It’s the last day of Euro Camp Jeep 2008…somewhat bittersweet. It’s been a fantastic event, but admittedly the people behind the scene are ready for a little R&R (rest and relaxation).
The highlight of the day for me was the Jeep Challenge…as easy as falling off a bike! The Jeep Challenge is made up of multiple activates, all enabling a team to earn chips that buy logs required to building the platform to move a Jeep Wrangler across the obstacle course. Climbing the rope ladder, walking across the tightrope roughly 20 meters off the ground and riding the zip line 80 meters down to the ground will get you a chip. Fascinating to watch, and even more thrilling to complete in. Yet, the section that requires participants to ride a bike over various obstacles is the most difficult for many people. So many riders fall off the boards in the manmade teeter totters! They are falling over, running into rocks, knocking over our camera crew or simply just falling off the bike! It has been a Mecca for our film crew to grab entertaining footage for our daily video recap during the Jeep Party!
After a few strong rain bursts this afternoon, the sky cleared enough tonight when we once again handed out the awards for winners of the Jeep Map, Jeep Trek, Jeep Challenge and finally, the Fashion Show. The teams brought so much energy to the stage when they were recognized for winning one of these challenges. The competition was fierce by the time we got to the fashion show. From Austria’s spelling out “Euro Camp Jeep” with the jerseys to the Jeep Green shirts of the Swiss, and their spirit, well…der Schweizer took home the trophy while the Austrians received runner up. A close finish!
And we had a celebration of another type of this year’s Euro Camp Jeep. Here’s commitment…Peter and Lydia Seidl got married this past Saturday and on Sunday arrived at Euro Camp Jeep. Now that’s enthusiasm for this event!
Finally, an update on our carbon-neutral project with Waldaktie, an organization which plants trees in the first tourism forest in Germany through donations. In addition the 660 trees that Jeep sponsored at the start of the event, 426 teams finished the Jeep Challenge and registered for another tree to be sponsored in their name. So all together, Jeep sponsored 1,086 trees, officially making Euro Camp Jeep 2008 carbon-positive! Thanks to everyone who finished the Challenge!
The band is done playing now, the crowd is gone and all that’s left is breaking down the stage, packing up everything…and we’re already talking about how we are going to make next year’s Euro Camp Jeep even more exciting and spectacular! Hope to see you in 2009!Every day is an adventure…have fun out there in a Jeep!
--Judy Wheeler, Director International Marketing
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
July 7
Now that I’ve been here for a few days, I feel like a veteran…until I talk to some of our customers who have come for six, seven or even eight events – every single Euro Camp Jeep!
We invite every participant to give us their comments, and we read every single one. I want to share one with you:
“As a child 8 years old, I can tell you that there is too small number of gifts. So far I’ve got only:
-Seven frisbees
-Jeep Wrangler toy
-Soccer ball
-Five soft toy dolls
Now I would like to get a bike in order to pack all that stuff and take it home! All the best!”
This certainly made me laugh…the kids are having a great time! As a parent, I know that when the children are having a good time, the parents can truly enjoy themselves.
The enthusiasm of this group – Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, the Netherlands and the US Overseas Military Service – is just as contagious as the first group. Maybe even a bit more!
I’m still having fun as the emcee each night from the Jeep stage. In fact, as we read through the last few comment cards from the first group of participants, one of the suggestions was for our team to put on a fashion show with some of the clothing that is for sale in the Jeep Shop. So we pulled it together this afternoon to produce a Jeep Style Fashion Show on stage tonight! It was hilarious! And the best part was, as emcee, I didn’t have to be a model!
As you may already know, we are working with Waldaktie, an organization which plants trees in the first tourism forest in Germany through donations, to make this year’s Euro Camp Jeep a carbon-neutral event. We will donate funds to Waldaktie in order to plant and maintain 660 trees – one for each registered team participating in Euro Camp Jeep 2008. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to register for a tree and Jeep will sponsor another tree in their name. Through today’s activities, the total number of sponsored trees is nearly 900, making this event actually carbon-positive, making the environment better for having this event! Let’s go – we want to reach 1,000!
That’s it from me for today. Tomorrow is the last day of Euro Camp Jeep 2008, but it will be a full, fun-packed day for everyone.
Every day is an adventure…have fun out there in a Jeep!
--Judy Wheeler, Director International Marketing
We invite every participant to give us their comments, and we read every single one. I want to share one with you:
“As a child 8 years old, I can tell you that there is too small number of gifts. So far I’ve got only:
-Seven frisbees
-Jeep Wrangler toy
-Soccer ball
-Five soft toy dolls
Now I would like to get a bike in order to pack all that stuff and take it home! All the best!”
This certainly made me laugh…the kids are having a great time! As a parent, I know that when the children are having a good time, the parents can truly enjoy themselves.
The enthusiasm of this group – Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, the Netherlands and the US Overseas Military Service – is just as contagious as the first group. Maybe even a bit more!
I’m still having fun as the emcee each night from the Jeep stage. In fact, as we read through the last few comment cards from the first group of participants, one of the suggestions was for our team to put on a fashion show with some of the clothing that is for sale in the Jeep Shop. So we pulled it together this afternoon to produce a Jeep Style Fashion Show on stage tonight! It was hilarious! And the best part was, as emcee, I didn’t have to be a model!
As you may already know, we are working with Waldaktie, an organization which plants trees in the first tourism forest in Germany through donations, to make this year’s Euro Camp Jeep a carbon-neutral event. We will donate funds to Waldaktie in order to plant and maintain 660 trees – one for each registered team participating in Euro Camp Jeep 2008. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to register for a tree and Jeep will sponsor another tree in their name. Through today’s activities, the total number of sponsored trees is nearly 900, making this event actually carbon-positive, making the environment better for having this event! Let’s go – we want to reach 1,000!
That’s it from me for today. Tomorrow is the last day of Euro Camp Jeep 2008, but it will be a full, fun-packed day for everyone.
Every day is an adventure…have fun out there in a Jeep!
--Judy Wheeler, Director International Marketing
Monday, July 7, 2008
July 5
The Jeep team has now reset the stage and today we welcomed the participants of the second wave to Land Fleesensee. In addition to over 100 registered vehicles from Germany, we also now have with us Jeep owners from Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary and the Netherlands. We even have a few guests from the US Overseas Military Service. Welcome everyone!
I am seeing more and more four-door Wranglers in addition to our other great models, Today, though, I saw a completely restored Willys MB, a Jeepster and even a J truck! That’s one of the things I love about Euro Camp Jeep is the variety of Jeep vehicles you will only see here.
I should not be, but I am surprised how many customers I remember from the past few years. Many of them tell us that this is an event that they want to come back to every year…and they bring their friends along too!
Since today started for most of the groups by traveling to Land Fleesensee, we treated them to an afternoon of the Jeep activities followed by a meal in the food tents.
We’re getting ready now for the official evening welcome program from the Jeep stage. My favorite part is watching the kids catch the frisbees, stuffed animals and other goodies we toss from the stage! They are so proud of their prizes!
Since it was a short day, it’s only a short note from me tonight. I’m looking forward to a full day of Jeeping with our customers tomorrow.
-Thomas Hausch, Vice President International Sales, Chrysler LLC
I am seeing more and more four-door Wranglers in addition to our other great models, Today, though, I saw a completely restored Willys MB, a Jeepster and even a J truck! That’s one of the things I love about Euro Camp Jeep is the variety of Jeep vehicles you will only see here.
I should not be, but I am surprised how many customers I remember from the past few years. Many of them tell us that this is an event that they want to come back to every year…and they bring their friends along too!
Since today started for most of the groups by traveling to Land Fleesensee, we treated them to an afternoon of the Jeep activities followed by a meal in the food tents.
We’re getting ready now for the official evening welcome program from the Jeep stage. My favorite part is watching the kids catch the frisbees, stuffed animals and other goodies we toss from the stage! They are so proud of their prizes!
Since it was a short day, it’s only a short note from me tonight. I’m looking forward to a full day of Jeeping with our customers tomorrow.
-Thomas Hausch, Vice President International Sales, Chrysler LLC
Saturday, July 5, 2008
July 4
Greetings fellow “Jeepers.”
This has been my first experience at the Euro Camp Jeep event. I have attended the U.S. version in the past. This will be an experience that I will be talking about for years to come. What grabbed my attention right away is the passion of the customers for all of the activities at this event. They do everything with enthusiasm and this great team spirit. It has become a family event for all ages. As I watch people with their families I know great memories are being made that will be treasured for years to come.
Yesterday I watched the Jeep Dragon Boat races…I should be participating and maybe I would have more muscular arms. Watching the teams enter the boats and try to get coordinated…it is quite humorous. By the time they make the turn at the buoy and return they are a well oiled machine, chanting “row” (in various languages by team) to the loud beating of the drum. It is exciting to watch and the enthusiasm by the winning team is infectious. Yesterday I saw a Belgium victory dance and even a conga dance line.
In the evenings I have this wonderful opportunity to emcee (at least that is how it was sold to me)! Watching the response from the crowd as we “toss” t-shirts, footballs, stuffed animals, frisbees etc…is crazy. As they watch the daily video that highlights the activities during the day, there is laughter, bursts of “awww” as they watch bloopers and cheering of the antics caught on film.
Tonight we had the “Fashion Show.” Wow – the time and effort put into the outfits is unbelievable! The show of pride for their country they represent along with the Jeep twist is fantastic! I especially loved the theatrics as they cross the stage as a team. It has now become a true competition that is sought after, the winning team this year was from Greece, with special runner up recognition for the UK and Spain.
That’s all for me – Everyday is an Adventure with Jeep!
-Judy Wheeler, Director International Marketing, Chrysler LLC
This has been my first experience at the Euro Camp Jeep event. I have attended the U.S. version in the past. This will be an experience that I will be talking about for years to come. What grabbed my attention right away is the passion of the customers for all of the activities at this event. They do everything with enthusiasm and this great team spirit. It has become a family event for all ages. As I watch people with their families I know great memories are being made that will be treasured for years to come.
Yesterday I watched the Jeep Dragon Boat races…I should be participating and maybe I would have more muscular arms. Watching the teams enter the boats and try to get coordinated…it is quite humorous. By the time they make the turn at the buoy and return they are a well oiled machine, chanting “row” (in various languages by team) to the loud beating of the drum. It is exciting to watch and the enthusiasm by the winning team is infectious. Yesterday I saw a Belgium victory dance and even a conga dance line.
In the evenings I have this wonderful opportunity to emcee (at least that is how it was sold to me)! Watching the response from the crowd as we “toss” t-shirts, footballs, stuffed animals, frisbees etc…is crazy. As they watch the daily video that highlights the activities during the day, there is laughter, bursts of “awww” as they watch bloopers and cheering of the antics caught on film.
Tonight we had the “Fashion Show.” Wow – the time and effort put into the outfits is unbelievable! The show of pride for their country they represent along with the Jeep twist is fantastic! I especially loved the theatrics as they cross the stage as a team. It has now become a true competition that is sought after, the winning team this year was from Greece, with special runner up recognition for the UK and Spain.
That’s all for me – Everyday is an Adventure with Jeep!
-Judy Wheeler, Director International Marketing, Chrysler LLC
Thursday, July 3, 2008
July 3
This is my 7 th Euro Camp Jeep and let me tell you, like good wine, this event just gets better and better with the years. Not only is this our best attended Euro Camp Jeep ever, but the passion of the customers attending is second to none – particularly among the Spanish crowd who are still celebrating their well-deserved victory in the European Championship. You can’t imagine how I feel having to write those words, particularly due to the fact that I am German and this is the first Euro Camp Jeep conducted on German soil, just an hour north of Berlin . All joking aside, congratulations to a great Selección EspaÑola.
Back to Euro Camp Jeep, yesterday we kicked off the program for more nearly 1,600 customers who, after a whole afternoon of activities, ranging from off-road driving and rock climbing, to canoeing , horse riding and boat racing – danced the night away under the stars in true Jeep style. It is great to witness firsthand how the whole family enjoys their Jeep vehicles and being at one with nature.
I took a half day today to join the Belgium team in a Jeep boat experience, which allowed me to see a water snake and a crab at the Fleesensee Lake.
I have to run now – we’re ready to give the donation to the Waldaktie organization, which plants trees in Germany. We will plant 660 trees, one for each registered team participating in this event. Also, we will sponsor another tree in the name of our customers who ask for it – planting up to 1,320 trees!
After the donation ceremony, a live band will take the stage and play some hits from my younger days…not from the ’40s and ’50s as some of my staff assumes!!
Thank you once again for following this blog. Tomorrow, our director of marketing, Judy Wheeler, will provide her personal experiences about this 8th Euro Camp Jeep. And don’t forget Go Anywhere, Do Anything!
-Thomas Hausch, Vice President International Sales, Chrysler LLC
Back to Euro Camp Jeep, yesterday we kicked off the program for more nearly 1,600 customers who, after a whole afternoon of activities, ranging from off-road driving and rock climbing, to canoeing , horse riding and boat racing – danced the night away under the stars in true Jeep style. It is great to witness firsthand how the whole family enjoys their Jeep vehicles and being at one with nature.
I took a half day today to join the Belgium team in a Jeep boat experience, which allowed me to see a water snake and a crab at the Fleesensee Lake.
I have to run now – we’re ready to give the donation to the Waldaktie organization, which plants trees in Germany. We will plant 660 trees, one for each registered team participating in this event. Also, we will sponsor another tree in the name of our customers who ask for it – planting up to 1,320 trees!
After the donation ceremony, a live band will take the stage and play some hits from my younger days…not from the ’40s and ’50s as some of my staff assumes!!
Thank you once again for following this blog. Tomorrow, our director of marketing, Judy Wheeler, will provide her personal experiences about this 8th Euro Camp Jeep. And don’t forget Go Anywhere, Do Anything!
-Thomas Hausch, Vice President International Sales, Chrysler LLC
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
First day at Euro Camp Jeep 2008
I’m really excited to be in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region in Northern Germany for my first Euro Camp Jeep.
I was thrilled to be able to leave our corporate HQ and to meet with customers and Jeep enthusiasts face-to-face at Euro Camp Jeep. This gathering continues to grow every year as the largest single 4x4 brand customer event in Europe. It’s the customers’ passion which inspires us to continue to follow the ‘go anywhere do anything’ philosophy.
It was great to see our customers arriving in the morning – hundreds of families in every model of Jeep. The vehicles proudly displaying their country flags and many with five, six and seven flags from previous Camp Jeep events they have been to! What a fantastic brand Jeep is!
When I first arrived, I was able to greet around 40 international media guests at an early evening welcome reception followed by our opening press conference. Journalists are already here from France, Italy, Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden, the UK, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia, with more from Spain and Finland arriving today.
The Euro Camp Jeep main stage was a great setting for our outdoor press conference with the magnificent Radisson Schloss Fleesensee Hotel as a backdrop.
We gave the journalists a glimpse into the future with details of the Jeep Renegade Concept vehicle and its advanced propulsion systems and some near future product enhancements for Jeep such as the latest interior upgrades for the Commander, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. The journalists, many from specialist off-road publications, were especially interested to hear about the new Jeep J8 multi-purpose vehicle, which is being showcased here at Euro Camp Jeep.
While the PR guys kept me busy – probably the most productive part of my day will be to engage in face-to-face dialogue with Jeep aficionados and their families. This promises to be a great program with terrific weather.
My team and I will keep you posted on all the happenings at Euro Camp Jeep – stay tuned!
Mike Manley
I was thrilled to be able to leave our corporate HQ and to meet with customers and Jeep enthusiasts face-to-face at Euro Camp Jeep. This gathering continues to grow every year as the largest single 4x4 brand customer event in Europe. It’s the customers’ passion which inspires us to continue to follow the ‘go anywhere do anything’ philosophy.
It was great to see our customers arriving in the morning – hundreds of families in every model of Jeep. The vehicles proudly displaying their country flags and many with five, six and seven flags from previous Camp Jeep events they have been to! What a fantastic brand Jeep is!
When I first arrived, I was able to greet around 40 international media guests at an early evening welcome reception followed by our opening press conference. Journalists are already here from France, Italy, Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden, the UK, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia, with more from Spain and Finland arriving today.
The Euro Camp Jeep main stage was a great setting for our outdoor press conference with the magnificent Radisson Schloss Fleesensee Hotel as a backdrop.
We gave the journalists a glimpse into the future with details of the Jeep Renegade Concept vehicle and its advanced propulsion systems and some near future product enhancements for Jeep such as the latest interior upgrades for the Commander, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. The journalists, many from specialist off-road publications, were especially interested to hear about the new Jeep J8 multi-purpose vehicle, which is being showcased here at Euro Camp Jeep.
While the PR guys kept me busy – probably the most productive part of my day will be to engage in face-to-face dialogue with Jeep aficionados and their families. This promises to be a great program with terrific weather.
My team and I will keep you posted on all the happenings at Euro Camp Jeep – stay tuned!
Mike Manley
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