Dear All
Apologies for the general thank you e-mail but more than 25 people got
back in touch about booking events.
Funding bodies take heed - many cultural organisations are finding that
our audiences don't value free events as much as they could!
Some of the great suggestions from a whole range of organisations:
Live with it! We incur no financial loss for the lower attendance
figures and perhaps those coming along get more out of it as fewer people
are there?
Emphasise the popularity. Stipulate to all enquirers that the
events are over-subscribed and that the organisers would appreciate a
call if you can't make it - there's a long waiting list. Repeat this
information on any confirmation letters/tickets sent out to
attendees.
Complete a returnable booking form by a certain date prior to the
event, to make people take things more seriously.
Send out confirmation letters clearly setting out cancellation
procedures.
If it's a small event make some courtesy calls 2 days before the
event to check all booked children still intend to come.
Take provisional bookings, letting people know on the day if the
places are available.
Charge a cancellation fee/refundable deposit when people get in
touch to book. E.g. adults attending a tea dance were charged a
refundable £2.50 booking fee. Out of 150 tickets booked only 6 people
didn't turn up.
Overbook the sessions, hoping not everyone turns up. Risky but
several venues do this.
Offer waiting list people first opportunity on the next sessions
you are running.
Take bookings on the day on a first-come first-served basis
therefore - no advance booking.
Write to the non-attendees letting them know what they missed and
that others were looking for the places.
Here's to over-attended events in 2006!
Thanks again.
Mandy.