Banquet Seating!

[FJRGuy]

I've mentioned this in the past but have looked into a couple of things and figured I'd provide an update and poll y'all before taking it much further.

My thought for Banquet seating is "Random Assigned Seating". Now before you go raggin' on my 'bout bein' informal, yada, yada, hear me out.

There are many ways to do this but my proposal is that we aquire FJR themed puzzles, probably 15 or 16 pc, and place one on each table (I think we said we didn't want a head table but if we did, we could exclude it) and remove 1 pc for each seat at the table. The pcs are then randomly distributed as people arrive at the hall. People then have to find the puzzle where the peice(s) fit to find thier table.

I know it sounds kinda silly but when implemented, even the stodgiest (is that a word?) of people seem to have fun with it. It adds a little fun and more importantly it mixes everyone up so regulars get to meet new people and new people don't feel intimidated asking "is this seat taken?" It is only for the dinner so there is still lots of other opportunities to visit with old friends.

To do this with decent puzzles I'm guessing would cost ~$200 (depending on the number of tables) but would provide a takeaway for someone from each table. There is a sponsorship opportunity here for branding on the puzzle images. Alternatively, it could be done on the cheap by gluing prints onto Dollar store puzzles and knifing the cuts.

OK... now let me have it...

 

[rocketdoc]

A novel idea for assuring people mix, for sure, but the idea of having puzzles made seems bigger than bang. Most couples would prefer to sit together, and there are a some who won't have seen each other in a long while, I can think of a few, that I know would like to share a table with. So, I would prefer to keep it random.

John

 

[FJRGuy]

Most couples would prefer to sit together

Couples would always be kept together. As we know how many couples we have coming, we keep pairs of pieces from the same puzzles together for them.

...I can think of a few, that I know would like to share a table with.

I think that would like be the majority. I would think, however, that there would still be opportunities to share a table for dinner Thursday; breakfast, lunch or dinner Friday; breakfast or lunch Saturday; breakfast Sunday... (you get the idea )

So, I would prefer to keep it random.

So I'll put John's vote down for "Open Seating". (Not truly random but I knew what you meant! )
So we have John's vote. Anyone else have an opinion?

Remember that I'm just trying to mix it up a bit. This adds some fun and some opportunity to meet new people.

Don't be shy with your comments! I promise not to be offended if you don't like my ideas!

Jeff

 

[Kasey]

So we have John's vote. Anyone else have an opinion?Remember that I'm just trying to mix it up a bit. This adds some fun and some opportunity to meet new people.

Don't be shy with your comments! I promise not to be offended if you don't like my ideas!

Jeff

I prefer open seating as well. Yes friends will likely sit together but others often end up sitting with people they haven't met yet ...which is what happened to me at Moscow and is how I met and got to know MadMike, Highlander and several other Cali riders.

Good thinking though Jeff.

Kasey

 

[Bearly Flying]

Good on You Kasey, Most people will NOT admit to knowing these people.

My thoughts are to leave people mix as they want, there is a lot of people I haven't seen for a long time and might like to enjoy their company over dinner, that doesn't mean I won't be mingling later in the parking lot or whatever.

 

[FJRGuy]

OK Then! We'll call this idea dead! :axesmiley: :bye2: