UK2009 Conference Feedback analysis

 

  Did you use the NSN or UK 2009 websites  to look up any other conference information prior to attending? If so did you find what you were looking for?

Yes - 17 responses

No - 2 responses

 

  • The information was plentiful and accurate.
  • No, but that's because I was aware of most things.

 

We used online registration for the Conference. How easy was this to use?

Very easy    15 responses

Relatively easy  2 responses

A little difficult   2 responses

 

What was your overall assessment of the organisation of the conference out of 10?

10   - 15 responses

9     -  3 responses

8    -  1 response

 

  • Couldn't fault it.
  • Exceptionally well-planned
  • Excellent

 

Is there anything you would have changed about the organisation of the conference?
  • Nothing. It was smooth and flawless.
  • Can't think of anything
  • Absolutely nothing! congratulations!
  • Not really, for the most part it was superb.  I did find the temperature in the main room a bit of a challenge- I was either cold, or it got stuffy and I became drowsy, but I appreciate this was not within the organisers gift to control
  • No suggestions - it ran very smoothly.
  • Recurring difficulties arose with IT. Speakers coming with hardware & software produced on their own equipment found on arrival that problems of compatibility arose. Questionnaires/ Information exchange making clear what works and what doesn't with the Hotel or Conference IT should be cleared well in advance with all speakers. Hindsight is always 20/20 but past experience tells me that technology is always a likely problem area.

 

What was your overall assessment of the Conference Pack out of 10?

10  - 12 responses

 9 - 4 responses

 8 - 2 responses

 7 - 2 responses

 

Is there anything you would have added, or left out of the Conference Pack?

No - 9 responses

Don't know 1 response

  • some information about Paul Harper
  • add omitted delegates and day attendees
  • Maybe left out the Pack - it was very bulky.  Could there have been a smaller bag?
  • More chocolate!
  • A better map of York
  • bag too big, pen is awkward to hold

 

 

What was your overall assessment of the length of the conference out of 10?

10 - 16 responses

 9 - 2 responses

 8 - 1 response

  • slightly too long (only because of work constraints)
  • Maybe should have quit at noon on Friday
  • A good mix of talks and times visiting and exploring different places.
  • Great, it could go on forever if that didn't make too much work for you to organise
  • Just right

 

What was your overall assessment of the Novotel out of 10?  Add comments if necessary

10 - 6 Responses

 9 - 3 responses

 8 - 5 responses

 7 - 1 response

 5 - 1 response

  • They were a bit pricey but the staff was accommodating and terrific
  • My room card had to be reprogrammed several times
  • Excellent accommodation and the folks there were most responsive to our needs
  • Very good, service excellent
  • Sandwiches on first night were uninspiring but I believe there was an oven problem.  The bar was outrageously expensive.  the lunches were delicious with a good choice of nicely prepared food.  Staff were responsive.
  • nice rooms, decent food, good meeting room, a bit under-staffed
  • It was a nearly perfect venue - close to downtown, compact, comfortable. And the staff were extremely accommodating
  • Food Excellent Pool : a bit scruffy! Room : Appeared stylish but lighting poor and telephone in wrong place TV had to be reselected each time turned-on
  • They didn't have any Tio Pepe sherry.  It was also very expensive, but that is probably just me getting ticker shock coming over from America.
  • Friendly and responsive. Drinks were not cheap!
  • they treated us well
  • Relatively pricey but good food

 

What was your overall assessment of the Sunday evening Welcome Reception out of 10?

10 - 4 responses

 9 - 1 response

 8 - 3 responses

  • Lovely to see old friends and meet new Shute fans.
  • Great opportunity to get reacquainted with folks from prior events.
  • Organisers very friendly.  Sandwiches a bit dreary and hard to nibble and talk to people I had not met before.  The displays were useful as icebreakers and to look at when not making contact with others.
  • a welcome welcome
  • We didn't arrive until Monday --

 

 

What was your assessment of the Conference Room, layout, comfort etc out of 10

10 - 8 responses

 9 - 3 response

 8 - 6 responses

  • temperature control could have been better
  • Adequate
  • The table arrangement worked well for the number of attendees.
  • As said I did find it stuffy and the temperature varied.  I liked having a table to lean on because the chairs were not very comfortable
  • Had all the features we needed
  • Brighter lights would have been nice

 

 

What was your overall assessment of content of the speaker presentations out of 10?

10 - 6 responses

 9 - 4 response

 8 - 6 responses

  • Power Point presentations are always trouble
  • Some of them were a bit too detailed in their presentations.
  • ranging from superb to good
  • good variety, interesting points
  • A varied and interesting selection.  Some quite in depth analyses.
  • As always, most enjoyable

 

What was your overall assessment of quality of the speakers out of 10?

10 - 6 responses

 9 - 4 responses

 8 - 5 responses

 7 - 1 response

  • the different styles are part of the appeal
  • ranging from superb to satisfactory
  • They certainly knew their subjects, but perhaps 90 minutes was a bit long for the presenters to hold our attention.  1  hour, then 30 minutes for Q & A would be plenty, but some of them tried to fill up the whole 90 minutes.

 

 

What was your overall assessment of format of speaker presentations, (presentation then Q&A session) out of 10?

10 - 8 responses

 9 - 2 responses

 8 - 4 responses

 7 - 2 responses

  • fine. I also like the 10-readers event
  • could not hear other people's questions
  • Q&A generally ran too long
  • Crib sheets as reminders of talk maybe nice?

 

What was your overall assessment of the length of each session, were they too long, too short or just the right length?

About right - 16 responses

 

What was your overall assessment of content of the exhibition displays out of 10?

10 - 7 responses

 9 - 3 responses

 8 - 5 responses

 5 - 1 response

  • Never did figure slide rule out
  • Good range of Shute background docs.
  • interesting. I like the objects and the documents
  • Not on par with some prior gatherings

 

Is there anything else you would have liked to have seen in the displays?
  • More Shute memorabilia
  • Richard's timeline?
  • Maybe some different book covers and some more photos.
  • perhaps some Shute books for sale.
  • Some more artefacts
  • Clear plan of Howden layout
  • Cannot think of anything.

 

 

What was your overall assessment of the films shows out of 10?

10 - 5 responses

 9 - 1 responses

 8 - 2 responses

  • didn't attend
  • It's always good to see these films.
  • Variable quality
  • always a pleasure, especially the rare ones
  • saw some films I hadn't seen at previous conferences
  • Only saw one of them
  • Have seen them previously - They are desired

 

Is there anything you would have changed about the film shows?
  • I would like to have seen Town Like Alice.
  • Might have been better concentrating on films that are not commercially available.
  • More historic extracts

 

What was your overall assessment of the Tuesday Excursion out of 10?

10 - 11 responses

 9 - 4 responses

 8 - 1 response

  • Less time at Sherburn More at YAM
  • Excellent at both venues
  • Excellent.  Loved the aerobatics show at the airfield.

 

If you did go what was your assessment of the Pastoral Party?
  • Fantastic! Great job Phil and Jill!
  • Had a great time. (Is he still dancing?)
  • Excellent costumes, good entertainment.
  • those of us who didn't get dressed up were shamed!  and the cabaret chap was excellent too.
  • Good fun.  Food much nicer than the menu suggested. Well organised. Friendly staff
  • even better than I expected
  • Good except for entertainment dragging on.
  • Brilliant but a bit too long
  • The entertainment was a bit long
  • {Is Paul Harper still singing?}
  • a great party

 

What was your overall assessment of Guided Walk of York out of 10?

10 - 7 responses

 8 - 2 responses

 7 - 1 response

 5 - 1 response

  • Too short for a good review of York
  • special thanks to Colin
  • Loved it!
  • Excellent guide but missed out Nevil's home.
  • good except for not ending back at hotel.
  • knowledgeable enthusiastic guide
  • Difficult to accommodate variety of walking capabilities.
  • Too little Nevil Shute

 

 

Is there anything you would have changed about the Guided Walk?
  • More Nevil Shute
  • Bus tour with multiple excursions?
  • No, just right
  • the weather!!
  • the weather (just kidding)
  • Should have ended back at hotel.
  • Include Nevil's home.

 

What was your overall assessment of the Conference Banquet out of 10?

10 - 8 responses

 9 - 2 responses

 8 - 6 responses

 

 

Is there anything you would have changed about the Conference Banquet?

No - 5 responses

  • Tables could have all been the same format
  • Mic for speakers
  • PA system
  • Sound system for speaker
  • Shame that the microphone did not work for Mary Stopes-Roe although I did not find this a problem.
  • microphone for Mary Stopes-Roe

 

 

Do you feel that overall the Conference was good value for money?

Yes - 13 responses

  • A bit pricey bit that is the exchange rate
  • Outstanding value
  • Yes , expensive but....

 

Would you have preferred a cheaper conference, without extra bits, such as gifts, scones & cakes, more basic hotel?
  • Never!
  • Maybe more basic hotel
  • No, just right
  • No.  this was my main holiday as I guess it was for the overseas visitors.  It had to be worth their while to come.  I would think it was fine for the Biannual event to be of this standard with intervening events being more budget conscious.
  • Only if it allowed more folks to attend.
  • Prefer more basic hotel & no gifts
  • Tea Breaks were nice, gifts less so
  • Not really. Comfort is important amongst the mature aged

 

What was your highlight of the conference?
  • Having Heather and Keith Mayfield with us. The NSN Exhibit at Elvington, Sherburn AeroClub, Pastoral Party, Mary Stopes-Roe, Reading Nevil Shute, seeing old friends and meeting new ones. That was more than one highlight but I had many.
  • My drink in the bar with Heather Mayfield
  • Joost's comment at the Pastoral party: I've never danced before and the first time I do it is with Nevil Shute's daughter!
  • The presentations by Shoshana, John, David, Laura, Phil and Andy Burgess.  And meeting old and new friends.  Being there!
  • Meeting the two daughters. Meeting other Nevil Shute fans. Dressing up in 1940s costume. The air display the air museum, The talk on children in Shute\'s books etc
  • meeting Heather Mayfield and Mary Stopes-Roe
  • Being with other Shutists and old friends.
  • Too many -- seeing Heather again -- overall getting a better idea of Shute's R100 experience -- mostly seeing again old friends and meeting new ones.
  • Meeting old friends and making new ones
  • The total conference. It never lagged whether In or Out Well done, John. A brilliant organiser well supported by other contributors  (and a patient wife)
  • Socialising, and seeing York.
  • Two brilliant highlights. The wonderful talk by Shoshona Milgram Knapp on the theme of 'Truth' being revealed in part then in its entirety followed by justice was lucid, passionate and commanding. She was lovely. I wanted more. The session 'run' by Laura Schneider with delegates picking favourite sections of books and reading from them was absorbing and brought the written word into how it was understood and felt by the reader. This was special.
  • Everything /Pastoral Party
  • Witnessing the first meeting of N.S. Norway's daughter Heather with Barnes Wallis' daughter Mary!
  • The Tuesday night party
  • Seeing the engineering details of the R100
  • Heather Mayfield's attendance was a special plus.

 

Are there any other comments you would like to make about the conference?
  • An impressively well organised, interesting and enjoyable event with something for everyone.
  • It is gratifying to have some new and young people.
  • Very well organized
  • John, you did a great job!
  • Kept to its timetable really well overall
  • Best yet
  • Thanks to John & Philip
  • Making partner's fees really cheap could swell numbers

 

The next Conference in 2011 will probably be in Seattle in the USA. How likely will you be to attend?

Very likely to go  15 responses

likely to go  2 responses

 

Any other general comments about the Conference
  • Perhaps the Airspeed part of the York association was not given as much prominence as it could have
  • York was a great place to hold the conference
  • The Conference stayed focused on the theme Airships to Airspeed." Congratulations
  • As a novice with no idea what to expect I found the Conference: warm, friendly, inclusive, welcoming, informative, surprising, entertaining, varied, broadly mainstream, thematic, and kindling an interest in both the man and his works. The answer to the question, 'Are you more likely to read Nevil Shute than before?" gets a resounding "YES!"
  • A great pleasure to attend and to meet with so may of like minds. Wonderful to meet with our special guests
  • Well done John
  • Every conference has had its own personality and each has deepened my knowledge and appreciation for Nevil Shute and his works, both engineering and literary. This one was no exception!
  • Best model displays ever.
  • Thanks for all you did to make the event possible.
  • I thought it was a most professional event. The organisers made an effort to welcome us as first time visitors. I haven't read all Nevil Shute's books and did not know a great deal about him before I arrived.  The Barnes Wallis connection was a particular bonus as my brother was at the same school and we had heard a lot about him at home.  I had a superb week and felt quite sad to go home. I shall certainly think seriously about going to Seattle. THANK YOU!
  • Such a very pleasant and civilised event, it was a joy to be part of it
  • York continued the tradition of interesting and informative Gatherings that, for us, started at UK2003.Heather's participation in the conference.
  • If the hotel would be more basic, maybe more people could afford to come.
  • It was great to have the Conference "York Centric". The presentations and excursions enhanced and reinforced the Nevil Shute connections.

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Attendance statistics

Full time attendees 

    from USA

    from Australia

    from UK

    from Canada

    from Netherlands

38

20

 6

10

  1

  1

Day and part time attendees

13

Paying Dinner guests

  5