Topic: NEAR-Fest III - Feedback Please

[W1COP]

   First thank you to all for your hard work and efforts. The motel was excellent and convienent, cudos for the good rates. Of course
the weather could have been better, "BUT", what could we do about it,,,,I as many from My neck of the woods headed out early on Saturday (11:30) as the rain was just about to start....
   A big gripe already noted was the P.A., I  gave up even trying to stay in the general area as there was so much to see,as well
as all the folks to say hi to and chat with.... Nice seeing and chating with you Mr. Mike!
   And the classes should have been held somewhere else than in a commercial vending area, poor choice....
   The Main gate area has always been a problem no matter where or by any group,including "Hosstraders", separation of
pedestrian traffic, and vehicluar traffic at this venue would be a plus...
    I hope those who stuck it out were rewarded with a prize, because they earned it I still say that the late draw time is a
turn off. I've mentioned it to a few folks up this way who said "Most of the tranactions and purchases and made by noon
and holding everyone to possibly benefit the commercial vendors, does'nt cut it for those who have some distance to travel
and not wishing to stay a second night."

[capvan]

Too many dogs and too many scooters. I saw a LOT of perfectly healthy people zipping around on their wheels. I thought both were going to be limited or banned.

[K1WIZ]

I also noticed that there werent as many announcements being made. Either I just wasn't tuned in to hearing them or there was a lack of them to hear... The person who was doing the info on the radio was great as well as playing great music , but unless you are going to pipe the radio over the PA system there seemed to be a lack of information in general... Nothing like hearing that loud booming voice coming over the PA telling you where and when the exams might be held or where an ATM might be located or if you need help moving that boatanchor ECT... Might have helped for the lack of signage as well......   But again great job on the radio station 95.1  it certainly helped us get in the gate on time....

Randy,

Thanks for your comments!  We enjoyed helping out and entertaining the many visitors of the fest.  Certainly there was some trouble getting the PA together and it did make a HUGE difference in getting some words out.  On the radio we tried a new mix of tuneage that seemed to get awesome results, and we'll bring that back in October as well.  We'll also air the Jam live again as we did this time. 

We worked out a system where general announcements and releases can be emailed directly on our screens from the Command Trailer and we'll likely employ that again as well.  In october, I'll be bringing a dual output Mic preamp so we can use a single mic to feed announcements thru the PA as well as the radio on 95.1FM, though without getting program music coming out of the PA horn!   So that way the PA horns will be peacefully silent unless there is something important that needs attention, and yet visitors can still keep a small transistor radio in their pocket to keep updated on the latest if they are in a building or in the far reaches of the grounds.

BTW, we'd like to see some people do their own shows on 95.1FM!!!  it'd be tons of fun and would make the programming more interactive and provide a richer listening experience.

See you in the fall!

[N1ZZN]

We worked out a system where general announcements and releases can be emailed directly on our screens from the Command Trailer and we'll likely employ that again as well. 

I wish someone had told me this was going on. I remember this was discussed back a few months ago, but I just thought it was something being considered, but never actually happened...

[K1WIZ]

We worked out a system where general announcements and releases can be emailed directly on our screens from the Command Trailer and we'll likely employ that again as well. 

I wish someone had told me this was going on. I remember this was discussed back a few months ago, but I just thought it was something being considered, but never actually happened...

Jeff, In one of our IM conversations, I told you we would have internet access and would likely use the network to pickup this kind of info.  Like I said to you this time, and it still stands for October: If you want a hookup, just come by and we'll get you hooked up.  See you in October.   

[W1JS]

 

Great fest, Mr. Mike and crew! 

I arrived mid afternoon Friday and was pleasantly surprised at how many people were there.  Definitely more than the same time of day in October 2007.  I was disappointed that some of the commercial vendors who were there in October were not there this May. 

Definitely a good job all around.  Already looking forward to October 2008!

73,
W1JS

[Adam KB1MRJ]

Great NEARFest III!!  Hope everyone enjoyed 95.1 and the vinyl!! I will be lugging all those records (and more) back up in October, as it was a real hoot watching those turntables go round and round, and hearing the great classic rock that mainstream radio has seemingly almost given up on!!! Another shout-out to my new 'jamz' brothers; I bet NEARFest IV's jam session will kick even more tail!

[K1WIZ]

I heard via a reliable source that one of the commercial buildings were left in a real mess and this caused problems for NearFest Management.  I was unhappy to hear this news as it meant that enjoyment of future fests was/is in jeopardy! 

I discussed with this source that I think NearFest would be best served if, like the hambands, it was self-policed.  I know we self-policed each other @ NF1 and we were vigilant of any rulebreakers or rampant litterers that we came out smelling like a rose, and the fairgrounds committee was very pleased to have us all there.  I know many people enjoy going to this festival, and the NF team puts in a LOT of work to make it happen for us twice a year.  I know Paul does an exhaustive job with trying to keep an eye out for violators as described above, but he is only one man and as such can't keep an eye on everybody.  I propose that we all keep an eye out for each other and self-police, so that this event is continued to be enjoyed by all.  I also agree with another gentleman who posted in here that several people were seen (and seemingly quite healthy and capable) using personal transportation devices (scooters, motorized vehicles, etc) when it was made crystal clear that these were not allowed.  It's clear that these people did not care to comply with the rules that were set, and again has potential for putting this event in jeopardy!

I am willing to do my part, and I'm hoping others will jump on board with me and help give these guys who do this for us twice a year, a much needed hand. 

Let's help NF Management out so they don't have to chase their tails and waste effort on micro-managing these issues - they need to be able to focus on the quality of the event, rather than making sure people are being respectful of the grounds or others.

[Nat]

Mr Mike,

Lets turn the tables around for a sec, were there any complaints from the Deerfield Fair Grounds Association?

If we want to be self policing, this may be useful material.

Great time was had Mike, thanks for your hard work! The team too!!!

73

Nat
N1BNC

[W1RC]

.....were there any complaints from the Deerfield Fair Grounds Association?

Yes there are several issues that need to be addressed.  They are concerning fire safety and smoking in one of the commercial buildings.  My Board contact does not sound happy. 

I have been asked to meet with the board to discuss these issues.  That's all I can say at this time.

73,

MisterMike

[n1iwv]

Gasoline powered vehicles at the FEST.
To my knowledge, the only two gas powered vehicles running around the fair site was me and security
This year we used a gas powered golf cart to get around and security used a yellow ATV
This mode of transport (golf cart) will be used by Near-Fest staff in future events.
It's fast, efficient and reduces the stress on these old bones.
No other personalized gas vehicles will be allowed.
As far as electric scooters, well sometimes physical health problems do not manifest themselves externally.
Heart problems is just one example.
So while we frown of electric scooter in general, we do understand that they are needed by some people to get around.

[Nat]

Are the problems in question from #3 resolved? What can we do to help?

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

We can let Mike handle the issues with the fairgrounds committee while we continue to do our part to remain in good stead with them. Keeping trash off the grounds and in the containers, discouraging the kind of behavior that could get us tossed, reminding folks that their actions reflect on all of us if the situation arises, leavng non-radio JUNK like monitors and stuffed animals at home, things like this make the difference at the end of the day. We've done well at controlling the junk so far, with only a few incidents to handle. And very, very few people have caused problems.

But it only takes one.

Just because someone isn't a part of the official NEAR-Fest team doesn't mean they're not a part of NEAR-Fest. The best thing everyone can do is conduct themselves like they appreciate being there and want to continue to return. Simple.