TheFanatics Event Feedback Thread

[Dave 335i]

I attended the 1st (I think) ice-cream run in GP. I thought it was amazing in terms of attendance, BUT, apart from 4/5 people (eg Divio/Dewalt), everyone was really standoffish.

There were all these little cliques, and that's not something I enjoy.

So that's why I have not been keen to join again.

Agreed too, didn't feel very welcome,

 

[Arbee]

It could also be worth putting together a better notification/reminder/calendar system so that it's more noticeable to members. I often forget that the event is happening on a particular weekend.

Maybe put together Google calendars for each region or for the Fanatics community in general, where people can subscribe to the calendar and receive event notifications on their phone/tablet/PC.

Thanks... That's do-able...

 

[MaX]

That dynamic is very much the same as on the forum though... Guys getting likes and reps just for "being awesome". Like it or hate it, will always happen no matter where you go. Each forum is like that. Thats why I said, I like going to the events where you get to drive\race most of the time.

 

[Xack]

I attended the 1st (I think) ice-cream run in GP. I thought it was amazing in terms of attendance, BUT, apart from 4/5 people (eg Divio/Dewalt), everyone was really standoffish.

There were all these little cliques, and that's not something I enjoy.

So that's why I have not been keen to join again.

i feel the same....

I think that can be countered with a simple meet and greet before major events, but I can relate, I normally walk up to the guys and introduce myself, pretty forward, but it works,lol. Iam also guilty of missing fanatics events, jus been crazy busy lately so much on my plate.

 

[///Maniac]

I actually agree with VukMiler. But most events are on a Saturday and recently I have been working every Saturday (where previously I worked alternate Saturday's). But I don't expect events to be changed to a different day as most guys prefer Saturday's as Sunday is family day. I do try and make it to events if I can though.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[VictorMike]

I think that can be countered with a simple meet and greet before major events

Great idea!

but I can relate, I normally walk up to the guys and introduce myself, pretty forward, but it works,lol.

I did try that. Maybe there is something wrong with my face

 

[Arbee]

Thanks for the feedback so far, please do keep them coming in...

I guess it will be a good start to identify staff at events, so for that, we have worked on these:

Most staff members have received them already. But, they will be wearing them at events from now on. Being volunteers, we cannot force them to wear it, i do hope they will wear them proudly on their own accord.

We are also working on Staff shirts... I have spoken to the GP events team and they have agreed that they will be a lot more welcoming than they already are. KZN and CT will follow as well...

 

[tyronejames]

Hi there. I am a newbie to this forum and keep checking events that i can attend, however being a student in Pretoria travelling into the heart of joburg is quite daunting. It would be really nice to have events spread across gauteng. I also quite like the idea where most of the time is spent in the car and when out of it everyone is socializing and getting to know everyone. So no small little groups. Maybe an entertainment program or something along those lines that forces everyone to engage with each other. :ty:

 

[Arbee]

I have asked the GP team to host the next event in or closer to the PTA area...

 

[Lizzard]

:ty: :ty: :ty:

Agree with the drive thing, maybe do like a harties drive at least quarterly where we start from say Centurion and then drive to Harties as a group. During the day, this will present a uniformity of our group as well present people what is the best car in the gauteng.......

Just think this will look awesome and will unite us even more as we are all car lovers here :tiptoe:

 

[Yus]

Hi All,

Im sorry for the negative subject but its disappointing, demotivating and a huge concern for us who strive to bring us all together and then faced with a handful of fanatics at at event...

Yes, that's right... Over the last few months the event attendance has been dismal to say the least and I (personally) have had to bring this topic up. Its sad that we (TheFanatics) have built teams to satisfy your event needs and they work damn hard to do so but there's limited people or the same eager Fanatics attending. Thank you to the eager, loyal guys who are always keen to attend, we value your support and wish that you are always at our events.

Let me provide some stats...

This weekend, BMWFanatics together with AUTOMC hosted a Dyno day. Heres the number, FIVE (5) of the entries were from the Forum...

Next weekend, The KZN boys have a Charity event, its been up for a few weeks, they have received 5 donations... FIVE...

Last month, the GP events team CANCELLED an event...

This is just in the last 2 months... The GP end of year breakfast run brought a handful of us together, while we filled up the restaurant, we did expect more.

Now, again, im sorry for being negative but as i said, its demotivating to the teams that go out their way, spend time during busy work days only to be faced with handful of us reaping the benefits of their hard work. To add, AutoMC, an advertiser had costs incurred to host the dyno event, all for 13 Fanatics? Im sure you understand the negativity?

But, with that said... We will continue to bring you events, perhaps we will lower our quality so that we dont put in too much effort into them...

Let us hear from you, TheFanatics members, what has happened? Is it the economy? Is it time? Is there something the events team has done wrong? Is there something the events teams can do to bring more together?

How can we increase the numbers at our events?

To end off, a huge thank you from me to the events teams and those that actually do attend events for the time and effort put into events. There are loyal fanatics and it can been seen by the accolades we collect when attending other club events. Big ups to you...

Looking forward to hearing from you...

Howzit Arbee

Was good to see you on Saturday at BMWfest. This is my view on why the turnout is low for events here in GP. I think the guys don't feel welcome at these events. If you go to an event and if you don't already know some of the guys you tend to feel out of place. I think we need more friendly faces and more smiles all round. You get groups that stick to themselves and they only chat with themselves. If a new member attends an event and feels left out they will never attend any of our events again. We need the senior guys to always make everybody feel welcome and that sense of belonging to the best BMW club should always be reinforced. We are doing so well at events, 2 awards already for 2016, that's amazing. We need to build on that achievement and grow the club to make it the biggest and best in SA.
Well done to the events team, keep up the good work guys. We have an awesome forum/club here and it needs some small changes/improvements to be made so we can take number 1 spot. Lets do this guys.

Yusuf

 

[tyronejames]

That would be great :ty: Cant wait to hear about it :=):

 

[Waseem 333i]

On my personal note. I would attend every event I could but finance does not cater for it. Events which put strain on the car i cant participate but I can be a spectator. My car is not 100% healthy and again should something break on a track day for instance my finances cant repair. That does not mean I wont attend. I will love to just for the comradery. Other thing I have noticed is some of the members don't have clean cars. Because of that they feel embarrassed to attend because of the condition. I will admit that I felt the same until this weekend that passed. My car is not worthy for display but the other fanatics convinced me to display. I was just going to be a spectator. I am glad I participated. We won the award and I feel great to have been a part of that.

In my opinion budget and quality of cars are the biggest downfall. It sounds silly but roughly R300 for fuel, then entrance +-R100, then food +-R100. Just for example R500 to attend one event. Doesn't sound much but can become a bit of a stretch every month. The biggest killer is fuel.

 

[Arbee]

At the end of the day, the events team is doing their best to cater for everyone. I dont want this thread to demotivate any more...

We will be changing and adding some strategies going forward and would love to see an increase in attendance in future.

The events feedback thread has just been bumped up, we would appreciate honest feedback after every event.

If you feel an event is/was well organized, give the guys a rep point. Appreciation is always accepted when credited.

 

[Arbee]

Hi All,

Im sorry for the negative subject but its disappointing, demotivating and a huge concern for us who strive to bring us all together and then faced with a handful of fanatics at at event...

Yes, that's right... Over the last few months the event attendance has been dismal to say the least and I (personally) have had to bring this topic up. Its sad that we (TheFanatics) have built teams to satisfy your event needs and they work damn hard to do so but there's limited people or the same eager Fanatics attending. Thank you to the eager, loyal guys who are always keen to attend, we value your support and wish that you are always at our events.

Let me provide some stats...

This weekend, BMWFanatics together with AUTOMC hosted a Dyno day. Heres the number, FIVE (5) of the entries were from the Forum...

Next weekend, The KZN boys have a Charity event, its been up for a few weeks, they have received 5 donations... FIVE...

Last month, the GP events team CANCELLED an event...

This is just in the last 2 months... The GP end of year breakfast run brought a handful of us together, while we filled up the restaurant, we did expect more.

Now, again, im sorry for being negative but as i said, its demotivating to the teams that go out their way, spend time during busy work days only to be faced with handful of us reaping the benefits of their hard work. To add, AutoMC, an advertiser had costs incurred to host the dyno event, all for 13 Fanatics? Im sure you understand the negativity?

But, with that said... We will continue to bring you events, perhaps we will lower our quality so that we dont put in too much effort into them...

Let us hear from you, TheFanatics members, what has happened? Is it the economy? Is it time? Is there something the events team has done wrong? Is there something the events teams can do to bring more together?

How can we increase the numbers at our events?

To end off, a huge thank you from me to the events teams and those that actually do attend events for the time and effort put into events. There are loyal fanatics and it can been seen by the accolades we collect when attending other club events. Big ups to you...

Looking forward to hearing from you...

Howzit Arbee

Was good to see you on Saturday at BMWfest. This is my view on why the turnout is low for events here in GP. I think the guys don't feel welcome at these events. If you go to an event and if you don't already know some of the guys you tend to feel out of place. I think we need more friendly faces and more smiles all round. You get groups that stick to themselves and they only chat with themselves. If a new member attends an event and feels left out they will never attend any of our events again. We need the senior guys to always make everybody feel welcome and that sense of belonging to the best BMW club should always be reinforced. We are doing so well at events, 2 awards already for 2016, that's amazing. We need to build on that achievement and grow the club to make it the biggest and best in SA.
Well done to the events team, keep up the good work guys. We have an awesome forum/club here and it needs some small changes/improvements to be made so we can take number 1 spot. Lets do this guys.

Yusuf

Thanks for the feedback and kind words. Good to see you as well.

 

[Nick]

I think money plays a large part for most of us.

As for feeling "a part" of the meet, it just takes time.
I still feel like a noob when i go to them.

 

[Arbee]

At the end of the day, the events team is doing their best to cater for everyone. I dont want this thread to demotivate any more...

We will be changing and adding some strategies going forward and would love to see an increase in attendance in future.

The events feedback thread has just been bumped up, we would appreciate honest feedback after every event.

If you feel an event is/was well organized, give the guys a rep point. Appreciation is always accepted when credited.

One more point to add here...

Im seeing a general rant against cliques... I see it too, but this is due to these individuals attending the first event and making friends. I have been at every event in GP for the last 2 years, up until late last year, these groups were growing. Now, they are getting smaller...

The events team have the smoothness off the total event to worry about, we can only chat for a minute or two and have to continue back to duties. Events team is there is make sure the event goes off smooth, making friends is up to you... However, the teams will strategize and come up with a solution...

 

[TurboLlew]

It isn't only fanatics. Almost every car club is having these issues. I got a message from BMW Club last week saying their event on Sunday was still empty and they wanted guys to participate. SOCSA same story (or worse because the Scooby communities has such toxic elements and bad blood in it). Not sure HOCSA even exists anymore. I think it is a combination of time pressure (more of us working longer hours as jobs are shed), pressure on funds, pressure from family etc. Signs of our time.

There are many clubs that used to be buzzing that are now totally and completely DEAD (like not even the turnout mentioned above). There are also a perception from some people that the culture has changed (generally) for the worse. I don't necessarily agree with that but it is a perception nonetheless. Admins and mods continue to keep some on life support with our own funds and try to serve up content or events but its difficult even when there is zero cost to participate or attend.

Whatsapp groups are not even busy these days and are filled with dodgy characters as well.

 

[ChefDJ]

I think we need a "Meet The Forum" event, based in all three major provinces, based purely on inviting the new guys to meet the older guys, with a strategy at the event to help the newer guys get around and introduce and meet some longer standing members.

There's no down side to this. All it will do is help everyone make friends :=):

 

[RAArmstrong]

It isn't only fanatics. Almost every car club is having these issues. I got a message from BMW Club last week saying their event on Sunday was still empty and they wanted guys to participate. SOCSA same story (or worse because the Scooby communities has such toxic elements and bad blood in it). Not sure HOCSA even exists anymore. I think it is a combination of time pressure (more of us working longer hours as jobs are shed), pressure on funds, pressure from family etc. Signs of our time.

There are many clubs that used to be buzzing that are now totally and completely DEAD (like not even the turnout mentioned above). There are also a perception from some people that the culture has changed (generally) for the worse. I don't necessarily agree with that but it is a perception nonetheless. Admins and mods continue to keep some on life support with our own funds and try to serve up content or events but its difficult even when there is zero cost to participate or attend.

Whatsapp groups are not even busy these days and are filled with dodgy characters as well.

You make a very good point... My dad runs events for the Merc Club KZN... He was telling me turnout isn't great their either. Last I heard for their AGM which normally pulls well over 100 members from around the country something like 50 or 60 members were attending... Its a sign of the times sadly...