I’m working here today: Matfen Hall
Dammit, it’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it! :) By coincidence this was where my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary recently.
Actually, you’d be amazed at how much difference a venue makes. Here, you can be assured that everything will just work. It means that as a presenter I can concentrate purely on the content, not on the need run the venue.
Actually, truth to tell, I never run the venue. At the risk of sounding smug, I have someone to do that for me. If we can afford it, we take two presenters (as a back up as well as running the venue). If we can’t, we make a point of finding and talking to one person from the venue.
Why one person?
Because bitter experience has taught us that if there are several people who are responsible for making sure everything runs correctly, they’ll both leave something to the other and it won’t get done. The’ll both sneak off for a cuppa for five minutes, thinking you’re covered by their partner… Everyone needs a tea-break, sure, but if one person feels responsible for looking after you, they’ll certainly come and tell you that they won’t be around for 10 minutes, so at least you know.
And they’ll be back after 10 minutes too, not the 15 or 20 minutes people take if they think they’re being covered by a ‘partner’.
Bitter experience here… find one person to host you and make sure they know you’re working with them, personally. (Be nice, obviously! :) )
