Lancia Motor Club

Ok Guys please dont bite my head off for this but I thought I would mention this as it was brought up by the wife (need to blame someone)

Just some ideas for next year, I know you cant please everyone but the wife did notice that the GOODIE bag was filled with hotel brochures of Shropshire and the tulip map and that was it. When we went to the Irish AGM in April, we had a goodie bag so full of stuff the bag was splitting, including breakdown packs which had a camera and yellow vest in, a model car of your choice. I got a 1/24 fulvia  ;) and loads more.
She also noticed that even though we didnt have our kids this time, the thought of them at the AGM meal would have been horrendous. I know its a car club and that its an officialish dinner, but there wasnt an area for kids. Dont get me wrong, I had a great time and so did the wife but if we had the kids that would have been a different story.

Also as far as the awards were concerned, St Volumex mentioned that he came from South Africa and didnt get a mention, maybe this could be done in future as a furthest travelled. And lastly I think Giuseppe walked away with 3 awards for his immaculate integrale evo 2 and in no way am I undermining his gorgeous car but the post beta award may have been spread around to one of the original deltas that was there, also in immaculate condition but more prone to rust than the Evo.

I hope this post isnt taken the wrong way and is used constructively as I know what hard job it is to organise something like this.
I'll get me coat

Carlos

Hi Carlos

I know that Lee tried extremely hard to raise some local sponsorship, and despite much interest, nobody came through with anything in the end. Last year, I placed an order to a supplier that they acknowledged but didn't deliver. It's damnably hard to fill a goody bag unless you work in the industry and have access to funds with which to sponsor these events. We could create an overflowing goody bag by charging more for the event, but that seems self-defeating when a primary objective is to deliver value for money and make it accessible to all.

I'm open to ideas on how we make the gala dinner more child-friendly. This was only the second AGM where I wasn't a day visitor, so can't judge previous years but certainly, we had a lot more children present this year than last. I thought they were all impeccably-behaved.

I hope Guy felt that he was warmly greeted by all. It's true there's an award for longest distance driven to the AGM, and it often gets awarded to Marcello Minerbi who drives from Italy in his B12.

For the first time in a while, we reverted to a judged concours, instead of a self-judging one. These things are difficult to run to everyone's satisfaction, and feedback is always welcome.

Harvey,

Just regarding the points for future AGM's that Carlos raised. They are all valid with the execption of St Volumex who quite rightly should have had a mention and was an obvious oversight.
The goody bags should be no big deal, if you can fill them with useful stuff, all well and good but if you can't- so what? the AGM is much bigger than a goody bag.
Regarding children, I thought this AGM was great, there was a fantastic grassed area for the kids to play by day, a swimming pool that catered for kids (major plus point), and at the end of it all kids are kids they will make their own fun and friends for example playing under a table cloth with a torch and Super Mario game during the after dinner speech- Did anybody else notice?
If you had a designated childrens area in the venue then you attract more kids from different sources with bigger families in their MPV's etc which would detract from the venue and inevitably lower the tone. So again hats off for choosing this venue.
The concours has attracted much debate for years, you will never please everyone all of the time, having a post Beta trophy spanning a 37 year period and picking the best overall car is a nightmare. Just remember that the EVO 2 will be in Masterclass next year giving someone else the chance to win. Its one of those things!
Carlos has got a valid opinion but its a no win situation.
Harvey keep up the good work and take it from me the AGM was brill!

Regards,

Paul Greenway.

Quite agree that the 'goodie' bag (I hate that phrase) was a bit lean on 'goodies'. To be honest I saw it more as an info bag. I'd only ever to been to one recent AGM (last year) and based the contents on what I was given then. The leaflets (Shrewsbury maps, Shropshire guide, assorted Darwin event info for Shrewsbury and one on the neighbouring Farm Shop) were put in to help guests make the most of the area and have something to look at should they, hopefully, decide to come back. We did this for both of the last 2 Giros. As Harvey has already pointed out, I was let down by a couple of potential local sponsors, who all made positive noises but didn't follow through with their initial enthusiasm. I tried to get both the local FIAT and Alfa dealers interested, but the FIAT one in particular, although very positive, was already tied up with sponsoring the 'Back to the 80's' concert that was on Saturday night. Ironically, I thought it was amusing that a FIAT dealer would want to be associated with anything to do with the 80's. I remember our Regata and the Argenta! Shrewsbury-based Morris Oils were also initially keen, but they too had all of their resources (financial, samples and staff) tied up with their sponsorship of the racing at Loton Park. Hopefully you did get an apple or two which was my sponsorship from my organic fruit & veg business!

I wish I'd had better contacts in the automotive industry to pull a few strings, but all of my time awake is spent in the world of bunched carrots, kohl rabi and, this week, mostly broad beans. I think the sourcing of 'freebies' eg pens, car wax/shampoo samples, models, key rings and mini torches, needs to be sorted centrally by the club. It'd be a great touch to take home something memorable.

As you may know I had a mobile deli booked for Sunday, operated by a Sicilian lady from Wolverhampton. Everything was duly confirmed, but her son became ill and she wasn't able to attend. She sends her apologies and I hope that no-one was too disappointed. It would have nice to have bought some olives to nibble in the lunch queue!

Dont mention the queue(s)!

Lovely hotel,  Paul Burnett summed it up - excellent food (any one who had the beef on Sunday must agree...) shame about the staff (training, lack of..., running out of beer - now come on apart from the colonel who only drinks scotch are we as a club renowned for emptying bars of vital commodities?).

The problem with the "goody bag" is that was how it was "advertised" by the reception team Sue and Barbara. I was suprised as I was expecting just info on the weekend. However the goodies turned into several promotions of Darwin, and Lee's excellent organic produce! Just an idea but what would the marginal cost be for some club stickers and licence disc holders - AND a rally plate!!??

Not complaining as had a brill weekend and have not contributed any of my time so it would be hypocritical to do that.

Tim

I hope I havent stirred up too many feathers as that wasnt the point of the post. I will be attending future AGMs, if theres a goodie bag or not and if theres a Giro or not. TBH I dont care. I just go to see the Lancias and park mine up full of pride in owing one, but the wife put a new perspective on it, as she doesnt just go for the cars and kept mentioning the little things that made the Ireland AGM memorable, one of them being the goodie bag and the relaxed atmosphere for the kids. I am in no way saying how you guys should run your AGMs, far from it, but everyone keeps going on about attracting new members and bringing in families, so I was just putting some ideas on the table. We are all look for value for money at the moment in these times of recession, sometimes its the little things that count, like a rally plaque or key ring.  :D

That's the point, though. They are "our" AGMs in that the club belongs to all its members. You write as if on the outside, Carlos! Nobody is precious about what we do - I ask for feedback as I want to be able to organise an event that everyone wants to attend.  :)

Certainly as the dad of three of the kids I was kept on my toes by Dennis during the dinner, but when we went home on Sunday it was the kids who more than anyone wanted to go back again. That makes it so much more of an easy sell for next year. The more kids there are the more thay will find their own things to do - Sunday being a great example of that.
I'm not sure practically, what can be done within the financial constraints especially at the late hours that the dinner went on 'till, but what I do know is that we met several others families (Paul's, Steve's and the little girl we adopted!) through the kids, and the kids having a great time made it more enjoyable for us.
Personally the pool and other families were by far the greatest attractions and saviours, leaving me (selfishly) to go and play with Lancias.
I haven't got a real suggestion at the moment (but I will have a think) but if a couple of hours of minor mayhem is the price to pay then so be it. If there were a suitable venue with a kids area it would be even better - bring your kids next year, maybe they will keep Dennis in check  ;D
 

I guess I'm one of the few that can make the same comparison as Carlos and Joanna, having also been on the Ireland trip.  That was a magnificent weekend, and whilst I know some of the guys who organised that event were looking at some aspects of our event with considerable respect, there is every reason for us to nod with respect towards what was achieved there - which included a very relaxed atmosphere for children, and quite amazingly well stuffed goodie bags.

On the issue of children, I think the AGM managed a real step change this year in terms of child friendliness, but there is no doubt more we could do.  I get the impression that most of the youngsters went home having had a whale of a time, helped by the pool, the good weather, the grounds, and a critical mass of other children there.  The least child friendly bit was certainly the dinner - though even there I was very pleased with the hotel for treating the children as full human beings and actually giving them a decent menu and really good food.  But my own 10 year old was getting bored and tired by the end with the speaker - however she didn't let her boredom interfere with others having a good time, for which I'm proud of her.  And lots of the other children appeared to be doing what children for generations have done at big adult functions - making their own fun under tables and round the edges of the event, and being no trouble to anyone - if fact being rather charming.  I've had the pleasure of meeting Carlos and Joanna's two boys, and I'm sure they would have joined in with the same spirit.  But - if we can come up with a bright idea about how to keep the youngsters entertained during the after dinner stuff then lets run with it.  Perhaps it may have been different had Lee's original plan for the after dinner speaker (the former children's TV presenter turned motor racing commentator 'Gaz Top') been the choice of the LMC Committee?

We managed to get a lot of good things to happen at this AGM, and it was much better for everyone (save those with a pathological dislike of children) as a result, but there is no doubt more we can do next time.  Fortunately - that will be someone else's baby, and Lee and I will (just!) have to organise an independent Giro next year.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Carlos and Joanna's two boys,

Were you drunk  ???

Just kidding.

Me too!  ;D

I guess kids are the future of everything and therefore need to embrace as LMC members of the future!

Tim

Harvey,

If you are using posts under this heading as a check list for next year, let me add to what I already posted under a different heading.

I was there only on the Sunday and it was a really enjoyable social occasion. I can’t comment on other aspects of the weekend, but it sounds as if all of that was good too - well done to you, Lee and the gang for organising it so well. I like the idea of the kids enjoying themselves as well, which never happened in the bad old days.

But the event was billed as the Annual General Meeting and frankly the meeting itself was a big let down. Please, never ever let it be thought that the brevity and superficial nature of the meeting was a contributing factor to the pleasure of the weekend! It would have been an even more successful event if the AGM meeting itself had more substance.

One other aspect that I am surprised no one has commented on is the unfortunate need to use two car parks! My 42 year old Fulvia (and its somewhat more elderly owner) would have liked to be less separated from all those lovely post-1969 cars, which were in what looked like the tradesmen’s car park round the back of the hotel.

Don’t give up!

Colin

It was my first in 15 years so nothing to compare with - and I missed the formal meeting so can't comment but wish I'd caught Jack's bit.

Ideas for kids (and mums!!) :-

- colouring sheets: the very small scribble, older copy cars, older again customise
- eye spy sheet with detail photos to match to cars
- judge the cars in different catagories: coolest, most stylish
- "top trumps" trail: find the fastest, oldest, most powerful
- photography competition
- jobs: hand out stuff, conduct surveys

We find digital cameras a modern wonder.  We thought we were brave giving one to a six year old but the youngest could point and shoot at three with great results as much as it being a distraction taking and looking at photos.   As they get older it needs a bit of structure - at one event the challange was to get a collection of badge photos, at the AGM last weekend I asked for all the different designs of wheel.

It doesn't have to be a bouncy castle - and the problem with specific things "for the kids" is that as an adult its almost worse to be watching them on a bouncy castle 50m from an event you want to be at than to be the other side of the country.   Mine accepted that I'd be spending a lot of time looking at particular cars and catching up with people and had toptrumps, nintendos, books to kill that time.  The payoff was a national trust house on the way, a night with the cousins, and McDonalds on the way home.

As feedback on the venue the space was great - climbing up the steep banks was a great game - they appreciated being able to run about and space to picnic.   As a parent, with all the space, the chances of them being run over or causing damage to a car were slim which relaxed us and gave them a longer leash.   Also not worried about them getting lost in a crowd.

David

I missed the AGM for the first time in twenty years, why was it a let down?

David,
Some really superb ideas there, really great, especially the top trumps, now with the new database online that should make that one easier. When we were at the Richard THorne BBQ a gentleman had a quiz for the kids and the prize was a 1/18 scale lancia !!!

The car parks were mentioned at the venue, but at least we all got in and had a bit of space between the cars.

Here are some of the comments that I heard

"Why are we in 2 car parks"
"God its a long way between the car parks"
"Shame we couldnt all get in one car park"
"A few years back we parked in a huge field all together"
"Are the car parks due to being FIAT / LANCIA ?"

I didnt mind it being like that at all, as I said I quite liked having a bit of space all around my car.

Carlos

Afternoon all, some good ideas that can only make next year's event even better!

When I originally started searching for a local venue, last July, it became apparent that car parking was going to be biggest issue. Juggling the different requirements of the Weekend/AGM ie sufficient and suitable car parking, space for the AGM, adequate number of hotel bedrooms, space for a large meal, reasonably priced, is family-friendly, is easy to find, has other facilities (eg pool) and an attractive setting - was nigh on impossible. In the end I gave Harvey 3 options that met the majority of the requirements. The Mercure was the one that ticked as many boxes as possible, but by no means all. And they weren't fully booked with weddings either! I was keen to find a venue that had more soul and character than some of the conference-biased venues that exist and think that Albrighton Hall did that.

The original plan was to have all the cars entering the Concours in one car park and everyone else in the other. However this would have presented more problems than benefits with us having to work around the 30 other hotel residents, the Saturday LMC guests having to repark and the Sunday arrivals having to decide at the entrance whether they were concours or not. It would have also meant two sets of marshalls having to park cars by model in two car parks. We had a small number of volunteers for parking as it was and I don't think we'd have managed it without an almighty b***s-up. As far as I know, the split of the cars was purely chronological and dictated by the predicted numbers by model and after looking at previous years' turn-out. There was no predetermined pre/post Fiat division, it's just how everything happened on the day and there was simply no other way of doing it!

If we do it like this again, I'll bring my friend who has a Rickshaw to shuttle between the car parks! 

I'm looking forward to next year, when I might even be able to bring a Lancia.... Bodywork on the 2C starts next week. Fingers and everything else crossed.

Lee

The drawing idea is a great one. Winner gets to be on the front cover of VL!
I'd add a DVD of pictures into the mixture (review of the past year sort of thing).

Lee,

I didn’t intend my post to sound critical! I fully understand the difficulty of trying to match all the ideal characteristics of a venue for an event like this. That is why I phrased it as “the unfortunate need to use two car parks! And I agree with you, best to avoid the sterile conference centre type venues. I think you coped with it brilliantly.

A similar venue that worked well a few years ago was the Rhinefield House Hotel in the New Forest, with lots of parkland space for easy parking. But not quite so convenient for the Giro!

Colin

A problem organisers face is that venues that seem perfect are more interested in weddings, if people stopped getting married things would be so much easier all round!

Hi Colin

No worries about your post, it wasn't taken as criticism. The ideas being put forward on here can only contribute to a better 2010 event.

I too remember Rhinefield House, I went to that AGM (early 1990s) in my shiny and virtually new Y10. If I remember correctly the concours area was separate from the main parking. In fact I have 3 pics on my desk of the Gammas on the day. Myself, Andy Collins and Peter Bristow were looking at them on Sunday.

Lee

Peter,

I don’t think it would be sensible for me to expand in this open forum on what I saw as the shortcomings of the AGM meeting. (As you were there on the day, why didn’t you attend?) What has already been said by me and others should be sufficient for the committee to review its approach for next year. And if I say more now I think I would only be told again to put-up or shut-up, and we don’t want to go there again!

Colin

Alas, the room rate is over twice what we paid, although I know the rack rate is negotiable. Also, it only has 50 rooms and we took 55 this year, with more in other hotels. Our event is too big for Rhinefield House!

Lee and I (and our respective partners) are doing our best on that front... :-[

Are we not getting married then Chris, the forum is no way to break the news  :'(

One thing that was missing from the weekend (which used to be done) was a list of those staying for the weekend, such a list detailing first name, surname, car and for those from abroad country would have made sure we all knew where Guy had come from.

All in all a thoruoghly enjoyable weekend.  Having organised several AGMs in the past I appreciate the effort that goes into it, a second year at the same venue is always easier to manage, it is even possible to get some of the wrinkles ironed out unless the hotel mamagement changes when you are back to square one.

I thought the AGM itself got through the necessary business adequately and the new financial booklet  and no election meant a much shorter meeting giving more time for socialising and concours judging.

Don

Sorry I missed the AGM, first time since 1993, as Lin was awarded The Maclagan Spring (best organised event) but frankly I needed some down time. We got to AGM on Sunday from Worcs around twelve and enjoyed a fantastic, social afternoon, it was a credit to LMC. Stopped for dinner on the way home, packed a bag and left again for Switzerland 0615 Monday morning.    

Don,

With the online database the list of members staying and the cars they are bringing would be quite easy to produce.
It'd also be able to help produce the "master class" list ;)

Steve

Steve

Previous lists of participants included names of all members of each party i.e. wives, friends, childern. w.h.y.

Provided that full details are kept of all award winners, which they have to be to remind winners to return trophies before the AGM, all necessary information for the concours organiser should already available.

Don

The only way to get around the wedding party problem is to book early, I booked the venue for next years Sliding Pillar Rally in February this year!  So has the venue and date for next years AGM been decided???