TheFanatics Event Feedback Thread

[ChrisBrand]

Obviously with most things in life there is a certain amount of give and take.

Be assured that we as Event Organisers will always do everything within our capabilities to make each and every member feel welcome and have them enjoy every part thereof.

I personally try to go to each and every member which shows up at the meeting venue and introduce myself. I wish I had the time to sit and chat with each and every member but I also understand that not each and every person feels comfortable walking up to a stranger and introduce themselves.

For this to work we each need to do everything from our side to make this work. We can throw everything we have at events with the time and energy we have but if no one shows or people are easily put off its not going to work. Just as in the same way you might show all the enthusiasm and effort to drive all the way to events but we dont make the effort to make provision for a structured and enjoyable event.

We will try and provide each member with ample opportunity to join at least a few events. Sure there will be times when you cant join due to time, place, cash, etc restraints but if thats the case we want to work with you to assist you.

You will obviously have groups where persons that have known each other for years would wish to discuss certain events with each other. It may be that this is actually the only time they ever have the opportunity to socialise with each other. I can promise each and every member that should you approach a person or group that they will gladly include you as part of the discussion and should they not wish to show courtesy in such situations they will be asked to leave as thats not the BMWF way.

Please also remember that we as Event Coordinators are also sometimes put off by the way certain members may behave in certain situations. There may be times (eg. Runs) where certain members may take huge chances and give the brand a very bad name. In such cases we are also then inclined to rather have events where people arent given the opportunity to act in such way. Provided we always give a speech on road ethics prior to taking the cars for a run.

Please note that we will do everything we can to ensure that each and every persons needs are fulfilled as best we can.

We will make provision for Breakfast Runs, Cars and Coffee, Ice Cream Runs, Dyno Days, Track Days and social events where all the members sit at 1 table and socialise.

Also be assured that we take each and every concern highlighted in this thread to heart and will do our best to ensure that we stay a close knit community and family

 

[Hot_Bobby's]

I like attending car club events where you do something with the car. Track day\breakfast run etc. From the photos you guys post, those events are always a roaring success.

The trackday, albeit a strip-day more than a trackday was limited to a certain number of cars and by the time I saw registrations opened, it was sold out already and this even when the strip day was priced at the same price as a trackday.

Maybe do some research into what events the fanatics like to attend. Its kinda like the movies, we go there to watch awesome movies that we like. If they throw in a couple of bad movies inbetween the good movies, I dont feel obliged to go watch the bad movies just because I belong to the movie club.

---

Oh, just to add, you guys do an awesome job and I dont think you should take this personal!!!

---

Wholeheartedly agree with this.

I've been in a couple of car clubs over the years and a similar thing happened with the Opel guys. It's about the TYPE of events.

Exactly as MaX says, I want to do a track day, or a drag, or even a breakfast run.
Somewhere we can actually drive the cars, stretch their legs a bit more than in the daily grind. Dyno days also work, but seem to be too few and far between.

I have a family, as I'm sure a lot here do..
My wife will always join - she's a petrolhead as much as I - so that means arranging baby sitters for the kids.
I can't justify taking 6 hours away from spending it with my kids, to go and meet-up in a parking lot and take pics. There's also kids parties, other social events, so it becomes about managing time and prioritizing based on the WANT factor.

I was on the committee in the Opel Owner's Club - I know it's sometimes a thankless job and can be very disconcerting when member participation dwindles.

Right now, I'd love to do a Gerotek day. I've really missed those.
And then maybe a BMW vs Merc Tarlton day.
And then maybe a day at Z where we can actually get onto the track at a time that works with dropping kids off at grand-parents etc.
With some breakfast runs and dyno days in between.

Right now, it's incredibly easy to get 3 or 4 mates together and do a Tarlton Street2Strip night. Easy, done.
It's just as easy to go to a Z Trax Day.
It needs to be fun, involving the cars and with a bit more notice.

One of the most fun things we did in one of the other clubs, was get a police escourt through a small town to one of the events.. We literally all honned it, with the escourt.
I know days like that are gone, but think in that direction.

---

+1

 

[MaX]

I like attending car club events where you do something with the car. Track day\breakfast run etc. From the photos you guys post, those events are always a roaring success.

The trackday, albeit a strip-day more than a trackday was limited to a certain number of cars and by the time I saw registrations opened, it was sold out already and this even when the strip day was priced at the same price as a trackday.

Maybe do some research into what events the fanatics like to attend. Its kinda like the movies, we go there to watch awesome movies that we like. If they throw in a couple of bad movies inbetween the good movies, I dont feel obliged to go watch the bad movies just because I belong to the movie club.

---

Oh, just to add, you guys do an awesome job and I dont think you should take this personal!!!

---

Wholeheartedly agree with this.

I've been in a couple of car clubs over the years and a similar thing happened with the Opel guys. It's about the TYPE of events.

Exactly as MaX says, I want to do a track day, or a drag, or even a breakfast run.
Somewhere we can actually drive the cars, stretch their legs a bit more than in the daily grind. Dyno days also work, but seem to be too few and far between.

I have a family, as I'm sure a lot here do..
My wife will always join - she's a petrolhead as much as I - so that means arranging baby sitters for the kids.
I can't justify taking 6 hours away from spending it with my kids, to go and meet-up in a parking lot and take pics. There's also kids parties, other social events, so it becomes about managing time and prioritizing based on the WANT factor.

I was on the committee in the Opel Owner's Club - I know it's sometimes a thankless job and can be very disconcerting when member participation dwindles.

Right now, I'd love to do a Gerotek day. I've really missed those.
And then maybe a BMW vs Merc Tarlton day.
And then maybe a day at Z where we can actually get onto the track at a time that works with dropping kids off at grand-parents etc.
With some breakfast runs and dyno days in between.

Right now, it's incredibly easy to get 3 or 4 mates together and do a Tarlton Street2Strip night. Easy, done.
It's just as easy to go to a Z Trax Day.
It needs to be fun, involving the cars and with a bit more notice.

One of the most fun things we did in one of the other clubs, was get a police escourt through a small town to one of the events.. We literally all honned it, with the escourt.
I know days like that are gone, but think in that direction.

---

Oh wow, I still have pics of the Gerotek Highspeed day with the Opel guys! My OPC did damn well for a lil 2.0!!!!!!!!!!!

I would pay good money for another Gerotek Highspeed day!!!!!

 

[Fuzz@tinyNET]

Essentially, those who look for excuses will never get the ball rolling, others who are willing to pursue their passion will make every excuse to be there...

Slow your roll there bud. I did say I tried talking to people. I would not complain if I didn't try and initiate conversations. At the midnight ice-cream meet I approached at least 4 different groups, and can count on one hand the number of words I got in response. Luckily Divio, Dewalt, Mike-R, and 1 more gentleman with a really neat turbo e36 (forgot his name) were approachable, otherwise the night would have been a complete bust for me.

Going to one event and not being the flavour of the week doesn't mean that all events are therefore not social.

Logic would dictate that once members become more visible at events, so too would people become more welcoming over a period of time.

Riyo being a prime example here - relatively new in the circle of fanatics, but he's made waves by becoming more visible at events, as well as on the forum.

 

[Waseem 333i]

I attended the Hartebeesport Breakfast run last year. It was a car candy event not a BMW fanatics one. The weather was hot as hell. A turbo car suffers because of heat, a Diesel suffers even more. I still enjoyed myself driving while nursing a hot car. On that day I was one of the slowest cars but hell I had fun.

The guys in front do pull over and wait for the rest to catch up. Its like having a mini meet up on the side of the road. Sadly the fanatic breakfast run was shortly after and I couldn't make it.

I can vouch for the fanatics that they do make you feel welcome (thanks for the hug fuzzy) :blowheart:

 

[splintheter]

I dont go because it always seems to end up with guys trying to compare cock size. In my humble opinion the forum isn't what it was 3 or 4 years ago. But that's my opinion, and you did ask for it.

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

 

[Arbee]

Right now, Gerotek and Tarlton costs are way way out our league.

Lets be respectable, we dont want this thread being the reason our event attendance is low. We want to get everyone together and happy...

 

[boost3d]

I personally stopped going to events because last year when I had an issue at Raceday, it was only the KZN fanatics & Firoze that went out the way to assist me, and not the Jhb fanatics, many of whom iv went out of my way to assist and help. I might be the exception to the rule but that's why I am glad to help online and contribute my time here and here only.

 

[JadielM]

I do apologize for adding negativity, but here are some of my observations as a KZN events attendee and organizer:

1) Prior to every event, there are a handful of folks who provide input of where/when/how they'd like the event to take place, and most of the time, the KZN team adjusts their initial plan to cater to everybody, only to find the same folks skip the event.

2) Paid events are a headache. An example would be the go-kart shootout. Though it isn't fair to blame fanatics for their financial situations, it was observed that it's very difficult to secure payments when a deadline is provided, especially from those who requested events of that nature.

3) Social events. Every event has its cliques. It's completely natural for members to attend with people they're already familiar with. That said, nobody in the KZN crew is difficult to approach. Many fanatics, such as Kish, Feroz, Duran and Pj, amongst a mass of others, are often seen going out of their way, checking up on newbies, making sure everybody feels like they're part of the family. I say this with confidence, as I was a newb to the group not too long ago. So saying social events are a failure because of cliques is totally null and void.

 

[VictorMike]

Going to one event and not being the flavour of the week doesn't mean that all events are therefore not social.

I am not asking for a parade and red carpet, just friendliness, and trust me when I say there was VERY little of it.

Logic would dictate that once members become more visible at events, so too would people become more welcoming over a period of time.

Logic would also dictate that when I approach you and introduce myself, you should reciprocate, instead of giving me a nod, and then looking away.

Riyo being a prime example here - relatively new in the circle of fanatics, but he's made waves by becoming more visible at events, as well as on the forum.

Oh I see, so you want ME to suck up to people, and THEN they will maybe greet me? Yeah, no.

 

[Lagwagon]

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...

May I just add, it was my first event and I felt very welcome. The events staff did a great job and I had a chat with a fair few members.

I agree with Arbee that it is up to individual to go out there and join in. You do feel a bit uncomfortable at first and the cliques are there and will always be there, but if you don't make the effort to meet and greet you will most probably feel like you are being left out.

I think a quick meet and greet before the event will maybe break the ice a little. The guys arrive and start walking around and you are not 100% sure if they are a fanatics member or just someone else drooling over their car.

Thanks again to the events team, was good to put faces to the names. :coolShake:

 

[Arbee]

Going to one event and not being the flavour of the week doesn't mean that all events are therefore not social.

I am not asking for a parade and red carpet, just friendliness, and trust me when I say there was VERY little of it.

Logic would dictate that once members become more visible at events, so too would people become more welcoming over a period of time.

Logic would also dictate that when I approach you and introduce myself, you should reciprocate, instead of giving me a nod, and then looking away.

Riyo being a prime example here - relatively new in the circle of fanatics, but he's made waves by becoming more visible at events, as well as on the forum.

Oh I see, so you want ME to suck up to people, and THEN they will maybe greet me? Yeah, no.

Please dont turn this into a personal vendetta... The midnight run was one of the most successful events this year, we had a phenomenal turnout. Apologies that you did not find everyone to be friendly, lets try and change that at the next event?

 

[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...

May I just add, it was my first event and I felt very welcome. The events staff did a great job and I had a chat with a fair few members.

I agree with Arbee that it is up to individual to go out there and join in. You do feel a bit uncomfortable at first and the cliques are there and will always be there, but if you don't make the effort to meet and greet you will most probably feel like you are being left out.

I think a quick meet and greet before the event will maybe break the ice a little. The guys arrive and start walking around and you are not 100% sure if they are a fanatics member or just someone else drooling over their car.

Thanks again to the events team, was good to put faces to the names. :coolShake:

Thank you.

 

[VictorMike]

Please dont turn this into a personal vendetta... The midnight run was one of the most successful events this year, we had a phenomenal turnout. Apologies that you did not find everyone to be friendly, lets try and change that at the next event?

Look, you started a thread, and I gave an honest opinion. I just don't appreciate Fuzz accusing me of not making an effort.

 

[splintheter]

I am amused how comments are asked for, and then mods come back and tell you its the members fault. Let's be frank, fanatics is a business and its members are it's customers. If there is a problem, then something the business is doing is incorrect.... For me the issues is clear. The members of this forum have very different views on what being a BMW fanatic is..... For some it's spinning in a car park, for others it's appreciating an oem bmw, putting the 2 together will never work

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

 

[Ralf*]

Please dont turn this into a personal vendetta... The midnight run was one of the most successful events this year, we had a phenomenal turnout. Apologies that you did not find everyone to be friendly, lets try and change that at the next event?

I still question the morals of the members when the Midnite run where the emphasis is on performance and "personal showing off , as someone earlier on mentioned "my dick is larger than yours", etc takes precedence over a charity event

or a plain and simple get toegether, chat, coffee etc.

 

[Arbee]

Please dont turn this into a personal vendetta... The midnight run was one of the most successful events this year, we had a phenomenal turnout. Apologies that you did not find everyone to be friendly, lets try and change that at the next event?

Look, you started a thread, and I gave an honest opinion. I just don't appreciate Fuzz accusing me of not making an effort.

Ok cool, i understand what you are saying. Remember that Fuzz is the team lead for GP Events, so what your honest opinion will spark his emotions up as well as he works hard for events.

 

[tyronejames]

Just a quick question.... Roughly when can we expect the next event? Thanks

 

[Arbee]

Just a quick question.... Roughly when can we expect the next event? Thanks

Right now, all future/unplanned events are put on hold until we secure a strategy.

 

[Fuzz@tinyNET]

Please dont turn this into a personal vendetta... The midnight run was one of the most successful events this year, we had a phenomenal turnout. Apologies that you did not find everyone to be friendly, lets try and change that at the next event?

I still question the morals of the members when the Midnite run where the emphasis is on performance and "personal showing off , as someone earlier on mentioned "my dick is larger than yours", etc takes precedence over a charity event

or a plain and simple get toegether, chat, coffee etc.

Emphasis isn't placed on performance or a dick measuring contest.

If you'd care to look at advertised times and corresponding venues, it's quick to see that the emphasis is placed on the social side and not the performance side.

That's why it's called an ICE CREAM MEET and not a midnight run.

:facepalm: