Midlands Champs 2014

[SteveE]

The following is an extract for details of a forthcoming Level A event:

Entries: Closing date is 19th October. Late entry surcharge £2. EOD is at £2 surcharge for adults on Champs courses.

and ....

Course classes and lengths will be in accordance with BOF Guidelines.

Is this satisfactory for a level C never mind a Level A event?

There is no record on the event details or DVO website about the cost of entry other than it appears to enter via Fabian, go through the whole process of registering your entry just to see what you are being charged for at the end. You would never go internet shopping, browse and select items only to find the true cost at the checkout - DVO please publish the full details to avoid competitors having to cancel a Fabian entry process.

BOF guidelines express all course distances that are defined in terms of course length ratios relative to a base course. Without DVO letting us know what this base course distance (and climb) is on Brown, M21 etc (or whatever their base course is), how do we know what is expected. And are we getting value for money!

BO want clubs to publish details that encourage participation. With only limited information is it surprising that, with only a few weeks prior to the event, there are very few entries.

[pete.owens]

The information is sparce - but the competition rules: http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/images/uploaded/downloads/events_competitionrule2014_i_areachamps.pdf do specify the base course which would be an M21E course with a 90-100 minute winning time (though they are not actually providing that course). Basically the information on the DVO website just seems to list those details which are not in accordance with the rules - so you should know what to expect.

The prices seem reasonable compared to other recent level A events (so its not as if you go through the entry process and are stung by stealth). However it does seem odd to add a £2 surcharge for non-BOF members, when the event isn't even open to non-BOF members.

[DaveK]

Alternatively, Saxons have a nice level C event at Knole Park in Sevenoaks on that date, 26th October. Easy access from the M25. A beautiful deer park with one of England's largest houses - managed by the National Trust - 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards. Well worth a visit after the event.
A nice venue for the weekend, especially if you also fancy doing the South Eastern Night Champs at Knole on Saturday 25th. Full details soon and entry on Fabian4.

[SteveE]

Basically the information on the DVO website just seems to list those details which are not in accordance with the rules .

Why publish course distances at all then for other Level A events, if all the organising club is going to do is refer to 'course range' as set out in the guidlines.

Future event details should just state the event postcode and we just turn up!

The prices seem reasonable compared to other recent level A events (so its not as if you go through the entry process and are stung by stealth). However it does seem odd to add a £2 surcharge for non-BOF members, when the event isn't even open to non-BOF members.

There is no mention of the event prices on either Fabian (unless you enter) or the DVO website or published event details. Since your reply I have noted the BO Events listing does have this displayed, but that does not refer to the other price variations. Either clubs should ensure the Event details on their website match those displayed on BOF or not have them at all, and we just rely on one source of information.

[SeanC]

You would never go internet shopping, browse and select items only to find the true cost at the checkout -

Clearly you've never flown on RyanAir.

The DVO website seems to have an "add comments" facility, so your comments may reach the useful audience quicker there?

I do agree the Midland Championship details are too thin. It's a common problem with event fliers, underselling the great events. I'd also like to hear good things about the forest, a promise of a good atmosphere, and stuff to do for families or some post event attractions nearby.

I think few orienteers have much experience in marketing, or are too polite to sell their events. Picking on the Knole Park event DaveK mentions, the flier says

"The runnability of Knole Park has been improved by the removal of all the deer fences. "

True, but the language can be turned around to avoid the implication that the runnability isn't very good, eg "Knole Park has always been one of the most beautiful and runnable areas in Kent, this is even better now the deer fences have been removed".

I think the answer to this is for clubs to pay someone to do the fliers for their bigger events, someone who's background is in marketing but ideally also orienteering. There is a part time business opportunity out there for someone reading this. Lets say the marketeer charges £50 per flier, clubs would get that money back and more, plus it would help development by encourage some who just stay local to try more exotic level A to C events. And it would be one less job for the organiser.

Anyway, I'm not going to the Midland Champs, or Knole Park. I'm going to the OMM, even though the price is no doubt several times that of either event.

[awk]

I do agree the Midland Championship details are too thin. It's a common problem with event fliers, underselling the great events. I'd also like to hear good things about the forest, a promise of a good atmosphere, and stuff to do for families or some post event attractions nearby.

Can only agree. Having never been to Longshaw, I have no idea what to expect without doing loads of research and, sadly, being a level A event is no guarantee of quality on its own. Have to say that DVO have definitely not sold the event so far to me, and given our busy schedule this autumn, this is a serious candidate for a weekend off.

Of course, I remain to be persuaded......!

[Mrs H]

I thought the course I ran at Longshaw at the Compasssport cup a couple of years ago was one of the most enjoyable I have ever done in this country (if that helps )

[eddie]

Just to add to the Longshaw fans. It's a good area and well worth a visit.

[graeme]

I wasn't going to go, but the level of information seems pretty informative to me.

Longshaw is nice ...here's the map.

[SteveE]

I'm not denying that Longshaw is a nice place to orienteer.

My issues are with limited or missing details on the event flyer. There's nothing added to that flyer that can't be added to the BOF event listing eg event officials or event location. If this is the case then just stick to one source of information. If you want to provide an separate event flyer to sell the event then at least have a full set of information.

We shouldn't need to review multiple sources of info and pull all that together to view the full picture. Have all the info together and have Fabian4 link to that.

[MJG]

Flyer has been amended (basically that was an early version of the flyer that should not have been visible), though you may need to force a refresh of the Home Page in order to view the updated version.

[SteveE]

Thanks.

[DaveK]

I do agree the Midland Championship details are too thin. It's a common problem with event fliers, underselling the great events. I'd also like to hear good things about the forest, a promise of a good atmosphere, and stuff to do for families or some post event attractions nearby.

I think few orienteers have much experience in marketing, or are too polite to sell their events. Picking on the Knole Park event DaveK mentions, the flier says

"The runnability of Knole Park has been improved by the removal of all the deer fences. "

True, but the language can be turned around to avoid the implication that the runnability isn't very good, eg "Knole Park has always been one of the most beautiful and runnable areas in Kent, this is even better now the deer fences have been removed".

Well spotted SeanC; the flier now says (following some input from the planner ) -

'Knole is a beautiful deer park with a really nice mix of open/semi open and runnable forest. A superb venue for a night championships. Recent removal of the old deer fences around enclosures has only served to improve the general runnability of the area.'

Yes, we do, as you suggest, need to sell individual events and the sport generally, at every opportunity, in a considered and professional way.