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First off, I had a fantastic time at the banquet but at no fault of the club, the food service was disappointing.
Maybe my party was the only one to really experience it. We went to the food line about 4 or 5 times.
Each time being told they had to make more food and it would be 15 mins. Myself and my 4 guest were left with salad. They did take our food tickets prior to serving us anything to eat.
Did anyone else have the same issue?
Yes. Food service left a lot to be desired. If I didn't have this fantastic trophy to look at I might be more frustrated.
Some in our group waited until the third attempt to get "food" I know one group actually ended up ordering pizza Of the food that I the meat was cold. Not sure I would even call it rare. It was questionable to say the least.
Wasn't this the biggest reason tickets needed to be ordered in advance?
Yes I did see the pizza someone had ordered. I was upset I didn't think of the same thing.
They did give us some drink tokens when they turned us away from the buffet but we wanted to eat. That was the main reason for the cost of the tickets we bought. It was really frustrating.
I'd love to see the option of a cheaper ticket without food service
So...when I showed up I walked over to the merch table to see where I needed to sign in or register or whatever. Walters wife looked at me like I was Crazy (which I might be), no need to sign in. From my vantage point the ticket was just used to get food and one free drink. Anyone could have walked in and attended the banquet for free if they didn't want to eat.
I talk to people every year I've gone who make the same realization Michael, and I'm sure there are plenty of people that have done it also.
And to stir the pot, I talked to a few people who had bought too many tickets for their group, girlfriend dumped them etc. So we had more meal tickets than people in the food line.
Yes, although I'm sure no outside food would be allowed if they ever pass such a resolution, I gander plenty of people would eat an early dinner before arriving.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Max Johnson
We had the same problem with the food. There was lettuce but no dressing, veggies and some meat. I supplemented my meat and veggies with plenty of liquid carbs and went for pancakes after the banquet.
Shandra and the rest of the CMRA did a great job on the rest of the banquet.
No question the banquet went smoothly, except for me not listening to the procedures of the raffle drawing.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebecca Caudle
Same story here ... first and foremost Shandra did an absolutely amazing job of organizing this event ( :hail: ) but the food left A LOT to be desired. We never did get the plate of food that we paid for. Next year we will eat before we go and then enjoy the fellowship and festivities without the frustration.
It was really great to see everyone again!!
The food activity aside as apparently we were of the chosen ones who actually got food, the banquet was tons of fun and Thank You to Shandra and everyone else who helped put it together but I do have a couple suggestions for the future. It would have been nice to actually hear more than about 50% of those who spoke on stage. I know everyone is visiting and the alcohol was flowing but it would be nice to show a bit more respect to the winners and let them have their moments in history by toning down your personal conversations during the speeches. My opinion.
Also, I think it would be nice to use a font and color on screen so that you could actually read the sponsors/supporters of the winners. I just feel like they deserve it. Again my opinion
Great times all in all! It is Feb yet
The dark blue on black background was a poor choice of color combination.
I really enjoyed the salad, vegetables and dessert. I heard the meat was good too.
Seriously - a well run event. Thanks to all who put it together.
This is my first year with CMRA, and it's been obvious all year from the race events that this is a well run organization. I realized Saturday that CMRA is also a great community. Honored to be a part...
My first banquet attended myself as well.
Glad i jumped in pretty quick for the food line.
Sucks that it didn't last for everyone.
Yeah, that blue texts for sponsors probably didn't get noticed.
Glad to see and hear from Dane's (WOLVERINE!) family and friends.
I still want to protest on Bobby's ticket wins.
Lol
How many tickets did he buy?Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Lopez
None, that was the odd part.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis King
Audit? Recall the tickets!!!
I understand that it takes alot to make the banquet happen, and to get it perfect....even though we've been doing them for so long...is a challenge. Here are my thoughts:
There has to be a way to keep the show under 6 hours long....zzzzzzzz
$37.50 per ticket for mediocre cold food is a little outrageous.
$8.00 for a maker's on the rocks is also a little high.
How drunk should the MC be?
The cheap chinese trophies were pretty lame.
All the raffle $hit should happen during dinner, and not interrupt the trophy presentation.
Having Chuckie accept the award for Dane was really great and he gave a really great speech.
Ryan's Grom trophies were awesome.
The other Ryan's proposal was brilliantly delivered. Congrats.
I have a 6000 Sq Ft empty building on the lot where my shop is, with 2 acres of parking and room for RV camping. If its still empty when the banquet rolls around next season, the club can use it free of charge.
I thought maybe I was the only one who thought the food + drinks was a little expensive for what it was. I'm easy to please though, couple of kegs done winner's circle style and I'd be happy.
What food?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebecca Caudle
The drinks were a little pricey but I didn't expect to pay less than what they were charging.
Its almost like a cash bar at a wedding.
Back in the day , we would gather at a park , or the track...we were lucky to get hotdogs...still great to attend! The banquet was Fantastic! Again, seeing all the racing family was well worth attendance. The food was a problem, but the venue is a really cool place! Thanks to the CMRA, new board Members, and all that attended! Can't wait till next year!
Who are you and what have you done with the real Jesse Davis?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Davis
Obviously the food service situation was a huge disappointment to everyone...including those who helped organize and plan it.
New cook, bad timing, etc. The venue is very embarrassed and is working with Shandra to come to a resolution.
All in all, Shandra did an awesome job putting this huge event together with very little help. I appreciate everything she does for the club!
I'm sorry to hear about the food, and when it was brought to my attention by the venue, there wasn't a whole lot I could do except ask them to get it out quick & advise the people waiting in line how long it would be, and they told me they would also give those people in line free drink tickets. I did speak to them afterwards about this, and I will be calling each and every person that turned in a ticket form to address this.
If you did buy or receive a ticket but didn't get a meal, please email me directly at cmrapromotions@gmail.com. I can't help you if I don't know about it, and if you have posted up here, please email me. Again, can't get you a resolution unless I can speak to you about it.
For Jesse - sorry, all trophies I have access to buy are made in China, however, you were shorted your overall trophies because they didn't come in on time. Please email me so I can get them to you. Also, the awards presentation was 3 hours long. It was that long because it takes that long to get through everything, however it's normally 2 1/2 hours. I'm not going to put a time limit on something like the hall of fame, and the raffles happen when they do to break things up. The raffles aren't done during dinner because nobody's paying attention, and that's when most of the tickets are sold. Also, this is only my third year of doing the banquets, and I have made changes based on feedback from previous banquets. While I strive to put on the best event possible, it's not going to be 100% perfect, as every venue has its challenges, and every time a venue changes there's a new set of challenges. Part of the reason I was tasked with this was because the majority people were tired of having a do it yourself in an empty building & having to rv it to attend.
For Michael Snyder - what part of the slide could you not read? I had the rider names in white, and some sponsors in yellow and blue. Also for the noise level, next year I'm going employ the use of an air horn.
For Michael McGehee - thank you for clarifying it was the dark blue you couldn't see.
Ryan Max Johnson - yes there will be an option to attend without dinner on the ticket form, so that way you will have a seat to sit in, but won't have to purchase a meal if you choose not to.
Dennis - please email me so I can get you taken care of.
I appreciate everyone's feedback, I can't fix it if I don't know it's broken, and I can't improve an event unless I know what needs improving. Thank you everyone for voicing your concerns and speaking candidly.
You did a good job Shandra. I thought the event was run very well.
I will email you about the meals.
My favorite part was those kids accepting those trophies and listening to their speeches. I loved hearing the things that they appreciated and how mature they sounded for their age. Especially the one young man who's name I can't remember, who appreciated the CMRA for providing a place for kids to ride on great tracks. These kids just really impressed me which really speaks not only to their parents but to this club.
Shandra,
I could not read the blue at all but the reason I bring it up is we had a couple different sponsor folks sitting with us and they made the comments about not getting credit for their second and third place folks because it was so hard to read. I will let them contact you directly with any issue they had with it.
FWIW, I have put on several banquets for other mc clubs and gatherings and have quite a great understanding of what it takes to pull it off, you did good. If you want an extra hand with stuff next year let me know I will step up to help out.
Michael
Points to consider right here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Davis
Have it at my place next year. Get some food trucks to cater. Live bands etc. You don't HAVE to RV camp, because it's Austin and there are hotels in every direction 5 minutes away. Seriously. A free mega venue.
Got drunk, had fun, like my trophies, things happen, I'll show up next year. Speed passes helped that first part. See y'all in February
+1 on the speed pass! Those things did their job for sure. Bring those back next year!
Lots of fun playing football(out back) with WW3 and some other boys...cannot remember their names, but good kids, parents should be proud. I say flag football game at next banquet!
Had a blast at the CMRA Golf Tournament as well...hope we can keep that going.
Great time overall. Had no idea about the food, I feel bad for those who didn't get any. Drinks cost what they cost...if you don't like it, don't drink....it's simple.
One thing I would have liked...a signature table with each of the calendar girls there at 15 minute intervals....I missed some of your signatures! Or, pre-sign and charge more for those. Although that is much less personal than seeing your lovely faces ;)
Derek
Shandra, you did an amazing job, Thank you!
The food was a let down and totally out of CMRA's control. Like most, I felt the talking during speaches was getting out of hand. Unannounced to us, Brandon and Nick went up to thank the entire CMRA family for supporting them during their first MotoAmerica season, and I couldn't hear most of it. EVEN AFTER TELLING THE TABLE BEHIND ME TO SHUT UP! The air-horn idea is perfect!
I want in on the football actionQuote:
Originally Posted by Derek Thomas
I think Shandra and CMRA did a great job despite the crappy food situation. I am hoping there is a NO FOOD Option next year.
Thanks for everything Shandra. I think the banquet was a hit. I ate dinner before the event. The price of a ticket is not that bad overall, but a non-dinner option would be nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shandra Crawford
PLEASE keep the golf tournament. I don't play much or well, but I had a blast with some great friends. One suggestion, each cart should have 1 CMRA member in it. So for a 4 man team, only 2 non-members allowed. Just a suggestion, I know there was some concern as to having enough players, but I assure EVERYONE its a blast. So come on out and play/drink.
One request, all the ladies must dress up for race weekends. I could barely recognize some of you!!
I remember having the banquet there a few years ago w/ no food issues. Whatever happened it was certainly an unfortunate surprise. I do know Whataburger never tasted so good at 2am...I think.
@Hutch "One request, all the ladies must dress up for race weekends" ----Easy buddy...I'd like to be able to focus on racing on race weekends :-)
One request, all the ladies must dress up for race weekends. I could barely recognize some of you!![/QUOTE]
^^^^ That's just funny!! ^^^^
I vaguely remember something about whataburger!Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Montgomery