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In lugnet.events, Ted Godwin wrote:
| |
Look, not a big deal but there is a difference between a summer fest and a
second fest in the fall. BrickWorld took over the summer spot left vacant by
BrickFest. BrickFair could have chosen a winter date or a spring date (as no
BrickFest has been announced for spring ‘08). They didn’t, that’s
unfortunate, but in the end the number of AFOL’s it will affect could
probably be counted on one hand. Just might have been nice to leave more
options open, that’s all.
|
I’m sorry if anyone is put off by the timing of the event. Ultimately, when it
comes to timing, you cannot possibly please everyone.
The possibility of a Spring or Fall event was suggested to me. But my only
experience with Lego festivals is in the summer. And since I’m risking
approximately $105,000 and months of hard work to make the event happen, I
wanted to minimize the variables as much as possible.
Because I have been to both BrickFest ‘06 and Brickworld ‘07 I have a fair sense
of what I can reasonably expect in terms of attendance numbers. Now that
BrickFair and Brickworld will co-exist for the first time, that is a new minor
variable, but not nearly the risk of testing a whole new season. And I think
many folks (myself included) will fly/drive to attend both BrickFair and
Brickworld. Perhaps, as you said, a small number will choose one or the other.
Given that I was focused on the Summer, and the Sheraton Hotel was our most
realistic venue, they had only 1 weekend available next year (next Summer). I
took it.
I believe the South needs a large-scale Lego festival. How about it Texas?
Perhaps they would like to take the Spring :)
Again, I’m sorry if the timing is bad for you. I personally don’t see the issue
when comparing festivals on two opposite sides of the country. I didn’t even
consider that. Chicago was a consideration. But not NWBCon.
Todd, www.BrickFair.com
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| |
|
At 12:54 PM 10/15/07, BrickFair wrote:
> In lugnet.events, Ted Godwin wrote:
> > Look, not a big deal but there is a difference between a summer fest and a
> > second fest in the fall. BrickWorld took over the summer spot • left vacant by
> > BrickFest. BrickFair could have chosen a winter date or a spring • date (as no
> > BrickFest has been announced for spring '08). They didn't, that's
> > unfortunate, but in the end the number of AFOL's it will affect could
> > probably be counted on one hand. Just might have been nice to leave more
> > options open, that's all.
>
> I'm sorry if anyone is put off by the timing of the
> event. Ultimately, when it
> comes to timing, you cannot possibly please everyone.
Todd,
I think the choice of dates is about as good as it could be.
For me, summer is best (as I recall, fall starts sometime after labor
day). The thought of driving 600 miles with my MOCs in Feb/Mar is
not pleasant. I suspect the 10 hour trip could be much longer, if it snows.
I had hoped to attend NWBrickCon this year, but it occurred two weeks
after a different event in Seattle (a robotic event), and I couldn't
see going to both. If the dates had been different, I would have
considered attending, but I guess not everyone consults with me about
my schedule... :)
I'm already looking forward to going back to DC next summer.
See you there.
Steve
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In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
| |
Again, I’m sorry if the timing is bad for you. I personally don’t see the
issue when comparing festivals on two opposite sides of the country. I
didn’t even consider that. Chicago was a consideration. But not NWBCon.
|
No need to apologize. As I said it will not be that many people affected and
really, how many Brick events can we all go to every year? :)
Of course I would like to go to this one because I actually lived about ten
minutes away from Tysons Corner for a summer during University and would love to
visit the area again. But no matter when the event is held it’s still to far for
me to travel unless I win the lottery. :)
Look forward to seeing pictures next year.
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In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
| |
I believe the South needs a large-scale Lego festival. How about it Texas?
Perhaps they would like to take the Spring :)
Todd, www.BrickFair.com
|
Several members of TexLUG have talked about it and even made some preliminary
inquiries, but there are several factors moving against us. There are several
cities in Texas (and central southern US) that would be excellent for hosting an
event, but only a handful (like Dallas) that are major airline hubs, nor do many
have (useful) mass transit systems outside of busses.
Cities like Houston have two giant airports, but the airports aren’t centrally
located (and are quite a distance away from each other), in fact just about
everything in Houston is spread apart from everything else. Galveston has a
GORGEOUS, giant convention center that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, but
Galveston has no major airport, and is 1 to 2 hours from anywhere in Houston.
I’ve also heard and read that cities like Houston have very strict and downright
oppressive union rules that would really create problems for an event (I know
nothing about Dallas or San Antonio on this front). Such as requiring all
tables and equipment be set up by the union workers. Granted its hearsay as I
have not confirmed it, but I have no reason to doubt the source. Hopefully if
this is true, it’s only true for Houston.
And last but not least, and perhaps the final coffin nail (not really)... there
are no LEGO stores in Texas or anywhere else in the south outside of the east
coast (AFAIK). It seems to be, perhaps not a requirement, but a major deciding
factor for quite a few people for them to attend a big event. Someone please
correct me but I am unaware of any LEGO convention in the US that has taken
place more than a half hour’s drive from a LEGO store.
But we can dream...
--Tony
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In lugnet.events, Anthony Sava wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
| |
I believe the South needs a large-scale Lego festival. How about it Texas?
Perhaps they would like to take the Spring :)
Todd, www.BrickFair.com
|
And last but not least, and perhaps the final coffin nail (not really)...
there are no LEGO stores in Texas or anywhere else in the south outside of
the east coast (AFAIK). It seems to be, perhaps not a requirement, but a
major deciding factor for quite a few people for them to attend a big event.
Someone please correct me but I am unaware of any LEGO convention in the US
that has taken place more than a half hour’s drive from a LEGO store.
--Tony
|
We have a huge advantage in that BrickFair is filling the void from previous
events, so we know what to expect. In that regard we are taking less risk.
Tony, your best best would be to start the way BrickFest did and just get as
many AFOLs together as you can, say 60, and have a weekend of it. If people
have fun, if it succeeds, let it grow from there.
You have a slightly greater disadvantage in that now the large venues do exist.
Some AFOLs may not wish to travel to you, stay in a hotel for such a small
event. But still, others may see the potential in bringing the larger venue
closer to home in the future and would support you.
Just my two cents.
Todd
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In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
> Tony, your best best would be to start the way BrickFest did
> and just get as many AFOLs together as you can, say 60, and
> have a weekend of it. If people have fun, if it succeeds,
> let it grow from there.
We've tried that for many years now within the state (i.e. the TexLUG group).
The most we've ever pulled together for any event is probably near 15 people.
Out of that, there are only 4 or 5 'regulars' that keep the group going.
If we did attempt to host a huge event, us Texas AFOLs would definitely need
outside help.
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In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until this
point.
| |
The possibility of a Spring or Fall event was suggested to me. But my only
experience with Lego festivals is in the summer. And since I’m risking
approximately $105,000 and months of hard work to make the event happen, I
wanted to minimize the variables as much as possible.
|
And this makes me want to attend the event, why? Telling possible attendees how
much you are personally risking on an event is pointless, not to mention
off-putting...
I’ve assisted with Brickworld ‘07, Brickfest ‘06 & Brickfest ‘04; donating time,
money & LEGO. I’ve got roped into doing things, because no one else would step
up to help out. And in the process, I haven’t asked for anything in return.
When Joe started planning Brickfest ‘06, my biggest suggestion to him was to
show appreciation to all his volunteers; not that I wanted anything for myself,
but the success of an event really depended on the volunteers. Joe confided
with me (and a few others) how much he put on the line with BF’06; and given
Brickfest’s reputation around DC, it was a pretty ‘safe bet’ that when the bills
came due, he’d have no problems paying them off. But the way he did it, never
caused any resentment.
When you start talking about how much you personally risk for an event, all you
are doing is creating resentment.
| |
Because I have been to both BrickFest ‘06 and Brickworld ‘07 I have a fair
sense of what I can reasonably expect in terms of attendance numbers. Now
that BrickFair and Brickworld will co-exist for the first time, that is a
new minor variable, but not nearly the risk of testing a whole new season.
And I think many folks (myself included) will fly/drive to attend both
BrickFair and Brickworld. Perhaps, as you said, a small number will choose
one or the other.
|
Or neither. Not everyone has the money for three events in three consecutive
months... Brickworld in Chicago in June, ILTCO/NTS in Anaheim in July, and
BrickFair in DC in August.
| |
I believe the South needs a large-scale Lego festival. How about it Texas?
Perhaps they would like to take the Spring :)
|
And a few of us in Florida have consider throwing a smaller scale event, called
SpringBrick. An event not based on the Brickfest/Brickworld type of LEGO event.
By nature of spring break, you don’t want to be hauling around a bunch of
models; so the event would be more of a show up & let’s build something type of
event.
--Mike.
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
And a few of us in Florida have consider throwing a smaller scale event,
called SpringBrick.
|
Whoa, that’s an Awesome name! Good one! B-)
JOHN
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In lugnet.events, John Neal wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
And a few of us in Florida have consider throwing a smaller scale event,
called SpringBrick.
|
Whoa, that’s an Awesome name! Good one! B-)
JOHN
|
It was a hypothetical LEGO convention name suggested by Robin Werner:
SpringBrick 2003 (spring?) -
Central Florida Area, USA
This name came up in a GFLUG/GFLTC meeting earlier this year. The club threw
out a few ideas that we thought about working into an different type of LEGO
event model. I’ve sorta been sitting on a proposal for an AFOL “Builder’s
Challenge” type of event for a few months now; been meaning to run it by the
Orlando LIC to see if they’d offer any support to it. Here’s some of the ideas
behind it:
• A central Florida AFOL event that would be held sometime in
February/March/April, or a ‘cheaper’ time of the year than normal spring break.
• A good number of AFOLs vacation in central Florida for spring break already,
an informal event could be created for LEGO fans, where the AFOL could split her
or his time between a LEGO-centric event & their family.
• The best way to understand the idea behind “SpringBrick” is to think of a LEGO
building event crossed with a reality TV cooking challenge for LEGO fans -- this
is at the core of the event.
If anyone is interested in the idea, let me know and I’ll post more... but I
don’t want to give all of it away just yet. I still think it would be a pretty
cool event to try to host; I don’t want to give away too many of the surprises
if we could make it happen. :)
--Mike.
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
• The best way to understand the idea behind “SpringBrick” is to think of a
LEGO building event crossed with a reality TV cooking challenge for LEGO fans
-- this is at the core of the event.
|
Headlight Brick Battle! Who gets to be
Chairman Kaga?
That’s a very interesting idea, and a clever way to avoid hauling MOCs across
the country. I hope to hear more about it in the future.
Marc Nelson Jr.
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until this
point.
--Mike.
|
Offending you or anyone else certainly wasn’t my intent. Someone questioned the
logic of the scheduling, and I answered them, perhaps a bit too honestly. That
tends to be my M.O. I’m sorry you so put off by my comment.
Todd
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until this
point.
--Mike.
|
Offending you or anyone else certainly wasn’t my intent. Someone questioned the
logic of the BrickFair scheduling, and I answered them, perhaps a bit too
honestly. That tends to be my M.O. I’m sorry you were so put off by my
comment.
Todd
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In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until
this point.
--Mike.
|
Offending you or anyone else certainly wasn’t my intent. Someone questioned
the logic of the BrickFair scheduling, and I answered them, perhaps a bit too
honestly. That tends to be my M.O. I’m sorry you were so put off by my
comment.
Todd
|
No, not offended. It’s just experience talking... The questions were more
directed to you to sell your event to me. Why should I go to BrickFair? When
you post about how much of a risk you are taking on to put on this event, that
not a selling point. Just keep that in mind. There are reason why politics
start, and resentment is a key part of it.
--Mike.
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until this
point.
| |
The possibility of a Spring or Fall event was suggested to me. But my only
experience with Lego festivals is in the summer. And since I’m risking
approximately $105,000 and months of hard work to make the event happen, I
wanted to minimize the variables as much as possible.
|
And this makes me want to attend the event, why? Telling possible attendees
how much you are personally risking on an event is pointless, not to mention
off-putting...
--Mike.
|
I disagree, as Todd seems to have been ‘put on the carpet’ for the telling of
his expenses, the fact that he had such a great feeling for the event that he
was willing to put up this or any amount to see it happen is commendable.
I really don’t know or care to know how the financis of these events are
handled. I have gone to the last few Brickfest in D.C. and this year’s
BrickWorld and I am planning to go to BrickWorld and BrickFair next year. As
long as I feel that I ‘got my monies worth’ from the event and come away feeling
good then ok. If the cost factor over-shadows an event then I will make a
decision to attend the next year. Please stop trying to put down the event
organizers or Joe (BrickJournal). I tip my hat to you all.
My 2¢ worth...
Don GtwLUG Lugnet#1239 St. Louis, Mo. USA
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In lugnet.events, Don Cox wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until
this point.
| |
The possibility of a Spring or Fall event was suggested to me. But my only
experience with Lego festivals is in the summer. And since I’m risking
approximately $105,000 and months of hard work to make the event happen, I
wanted to minimize the variables as much as possible.
|
And this makes me want to attend the event, why? Telling possible attendees
how much you are personally risking on an event is pointless, not to mention
off-putting...
--Mike.
|
I disagree, as Todd seems to have been ‘put on the carpet’ for the telling of
his expenses, the fact that he had such a great feeling for the event that he
was willing to put up this or any amount to see it happen is commendable.
|
Anyone who has ran event or have been involved in running an event knows that
it’s an expensive ordeal. It takes a lot of time & volunteers (or employees) to
pull a good conference off. I commend Todd as well for disclosing the financial
details of BrickFair -- he was not obligated to do that. I really like the idea
of giving a portion of the profit to charity -- not a true non-profit in the
sense of business, but still very commendable. And I’ve read his follow up post
to different parts of this thread -- there is a certain level of honesty in his
post that I like about him (though I don’t think we’ve ever met face-to-face).
The bottom line, it does say something great about the LEGO community -- if
there is enough interest and money in sustaining 4+ major LEGO events each year
just in the US alone. And BrickFair still sounds like a great event, but the
bottom line is, he needs to sell the event (being that it is a new event), not
come off as sounding self-righteous or resentful.
I honestly believe that the LEGO community can have events without demonizing a
person or group of people or their business practices. If someone chose to
pocket the profit from an event & not give it back to the community, that is
their choice and they have to live with it. And to be honest, they are not
obligated to give money back to the community, no matter how much we think they
should... And with enough dissatisfied people comes revolution & new events.
But if an event is to survive longer than a few years, it needs to avoid the
trappings of doing an event only slightly better than how the ‘demonized group
of people’ ran the previous event.
As a side note: I also find it funny that the LEGO community if falling into
EXACTLY some of the same pit-falls that the model train community have fallen
into.
| |
I really don’t know or care to know how the financis of these events are
handled. I have gone to the last few Brickfest in D.C. and this year’s
BrickWorld and I am planning to go to BrickWorld and BrickFair next year. As
long as I feel that I ‘got my monies worth’ from the event and come away
feeling good then ok. If the cost factor over-shadows an event then I will
make a decision to attend the next year. Please stop trying to put down the
event organizers or Joe (BrickJournal). I tip my hat to you all.
|
Don, go back and re-read my posts. I didn’t put Todd, Joe, or the organizers
down. I know Joe. He and I have talked about how to generate money for
BrickJournal to make it a viable business without going bankrupt -- I don’t have
a solution for him, but I have made some meger suggestions -- in time he’ll have
to attract more advertisers & start paying his writers -- and he knows this.
I don’t know if you added “BrickJornal” above thinking that I’m criticizing Joe
for some of the decisions he’s made for his business BrickJornal or not. And if
you did, don’t confuse my criticizism to Todd’s posting with the current thread
criticizing Joe of his business decisions behind BrickJornal.
--Mike.
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Don Cox wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
I’m sorry. Brickfair sounded like a cool event to attend right up until
this point.
| |
The possibility of a Spring or Fall event was suggested to me. But my
only experience with Lego festivals is in the summer. And since I’m
risking approximately $105,000 and months of hard work to make the event
happen, I wanted to minimize the variables as much as possible.
|
And this makes me want to attend the event, why? Telling possible
attendees how much you are personally risking on an event is pointless, not
to mention off-putting...
--Mike.
|
I disagree, as Todd seems to have been ‘put on the carpet’ for the telling
of his expenses, the fact that he had such a great feeling for the event
that he was willing to put up this or any amount to see it happen is
commendable.
|
Anyone who has ran event or have been involved in running an event knows that
it’s an expensive ordeal. It takes a lot of time & volunteers (or employees)
to pull a good conference off. I commend Todd as well for disclosing the
financial details of BrickFair -- he was not obligated to do that. I really
like the idea of giving a portion of the profit to charity -- not a true
non-profit in the sense of business, but still very commendable. And I’ve
read his follow up post to different parts of this thread -- there is a
certain level of honesty in his post that I like about him (though I don’t
think we’ve ever met face-to-face). The bottom line, it does say something
great about the LEGO community -- if there is enough interest and money in
sustaining 4+ major LEGO events each year just in the US alone. And
BrickFair still sounds like a great event, but the bottom line is, he needs
to sell the event (being that it is a new event), not come off as sounding
self-righteous or resentful.
|
Sorry to follow up to my own post, but I honestly don’t think Todd was being
self-righteous or resentful, but just need to show a little more tact. When I
first read his comments, I thought to myself why is he making it a point to
reveal how much he is putting on the line? Since he’s running this event, he
isn’t obligated to pander to every passing criticism, including mine. Todd, I’m
sorry if my criticism came across as being harsh. My intention is not to hurt
or scare others away from attending BrickFair.
--Mike.
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In lugnet.events, Michael Huffman wrote:
(snip)
| |
I don’t know if you added “BrickJornal” above thinking that I’m criticizing
Joe for some of the decisions he’s made for his business BrickJornal or not.
And if you did, don’t confuse my criticizism to Todd’s posting with the
current thread criticizing Joe of his business decisions behind BrickJornal.
--Mike.
|
Mike,
just to chime in...
I’m implementing some things that address your concerns. I won’t say more
because I’m really not in a position to, as I am still working on those aspects.
Advertising is something that I am pursuing lightly at this moment. I need some
information from subscription numbers and mailing lists before I can make a good
presentation to prospective advertisers.
Joe
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In lugnet.events, Todd Webb wrote:
--snip--
| |
The possibility of a Spring or Fall event was suggested to me. But my only
experience with Lego festivals is in the summer. And since I’m risking
approximately $105,000 and months of hard work to make the event happen, I
wanted to minimize the variables as much as possible.
|
--snip--
WOW! Todd, that’s a lot more risk than Joe signed on for, I believe, last year
with the same hotel. Have they increased their stake as well or are they simply
passing the risk on to you?
Todd (the other one)
| | | | | | |
