I live in S Florida so I was unable to leave for plantfest on schedule because of the threat of hurricane Dennis. Once I felt SOMEWHAT comfortable that it was going to miss us I drove to Gainesville for Plantfest. I arrived Friday evening at 6:30 pm at the Motel 6 and went to the front desk and asked to leave a message for Tom Barr but was told no guest by that name. I asked for Greg Watson again no luck. I asked if any people were there for Plantfest the lady said she had not heard of that. I called a friend and got Greg Watson's number via internet. I asked about contacting Tom and Greg said he is not at the hotel he is staying with friends. I asked for a phone number for Tom again no luck. He did send Tom a PM giving him my phone number so I could catch up with the group on Saturday. Disgusted I drove 4 hours back home and still have not heard a word. I simply cannot believe there was no contact phone number in case of difficulties especially in light of the weather situation.............

I had the same problem dolfan. Same thing happened to me.
I didn't drive to Gainsville, but I did call the Hotel and got the
same response you did. What a bumber.

Hey Alex,

I actually also asked at the hotel if you were staying there as that is the only real name Greg Watson could dig up for me on this forum. Tom is always so helpful on this forum but he really messed up with Plantfest. I will never get involved again that is for sure. I guess you were nervous about the Hurricanes direction also?

Yea Dolfan, I was very nervous about the Hurricanes direction as I live on the west coast of florida. And I lived through Hurricane Andrew (Lived in Homestead at the time) so I have lots of respect for them.

Tom could have done a better job of keeping us informed. But I can't blame missing out on plantfest on him. Having a central contact would have helped.

We had some problems due to the storm.
Each year we meet there at the hotel at 8am each day(Fri, Sat, Sun).
That is written on the itentary.

I do not have interent access on the road.
We donot tell the Motel that we are having an event.
I stayed at the motel Fri and Sat night, so I'm not sure why you did not get through.

In the future, everyone involved will get mycell phone number.
I will refund your $ for the event.
I apologize for the problems.
You will want to ask for myphone and I should also give it out so miscommunications do not occur.

Greg told you that I would be there at 8am, that was accurate and always the meeting point for the start of each day.
If you chose to ignore that, well, I apologize.
I keep that appointment and have every year.
If you think you may cut things close, send me your contact info and vice versus.

The storm messed up many things, so I cannot help that part.

The next year's event will be in June, hopefully there will be no hurricanes then.

We still did all the events and started off at the meeting point, but the Marine part was cancelled.

email me and I'll return the $.

Regards,
Tom Barr

I was registered there Fri and Sat night.
We meet at 8am each morning to head out to the various locations.
I apologize.
I'm on the road and traveling 3000miles to get here, so getting a hold of me is tougher.
I'll refund the $.
If you were not going to be there and knew this prior, asking for the $ before either of us left would have been wise for both of us.

I'll try to do whatever makes it right for you within my means, but at this point according to Greg, he said you could meet us at 8am in the parking lot. Fri, Sat and Sun starts at 8 am in front of the motel.

We were there till 8:30.
In the future everyone will have my cell prior.



Regards,
Tom Barr

Enough of the 'bad' aspects of the trip... although I can see both points of view on this one... Tell us how things went! I want to hear stories and cool finds. Better yet - pictures!

Blake

I don't think Tom "really messed up" ...

Hindsite, we can always come up with ideas on how we *personally* might think something should have been done differently.

But Tom has been doing this exact same event for years, in the exact same format, without a hitch ...

Checking into a hotel and meeting people at 8AM each morning is not really all that complicated, I've been meeting people that way for decades and decades and decades and decades <grin> ... let's see how many decades was that? I have to be careful, it might give away my age <grin> ...

It's always tough when legitimate reasons make it impossible for someone to make the agreed to rendeavous place at the agreed upon time. I can remember one of my first real "dates" was to meet a group of friends at a adventure theme park ... we all agreed to meet at 9:30 and most of our group was coming from all over the state ... my "date" didn't make it and while we waited for about an hour, we eventually went in ... she arrived several hours later, but in a large theme park, the chances of actually find each other was slim ... boy was it exciting when I finally ran into her late that night ... we had a wonderful summer together (the bulk of the day had been a bummer - but what a wonderful night <grin>) ...

The key was that we all continued and made the effort ... I'm sure glad that she stayed and didn't leave without trying to see me ...

Greg

And yes ... who took pictures? I want to see the pictures too!

Thanks,
Greg

I asked the girl at the front desk for a Tom Barr and spelled it out. Alex Perez says he did the same thing. When you get a no to every question you ask it does not leave much glimmer of hope. A simple phone number would have solved everything. Tom this is no big deal I'll get in touch with you in a few days and you can send me some nice plant trimmings or something I am not looking for money. The disappointment is in the past.

Greg maybe you should have been a lawyer!<GRIN>

best regards, Dolfan