Our first Open House since 1998 (I stand corrected since 2000)
Amazing how the years just blow by. Friends who work here now have sons and daughters working here, new cars have been launched, people change positions. So many things are different. But not our Open House.
Around nine months ago, Doug Speck, our CEO, told us it’s time to do one again. Working with Volvo Sports America (VSA) and Volvo Club of America (VCOA), we had one heck of a successful event. In all, about 370 club members showed up, putting 774 miles on our demo cars, testing City Safety with our XC60, trying Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake (still haven’t gotten used to all those words) with our S60, drooling over our classic car collection, and having lunch served by VCNA employees.
Beside these loyal owners, what makes me proud are the 70 employees who gave up a Saturday to staff and support what needed to get done.
Owners who love their Volvos, employees who love their work. Nice combination.
Have a great weekend,
Dan
Update: 10/30/2010.
Seems Dave is onto something. He wrote that unless his eyes are playing tricks, he has a dash plaque with “REVOLVOLUTION”, “Open House 10th Anniversary”, “October 28th 2000″, “Rockleigh, NJ” and “Volvo for life”. Revolvolution was about launching our S60 back in 2000. Seems absolutely no one here remembered that event. And to think we launched our new S60 with this Open House. Someone is looking over our shoulders. Thanks Dave!
Parking crew at 6:45 a.m.
Brett and wife Carrie Ann from Colorado and Gretchen Adam (VCOA).
Staffers between Volvo C70 and P1900 (number 34).
R-Sport jackets.
Doug Speck addresses early morning group.
Briefings on product planning, overseas delivery and VDIS service tool.
Lunch prep by VCNA staffers.
Lunch time!
Raffle winner takes home a C70 (of course!).
Volvo.
7 Comments
Dan,
Now I’m officially confused. I’m currently looking at the dash plaque for what I thought was the 10th open house, in 2000. Its black, with a C70 outline. The text reads “REVOLVOLUTION”, “Open House 10th Anniversary”, “October 28th 2000″, “Rockleigh, NJ” and “Volvo for life”.
If I could post a picture of it, I would. And yes, it was certainly nice to see you again, it was a marvelous day, indeed!!
Dave
Hi Dave,
Duly noted. I’ve no idea how I didn’t remember that event/year. Above is my humble apology for missing this one. Would love a photo. Send to djohn116@volvocars.com
Thanks,
dan
Dan,
Another thing that I recall about the 2000 event was that packing was going on for the move to California. At the time I was driving my 1979 245. Boy, I loved that car – actually had two.
But during that event, a pile of literature from 1979 mysteriously showed up in my car. Apparently it was disperse or discard and disperse was chosen in some instances, much to my surprise & pleasure.
Dave
Dan,
A heartfelt thanks to VCNA, Doug Speck and all the Volvo employees who put in their own time to host the very successful 2010 Open House.
Thanks also to VCOA, VSA1800 and all the “faithful” who brought their Volvos to Rockleigh.
I was elated to win the “Exec’s Pick”, I always knew my V70R was a rare & desirable Volvo, the prize confirmed it!
I reconnected with many old Volvo friends and made a few new ones as well.
Sadly this was Bruce Potter’s last event, he will be missed.
Best,
Adam Pepper
A belated thanks to everyone at VCNA that put in lots of hard work to make this event happen. I really appreciate the effort, and the day was truly a great experience. Things like this make us feel more like a part of the Volvo community, and not just a customer. I hope it continues as a annual event.
A wonderful day, my family has 5 Volvos’, me 2, my oldest sister 1 and my middle sister 2, (gotta get my twin sis in the fold) Doug Speck was a standup guy…took all manners of querys, Volvo peeps were magnificent allowing us to drive all iterations of 2010 Volvos minus the V classes. Have 1 minor beef, asked a Volvo rep if the 2011 S-80 “wind sock” on the sun roof was available for a 2010 S-80 and gave e-mail etc…haven’t heard!!! All in all a great bunch of people and I will be in the Volvo family for as long as I can, gotta get my twin sis in too!!!! JHW
Hi John,
Yes, good event. I think the second best part was all our staffers who spent time putting this together. First being meeting old friends and finding new ones. No idea who you talked to about that wind sock, it that a sunroof wind deflector or ?
You can email me directly at djohn116@volvocars.com
kind regards,
dan