Nevil Shute’s Seattle – Post Conference Survey
Did you use the NSN or Conference websites to look up any other conference information prior to attending ? If so did you find what you were looking for ? - Yes. Always found what was looking for. - Yes. Found needed information. - Yes, Good links to Seattle stuff - Yes, yes - Yes – very thorough - Weather, hotel, etc. Yes, found it. - Used conference website for hotel/area information; access was simple and quick, information was up to date. - Yes, conference schedule, excursion information, hotel information |
We used online registration for the Conference. How easy was this to use ? - Very easy 10 responses - Relatively easy 1 response - Quite difficult 1 response - Didn’t use it 1 response |
What was your overall assessment of the organisation of the conference out of 10 ? 10 - 10 responses 9 - 1 response 8 - 1 response 7 - 1 response 6 -1 response - Extremely well done - Well thought out and paced - Most excellent in every detail. |
Is there anything you would have changed about the organisation of the conference ? - The equipment wasn't up to scratch - The speaker system but we realize it might have been out of your control. - No - I loved the way there was 1 day of Conference followed by a day of sightseeing. - No, but not really sure of all that had to be done. A great job. - I would immediately put Laura in charge of every conference I ever hope to attend in the future. - Very little - the balance between talks, excursions, and free time was about right. See below for more details. - The PA system, the registration process. - Tightened up the scheduling; 90 minutes is too long for most speakers and audiences. One less event on Tuesday, probably the wind tunnel; better sound system and have it at ALL events - Really can't thing of anything - it was all first-rate - Everything worked amazingly well, from the generous times for breaks to the generous times for talks, and the creative outings. - No. it was excellent! |
What was your overall assessment of the Conference Pack out of 10 ? 10 10 responses 9 4 responses 8 2 responses 7 1 response |
Is there anything you would have added, or left out of the Conference Pack ? - No changes. Many brochures avail. after arrival or online - Seattle sightseeing information - Leave out Kirsten Wind Tunnel to allow more time at the Flight Museum. |
What was your overall assessment of the length of the conference out of 10 ? 10 - 8 responses 9 - 1 response 8 - 2 responses 7 - 1 response - could have been done in one less day - However, I think the site might determine just how many activities to include. Probably, two days of presentations and one day of field trip would also make a great meeting; This was very expensive for me, and it boggles my mind to think how much a trip to Australia with a week of hotel and then the conference fee added would cost. - Just enough time to renew friendships and make new ones. |
What was your overall assessment of the Red Lion out of 10 ? Add comments if necessary 10 -7 responses 9 - 4 responses 8 - 2 responses 6 - 1 response we didn’t stay at Red Lion (Bainbridge Island) but concierge Lolly (?) was wonderful! - Great location, good food, and very pleasant and helpful staff - Surprisingly good. Rates excellent. Laura did a good job. - Some audio problems, as we know. - Local attendee; didn't stay there. Food outstanding. - Great location, friendly and helpful staff. Housekeeping a bit lax. - Excellent service; very pleasant people. - Hotel was clean, comfortable, and well-placed. I don't consider the occasional menu slip-ups significant - It's hard to give any hotel a 10 unless you've paid $1,000 per room per night and want to believe that it was worth it! But to me the Red Lion was nearly a perfect fit. Its location was ideal, within the hotel everything was very handy, the staff were exceptionally helpful, and the amenities were fine - As a conference venue they ought to have PA systems that work. We didn't stay there but gather that those who did, and the conference organisers, weren't paying budget rates. And maybe it's a US thing but at that level it jars to have to clean your knife and use it again for the next course. - I stayed at a less expensive hotel, but the Red Lion was excellent: nice meeting rooms and great food, good service. The staff made every effort to accommodate us. - The Red Lion was expensive but very good including the food; except the meal service which was poor - excellent location, friendly staff, good food |
What was your overall assessment of the Sunday evening Welcome Reception (out of 10) ? 10 - 6 responses 9 - 5 responses 8 - 5 responses - There should have been beer available. - Wonderful- especially the food related to the books! - Not enough time to meet everyone. - Strangers on arrival! - An important evening for newcomers so maybe should go a bit longer to allow more get-acquainted time and have more substantial hors d'oeuvres to allow the option of skipping dinner that evening. - Ironic that wine was included in the price but water/soda wasn't - A little more food would have been nice. - I immediately met friendly people. Laura kept it organized. - It was a nice affair and free of scheduled activities - Delightful! (even though my diet prohibited the fritters) |
What was your assessment of the Conference Room, layout, comfort etc. out of 10 ? 10 - 11 responses 9 - 3 responses 8 - 4 responses 7 - 1 response - I like having tables, and the lighting and sound were good - With the exception of the sound system it was good - The room was perfectly fine but the sound system left much to be desired. - Layout was fine but next time lower the bright overhead lights! The glare was oppressive and there was plenty of daylight in the room. - Room was good. Sound system was terrible. - Liked the round tables. - Comfortable. Near bathrooms. Liked the candy - Liked the tables instead of rows of chairs |
What was your overall assessment of content of the speaker presentations out of 10 ? 10 - 13 responses 9 - 1 response 7 - 1 response - Average skewed toward the high end - Good research effort made by the speakers, and I really enjoyed what I learned. - A good variety of approaches and content - Heather was extremely interesting. Joelle was good, if a bit tangential. I found Beall's topic hard to follow. I didn't remember most of the characters and couldn't keep track of what he was saying - Some were a bit esoteric. - Good diversity - especially the presentation "Is Shute Science Fiction!" has stuck with us! |
What was your overall assessment of quality of the speakers out of 10 ? 10 - 11 responses 9 - 3 responses 8 - 4 responses - 10 (even the pre-taped one) - With the exception of Shoshana, they were all very difficult to hear. - Not their fault, but I had trouble hearing the first day, then I moved up front. The amplification gave trouble the entire time. The speakers who presented without reading were the best, but I enjoyed most of the material. |
What was your overall assessment of format of speaker presentations, (presentation then Q&A session) out of 10 ? 10 - 12 responses 9 - 2 responses 8 - 3 responses - Maybe a little too much time allowed. Q & A sessions were adequate, but a little more break time would have been good. - This worked well - there seemed to be ample time for discussion. |
What was your overall assessment of the length of each session; were they too long, too short or just the right length ? Just right 13 responses Too long 3 responses |
What was your overall assessment of the films shows out of 10 ? 10 -2 responses 8 - 3 responses 7 - 1 response 3 - 1 response - Was usually unsure when films were to be shown. Is there anything you would have changed about the film shows ? - Perhaps more of them - Make all the presentations half hour shorter and show one film each day at teatime. - No: prefer the books to films anyway. It was good to see the BBC "Lonely Road" - Would have added remaining Shute films to increase variety - There should have been more opportunities to see films, and more films. - I missed most of these. - More films on a more structured schedule - Announce in advance |
What was your overall assessment of the Tuesday Excursion out of 10 ? 10 - 9 responses 9 - 2 responses 8 - 2 responses - Too many events for the time; skip the wind tunnel - A long and tiring day, but I was revived at the end by the Bonsai - The bonsai exhibit was a surprise in its interest - thoroughly enjoyed it - Mostly of interest, but perhaps too much crammed into one day. Not enough time at the wonderful Museum of Flight and too much at U of WA where I'd rather have seen the inside of that gorgeous library than the Kirsten Wind Tunnel. I appreciate that the Tunnel provides high tech expertise to various entities, but to the untutored big fans aren't gripping to view so the high tech wasn't readily apparent. - Wonderful! |
If you did go what was your assessment of the Tillicum Village trip? - 10 - Though somewhat overpriced it was a neat experience - very good food, ferry ride nice, dancers okay - Loved it. - 8 - Interesting - 1 - Not worth it. Too commercial. - Good fun, just the right length. The speaker on the boat was v good. - So-so; the food was good, but the dance presentation mediocre - 9 It was lots of fun. The program was good, not great. But I'm glad I went. - V good - I had been a couple of times in past years. Now, it is too pricey, and the entertainment has been much shortened - Fun evening but expensive for a buffet and a minimum show - Presentation was weird, but food was fine and walking on the island was fun - Very good |
What was your overall assessment of the Thursday visit to the Boeing plant out of 10 ? 10 - 13 responses 9 - 1 response 8 - 1 response - Wonderful ! - One of the best features of the week - It was amazing. Very interesting to see the assembly line. - very impressed - Loved it ! - Fascinating, superb ! Did you enjoy the free Thursday afternoon or would you have preferred a full day excursion ? Enjoyed the free afternoon 14 responses Would have preferred a full day excursion 2 response |
What was your overall assessment of the Conference Banquet out of 10 ? 10 - 8 responses 9 - 3 responses 8 - 2 responses 7 - 1 response 6 - 2 responses - Author speaker was icing on the cake! - Nice to have everyone together in a more refined setting - Food was outstanding. Service was very good. - Nicely done (but again, dim the lights a little.) - good speaker - Excellent. I've already commented about the food and service - Food was good, service was poor; speaker was very poor |
Is there anything you would have changed about the Conference Banquet ? - Beer should have been included for those who don't drink wine. - Would have been helpful to have info about evening parking rates. - As a first time attendee I didn't realize we could or should arrive before the stated time of 6:30. When I came in at that time almost everyone was already seated. - Speaker was a disappointment; didn't really add anything to the Conference - The speaker should have been amplified. - It was pretty expensive (for us) and yet it wasn't any different to the lunches - not as good in fact. And I didn't rate the speaker much - Have a sound system and a more appropriate speaker |
The Friday afternoon session was at Seattle Public Library. Was it worthwhile to change to this location ? Yes 15 responses No 2 responses |
Do you feel that overall the Conference was good value for money ? Yes 15 responses - very much so - Can't believe we agonized about spending the money/attending! So worth it! - Excellent - I had a wonderful week. We did a lot, and buses and guides are expensive. Perhaps to say costs, there might only be one touring day. We must pay for comfort. - Not quite, the hotel and registration were both high |
Would you have preferred a cheaper conference, without extra bits, such as gifts, scones & cakes, more basic hotel ? No - 10 responses - Travelling that far, etc. - was a good balance. Banquet - But instead of the little gifts, I would have loved to see the money go to the pilot scholarship fund. - I think yes. The scones were such a thoughtful touch but with a little fruit or juice, could have been more appreciated if served as breakfast on one of the mornings. As it was, they followed too soon upon the heels of other meals. Aside from pen and paper, maybe just one small gift or memento, if that. - Could have done a cheaper hotel but no complaints about the one used - Especially, don't downgrade the hotel. - Yes, somewhat. Be careful with this one though ! - Yes, fewer gifts, more basic hotel (which I arranged by myself), but the scones were essential, truly !! - Definitely a more basic hotel, break snacks were minimal at best - Can't imagine it would be that much cheaper. |
What was your highlight of the conference ? - It was all wonderful. - Everything - being with a group of people on the same "slide rule"! The Boeing plant/restoration facility/one day of lectures/discussions followed by a touring day. Overall neat experience. - the discussion of the moral dilemmas in Shute - The speakers - No specific event. Just the way such diverse people got on so well together. - Meeting so many instant friends, because of our common connection. - The Kirsten Wind Tunnel. - Meeting so many wonderful people from all over the world who are as devoted as I am to Nevil Shute's work. I also very much appreciated the opportunity to read from one of his books. - 1. Having the opportunity to talk with so many other appreciators of an author whose books I love. 2. John Douglas's presentation. Others were also informative or erudite, but John's was original and heartfelt as well, and I think it resonated with everyone who has experienced one of the best things about reading - the sharp unexpected emotion that can come with turning a page and finding that never-to-be-forgotten phrase or passage that makes us catch our breath. - Meeting old friends again; listening to (most of) the presentations. Great to hear new presenters. - Among the speakers, Alison Jenner's talk on life-long learning; among the excursions, the Boeing Plant - All the talks were highlights! Having Heather there as a full participant was special. And meeting with old and new friends was wonderful. - Meeting Heather. Meeting all the people actually. Finding two Objectivists there |
The next Conference in 2013 will probably be in Australia. How likely will you be to attend ? Very likely to go 7 responses Likely to go 4 responses Don’t know yet 5 responses Very unlikely to go 1 response - The plane ride to Australia would dissuade us. |
Any other general comments about the Conference - Great job Laura ! - Laura, Allison, John all did a wonderful job - Too much food. Lunch could be cut down. We don't need 2 three course meals a day! Perhaps I pigged out too much at breakfast. - Would love to see you all in Australia. I just don't see John being able to make the trip. Perhaps we will see you next time you're in North America. May I recommend Victoria? - 1. It wasn't clear to some, myself included, that breakfasts were part of the hotel rate. 2. The lunches were delicious and substantial. Maybe offer lighter fare and spend a little less on those in order to lengthen and elaborate on the Welcome reception. I appreciate all the hard work that went into the conference and last minute though I was, I'm very glad I attended. Thank you ! - Thank you for a wonderful experience - John Anderson deserves special acclaim for his discovery and use of the newsreel clips of the R-100 / R-101 episode and the start of the MacRobinson race - The timing, right after the publication of Parallel Motion, was ideal for me - way to go ! Overall, the conference was excellent. - Beautifully planned and executed, Laura, John and Alison. Discovering the conference was quite accidental, but I consider it the miracle of 2011. I hope to join everyone again. - While the title was "Nevil Shute's Seattle" the conference didn't mention much about his activities in Seattle. A visit to Edmonds (in "On the Beach") could have been included with the trip to Everett. Sounds system was awful ! Was it provided by the hotel, or separately. Whoever was in charge should have made a MUCH bigger fuss. This was especially noticeable in contrast to nearly everything else, which was first-rate. - I am grateful that you planned such a wonderful event. Such happy warm memories. Well worth the time and money. |