Remember SegwayFest in Chicago?

SantaMonica · 09-18-2014, 06:30 PM

I attended the SegwayFest in Chicago - I want to say it was about ten years ago. Quite a great event, great gathering. Are there similar events that happen these days that draw together Segway enthusiasts from all over the USA >?

fathertime · 09-19-2014, 11:41 AM

The first SegwayFesT was back in 2003 and was held at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was a very exciting time for all of us early adopters and we were unsure just how many machines had been sold at that point. The idea for the convention was mine and my wife's and along the way we enlisted the great support of Brooster & the Glidemaster, the first two to ride machines in Chicago. We were unsure as to how many machines were in the wild so we cast a broad net over the entire globe thru the help of SegwayChat and corporate. We were told by corporate that if we got 50 folks with machines to attend it would be a huge success, but we eventually got over 225. I did 38 media interviews that first day and we had early adopters coming in from all over the country, and Europe. It was amazing!
The second FesT was held in Florida the following year at Bonita Springs, Florida at Coconut Point. We also produced that convention and, if you were there, you will remember the devastation of the hurricane that hit the area just before our get together. If you attended the banquet that we held there in a lovely setting just outside the nature trails you will also remember the no-seeums that bit everyone of us at dusk.
At any rate those were the first two and thereafter the general membership took over the production and there have been several events in different parts of the world.
We had such fun at the first two that the fond memory still lingers!

jgbackes · 09-19-2014, 02:26 PM

I miss the days when owners were happy and excited.

jeff

terryp · 09-20-2014, 01:02 AM

Fathertime and his family were the prime drivers for that first convention, and with the help of a few others, put on an event that those of us who attended will never forget. I can't imagine the work and planning that went into it. Nice to see you're still 'watch'ing this forum, Jim! BTW, I still have the SEGWAYFEST CHICAGO bracelet your kids made for us hanging right here.

If anyone's interested, I can scan the group photo and post it here.

09-18-2014, 06:30 PM	#1
SantaMonica New Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 2	Remember SegwayFest in Chicago? I attended the SegwayFest in Chicago - I want to say it was about ten years ago. Quite a great event, great gathering. Are there similar events that happen these days that draw together Segway enthusiasts from all over the USA >?

09-19-2014, 11:41 AM	#2
fathertime Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: chicago, illinois, USA. Posts: 665	The first SegwayFesT was back in 2003 and was held at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was a very exciting time for all of us early adopters and we were unsure just how many machines had been sold at that point. The idea for the convention was mine and my wife's and along the way we enlisted the great support of Brooster & the Glidemaster, the first two to ride machines in Chicago. We were unsure as to how many machines were in the wild so we cast a broad net over the entire globe thru the help of SegwayChat and corporate. We were told by corporate that if we got 50 folks with machines to attend it would be a huge success, but we eventually got over 225. I did 38 media interviews that first day and we had early adopters coming in from all over the country, and Europe. It was amazing! The second FesT was held in Florida the following year at Bonita Springs, Florida at Coconut Point. We also produced that convention and, if you were there, you will remember the devastation of the hurricane that hit the area just before our get together. If you attended the banquet that we held there in a lovely setting just outside the nature trails you will also remember the no-seeums that bit everyone of us at dusk. At any rate those were the first two and thereafter the general membership took over the production and there have been several events in different parts of the world. We had such fun at the first two that the fond memory still lingers! __________________ Jim Reynolds Segway of Chicago 515 S. LaGrange Rd. LaGrange, Il. 60525 (708) 352-1685

09-19-2014, 02:26 PM	#3
jgbackes Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, CA - USA Posts: 1,314	I miss the days when owners were happy and excited. jeff __________________ sǝʞɔɐq ɟɟǝɾ If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-20-2014, 01:02 AM	#4
terryp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Kenmore, WA, USA. Posts: 2,097	Fathertime and his family were the prime drivers for that first convention, and with the help of a few others, put on an event that those of us who attended will never forget. I can't imagine the work and planning that went into it. Nice to see you're still 'watch'ing this forum, Jim! BTW, I still have the SEGWAYFEST CHICAGO bracelet your kids made for us hanging right here. If anyone's interested, I can scan the group photo and post it here. __________________ 35K miles in 15 years!

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