Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 16:49:36 GMT
Hi guys!
Sorry if my replies seem a bit disjointed but I'm currently without a working PC so I'm dependent on my tablet for everything and it's not too great! Anyway, thanks for all the great comments and feedback. I'll try to cover as many as I can here...
I agree that Sunday was a lot quieter and from I have heard the cash point seems to have had a bigger impact on things than first thought. Across the board money just wasn't there to be spent - dealers, the auction, bars, anywhere and people seemed quieter as a result. Late night in the bar Sunday seemed a lot more subdued than normal as well but this is something I'll be bringing up with the Hilton.
With the sound levels, we used a new AV company this year so there was a slight learning curve. My plan was to run episodes during gaps (with quieter sound levels) but for some reason this didn't happen but I will check into this.
Back to the Hilton and despite the attendees present from Quilt Con and other events in the hotel itself, they screwed upand had a lot of staff of that weekend and they had to call many back in. Not good but hopefully something they'll learn from. On the bedroom front, all I can honestly say is register early. The hotel only gives us a set number of rooms initially but they will add more if we need them. However, if there are other events going on then it will be on a first come first served basis. I know I say it every year, but booking your room costs nothing and avoids disappointment.
Now the halls... we have tried a split format before and it was a disaster. The atmosphere was dead and from our point of view security was a nightmare. Doing the same now would bring new problems to deal with. I'm certainly not going to rule it out as a future option but with venues like the Hilton we need to plan 1-2 years in advance! Anyway to have a split format would involve additional room hire, extra AV hire, an additional 40+ hours of volunteer time so realistically we can't do it until we reach a stable 1,000 attendees. The Hilton does have a bigger hall and we're looking at this for 2015 but again we need the support for 2014 to be able to move up to that room. As for relocating, there aren't any other hotels in the UK capable of holding AA! Some have the hall space but not accommodation and others have bedrooms but not function space. In fact, all that is left are a couple of holiday camps and they're no good for transport!
I won't go on any more for now but Ralph if you have got comments or suggestions please come straight to me as your other concerns in the past may not have been forwarded on to me.
Simon
Sorry if my replies seem a bit disjointed but I'm currently without a working PC so I'm dependent on my tablet for everything and it's not too great! Anyway, thanks for all the great comments and feedback. I'll try to cover as many as I can here...
I agree that Sunday was a lot quieter and from I have heard the cash point seems to have had a bigger impact on things than first thought. Across the board money just wasn't there to be spent - dealers, the auction, bars, anywhere and people seemed quieter as a result. Late night in the bar Sunday seemed a lot more subdued than normal as well but this is something I'll be bringing up with the Hilton.
With the sound levels, we used a new AV company this year so there was a slight learning curve. My plan was to run episodes during gaps (with quieter sound levels) but for some reason this didn't happen but I will check into this.
Back to the Hilton and despite the attendees present from Quilt Con and other events in the hotel itself, they screwed upand had a lot of staff of that weekend and they had to call many back in. Not good but hopefully something they'll learn from. On the bedroom front, all I can honestly say is register early. The hotel only gives us a set number of rooms initially but they will add more if we need them. However, if there are other events going on then it will be on a first come first served basis. I know I say it every year, but booking your room costs nothing and avoids disappointment.
Now the halls... we have tried a split format before and it was a disaster. The atmosphere was dead and from our point of view security was a nightmare. Doing the same now would bring new problems to deal with. I'm certainly not going to rule it out as a future option but with venues like the Hilton we need to plan 1-2 years in advance! Anyway to have a split format would involve additional room hire, extra AV hire, an additional 40+ hours of volunteer time so realistically we can't do it until we reach a stable 1,000 attendees. The Hilton does have a bigger hall and we're looking at this for 2015 but again we need the support for 2014 to be able to move up to that room. As for relocating, there aren't any other hotels in the UK capable of holding AA! Some have the hall space but not accommodation and others have bedrooms but not function space. In fact, all that is left are a couple of holiday camps and they're no good for transport!
I won't go on any more for now but Ralph if you have got comments or suggestions please come straight to me as your other concerns in the past may not have been forwarded on to me.
Simon
) There are also ways around it - I took small pasta pots with me, which were just right for a light lunch. I found that the hotel were good in rectifying some issues, such as setting up an extra breakfast hall; although I didn't have need of it, I found the dedicated left luggage room a welcome good idea.
