02/09/2024
๐ฃSTATEMENT ๐ฃ
Well, what a difference 24 hours makes in trying to create events that could endure.
The Gathering is an event that I (Matt Glenn) created as an extension of Defenders Of Australia, a group dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the iconic Land Rover Defender, its lineage, its culture & its tribe!
We found, after the event in 2023, whilst 90% of participants were of Defender lineage, we welcomed all Land Rover to come along, and a great weekend it was.
It was expressed that we should make it clear all Land Rovers were welcome, and that we did for 2024.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, and sometimes, to my detriment, my desire to please all can be its own demon.
Needless to say, this is a love job. I've spent time building relationships and connecting with solid personalities who have nothing but good intentions for our community (tribe) along with connecting in good faith with stakeholders in my community - and to let them down is personal. My apologies.
All events are only as good as the community that drives them, and unfortunately - for whatever reasons personal to them - some in the community do not see the work one puts in for it (the community) in good faith and choose to actively undermine its success. This is very sad indeed, and when it comes down to it, lessens the trust one has in the broader community going forward.
This is a LOVE job!
- Contrary to belief, I do not seek to make money for my efforts
- I have built relationships with stakeholders that in most cases have shared a desire and belief in our community and offered their products, services and hospitality in most cases for free or very low cost to us as a community
- The cost for exhibitors to participate is very low, virtually non-existent
- The faith of sponsors is only forwarded in the belief of our community
- Raising money for those who help others is only a reflection of our community
Times are tough, we concede. But at the end of the day, there is only a limited amount of personal cost as the founder/coordinator I can bear without the support of the community participating.
- There is no huge budget
- No high flyers are underwriting the event
- It's an event solely dependent on community involvement
Yes, we could have done this - We could have done that - You should have done this - and you should have done that. As expressed by many messages and emails in the past 24 hours.
At the end of the day, I so look forward to seeing and even attending your efforts in the future - thank you for the feedback.
GOING FORWARD - I started the Defenders of Australia group in 2019 with a desire to connect with like-minded Defender owners - I love our community - and we as a community have grown - we are now moving forward in an attempt to strengthen our community by the formation of the defendersofaustralia.club - all events I may have the pleasure of being involved in going forward, will be directly focused on our community (all Land Rovers will be welcome to join our community at any event going forward) but my efforts will be focused on the Defenders of Australia tribe!
I thank the great friends Iโve made in the process of organising this year's event, their efforts are truly appreciated, and I look forward to working with them on future projects.
This event page will be left open - but going forward unfortunately The Gathering will be replaced with smaller events dedicated to the success of Defenders of Australia.
Defenders of Australia Club would love to connect and work with other Clubs that have similar objectives going forward - weโd love to hear from you - [email protected]
BIG ๐ซฐ
