After my second visit I wonder whether there are things to make the event more informative / accessible and enjoyable ? So I have thrown together some thoughts that might improve the experience for both visitors and exhibitors;
EXHIBITORS
OK, we are not all Steve Jobs copies, and probably not used to talking in public etc but maybe there here are some suggestions that might make things a little easier all round.
1) Don't succumb to the feeling that music needs to be played continuously. Leave a minute or two between tracks so you can;
2) Tell people about the music you are playing and the equipment it is playing through (you will need to repeat this as the day passes to reflect the ever changing audience)
3) Take a breather yourself and perhaps make any system tweaks you need to
4) Listen to, and try to answer, questions - many will be of interest to others so can save you time repeating the same responses over the day
5) Watch the volume - high sound levels are OK in short bursts perhaps but can mask dynamics. Can also exacerbate existing room problems. Not to mention protecting our mostly middle-aged failing lugholes !
6) Don't put chairs too close to doors - try and keep the entry / exit reasonably clear
7) Write clear details of equipment on the doors and in the rooms (write clearly, legibly etc - 12pt text does not work well in a dark corridor). Consider placing "Now Playing" cards on the equipment in use at any time (sometimes it is difficult to tell which set of 'speakers are actually in use)
VISITORS
1) Don't stand in the doorway. If you are coming in, come in and let others come and go
2) STOP TALKING during playback. People are here to listen to the music, not to you.
3) Try not to hog the demo with lots of your own music. Several others may also want selections played so listening to very long or multiple tracks can be a little selfish.
Finally I wonder if there is a leaf to be taken from the Hi Fi shows of old in organising 20-30 min 'sessions'. I remember these to be really good where the demonstrator would spend 5 mins introducing the gear and music, play selections and system changes and then discuss at the end. Takes a lot or pressure off, gives everyone a chance and a better chance to listen properly.
Hmmm - what do you think ???
EXHIBITORS
OK, we are not all Steve Jobs copies, and probably not used to talking in public etc but maybe there here are some suggestions that might make things a little easier all round.
1) Don't succumb to the feeling that music needs to be played continuously. Leave a minute or two between tracks so you can;
2) Tell people about the music you are playing and the equipment it is playing through (you will need to repeat this as the day passes to reflect the ever changing audience)
3) Take a breather yourself and perhaps make any system tweaks you need to
4) Listen to, and try to answer, questions - many will be of interest to others so can save you time repeating the same responses over the day
5) Watch the volume - high sound levels are OK in short bursts perhaps but can mask dynamics. Can also exacerbate existing room problems. Not to mention protecting our mostly middle-aged failing lugholes !
6) Don't put chairs too close to doors - try and keep the entry / exit reasonably clear
7) Write clear details of equipment on the doors and in the rooms (write clearly, legibly etc - 12pt text does not work well in a dark corridor). Consider placing "Now Playing" cards on the equipment in use at any time (sometimes it is difficult to tell which set of 'speakers are actually in use)
VISITORS
1) Don't stand in the doorway. If you are coming in, come in and let others come and go
2) STOP TALKING during playback. People are here to listen to the music, not to you.
3) Try not to hog the demo with lots of your own music. Several others may also want selections played so listening to very long or multiple tracks can be a little selfish.
Finally I wonder if there is a leaf to be taken from the Hi Fi shows of old in organising 20-30 min 'sessions'. I remember these to be really good where the demonstrator would spend 5 mins introducing the gear and music, play selections and system changes and then discuss at the end. Takes a lot or pressure off, gives everyone a chance and a better chance to listen properly.
Hmmm - what do you think ???