Santa pod - The analysis

Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:18 am

Firstly I hope you all had a good time, Thanks to the team for the work they done (I kinda did sweet FA this year

)

Iain and myself had a brief discussion with two zoners that felt the event was a let down and believed it was lacking.

The idea of this thread is for you to suggest what the zone can do for next years shows to help you have a better day.

Obviously we can not change prices of food etc as that is solely down to the vendors on site and please take into consideration that we attend these shows as keen spectators too so don't want to be tied to the stand all day.

Suggest away people and please keep this on topic. All O/T will be removed.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:23 am

being it was my first time there i found it alright mate, the location for the cars was good too

Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:05 pm

I enjoyed it guys well done Dave & Ian,
A Bit more signage around the the place.
How many cars in the e30zone area? (I still havn't got my e30zone mug for guessing it right last year or was it the year before!)

Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:27 pm

I agree with the signage suggestion. Took me ages to find the zone area, despite asking any ususpecting E30 owner I could find.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:39 pm

beemerbird wrote:I agree with the signage suggestion. Took me ages to find the zone area, despite asking any ususpecting E30 owner I could find.

Didnt notice the 100+ E30's all in one area bird?

Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:56 pm

DanThe wrote:
beemerbird wrote:I agree with the signage suggestion. Took me ages to find the zone area, despite asking any ususpecting E30 owner I could find.
Didnt notice the 100+ E30's all in one area bird?

Ha, ha, yes eventually, after I'd hunted down as far as the drift display area, having passed numerous other solo E30s

Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:58 pm

there's always the issue of people not matching cars to people so you get to meet more zoners.[name badges signs in cars].

Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:05 pm

great day imo!!! only problem was trying to drive in and out of the zone area to get to the strip past the trade stands/ tea vans, where people are queing/walking.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:08 pm

First off thank you mod’s for arranging for the Zone to be there again top work again.

Myself and Char had a good day there, I didnt feel it was as organised as the year before and the Zone banners wern't about as much.

I feel the POD people :lol:

could of given us more space like last year instead of the weird layout we had this year.

I think what alot of people forget is that the zone is a forum not a club, we dont pay membership. What the mod's do goes beyond and above already. Last year the mods worked all day on what should of been a show for them to enjoy aswel (I remember the high viz’s still).

As Dave already stated

d6dph wrote: Sorry we are not going to be spending most of the day on the gates like the last few years, We have decided to let the stand do it's own thing and we can relax and enjoy the show too.

This year Iain and Dave were at the gate in the morning handing out passes and Dave didn’t even get his car cleaned until around 10.30-11ish (Dave’s car dirty is something I had never seen or heard of before) I nicked Iains parking space because Gordon told me to not my fault Iain

Within the car scenes I’ve done the whole event planning bit, with parking layout and who’s car is going where etc and it’s a nightmare if you don’t know what your area is and who or who isn’t showing up. Also with the POD you’d have to allow for people running the car’s up the strip etc again messing with any possible layout as such. Even running a standard Logo sheet so each member attending could print a ID plate as such so we knew the members car etc.

You’d have to look into a area for Strip runners/ spannering area, area for cabby’s, area for tec1 and tec2’s etc

But then would it become to regimented???

Me personal view having chatted to one of the E46Zone lads who I know it would be the way forward if we took the E30Zone towards more of a club idea rather than a forum giving the zone a direction to move towards and also the possibility of looking for sponsors. Then the membership would assist in the Website costing, banners etc even stretching towards prizes at such a show.

This is just my view and if I can be of any help in the future with shows etc I’d be up for it as without the zone I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing now.

Mod’s again great work

Thanks
Neil

Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:26 pm

Thanks for the input so far, I'll let the thread roll on for a bit longer before I reply to the points raised.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:30 pm

reggiebaby wrote:there's always the issue of people not matching cars to people so you get to meet more zoners.[name badges signs in cars].

Completely agree with the zoner identification issue. I'm sure that (on the whole) when I wandered into the zone area lots of people must have thought I was lost

Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:57 pm

As a pod first timer I enjoyed it. I agree there could have been a bit more signage directing you to the zone area, and it could have been a bit better labelled. I had to park my car up and walk to where it was cos I couldn't work it out.

Other than that I'd just like to add that it shouldn't be up to the mods to ensure everyone has a good time or a better time next year. It's what you make it surely. I'm a bit new to the car show scene but I've done my fair share of festivals etc. It's one day in the year and with too much regimentation you will run the risk of everyone worrying about whether or not they are in the right area along with a bigger element of people who couldn't give a stuff whether they are or not and it will lead to arguments.

Concentrate on getting your best time on the strip or just park up and have a laugh with some other BMW nuts. simple.

I think Cliffy has a very good idea (albeit slightly O/T) with making the zone a bit more of a club. I can definately see the possible benefits of that and we should maybe start a separate thread to explore that idea a bit more.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:05 pm

i thought it was a great weekend. my only grumble would be about the camping on Saturday i wasn't really sure where to go so ended up down the other end but found every one later in the evening .
also think name badges would be cool or even e30 zone badges just so you no who's who
another idea would be number plates with e30 zone on as i saw another club with them and looked good

again big thanks to every one who organized this event and a big thanks to every one that made me and the wife feel welcome

Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:14 pm

Well i thourgly enjoyed it, first time and it was awsome

nice to meet a few more zoners, never met you dave but your sport was very nice

and cliffybabys looked chrome tastic

Thanks for organising it

Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:46 pm

I thought it was a brill day and the only thing I wish we could have done is know who is who!
Like someone else said, I saw a lot of cars that I know from on here and probably passed their owners a dozen times but never got to say hello.

This is due of course to the fact that people don't stay with their car but move around to enjoy the show, how selfish

I am sure that if we had done the whole weekend and done the camping thing it would have been less of an issue but we couldn't make the Saturday unfortunately.

I might easily have been persuaded to part with a bit of folding as I wanted a couple of zone polo-shirts, but couldn't see any.

If we , as a group of like minded individuals decide that the way forward continues to be as a forum only, then make E30 Zone name badges available to members on a purchase basis. I felt so sad that I knew there were dozens and dozens of zoners there and yet I met so few.

I know what it is like to run a club for vehicle enthusiasts having been at the helm of a club for preserved bus owners not so long ago and am fully aware what a thankless task it can be particularly when you get little support from your members. It can also soak up all of your time quite easily.

On the plus side, the support for the E30 Zone is,without question, something that many others look at with jealous eyes and can only dream about.

I understood that there would be some kind of regional events co-ordination happening, but have yet to see the fruits of that labour but can clearly see this as a means of developing E30 awareness and ownership.

Team Members, over to you!

I think it must be tiome to open another beer now.

P.S. It was a great day and Gill and I are so glad we went along, thanks to one and all that organised the weekend and made it what it was

Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:48 pm

i agree with neil a label either in the motor or on the t shirt ( as per chat with gord ) we never have a good signidge for the zone ( must try harder )

Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:51 pm

Me and my other half felt that the show was 80% good but 20% not so good.....Being as it was our first time we couldnt really compare it to previous years. We had heard from a few other zoners that it was a great show if you like trade stands and auto jumble but to be fair we were dissapointed on that front as there was only a few trade stands and no auto jumble....... Obviously that's not your fault (I did manage to get a set of german style plates made up for billy though so that was all good) We also found that when we got round to the e30 zone stand area there was no one really around to direct us were to go and no obvious sinage as a few others have mentioned.......... We also think that it would be a good idea to put some thing in our cars with screen names as also previously mentioned.........we would like to say thanks to everyone from the zone that sorted out the show and For all there hard work x x x x

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:22 pm

Like someone else said, I saw a lot of cars that I know from on here and probably passed their owners a dozen times but never got to say hello.

I belive that was me

did the tech 1 get back ok ??

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:26 pm

it wasn't my first time at the show but it was the first time i went as a zoner.
i wanted to camp so i could get to know some more like minded people. i usually keep myself to myself and find starting a conversaton quite hard.

i would have liked to see more of a plan to get the whole group together saturday night. either by starting it on here or on the day by puting a sign up, like e30's this way. we sort of had three seperate camps and as a newby that doesnt like to just roll up and say hi it would have been easier if a long term member grabbed people and intoduced us to others.

parking on the sunday was tight and it should be made clear to every one to write there mobile number on their stand pass so when they block some one in (as i was) they are just a phone call away.

other than that, great day and thanks to those that organised it.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:31 pm

I have no complaints and from myself and Elliott thank you for organising the stand we both had a great time

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:41 pm

This was my first visit to POD, and I did enjoy the day.
I met most of the regular zoners, but again, as stated above, names to faces for new zoners was a no no as I hadn't a clue what they looked like.
I know some people on here take the pee out of my Sig, but at least you know what i look like, and proof was "Fi" finding and approaching me in the afternoon.
I have seen a thread on here somewhere where pics were posted with names, but can't find it.
Well done to the "Mods" for organising it and to those who lent a hand in the morning

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:49 pm

essexgirlracer wrote:
ezagood wrote: i wanted to camp so i could get to know some more like minded people. i usually keep myself to myself and find starting a conversaton quite hard.

i would have liked to see more of a plan to get the whole group together saturday night. either by starting it on here or on the day by puting a sign up, like e30's this way. we sort of had three seperate camps and as a newby that doesnt like to just roll up and say hi it would have been easier if a long term member grabbed people and intoduced us to others.

other than that, great day and thanks to those that organised it.

I think this is one of the things my oher half and me said to ian........ We thought it would have been more of a party atmosphere and a chance for us to get to know a few more zoners and put names to faces x x

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:56 pm

was fantastic do... well enjoyed it some ace people there too...

nice to see you again dave and dan325sport was a ace guy too... still waying this one up//

well done mods and all who turned up

Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:00 pm

my first time at the pod really enjoyed it,

many thanks to all who organised it

Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:02 pm

O/t chat removed, Please keep it on topic.

There are plenty of other threads where you can chat about who you saw.

I want to keep this thread clutter free so we can work through the points raised before the next big meet.

Thanks.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:04 pm

Big thanks to all the mods that organized this shin dig, as with above i wandered around all the e30s but didn't seem to be able to put faces to cars, what about some sort of guest book at the zone tent, would give every one a place to converge and a way to put faces to zone names.

Was a great day out and was very impressed with the quality of motors that turned up.

Darren

Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:07 pm

Was a very good event imo, and the E30zone being one of the best stands!

Some very nice E30's there, and very nice zoners to talk too!

Just a shame there was an issue with some of the coucil E30 owners giving the zone a bad name by being awkward were they parked!

Also felt a distinct lack of early bm's! But nothing the zone could do about that!

Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:45 pm

Great day , lots of activity, council and otherwise. Good to meet up with some new faces and chew the fat with the regulars. I was not going to bother going as I was dreading the crawl back along the M1 , the traffic wasn't too grim and I am glad I did

Thanks to all the zone mods for all their efforts to get this together , much appreciated !

Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:48 pm

Rav335uk wrote:I have seen a thread on here somewhere where pics were posted with names, but can't find it.

This one?

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

Last post was by cloud, with purple hair

so could do with updating really

Me and my lad had a great day out and the only problem really is putting names to faces

Could open a mug shot thread in the meets section.

Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:57 pm

Only thing with making it a club is not everyone can afford to pay the amount of money every month,But one good thing is the local annoyances (armanib)Should dissapear as there not gonna pay to annoy people.
But yes making it a club is a good idea that way there is money in the zone so you can do stuff and have prizes and when you go to the shows there is money for banners signs etc.

Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:07 am

Well surely, we can get monies for a decent set of banners to be made, Even if "everyone"

donated £2 to the zone for it????
I would, as it would make us more noticed at these events.

Mods???

Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:33 am

To be fair my self and my other half mentioned that to red05 and no2lurch at gaydon...... We would be happy to donate some cash.......... I also know someone that would probably be able to make us some banners at a very good price.......I'll have a word with him if you like x xx x

Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:54 am

The problem with not recognising people will plague us as there's just too many of us! It's taken me a while so far to work out the regulars and what they look like. Most people won't want to wear a name badge and rightly so, i'd feel like a total plank! (more so than usual). Strangely, i had LOADS of people say hello to me by name, i guess the pics from the zone roam have something to do with that....

I'd say we could do with some more organised plan for camping on the saturday as it was fragmented and hard to talk to everyone. This was for me, more about the e30zone than the sunday.

The thing that spoiled sunday if anything, was the daft shaped space we had to park up in, with no clear 'area' that was ours.

edit:
that sounded very critical and wasn't intended that way!

cheers for all the zone team who put in the effort to organise this. much appreciated and i don't blame you all for wanting to get round the show yourselves for once

I'm happy to lend a hand next year if it helps things?

Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:12 am

I had a really good day out on Sunday, many thanks to everyone who made an effort to organise the e30 'zone'. There was a fantastic turn out, everyone should be pround & deserve a pat on the back. Although it would have been nice if more signs or banners were on display promoting & showing off the this great forum.
Overall for my first show this was a brilliant experience & I enjoyed everything from the drive there & back to meeting & spending time with so many like minded, cool people.

Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:34 am

It was a great day. I just feel gutted that you could a a slip with the 1/4 miles times. I never knew that.