Nir,
Definitely a full-on 8 course tastings with the sommelier, explaining the wines and various things you've always wanted to know, thus appreciate the wines you are drinking, and having tapas that match the wines.
Last night was a smaller group of folks so it was a nice intimate setting, having the sommelier's undivided attention. Mind you I was already tipsy after my 2nd glass of wine. And what i loved about it was we were mostly all new folks who have never met each other (except i guess i knew half the members). This time Glocals really turned me down. All but one person from Glocals who signed up actually came, and he was even a last minute stand-in because there were so many cancellations.
To Raoul (Istiquia), Mindi (hermiamsd), Graham, Marc, Oksana, Alexandria, thanks for making my evening!!!
Now comes my grievances. Out of the 8 seatings I had, 3 were from another site where I posted this event, and I had no problem getting their commitments. Mind you, for this particular event I have everyone provide me their phone numbers so I can call them in case they don't show up, but also to email first for confirm and if I either they are not checking their glocal emails I then text them the day before to tripple confirm. Now all 5 of the original people who signed up from Glocals, unfortunately were a total disappointment, including one who was a last minute sign up who never showed up other than to tell me “sorry I forgot too much work but will come next time with pleasure”, and that was at the end of the evening in response to my text and voicemail to say where are you?
Now the other 2 folks, each signing up a guest, made up 50% of the seats. They both dropped out at the morning, and not because THEY contacted me, but rather in my last attempt email/sms to confirm if they are coming with their guests. One replied ‘none, last minute cancellation. Next one? sorry’, while the other replied ‘really sorry but have a meeting til late’. And the last person who was a last minute signup due to these cancellations just never showed up! She said ‘sorry I forgot. Too much work’ well they all said sorry, I know, but if you’re reading this posting, don’t bother to sign up for the next one unless I receive upfront payment. Luckily Raol who was a last minute signin came as well as my reliable friend Mindi with her friend from out of town came to make up 3 of the 5 cancellations.
I had one person text me at 6pm saying she and a friend would like to join. (I posted my # so if anyone out there really wanted to come, they had to txt me. That way I didn’t have to constantly check my glocals email) So I replied, ok, you’re in but pls come in the next 30 minutes (posting said 6:30 sharp), to which she replied ‘oh no, can’t make it in 30 min’. ahem.. goes to show.. people really don’t read messages to the end but only the title and first line. Just like the Darwin Award, we should have a public post board for the worst/funniest excuses. People must really not know what it takes to organize a really nice event. The hotel provide the sommelier’s time for nearly 3hrs, they select and make nice print outs of the wines selected for the evening with explanations, and prepare tapas for the exact numbers I confirm. And when the full numbers don’t show up, that is bad reflection to my credibility with the hotel/restaurant. Last night I was short 1 person. Last time was great as 22 people all showed up!!! And I knew many of them so that made it less stressful knowing if they said they’re coming, I was confident they would come. This is why bars/restaurants are reluctant to host large events where they reserve the entire place exclusively for you without fees/cover charges.
In a week or 2, I will have a cheese & wine tasting event, and I’m thinking I take money up front, as this next event will have cost implications if I get no shows….
Ok.. back to bed I go again.. (youme… passed out and awaken by dehydration…and a headache and no energy for emocons...)
YouMeCo, Feb 27, 2009 @ 05:40
