We have selected some of the survey responses in order to provide feedback. We appreciate all the suggestions and comments that you took the time to give us. Working together we can make 2010 even better.


What comments or compliments do you have concerning the hotel?

  • Very friendly & accommodating staff

  • Well worn, but clean

  • Location is great.

  • Great servicing of the rooms.

  • Parking was limited

  • Need more grass for pets

  • Rates were very reasonable

Overall comments for the Sidney James were positive. We did receive some responses that parking was difficult. Keep in mind that our event does completely fill the hotel. There is parking on top of the parking deck which is entered to the right of the hotel entrance. Grass in Gatlinburg is in low supply. The hotel donates the sod that we use in the greyhound outhouse. In 2010 we plan to fence in the grass area next to the Court Side bldg for those dogs that prefer to eliminate off leash. The Sidney James is most convenient for our activities. The Four Seasons that we used for vending is a pet friendly hotel and can be used as well.


We did receive feedback concerning the Garden Plaza (aka old Holiday Inn) next door. We apologize for any problems you experienced with the employees of that hotel. We did discuss this with management of the hotel but received unsatisfactory results.


Did you enjoy the Friday lunch?

Did you enjoy the Rotary Club cookout on Saturday?


  • Same menu but serve in boxes like last year

  • Very nice, great value

  • Hotdogs, hamburgers are always nice

  • Baked beans were fabulous

  • Cookout was unhealthy, don’t eat red meat

  • Add fruit to menu

Due to an emergency medical issue Gatlinburg Farms had to cancel their catering events. They did not cancel our lunch as they are both ‘dog’ people. Because of this emergency we suggested they serve the food on trays instead of boxing each individual order. In exchange they provided potato salad at no cost to the group. We apologize that it took longer to get people through the food line but we are glad you did enjoy lunch once you got it.


We may have a change in food next year and we will be looking to add chicken for the cookout if we can get a reasonable price.


Did you enjoy the seminars on Friday and Saturday?

  • Animal Communicator was great

  • Second Chance Prison Program was very informative

  • Seminar room too small

  • Great first-aid class. Suggest using a live hound to demonstrate/reference body parts

  • Can animal communicator give suggestions for talking to our dogs? How does she do it?

  • Too crowded – leave dogs in room.

  • Dr. Couto was wonderful

  • Outstanding speaker (Dr. Couto)

  • Extremely informative and educational (Dr. Couto)

Positive feedback was received on all the seminars. We also received good suggestions for 2010. If you would like to give a seminar at Mountain Hounds let us know. Or if you know someone who will speak or demo please give us their info.


We realize that the seminar room is small and next year will be moving the registration tables out of the room to make more space available. Dogs will always be welcome in the seminars as we know they want to be with you and you with them.


Did you enjoy the Lua Roo on Saturday?

  • This time should be spent socializing and relaxing

  • Louder speakers maybe, but it rocked

  • Better public address system

  • No theme necessary

  • Raffle took a while—dogs started to get restless

  • Have water bowls available for dogs

  • More seating

  • Fruit available instead of a cake

  • Start earlier it ran long

Thank you for your feedback. We are making changes in 2010 for the raffle so we do not do all the drawings at the park but we promise to still have fun. The only seating available at the park is the picnic tables under the pavilion. Please bring blankets or chairs for you and your greyhound so that you are comfortable.


While we would love to have a louder PA system where we could even play music for enjoyment due to city ordinance we are not allowed to have amplified sound at the park. Gatlinburg has been very accommodating to our event and we want to adhere to their rules.


And we WILL have water at the pavilion for the dogs. That was overlooked and we apologize to our thirsty four-legged friends!

What activities at Mountain Hounds did you enjoy the most?

What activities at Mountain Hounds did you enjoy the least?

  • BINGO


Yes Greyhound Bingo was listed on both questions. The response to the games on Thursday night was a surprise. What a crowd! We are glad you came and hope that even though it was crowded that you had fun. We will have fans next year to help with cooling the room. And we will look at arranging the tables differently to allow more room.


What would you like to see included for 2010?

  • More time with Reverend Susan

  • A group time to go for drinks-maybe Wed or Thur night

  • Dog sitting during vendor

  • More games, especially for seniors

  • Coffee & Doughnuts in the park in the morning

  • Repeat last years contests for prettiest eyes, longest tail, etc

  • Suggested Seminars:

    • Traveling with greyhounds

    • Hands on sessions – use of Dremel for nails, clipping, trick training, behavior training

    • Feeding your greyhound

    • Holistic approach to basic care


Thank you for your suggestions! If you have other seminar ideas please email gfncgreyhound@bellsouth.netand if you have contacts that could hold a seminar we would love that information.