Erm. Um. Ark. Bugger. Decisions.

[davywavy]

Went to see two possible venmues for the Camuk 2003 National today. I went to the doctors as well, but that's less interesting and so I won't talk about it.

venue a) Is great. Atmospheric, with lots of windy staircases and nooks and a private bar and a big ballroom built in 1865 and a complete seperate annexe that we can put plot into and allegedly a ghost. It is also a little small, and if we get too many more than the 200 we got last year, then it'll be too small.

Venue b) is bigger, but is a soulless mid-90s hotel-in-a-can which wasn't helped by the architect having an epileptic fit one afternoon. However, it's got enough room for us to spread out if things expand.

Venue a) is also the cheaper option, believe it or not. Now; do I act upon the assumption that the Cam will do the usual (400 people say "Yes, we're coming!", and then only 200 show up, as has been the case for the last 3 years), or do I assume that this time it will be different and plan ahead?

Gah, decisions.

I'll throw that open to the floor.

Comments

[borusa.livejournal.com]

Instinct says "Venue A".

1) Cost
Is it within our budget?

2) Atmosphere
Cool venues give STs big hand

3) Space
Too small _always_ better than too big.

Got a link or anything?

Robert

I'm with RBS

[greebotrill.livejournal.com]

And unless finances choke, we'll be there again (and if school permits as well).

Atmosphere is good!! Nooks are better! Cammies will find ways to spread out.

What are the dates you're looking at *hopes it's when I'm between classes*

Re: I'm with RBS

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

For venue A) probably the weekend of May 3rd. Hope to know better by the end of this week.

Re: I'm with RBS

[greebotrill.livejournal.com]

W00T!!! That should fall within my "spring break".

YAH!

Re: I'm with RBS

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

You can be extra-special-nice to me when you see me.

Re: I'm with RBS

[greebotrill.livejournal.com]

Can do..

We'll go have a pint or three :-)

[sesquipedality.livejournal.com]

Venue A! Venue A!

It's amazing how much difference the atmosphere makes to the quality of the game. And I don't think numbers are likely to be up substantially on last year.

[quisalan.livejournal.com]

Option A.

Atmospheric is far better than none. If more than 200 people actually book in advance then maybe work out some overspill areas (eg hire some extra rooms there for general use or somesuch). Thing is, if a small number of people come, you can feel very lost in a big venue, so it does go both ways.

But that's a personal opinion.

Krystyna

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming no overspill space. I'm reckoning on hiring every inch they have and even then I'm in two minds.

[teknostatik.livejournal.com]

Venue A.

For lots of reasons.

I think if we have something atmosphertic to work with, then we can really make this event truly memorable. The setting of a game can contribute so much to the overall atmosphere, and I think people would much rather work with the venue than against it, if that makes any sense.

And...well....it's cheaper too.

[souldier-blue.livejournal.com]

Go for venue A and make it a "ticket-only" event and emphasise that tickets are limited

[sherbetsaucers.livejournal.com]

Go for venue B.

Actually, I think venue A, but that's so old hat.

[eddyfate.livejournal.com]

Venue A. If it's cramped, players will find ways to make room. :-)

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Venue C.

Erm, no, I meant A.

[sherbetsaucers.livejournal.com]

Venue C, would that be round your place then?

[dreamking00.livejournal.com]

Mid-90's canned hotels suck. Unfortunately, there's no other kind over here because there's this strange attitude that if *anything* antedates the mid-90's, it needs to be torn down and replaced with something appropriately soulless and utilitarian...this is a deranged mindset that hopefully UK doesn't suffer from too badly yet...

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Venue A, definitely.
While a trist venue might work for Sabbat and lend it atmosphere (like the ICC underground car park ;o) it won't appeal for the other games that much.

As for attendance numbers, I doubt there will be a sudden increase of interest/decrease of lethargy/apathy/being-broke-ness in the general membership.

As long as there is a large main room, things should work fine.

Another aspect to consider is location. Members from Scotland or the far South always complain it's too far.
How easy is it to get to both by train (walking distance from station) and car (easy access and parking).

Personally, I wouldn't consider anything farther away than 4, maybe 5 hours by car.

Also, on-site (or at least nearby) accommodation is pretty much a must for a multi-day event and will be a major selling point if it's reasonably priced. There will always be local members to offer crash space but hardly for 200+ people.

A secluded venue (us only) would also be good. Nobody to scare/bother but the staff.

hurm

[raggedyman.livejournal.com]

there is a part of me that says "go with the cool venue and make it a limited attendence thing". Not only will it encourage people to book in advance but it also makes it a special event and going there will mean more, rather than being the McCam annual routine. Could be cool to have 175 general tickets and then 25 up for grabs if you do something super and public spirited (well, thats me on the 'NO CHARITY WORK' lynching list), just a thought.

as to the barn - well its large and soulless with the potential to cram everyone in and deliver a rather drab event: it matches the org so could well work

[omentide.livejournal.com]

Venue A. Definitely.

But PLEASE somewhere heated.

And check tickets. And do whatever we can to persuade people to behave in a civilised manner.