[CamUK] [viewable by all] A request by David Wade (davywavy)

[karohemd]

I'm posting this here as not very many people are on UK General anymore.
Dave is looking into venues for the 2003 UK National Event (Vamp/Mage) and asks the following:

"Looking at the Cam C/A (plus others) national for 2003, I'm looking at a fairly stark choice between keeping costs to attendees down and getting venue quality up.

Now, what would people prefer: Would people be prepared to swallow increased attendance costs - perhaps £20-30 for the full two days to see the national in a really good venue, or would people prefer to keep costs down and accept that this will probably result in a less atmospheric venue?"

Please reply here or to Dave's journal directly, I'll pass the replies on

Comments

[georgechance.livejournal.com]

Well, how do you mean? Are you talking about which hotel/banquet hall you wanna get? Or are you talking decor?

From what I have seen in the US, and it may not quite translate...go cheaper if you can, and then get anything else you need by calling out for player support.

Just a quick random thought for you.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

The actual hotel the convention will be held at. And yes, decor plays into it.

Basically, do we want a nice, atmospheric location with plush carpets, wall panelling, open fireplaces or suchlike or a modern, cold, sterile, more reasonably priced convention center type venue?

The responses so far indicate that players would happily spend more if the venue was nicer but it's early yet.

[georgechance.livejournal.com]

Well my perception will be screwed a bit as the US has more players (not making an issue, just pointing out that we have more on a shoestring budget people on the whole than you...least I THINK the numbers work out that way hehe) and the fact the country is so much larger travel is a huge issue, not sure if it is as much an issue for you....

Cheaper will get you the ability to bring the most amount of your membership. At least kill one excuse. As to decor? You may be able to make it????

But, you know it better over there...the more expensive MAY be your better option.

I just wish I could afford to come over there and play with you all

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

The US obviously has more members but I think the percentage of low income members is about the same.
The cost is definitely an issue for a lot of members. The majority of the membership consists of your average student with just about enough income to afford their living and that on loan. The well-off professional with money spare is the exception, really.
Last year we had (I think) not more than 250 attending members, which, in relation to (guesstimate) 1200 members total, isn't too bad.
Obviously, we'd like to cater for the highest number possible but some moan when they have to travel 200 miles...

Compared to the US, travel isn't much of an issue, really, the distance between the two farthest removed Domains/Chapters is 600 miles (I hear you laughing already, that's probably the distance to the next chapter in the us for some).

Well, we'll see what we get.

[georgechance.livejournal.com]

Ok, I didn't know that state of money in the UK, so you have a good percentage that are on a budget. I would look into...if possible, how you can make a cheaper place have better atmosphere...but that is just me :)

And I am not laughing at that 600 miles, the US players are used to traveling a distance to play, but if you are not used to it...the distance becomes huge :)

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

actually, we have about 600 paid memebrs at any one time...we've had about 1200 memebrs total sice the cam started.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

600 seems more realistic to me as well, I think I was thinking of something else.

Not many??

[raggedyman.livejournal.com]

Theres about 225+ users left on that list!

Re: Not many??

[kizzie.livejournal.com]

and less by the day...

oh yes.. - ozzy... my response is to stop trying to cram so much into one weekend event *grins* oh and as long as its not _too_ much paying a bit more might be okay... but some of us are poor students...

[toxicpixie.livejournal.com]

Go cheap, and dress it up...

Nathan, The Toxic Pixie