SinS first closing date

[Jon Brooke]

... could someone please tell me the date of the SINS first closing date?

Actually thanks for the reminder - I am going to book today and just for information for Mrs H or any other organisers out there, the most significant factor in our attending this event is that there is cheap, safe (for our 2 toddlers) camping at the event centre, which will hopefully ensure a stress free weekend for me and my wife. I did note that someone mentioned this in the "why is O so popular in Portugal" thread and I think others should give it some thought.

[EddieH]

As Mrs H hi-jacked my original SOL entry, I will repay her now.

Sadly I was unable to get anyone prepared to put on other events up here that weekend, so we can only offer a single day. But what a day! I believe that Rogie (that weekend) will be the most technically demanding event of the year, and the courses will be the proper lengths re BOF rules and guidelines.

There may not be any other O but the FABULOUS NW Highlands are less than an hour away.

[grubby]

Mrs. H - Forgive me for raising my head above the parapet, but would one of the 'coordinators' like to respond to my personal email sent on April 13th Re: number of events to count ? Thanks.

[Mrs H]

Mmm - you're the socond person who's e-mailed the co-ordinators and it hasn't arrived at my house - I'll have to question the web wallah?

The answer is all three - that's blackmail not an incentive

[Tatty]

RJ I wonder how many event entries yiou've doe with 1000+. Having done a few JK/BOC/National/Classics with those sortd of numbers I can assure you there is still work to be done evne when the entries are on lime. It is certainly a lot easier noe, but still very time consum ing, and all to do when you work full time in a demanding job, run a house, sort out the kids etc

[HOCOLITE]

I concur Tatty. Have spent many a night into the small hours because, punters are trying to get late entries or change courses or times. Whilst thet are haranguing you can't do anything else.

[RJ]

RJ I wonder how many event entries yiou've doe with 1000+. ..... It is certainly a lot easier noe, but still very time consum ing, and all to do when you work full time in a demanding job, run a house, sort out the kids etc

Over the years Tatty, quite a few. There is no arguement that entries takes a lot of volunteer labour and it becomes very busy in the last week. But that is the nature of the animal. You are dealing with hundreds of individuals, each with their own requirement. I have attempted with Harrop Tarn to allocate a start time to each entry as they come in. When the competitor checks they can see how close the allocation comes to their request. An early entry gets what they want.... enter later and you might have to compromise.

However, my original post concerns the different levels of entry COST. It just isn't necessary to have closing dates and increases in fees. You will get MORE satisfied people if have one entry fee structure. Often it is impossible to plan six weeks in advance.... many people make a decision to go to an event in the previous week, because workload and life change! Why should they be penalised with a stinging fees penalty. You enter online and get one of the start times that is left. The sport is all about participation levels at the moment. We need participants at all levels, to generate the funds to keep the sport afloat. Higher participation creates cash, competition and atmosphere.... lets have more.

There are NO reasons to have increasing fee structures.... certainly NO reasons that will stand up to serious scrutiny. Paying up front bills, gaugeing map printing, car parking fields..... as excuses.... poppycock. You know roughly what size of event you are planning for.... plan for it!

[SeanC]

Come on RJ, participation isnt just about cost - its also about availability and event quality. If clubs are reducing their workload by getting competitors to enter early then they are more likely to put on events, and presumably have more time for the sort of extras that the SinS is offering. Personally I'm much more likely to go to an event if it exists, and many other threads have talked about the potential for "extra value" extras to increase participation in the long term.

An alternative way to increase participation is by using alternative publicity campaigns. Perhaps by going on a forum just before the closing date, saying something controversial about the event, causing a row, then repeating constantly until the event starts.

[Mrs H]

Gosh! I wish I'd thought of that

today's the day folks - your last shot at the cheap rate for the cheapest multi-day around

[DM]

An alternative way to increase participation is by using alternative publicity campaigns. Perhaps by going on a forum just before the closing date, saying something controversial about the event, causing a row, then repeating constantly until the event starts.

Just what I have been thinking. Pity the 2 events being discussed are not on the same day, then people could also use "soundness of argument" and "style of presenting the argument" along with quality of area when chosing which one to go to.

Evidence so far suggest I should be heading South.