February 07, 2010
The main topics of the written comments centered on the food, the delay between the main course and dessert, and the special awards.
The executive has reviewed all of the information in detail, and will be using this information to plan for the next Gala, on January 8, 2011. Please feel free to contact any member of the executive for further discussion, and if you would like to help with planning or running the gala next year, your assistance would be great! In particular, those who want to see the return of “Heads & Tails” and to have more “Candid Photo Slide Shows”, please come forward (early in the season for the slide show) to assist in organizing these events.
Please take some time to review the following points so everyone has the correct information:
Did you know…
- The Silent Auction raised over $6000 this year! We will have another “Basket Contest” at the Fall Finale in September, and the grand prize will be, once again, a Table for Ten at the Gala! You have approximately 7 months to plan your winning entry!
- Only a few locations in the lower mainland can handle a group as large as the BCHJA gala (over 420 people, and growing each year)
- Reserve and Champion ribbons for the 49 year-end divisions would cost approximately $1500.00
- It was decided to have a plated dinner because a buffet at the Coast hotel costs approximately $11 more per person, and a buffet would add 1-2 hours more to the length of time as no awards can be presented during food lines. In our research, it was discovered that other organizations such as the Ontario Hunter/Jumper Assoc and Jump Canada also have plated dinners at their Awards Gala, likely for similar reasons.
- Some individuals did not like the food at all. A clear majority found the food to be satisfactory. All food evaluation data will be provided to the hotel, and we will look at ways to increase member satisfaction next year. Perhaps a third entrée choice could be added.
- Gala ticket prices have remained $50 for a number of years. $50 is not for the food alone. There are many costs in operating the gala, and $50 does not cover it. The remainder is paid by BCHJA funds. Hotel facility rental, AV equipment, etc., all add to the expenses.
- The majority of survey respondents said they would accept an increase in gala ticket prices to $55-$60.
- Last year the comments ranged from “the awards were too fast” to “the timing was great”. This year we did exactly the same format for presenting the awards, however there were more special awards, and the break between dinner and dessert was much longer than intended.
- This year, the Jumper divisions were presented first, as comments were heard last year that “the hunters or equitation always go first”. Although some of the younger folks has to wait awhile this year, some also received awards in both H and E divisions. A lot of thought went into ways to do this – having the special awards spread throughout, as was done last year, was to provide some variety.
- Last year the gala planning committee received comments that not enough was made of the CET. This year we received a few comments that too much was made of the CET. We also received comments that the CET presentations and the video made by one of our junior members was a real highlight and more of this type of thing should be done at the gala.
- Coach of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year are awards that have never been presented annually. These awards are presented when the board has noted exceptional performance in these categories. The board plans to pull together the historical stats on all of the special awards, and post on the website. Those members who have a long history with BCHJA, and who would like to assist in pulling this data together, would be very helpful to the process. Please let any member of the board know if you would like to assist.
- Having the gala in November creates a number of challenges. As it is prime Christmas party time, we are challenged to find a location that is large enough, on a Saturday night. Locations closer to Vancouver tend to be more expensive which would affect ticket costs. Finally, your hard-working volunteer board is very pressured for time, and there is a lot of work to be done in a short time. November would make this even more challenging.