NC Survey: Share Our Thoughts & Suggestions

[Intrepid_Chef]

Are you serious? That's all you got for free? Sounds like we got more than that at Spring Launch. We got a full size sprinkle and an ice scoop, and a pack of minis. Not much, but hey, they were new products! And they had the Serve It Up squad too. I do wish they had named the winners instead of showing consultant numbers. It generates a sense of excitement when you know a winner is from your area.

 

[angel7581]

Totally agree about Going for the No. Today I decided to try to get 30 "no"s in the 2 hours I had to make calls. I got a lot of answering machines .. so those do not count as a no. Other than the answering machine's I booked 4 shows. Not even 1 "no".

 

[raebates]

I think a lot of people chose to stand or sit on the floor because they were more comfortable that way than squished in the chairs. I know I contemplated it on more than one occasion. It also made it easier for them to come and go to do things like visit the restroom, step outside to smoke, step outside to make a call, or chat amongst themselves.

One pet peeve of mine is people chatting during the sessions. It's one thing to make a comment or two about something that's been said. It's another to have an ongoing conversation in nearly normal tones while someone right next to you is trying to hear what's being said. In one session I had a conversation going on behind me and another beside me. I had a little trouble hearing during that one.

 

[etteluap70PC]

One pet peeve of mine is people chatting during the sessions. It's one thing to make a comment or two about something that's been said. It's another to have an ongoing conversation in nearly normal tones while someone right next to you is trying to hear what's being said. In one session I had a conversation going on behind me and another beside me. I had a little trouble hearing during that one.

I soooo agree with you!!!
That and People standing on their chairs after it has been announced we are starting and Jean is walking out on the stage.I already mentioned the saving seats thing.Oh and loading the buses... how many signs do there need to be about loading from the back? I mean lots of people must really like getting their elbows bumped and my rear in their face.... If they just followed directions that would not happen! But God forbid if they do not get the 1st seat and are not 1st off the bus!As for everything else. I am happy with how everything went. Nothing can be perfect for everyone.

 

[Ginger428]

Thought it might be good to share our thoughts for those who haven't yet filled out their NC survey. Here were my thoughts.


Kudos
The meals were wonderful. As a matter of fact, I was amazed at the speed and efficiency with which we were all served.

Love the book for notes! It made things much easier.

I really liked the “Team Time with Your Executive Director.” I enjoyed it much more than the Executive Banquets of the past.

Enjoyed the theme.




Suggestions
Include a clearly visible dress code in National Conference information. I know that as a Conference veteran of sorts I fielded lots of questions about what to wear.

There is always a great theme song used at the general sessions. I know I come home humming it. I would love to see the lyrics available on Consultants Corner soon after Conference ends. I know, too, that usually the theme song is based on some popular tune. Since I’m not a big fan of popular music I’m usually at a loss as to what that song is, so it would be great if you could also provide the name of the song the theme is based on.

I really, really appreciate the totes every year. Here’s my thought, though. We are encouraged to bring business cards and exchange them. We also know we need to bring a pen or two and maybe even a highlighter. So, it would be great if the totes we get had a couple of small pockets in which to put the cards we’re giving out and the cards we’re receiving (we need to keep those separate, of course) and a slightly larger pocket in which to keep writing utensils.




Disappointments
I missed the Serve It Up! Squad. Even if there weren’t any additional prizes beyond the Whirlwind Shopping Spree, it would have been nice to have prizes announced in a way similar to how the car was done. The excitement over the announcement of the winner of the car was enhanced by the style of announcement. It wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun if the winner’s name was simply flashed on the screen. I realize the decision to simply roll the names on the screen was probably due to time constraints, but those could have been announced while the goodies (like the pins and Wahoo! buttons) were being distributed.

I was disappointed that there wasn’t some sort of extra perk for those of us in the Conference Club. Maybe a special seating section at lunch on one day, similar to the way the charitable giving breakfasts were done in the past few years—something that would let others see how many people have reached those levels. I would appreciate the recognition, and I think the visual would be a good carrot for those who have not yet attained that goal.

Rae:
I totally agree with everything you said!

 

[raebates]

Ginger, you're clearly a brilliant woman. LOL!Paulette, I agree totally about the busses. Now, I sometimes struggle with motion sickness, so the very back seat might not be a good idea. And, on the last day the people who had planes, trains, or buses to catch had my blessing on choosing front seats. Outside of that, people were just not paying attention or intentionally breaking the rules.

 

[pampered1224]

Paulette that is way too funny! On one of my buss rides home, and you know I ain't no skinny mini, I hit a snag on the way down the isle as two ladies were leaning in to the isle as I was walking down, I had to say excuse me three times before they moved! Then, they did not pull back far enough and one DID get my rear in the face and the other got hit with my tote. The one lady said very rudly, "Excuse me". And I could not take it anymore as I was tired and sore, so I simply said, "Well, if you had done like the signs all said and went to the back, this would not have happened!" and I went to the back of the buss and sat my butt down! In fact, it was the same ride home that we were talking on!
And I stand corrected. I did not realize that a whole section of seats was not filled. I could not, or I should say, would not, walk over that far and really, it did work well for me as I met this awesomely great lady named Margo. Her and I sat at the very back as I had grabbed a chair from out side the session. We had some great idea conversations and I even put them into practice last night at my party. It went wonderfully! I am NEVER taking anything anything I do not use for the recipe(s) any more. I made two, I MEAN IT, TWO trips from my car and back! I have one booking though and I used a special envelope prize thing where I had extra free products for booking on certain dates but only had one taker. One is better than none though. And I gave out TWO of the recruiting fliers! TOO COOL!!!
And Go for No!!! That was really great to hear again but from a way different aspect! I asked everyone of my guests last night! I got 1 yes and 13 NOs!! But I got those NOS!

 

[BethCooks4U]

I agree with most of what has already been said on this thread.

First, I want to say that this conference overall was AMAZING (yes, I said it again) and just what I needed. I absolutely loved the Go for No speakers the last day - to be honest, I was not looking forward to it. I had heard the concept and thought it would be all repeat but they did an awesome job. So much so that I bought their package and listened to the CD's on the way home.

My classes were great but seriously, did we really have to be spread out all over the entire McCormick Center?

I stayed at the Sheraton last year and our bus was at the far end of the loading area and this year the Hilton was at the far end (I have walking issues so it was an issue for me).

Why did it take SOOOO long for the Hilton busses to load that last day? I barely got back in time to get my car out of the garage before 3 (would have had to pay for another day).

I loved the meals but noticed that it was chicken for every lunch. I LOVE chicken but I know not everyone else does. And it meant more walking if you got to the meals early - they made us walk all the way to the far end of the room to use the farthest lines. I know why but for those of us with walking issues it would have been nice to be able to choose a closer line.

Where was TECH SUPPORT?? and other booths are always nice.

They could have watched our pocketbooks a little and had some things one evening so that if we chose to we could stay less nights - let us decide if we want to visit the city.

I missed the little gifts. No serve it up, no gift at exec meeting, no gift at lunch, no career club, no RUFTH/HWC recognition, etc. They promised $100 in gifts and I can in no way add them up anywhere near $100.

and very upsetting:
No PRAYER CARDS at the meals. Pampered Chef meetings and events ALWAYS had prayer cards at the tables.

 

[pampered1224]

There are no prayer cards any longer because of complaints in past years from other religious, and non-religious, groups that are now part of our organization. Nonsecular is in these days. And I am sorry, but a prayer can be said easily enough to yourself. I know I don't need a card written up to give my personal thanks. And why make anyone uncomfortable?

 

[DebbieJ]

I

Oh and loading the buses... how many signs do there need to be about loading from the back? I mean lots of people must really like getting their elbows bumped and my rear in their face.... If they just followed directions that would not happen! But God forbid if they do not get the 1st seat and are not 1st off the bus!

Maybe they get car sick or maybe they have a disability where they cannot walk well.

I get soooo sick riding those busses so I always sit near the front.

You never know what is going on with that person!

 

[DebbieJ]

and very upsetting:
No PRAYER CARDS at the meals. Pampered Chef meetings and events ALWAYS had prayer cards at the tables.

While I wasn't upset by it, I did notice they were missing.

 

[etteluap70PC]

Maybe they get car sick or maybe they have a disability where they cannot walk well.

I get soooo sick riding those busses so I always sit near the front.

You never know what is going on with that person!

Totally understand that and you are right... BUT.... every single bus I got on was already half (or more) loaded and always from the front. I think 1 time there were like 4 people in the back while the front was half full.

I am not a tiny person (my issue, I know and yes... fixable) but I hate the look I get when getting on the bus from people I have to walk by. I try to be as considerate as possible but if they are leaning toward the aisle at all I will probably brush them. If they don't want this to happen well... then go toward the back as instructed. I don't like riding in the back either. I have multiple personal/health reasons that those who do not know me well would never know. I deal with it the best I can to not inconvenience other people.

 

[raebates]

There were a few vendors there, Beth. Fed Ex, Sprint, Office Depot (?), and I want to say one more. That was a part of the scavenger hunt. By going to each of the places you encountered those vendors. They were located near S401. I did miss the tech people. One of my roommates was hoping to ask them something. Then again, the wonderful man who sent me P3 with all of the updates on a CD was one of the staff members helping out near the luggage area on Thursday. It was great to have a chance to tell him how much I appreciated his help.

 

[BethCooks4U]

There were a few vendors there, Beth. Fed Ex, Sprint, Office Depot (?), and I want to say one more. That was a part of the scavenger hunt. By going to each of the places you encountered those vendors. They were located near S401.

I did miss the tech people. One of my roommates was hoping to ask them something. Then again, the wonderful man who sent me P3 with all of the updates on a CD was one of the staff members helping out near the luggage area on Thursday. It was great to have a chance to tell him how much I appreciated his help.

Yes, I know those vendors were there on Monday during the scavenger hunt but I don't believe they were there after that and they were off hidden in a hallway instead of in the hall.

 

[KaryCam]

I did miss the tech people. One of my roommates was hoping to ask them something. Then again, the wonderful man who sent me P3 with all of the updates on a CD was one of the staff members helping out near the luggage area on Thursday. It was great to have a chance to tell him how much I appreciated his help.

Yes, I missed the Tech Support people too. I saw Dan from TS who is always so helpful. He said that many people told him that they wished TS was there. He said to make sure to mention that on the survey. So I did.

 

[raebates]

Beth, I do think they were only there the first day. I imagine the issue was that they needed the whole room where we ate to feed everyone so they didn't have room for the vendors.

 

[BethCooks4U]

Beth, I do think they were only there the first day. I imagine the issue was that they needed the whole room where we ate to feed everyone so they didn't have room for the vendors.

Hmmm... I never saw that room full (where we ate) but I was thinking that the registration area had plenty of room especially after the first day and there was also a lot of room in the hall of fame.

I'm thinking that when they planned the layout they were hoping for significantly more than 6000 consultants and that would have crowded the rooms even more.

I did like that Merrill was off by itself and it seemed like it was a larger space.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Hmmm... I never saw that room full (where we ate) but I was thinking that the registration area had plenty of room especially after the first day and there was also a lot of room in the hall of fame.

I'm thinking that when they planned the layout they were hoping for significantly more than 6000 consultants and that would have crowded the rooms even more.

I did like that Merrill was off by itself and it seemed like it was a larger space.

It seemed like a larger space because everything was GONE again by the end of the first day. :grumpy::grumpy::grumpy: I was SOOO excited to get to go into the Director's Room, but couldn't get there until Tuesday morning. By that time, there were exactly 5 items left in the room, and 2 of those were shirts that were only in 2X and larger sizes. I was sad.

 

[DebbieJ]

It seemed like a larger space because everything was GONE again by the end of the first day. :grumpy::grumpy::grumpy: I was SOOO excited to get to go into the Director's Room, but couldn't get there until Tuesday morning. By that time, there were exactly 5 items left in the room, and 2 of those were shirts that were only in 2X and larger sizes. I was sad.

yep. I saw another consultant wearing a nice track suit that she bought on Monday. By the time I got there on Tuesday they didn't have ANY at all. I was unimpressed with the other things they had out.

 

[BethCooks4U]

It seemed like a larger space because everything was GONE again by the end of the first day. :grumpy::grumpy::grumpy: I was SOOO excited to get to go into the Director's Room, but couldn't get there until Tuesday morning. By that time, there were exactly 5 items left in the room, and 2 of those were shirts that were only in 2X and larger sizes. I was sad.

I was there on Monday before lunch and that's all they had in those shirts even then. The red bling pens were sold out when I got there but there were more on Tuesday when I went back in. The Merrill person in the director store said that they had had 40% of the expected sales for the entire conference all on Monday.

There was very little in the directors store even on the first day.

 

[etteluap70PC]

I was there Monday around noon and was NOT impressed with the selection!!!

 

[Jennifer E]

I can understand that people want to save seats, and it's more fun to sit with your friends. But, there should be a rule that those seats need to be released about 10 minutes before the start of the session. Not that rules matter anyway, since there is a sign posted that says "No Saving Seats."

There were also signs that said to load the bus from the rear. Not once did anyone do it! Funny how rules are always meant for everyone else...

 

[Malinda Klein]

I was excited to see that Doris was available for pictures on Tuesday from x to x, and then I realized it was Wednesday!Wish they would have had something in the handouts or schedule to say she was there for that.

 

[esavvymom]

There were also signs that said to load the bus from the rear. Not once did anyone do it! Funny how rules are always meant for everyone else...

Yep!
Personally, I don't have a problem with seat saving- except it makes it hard to see what's available because there isn't a body in them. I don't like sitting alone- so if I can't hook up with my friend(s), which was hard to do- iffy-cell signals, or trying to find each other in a sea of thousands!....I'd end up sitting alone. Not much fun really. I can see making it a rule to save seats only till a certain time, but why shouldn't we be able to save seats so we can ENJOY ourselves with our friends. YOu know they are going to need a seat anyway! No one will go without a seat.

Have yet to fill out my survey. We just got back today, so I've got some catching up to do.

 

[raebates]

Hmmm... I never saw that room full (where we ate) but I was thinking that the registration area had plenty of room especially after the first day and there was also a lot of room in the hall of fame.

I'm thinking that when they planned the layout they were hoping for significantly more than 6000 consultants and that would have crowded the rooms even more.

I did like that Merrill was off by itself and it seemed like it was a larger space.

You're probably right about their expectations.

The dining area was never full, but the meal moved from one side of the room to the other. On Tuesday I was at breakfast early. I took a seat near the back of the room on the right side. I was at Merrill before they opened, then took my purchases back to the hotel. When I returned to McCormick Place I had some extra time so I went back to the dining hall for a leisurely cup of tea. By then the right side had closed down and everyone was seated on the left side of the room.

 

[pkd09]

I wish there would have been time for Q & A after seminars. All of mine went the complete 1 hr 15 min. I would also have liked the time with my NED to be at the end of the day giving us time to mingle/socialize and ask her questions.

A bit disappointed about the give-a-ways

Missed the Serve it Up Squad

Missed Tech Support

Missed other vendors

Food was fabulous

Glad we had our evenings available

Appreciated the book for notes

Not thrilled about the Snuggie

Had an AMAZING time!!!!!!!

 

[mountainmama74]

I commented to my friends as we were walking out that it seems that the person who needs it ends up winning. There was an article about the gal who won the car lease at Leadership last time and about how she needed a new car, too.

Julie England, who won the car last time, is my director and a very good friend of mine! When we were on the way home, we were talking to another consultant on the plane and she said, "How about that girl who won the car?" and I pointed at Julie next to me and said, "SHE won the car last year! Amazing isn't it?" LOL!! What fun!!

While I really wanted the car, I'm SO GLAD to hear it was someone who really needed one!!! I don't really, my car is less than a year old. But how awesome would it be to win a new one? I was really sad to hear that this year's winner had just lost her mom. So sad!!

This was my first conference, so I didn't have anything to compare it to. But I have to say, I really loved it!! When I filled out my survey, I did note that it was hard to see in general sessions with the chairs the way they were.

I also noted that we really didn't get $100 in free products/paperwork. We did get TWO packs of minis, and three or four packs of postcards, plus the regular catalog and a calendar. Then the rub, and the stuff from the Treasure hunt, and all the pins. I guess maybe it adds up....but like most of you, I would have preferred to not have the Treasure hunt stuff.

I do love the pins, though!!

 

[chefsteph07]

I"m doing a FR tonight and those linens from the treasure hunt are going as raffle prizes.

 

[esavvymom]

I wish there would have been time for Q & A after seminars. All of mine went the complete 1 hr 15 min. I would also have liked the time with my NED to be at the end of the day giving us time to mingle/socialize and ask her questions.

To me, that was PC's fault. The general sessions usually ran too long and we had 15 minutes to get to our workshop! 6000+ trying to get out of that hall through 3 doors?? UGGH. So the workshops (which were only 1 hr to begin with anyway) were shortened because they were not able to start on time and most people were still pouring in 15 minutes after they were scheduled to start. I think the ONLy workshop that started on time and had enough of it- was my 8:30AM workshop, because there was no general session to mess it up.

I haven't done my survey yet- but that was one thing I made note of- the lack of sufficient time between general sessions and the next planned event. Too much traffic congestion, too much distance to cover, with the # of people. Even with half going to lunch or leaving and the other half going to workshops- it still was a bit of chaos. Otherwise, the 6000-7000+ people aspect was handled reasonably well.

 

[pamperedlinda]

There were also signs that said to load the bus from the rear. Not once did anyone do it! Funny how rules are always meant for everyone else...

I never saw those signs - I"ll admit I wasn't looking for them (why would I look for instructions on loading a bus? I know how to climb stairs.)....I was also probably talking to someone while in line or boarding. I also never heard anyone announce it. So, I guess I was one of those "rule-breakers" too....however, if you don't know that there are "rules" can you really be accused of breaking them?