Just got back from a field trip to the Gateway Marriott in Crystal City. We're trying to figure out where to hold our Buzz Conference next year so we're looking into a variety of venues. I'm torn.
We want to accomodate as many people as possible. And I think we have the potential to dramatically increase attendance this year. But I also love doing it at Union Station. It's so unique and so close to our coffeehouse. It feels a little more authentic because it's where we meet and who we are. Plus Ebenezers, our coffeehouse on Capitol Hill, is half a block away.
So here's the $64,000 question: do we limit registration and stay at Union Station or change venues and open the floodgates?
Just blogging out loud :)
We want to accomodate as many people as possible. And I think we have the potential to dramatically increase attendance this year. But I also love doing it at Union Station. It's so unique and so close to our coffeehouse. It feels a little more authentic because it's where we meet and who we are. Plus Ebenezers, our coffeehouse on Capitol Hill, is half a block away.
So here's the $64,000 question: do we limit registration and stay at Union Station or change venues and open the floodgates?
Just blogging out loud :)
9 Comments:
I'd say go with the bigger venue. Ebenezers has enough "buzz" about it already; let that buzz "compel people to come in" and see what the place is all about.
Make that $64,000.02
Just commenting out loud... =)
multisite conference =)
move if off site. the theater is probably a great location for church, but it was kind of crowded in the lobby anyway...hard to connect with guys, which is one of the best parts of a conference in my opinion.
but try and keep it an intimate feel, and i'm sure prople would still love to check out ebenezers.
I think that a bigger location would be better. As was said, it was kinda cramped in the lobby. Could still hold a film festival and/or theater church forum or whatever at Ebs.
Just my .07
Host it in multiple theaters concurrently!
Northland Church did a very impressive duet with the singers in two different locations recently.
Tim
10,673 days
Mark,
I loved it in the theater and it was great to have the food court so close. However, accommodating more people would be good. We did a conference at Timberline and had everyone sit at round tables. We also made sure that there was time for discussion at the tables as well. The round tables really helped with this. Just some random thoughts
Doug
Definitely try to go somewhere else. While the sessions had a great venue, the movie theatre lobby was less than ideal for chatting and hanging. Many people believe that what happens in the hallways of conferences are just as important as what happens inside the sessions (others would argue the hallway connections are more important).
The place I had the most meaningful conversations, for example, took place at the Blogger Breakfast. More spacious, places to sit, WiFi (;-D) etc.
JESUS NEVER THOUGHT 5000 WAS TOO MANY TO MEET THE NEEDS. LET'S BREAK SOME SERIOUS LOAVES AND FISH FOR A GREAT REMAINDER. IN OTHER WORDS GO FOR BROKE.
just think, in a few years instead of choosing between Union Station vs. the Crystal Marriott, it'll come down to RFK vs. FedRx Field:)
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