Tauranga Airshow 2010- NZFF Stall.

[Timmo]

I got this unfortunate reply from the organisers today after I received the invoice for the site for a little over $500 (the full price as opposed to the $150 it would have cost just for power):

Hi Tim,

Debi has forwarded your query regarding your site. Regrettably, your site didn't qualify under the Rotary's 'Human Interest' catagory classification and hence there is a site charge of $300-00, together with the extras such as power reticulation. Can you therefore please confirm whether or not you now wish to continue with your booking

(me)
Hi Jerry- Let me double check with the members but since we are a free organisation, I doubt we could justify that amount. The power would have been OK but the site fees would be too much I would think.

I will get back to you to confirm

Hi Tim,

Thanks for coming back to me quickly. Perhaps you could help offset your ingoing by selling something off the site during the weekend. It might help your members generate some additional revenue. So long as what you are offering is legal, we will be supportive and if you would like some help with possible ideas, then let me know and I will hit up our marketing team for some suggestions for you.
Plus, please also bear in mind that Rotary is not generating any personal gain from this event and that 100% of the proceeds are being distributed out to the community by way of community grants and donations.

I hope that this may be of assistance to you and if you could let me know by this Friday the outcome over the site I would appreciate it.

Look forward to hearing back from you shortly.

So...if flight simulation at a airshow doesn't qualify under human interest I'm not sure what does?!......I think I will try and see if they can change their minds but if not the options are:

a) Pay the fee from donations (both NZFF members and on the day)
b) Try and sell something (What?) I doubt we would sell 20 copies of, say, a Real NZ addon to recover costs, let alone the numbers required to make it worthwhile for someone like Robin

c) Flag it and wear NZFF T-shirts and handout flyers

Ideas/Opinions of the options?

[creator2003]

I dont have anything mate ,sad that these guys running it dont think we fit into a Human Interest category classification,what does if we dont ?
Its a very poor decision being that we have over a 1000 members and are the biggest NZ flightsim community around ,, plus its a friggin Airshow with aircraft and things to do with aircraft etc ..
The cost to us even donated is far to much ,thats another year or two of hosting the forums .
Printing out flyers can be costly , i could maybe order these through the sign shop ,but somebody else mite know someone who knows someone that could do it cheaper .. that was a mouth full ...

[Naki]

Can you talk to them again and get some clarification on what the heck is "Human Interest". Also plead poverty and tell them we dont have anything to sell. I could talk/email them if you wish.

[toprob]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Nov 23 2009, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ideas/Opinions of the options?

Timmo, could you let me have details of what the invoice covers?

[Timmo]

Ok Ill talk to them again because, yeah, I'm struggling to think what would be 'Human interest' if a free interactive display of Flight Simulation isn't?

Rob- There are two items on the invoice:

The site itself would be $300 + GST...that is the part that they waive if we fit under 'human interest'.
Then to get power to the site would be $150 + GST...we would need to pay this regardless but I think that is manageable.

In total the invoice comes to $506.25...then on top of that we would need to hire/beg/borrow somethings (tables etc...again, manageable I think)

[toprob]

A couple of ideas:

If you do manage to get them to waive the site cost, then I'll cover the $150, in return for a mention in any flier -- including a link to my website, and maybe a coupon or something.

If you can't get it any cheaper, then I'd cover the cost provided I can share the site to market Real NZ products. However since my computer doesn't travel well, any (or one) display computer should include my scenery.

Someone else would have to organise the furnishings.

And lastly, I'd need some help to run my part -- breaks etc. At that stage I'll be 6 months out of hospital, but I'm still knocked off my feet easily.

[Timmo]

Thanks Robin- I've drafted a reply email to try and get the site fee waived. If that doesn't work out then yes, of course your idea would be of benefit to both parties I think.

Regardless of that outcome, I would imagine that any displays would feature your scenery heavily anyway

[Naki]

I can help with furnishings and maybe a marquee...I also have a tent which may suit.

[spongebob206]

This post just shows the calibre of people on NZFF.

Well done all, wish I could make it.

I am willing to help with a small amount of coin also, maybe a few of us members could help Robin (Thank you I should add)

Big ask Robin, Possible for a donation on your wesite again to help with this?
Maybe if we raise enough (ofcourse we can) we could supply lunch for the helpers at the show?

Thoughts?

[Timmo]

Latest update:
Me:

Hi Jerry
Thanks for your reply.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are the criteria for 'Human Interest'? We, although slightly biased in our opinion, feel that we suit this type of opportunity to a tee:

We have over 1000 members and membership is totally free.
Our membership is a mixture of young and old from professional and recreational pilots to complete novices.
We have an active scenery design team which has/is creating a very realistic rendition of New Zealand airports (including Tauranga- See here for some in-simulator screen shots as an example http://nzff.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;hl=Tauranga)
Our display will feature interactive and multimedia components- These types of stands always seem to generate large levels of interest.

This left us wondering- if a free flight simulation demonstration/display at an air show isn't considered 'human interest', then we are a little bemused as to what would be?
We think we will put on a good show! However, as a organisation that doesn't charge membership or dues, we simply cannot afford over $500 to put this display together- The power and other fees we can pay through donations of the able members but there is, of course, a limit to this generosity.

That leaves us stuck between a rock and hard place- We are very keen, but not rich. Is it possible that you could re-consider our inclusion under the 'human interest' category?

If you need any other details or have any queries, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Kind Regards,

Their reply:

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your reply, Sorry I have not been able to come back to you sooner but it has one of those days.

Now as to your request. The standard we use for Human Interest is like this. 'Exhibition sites of significant interest to the wider general public with the display to be of a non commercial basis'. Such as we have with the Fire Brigade and their house fire unit which they set fire to and put out to raise smoke detector awareness in homes. In addition the NZ Police who are undertaking a static display about community policing. The military display of working armoured vehicles, the classic vintage car club and the classic tractor and motorbike clubs. These organisations are approved and do not operate amongst the trade sites and are strategically located around the park in areas where the public walk through and around. ie: to add greater value to the overall event and spice. And to finalise their qualification status, throughout the day their site must be manned by their own personnel to answer questions form the general public and interact with the public at large.

So for you to ask us to reconsider coming into the event under this umbrella, you must clearly explain how your activity would interact with the wider general public, you would need to confirm that your site would not generate any revenue for personal or commercial benefit and that you would be able to provide a support team able to interact with the wider public during the two days of the Air show and the Trade Show. If you can satisfy this then I am more than happy to reconsider your request.

I trust that you now better understand what we are trying to achieve. if you have any further questions or perhaps would like to demonstrate how your on site activity might operate, then I am happy to facilitate a meeting between Rotary and Classic Flyers committee members responsible for organising this exciting event. I would appreciate if you could come back to me promptly as to how you would like to proceed moving forward.

[Bazza]

I feel that is a reasonable reply, with criteria we could meet - however it clearly disqualifies that generous offer by Rob...?

As a Tauranga resident, I am fence sitting at the moment. I have a potential family matter looming about this time and as such am not putting my name forward to give
a false impression as to my availability. If things pan out I will be a willing member of the stand brigade, obviously if our application is found to be sucsessful.

[Timmo]

So again that leaves us with two options as I see it

1) Take up Robins very generous offer and combine NZFF and Windowlight/RealNZ- This would allow us to still run a donation box to help offset costs and, as suggested by Spongebob, run a pre-event fundraiser through Robin's store (if he agrees). I also wouldn't mind adding a bit more to the kitte in order to promote the Vector Land Class addon.

2) Go back to them with more details about how this would run in order to try and get it for free. This may be difficult due to a) its the first time we have tried to organise this....our stand may not be 'polished'/We don't have pre-existing posters etc. I'm also away on business until next weekend so won't be able to meet personally or have time to spend on a more detailed proposal.


Thoughts?

(PS Robin, as one of the 'locals' I should be able to organise furniture etc and will be there for most of the time)

[Timmo]

Thanks Bazza- Yep I realise it is a way away but if you can help on the day that would be great- many hands and all that.

Is that an MX5 I spy in your signature? (I drive a 97 NA8 M-edition)

[creator2003]

I dont think it is worth the hassle to try meet there needs under human Interest cat ,it clearly seems bias , polished fire trailer ,Police unit display Govt funding ,ha what a joke ,they are heaps $$$$ units ,and they want us sitting there somehow standing out under Human Interest with a white kazboo ,no polished posters/ signs/ information ,what planet are they really on ?
My offer still stands with signage ,be it NZFF.org by itself or RealNZ logos all over them ,it will benefit the forums and simming in NZ no matter ..

[toprob]

If anyone has anything to add to this, please get in quick -- if NZFF decides to go with my sponsorship, I'll like to get onto booking a flight to Tauranga...

It sounds like there won't be problems getting the site set up, only issues would be with my involvement -- please voice any concerns here.

[Naki]

Im happy either way..however with Robin and RealNZ on board we could make more of an impact.

[creator2003]

I agree with you, it would have far more impact with RealNZ on board ,I would have displayed REALNZ +Supercity on my PC anyway if i manage to get it there ,im pretty lucky i can fit it all in my super size suitcase so should be ezy ,must be one of the most well travel desktop PC s around ,im lucky ive got wheels on the bottom ..

[pilotgallagher01]

I will be able to help out hopefully, I will be helping with the aircraft with classic flyers but will be able to walk around and assist if need be

[pilot.masman]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Nov 28 2009, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

,im lucky ive got wheels on the bottom ..

its the little things that please us

where would we be without them

[Kahu]

Hi guys, Im a TGA resident and don't mind helping out during the day. Cant bring a computer as it is built into a bureau desk.

Human Interest ???? Well I find FS to be great stress relief after a busy day at work and so do others so that's helpful to people and the wider community.

Fire brigade, Police!!!!!!!!!!! whats that got to do with an airshow? I think NZFF would be far more interesting at a airshow than tractors and police