That's the challenge - the point was to bring new people together, but if we bring the old people back together again how do the new people fit? Tricky business
#milemadness Do Part Deux West Coast Ideas
- Thread starter Matt
- Start date
I only know when two of those days are, because one of them is British and the other has a date related to the British.
As someone who didn't make it to Charlotte, I'm hoping the newbies get in!That's the challenge - the point was to bring new people together, but if we bring the old people back together again how do the new people fit? Tricky business
cocobird
Level 2 Member
Will the Do be a one day event again? Is there consideration for a two day Do? Another (or even a half day) would provide additional time for whatever area needs expansion (example - built in socializing time by having longer breaks or extra time to talk to the presenters).
PurpleSquirrel
MS Nuts
Matt,
If you pick Los Angeles, I'll help you with the hotel bookings.
Looking forward to this event.
If you pick Los Angeles, I'll help you with the hotel bookings.
Looking forward to this event.
Maria Sangria
Level 51
I'll travel anywhere. But a hub is nice. East coast is tough for the Friday night socializing because it takes most of the day for those further west to get there. I tried to take as little time off from work as possible too.
The social aspect is really key. For me, that was one of the best parts. I would also do some sessions or social events on Sunday. You're already there. Maybe an MS field trip? Just thinking out loud here.
EDIT: And I forgot to mention I'd like to see some financial/investment/smart money types of sessions.
The social aspect is really key. For me, that was one of the best parts. I would also do some sessions or social events on Sunday. You're already there. Maybe an MS field trip? Just thinking out loud here.
EDIT: And I forgot to mention I'd like to see some financial/investment/smart money types of sessions.
Last edited:
I was at the first #milemadness DO in Charlotte and I have posted this elsewhere, but I really thought it was a terrific event. I have been to a couple of Chicago Seminars and one FTU, and this was hands down my favorite event of this type. I cannot emphasize enough how the smaller size of the event and the social openness of the group made a difference. It was nice being in one room, and not having to select from among choices of presentation. For whatever reason, people were really approachable and it was much easier to connect than at the other events. Of course, the venue, the food, and other concrete aspects did play a role. I also felt that it was nice that there were no sponsors, no selling and no hierarchy in terms of speakers vs. attendees. Everyone just mixed and it was a comfortable setting. Not a lot I would change except perhaps have this event not duplicate the exact topics of the last. You want those who came to the first one to find new reasons to go to the second one. Sometimes the information in this community can get so repetitive on the blogs. You don't want that with the DOs too.
Stuck in KC
Level 2 Member
How about DEN? They are a united hub. Easy access from lots of other places. Early fall doesn't usually have snow yet....
Marshallonmoney
Level 2 Member
Good idea. Would be convenient to East & West coast attendees and has lots of flts served by a number or airlines.
I think longer would be good, but I am not sure about the structure of that... if we went into something formal again the following day (meeting space etc) then we would increase costs also. Perhaps using the second day as something casual would work.
Marshallonmoney
Level 2 Member
That is really what happened next day at breakfast. People talked until had to leave for airport.
How about field trips to MS locations on day 2? People will probably be doing that anyway but this could make it more structured (not in the financial sense of course), another chance for mingling, and people who had to fly out could do so. Obviously we'd need to have lots of options nearby so there isn't 50 people descending on a WM kiosk.
ElainePDX
Level 2 Member
I was at #CharlotteDo and have commented about it already, but I will add one thing here.
I think that the round tables were nice for fostering discussion, but with such short breaks in between there wasn't that much time to talk much then anyway. And often at round tables one ends up talking to the folks on either side of you, not the folks across the table, anyway. With round tables, half the folks have their back to the presenters or need to turn their chairs around.
People do take notes, so having tables is nice. Perhaps long tables with chairs facing the presenters could work. I have gone to seminars/meetings on other topics that use that setup, and people do still mix and talk. I think the size of the gathering is more important than the roundness of the tables in encouraging conversations. So I vote for long tables facing the speakers. And if the venue has it, a squarish rather than long room will enable more people to be closer to the front and will promote mingling during breaks.
I think that the round tables were nice for fostering discussion, but with such short breaks in between there wasn't that much time to talk much then anyway. And often at round tables one ends up talking to the folks on either side of you, not the folks across the table, anyway. With round tables, half the folks have their back to the presenters or need to turn their chairs around.
People do take notes, so having tables is nice. Perhaps long tables with chairs facing the presenters could work. I have gone to seminars/meetings on other topics that use that setup, and people do still mix and talk. I think the size of the gathering is more important than the roundness of the tables in encouraging conversations. So I vote for long tables facing the speakers. And if the venue has it, a squarish rather than long room will enable more people to be closer to the front and will promote mingling during breaks.
Marshallonmoney
Level 2 Member
The feedback I have received in general was that the round tables were much better than other options (rows of chairs) but the breaks were indeed too short. If we do change one thing in the next we will pace it to have more break between presenters, which I think will bring back the value to the round table (providing our next location actually has round tables
ElainePDX
Level 2 Member
But I bet no one thought about long tablesThe feedback I have received in general was that the round tables were much better than other options (rows of chairs) but the breaks were indeed too short. If we do change one thing in the next we will pace it to have more break between presenters, which I think will bring back the value to the round table (providing our next location actually has round tables
. The main problem at least for me at round tables is that I want to face the presenter. My "hack" which works at fundraising dinners, weddings and anything else with round tables is to just grab a seat early enough to be where I want to be. Easily done and if I get to attend DO#2 I can do it there. But I definitely think that auditorium/theater seating with everyone facing the same way without tables is the least preferred option.
As for more breaks, as I am sure you know, getting people resettled after a longer break can be harder, so it is good to build a little give into the schedule. While the CLT event was set up to enable people to fly in and out the same day if desired, I am sure you will still sell out, even if folks have to arrive the night before in order to make an earlier starting time in the morning.
We are haggling with two hotels now like gypsy horse traders to get them to bid against one another- waiting on the second to get back to us.Quick question for Matt, brought on by discussions of legal stuff elsewhere in the forums: What is the legal definition of 'soon'? Or will that be forthcoming, like, maybe, soon?
When they do, we will be ready to announce it. I guess that normal people don't work on weekends and holidays so we might need a fee days for that. Ideally I'd like to see an announcement by the end of this coming week, or sooner.
You'll soon have a first-born child to offer in the negotiations if that will help.
Alpen_Geoff
Level 2 Member
I'll add another +1 for making the do longer, second day should be unofficial in the sense that no need for hotel to provide room, amenities etc. but more of an additional block of time for networking / socialising.
Manspender
Level 2 Member
I did not make the CLT Do but heard a lot about it. The one thing that I have problems with in MSing is the accounting. If you can have a presentation on how to set up the accounting, what program is the better one and how to enter info in that would make MSing so much less stressful. The thought of loosing tract of all the different spends puts my MSing on the slow burner.
The weird thing I learned from running the spreadsheets on milemadness is that nobody has a system like that in place. They just 'know'. For me, it doesn't matter about the accounting, all that matters is where are the full cards and where are the empty ones.
With that in mind, I can see a desire for this, but don't know that anyone can offer a good solution since they don't use one themselves (I may be mistaken here, but that was the general feeling)
Milenomics had a great post on this recently (http://milenomics.com/2014/05/purchase-tracking-tools/). Perhaps getting him to expand more on this at the DO would be the way to go.
Anh
Level 2 Member
Yep, for me I just "know". But I'm a bit of an OCD so I keep track of these things quite well. Many people do better with some "real" bookkeeping system.
SJCRussell
Level 2 Member
Can I suggest an unusual choice like Salinas, near Monterrey Bay (~15 miles)? It is near enough to SF Bay area, has somewhere really nice nearby, but is much quieter and cheaper. Plenty of chain hotels there too.
Absolutely, suggest anywhere you like. I've mentioned a few times that people shouldn't worry about location right now as we are zeroing in on a spot, but have at it!
I recently did Carmel/Monterrey and loved it, fantastic part of the world.
Manspender
Level 2 Member
Thanks a lot Aim. That seems like a useful tool. I have heard of some MSers using Quick books for tracking. I have not been able to wrap my head around the accounting of the different ins and outs of money with this?
Really enjoyed the Charlotte DO and, as a West Coaster, hoping to attend the upcoming one. Apologies if this has already been said (unfortunately I've only had a chance to skim this thread) but I would appreciate a presentation discussing the perils of MS'ing. While MS can be rewarding (and fun), I feel that any time you're doing things involving your SSN a lot of caution is warranted. Some Charlotte presentations touched on this a little ("so and so had their account shut down for doing such and such") but I would find a full-blown presentation helpful.
BTW, Matt, may I get on the "second tier" of this forum somehow? (If I can figure out how to PM you on here I will.)
BTW, Matt, may I get on the "second tier" of this forum somehow? (If I can figure out how to PM you on here I will.)
I was disappointed not to be able to make the first DO, but have my fingers crossed that the next date will work out. While I realize those who attended the first one probably won't want to hear the same information, it would be nice if there was some way to incorporate maybe some of the key takeaways from the first one into the next one.
Mike @ The Hustle Blog
Level 2 Member
I am definitely looking forward to the next DO. There was so much great response from all attendees. Disappointed that I missed out!
cocobird
Level 2 Member
Since there is nearly overwhelming interest in the next DO, how have you planned on announcing it? For instance, will it simply be listed in the blog? Will there be an e-mail to all members of this forum? Will the information be released by multiple channels?
I missed the last DO and actually did not learn of it in a timely manner until well after it was sold out. Thank you kindly.
I missed the last DO and actually did not learn of it in a timely manner until well after it was sold out. Thank you kindly.
You'll hear about this one as soon as it is released. I imagine it will sell out much faster than the last, so when you do, please don't hesitate to get your tickets.Since there is nearly overwhelming interest in the next DO, how have you planned on announcing it? For instance, will it simply be listed in the blog? Will there be an e-mail to all members of this forum? Will the information be released by multiple channels?
I missed the last DO and actually did not learn of it in a timely manner until well after it was sold out. Thank you kindly.