2008 JOs - Local Feedback Thread

[CaptCosmo1]

Hi Folks,

As a conclusion to executing the local aspects of the 2008 JOs, this thread requests attendee feedback. We feel it was a positive event, but the ideas and observations of attendees and US Fencing count the most. Please help us keep this to simple information gathering by sharing your thoughts:

> 2 or 3 aspects you enjoyed about city, venue, hotel, dining, services, etc.
> 2 or 3 aspects you either did not enjoy or thought were missing
> suggestions for future

I request just summary ideas for now - we can expand them later as needed. These ideas can help us improve Charlotte fencing and other sporting events. Local fencing organizers in other cities may also want to study your ideas for improving their efforts.

Thank you to all who provided advice, feedback, constructive complaints, and compliments in recent days.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Best regards,
Cosmo

[pacer]

What a great idea!

Having set up a BC for JO's before, I'll weigh in: the venue was convenient, clean and had a Starbucks! The downtown area had lots of accommodations and eateries. (Although my hotel didn't exactly provide lists of "family" dining - it was all excellent ). I liked downtown Charlotte.
We were happy with the venue. It was very nice to be able to come in on Thursday afternoon and go through the armory check then. (How late were your volunteers there?) I did chuckle at the convention center folks care at putting the chairs out in straight lines and all hooked together, though. Good food at the venue, too.
I was truly impressed that you had volunteers at the bout committee table, ready to post results or what ever. I never heard a PA request for Runners. Looked to me like you did not have a shortage of volunteers. Way to Go and thanks for a good job done!

ps - the question was asked before, but who decided against handing out the certificates of participation?

[keeper of the swords]

Only complaint from Mrs. was a lack of downtown shopping. Food choices were excellent in the downtown area (even an Irish pub...) and within walking distance from venue, hotels.


Enjoyed talking to a young man at the event who was in town for a fireman's test and stopped in to check it out. #1 son (who enjoys passing out toe-touches) happy to finally fence on a grounded strip.

[courtneyp]

I request just summary ideas for now - we can expand them later as needed. These ideas can help us improve Charlotte fencing and other sporting events. Local fencing organizers in other cities may also want to study your ideas for improving their efforts.

Additionally, if you used our website, http://fencecharlotte.net, I'd be glad to hear about how helpful, or not, you found it to be. Either here or by PM. Especially interested in hearing about things you'd wished were included but weren't.

Thanks for coming to Charlotte!

[courtneyp]

(How late were your volunteers there?)

We left at a respectable 8ish pm. Take down was even better! Awesome volunteer squad.

[KD5MDK]

There was at least one call for runners that I heard, but far far fewer than is usual for most tournaments. A very good job in that respect. (And you never know when a call for someone actually has them right in front of you, just unnoticed.)

[dadofbag]

Only complaint from Mrs. was a lack of downtown shopping. Food choices were excellent in the downtown area (even an Irish pub...) and within walking distance from venue, hotels.


Enjoyed talking to a young man at the event who was in town for a fireman's test and stopped in to check it out. #1 son (who enjoys passing out toe-touches) happy to finally fence on a grounded strip.

The Irish Pub was authentic!

[semihippie]

I was in charge of the runners...we had trouble once when new runners came in without me having the time to explain everything properly, as my earlier (and older-age wise) crew was eating lunch at the time.

But everything got sorted out- I believe we only received one complaint over the course of the whole event.

[CaptCosmo1]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Please keep the observations and suggestions coming.

Regards,
Cosmo

[mlr2fence]

Is it possible to set up an armory check in the evening before the first event either near the venue check-in or at the host hotel? Most people try to fly in after school/work so something thats open to 9ish would be great.

[courtneyp]

Is it possible to set up an armory check in the evening before the first event either near the venue check-in or at the host hotel? Most people try to fly in after school/work so something thats open to 9ish would be great.

The armory was open Thursday night, with quite a long long I might add - one of the convention center workers asked me if they were giving out money or something. I think they closed around 7/7:30 as the convention center people wanted us cleared out at 8:00.

[mlr2fence]

I heard that the armory check in was closed at 6 so that strip set up could be finished. I'm suggesting setting up another table somewhere so that people arriving in the evening can get that out of the way and avoid the lines/stress in the morning of the first day.

[Dr Epee]

I heard that the armory check in was closed at 6 so that strip set up could be finished. I'm suggesting setting up another table somewhere so that people arriving in the evening can get that out of the way and avoid the lines/stress in the morning of the first day.

That would really be a function of the USFA armorers at the event. Any armorers listening?

[dekko]

I heard that the armory check in was closed at 6 so that strip set up could be finished. I'm suggesting setting up another table somewhere so that people arriving in the evening can get that out of the way and avoid the lines/stress in the morning of the first day.

Your information(source) is(was) incorrect. I was there until 7ish helping put down strips and the check in was going strong with the group there.

Big thumbs up to Brian Toomey who was the lead in getting volunteers together so the aroumerers could check in equipment and not worry so much about putting down strips. As I recall the only drama in putting down strips was the location of the Leon Paul strip.

[mlr2fence]

Then it must have been re-opened. I heard it direct from a fencer who was turned away Thurs nite and was there just after 6. Christine Simmons was guarding the door and not letting fencers in.

[TooLoftheDeviL]

As I recall the only drama in putting down strips was the location of the Leon Paul strip.

Speaking of which... All us refs who ended up on that thing should receive extra compensation for our janitorial services sweeping that damn thing clean all the time.

[Dr Epee]

The Irish Pub was authentic!

Ri Ra rocks. The pub itself was brought over from Ireland in 1997 and reconstructed on site. Live Irish music every night Wed-Sat.

[the maple epee]

The only annoyance I can think of was the whole "you have to carry your roll bags on the escalators" thing. But it wasn't that huge of a deal...

[epeemike81]

The Irish Pub was authentic!

Ri Ra rocks. The pub itself was brought over from Ireland in 1997 and reconstructed on site. Live Irish music every night Wed-Sat.

you mean this Ri Ra: http://www.rira.com/

the same "Authentic" Irish pub in Arlington (VA), Atlantic City (NJ), Bethesda (MD), Burlington (VT), Evansville (IN), Portland (ME), and Providence (RI)??

Mind you, I've been to two of these pubs and share your high opinion of them, but "authentic" might not be the best description.

-m

[the maple epee]

Yeah, I always thought my beloved Ri Ra's in B-town was the only one. And then as I was strolling with my team down the sunny Charlotte street, I was thrust into the harsh light of reality... Damn, though, I still love that place...