Glad to see an official feedback thread!

I don't go to a lot of car club meets, but I do go to organized events that are heavily volunteer-driven. If there's two things I know, one is that it looks far easier than it actually is, and second is that the people volunteering are putting in a lot of effort.

That said, let me start by saying, again, big thanks to everyone who volunteered.

Okay, feedback:

The BBQ felt like big aspirations, and good intent, but that's really a tall order to meet, especially at $20pp. Tell you what, if you want to do food, make it a purchase on-the-spot. This isn't to rag on the BBQ in any way, it's just a huge amount of complexity and potential frustration, both for the organizers and the attendees.

That said, if there is going to be food, I'd second the suggestion of burgers, hot dogs, etc. I ended up with some tri tip, no ribs, not sure if I was supposed to get both, but the two pieces of tri-tip was an ample portion, and I was quite hungry at that point. Again, if going down this road, then having a rare/medium/well-done option would've been nice, and with more people behind the grill, should be easy to pull off. And sure, if serving tri-tip, some A1 would be excellent. The ~2hr delay was the biggest problem, for me; if I'd known, I'd have had lunch before the event.

I heard about chips and cookies, but not until after they'd been put out. Guess I missed out on this. Not a big deal, just a surprise. That is unfortunate to hear about people abusing it.

I find that communication, or lack thereof, is the number one cause of dissatisfaction in nearly any situation. In this case, there was a few things that seemed to get missed:

Clear communication regarding the raffle. When was it being held, what were the prizes. Changes need to be communicated, in a timely basis. E.g. I had other plans scheduled, was anticipating the event ending at 3pm, raffle before that. I chose to stay, and asked others to accommodate my being late.

Beer and wine? Or just wine? It's a winery, so this seems reasonable, but that's not what was advertised...

Feedback is a fickle thing. Few people will give it, and frankly, the DJ did not look approachable. Personally, I gave my feedback to others who I assumed could convey it. I also assumed, like most probably did, that if the volume wasn't being decreased, it must be because a majority of people were fine with it. Likewise, I assumed the event organizers and vendors must be "okay" with it as well - maybe there was a reason.

It wasn't quite concert levels, but it was much louder than seemed appropriate, was uncomfortable while in the _eating area_, and for music styles that largely weren't my taste, was way louder than I wanted. It also made talking to people, including vendors, difficult. I couldn't hold a conversation at normal volumes at less than 2" from someone's ear. That's too loud.

cmonster, you said you were involved in booking the DJ. You also commented in the other thread. I'm not sure why you've taken the tact you have in addressing comments, but it's rude, unhelpful, and says "I don't care about your feedback."

As for volume in general, use a dB meter. $30 model from Radio Shack is fine. Or, if you can't hold a conversation with someone, while standing 50' away from the speakers, it's too loud. You shouldn't have to walk all the way to an extreme edge, to get away from the music. Again, this isn't a club, it's not a concert, it's not a music event. The music should be there to enjoy. The answer shouldn't be "oh, you don't like loud music, so sad, why don't you go away." The point of this was to encourage people to show up for cars, and to not exclude or alienate people. Seriously, your attitude - as expressed by repeated posts from you on this topic - really just rubs me the wrong way, in a really big way. Especially given that you have stated you were involved with the music/DJ selection, and seem to have some sort of holier-than-thou attitude because of it.

 

(Moving this from the "compliments" thread, since this is feedback oriented.)

No, I didn't ask the DJ. To be honest, I didn't expect it to make a difference, and I didn't want to stand next to the speakers any longer than I had to. I made my comment known to people who seemed to be involved with event staffing. I don't know them by name, so can't say who it was, except that there were at least two different people, and I said something at least three times, and heard from multiple people at the event that yeah, it was too loud.

Could I have told the DJ? Sure. Would it have made a difference? Dunno. Apparently out of 300+ people, the dozen or so who've said "yes, the music was too loud", none of them approached the DJ?

Your statement seems to be that we're all pussies, liars, etc.

Are you saying _we're_ a bad fit for the event? That we shouldn't have attended? Is that really what you're saying?

 

In hindsight, people said the music was too loud. They didn't say the music sucked. I liked the tunes, man, but I guess I'm a little desensitized from my few trips to Vegas clubs in terms of volume. LOL. Relax, man. Holy crap. All fists up over some criticism. Just STOP.

 

+1
I think people have lost site in what BAM was about. Everyone is all over everyone about food, music, cars and such.

Bam is about all us coming togther and sharing our subies. Its about owners from all walks of life.... not just a single persons tastes.

^ not directed at one person. Just a needed reminder.

Next year should be perfect. With all the feedback we know what is needed for next year.

I think maybe a recap of the Feedback is needed so we can move on to newer feedback in this thread.

Music

1. Loud
2. wrong placement

Food

1. easier to make
2. easier order/pick up system

Parking

1. boxed in concerns (was for roof photo)

Event

1. Needed more volunteers
2. Crowd updates on events

Everyone please take the list and add to it. If its already on the list Everyone already knows. Lets not beat a dead horse.

I think everyone did a outstanding job. Lets move this forward in a positive building direction. And make 2012 even better.

 

Events go through much trial and error no matter how long it's been since the very 1st organized meet. The only thing to do is improve and that's that. New venues, new accommodations, new attendees, new volunteers, etc. Of course nothing's going to be perfect. We can't fight each other over the inevitable. It accomplishes little to nothing besides trying to win a pointless pissing match. I don't post that seriously these days, but man, I just had to say something. At least feedback is being heard and considered. The organizers could have said, "The hell with everyone, I'm doing it my way. Like it or don't go.", but they didn't. They worked real hard to make these initial accommodations in the first place and you know the saying, "can't please everyone", but boy did they try.

 

New location for next year...the staff there was stuck up and when I asked for my shirt and started giving my info, she says "nah I don't need it...here you go just take it and your friend...does he want one? Here take 3 of them" hmmm. Music was cool imo...but I was born in 78 so I grew up to breakdance and freestyle music lol I enjoyed it. Food was good I got 1 rib and 2 pieces of meat. I left early and funny thing as me and my cousin were leaving...the same lady says "hey there's extra shirts left here ya go" I told her nah we cool but thanks. Maybe somethin in Fremont (rosetti retired) or concord Mt. Diablo?

 

I had an idea last night when thinking about the Edgewood Eats meet that I started (and have not been to in 2 weeks)

What about making the tickets a little less and asking a couple of different food trucks to show up. Ask them how many people would need to eat to make it worth their while to come out. I would think that if there are two food trucks that if 150 ate at one and 150 the other, that would be enough sales to make it worth their while to come out. Just a thought. Also tri tip and ribs would have worked fine if the grilling had started two-three hours earlier.

 

I have some friends that bring out the Twisted Chill truck to that event. Jesse and Michael

 

 

This would sit well with those who keep kosher, and our vegetarian members.

 

Everyone loves bacon.

 

We did that for our show. Had some old school truck/trailers come out. Ice cream. Burger/cafe
. Coffee. Was rad. Only draw back is if they don't make their quota the extra comes outta pocket. But for charity events they'll usually lower or drop the quota.

I've pitched this idea literally for years.

 

That's interesting... I was by the table quite a few times and I saw them going through very organized envelopes and pulling from the boxes. My name wasn't there I got no shirt.


Oh... and fremont is out. Been done and tried. It turned in to a drama ***** fest. I felt really bad for the guys that took it on that year.

I laugh at all you guys complaining about how far it is. I enjoy the drive and the caravans.

 

Yeah seriously, the wicked big meet on the east coast has like 1000+ cars and many drive from OUT OF STATE with no complaints...caravans are the best part of the meet

 

Yeah dude the caravan is the best part!