Conference

Feedback on Evaluation Forms – Manchester 2003

Karen Usher, Conference ManagerIt is always with some trepidation and anticipation that the organising committee peruses the Evaluation Forms over Sunday lunch. This year it was gratifying to see so many ‘excellent’ and ‘goods’ ticked. The in-depth analysis of the forms by the Chair proved that the majority of people enjoyed themselves most of the time!!

However there were some quite specific problems identified on the Evaluation Forms that it was felt I should comment on.

It was surprising to see negative comments about the lack of ensuite accommodation – the Booking Form clearly stated that bathrooms were shared. Also this Conference was £40 cheaper than last year reflecting the lower standard of accommodation and catering. We would have preferred ensuite rooms but it was not available at any of the venues we approached for 2003.

Mushroom overload – my hand is definitely up for this one. I choose the meals for the carnivores a long time before the Conference but was asked about vegetarian option very near the date and suggested ‘mushroom stroganov’ or ‘nut roast’ as the main course. The cook took my first suggestion and mushroom overload was the result – my apologies.

On the arrival of the advance party on Thursday we found one room had not been cleaned properly. On our way out to Dinner we told Reception (which was manned 24 hours) and by the time we got back everything was sparkling. It is ESSENTIAL that delegates who have a problem with their rooms mention it immediately so we can action it. MMU were very keen to make sure we enjoyed our stay and dealt promptly with any problems I raised with them. They were not happy that two bar staff did not turn up on Saturday night and I have commented about the offhand manner of some of the agency waiting staff that didn’t appear to know we were the ‘customer’.

There were several comments about ‘smokers’. We are obviously governed by the venue policy on this matter, although in most establishments the bar area is a smoking area. As an asthmatic I am conscious of smoke but was not aware of people lighting up until the end of the meal and am sorry if some delegates felt others spoilt their evening.
Several delegates suggested that choosing tables for the Celebration Dinner should be left until Saturday. Unfortunately this is just not practical when it comes to sorting out the nametags, which I start doing Saturday morning. Although lots of the Committee do attend Conference most are paid for by their Authorities and therefore need to attend lectures and can’t be commandeered by me to help do stuff. There are a very small number of us totally devoted to the Conference administration and usually lots of speakers to be met and shown around on Saturday. I may tweak the system a bit but the majority of people will still have to choose Friday if we are going to have a seating plan.

We will keep working on ideas for the first timers.

The shortness of the Conference means we wish to stuff it with exciting and useful things for the delegates to do but you don’t have to do it all!

Derbyshire Book Pushers have sent me their booklist. If you would like a copy please let me have your email address at karen@musher.demon.co.uk I will not be able to send to all the individuals in their sessions by post due to time constraint – my ‘real’ job has to take precedence at the moment.

Thank you all for the thanks. The Conference is a huge team effort by colleagues who also have ‘real’ jobs and it is good to know that, on the whole, you enjoy yourselves at YLG’s annual Conference.

Next Year: New Hall, Cambridge 17-19th September 2004.