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When it came time for me to host, I studied other meet threads. These might be good ones to reference for a meet expecting 20-30 people (good info on games & activities, prizes, setting up, scheduling, food etc):http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,347378.0.htmlhttp://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,365613.msg1350936.html#msg1350936And here's one from a fun mini-meet we did last month with 10-15 people:http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,375745.0.htmlHere are some specific hosting notes I made after hosting my first bigger meet:Hosting notes/tips:Setting upTables- don’t turn away tables! If folks have one, we could always use more. We need tables for pony sales, food, more food, game gifts, craft/art displays, and prize table.Space- Spreading out is nice! Used all common space inside house, as well as large deck and 2 car garage. Labels- Make ahead of time for labeling custom/art contest area, prize table, mystery game gifts etc.Number the $10 Mystery Swap gifts as they come in, and have #ed slips prepared to hand out later. Name tags- Put current avatar pictures on name tags again- this really helped know who everyone was!PrizesEncourage everyone to bring one or two small/inexpensive items for prize table. There were several contest ties, so it was a good thing to have a lot of items. Extras make great door prizes so everyone has a chance! PotluckHave slots for signing up, such as Main Dish (spaces for 3-4 names) Fruit and Veggie sides (space for 3-4 names) Drinks etcAbout an hour into the meet (after the initial shopping frenzy) have spouse start heating up the grill or other meal prep tasks. Costco cake was a little big for the size crowd, and ponyqueen had no choice but to polish off the leftovers (with some help from MoondancerMilkyway and husband. Some.)Have fresh drinking water available. Tap water in a pitcher was perfect. MiscDesignate a photographer (perhaps a non-pony spouse?) To make sure we get lots of fun pics!Things to print ahead of time:Name tags with avatarsCaption entriesList of everyone’s names for door prizesNumbers for mystery gift swap
Ah, PonyQueen. You remain my heroine. GothicSugar, where are you from? If the problem is that you never get to go to a pony meet because the main one is always on a Saturday, perhaps you could suggest a Sunday? It might not work for other people, so don't feel hurt if they say no, but it's worth a shot! Here's the big secret about hosting a pony meet- Pony People amuse themselves really well. Even after we've shopped everyone's table, we go back and shop again. So if you have space and tables, they will come. The first year they will probably trickle. Then they grow, and soon (as Ponyqueen realizes) they can't be stopped. But all a pony meet really needs is ponies and people to look at them, comment on them, and hopefully buy and trade them. If you want to toss some food in there, awesome. But if you warn people ahead of time that there will not be food, they'll act accordingly. I LOVE games, so I can't help but plan games. (Not always successful games, but I'm trying). The MN Meet has been playing a really simple dice game for the last few years, and it's amazing. Everyone brings prizes, you roll the dice for doubles, and you get to steal other people's presents. Simple, fun, requires no real set-up or equipment. We also do a show-and-tell that is lots of fun- last time we showed off things we've made, things we've bought, special ponies, and PonyQueen did a presentation for us. Hope this helps- and remember, if you have tables and space, they will bring the ponies. You will have fun, but if you have a helper it will make your day so much better. Husband/friend/mom, perfect. I'll be watching this thread- I love hearing about pony meets!
Thank you, everyone for all of the tips and advice so far.Anykapainyka, I think that would work since Blind bags are easy to come by in ebay lots. Thank you.Ponqueen, thank you for thine links and your notes. I'm the only one hosting/working on it so unless I can get family to help I'm flying solo. I don't personally know any collectors in my area unfortunately. Aurora, I live in GA and I'm pretty sure it won't work. The meet's pretty well established with their time/location. I remember asking when they said something about new location suggestions a few years ago, so starting one seemed like the next best thing. They were nice about it though. And I can do Saturday night, just not Saturday.Sweet Stuff, I'm also trying to figure out a venue. I can't do it at home since I live with family at the moment so I'm looking around. If I thought that a Friday would work (I think most people work or don't have a flex job like I do) then I'd just have it at my favorite pizza place since they have event rooms that are really affordable. That way food would be taken care of and the venue. They have a deal on catering ans space rental. They even have gluten free options for those with gluten allergies. But 'll put out a feeler and see. Another option was the library, but it has to be open to the public which seems like an okay idea, but then I wouldn't want it to get crowded which brings me to what Barnacle_lady and ponyqueen said. I don't really know how many people to plan for. Do you estimate a cap for your first year? Is just limiting it to maybe 20 people a good idea? And how long should the meet last? Is a couple of hours enough time for games and shopping or would it feel too rushed?
Aurora, is this the dice game?? haha, I played something similar before. . .http://www.dualingmoms.com/the-gift-grab-dice-game/
QuoteAurora, is this the dice game?? haha, I played something similar before. . .http://www.dualingmoms.com/the-gift-grab-dice-game/I'd say this is the game, yes, but with some modifications. I didn't read the whole thing, but for starters the gifts are not $15, they are $1-$3 value. After my Yoga class this morning I'll type up a full run-through of the version we've been playing, with notes. It's fun and very inclusive!
Thank you Aurora and ponyqueen!! My pony friend / assistant and I are going to discuss the venue and possible games next week...I would like to do a coloring contest, but I have no vintage coloring books... maybe how many xxx are in a jar or a MLP quiz.. I figure the quiz or something like the dice game would be easier to set up.?
Quote from: Sweet_Stuff on March 10, 2016, 08:02:31 AMThank you Aurora and ponyqueen!! My pony friend / assistant and I are going to discuss the venue and possible games next week...I would like to do a coloring contest, but I have no vintage coloring books... maybe how many xxx are in a jar or a MLP quiz.. I figure the quiz or something like the dice game would be easier to set up.?There are a million printable sheets online!