I've stayed out of this thus far, but here's my un-biased opinion.
Pros of having the rally near the plant:
-obviously the factory tour is great for first-timers and potential customers (at the same time, I honestly could care less about the factory tour after doing it several times and would rather spend my time on the water)
-gift shop to buy t-shirts/hats is a perk
-I think east TN is much more scenic
-bars/restaraunts on the lake seem to be more frequent in east TN (the west TN location has a few but more spread out)
-APPLE PIE!
Cons:
-Better running water where we were at this year
-Sandy beachs to park on instead of floating around all day
-variety.....I don't wanna take a vacation to the same place year after year (I know some don't like change but try it before you knock it)
-Accomodations.....I thought the hotel we used this year had a better layout than east TN hotels i've stayed at in past years. The quad out back was perfect for cooking out and lounging in the evenings and the management gave us the run of the place for the most part.
-Convenience....there was a kroger 2 doors down from the hotel this year, and a walmart right down the road.
With that said, once we have a poll I'm going wherever the majority vote to have the rally.
I agree with what some said before....the rally is about the owners. This is the "Allison Owners Rally", not the "Allison Factory Rally". I've been to the factory several times thru past rallies and running up there to have work done, etc. I don't think the factory tour makes or breaks the rally.
I honestly thought this last rally @ Clifton was the most fun rally I've attended yet. Now....maybe that was due to the organizers doing a fantastic job with the arrangements and accomodations, maybe it was due to a great location. Either way, I haven't heard complaints from anybody that attended. The only complaints I heard came from those that did not attend and it's pretty hard to judge an event if you werent there.
Another point I want to touch on....there's been several comments made about the Allisons 'taking time off work' to attend the rally. For them, it shouldn't be about taking time off work. It should be about promoting their product. I like the heck out of both Nancy and Darris, a couple of the finest people I've ever done business with. If I didn't, I wouldn't own an Allison. But they are only a small piece of the rally. Even at the east TN rallies, I usually only see the Allisons on the factory tour day. I was really suprised to see them on the water one after noon in 07. But outside those few hours we spend with those two, the other 95% of the rally is about the owners hanging out on the water, cooking out in the parking lot, and wrenching on broke stuff out behind the hotel.