ACC Dinner - What Could we do Differently Next Time?

[Snoop Doug]

Hi folks

We had a really good do @ the Wotton House this year, as you will have seen from other posts. I'm specifically interested to learn what might encourage more folk to come along to future dinners? This time around there was a drop in numbers when compared to the previous two years.

This is of interest and relevance first and foremost because we want to try to make the event inclusive and open to as many members as possible. Of lesser (but still relevant) consequence, the club has to make certain commitments to the venue when we set things up, and our commitments v numbers didn't match up this year.

Deliberately leaving a blank canvas for you so please don't be shy - we want to learn and improve.

Cheers - Snoop

[George]

Start selling tickets earlier.

[Antloony]

1 - To expensive. £30 per head in my opinion is asking a bit much. I did think about going with her indoors, its a great way for her to meet the people I mention when I bore her to death with my club run tales but at £60 plus a few quid for drinks your getting nearer the £100 mark plus she's a vegetarian and there was nothing at all on the menu that she would have chosen.

2 Venue was far away. Ok a coach was laid on which is great but that restricts you to what time you wish to leave. If you want to leave early and your on the coach your stuffed. Taxi is out of the question due to cost.

3 - Timing. Straight after xmas when everyone is partied out and more than likely feeling the pinch as we all know how expensive xmas can be.

I'm not knocking the organizers, they did a good job. You wanted opinions so there's mine, please don't shoot me for it.

[Alex P]

I do think that we were hampered by the weather this year as normally we will be trying to sell tickets in the weeks leading up to the do but that was v.difficult this year.

The good things of the ACC Annual Dinners is that we get together and socialise, anything that we can do to maximise this is a plus, so my thruppennys worth:

Venue location - something nearer where the core of our members live i.e. Croydon (SPH) so a choice of travel available
Venue quality - we have now been spoilt with the last three events so I think that there is no going back
Should we have music / dancing - will attract more partners might make it more of a "Ladies night"
Should we also have a separate prize giving event e.g. a lunch, cheaper and more specific, then only do social prizes at the evening do
Pre Bar with free drink - yes a must as it starts everybody socialising
Ice breakers (quiz) on the table are good as it gets people who might not know each other talking
Consider silver service rather than a buffet as the buffet takes a long time table by table, wasn't too bad this time as there were not that many people
However on the plus side a buffet breaks it up a bit and gives people a chance to move to other tables to talk
The food was fantastic this time need to keep that going
Definately coffee after the meal
I do not think that we need a guest speaker, didn't miss it this time, Joyce's speech was a hit
Different prizes for the raffle, easy to say but harder to achieve I know but I have some ideas
Finish at 12:00 but have the option to go into the bar afterwards to continue the socialising until v.late

There you go.

[Rob Q]

Snoop,
I thought the food was good, but at £30 a head a bit steep. I agree with Antloony once you add the drinks (also a tad pricey especially the wine) it can turn out to be a pretty expensive night.
Venue was great, but once we were in the eating area we could have been in any hotel really and it felt like any old conference room.
Although I like the idea of different venues, I think the majority would prefer something a bit closer to home (within a 10 - 15 mile radius of Croydon).
Liked the pace of the prize giving and the quiz on the table was good fun.
Don't think a disco would add any benefit, cause of time restraints, but a venue where if you wanted either had a late night bar for those who wish to give it large.

Well done to all that organised it this year. I had a great time.

[Marcus]

I think in asking the question Snoop wanted to know what would make those that didn't attend this year, attend in the future.
I'm with Ant. I think the main reasons were price, two tickets at £60 bit pricey.Location, I think if it was closer to home, Croydon, Coulsdon then more would attend. To be honest if the location was closer I think the price would be overlooked. But the combination of the two may have been enough to put Agreeables off.

[Phil H]

I was going to come, but I didn't think the ACC was ready to see me when I've been drinking (Saturday morning hangovers excepted).

[Rob Q]

[quote="Marcus"]I think in asking the question Snoop wanted to know what would make those that didn't attend this year, attend in the future.

[Snoop Doug]

This is great feedback folks - I'll take it any way I can so to Antloony's point - don't be shy - no one will be chastised for being constructive, frank and honest. Good work keep it up.

Snoop

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="Antloony"]plus she's a vegetarian and there was nothing at all on the menu that she would have chosen.

[Snoop Doug]

Has anyone been to an event @ Coulsdon Manor recently? I had my wedding reception there in the Neolithic period. However they offered me a v good deal indeed last year for our dinner. Before I approach them again keen to know if the place has been road tested at all of late?

Cheers - Snoop

[djembi]

music would be nice

[John the old'un]

Had planned to come along with partner and stay overnight; that was until I found it was not to be at Selsdon Park but somewhere "out in the sticks"
So as far as I am concerned, it was the venue which was important. Needed somewhere local to Croydon which includes top quality accommodation.
Cheers all.

[George]

[quote="John the old'un"]Had planned to come along with partner and stay overnight; that was until I found it was not to be at Selsdon Park but somewhere "out in the sticks"
So as far as I am concerned, it was the venue which was important. Needed somewhere local to Croydon which includes top quality accommodation.
Cheers all.

[Rob Q]

[quote="Snoop Doug"]Has anyone been to an event @ Coulsdon Manor recently? I had my wedding reception there in the Neolithic period. However they offered me a v good deal indeed last year for our dinner. Before I approach them again keen to know if the place has been road tested at all of late?

Cheers - Snoop