My expectation is that LAN XX will be totally full. I therefore think that we need some kind of early booking system as accommodation will overflow from the OC due to the extra DMR numbers coming along.
I'd suggest an early booking post in the Supporting Member's section with suitable 'rah-rah', then perhaps a following PM to those in the LAN attendee group, then an earlier than usual booking thread for LAN XX. We could even mention the outcome of the bandwidth discussions as a bonus (if positive - if not positive then we might need to look at an alternate venue for October rather rapidly).
Thoughts?
I concur that the a earlier the better, and keeping the same routine, International and Supporting members, then open to the rest of the world.
In regards to the Broadband I would keep it under wraps till we have any confirmation.
my 2 cent for the moment.
I also agree. It would be a shame that the regular attendees missed out due to a few clicks of the mouse..
So shall we start opening bookings on the 1st May then for example?
Wow 4 weeks ok, my only concern atm with rooms booking that gaming LAN attendees won't be impressed if have to leave site and machine.
Also I know we have blocked book cause I know which room I want :)
All of the hotel rooms are block booked by us already. What I would suggest is that, as usual, we control booking ourselves and disallow any booking direct at this point until closer to the time. What we want to avoid is LAN goers being in the wrong hotel, but if we do not allow them to book yet then we should be fine.
Nothing wrong with starting the booking of LAN places on the forum right now though, the earlier the better.
- first step is a PM to all LAN attenders
- then supporting members & 'old school'
- then to non-supporting members
I'll be there for Thur too this time. We can worry about rooms nearer the time, we just need numbers this time.
The other major thing, is that we should consider a £5 booking fee for LAN XX. I do not wish to see places booked, us to get full and turn away others, then have 5 people drop out in the 5 days beforehand. £5 is not a lot really and it can come off the LAN fee if they attend. If they book and are a no-show then tough, they just donated £5 to dMw.
Quote from: TeaLeaf;322711The other major thing, is that we should consider a £5 booking fee for LAN XX. I do not wish to see places booked, us to get full and turn away others, then have 5 people drop out in the 5 days beforehand. £5 is not a lot really and it can come off the LAN fee if they attend. If they book and are a no-show then tough, they just donated £5 to dMw.
Absolutely agree.
QuoteNothing wrong with starting the booking of LAN places on the forum right now though, the earlier the better.
Agreed in theory but I would like a small amount of time to decompress, I like Pen's idea of the 1st of May earliest , we wont have LAN fatigue. By that time people will have forgotten thier bar bill :)
Hi Guys,
To be honest I agree with Toby (isn't that rare!!).
I think now is too soon. Main reason being is that people won't be able to commit at this moment in time necessarily and the second reason is that we want to build up interest slowly and then peak just before the LAN. Imagine if we announced all the goodness that we have in store now.. By time the LAN rolls around it will be forgotten.
My suggestion would be to wait until 1st June which is four months from the start of the LAN. Get people committing slowly, set deadlines before you open it up to the next tier. Then open it up as planned. Of course, international travellers should be able to book / commit from the outset.
We also need to organise ourselves with respect to the non-gaming events, dinner / social, games and merchandise. We should plan until June and then drip-feed the events etc. to generate enthusiasm and keep momentum.
If there is a practical side with the hotel and we need to consider booking up the rooms sooner than later than fair play. I don't recall the crommie being overly fussed about us keeping the block booking until a couple of weeks before the LAN.
food for thought and happy to discuss further.
Nf
In the past Penfold has taken all the early international bookings, mainly because there has been no thread to book in at that early stage. With you guys now appointed, can I propose we punt that responsibility onto the new LAN Admins?
Gents here are the dates that Dan and I feel for opening the LAN booking.
International 9th May
LAN Badge holders and Supported (will email/pm them) 16th May
Everyone else 30th May
Nice quick out there and will give us ideas for numbers quickly.
That sounds fine to me.
I've confirmed with The OC that it's the 30th September. For some reason they had two dates booked in.
We've booked out the entire hotel and need to try and fill it. Once we know that's likely we'll push them for the extra ADSL bonded channel as agreed on their part.
Guys,
Just as an FYI I've been speaking to the BIG crew and it is very likely that they will attend. I reckon four of them.
NF
Pen with the internationals did you do anything speical? for their bookings?
To fully book it out can we could do a mass PM on the forum to every member if we are running short?
My 6 should be there.
One obstacle we do have is the non supporting members might have full inboxes due to the limit. Before we begin to send out the pm's to not supporting members can we think about maybe increasing their inbox sizes? I know we want them to become supporting members but at the same time shouldn't they be given the opportunity to go to the LAN as they could provide some income to dMw? Or at least so the pm can be sent out. An alternative could be to send them an email.
PM was sent out to all attendees of a LAN last year, inc no supporting memebers, Only 3 ppl boxes where full and I managed to get a message to them via other means :)
Did this last night after original posting.
We can do a general email, probably, we just need to set it up on the forum and make sure we have a mail server hooked up to it. At the moment though I'd like ot see if we can book the thing up via the people who already visit the forums and join our gaming.