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This will be my first trip to the Rally (yes, I'm a virgin) and I've read where many of you have raved about the mentoring program; even standing in line for four or five hours to be teamed up with the right mentor. I'm certainly willing to do that (if my flight gets me there in time). Can someone please tell me more about that. What does it entail? How do you know who to ask for or even who is available? When and how do you sign up? When does it occur? Thanks.

Hey Don,

Sometime in the next few weeks, you should be receiving a packet from TAXI, or at the very least, a downloadable link, with all the information about the Road Rally that you'll need to know. Included in that list will be a bio description for each of the mentors that are available. They are divided into 2 groups, morning and afternoon. There may be some mentors who are in both groups but I believe the majority of them are only listed in one group. So from their bios, you can get a sense of their history, accomplishments, current position, etc... which you can use to compare against what your current goals/needs are.

On Thursday night, once you've completed your initial registration for the Rally, you can then go and sign up for your mentor. Each mentor will have various time slots available to them. It's recommended that you have 5 or 6 mentors picked out ahead of time, just in case the one you want isn't available, you'll be able to go to your next choice, etc...

The actual mentoring session will take place on Friday at the time you selected, either in the morning or afternoon. If for some reason, you're not able to get a mentor session, as they are on a limited first-come, first-served basis, if it's like last year, they will have a "drive by" mentor room available in the evenings for those who didn't get a one-on-one session.

HTH,
- Big Blue

I was wondering about this as well - thanks for the info Barry -

kc

Great response from BBB. One tidbit to add - the mentoring sessions are 10 minutes long. If you miss your time slot you are out of luck. So it's good to be at your appointment early and have your music and your questions ready!

Good Info, see you guys at the Rally!

Has anybody seen the mentor bio list yet? The link on the website takes you to an anchor on the schedule page.

One thing too... the mentor thing is a really quick event (like speed dating for them since they see so many people so quickly). You can definitely get some good one-on-one feedback and information but don't expect the equivalent of a marriage proposal.

At my first Rally (2004) my mentor session kind of went bust since I was his first slot and he was late. I ran into him later in the day and he remembered me (that I didn't really get a session) and offered to let me listen to some music on his iPod for me to get an idea of what kind of music he was looking for. Well... he's got a super-high end boutique library and I don't know if I'm ready for it now... I certainly wasn't back then and nothing really came of it. But... I've seen him a subsequent Taxi Rally events and he knows me now because I'm more visible in general and because I've made sure to say "hi" and chat a bit when I do see him. Whenever I'm ready to send him music I know I'll get a fair listen.

So... it's kind of that long-term plan thing. Use your first Rally to create a little foundation for future business. And, if you pick up a deal right away... great!!

On Friday and Saturday night is another session called Drive By. It is usually held in the 2 rooms at the top of the escallator, next to LA Music. These are many of the same mentors from the day session. It runs from 6:00PM till 9:00 PM and you also get 1 on 1 for 10 minutes. It is a first come first served. You go in and sit on the side that the mentor you want is, and wait your turn. be sure to note who comes in after you because often, no, always two mentors are on a side, and you will not know who is waiting for who.

Hi Don,

Regarding the mentors... it CAN be worth waiting in line for several hours, but only if it's to meet someone you really, really want to talk to and you did research on.

For the past three years, we arrived at the Westin around 2:00 p.m. and stood in line for HOURS. We did get the mentors we wanted every time. But was it worth it? Absolutely.

The first year, our mentor was tough and honest. We still see him around L.A. at various events (in fact just two days ago we saw him!), and he always gives us good advice and tips every time. He's a good friend of Michael Laskow and gave us some juicy tidbits about him!!! (Hehehe)

The next year, our mentor was great (Hi Cat Herder!), and we actually signed a TAXI Deal with him.

Last year, our mentor was absolutely useless! We can't even remember his name!!!! That's how it goes. It's luck of the draw. You can do a TON of research, get in line early, forego lunch and dinner, and then find out that the mentor you wanted is no longer available. ARGGGGG!!!!

Cat Herder is absolutely right. Look for the Drive-By Mentors (we call them "Drive-By Shooters" because... never mind!). Or hang out in the Lobby Bar. A lot of them go there to chill. That's where the real action is, believe it or not!

~ Tracey & Vance Marino

"It's who you know and who knows YOU."

Still no info on who the mentors will be? I can't find a list on the site and haven't received anything via mail. You'd think it'd be the http://www.taxi.com/rally/10/ballroom.htm#one-one link on the website, but it's just an anchor on the schedule page.

I'd like to plan for who to stand in line for if possible.