Hey Nir, thanks for organizing. I guess I the first one who is already up and ready to comment!

I think the concept itself works. Even though I didn't get to sign a contract at the door (and others either from what I heard - was there a time limit for those?), I didn't have any problem talking to people and everyone I met was friendly enough.  

Every startup is challenging, so here are the things I didn't like:

- Music suuuuuuuuucked! I thought you said the usual DJ was supposed to play? What happened to that?

- Drinks were expensive - Corona 14 CHF vs 11 CHF at the SIP??? I mean c'mon S
catalin, Nov 15, 2008 @ 12:13

Sorry, I was cut off while writing the previous post.

So I was saying SIP is already and established club while that place has still a lot to prove.

- Staff was not particularly friendly or well organized (draft beer out of order???)

My advice, if you want to continue these parties change the location and get the regular DJ to play.

Thanks,

catalin

 
catalin, Nov 15, 2008 @ 12:18

Based on my experience from the "small" and big parties that I organize here are a few comments....

It is very important to have a RELAXED environment and light background music so that people can talk, chit-chat and get to know each other...To be honest, I am not sure if most if not all the people care about the contract....Instead we should have connectors who would introduce people during the party...This works in Zurich!!!
In Zurich we have our regular WNF (Wednesday night fever, for those who don't know) we start slowly at 7pm with light background music...people usually move around and talk to each other...This goes on until 10pm and then the DJ pump in some music and the party goes wild!!!

As I said I dont know if I should comment or not, but I remember when I did the first WNF one year ago....When I look back, I can't believe it has totally changed and got wild...it gets wilder every time....

So Nir, don't give up yet...Give it a try and people will get used to it...
You just need to work a bit hard on it...

Catalin: You are right about the prices for the drinks...
Nir: I have picked up one bar and do the WNFs at the same venue..This gives me the power to negotiate the prices for the drinks..Maybe you should do the same...

2 cents from Ehsaan
Ehsaan, Nov 15, 2008 @ 13:08

Nir,

I attended this party yesterday and my feeling was also that people were not very happy with the music (which was also far too loud, pretty early in the evening actually), the prices of the drinks and the staff which were serious hurdles preventing people to really enjoy.  

This being said, the concept itself is very good. I do not think that the fact that “only” 300 people came is a problem. I would more tend to say that this is a serious good start. Provided the above mentioned issues are solved, this concept will certainly work and motivate people to attend. On the sticking to our own group, I should admit that, being a bit shy, I was unfortunately the first one not talking to everybody and partially staying with some of my Glocals friends. I did meet some people but the music being too loud, we could not really continue talking.

I do share Ehsaan’s opinion that a cosy/relaxed atmosphere combined with some connectors would probably help improving and ensuring that the next event becomes a great success!

Keep the motivation – looking forward to meeting you all during one of the next events!

Raph
RaphS, Nov 15, 2008 @ 14:48

First, thank you for the party. I enjoyed myself!  If the idea is to encourage people to make new acquaintances in a large group, then usually you organize party games with someone leading them. The contract wasn't enforced, as Tinkie pointed out, so people stick with what is comfortable for them. Some people are naturally more gregarious than others.

In case no games are organized, the host and regular guests are naturally expected to introduce themselves to new people and present them to their personal friends and acquaintances. That's one of those golden rules which everyone should know and follow.

For the number of persons present, I felt there was a lot of that going on but we can always improve and be more friendly to newcomers. Thanks again, Mary
MarmarK, Nov 15, 2008 @ 15:22

And last but not least … many thanks for having organized this event Nir!

I really hope the general feedback you will collect will encourage you to continue organizing similar events,

Thanks,

Raph
RaphS, Nov 15, 2008 @ 15:45

The music was good at times, but fluctuated so quickly that if you were dancing to one type it soon changed to another... personally I don't dig the rockabilly stuff from the 50's such as the old fave's Rock around the clock etc, but then again I will dance if the mood grabs me....

I met quite a few new people and enjoyed it, and existing friends introduced me which was great.... I did spend time with existing friends of course and this is enivitable, indeed that was supposed to be the idea of the "second half", no? After you had circulated.

A few minor niggles.... I was asked to wait, alone, outside for a few minutes, not sure why. The welcomers were great - well done guys, but I am not sure my profile was needed to be kept, as Tinkie said, to save ink and paper; didn't get the point of the raffle ticket at all, as I was given it then it was taken and put in the bin! I didn't get any tapas, despite being there before nine and the bar staff, although friendly, were happy to sell vodka at 10 bucks a hit but had "run out" of the 2 bucks stuff....!!?

But I did enjoy it on the whole. I think the idea is good, but maybe a few more introducers would work? Then again there are those I know who did not use there name tickets to give away, as there will always be those that prefer to stay in their group.

I didn't really want top leave when I did, indeed I met some friends outsidewho were just arriving.... and was happily dragged back in for an hour more...

In short, a good night. To continue the concept, maybe Ehsaan's points are most relevant, though I find smaller, quieter vebues easier to get to know new people in. Once a DJ lets rip, you tend to stick to your friends, or with friends you have met earlier on.

Rando'
Randonneur, Nov 15, 2008 @ 15:49

A personal note here to SydBrown, and I think several female heads are nodding along with me: THANKS for wearing that red tie!

A last personal note, this time to Nir: THANKS MATE for everything you do! Those aperitifs you cooked up were out of this world! And don't hesitate to enlist the help of glocals whenever you need us.

Mary
MarmarK, Nov 15, 2008 @ 17:55

Big thanks for the constructive feedback (and personal encouragments...(-;

Apart from the Music style + volume, & the Drink Prices (which come up consistantly, and which we're surely have to fix), the other major points I picked up on from the feedback are these:

1. Don't start so early, and don't 'scare' people so much about the place being so full that they don't bother showing up...:)
2. Find some way to bring out the 'I-Agree' concept even more (not yet sure how)
3. Ensure SydBrown is there also next time! :)

Any more stuff very welcome...
Nir Ofek, Nov 16, 2008 @ 12:46

Although I showed up late, I didn't get to do any of the meet and greet concept....I just said hello to friends I found...I agree with everything everyone else said, even though I didn't stay too long...
perhaps you would think about limiting the number of people and the time allocated to such an activity so that it doesn't turn out as just another party...

Great that you organised..but most importantly, my biggest thrill was meeting you, finally.

cheers

diva
divagirl, Nov 16, 2008 @ 22:36

Dear Nir & Co,

Many thanks for organizing a good night out. Just arrived from work at around 8.30, glad I came out, despite the wait at the door. Well it was certainly worthwhile, got to meet lots of new people… and some comments made me smile, this is Swiss, the marathon runner…

Once inside, even better ,it’s  always sooo cool to see  Syd Brown… Nir, you looked a little bit stressed…:w00t:

Meet up with “old friends”, made some new ones, someone is even my neighbour, (just one door away) … recruited some new members for “the marathon running group”…:cool:

Nir, many thanks for everything, and relax, it was a good night out and a GREAT start to the weekend. :)

 
SWISS, Nov 17, 2008 @ 11:30

http://ch.tilllate.com/en/event/8767933

Rando'
Randonneur, Nov 17, 2008 @ 19:38

Some words as a personal feedback to your event, it is a point of view left "raw" and to be balanced with others :-)

First of all : Thanks very much for that evening ... a lot of fun !

Second : I think the concept is working well to whom wants to actively participate and just have to be optimized.

Third : Don't scare to much people with the crowd problem and entry limitation, it can have the opposite effect (people not coming afraid of being left outside ...

Fourth : Adjust the music type to this type of event, like smooth lounge club music instead of dance club for example ...

Fifth : Thanks again for a very nice evening ;-)

Cheers and see you next time

SeBa
SeBa, Nov 20, 2008 @ 12:33