Re: Magic Meets trip report
- From: Fred <fblock@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:52:14 -0700 (PDT)
On Aug 11, 11:51 am, Ginny Favers <ginnyfav...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hiya folks,
Went to the sixth Magic Meets Disney fan gathering in Camp Hill, PA this
weekend. Joe didn't want to go, too much socializing for him, so rather
than go by myself I decided to volunteer.
Hi Amanda!
There were a couple of things that I would suggest they change, having
done large event planning professionally in the past, but it's a moot
point now, because today they announced this is the last year for Magic
Meets. And just when I showed up, finally, to get involved!
I just want to clarify. My announcement was specific to 2010 ONLY. I
do not plan to pull the plug on MagicMeets land events. We are trying
something new to see how things pan out. Clearly as you've stated in
the original message, a lot of time and energy is required to
coordinate an event such as this. After doing it for six years, I
wanted to change things up a bit. Try something new. Explore new
grounds.
To add to that, we have appointments with several conference centers
to discuss potential locations for a 2011 event.
Again, I repeat, we are NOT ending MagicMeets land events.
Next year they're going on a cruise with Royal Caribbean to Key West and
Cozumel, sold by MEI Mouse Fan Travel, of course. I think it was Fred's
way of basically creating a volunteer job he'll actually enjoy. They'll
still raise a lot of money on the cruises, and now it won't be just a
regional meet.
You got it! It's a great way to do something fun and different. Now
that we've been at the Radisson for 3 years I am ready for a new
challenge. (And maybe a little downtime too!!!)
We do plan to do some type of fund raising it's just not clear yet how
we will go about it.
I'm not sure who all is on board as sponsors, I don't
think Deb Wills is committed yet, not sure about WDW Radio either.
We don't have firm commitments on who is or isn't coming as of yet but
as details are firmed up, we will release first to our mailing list,
twitter, and facebook page.
Anyways, Magic Meets was a huge event for volunteers to try and put on,
and I don't think I'd ever want to step up and volunteer to run
something of that size without any compensation, year after year.
To that, I say thank you. :)
Anyways, I have a lot of solid organizational and logistics type skills,
but I am not the promoter and schmoozer who can "sell" it to potential
sponsors. Fred was really talented in that way.
Again, thank you. :)
It's interesting that both Mouse Fest and Magic Meets came to an end
this year. I'm not sure where the concept of a volunteer-driven Disney
fan convention will go... maybe it's just failed and over.
At the risk of being redundant, it's not failed it's just hard and I'm
not the type to give up that easily!!!! You have to be ready to pour
your heart and soul into something like this. That means signing
contracts for large amounts of money and guaranteeing hotel room
counts. It means shopping for the best deals on centerpieces and
purchasing at the right time. It also helps to have really good Excel
or spreadsheet knowledge!!! I have dozens of them!! :) That's only a
small list mind you! Where will everyone sit, how will the tables be
arranged, who will run what, make sure the doors are locked so things
don't disappear (and they have).I could go on and on.
Most importantly, it takes dedication from staff that just wont quit.
I frequently mention that I am successful due to the people that
support my event. My sponsors, my volunteers, and the speakers that
help add to the event. What's it all about? The FANS! We, the people,
who love all things Disney. That's why I use my own personal credit
card to pay for merchandise and items we need when we go over budget.
That's why we make "weekly" 2 to 3 hour long conference calls to come
up with all of the plans that make the "Magic". All because of the one
person that emails me to tell me how they lost their job and had to
cancel their Disney trip for the year but going to MagicMeets made
such a difference. Or, for the boy that I gave a button to at
Hollywood Studios 2 years ago when he was "having a bad day" and to
see him walk up to me this year and ask if I remembered him. I sure
do!!! It's the little things that matter and I love making magic
whenever possible.
Maybe another group will pick it up. Maybe it will become completely
commercial, but I don't think that model would work, either.
I'd be impressed if that were to happen. You are looking at over $100
per person ticket prices to even start thinking of making this
commercial. Nevermind the cost of insurance and making an LLC. Disney
can do it as they've already shown by starting the D23 convention but
we all know they have a lot to back it. In the end, if the event
doesn't make them a lot of money, will they continue to do it? I'd
hate to have to do MagicMeets if it were just about the money and
being profitable.
Lunch was pretty good. I thought the salad looked better than the
cooked food so I mostly ate that. Got the last piece of chocolate cake
in the building, I think.
So it was YOU!!!!
MEI Mouse Fan Travel, by the way, is an operation that I think could
take on the invasion of a small foreign country. Their agents can do
anything. I've never seen so many super high energy, efficient,
talented, friendly women in one place in my life. We were struggling
with these Mickey ears balloons early in the morning, madly trying to
get the tables decorated before the event started. All of ours were
coming out looking like boobs or bears or exploding, but the MEI Mouse
Fan ladies were cranking out one perfect balloon after another over
there in their corner, making giant festive arches out of them, all
color coordinated with their table cloths and shirts, of course. I tell
you, I was intimidated.
I'll be sure to pass your comments on. I believe I've partnered with
one of the best and my appreciation to Beci and her team is never
ending.
So now I'm going to tell you what the best thing was about this whole
weekend. The silent auction ended, they counted up all the money from
the donation events, the WDW Radio online donation drive that had been
going on all day, and they got up on stage to close us out with
announcing how much money we'd raised for charity in just 24 hours.
Before they could do it, though, Justin Muchovney came forward with an
envelope and inside was a check for an additional $10,000.00! It was
money raised by Tony C., the guy I met Friday night, from among his
business associates in NY. When they added that to the other money, it
came a whopping $26,000+!!! Everyone was crying, it was such an honor
to be part of that.
I agree that one of the highlights of the day is the end. Not a dry
eye in the house. I can't take credit for all of that.
That's all because of Pat and her Dream Team auction team. Like I
said, I've surrounded myself with great people.
With good people and a lot of heart, there's nothing that can't be
done.
Thanks for "reading" me out everyone. :)
Fred Block
MagicMeets Founder and Senior Event Coordinator
http://www.magicmeets.com
.
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