FL owners meet-up in Tampa (SC opening celebration) 4/28

[NigelM]

The Florida Tesla Owners Group met up this afternoon at the Tampa Service Center and sort of made it it into an opening celebration for the premises there. The whole thing was largely arranged single handed by Larry Chanin, but a huge thank you to SC Manager Mark Laplant and his team who were gracious hosts. I'm sure Larry will modestly chime in and thank a bunch of folks who did lots of behind the scenes work (Mrs Larry looked pretty busy also!). Mark also did a good job to get the SC stocked with Tesla goodies and there seemed to be quite a bit of purchasing going on. Rogbmw was there with his wheel-hub stickers and Larry was very patient as we all climbed in and out of his car to take a look at Soflauthor's CCI.

I'd guess there was well over 100 people there and we counted at least 35 Model Ss. Here's a couple of pics, feel free to add to the thread:

 

[Btrflyl8e]

Thanks to the Chanins for organizing a great event. It was great to meet owners from across FL, and for me it was an opportunity to see what I can look forward to in a couple of weeks (hopefully!). Now if only I hadn't left my wallet on the front desk :crying:. At least now I know where the SC is so I can go get it tomorrow.

 

[wstuff]

A wonderful day at the Tampa Service Center grand Opening, thanks the Larry and Mary Ellen for a beautiful food and beverage display, nothing was left out, really a wonderful affair. It was great to meet some of the other Florida owners and of course see all the Model S that showed up, I believe we had every color but Brown for the time I was there. Mark Leplant and his staff were as always wonderful and had the Facility looking like a shiny diamond, TESLA would be very proud of the presentation .

 

[TampaLiam]

Nigel! You were there??

I'll post photos in a bit!

 

[NigelM]

Nigel! You were there??

You missed my speech?

 

[dmetcalf]

Thanks for a great event. Nice to meet fellow Tesla owners and employees in person.

 

[TampaLiam]

Here are some casual photos from today!

 

[brianman]

What are those gaps between the clouds in the Ferrari picture? Must be a Florida thing.

- - - Updated - - -

Get in, sit down
shut up & hold on!

I like the sentiment, but hold on to what?

- - - Updated - - -

I've been toying around with a coloring idea (nudged the the T E S L A coloring that was posted a bit back) and I finally found a good picture with the Sig Red to work with.

It's kind of a crude mock-up, but I wanted to get some opinions on whether it looks good, gauche, etc.

Here it is:

Because of the reflected scenery, it doesn't show up as strongly as it might normally but I thought I'd share anyway.

 

[NigelM]

Great photos Liam!

BTW idea: We had a few folks who were finalizing and wanted see all the colors and interiors so they came to our meet-up. Nice to meet the new people and happy to help them out.

 

[ClearwaterBchSteve]

That was a great gathering. It's always fun to meet up with other Tesla owners and enthusiasts! I'm looking forward to our next event already.

 

[Rodolfo Paiz]

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw this thread title... I thought it was about a supercharger opening celebration, not a service center.

Glad y'all had fun, and I'll see you at the next one.

 

[Soflason]

Great photos Liam, looks like the event was amazing! :biggrin:

 

[TampaLiam]

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw this thread title... I thought it was about a supercharger opening celebration, not a service center.

Ha! Oh man... that would have totally made and then ruined my morning!

 

[rogbmw]

Larry and everyone ... great event. Marcia and I enjoyed meeting everyone. I just had not planned on putting wheel stickers on most of the afternoon which limited being able to meet more people, but it was a fun time. Hope to see more of everyone soon!!

Thanks Mark and the gang at Tesla Tampa!

 

[ClearwaterBchSteve]

I just had not planned on putting wheel stickers on most of the afternoon which limited being able to meet more people, but it was a fun time.

Thanks for doing it. They really look great! It was nice to finally meet you in person. Steve.

 

[Larry Chanin]

The Florida Tesla Owners Group met up this afternoon at the Tampa Service Center and sort of made it it into an opening celebration for the premises there. The whole thing was largely arranged single handed by Larry Chanin, but a huge thank you to SC Manager Mark Laplant and his team who were gracious hosts. I'm sure Larry will modestly chime in and thank a bunch of folks who did lots of behind the scenes work (Mrs Larry looked pretty busy also!). Mark also did a good job to get the SC stocked with Tesla goodies and there seemed to be quite a bit of purchasing going on. Rogbmw was there with his wheel-hub stickers and Larry was very patient as we all climbed in and out of his car to take a look at Soflauthor's CCI.

I'd guess there was well over 100 people there and we counted at least 35 Model Ss. Here's a couple of pics, feel free to add to the thread:

Hi Nigel,

Thanks for starting this thread.

While its true I initiated this event there are number of folks in particular that deserve special recognition. First I'd like to say that when it comes to the logistics of party planning I am entirely out of my element. :redface: Fortunately, my wife was there to provide both consulting support and hands on direction. I owe her BIG TIME! (I helped by staying out of the way.) I would also like to thank Klaus & Charlie Vietor and Steve & Robin Furniss for their generous efforts in providing much of the refreshments. Kimberly Reese of Tesla was very supportive in coordinating additional refreshments and as you mentioned Mark LaPlant and his entire team couldn't have been better hosts. Thanks to Liam Hawkins for his great photos of the event.

I also want to thank all of our club members that donated for this event. In particular I want to acknowledge the very generous donation made by Warren & Fanny even though they couldn't attend.

Finally, I want to thank George Blankenship and Colette Niazmand of Tesla for responding to Klaus' S.O.S. and express shipping that "care package" with various Tesla merchandise.

It was a fantastic celebration!

Larry

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks to the Chanins for organizing a great event. It was great to meet owners from across FL, and for me it was an opportunity to see what I can look forward to in a couple of weeks (hopefully!). Now if only I hadn't left my wallet on the front desk :crying:. At least now I know where the SC is so I can go get it tomorrow.

It was great meeting you.

I want to thank you for that great donation of a wallet full of money. Just kidding. :wink:

Regards,

Larry

- - - Updated - - -

A wonderful day at the Tampa Service Center grand Opening, thanks the Larry and Mary Ellen for a beautiful food and beverage display, nothing was left out, really a wonderful affair. It was great to meet some of the other Florida owners and of course see all the Model S that showed up, I believe we had every color but Brown for the time I was there. Mark Leplant and his staff were as always wonderful and had the Facility looking like a shiny diamond, TESLA would be very proud of the presentation .

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the kind words.

Mark and his crew really killed themselves preparing for this celebration. The floors were clean enough to eat off of. What was even more impressive was how he and his staff took the time to take care of little service odds and ends of several owners in the midst of the celebration.

Larry

- - - Updated - - -

Larry and everyone ... great event. Marcia and I enjoyed meeting everyone. I just had not planned on putting wheel stickers on most of the afternoon which limited being able to meet more people, but it was a fun time. Hope to see more of everyone soon!!

Thanks Mark and the gang at Tesla Tampa!

Hi Roger,

It was great meeting Marcia and chatting with you. Your stickers were a great hit. I feel the same as you, there is never enough time to meet and chat with everyone. We'll just have to plan another event so you can spend more with everyone.

Regards,

Larry

 

[wstuff]

We'll just have to plan another event so you can spend more with everyone.

+1 to that. I'm on the list:smile:

 

[Btrflyl8e]

I retrieved my "now empty" wallet this afternoon :tongue:. great event, I really enjoyed it!

 

[bobinfla]

Yeah, what they all said!

Great time and thanks to Larry, MaryEllen, Mark and his team, and everybody who pulled this shindig together. It was nice to meet everyone, talk a lot of Tesla, get some phenomenal stickers (thanks Rob!).

I say we all get together again and do an "Occupy SuperCharger Event" as soon as they give us one to rally around.

 

[OJIJ]

Tampa SC Opening

Thanks to all who made this possible.
Great meeting other Tesla owners.
Everyone was so friendly and eager to share ideas.
So happy with my 4 day old S85.