Re: UKHA2003 - key learnings?

["u7412ay" <yahoo@xxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Mark McCall" <mark@a...> wrote:
> Here's the thing.  12 weeks away from the event Graham still didn't
have
> enough money in to cover anywhere near its costs.  This was
entering the
> period where you have to pay proportionally the nearer you cancel.
>
> It seemed v hard to get any sort of commitment from people.  Then
the
> weekend itself turned out to be way above our expectations.  But if
people
> HAD pre-booked then we could have had the two big rooms beside each
other
> this year.


December when the bookings were being made that weekend was free.
12 Weeks from the event the weekend was free.
6 weeks before the event I mailed Graham to say I hope to make it but
schedules in the computing industry being what they are....
9 days before the event I had to work the Sunday as a "customer"
had
changed the date they wanted software installing.
I had hoped to come for the 2 days. In the event I only made it on
the Saturday.  A wedding my manager may buy as an excuse not to do
attend work, but as important as I rate going to the HA exhibition I
don't think it would have won.

Perhaps there could be some pro-rata refund if you book early but
can't attend due to other commitments, subject to the minimum fees of
the event being covered?? I don't think hiking the price
significantly would help as I don't think people would then attend on
the day.
On the day I bought SWMBO which in my instance was a good move as on
the way home all that was talked about was how to install C-Bus
lighting but paying extra x 2 would probably have put us off.

Final comments is a thanks to the organisers and presenters for all
the hard work that went in. I know that there were some minor
problems, but as you say it is not the ideal home exhibition. It was
a great event and we really
enjoyed the day. I am just sorry that I missed out on some of the
stuff (Homebrain in particular).

Regards
Allan