More staff let go

[meauho]

After some of the most successful (financially and attendance) years TRF has ever had, several staff members were let go.
There is a rather long thread about Charlie Thacker's rather abrupt departure at the beginning of the fair, as well as other staff of TRF.

I have just learned that his wife as also let go today, as part of a process to reorganize TRF.

[ravic]

Do you have any other names? I need to know if Shelly Lee is still there.

[BryanPopp]

By the way the attendance was cusshioned by the new GM giving out 40000+ comp passes to racetrack contacts and buddies.
I will check on the Shelly ? George and Shelly have a really good relationship at TRF and I doubt he would allow her to be let go.
Be back soon with an answer.

[BryanPopp]

Well I was wrong. I just got word that Shelly has been let go. The Wedding Staff has decided to join her.
I will not go into details (not my place), but I am saddened by this changing of the guard and the new direction that TRF is heading in.
From what I have seen and heard changes are far from over and TRF probably will not be what we have come to know and love.

Shelly and her Staff are wonderful caring people who make miracles happen for many couples every weekend at TRF. They are loved and will be missed....... but I hope they all come out to play at least once!!!!!

[ravic]

Well, shoot. Shelly was a good friend who did a lot for my booth over the years. She will be missed.

I hate breaking new vendor coordinators........

[Breandan]

that's it, done with TRF 

[Zardoz]

By the way the attendance was cushioned by the new GM giving out 40000+ comp passes to racetrack contacts and buddies.

40,000 comp passes !!?   TRF's management as an organization is generally described as being very "profit motivated". I know comps can generate repeat custom, but I can't see them giving away that many free rides...

[BryanPopp]

Well along with the free rides the former management team have been replaced by his contacts and buddies.
The commitee that use to vote on changes are all gone replaced by thoses who will vote with him no matter the
fairness or intelligence behind it.
The vendors I know are not to happy. More fees and new little rules with fines attached to them. Major corporate sponsorships.
I expect to see budweiser back in force at the faire.
And more $ store trinket booths popping up.
General Manager
Shelly
Marketing Manager
Head Grounds Keeper
The Wedding Staff (Though they left as a show of support to Shelly)
Security
I'm sure there are a couple of others.
Next few years will be interesting.

[Breandan]

Holy CRAP! Are they trying to self-destruct? 
I'm not saying this is the death of TRF, but it is certainly putting economic Darwinism to the test to be sure. If they jack gate and camping fees up on top of getting rid of their key people and over-commercializing it into a medieval flea market, they're going to get a nasty kick in the pocketbook.

[ravic]

As a vendor, I'm kinda holding my breath here. There has always been some changes from year to year, that's just part of the game, but it's the drastic changes that can hammer us. My understanding that none of the new people have any ren experience.

[BryanPopp]

As a vendor, I'm kinda holding my breath here. There has always been some changes from year to year, that's just part of the game, but it's the drastic changes that can hammer us. My understanding that none of the new people have any ren experience.

They don't. The GM refused to attend faire in garb until George forced him closing weekend. He made fun of everyone who did come in garb, employee and rennie alike.
I don't see this going well. I pray it does but I'm not holding my breath.
I do see a silver lining. Sherwood should benefit from this.

[Bonny Pearl]

I hate to see anyone lose a job, escpecially at this time of year and in this strained economy.  I wish the best for all of them.

It will be interesting to see if any of these moves change the playtrons faire experience.  One thing that popped into my head when reading this was 'I wish they would bring Coca Cola back, I don't care for Pepsi' lol.  (CC just mixes better with my libations lol)  

Hoping for the best where all are concerned!

[Bonny Pearl]

As a vendor, I'm kinda holding my breath here. There has always been some changes from year to year, that's just part of the game, but it's the drastic changes that can hammer us. My understanding that none of the new people have any ren experience.

They don't. The GM refused to attend faire in garb until George forced him closing weekend. He made fun of everyone who did come in garb, employee and rennie alike.
I don't see this going well. I pray it does but I'm not holding my breath.
I do see a silver lining. Sherwood should benefit from this.

Oh my, if that is the case then that is a shame.  Interesting that the GM had to be told to wear garb.... wonder how long George will put up with someone that mocks where he gets his bread and butter....

[Zardoz]

I hate to see anyone lose a job, escpecially at this time of year and in this strained economy.  I wish the best for all of them.

It will be interesting to see if any of these moves change the playtrons faire experience.  One thing that popped into my head when reading this was 'I wish they would bring Coca Cola back, I don't care for Pepsi' lol.  (CC just mixes better with my libations lol)  

Hoping for the best where all are concerned!

Bonny P and I are pretty much of the same mind on this, I'm concerned when we hear about the management shake-up and loss of jobs, and how troubling it is to many of my friends.  But, to be honest, while I know they make a big contribution to the faire, I didn't really know most of these folks personally, and have less 'emotional investment' in the matter.  So I ultimately wonder as a more casual playtron, how any of it will change the playtrons faire experience? Will gate prices go up? will food cost more? will my favorite acts get run off?

(I doubt any of it is going to reduce the crowding and traffic jams, which are my main issues the last couple years)

(I wish they would bring Coca Cola back too, BTW)

You know though, one of the main motivations I have go back every year is to see friends, some I only see at TRF. So if a bunch of you quit going, it would jack up my faire experience! I might stop going too, or at least only go a couple days, for opening or AHE etc..

But sadly you have to realize, if hundreds of folks on this forum decided to boycott TRF, the powers that be would not really notice. they have 450,000 other patrons to fill in for you.

See ya' at Sherwood

[Breandan]

The effect such a major and ill-advised management change will have on playtrons will be gradual, but notable within two to three years. Price increases, loss of major, popular acts, artisans and good vendors driven out and replaced by McMedievalMart trinket shops, etc. are all likely. This will impact the fun of the faire, to one extent or another, either directly or indirectly.