Meeting in the UK

[sceptic]

Hi,

 

About two years ago, I held a meeting in Milton Keynes for Internet bridge enthusiasts, the meet was from Friday evening until the Sunday afternoon, we hired a hall in a small hotel and all we did was play cards, go for a few meals and drink a bit, the weekend was successful, about 26 people in total turned up.

 

I hired the hall and the tables, cards etc , the hotel arrangements were left for individuals to book their own rooms, I provided the link to the hotel for people to do this, I would like to arrange another one for the summer, the location in England could be changed but I would like somewhere easy to reach from London and far enough away to make it pleasantly affordable for all.

 

We had about 7 people from europe and 2 from the states come to the meeting, the rest were from England, the weekend is made up and organised so that if people only wanted to come down and meet some friends for a day/ afternoon or whatever they chose, it would not be a problem.

 

What I would like to know is do we have enough interest amongst the BBO community that would make the weekend a success, if you are interested, please post here or email me at wayne.mayer@btinternet.com or telephone me at 01908 613918 (my home phone number). I am happy to help with directions or anything else you may require when I have some idea of numbers etc

 

if I have some idea of the numbers, I can sort out a room big enough to accomodate everyone and I can get enough tables to ensure we can play bridge, drink, and eat with friends until our hearts are content. if anyone from abroad would be interested i.e. you are in england on holiday or buissiness and you have an afternoon or one day only available you would be more than welcome.

 

I would like to post a list of people that are interested here in the forums so others can see which of their friends are coming.

 

anyone that would like to be involved in helping to orgaise this or has ideas about locations I am easy going and happy to discuss anything you think may make it better.

 

as for cost, if you chose to stay, the hotel bills are yours etc, the hall hire etc etc, would be shared equally amongst us all. it cost approx £350 two years ago the hall I had would have managed 40 - 50 people so this will give you hopefully some idea of the cost.

 

some of the people that came are in BBO and you are more than welcome to speak to them about what they liked or disliked about the weekend

[flytoox]

I am interested in it provided it is not too expensive. Perhaps a one-day event without staying overnight will be more attractive.

[sceptic]

that is the whole point of the way I did it before, the facility is there for you just to come for one day if you wish and not stay, hope you can come

[Echognome]

I'm interested depending on what dates in the summer you had in mind. Going to be in the states for pretty much all of August playing in two sectionals and a regional there. It sounds like a fun idea though.

[badderzboy]

Hi Wayne,

 

Sounds like a great idea.

 

Have u contacted Maureen to have it posted in the BIL bulletin as well.

 

Now if u could convince one or more of the BBO superstars (Fred/Uday/Roland/Ben et al) to make an appearance you're likely to get unindated lol - (now if it was close to a major European Tournament...).

 

Steve

[Walddk]

Now if u could convince one or more of the BBO superstars (Fred/Uday/Roland/Ben et al) to make an appearance ....

Not out of the question at all as far as I am concerned. I remember that Fred did something similar in 1998 when the members on zone.com had a convention in Asheville, North Carolina. Fred came one day as a guest lecturer, and he even lived in Canada at the time.

 

Need I say that this was a tremendous success?

 

England is about 1½ hours away from where I live, so there is no major obstacle regarding travel. Time may be an issue, but that is impossible to say as long as there is no schedule.

 

Roland

[Gerben42]

You live at the airport?

Same here. Problem is that Tübingen - Stuttgart (30 km) sometimes takes as long as Stuttgart - London (1000 km?)

[Walddk]

You live at the airport?

30 minutes' drive away, and traffic is not the same problem here as in Germany where traffic jams on the motorways are quite common. Hope you can make it anyway, Gerben :)

 

Roland

[sceptic]

Hi all,

 

Just to update you all, I have a few more bits to arrange (i.e. tables cards etc) costings will be as small as possible, I have negotiated a function room for all day saturday and sunday, this should be ample in size for about 16 tables so that should give you some idea of expected number, the response so far has been steady (on a positive side ).

 

cost so far £300 tables etc , I am stilll negotating, but this will not be anywhere as near this figure, so it should divide up equally, no profit or extras will be added, it willl purely be to cover the outlay for the meeting

 

More info will be provided shortly (next few weeks) I am looking at the first weekend in august 5/6/7 2005, one thing I learnt long ago is that the dates never suit everyone, so apologys if the dates are not for you (nothing personal)

 

here is the website of the proposed venue for you to have a look at costs for accomodation if required, day visitors are more than welcomed and encouraged

 

http://swanrevived.co.uk/

[sceptic]

Hi, someone asked me a question about itinery, I have nothing specific in mind, bridge, food, a few drinks and social gathering are what I had in mind, an opportunity to meet the people you play with face to face, I am of course open to ideas so please if you have something specific in mind, please let me know

[fred]

Now if u could convince one or more of the BBO superstars (Fred/Uday/Roland/Ben et al) to make an appearance ....

Not out of the question at all as far as I am concerned. I remember that Fred did something similar in 1998 when the members on zone.com had a convention in Asheville, North Carolina. Fred came one day as a guest lecturer, and he even lived in Canada at the time.

 

Need I say that this was a tremendous success?

 

England is about 1½ hours away from where I live, so there is no major obstacle regarding travel. Time may be an issue, but that is impossible to say as long as there is no schedule.

 

Roland

What Roland said about the Zone convention in Asheville is true of course and, for the record, it was a lot of fun for me to be there and to meet many friends who I had previously known only in an online sense (including Roland).

 

Though Roland probably suspected this, he could not have known that I was on Microsoft's payroll at the time. They paid all my expenses for this trip (and maybe an "appearance fee" as well - I can't remember).

 

Nowadays I have a lot more money and would certainly not expect the BBO community to pay for me, but I doubt I would be willing to attend such a function unless I knew there were going to be a lot of BBO members there. If the organizers can get a big enough crowd and if the dates worked out for me then there is a good chance that I would attend.

 

We have given some thought to holding an event like this in Las Vegas. Given that Sheri and I already live here, we would be in a strong position to help with the organization and our personal expenses would be close to zero. The other nice thing about Las Vegas is that it is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world and I suspect we would be able to attract BBO members from many countries. No offense intended to London (which is one of my favorite cities), but it is a rather expensive place to visit.

 

I am not in any way suggesting that a Las Vegas BBO get together is going to happen any time soon, but it is something we have considered and probably it will happen one day.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[sceptic]

there is a possibility that I can help people find cheaper accomodation within the area for anyone that may be interested, but does not want to pay as much for a room as this hotel charges. my phone number is 01908 613918 and my email addy is wayne.mayer@btinternet.com

 

alos anyone if anyone can help spreading the word about this I would be grateful for your assistance (and help with my typing may be an advantage)

 

for all the brits out there, the hotel is about 2 miles from junction 14 on the M1 so it is easy to get to from most places

 

I will post answers to questions here, that way it may help with your own queries

[pclayton]

Las Vegas has a big regional at the end of June.

 

Weather is hot, but isn't oppressive in June. Hotels are plentiful, and the rates start to drop off. Airfare isn't bad either if you book it far enough in advance.

 

Anyone else in?

[Walddk]

Airfare isn't bad either if you book it far enough in advance.

Everything is relative. They may be cheapish inside the USA, but allow me to point out that there is a world outside the United States. [possible humour snipped. uday]

 

Roland

[fred]

Las Vegas has a big regional at the end of June.

 

Weather is hot, but isn't oppressive in June. Hotels are plentiful, and the rates start to drop off. Airfare isn't bad either if you book it far enough in advance.

 

Anyone else in?

Sheri and I will be at the European Championships in Tenerife during the time that the Las Vegas Regional is running.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[sceptic]

Hi all

 

Just to confirm that the meeting will take place in Milton Keynes at the Swan Revived Hotel, Newport Pagnell Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August 2005.

 

http://swanrevived.co.uk/ please mention the bridge meeting if you are going to book a room.

 

The Swan is situated about 45 miles north of London and is very easily accesible by both Rail and Road, being 2 miles from junction 14 on the M1 motorway. and 4 miles from the main line station.

 

I am happy to help anyone with queries and advice and I am prepared to help anyone form across the sea with anything they need.

 

I have booked a function room for all day Saturday and all day Sunday, I have hired tables cloths, bid boxes and cards will be supplied, so we can all play what we like best.

 

I have not arranged buffets or food, the reason for this is, it will be cheaper overall to eat pub lunches and go out for meals during the day, the hotel does nice food and pub meals are quite cheap, there are indians, chinese, italian restaraunts pizza, pubs and all you could ask for within walking distance, Newport is a quiet market town and the Swan is a 500 year old hostelry.

 

This will be a good opportunity to meet your friends online face to face so please if you are interested please spread the word to all.

 

I can be contacted on 01908 613918 and my email address is

wayne.mayer@btinternet.com.

 

I would like to publish a list of people that are committed to come, it would be nice to know what day or days you are coming for so that your friends and others that wish to meet you face to face can plan.

 

the cost to you all is voluntry, donate in a box if you wish, to help me cover the costs of the hall and tables etc etc

[Deanrover]

London is better than Vegas because it is more central geographically, considering most of BBOs users come from the U.S or Europe. Las Vegas is a long way from Europe. If you were to do it in Vegas it might be an idea to do it after the Cavendish - this way BBO users could opt to watch some World Class bridge if they choose - which I am imagine would be very exciting.

 

If you wanted something more central, then East coast America is appealing, and in the U.K you could go to Edinburgh as it is much cheaper than London, and an amazing city. You might find a few users interested in a trip to a whisky distillery, I suspect.

[hrothgar]

London is better than Vegas because it is more central geographically, considering most of BBOs users come from the U.S or Europe. Las Vegas is a long way from Europe. If you were to do it in Vegas it might be an idea to do it after the Cavendish - this way BBO users could opt to watch some World Class bridge if they choose - which I am imagine would be very exciting.

 

If you wanted something more central, then East coast America is appealing, and in the U.K you could go to Edinburgh as it is much cheaper than London, and an amazing city. You might find a few users interested in a trip to a whisky distillery, I suspect.

I'm a BIG fan of Dublin.

 

Good food and the Porter House is a kick ass microbrewery

their Oyster Stout is VERY nice...

[Deanrover]

London is better than Vegas because it is more central geographically, considering most of BBOs users come from the U.S or Europe. Las Vegas is a long way from Europe. If you were to do it in Vegas it might be an idea to do it after the Cavendish - this way BBO users could opt to watch some World Class bridge if they choose - which I am imagine would be very exciting.

 

If you wanted something more central, then East coast America is appealing, and in the U.K you could go to Edinburgh as it is much cheaper than London, and an amazing city. You might find a few users interested in a trip to a whisky distillery, I suspect.

I'm a BIG fan of Dublin.

 

Good food and the Porter House is a kick ass microbrewery

their Oyster Stout is VERY nice...

Dublin, and Ireland as a whole is amazing. But it is even more expensive than London......

[Aberlour10]

I think, for the "big" european meeting city of Vienna could be a perfect

location...

It's a wonderful place in the heart of Europe and still half so expensive

as other metropoles...

[Deanrover]

I think, for the "big" european meeting city of Vienna could be a perfect

location...

It's a wonderful place in the heart of Europe and still half so expensive

as other metropoles...

According to this survey, London is ludicrously expensive, Vienna ~20% cheaper, and Glasgow ~10% cheaper still.

[Echognome]

Can I just ask why it's relevant to talk about other venues? The discussion is about a meeting in the UK. Do we care if it's 12.7% cheaper in Timbuktu? Yes there are other nice places to meet, but unless you are arranging such a meeting, why discuss that here?

[Deanrover]

Yes, the idea is to arrange another meeting.

[berenicek]

Im interested in going to the gathering wayne . Will there be others going or is it just you and I lol :D

[Walddk]

It seems unfair to me to arrange another meeting now that Wayne has booked, hired etc. It is also pointless to discuss which is the cheapest place for the get-together. What good is it that Asuncion in Paraguay is the cheapest, if it costs 1 zillion money to get there?

 

It costs £10 ($18.87) for me to travel to London, so I can live with x% higher costs on site. For members living near Paris, Boston, Cape Town, Shanghai, Budapest and Jyväskylä it will be cheaper for them to have the meeting there, etc. etc.

 

Roland