VCF Midwest update?

Okay, I guess I have some patching up to do here, just to clarify how I feel after hearing Pat's explanation: 1. There was some miscommunication due to a bunch of factors, and after hearing everything, I really do think Pat did a good job considering the circumstances. I have actually changed my mind about that. 2. I will now for sure be exhibiting next year as long as I get enough ahead notice. Two months is not really enough. I know several people who actually were going to go but had already made plans for that date prior to the show. The more notice I have, the more I can do for preparation. Again, I under stand this was a first time experience, so I'm stating this more as a 'tip' than anything else. 3. I did have a good time at the show. I met a lot of people and had a lot of great conversation. I know I downplayed this a bit before and I apologize for that. Thanks for creating a friendly atmosphere, Pat. -----Original Message----- From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Hans Franke Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 9:17 AM To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Subject: RE: VCF Midwest update? Am 2 Aug 2005 16:36 meinte Julian Wolfe: as who Having read that, and seen other posts, I think I have to add my comments on VCF MW (not that I would have hold them back anyway). To begin with, I have to recognice that it was the first show Pat ever did, and remembering my first VCF in Munich, or other firsts, he did a quite good job. Beeing without prior experience, Pat tried to implement the guidelines layed out in Sallams VCF Handbook as straight forward as possible. The processes pointed out therin are a result of several years of experience, but as all written rules, they need to be adjusted to the reality each time gain (did somebody shout kai-zen?). So one of the things that happened to be reality at Purdue was the seperation of speeches and exhibiton in two rooms on different floors. People went in to the speech without having shown up at registration before. Also with all the in and out, and a rather unlucky placement of the registration (forced due the floorplan) it was hard to enforce payment. So the switch to a voluntary payment was just fair. I think I was even part of the reason to this decision, since I pointed out to him that several people attended the speeches before paying the entrance fee. For the next VCF MW, I suggest to implement three measures: a) Using two rooms with a common entrance and connected to each other b) Handing out tickets (or stickers) to the visitors which they have to show for reentrance. c) Strict entrance controll (Real checks, not TSA style) Especialy a (and c) was also something I had to learn the hard way for VCFe - people try alwas to sneak in, and if you don't watch all entrences (or reduce them to one), they do so even without knowing that they should have payed. Julian, I would realy like to see you as an exhibitor again. We need to give Pat the same privilege to have a second try. We all should strive to a professional format, but don't forget that this is still 100% hobby driven (and in my opinion will stay that way). VCF at large being the #1 venture in classic computer shows doesn't change that fact. To be honest, I was also a bit surprised about the USD 10 when Pat asked me to pay - I guess he remembers my face - but I figured that it needs every buck possibele to get VCF over the hill, espechialy since attendance was hard to guess before the show happened. Now, coming to fees for exhibitors and comparsions to other shows, we should make a few definitions aghead: An *exhibitor* is a person at the VCF who shows of his or her computer(s) just for the sake of it. No upfront comercial interest here (*1) A *vendor* is someone who vants to sell or trade things at VCF. No matter if he's a pro, semi-pro, or just getting rid of surplus stuff. On trade shows such persons may be called exhibitors, but since VCF is a combination, we have a need to distinguish here. A *speaker* is someone hwo gives a lecture at VCF. A *visitor* is a person who attends VCF to experience the 'services' of the other three cathegories. I think it's out of question that usualy the vendors and visitors are supposed to pay an according fee. Now, for speakers and exhibitors, there may be different rules. It has also always been a difference between VCF California and VCF Europa. While the VCF handbook suggests a exhibitor fee, VCFe just asks exhibitors on a personal base (so for each person) for a voluntary buy of the 'Exhibitoners Pack' (ar about USD 30 each (*2)). I get a pretty good turnout there, since people realy want to support the show. For a future VCF MW, this might be the way to go. Especialy as long as an entrance fee for visitors can not be enforced. Some of the confusion might also be attributed to communication. That is another lesson to learn when you do a show like VCF. 95% of your job as producer at VCF is to produce in front of all people, you are have to act as a carnical barker :) If the change in the entrance police would have been made public right away, and eventualy extended to the exhibitor fee (not vendor), I doubt that any of the vendors would have gone back to request a refund. Speaking of a money making scheme, Pat, I want my money back! Preferably in 2 nice installments of a cold beer at the next VCF MW. H. Oh, and Pat, all the above is ment as constructive kritics, and not in any way to put you and your helpers down. I was realy surprised how well VCF MW went. *1 - In fact, my exhibiton was a new interface card for the Apple II (<Plug>It's a nice full size prototype card, including support logic and a full Megabyte of flash, just send me a mail if you're interested, a website will be up soon</Plug>) I did not bring any additional to VCF MW, since I wanted to go in there just to show my tinkering with the Apple II. *2 - Well, 30 USD seams a lot, but people get 4 meals (2x Lunch, 1x Breakfast, 1 huge Dinner Buffert) and some snacks included. It'S my belive, that there's nothing worse than people attending the show getting grumpy over not enough food *G* -- VCF Europa 7.0 am 29/30.April und 01.Mai 2006 in Muenchen http://www.vcfe.org/