Coca-Cola Freestyle Tech Tour, BGR Joint, Sun, Feb 10

[cheezepowder]

Starting an event thread for a tour of the Coca-cola Freestyle machine at BGR Joint:

So lets plan on a VA demo and a MD demo. Pick two Saturdays at 1 and let me know

I nominate Feb 2 for the MD side, but I could do any February Saturday other than the 9th.

Thanks, Mark!

So how about Feb 2 for Maryland (location suggestion?) and Feb 16 for VA side (suggestion Clarendon)? Who's in? (and also thanks Mark!)

[schulju]

I nominate Washingtonian or Cabin John for the MD side. (Thanks Mark!)

[Dr. Delicious]

I'm going to do my damnedest to attend the VA event, but with a 1-year old, I reserve the right to back out at the last minute. I don't have a date preference at this time, but do prefer the event be held at the Tysons location.

[cheezepowder]

Anyone else interested? If we don't have enough interest, maybe we should just do one event? I'm willing to go up to MD. Thoughts?

[ktmoomau]

I am interested for the Virginia event.

[ktmoomau]

+1 probably with the hubs.

[weezy]

I may be able to do the VA event on the 16th. I want to -- I need to check schedules of people flying in that day that I have to meet at the airport. I'm thinking they are mid-afternoon, so may conflict

[cheezepowder]

Here is a summary of where we are so far:

Maryland- Proposed date Feb. 2

Suggested locations: Washingtonian or Cabin John

Daniel K

schulju

Virginia - Proposed date Feb. 16

Suggested locations: Clarendon or Tyson's Corner

Cheezepowder

The Delicious

Ktmoomau + 1

Weezy (maybe)

Mark, please feel free to weigh in on a minimum number of attendees, preferred location, preferred date, etc.!

[DC Deb]

Please add me +1 for the Maryland 2/2 event. Thanks.

[cheezepowder]

I checked with Mark on the proposals, and he's unfortunately unable to do it this Saturday.

His suggestion is next Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3pm. As for location, whatever works best for the group.

So folks could weigh in on who can make it and then a group consensus on the location for next Sun. (I can't make it but am happy to continue to keep track.)

[weezy]

Sunday sounds more doable for me (I say now, as life is biting off as much of me as it can chew right now).

[DanielK]

Yeah, when I saw Mark's post on Facebook earlier today heralding his arrival in Nawlins for some football game, I figured a BGR tour on Saturday was out.

I'm fine with Sunday the 10th at 3p. Certainly prefer a MD location, but willing to drive to a location with reasonable parking.

[DC Deb]

Sorry, I goofed. I can't make it on Sunday 2/10. It's Chinese New Year and I have plans with family.

[cheezepowder]

Here is the list so far for Sun, Feb 10 at 3pm with preferred location

Weezy

Daniel K. --Prefer MD

DC Deb --Prefer MD

[schulju]

I'm out of town that weekend, but hope someone posts pics of the elves inside this magical machine!

[jayandstacey]

In, gaithersburg location ideal.

BTW, if a year ago you said "hey, come on by, we're going to conduct a tour of the inside of the soda machine" I'd have told you to step away from the crack pipe. I still might

[Dr. Delicious]

I'll have to be a game-time decision, alas. I prefer VA, but since I can't commit, I don't expect that to have much sway.

[cheezepowder]

Updated list so far for Sun, Feb 10 at 3pm with preferred location (topic title says Sat but it's Sunday)

Weezy

Daniel K. --Prefer MD

DC Deb --Prefer MD

jayandstacey --Prefer MD, Gaithersburg

The Delicious --Prefer VA

[DanielK]

Updated list so far for Sun, Feb 10 at 3pm with preferred location (topic title says Sat but it's Sunday)

Topic title fixed.

[Destruya]

I should be able to make the VA event, barring any unforeseen hitches.

[cheezepowder]

Destruya - we've modified the proposed dates of Feb. 2 and 16, and the only event currently planned is the Sun Feb. 10 one. Location tbd but Maryland is winning.

(thanks DanielK for fixing the title)

[cheezepowder]

So far, it looks like there are more votes for Maryland than Virginia. The coke machine tour is in a week so probably should start honing in on a specific BGRJoint location. Suggestions?

[DonRocks]

Just out of curiosity, has Mark agreed to do this?!

[cheezepowder]

Valid question. I pm'd Mark when we were proposing the other dates, and he suggested the Sun date at 3pm. I'll pm him again to confirm when folks have decided on the location.

[DanielK]

I selfishly vote for the Cabin John store, because it's 5 minutes from my house.

Strip mall location, easy access from 270/495, and plentiful free parking.

[weezy]

I'm a VA voter. I know MD is still in the lead even so, but just putting it out there.

[cheezepowder]

Updating the list -- as mentioned, I won't be able to attend so I don't have a preference on location. I'll pm Mark with the final decision on location.

Here's the list:

Weezy - prefer VA
Daniel K. --Prefer MD, Cabin John location
DC Deb --Prefer MD
jayandstacey --Prefer MD, Gaithersburg
The Delicious --Prefer VA (with caveat that it'll be a game time decision)

Destruya - expressed interest in VA event but not sure if Destruya is interested in 2/10

[Destruya]

Honestly, with now less than four days' notice, I wouldn't be shocked if Mark doesn't have prior plans for his weekend. vOv

[cheezepowder]

I've confirmed with Mark that this Sun at 3pm still works for him, and he picked the Bethesda BGR Joint location.

So the final plan is: Bethesda BGR Joint, 4827 Fairmont Avenue,

3pm this Sunday.

We've got:

Weezy

DanielK +2 or +3

jayandstacey

The Delicious (with caveat that it'll be a game time decision)

Destruya

Me (I've had a change of plans for Sun so I can make it after all!)

darkstar965 (tentative)

___________________________________________________

Total: 9 or 10

(Just realized I had missed DC Deb's post saying she cant make 2/10 so took her off the list).

Please post if you'd like to join in! Or if you can't make it so we can get an idea of how many.

[DanielK]

BTW - plenty of street, lot, and garage parking within 1-2 blocks of the Bethesda location, and all free on Sunday.

[darkstar965]

May I be a tentative? Final location and timing probably work for me but not sure yet. If I may be tentative, cool. If not, of course totally understand. And thanks either way to Cheeze for organizing!

[cheezepowder]

darkstar965 -- no problem with being tentative. I've added you to the list above.

[Dr. Delicious]

I'm afraid I won't be able to make it after all. Bummer.

[cheezepowder]

The Delicious - that's too bad that you won't be able to make it.

Here's the updated list:

Weezy
DanielK +2 or +3
jayandstacey
Destruya
Me
darkstar965 (tentative)
__________________________________________________

Total: 8 or 9

[weezy]

Well, my maybe has turned into an out. Have fun everyone!

[DanielK]

Despite a smaller than expected crowd, Mark was incredibly generous with his time today, spending nearly an hour with us talking about the Freestyle. Not just the guts and how it works (unbelievably awesome technology), but the whole history of BGR and Freestyle, the business model that developed (both BGRs and Coca-Cola's) and some educated guesses on where the future lies with this technology.

He also generously provided sliders, fries, and drinks to the attendees.

Thanks, Mark!

[jayandstacey]

Well shoot - after all that I simply forgot about it.

I was up in my crawlspace unfinished attic attempting to fix a leak with that spray can black rubber sealant stuff. Combined with the blow in insulation - I was basically tar-and-feathering myself. Fun times.

[DaveO]

.....and for those with both outrageous curiosity and a willingness to test the limits of their bladders.....a taste test of all 127 flavors!!!!

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/10/soda-we-try-all-100-flavors-from-the-coke-freestyle-machine.html