Why Do You Attend? ~ or ~ Why Do You Not Attend?

[Medawisla]

I like a bit of organization at events.

I do think that a little better job could be done promoting the events.

One thing that might be considered is to have a greeter of sorts to kind of look out for new folk and when they are found make sure they are welcomed and introduced to folk either formally or informally.

Great ideas, Gob-ler! I'm one of those organization freaks, and I really liked how at Karen's Celebrating 2008 event she laid out happenings on an agenda of sorts, that was cool! It helps new-comers see what's coming up and what to stick around for, too.

In promoting events, this comes up in another post too, a way to promote your event before you can publish it, so that those far-in-advance-summer-planners can plan for it, like KayakingLoon did, post a tread here in the forums with you're event title. People can become aware of the date, ask questions about the details, plan out potlucks, prizes, and other fun stuff people can contribute to, to make the event that much better! Use the forums, they're here for you!

I love the idea of a greeter! Even a rotation of a few different people throughout the event to be greeters; and answer that so-often-first-question: what's a travel bug? Greeters are great, because they open the person up and the greeter can figure out what the person's interest is and then introduce them to someone with a similar interest! Despite not having a greeter so-to-speak at the Pirate event, I think folks were able to mesh into the crowd easily because of the scavenger hunt that was going on; with cachers moving around, it's not perceived as though there are already formed cliques.

I'm sure everyone is wonderful, but it's hard when you just meet people.

Sure it is ltlindian. Thanks for speaking up, that took courage, and I'm sure there are other newbies who feel similar! Like others have said here, don't feel compelled to stick around if you are uncomfortable, or look at the event like you're meeting one person, even the host maybe, and then you'll find yourself easily meeting everyone! That's less overwhelming I think...

Speaking for myself, someone who usually just lurks and reads posts, the events look a little intimidating. You all seem to have a good rapport on here and know one another and the idea of walking into say the meet and greet that was 2 seconds down the road form me at BK a while back is a little unnerving. Also, probably my own fault for not asking, but I have no idea really about what goes on at the events.

Wow, another courageous cacher! Welcome, by the way. Meeting new people is always unnerving, but to put your nerves aside a little bit, just to let you and other newbies know, a lot of us may have met one another, but our perceived rapport is really just us being open in the forums. I know Hiram was legendary before we ever even met another cacher, let alone attended an event. So again, don't let the rapport alienate you, because we were once a newbie and we know how that feels

I don't do events.

You keep telling yourself that FFJ...

How about we plan a pathtag event...wouldn't that be a blast?

TOTALLY (even though I don't have a pathtag). It'd be all about meeting new people, so everyone can be a "newbie" tehehe and see who you "cross paths" with!

If dogs were allowed at the events we would attend more of them

I know some folks don't put those attribute thingys on their events pages (like dogs welcome)...but always ask the host if they don't say dogs are welcome. Sometimes the host wants to be controlling on which dogs do attend, and I know I would always want Moxie to be there!!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, I'm sure they'll help folks planning events and attending events in the future!