Right or wrong / Good or Bad at Neil Garner Open Day

Right or wrong / Good or Bad at Neil Garner Open Day

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Discussion

marz92

Original Poster:

1,673 posts

236 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
In order to learn and improve always for the following year, as one of the co organisers, I thought I would put out a post for any constructive criticism re the Open Day last Saturday at SN16 9SH. We have so far heard nothing but positive reports which is very encouraging for us organisers - even the new TVR owners were full of praise.

We personally believe after the first two shows, this one, was by far the best...

However, we realise that it is not a perfect world and there will always be something inevitably wrong somewhere, so this is your chance to tell us.... If it is something we can learn by and put right for the following year, we no doubt, will do our best.

Over to you.........

Hoover.

5,988 posts

241 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Don't get stuck in a rut...... as after a one or two events becomes stagnant

Done well so far.....first major event of year (always gets everyone out), and also prob last major event of year as lots meet up to say goodbye till next year.

Lectures were good smile ... nice change from tyre kicking of other events

Catering much much better this year ... maybe not for the caters or be so ?

Toilets well spaced

Auction/raffle may of been better of a few hours earlier whilst attendance was it its peak


QuiteQuietCerb

994 posts

222 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
i told my 6 year old there would be a lot of horses at the open day, she was a bit disappointed when she realized i was talking about proper horses. so maybe a couple of ponys for the little ones next yearsmile

sgrimshaw

7,311 posts

249 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
OK, first I will say it was a great event thumbup

I know these events take a lot of effort to set up and run smoothly, well done everyone.

However, there were a couple of things I'd suggest could have been done better and basically both revolve around the lack of information prior to the event.

1. I was personally disappointed that some of the traders that were "advertised" as coming weren't able to make it. It would have been nice to have an updated list on the TVRCC site.
One of my main reasons for coming along was to take advantage of seeing the guys from Surface & Design and asking them to look at my car with a view to gettng a quote for some tidying and a full respray. One of the auction items that was promoted, not sure if it was offered in the end as I left early, was the 20% discount on a respray - another factor in my decision to come along.

2. A list of the workshop content and their times would have helped plan the time spent at the event. I specifically asked for details of the workshops on the TVRCC site and received no reply whatsoever.


marz92

Original Poster:

1,673 posts

236 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
sgrimshaw said:
OK, first I will say it was a great event thumbup

I know these events take a lot of effort to set up and run smoothly, well done everyone.

However, there were a couple of things I'd suggest could have been done better and basically both revolve around the lack of information prior to the event.

1. I was personally disappointed that some of the traders that were "advertised" as coming weren't able to make it. It would have been nice to have an updated list on the TVRCC site.
One of my main reasons for coming along was to take advantage of seeing the guys from Surface & Design and asking them to look at my car with a view to gettng a quote for some tidying and a full respray. One of the auction items that was promoted, not sure if it was offered in the end as I left early, was the 20% discount on a respray - another factor in my decision to come along.

2. A list of the workshop content and their times would have helped plan the time spent at the event. I specifically asked for details of the workshops on the TVRCC site and received no reply whatsoever.



I welcome your comments and thank you for taking the time to reply....

1. Totally with you about the 'advertised' traders, I am responsible. I tried here, but was told NOT too, so had to abide by the Pistonheads rules. For what ever reason, may it be personal or what ever, it is hard work and soul destroying to give up 'ones' free time to organise and get positive replies from traders saying they are coming, only to end up ..... not coming! With regards to D&C and S&D for matters which I will not disclose and honour their wishes, they kept me informed all the time as they so wanted to come and left it to the VERY 'last minute' that they had both had to cancel. With less than 12 hours to go it was impossible to tell one and all out there. However, they were other suppliers who were coming and just never turned up, that I'm afraid is beyond my control and can only be described as frustrating!
I am not a web builder, but in hindsight to the last few weeks, I personally think for the future event our own web page would be good, or even Facebook -then again its another volunteer to man that. With regards to the TVRCC site - yes agree with you, perhaps we should look into that for the future.

2, Did you by any chance pick up a goody bag or even go to the club stand? As there were programmes (a bit late to tell you now, I know!) these were given out free and included a full listings of the workshops and there timings.

Regards P

Byker28i

58,831 posts

216 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Sgrimshaw. As one of the people car parking, I know that everyone who entered through the rear entrance for parking were offered a program saying exactly what time everything was on, with a clear map of the site. Did you get offered one of these?

I thought that was a nice touch this year and provided useful, detailed information for those attending.

As for holding the raffle earlier, perhaps about an hour earlier, but I understand that you couldn't have it too early as people need to arrive, buy tickets etc.

neal1980

2,574 posts

238 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Was a great day but one thing I found was...

Cars of interest were told to park around the side just past the Lamborghini stand. My mates car was there and in the end he decided to move it around to the back with all the other Chimaeras as very few people were down that side all day. (There was a nice shortcut through the garage..

There seemed a lot of space left around the front I would of expected cars of interest to be the main focal point with the trade stands....representing the marque.

Look forward to the next one and hopefully will be in mine smile

sgrimshaw

7,311 posts

249 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi Paul,

The event was a TVRCC event, so the primary site for information should have been the TVRCC one.

I did pick up the goody bag, and I did see the programme.

So there was a predefined list of workshops with timings established in time to get those printed .... that could easily have been shared on the TVRCC site/ forums.

I understand that there are strict rules on PH regarding posting content.

Different restrictions apply on the TVRCC site, there are always going to be rules, but full details on a club sanctioned event can, and should, be disclosed there.

What would be interesting would be to know how many of the people that attended on Saturday were actually members of the TVRCC. Once upon a time, there used to be a small charge levied on non-members to contribute to the cost of things such as TP liability when attending a club event.

Actually, considering we are discussing a TVRCC event this whole discussion should really be taking place on the club site.

If you want to kick it off over there I'd be happy to copy my comments to that thread.

Simon

iac60

1,653 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Get rid of that red griff that was on display hehehehe

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
marz92 said:

I am not a web builder, but in hindsight to the last few weeks, I personally think for the future event our own web page would be good, or even Facebook -then again its another volunteer to man that. With regards to the TVRCC site - yes agree with you, perhaps we should look into that for the future.
Forums like TVRCC and PH are, like it or not, being overtaken by 'soshal meedja' like twitter and facebook.
As this event has not been 'welcomed' here, maybe blatters.com is a way forward for the next one?

PS. Enjoyed the day. thumbup

zed4

7,248 posts

221 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
My only suggestion was to actually have a representative from Neil Garner on a stand somewhere so we could discuss work which we would like doing. I eventually managed to pin down Neil and introduce myself and discuss a full suspension setup at the end of the day when everyone else was leaving. Most of the time everyone in Neil Garner shirts were very busy and I didn’t feel like interrupting them to discuss my car!

Otherwise the day was fantastic, I really enjoyed it and a huge improvement over last year. Well done.

Oldred_V8S

3,714 posts

237 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
A really good event, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Things to improve, hmm, maybe more stands, I understand some of the vendors dropped out at the last minute which is always difficult and is obviously beyond the control of the organisers. Maybe a better sound system for the workshops or a room with better acoustics. I attended the chassis workshop and whilst it was good to see the before and after chassis' others in the room to only look at the chassis,' rather than than listen to Neil, were distracting, not their fault but a little noise carries in a room that size. Maybe a separate room with a door would be a better option.

I liked the idea of a program of events and found the catering good too. On the whole well done to everyone.

marz92

Original Poster:

1,673 posts

236 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys for your comments - we are noting everything here, some things we can do, somethings we can't, but positive feedback all the same. Any further postings still very much welcome - The idea, being we (the organisers) will sit around the table, makes notes and discuss while they are still fresh in the mind and then start planning with hopefully some new ideas later in 2015.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
More nekkid ladies please. And beer.

sgrimshaw

7,311 posts

249 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
LordGrover said:
More nekkid ladies please. And beer.
+1000 ... in case it comes to the vote smile

Byker28i

58,831 posts

216 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
neal1980 said:
Was a great day but one thing I found was...

Cars of interest were told to park around the side just past the Lamborghini stand. My mates car was there and in the end he decided to move it around to the back with all the other Chimaeras as very few people were down that side all day. (There was a nice shortcut through the garage..

There seemed a lot of space left around the front I would of expected cars of interest to be the main focal point with the trade stands....representing the marque.

Look forward to the next one and hopefully will be in mine smile
Speaking as one involved in the parking, We had car parking areas allocated. Non TVR/sports cars in the field, reserving the tarmac areas for those with low height. By the nature of the business park we needed the support of the other companies - there was one company still working until midday so we had to leave access.

The car porn area possibly could be thought about further with cars of interest put somewhere different. We had some interesting vehicles turn up that the organisers probably didn't know about (I know darling, it's a nice day, let's pop along too...) so we tried to use the side area and initial parking on the right as it was thought there was a natural circular route around the site taking in all the vehicles.

Given that 89 cars/owners expressed an interest on the thread and there were lots more attending than that, plus the need to allow people to enter/park/leave when they wanted, I thought the plan of the site used the resources available very well.

Byker28i

58,831 posts

216 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
sgrimshaw said:
The event was a TVRCC event, so the primary site for information should have been the TVRCC one.
Was it? Didn't realise as although a member I don't go on the TVRCC website anymore. Used to be slow moving and too many argumentative people on there, some with admin rights wink

Surely the right place for information is anywhere that publicises the event that people use. That probably does involve social media, I understand that's quite popular (although I do all my socialising down the pub).

V8 GRF

7,294 posts

209 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Byker28i said:
Was it? Didn't realise as although a member I don't go on the TVRCC website anymore. Used to be slow moving and too many argumentative people on there, some with admin rights wink

Surely the right place for information is anywhere that publicises the event that people use. That probably does involve social media, I understand that's quite popular (although I do all my socialising down the pub).
Even slower moving now and some of us have mellowed with age wink


sgrimshaw said:
Hi Paul,

The event was a TVRCC event, so the primary site for information should have been the TVRCC one.

I did pick up the goody bag, and I did see the programme.

So there was a predefined list of workshops with timings established in time to get those printed .... that could easily have been shared on the TVRCC site/ forums.

I understand that there are strict rules on PH regarding posting content.

Different restrictions apply on the TVRCC site, there are always going to be rules, but full details on a club sanctioned event can, and should, be disclosed there.

What would be interesting would be to know how many of the people that attended on Saturday were actually members of the TVRCC. Once upon a time, there used to be a small charge levied on non-members to contribute to the cost of things such as TP liability when attending a club event.

Actually, considering we are discussing a TVRCC event this whole discussion should really be taking place on the club site.

If you want to kick it off over there I'd be happy to copy my comments to that thread.

Simon
OK Post edited as apparently I was talking out of my 'bcensorede. Not the first time and probably not the last . wink

I have been informed that it t was indeed an official TVRCC event and the 'form' was signed and returned to the office so 'mea-culpa' on that one.

It was discussed at the July committee meeting and post that meeting it was subsequently adopted as a TVRCC event but as events isn't my area I was out of the loop on that one.

So I apologise for any confusion caused, I'd still suggest any comments are posted here rather than the TVRCC forum as that's open to more attendees.

Edited by V8 GRF on Tuesday 30th September 17:56

marz92

Original Poster:

1,673 posts

236 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
LordGrover said:
More nekkid ladies please. And beer.
Funny that..... Other have requested that as well! You know who you are!!

Byker28i

58,831 posts

216 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
I'm interested in the More. Does that mean there was some?