Terre, a plea on marketing...

[PollyPoPo]

About Nolekhan's reference to immersion into the renaissance fantasy:

The tent out front was possibly the most glaring to me.  Although ignoring it with the same aplomb I ignore the sales pitch tents at Wal-Mart and shopping malls, it acts as a roadblock at the entrance, not physically but visually.  The eye is drawn to that tent, instead of to the façade of the Faire.  Even the toilet facilities out front have a renaissance look. 

The purpose of advertising and tent sales is to draw the eye of the customer. 

In this case, it is pulling the customer away from the start of the TRF adventure, which has always begun slowly in the parking lot as people shed their mundanes and don their garb, followed by cameras snapping pix as we begin the trek up the rows.  The conversation changes and people who have never met start smiling at one another as they walk together.

Then, boom, it comes to a screeching halt at the white tent.  In years past people sat on the edging of the courtyard, especially new visitors trying to take it all in.  Many of those seats were blocked by the tent. 

The illusion is dimmed. 

Somehow I don't think that was the intent of the decision makers. 

[FaeHollow]

My only issue is that some of these things might be bringing people in, yes, but it is bringing people in that will only come in once a season. When your loyal customers, who spend their time and effort doing a LOT of mouth marketing for the faire and finding individuals who have not attended that will enjoy it and attend for years, start to leave. you lose precious numbers.... from what I have seen numbers are pretty bad this year... maybe some damage was done last year with the loyal ones?

[nolekhan]

Looking at the Beefeaters attendance numbers, opening day was low compared to the previous two years. However, week two had an amazing rain day and week three was outstanding. The overall total is even with previous years. It looks like the push for Sunday attendance is working.

[Terre Albert]

Answers

Preferred Parking - a new service which allows those who want to park close the opertunity.  It does make revenue for the business but we still have free parking.

revenue -  TRF is almost run like a nonprofit.  Almost every dollar is put back into the festival in new construction to make the place better.  We are proud of that.  

Heir to the Throne - design to be a shock marketing campaign, I've alway said that.  It did do that and we really never thought or took it serious.  

New patron -  very important to grow any business.  While they aren't loyal now at one time many of you weren't.  They need to experience the festival to enjoy and become the audience of the future.

Longtime fans -  we do many things to make your experience better like expanding the campground and making the place beautiful for you when you come.

Attendance -  we continue to set records every week.  Bring in customer for our vendors and growing new fans.  

Sponsors - help off set advertising and attract new guests.  TRF has had Rudy T on the poster in the 90's and Fuji film and Southwest Airline were some of the first big sponsors in the 80's

Everything we do has thought and planning involved.  I'm not hiding the fact that this is an entertainment venue or a business but we work to make it fun for all guests.  

Parking - our number one customer service complaint.  We work really hard to get people in and out with a two lane road.  We are doing a great job making this run smooth this year.  

I'm an easy target and I understand that , it's the career I picked.  I've alway offered my time to anyone to discuss TRF and I still do.  Your opinions are welcomed.

[PyroMaster]

Nice one. There's always a plan. 

[Fenster]

Thanks for those answers Terre.

Now could you please explain how the Brazilian place fits TRF's theme?

[Chris B]

Thanks for those answers Terre.

Now could you please explain how the Brazilian place fits TRF's theme?

To add to this one, I will not even offer my own view or regurgitate what anyone else has said on either side of the debate.  I will simply add that this is the NUMBER ONE complaint I overheard again and again and again from people around me.  These are plain clothes wearing people who are not on these boards so you cannot say this is anyone here having a bad opinion.  The comments were either that it was highly inappropriate in a venue with families present or to the effect of, "What the hell does this have to do with the renaissance."  One suggestion was to replace the Samba dancers with Flamenco dancers which is more fitting with the Spanish area, a much more conservative style of dance, more family friendly, and at least closer fitting in with the overall theme of the fair.  I cannot take credit for the suggestion although I think it is a great idea.

[Breandan]

I think the restaurant was a great idea that wasn't implemented correctly. A lot of people love the idea of a sit-down restaurant at a ren faire- look how popular the Italian place is at Sherwood, for example- but it should maintain the immersion rather than break it. That is something that can be easily fixed by next year with a few garb changes and tweaks.

[Zardoz]

watch out, they might replace the floor show with TVs

[PollyPoPo]

watch out, they might replace the floor show with TVs

Transylvanian Vampires? ? ?   

[Breandan]

Posting this separate from the restaurant response, as this is to Terre specifically-

Thank you for explaining some of those issues. I disagree with the shock marketing tactic, but if that's what you think will work, it's your business, not mine. Understand that I am bringing these issues up to try and head problems off BEFORE they come to pass, as I see a pattern of disorganized and short-sighted management that has led to some serious disasters in the past, and I think you are better than that. You have done more positive things for TRF than I have seen in nearly a decade, and you listened to us the last time we raised this kind of hell about the campground issues and security. Thus, I was a little surprised at the ad hominem response to the concerns raised rather than responding to them in a more professional manner as you did with the ravers and campground problems. It's like talking to a completely different Terre.

I am not going to pull punches with you because I believe you have it in you to step up to the plate and beat that disorganized hive of chaos that is the front office into an organized, sane, well-oiled business. I think the preexisting paradigm of laissez-faire and shortsighted thinking- not to mention sporadic oversight- that pervades TRF as a company dragged you into the same thinking that plagued prior GMs, hence why the radical shift in your decision making and responses. I could be wrong, but that is my assessment from what I have seen and from my own experience. I have been front-row-seat for many of the mismanagement mistakes made by George (many of which resulted in lawsuits and PR nightmares, despite his best efforts to spin it) over the past two decades, and the things I am complaining about are trivial by comparison. It is not the symptom I am trying to fix, but what I see as the potential downward spiral this could take that I am trying to prevent.

Why? Because I love this faire, despite what some people seem to think. I have watched it slowly devolve into a medieval flea market- an issue I have discussed my concerns on with you privately- and it was heartbreaking. This was my first ren faire, I met my wife out there, was married there five years ago in a huge ceremony, have MANY friends out there, and even helped build parts of that festival (rebuilt the blacksmith shop with Mark nearly ten years ago, and helped a friend build their booth). I have worked on cast, worked as a vendor, worked as a demonstrator, and have lent my services as a first-response medic on numerous occasions to patron and participant alike during emergencies. I have a LOT of history, emotion, time, blood, sweat and tears invested in this festival, and I do NOT want to see it go down an ugly road where I cannot follow. We are celebrating our fifth year anniversary out there Barbarian weekend. I want to be able to celebrate our tenth there as well. THAT is why I am riding your butt so damned hard about this over relatively minor issues- to raise awareness of minor issues born of a potential larger management breakdown and fix THAT rather than the symptoms it creates; to try and prevent issues from cropping up due to a breakdown in oversight and management. Am I being too draconian? Possibly, certainly in some peoples' eyes, but I am being honest and have the best intentions in mind. I am not bashing faire to attack it, I am voicing my disappointment with where it has gone and appears to be going. If this spurs some level of improvement in the administration of the faire, then I have done my job to keep it afloat, even if it takes ticking people off to get it done.

[Terre Albert]

You know one day we could be friends, as I see your passion and I hope you see mine.  I do listen, I also take orders.  We will continue to make TRF better and we may make mistake along the way.  Some would say taking chances are for the stupid or careless.  We take risks, we make changes and that can result in positive or negative results, but we learn.  We alway try to improve TRF and as you can see some like it other don't and the ones who don't we listen and adjust.  We still have the best faire in the world, it may be big but it's also small enough for people to feel like family as you do. 

[mrsmccunn]

Terre: I need a like button......

[DonaCatalina]

I think the restaurant was a great idea that wasn't implemented correctly. A lot of people love the idea of a sit-down restaurant at a ren faire- look how popular the Italian place is at Sherwood, for example- but it should maintain the immersion rather than break it. That is something that can be easily fixed by next year with a few garb changes and tweaks.

The Rose & Crown at Scarborough is immensely popular. And they keep the atmosphere in Tudor England.

[Queen Bonnie]

 I had a drink in the Brazilian place last Sunday. It was entertaining and the dancers were beautiful- but it was a strange jolt away from the TRF experience.I did not feel like I was at faire.
As for the fee for up front parking- I was saddened when I heard this as are many of my friends. It has been a tradition to arrive up to 1 hour early to get row 3 parking and meet friends before opening. Alas- now those with money to spend get that privilege.  Just my thoughts for what they are worth. The grounds look lovely and I still adore tRF.