WFO-6 Budget Plans

[Ignacio]

If I learned anything in 2006 it's that keeping control of who gets comped meals was the most critical variable in a sound budget. Nobody can be getting TWN drunked up on Tequila this year and let him give away meals He may get loopy, but is wiley enough to slip away when it comes time to pay our bill.

After talking with TWN I've come up with several budget scenarios and price points. I have them in Excel, but to make it convenient on this forum I've converted them into images for your viewing pleasure.

We've talked about it before, but I'm going to strongly advocate a single pricing structure for this event. One price should get you dinners Friday and Saturday, a shirt, and covers overhead expenses (what we called a fee last year). A LOT of hassle and heartache last year involved keeping track of the mishmash of things. Some people wanted a shirt but no meals. Some wanted it all. Some wanted to change their minds the day of the event. Some claimed they paid already, but didn't. Some may have paid and we couldn't find record of it. Etc. Striving for one size fits most would save a lot of heartache and if marketed along with this being a slightly upscale event from 2006 would work I think. Ala carte would be extra shirts, box lunches, and rally entry. ......off of my soapbox....

The budgets are color coded:

• Yellows are expenses and highlight the fixed costs of some supplies....a small part of the budget. They also include fixed costs of staff comps...a larger significant part that we have to control. And also variable costs which are meals........the largest part of the budget......and t-shirts.
• Green is income and I've included for internal comparison purposes. The important thing is the one dark green box which would be the price charged to people.
• Orange is comparison to 2006.
• Pink shows who is staff at this point....and that we're all gay.
• Blue is the the critical money shot. It's an analysis of what happens to the bottom line as we stick to the budget and have more attendees. More attendees means more profit to offset all of us freeloading staff

The figures are estimates at this point and you're encouraged to correct me if I have something off or missed something. I swagged on the stuff Lisa bought last year and not sure about trying to put George's rally stuff in here. That's zero for now. And a possibility for some photograph revenue on an idea TWN had....good karma type stuff.
We should strive for a surplus! As Tim points out any surplus would be used to help with the forum and/or for WFO/NFO next year! Having $500 to a $1000 would be very nice.

So, I have two versions to share and show how things change. I would encourage some discussion, but know we're eager to get to announcing prices as soon as possible. TWN will be along any time to help steer things.

Thanks.

Matt

Version 1 - Price point at $140. My recommendation. Includes a 3 entree meal on Saturday, generous to buying a few supplies, and revenue positive if we have 130 attendees (staff don't count).

Version 2 - Price point at $135. Includes a 2 entree meal, a few less supplies, and revenue positive if we have 120 members.

 

[SkooterG]

Errrrr, what's a budget?



Nice job Iggy.

 

[Ignacio]

Errrrr, what's a budget?

Staff will say at WFO, "Hey Skooter. You go out on your bike in the parking lot in your Speedo and smile purty."

When a trucker gives us some cash and takes you to his cab to show you his "aquarium"......well..........you're helping the income side of the budget.

When we have to take you to the clinic and buy ointment for the rash.....you're hurting the expense side of the budget.

Income good, expense bad.

 

[twowheelnut]

Put me down as voting for V.1. Cheap money for all of the fun and good times to be had. Besides, who wouldn't plunk down just to get a chance to flick the back of skooter's ears? Though I think this year, we shouldn't tape the "Kiss me, I'm Gay" sign on his back. We will be in Utah, after all! :blink:

Income good...

Not for the trucker!

 

[SkooterG]

Staff will say at WFO, "Hey Skooter. You go out on your bike in the parking lot in your Speedo and smile purty."
When a trucker gives us some cash and takes you to his cab to show you his "aquarium"......well..........you're helping the income side of the budget.

When we have to take you to the clinic and buy ointment for the rash.....you're hurting the expense side of the budget.

Income good, expense bad.

Oh my!

I don't think I like budgets.

 

[beeroux]

Iggy,

I'm having a hard time following whats different about the budgets. Seems like $140 is the magic number.

I agree, a prix fixe gig is MUCH preferable over last years madness.

About the rally, there won't be one. I only had a few of the hardcore IBA types who were game, and a lot of comment about wanting to party vs. ride 24-hours. Oddly, there is much interest in doing SS1K's and BBG's. Go figure, I guess these guys don't wanna think much.<G>

So anyways in all clarity, any monies owed to the IBA rides will be sent directly to me, and I as well am only offering the one price, which will come with rally towel, pins and certs for the finishers just like last year. I think Kneebone wants $35 a cert, I'll check. Would you like to announce this price with the rest of the price info? I'm guessing my price will be $42-45.

GZ

 

[Ignacio]

I think that's fine keeping BBG/SS1K separate. I wanted to show that I had thought about it and not ignored it.

The minor differences are in a 3 entree dinner ($4 less than a 2 entree dinner), whether to buy an inkjet locally and consider it disposable (or give it away as a slightly used raffle item), and reserving a few extra bucks for operational matters.

 

[twowheelnut]

I think that's fine keeping BBG/SS1K separate.

+1

George, do you think interest will grow once spring hits and the Event draws nearer or do you feel that the interest is kaput?

 

[beeroux]

Oh I'm sure a few folks would come around by spring, but not enough to make it viable. Plus the 1088 will be just a few weeks old by WFO and most folks who like to rally will have just finished the 1088 so a rally isn't really a high priority. That make sense?

Many more folks are interested in getting their first 1K day done and some the BBG. I know a lot of people came up to me after the little award/ cert thing last year and expressed regret for not having done it then. A little public glory can mean a lot.<G>

So I'm mulling over routes, makng the 1K fairly technical and the BBG a little more straight forward. One thing to consider about these riders is they will most certainly miss friday nights dinner. Matt, whats the cost of friday nights dinner? We need to find a backdoor kind of refund or fund transfer to me to keep them happy. Maybe someone pays the $140 and a slight fee to me for the ride?

GZ

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I am another vote for v.1 and the one price fits all method. As a customer, having to worry about paying for all the different things was just a hassle last year.

$140 seems like a cheap two nights of fun to me (considering I'm spending $350 this weekend just to go see Jesus Christ Superstar in Reno and stay a couple nights).

 

[Ignacio]

One thing to consider about these riders is they will most certainly miss friday nights dinner. Matt, whats the cost of friday nights dinner? We need to find a backdoor kind of refund or fund transfer to me to keep them happy. Maybe someone pays the $140 and a slight fee to me for the ride?

I think I we could accomodate this and work it somehow. To keep things simple how about we let people to sign up like normal and pay the regular fee? Your BBG/SS in lieu of a Friday meal is VERY close to being the Friday meal. I think the Friday meal is probably about $42 of the cost.

I will need to get a nose count on meals (minus riders) before the event probably several weeks, but at the riders meeting we take a final count and I'd square up....probably in cash.

Let's not put this "option" on the website. You could share it with your prospective riders and lets try and avoid it becoming a *thing* with the regular attendees.

....and I'd LOVE to ride or rally, but just don't see it in the cards with the event and all. Probably fairly true as a fair number of staff are LD folks. Cest la vie.

 

[Toecutter]

....and I'd LOVE to ride or rally, but just don't see it in the cards with the event and all. Probably fairly true as a fair number of staff are LD folks. Cest la vie.

I'd be willing to do whatever I can to fill in for any of the other staff that wants to go ride. I kinda planned on being around the hotel the whole time when I volunteered to help staff. I have Monday off, to allow me to take the long way home.

 

[twowheelnut]

....and I'd LOVE to ride or rally, but just don't see it in the cards with the event and all. Probably fairly true as a fair number of staff are LD folks. Cest la vie.

I'd be willing to do whatever I can to fill in for any of the other staff that wants to go ride. I kinda planned on being around the hotel the whole time when I volunteered to help staff. I have Monday off, to allow me to take the long way home.

Ditto, Matt. If any of you wanna ride, I'll be hanging 'round, I suppose, as I hear some birdies are flying north just prior to the Event and I might very well hafta join them. So, I'll be due a rest!

 

[madmike2]

I'd like to get away on a short day ride, also. If Iggy is gooing to take Friday, I'd like to "escape" on Saturday.