I know it might bother some people nowadays so I figured I'd mention it. If y'all had a problem with it we could always rent a room at a public space, though! There's also a toy show in OKC that runs a few times a year (I think it's like January, March, June, September, and December?) with spaces for rent, so that might be something to look at as well. My mom and I are hoping to go there in June to display/sell some Breyers and I might bring a few ponies for show if all goes well. Here's the link if anyone's curious!

I'm absolutely not offended by your mom's flags. Everyone has a right to embrace their past. I become very uncomfortable by people who want to erase parts of our past for what I perceive as ideological misconceptions (as with the rebel flag people claiming it is merely a symbol of racism rather than a banner of states' rights, a moral high ground chosen by some to belittle those who do not share their belief system). I find the desire to destroy or hide parts of our past akin to book burning.

Opps. Got wordy, worry!

In any case, I hope no one would be offended, because I think having a pony party is a barn is incredibly fitting. Sadly, my ponies are all shed ponies, so I haven't a lovely barn for us to meet in. My ponies are low class.

I really am thinking about hitting one of those toy shows. June's not that far away!

 

[MerryAnvil]

I'm absolutely not offended by your mom's flags. Everyone has a right to embrace their past. I become very uncomfortable by people who want to erase parts of our past for what I perceive as ideological misconceptions (as with the rebel flag people claiming it is merely a symbol of racism rather than a banner of states' rights, a moral high ground chosen by some to belittle those who do not share their belief system). I find the desire to destroy or hide parts of our past akin to book burning.

Opps. Got wordy, worry!

In any case, I hope no one would be offended, because I think having a pony party is a barn is incredibly fitting. Sadly, my ponies are all shed ponies, so I haven't a lovely barn for us to meet in. My ponies are low class.

I really am thinking about hitting one of those toy shows. June's not that far away!

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that. And I completely agree on the erasing history thing! It's refreshing to hear someone else feels the same way I do. My mom was really happy to hear that when I told her just now too, she's really used to having people go after her for her Southern pride.

Haha our barn is mostly just for storage anyways. I tried keeping my one gelding in there while he was recovering (he has a permanent old wound on his leg that we have to medicate a few times a week) but he was not having it, nearly took out a wall. So the horses have their own run-in sheds out in their pastures and we have the lovely large barn for tack, feed and hay storage (and now karaoke of course hehe). I really would love to host a meet in the barn at some point though, we could have so much fun setting up activities to do and there's just so much space in there! And I would love to meet you and anyone else who came if you did decide to go to the toy show! Once we get our space/booth info sorted I'll post it in case anyone wants to come on over

 

[PonySurprize]

On meeting times, I have class every day except fridays and on the weekened. I don't know if that works for anyone, but I should be free between those times.

I had no idea we had a toy show in the state, that sounds like so much fun. I would love to go, so maybe we could meet up? If I can remember, that is! Do you know what date it is?

 

[MerryAnvil]

On meeting times, I have class every day except fridays and on the weekened. I don't know if that works for anyone, but I should be free between those times.

I had no idea we had a toy show in the state, that sounds like so much fun. I would love to go, so maybe we could meet up? If I can remember, that is! Do you know what date it is?

Sorry for the late reply, Starful! That sounds just fine, I was planning to hold the meetup on a Friday/weekend day anyways since most people are probably working otherwise.

Yes! That would be great. The upcoming dates for the toy show are: June 23rd (this is when we're probably planning on going if all goes well), September 22nd (my dad's birthday so that one's out) and December 1st. It seems to be going from 9am to 5pm, although exhibitors have to be there to claim their space by 8am.

 

[PonySurprize]

I'll let you know if I end up going!

 

[evilbunnyfoofoo]

My son and I (Action Hank on the board here) are thinking of trying for the June show too. We should all meet up and have lunch! I might even do a table myself. I have a lotta toys I need to unload.

 

[tulagirl]

I'm absolutely not offended by your mom's flags. Everyone has a right to embrace their past. I become very uncomfortable by people who want to erase parts of our past for what I perceive as ideological misconceptions (as with the rebel flag people claiming it is merely a symbol of racism rather than a banner of states' rights, a moral high ground chosen by some to belittle those who do not share their belief system). I find the desire to destroy or hide parts of our past akin to book burning.

I so agree with this 100 times a million to the 10th power.

Wish I could join everyone. I need a table too to sell a lot of my stuff.

 

[evilbunnyfoofoo]

I so agree with this 100 times a million to the 10th power.

Wish I could join everyone. I need a table too to sell a lot of my stuff.

I think between you and me we might need the whole showroom.

And I bought more toys. Nyahhhhhhh! I am so bad!

 

[MerryAnvil]

My son and I (Action Hank on the board here) are thinking of trying for the June show too. We should all meet up and have lunch! I might even do a table myself. I have a lotta toys I need to unload.

Ah that would be awesome! I'd definitely love to meet up with y'all there! Haha I know what you mean, our family collection of Breyers is insane (I think we had over 500 0f them at one point, not sure about now; all I do know is we have over 8 huge boxes full of them). I used to show them, but now that I have real horses they've lost some of their appeal, sadly. We definitely need to downsize our model horse herd and I'd rather have the money for ponies, anyhow!

 

[ElectricHarpsichord]

I live in the Dallas area and would be interested in a meetup! The toy fair sounds mighty tempting, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to coerce my wife to drive there (she hates driving in Oklahoma). Fingers crossed!