Annual Dinner Feedback and thanks

[sjworldwide@hotmail.com]

Hi

Thank you to everyone who attended the dinner.
This was the largest attendance to date and the venue enjoyed having us there so much they are keen to have us back again next year.

Whilst it is fresh in your minds could you please advise:
What did you like?
What do you want to keep? Did you notice the background music?
What would you tweek/ change (no points for "more potatoes")
What would you add?

Suggestions so far:
More potatoes
Add the option onto the form of not sitting next to your partner
Have a disco/ dancing from 11pm to 1am
Be able to pay online and get menu (and seating preferences) choices on line

Big thanks to those that helped out on making the dinner the success it was:
Paul Crane (Music, presenter/MC, pictures and idea bouncing board)
Kev (Trophy organising, certificate organisings and identifying very important persons)
Bernard (Idea bouncing board and guidance and very important person identification)
Claire and Rob: General guidance
Andy: Pictures
Cath: Communications, reminders
Helen: MC duties
Mark: MC duties
Steve (Mr Money and banker)
Brian: Identify guest speaker
Donna James: Fantastic guest speaker and entertainment

Thanks and lets see what we can do with the next one
Stacey (sjworldwide@hotmail.com)

[IanH]

Hi Stacy

Once again thanks for the great evening.

I agree with with the having more potatoes, and it would be nice to extend the evening by having a disco from 11pm but the extra cost incurred may lead to the tickets having to be more expensive.

As for the seating arrangements I am OK with how it is done now, I think if you open it up to requesting who you would like to sit with it could cause quite a headache for you trying to achive this, and may look a bit clicky to new members coming to the dinner for the first time.

Ian H

[Dr Dave]

Great organisation Stacey, thanks again for a good evening.

The only gripe I would have - not your fault at all - was that the food was nearer to 'OK' than 'Exceptional'. I accept that this is price dependent but have had better at a not dissimilar price in the recent past at similar events - not in York it has to be said.

I wonder if it would be worth surveying members who didn't attend, asking why not, what might make them come next year etc?

[Helen]

Stacey

I thought it was brave of you taking this on last year and you did a great job.

Date - I think it was to soon after Xmas. It would be better held early November or in February.

Payment on line is a good idea. Although if it really takes of it might be worth opening a seperate account.

Venue was good.

Food - I know what Dave means but I think for the price it was reasonable.

Seating - I would hate to have to sort that one. The only thing I find with these occasions is that unless you can stay late you only get to talk with the people on your table.

Thoughts for the future -

Reasons given to me for not coming include having to work, the cost, lack of babysitter, don't like those sort of events and timing.
Reasons for coming included chance to catch up with people, collect a trophy and my partner wanted me to come along.

Does there need to be a formal, 3 course sit down meal?
Could change to a buffet / 2 courses / free seating arrangement.

If it's decided to add on a disco I think you need to shrink the time taken up by the speeches/ prize giving.

Helen