This is going to sound like a complaint, but actually it is a request for advice.  How many times can you reenact the same old skirmish, on the same old ground, among the same old trees, with more or less the same old crowd, without it getting to be rather familiar?  Familiarity does breed, well……maybe not contempt, but familiarity does breed more familiarity.  Sameness plus sameness equals more of the same sameness.  That fact is not too terribly difficult to grasp by the attending minions.  The request is how can a peon in the hobby tell event hosts it is time for some creativity, innovation, or just something a tad different.  Saying that another way, when you go to an event and everything but the weather is predictable, how can you make this known to the people who most need to see it without stepping on any toes?

Curtis,

It's tough to make an omelet without breaking at least one egg. Don't worry about those toes.

Two things you can do. Contact the event organizers and nicely explain what you'd like to see. If it's not what you want from an event, don't go. Simple. Go to events tht privide the experience YOU want. It's your $ and your hobby.

I don't think you can easily tell them this unless you know them pretty well.  Most likely if they are seeing people coming to the event each year, they won't fix it if it ain't broke.

So like Dave said, vote with your feet and go elsewhere.  When the numbers of attendants drop off or the people coming to see it stop coming, that might open their eyes a little.  

Boy, this must be pick on event organizers week!  

When you are doing an annual event on the same ground, keeping things fresh is tough. We do different scenarios every year at Neshaminy, but the spectator area doesn't change, so to a certain extent, you are always fighting the battle of Neshaminy.

We also change the tacticals around as much as possible. Because of the land avilable, we really have a lot more opportunity to try different things than we can during the scrïpted spectator scenarios.  

If there's some change you would like to recommend, tell your chain-of-command. I think most event organizers will listen to their field commanders. If you chose not to attend an event, tell the organizers why.

Last, but not least, are the forums. In the days after the event, I wait for the Neshaminy reviews. One thing to keep in mind. People who put on events invest a lot of time and effort into those events. It's very difficult not to be defensive when your baby gets trashed. If people have a complaint or suggestion, a little tact goes a long way.  

--Last edited by Bill on 2008-01-24 23:04:04 --

Bill,

I did not mean to write anything offensive, but, intentions aside, it seems that I did that very thing.  I apologize for having done so.

Quote :

Curtis Makamson wrote : Bill, I did not mean to write anything offensive, but, intentions aside, it seems that I did that very thing.  I apologize for having done so.

Curtis,

Not at all. I hope I was able to give a partial answer to your question; at least from the perspective of someone who's involved with putting on an Annual Event. (I thought my Smiley would let people know I was kidding about getting beat up.)  

Curtis,

see if you can get your group to host and organize a local event or create one for your community.  That way you can make your own agenda!

Ken suggestion is a good one. I'm meeting with a couple of like minded folks at Olustee this year to see if we can come up with one or two UBUFU campiagn style events in our neck of the woods where there aren't very many such events.

Most organizers don't mind if participants want to do their own thing providing they remain at or above the minimum standards required for the event, and don't interfer with the events planned.  

What would you do during non-battle time at your 'dream event?' Do you have friends who want the same thing?  If it's not all centered on the battle, then insert some of those ideas into a carpe' eventum, (event within an event).

I asked about the non-battle time because you won't be able to change the battle scenario, though as someone mentioned maybe your officers can get permission for you to do something really cool!

I'm saying, plan something for yourself and your friends and have a great time!

Linda.

Probably the best way to present a criticism/concern is through your unit, rather than as an individual.  It is more formal, and can carry more clout.

See if your company commander/organizational chairman is willing to submit a letter to the event sponsors for their consideration.  Make sure it is respectful and not overly critical.  It doesn't hurt to point out some positives with the event, as well.

And remember:  Bill Rodman is a grumpy old man, and no one cares if he gets ticked off.  

Quote :

flattop32355 wrote : Bill Rodman is a grumpy old man, and no one cares if he gets ticked off.

Bernie,

True enough.

I spent the morning at Neshaminy State Park with Andy Waski, my Federal counterpart, working on this year's scrïpted scenarios. We're featuring two regiments that came from the Philadelphia area, The 12th. New Jersey and the 118th. Pennsylvania and their roles in the fight near the Chancellor House on May 3, 1863. We're going to capture a section of Federal artillery. The 118th. Pennsylvania recaptures these pieces and drags them off the field, under pressurs. I'm sure it's not the first time this has been done; but, it's the first time we've done it! The field is still the same size this year as it was last year.    

--Last edited by Bill on 2008-01-27 00:50:31 --