A Look Back at the “Gathering of Green” 2008 A wonderful experience in “Preserving the Past”     The Deer Valley Collectors, Illinois Valley Two-Cylinder Club, North Eastern Illinois Two-Cylinder Club, and Northwest Illinois Two-Cylinder Club hosted the “Gathering of the Green” conference at the Holiday Inn Moline Airport on March 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2008. What an amazing time we had in Moline!     After two years of planning and organizing, the “Gathering” week arrived with sunshine and warmth, this after a winter of snow and cold temperatures in the Midwest. The sunshine provided the framework for a wonderful week during which John Deere two-cylinder and New Generation tractor devotees enjoyed talking, learning and enjoying everything related to the leaping Deere. People came from thirty-seven states, Canada, the Netherlands and South Africa to participate in this special get together.     Counting the 1300+ John Deere enthusiasts who pre-registered for the full conference, and the 350+ who registered at the door during the conference, we can proudly say that the four sponsoring antique tractor clubs produced a “Gathering” that was enjoyed by all. At the final activity, the Saturday evening banquet, the 650+ people who attended were asked to complete a short evaluation form that gave each person an opportunity to present suggestions for making the conference better, indicate favorite activities, and give an overall impression of the conference. We’re proud to announce that the attendees were enthusiastically pleased, genuinely and warmly complimentary, and eager to learn the specifics of when and where the 2010 conference will be held. To a person, they expressed their amazement at the quality of this conference, planned and executed by a group of “just folks” from the four sponsoring clubs who give countless hours of time, talent and gas money to pull this off. None of these dedicated John Deere volunteers had experience in planning and producing a program of this magnitude when the first “Gathering” was offered in 2000, but the success of that initial conference and the following four inspired them to proceed with “GOG” 2008 – “Preserving the Past.”     For those of you who have never attended a “Gathering of the Green,” there’s really no way to adequately describe the atmosphere this 2008 conference provided, such as opportunities to learn from forty-three workshop leaders from across the nation who are experts in their field; to listen to the interesting evening speakers; to shop the huge vendor areas; to travel by bus to various sites in the Midwest to marvel at the collections of dedicated John Deere enthusiasts; to witness the John Deere factories at work, turning out the wonderful products we all admire; to visit historic sites in the area and learn more about the people, places and things that brought us to the present; and to enjoy the incredible collections of agricultural items ranging from tractors to telephones that were assembled inside and outside the hotel. Sixty-two tractors were displayed in front of the hotel, ranging from John Deere’s first tractor, the Waterloo Boy, to their most recent high-tech, “mega-machine,” the new John Deere 9630 four-wheel-drive Scraper Special. But perhaps most of all is the camaraderie that was enjoyed and treasured by the attendees. If you walked into this conference not knowing a soul, it’s guaranteed you would leave with a list of phone numbers and e-mails of many new friends you would have made and with whom you would want to keep in touch.     We think the comments from Gathering attendees shared with us on the evaluations, e-mails, letters and telephone calls best tell the story of what people experienced during their week in Moline. Here are few: It’s not a tractor show but rather a “Gathering” family reunion. My first time at the “Gathering” and I was blown away. This is a first-class event. What an awesome program and what a super, super job of decorating. Thanks to all of the volunteer planners who organize this event. Their results surpass those of professional trade show organizers Each Gathering gets better. Everything from the displays to the seminars were just great. I met so many people that I didn’t want to go home. “Gathering of the Green” is appropriately named. The quality of this entire event has exceeded our expectations. The vendors were great, lots to see and buy, and with everything under one roof, it was easy to comparison shop. What really caught your eye as you drove up were the tractors on display outside the Holiday Inn. The only problem I had is I couldn’t attend all the sessions I wanted. And I wanted to attend them all! I am excited to come, humbled to be here and appreciate the friends I’ve made and the knowledge I’ve gained. I loved the tractors and display. If you build it, I will come. You are my “Field of Dreams.” Congrats to the many John Deere admirers who made it the “Show of Shows.” We had the time of our lives. This was the best one yet and they are only getting better. Please share with the planning committee a huge thank you for the awesome conference. Each time it gets better and I think you can’t top the last conference, but you did. All of the workshops I attended were professionally done and extremely informative. The planning committee was very gracious and did an amazing job of putting everything together. I have to say this was one of the best organized events we have attended.     And finally, this comment captures the spirit of the conference: My highest praises go out to the entire staff of the Gathering of the Green for a remarkable and thoroughly enjoyable 2008 “Gathering of the Green.”     Excuse us for “tooting our own horn” with the help of these kind attendees’ evaluations, but we felt you would all be interested in some honest opinions. We deeply appreciate all the compliments as well as the thoughtful and creative suggestions and recommendations. That’s what has helped us improve the “Gathering” over the years.     What more can be said except, thank you for joining us in Moline to help Preserve the Past. Best Regards, From Ken Reese, Mark Johnson and all the Gathering volunteer planners and workers.