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Re: September 2009
Apart from Bob’s little outing have we anything else on the agenda as yet?
John’s wanting to do a stint as well.
K.
Re: September 2009
I have a deal in place for cheaper tyres..sometimes 50{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} cheaper.
bryan
Re: September 2009
I’ve been promised a face to face meeting with Phil Hulme of Qualtex in the next 3 days – bloody hell – he’s impossible to get hold of. (He’s just come back from a 2 week holiday – again!) He is coming to South West branch early this week so I have been promised by South West that they will call me the day before and I’ll be there!! Phil wants the meeting……so that’s good!
I think I will get the deal; South East and South West branch managers are both on board. They both agree it is good for them and they would like to support us. I’ve just got to get boss man Phil on side and we’ll have got it!!
I couldn’t get anyone from Qualtex to attend the UKW meeting; the top players are at their computer system designers headquarters on the 25th to view an upgrade to their web ordering system. Annoying thing is – their web designer is in Coventry also; but no-one can make it!! And I really tried……. 👿I’ll report as I know more….the suspense is killing me……
Steve.
Re: September 2009
Phil’s okay. 😉
I’ll tell you how it is…
John has a bit to do. He wants to cover a few things which will probably take a bit of time.
I’ve got the Bob and credit thing, which could take time, that depends on the questions and stuff.
Lawrence is doing an update on the TA.
Geoff has a bit on software, 15 minutes at most.
So far, that’s all we’ve got organised and there’s only a few days to go with no agenda published at all.
I’ve got f*** all time right now between moving and all the daily sh** I have to deal with. I’ve been getting six hours or less sleep for well more than a week and, TBH, I’m a bit frazzled round the edges this week having to ensure that comms and IT all just work while I’m away.
Then I have to face taking over for Dave the following week.
So, if I’m a little short over the next week or so, please excuse me but, I’m on a short fuse attached to a big bomb.
But, by the feedback so far, there’s little to nothing else to be doing, would this be correct?
If so, I’m gonna have to conjure up something to fill. But, I need to know this now, not on Thursday night please as I really want to have a drink and chill for a bit, please.
I can do something if you want but I’d rather not and save the rest for Feb.
K.
Re: September 2009
I think we have enough ,we could have a decent Open forum ,we also need a TA mtg to sort out a few bits like ID cards etc ,and ways we can take any load of you .best to do that in the afternoon not evening then we can all drink and chill.
Keep your powder dry until Feb as we may have more “trade” people there.
LawrenceRe: September 2009
Seeing as there is discussion on the Forums about venues for the meetings, I thought that I might just put my 2 pen’orth in here for a bit of considered thought.
The meetings fall into two categories – the big one, early in the year and the small one which has just occured. I assume that the early one sees the enthusiam of a new year bursting forth, the latter is later in the year as enthusiasm starts to wane.
I’ll be honest, I don’t like Hiltons. Big, impersonal, corporate…… I don’t see us as corporate. However, if we’re going to “play the game”, the early year meeting needs to be at one of these or its like.
The late year meeting could be held in a more intimate setting. There is a clear early and late year pattern. The September meeting is smaller and more repairer orientated, so perhaps we could find another venue not unlike (but rather better than) The Millers.
I suspect that there is some confusion developing between meetings, as the trade in general will attend the February one and not the September one. I suggest that in future the February meeting is clearly promoted as a UKW event, open to all parties and that we accept the September meeting as a repairers/WTA meeting and promote that as such.
One meeting organised by each body makes rather more sense to my mind. We could tailor the later meetings to a lower budget which may offer greater appeal to the repairers, which may in turn encourage a higher attendance.
I dunno. Late night ramblings, discuss.
Chris.
Re: September 2009
I agree with all Chris has said with one reservation. In my opinion we must sort out which hat we are wearing. Are we trying to push forward the WTA, are we continuing UKW or are we combining the two. I feel that the February meeting is all about the WTA, our connections with the trade and engineers networking with trade etc. The time of the year is good for the work providers to attend, good for venues and good for engineers. Take that a step forward and deals with spares suppliers etc can be aired under the WTA banner – the TA is doing something for its members. Lets be candid the engineers meeting is just really about meeting old friends, chewing the fat and having afew beers not about upping our game. The february meeting allows us to show the rest that we really are worth consideration as a trade body. Or from my army days, bullshit baffles brains – how do you do that if you invite suits to your meeting – wear a tie 😀 😀 😀
Re: September 2009
Hi All
Ok the biggest grip was the cost of the beer’s ect.So…i am making a trip in the next few weeks to have a look at anothe decent hotel chain with conference facilities but within a city centre which has numurous bars and resturants within a five minute walk.
this may well give us the option for a meal out on the thursday night,chinese/indian ect and a drink in pub afterwards.
It will be a central location also.any comments ?
Bryan
Re: September 2009
Dales-Electronic wrote: we must sort out which hat we are wearing. Are we trying to push forward the WTA, are we continuing UKW or are we combining the two. I feel that the February meeting is all about the WTA, our connections with the trade and engineers networking with trade etc. The time of the year is good for the work providers to attend, good for venues and good for engineers. Take that a step forward and deals with spares suppliers etc can be aired under the WTA banner – the TA is doing something for its members. Lets be candid the engineers meeting is just really about meeting old friends, chewing the fat and having afew beers not about upping our game.
I agree the Feb mtg has a different feel to it ,more corporate if you like ,I felt like a fish out of water sitting there on Fri night being invaded by tuxedos etc .
Maybe we do need a smaller venue for Sept and make it a general catch up in more informal surroundings .
LawrenceRe: September 2009
Bryan – If you are thinking of Nottingham take note, this is awful to navigate through yes the town centre has nice bistros etc but unlike Coventry, Birmingham etc the traffic management sucks 😕
Re: September 2009
So, here’s the thing…
We did the bar/pub away from the hotel before, everyone hated it. And, TBH, you’ll end up with those that can be ar$ed to go out and those that can’t, two groups basically.
IMO, that’s a non-starter.
The Hilton is fine for those that don’t mind the exorbitant bar prices which is, IMO, the only real downfall of The Hilton as the prices are a little OTT on that front.
If you go off the £15 buffet meals aren’t exactly cheap either. 😕
What really winds me up however is that you get BT Openzone in the lobby but you have to pay AGAIN to get cabled net access in the room, that’s just taking the p1$$.
What we need is a balance and I don’t think that we’ll find that using The Hilton hotels.
On the plus side the facilities and rooms at The Hiltons are generally okay.
K.
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