Suggestions for Terre: Ideas and Suggestions for Future TRF Development

[tiberiusflynn]

Also remember that we here are a small sample. WE may have heard the acts 100 times but the 50K others that come that day may not have heard it even once. So who does the artist need to please?

This is true.....

[Merlin the Elder]

From a statistical standpoint, it would be interesting to see how many visitors were first-timers, and how many were return patrons. While I agree with what you say, Ravic, if after 10 years an act hasn't gotten any new material, they need to go elsewhere and seek a new audience...

[Chris B]

From a statistical standpoint, it would be interesting to see how many visitors were first-timers, and how many were return patrons. While I agree with what you say, Ravic, if after 10 years an act hasn't gotten any new material, they need to go elsewhere and seek a new audience...

I think what would be really interesting is to see the gate numbers compared to ticket sales.  The numbers through the gates really do not mean anything when so many free passes were given away.  A first time patron that only came because they had free tickets is not going to be a good prediction of whether they will pay to return next year.  A more telling sign for the future health of the fair would be to see the revenue stream and the gross margin from year to year for the fair.  If revenue is not increasing along with the numbers through the gate, all the fair is doing in giving out so many tickets is increasing traffic, congestion and bodies inside the park.  

[KiltedPrivateer]

I think what would be really interesting is to see the gate numbers compared to ticket sales.  The numbers through the gates really do not mean anything when so many free passes were given away.  A first time patron that only came because they had free tickets is not going to be a good prediction of whether they will pay to return next year.  A more telling sign for the future health of the fair would be to see the revenue stream and the gross margin from year to year for the fair.  If revenue is not increasing along with the numbers through the gate, all the fair is doing in giving out so many tickets is increasing traffic, congestion and bodies inside the park. 

Excellent suggestion.

I had heard that the faire flooded the streets with comp tickets this year.  It only makes sense that on the very last day everyone still holding a free ticket would show up.  Hence the record breaking attendance. My coworker was one of those who had free tickets and this is exactly what they did.  He is not a fan of the faire but takes his kids because they enjoy it.  Other than food and some games for the kids, he is not the kind that will keep the shop keepers in business.

[Merlin the Elder]

I do love statistics. Funny how they can be manipulated for effect.  I work with data and statistics on a daily basis, and you'd be surprised how important the qualification of the data are in determining the true manner in which things are affected.

[Terre Albert]

We trade media and donate tickets to many organization who raise money for worthy causes.  We give tickets to our vendors so they can get friends and family in the gate.  We give ticket to VIP guests and media to help with PR.  We controlled the number of comps by issuing 33% less this year and 50% less from 2010.  Considering we had less comps this year than last we still increased attendance by over 100,000 new guests (paid). The problem that no one has talked about is they were all valid on Sunday only.  So instead of 17 days our comp came in 8 and many on the last Sundays.  We live and learn and will adjust for next year.  Thanks for the support and constructive advice. 

[az]

i worked near the Odeon stage and i thought the Translvanian cast was the best i had seen in years and enjoyed seeing them interact with patrons everyday.  Just saying.

[William the Braveheart]

Archery Contest. Several faires do this, TRF would benefit from holding one as well. I'd say review the faires that currently hold such tourneys and see how they do it (both out front and behind the scenes) and see if this would be feasible.

I suggested this back in a seperate thread during the summer. Even sent an email to TRF, but never received a response.

[LadyJessica]

Don't know if it's feasible or not but how about hosting a highland games in the campgrounds during the off season. The Houston Highland Games are/were held mid May but the draw hasn't been there for the past few years; to the point where they didn't have it at all last year. I'm thinking part of that may have been marketing because I didn't really see anything posted about it until it was canceled. If TRF held the event in the campgrounds it may draw more people if you make it a camping weekend event. You could draw from local vendors that don't travel the fair circuit and bring back a really great event.

http://www.houstonhighlandgames.com/

[Bonny Pearl]

Don't know if it's feasible or not but how about hosting a highland games in the campgrounds during the off season. The Houston Highland Games are/were held mid May but the draw hasn't been there for the past few years; to the point where they didn't have it at all last year. I'm thinking party of that may have been marketing because I didn't really see anything posted about it until it was canceled. If TRF held the event in the campgrounds it may draw more people if you make it a camping weekend event. You could draw from local vendors that don't travel the fair circuit and bring back a really great event.

http://www.houstonhighlandgames.com/

Now THAT is an awesome idea!!  We would attend!  I know of several who would from Houston but also from other cities.

[dbaldock]

Don't know if it's feasible or not but how about hosting a highland games in the campgrounds during the off season. The Houston Highland Games are/were held mid May but the draw hasn't been there for the past few years; to the point where they didn't have it at all last year. I'm thinking party of that may have been marketing because I didn't really see anything posted about it until it was canceled. If TRF held the event in the campgrounds it may draw more people if you make it a camping weekend event. You could draw from local vendors that don't travel the fair circuit and bring back a really great event.

http://www.houstonhighlandgames.com/

You can ask Zardoz (Mark B.) for more details, but I believe one of the main reasons that the Houston Highland Games hasn't been held the last two years, was that the amount of corporate sponsorship dropped quite a bit when the economy went into recession.  There may have also been some issues within the group's management team.  Things are looking up, since the 2013 event is scheduled for April 27 & 28, 2013.


Take Care,
David Baldock

[Zardoz]

Don't know if it's feasible or not but how about hosting a highland games in the campgrounds during the off season. The Houston Highland Games are/were held mid May but the draw hasn't been there for the past few years; to the point where they didn't have it at all last year. I'm thinking party of that may have been marketing because I didn't really see anything posted about it until it was canceled. If TRF held the event in the campgrounds it may draw more people if you make it a camping weekend event. You could draw from local vendors that don't travel the fair circuit and bring back a really great event.

http://www.houstonhighlandgames.com/

You can ask Zardoz (Mark B.) for more details, but I believe one of the main reasons that the Houston Highland Games hasn't been held the last two years, was that the amount of corporate sponsorship dropped quite a bit when the economy went into recession.  There may have also been some issues within the group's management team.  Things are looking up, since the 2013 event is scheduled for April 27 & 28, 2013.


Take Care,
David Baldock

Well, to sum it up "issues" and politics within the events management were mostly to blame. But as you say, the 2013 games are scheduled for April 27 & 28, 2013.

[William the Braveheart]

Secondly the sit down eatery should have the entertainment changed to fit.  The Brazilian dancers and their music is not even in the "stretching things" category that other things at TRF are.

OMG, DON'T mess with those shaking Brazillian Booty's going a million miles an hour. That was the most entertaining show at TRF this year. Nope, wasn't exactly Renaissance, but who cares. It was very enjoyable. Like the photo sessions afterwards too!

[crashbot]

Hey now, Brazil was claimed by Portugal in 1500! 

[Lady Alice]

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Bring Back the Crane- The old hamster-wheel stonemason's crane sits in the Boneyard by the railroad tracks aging and languishing. If it is structurally sound enough, I say find a place for that sucker so that the kids can see how things were lifted and how walls and such were built in the medieval and renaissance periods. That was one of the things I saw when I first attended faire that blew me away, and I loved it. I'd work that puppy and do demos on it myself if I had to in order to see that thing come back, it would be a magnificent educational opportunity.


Anyway, there's my ideas for consideration

Here's my idea and it would tie in with some of the things already posted.  Have a living history "town" with stone masons, a blacksmith, farmer, ect. really showing how life really was back then...not just the festival portion.  Let it be one of the major attractions at the school days events so they can really learn about it.  I'm sure that you could probably find several people that would love to help you run it.

This is a wonderful idea!  The effects of Living History in the realm of education is actually the basis of my Masters thesis.  It is not a new concept, but has been slowly gaining momentum over the past decade.  Not only can Living History (when used as a teaching tool) positively influence the ability of students to use historical thinking (i.e. critical analysis of historical facts, decisions, consequences), but it also creates a stimulating learning environment.  This, in turn, can have positive effects on information retention and subject interest.  My research has been geared toward making Living History part of the standard ISD curriculum.  By creating this new component of the faire, it will not only provide a service to the ISD administrations, but can also assist in increasing visitation, foot traffic, and overall revenue for the faire and its retailers.  There is a a plus for education as well as for marketing, publicity, etc.