[MR] Event Costs.... ((Was "Suggestions for helping Daytrippers"))

[Jack Black of Flint]

Ahoy the tavern-

I'm gonna throw me two reales on the table fer this one as well....

As Master Bran pointed out, the biggest issue when setting event fees is the fact that Site owners are raising prices nearly everywhere.  Yes, you may see an event listed as only a $5 fee, but typically those are sites that a group has been working with for years ((or decades in some cases)), or possibly someone is a member of that facility, and gets it at a reduced rate.  There are not as many sites like this available any more, as it's been my experience that even other organizations aren't offering discounted rates to their members for halls anymore like they used to.  However, if you can find one, PLEASE share that knowledge with your local autocrats, or offer to Autocrat yourself.

That said, a perfect example is down here, in the southern reaches of the Kingdom.  It is incredibly difficult to find a camping site for less than $1200 to $1500 for a weekend, and many sites I have found still want close to $1000 just for a day trip.  Combine that with some sites that want the $1000 for 12 hours, PLUS extra to use their kitchen for the day, and you can see the issue.

The Event budget form requests that we as autocrats attempt to "guesstimate" how many people will show up at our event at a given pricepoint, as a "Break Even", once all expenses are figured in.  And that includes all prizes, porta-johns, sanitation supplies, and everything that goes into running an event.  Many people don't seem to realize all the things that you need to run an event, until they actually do so themselves.

Obviously, an event such as War of the Wings can guesstimate many more people coming to it for their pricepoint and expenses, than most Baronial Birthdays, from what I have seen.

That said, your autocrat and staff HAVE to take into consideration how close they are going to be to at least making back the money they are putting into an event when they set their site fees.

As others have said, the SCA and her events, after 45 years, for everything you get an event, for the $50-60 a family, is still one of, if not THE BEST, bang for your buck there is.

I think that covers it for now.....

 Until the next,
Yours in service,


Lord Jack Black of Flint
((AKA: BlackJack))
Captain and Master of "The Raptor" 

Chirurgeon, Canton of St. Georges
Chatelaine, Barony of Nottinghill Coill 

Brute for Hire