UK MEMBERS - Weekend meetup

[turbo500]

Hi folks,

So, I know this has been posted time and time again, but the subject has popped up once more. I'm more than willing to co-arrange this, but need to know a few things first.

1. how many people would actually be interested in a big UK weekend meetup?
2. how many people would be interested in an evening meal/buffet and stay over at the hotel?
3. how many people would actually be willing to pay for such an event? Obviously, the more people we have, the less it will be.

I have a few contacts in the travel industry and could look into getting some quotes, but I need to know if there is demand for such a meet up.

Many thanks,
Chris[this post was last edited: 6/18/2013-08:52]

 

[dysondestijl]

Shame I'm not old enough!

 

[turbo500]

^How old are you?

 

[hoover119dude]

i would. i have wanted to meet other collectors here as most members on this site are across the pond.

 

[turbo500]

There are quite a number of us in the UK now and such a meetup has been discussed before with some interest, but nobody has ever bothered to step up and arrange something. I will get hotel quotes ASAP and let people know how much we'd be looking at, per head.

 

[dysondestijl]

I'm 13

 

[vacbear58]

"but nobody has ever bothered to step up and arrange som

Ermmm, hello ....

I have been arranging meetings since 2007. Chris, you have previously been invited but declined, and Gary, you were invited to my last and could not make it at the time either.

Chris, you have, to my knowledge, been at get-togethers in Chester and Nottingham and maybe others where I have not been invited.

Fair enough, these have been held in people's homes simply because there never seemed to be the will to set up a convention type scenario. And there is the issue of the cost of the venue, accommodation and transport to factor in too.

However, if there now proves to be interest, then I would be glad to assist with such a project.

But PLEASE, do not make statements like "but nobody has ever bothered to step up and arrange something" because several people have in the past, and I don't doubt will do in the future as and when their personal circumstances allow

Al

 

[turbo500]

Al,

There have absolutely been some great meet ups over the years at eachothers homes, I was meaning a larger meet up. There are only so many people you can fit in a house and indeed there are a lot of members who have never met anyone from vacuuland and therefore would not be invited to a meet up at someone's house, purely because they don't know many people and haven't had the chance to meet everyone.

I was more meaning the idea of a mass meetup on neutral ground - the idea seems to keep popping it's head up every now and then and loads of people post saying "oh yes, that seems like a really great idea" but nothing ever comes of it.

The in-house meets are of course fantastic, this was more to do with the idea of a bigger meetup that keeps getting mentioned.

I would have you all at my place if I didn't live a shoe box and had a more noteworthy collection .

Chris

 

[ultimatevacman]

Hi Chris,

I would love a big meet up, but since I'm only 13 going on 14, I wouldn't be able to travel very far

 

[vacbear58]

"nothing ever comes of it"

Chris

Sad to say, there is a reason for that

Still, if you are prepared to make some enquiries, all power to your elbow and I will be glad to help out to bring it off.

As I said in the other thread, I would stay away from London, Manchester or Brum but look towards Midlands, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire or even South Yorkshire.

A hotel with conference accommodation and free parking. And a tea urn

For all those under 18 who might wish to attend there is no reason why you should not do so, as long as you are accompanied by a responsible adult (parent or even grandparent).

Chris, you might need to arrange a naughty step too

Al

 

[ultimatevacman]

"Chris, you might need to arrange a naughty step too"

Agreed, what if there's an argument over Sebo's vs TurboPower's?

Joe

 

[turbo500]

Thanks Al . We'll see what kind of support we get for the idea first and if it will be worth it.

Naughty step will be clearly sign posted

 

[paulc]

Chris

I think it's a great idea, a UK mini convention of sorts! I would certainly be interested as long as I have enough time to save up!

 

[beko1987]

Could get a scout hut in chinnor for a tenner an hour!

My only input, sorry! Will be interested to hear of details though

 

[turbo500]

Ok, folks, here's the low-down:

Date: Saturday 24th May 2014
Location: Best Western Crest Court Hotel, Altrincham, Cheshire
Tea/Coffee & Biscuits provided
Hot & Cold 2 course buffet lunch
LCD Project Screen for laptop hook up provided

Based on a MINIMUM of 40 guests, the price would be £26 per head. Rooms available at the hotel for a reduced rate of £69 Bed and Breakfast for attendees.

Please note, this isn't booked. This is just a quote to give us an idea of what we can get to do a big UK convention style meet-up.

Between VL and Facebook, I've had a total of 8 responses in favour of the idea, which does not warrant a large meetup of this scale unfortunately.

It was most definitley worth investigating and I am pleased that this thread will be preserved in the archives, so the next time somebody brings this topic up again (and it no doubt WILL be brought up again), I can bring this thread back up and point out that we did try to arrange such a meet up and there wasn't enough demand for it.

I will no doubt see a lot of you at various home based meet ups in the near future .

Al, keep me posted regarding mini meets, it's been too long since I've seen everyone. I'd love to have you all over at my place, but it's too small

Thanks all,
Chris

 

[thekirbylover]

isnt trying to do one this year going to be a bit rushed

I think that we should wait until next year, therefore giving people enough time to organize pet, child or house minders, it will also give people something to look forward to as well, this will also give the planners enough time to plan everything down to the last detail, not saying you have planned it well, you've done great considering you've only had 2 days, also by waiting those who aren't financially capable of paying will have time to put money aside each month to save up.

 

[vacbear58]

Prices

Chris

Thank you for doing the investigation.

I do have to say that the prices are quite good and compare well with those of the convention currently going on in the US and it is useful information to have.

Unfortunately I doubt that you would get 40 attendees, indeed you might be lucky to get 20.

The details above are a bit short notice (I appreciate that it is an illustration) and it might be interesting to repeat the enquiry for the autumn and perhaps a hotel a bit further out of the way - Altrincham is quite an upmarket area after all - although I doubt there would be that much leeway on the pricing.

And I will be glad to include you in the invites for my next mini meet - I might do one in the Autumn

Al

 

[turbo500]

Michael, look at the date - it was for May 2014.

It was just a provisional enquiry and it did give us a good idea of pricing and what would be included with that. I wanted a clear idea of how many people would be interested, but seeing as we only got 8 supportive responses, it wouldn't make sense to do something so big for such a small number of people.

Al, that sounds great, hope to see you soon.

Take care everyone!
Chris

 

[thekirbylover]

oops sorry i was half awake