I was hoping not to have to write this post, but not as much as I hope I don't have to write its follow-on.
I am getting close to the time when I have to commit to speaks and costs for the conference. The numbers are not looking good.
To ask some of these notable speakers to talk to a venue of less than 40 would be an insult. At the moment I am short of this number.
A fair number of the current attendees (may I extend my thanks to you for your committment) are also not UKNP members.
The purpose of these conferences was to allow UKNP members to meet, listen and discuss topics that would be hard to do on the forum - also to learn from others who have had considerable experience in a certain area or are breaking new ground.
The conference was not to be just another wildlife conference, but our conference.
Well, you have probably guessed the request by now.
To those that have decided not to attend, can I ask you to reconsider and respond within the next week?
Posted by Steve Makin on November 17, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Tom, I've just emailed you a request for a ticket, reading the original sticky it says there would be a list of guest houses etc can you also send me that list as I'd like to make a full weekend of it if possible
Posted by Gavin Law on November 17, 2007 at 3:43 PM
Ditto Tom, just emailed you.
Is there tenting available in the area or would that just be plain stupid?!!
Gavin
Posted by Craig Nash on November 17, 2007 at 3:59 PM
Posted by Brian McGeough on November 20, 2007 at 6:19 AM
Tom,
I wish i could get up there Tom, I think next time you should stick to somewhere more central in the UK as for some it is just to far up north(940miles return for me). I still can't believe you are not turning people away from this event as the line up is fantastic and would prove to be a great day no doubt.
Brian, (and the below is not really a reply to you individually, or a retort in any way, it's just me typing my thoughts about the current situation)
I am hearten by your words about the line-up. It was a few favours pulled so to speak, with the speakers only being really given T&S, it will be a shame ( and embarrasing for me) if I have to cancel due to lack of attendence.
The original intent of a conference was to move the conference around the country to give everybody an equal chance not to have to drive ' a distance'. Best laid plans of mice and men... We considered the south for this year but as we could not afford any venues we went north, but a bit more on that later.
I do accept that, from the south coast counties, it is a long way, but from the M4 north it is do-able at around 300 miles one way as it is mainly motorway. For what its is worth it is about (250 miles one way) for me.
What is ironic is that I was going to use the surplass this years to offset the vastly increased costs of getting a venue in the south for next year. I was considering Slimbridge and I have been quoted about £400+vat for the day for a lecture hall. In a round-about way non-attendence this year, from the south, just means next years southern conference costs attendees more or...
... that said, next years conference may not happen in the south for, given I will not have that cash surplus a £400 + Vat commitment is a bit tall for my pocket, especially given the commitment shown this year. I am now having to rethink next years strategy and the generic conference viability for, as you have stated, the line-up ain't going to get that much better, expecially for £27.50 per head.
Obvioulsy I am now trying to fill the places with the NPP, NPS etc and Pete_C et al are sending the conference around their email lists. This however irks me as this was our conference - the big general biennial conference is something else.
Oh well we will see what the start of December brings so, to all, be careful about booking any non-refundable accomidation as yet
Discussion
7 repliesI am getting close to the time when I have to commit to speaks and costs for the conference. The numbers are not looking good.
To ask some of these notable speakers to talk to a venue of less than 40 would be an insult. At the moment I am short of this number.
A fair number of the current attendees (may I extend my thanks to you for your committment) are also not UKNP members.
The purpose of these conferences was to allow UKNP members to meet, listen and discuss topics that would be hard to do on the forum - also to learn from others who have had considerable experience in a certain area or are breaking new ground.
The conference was not to be just another wildlife conference, but our conference.
Well, you have probably guessed the request by now.
To those that have decided not to attend, can I ask you to reconsider and respond within the next week?
Is there tenting available in the area or would that just be plain stupid?!!
Gavin
Many Many thanks, I will send details of how to pay tonight.
To the other undecided, unfortunately it will take a few more than 3 so please consider further.
Brians reply on accomidation is
" Hi to those requesting accommodation for the conference, please use the following link:
http://www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk/solwaylocal.php
And
http://www.golfhotelsilloth.co.uk/
Hope this helps
Brian
"
I wish i could get up there Tom, I think next time you should stick to somewhere more central in the UK as for some it is just to far up north(940miles return for me). I still can't believe you are not turning people away from this event as the line up is fantastic and would prove to be a great day no doubt.
Cheers
Brian
I am hearten by your words about the line-up. It was a few favours pulled so to speak, with the speakers only being really given T&S, it will be a shame ( and embarrasing for me) if I have to cancel due to lack of attendence.
The original intent of a conference was to move the conference around the country to give everybody an equal chance not to have to drive ' a distance'. Best laid plans of mice and men... We considered the south for this year but as we could not afford any venues we went north, but a bit more on that later.
I do accept that, from the south coast counties, it is a long way, but from the M4 north it is do-able at around 300 miles one way as it is mainly motorway. For what its is worth it is about (250 miles one way) for me.
What is ironic is that I was going to use the surplass this years to offset the vastly increased costs of getting a venue in the south for next year. I was considering Slimbridge and I have been quoted about £400+vat for the day for a lecture hall. In a round-about way non-attendence this year, from the south, just means next years southern conference costs attendees more or...
... that said, next years conference may not happen in the south for, given I will not have that cash surplus a £400 + Vat commitment is a bit tall for my pocket, especially given the commitment shown this year. I am now having to rethink next years strategy and the generic conference viability for, as you have stated, the line-up ain't going to get that much better, expecially for £27.50 per head.
Obvioulsy I am now trying to fill the places with the NPP, NPS etc and Pete_C et al are sending the conference around their email lists. This however irks me as this was our conference - the big general biennial conference is something else.
Oh well we will see what the start of December brings so, to all, be careful about booking any non-refundable accomidation as yet
T