Centenary question

[Ruairidh Dunford]

In my previous life I have organised work events for global sales teams. The first year I did it we got by with a basic 2 day event. I learnt lots. The second year I tried to make it more interesting and I made some mistakes, which upset some. By year 4 it was a week long, included a leadership event and I had it sorted and the event ran smoothly.
Whether paid or volunteer isn't in my mind the point, what is is just how incredibly difficult it is to organise large numbers of people over a period of time including entertaining them and arranging a number of events through those days. All as a one off event.
You absolutely must agree rules at the start and not allow them to be stretched elastically, even for small amends. There lies madness for those trying to understand and apply rules.
Those attending must also understand that the organisers will be run ragged in the final days dealing with 1000 small things and 100 large ones. They will be lucky to be contactable by phone and even more lucky to still be sane/coherent if you do get to them. They may even appear unreasonable in their stress.

I am not involved in organising the event nor am I attending but I have nothing but admiration for those who have put their time and energy into organising it.
Those who attend will experience some organisational frustrations I am sure, but be kind to the organisers who have made any of it possible. Only they will know the herculean efforts they have put in.

I hope you all have a wonderful time and I hope someone deletes this post so that it does not stand as a record of the run up.

Wise words, many thanks, Andy.