Here are a few suggestions for our Grand Opening, let me know if I'm
way off base, but I wanted to get the pen moving on the paper.
1. Something to consume. Beer. Five bucks at the door for a cup. I can
get us a good deal on a keg of something decent to drink, and if
people are there for a cup or two of beer, they don't want PBR.
Suggestions for kegs are welcome, we may be able to do a few smaller
kegs of different varieties, and recoup the cost. Snacks and whatever
can be made or purchased, but I don't think anyone's going to come
looking for dinner, maybe just something to help soak up the beer.
2. Something to look at. Someone here knows an artist or two. See if
they have something they could occupy 10' or 15' of wall with. Hell,
they can put prices on their stuff and attempt to sell it. Maybe some
people have some weird talents they wouldn't mind opening up to the
public, like juggling, or wearing roller skates all night, or
whatever. Something interesting.
3. Something to do. Perhaps we go get a few big slabs of modeling clay
and set it out for people to make weird objet d'art pieces. Maybe get
some canvas and set out some paint for a group painting thing (walk
by, pick up the brush and just put some paint on the board). Maybe
even start a few projects and allow people to just poke around for a
bit. The whole theme of the hive is group collaboration in making
things and improving them, what better way to showcase this than to
let people just get dirty?
4. Something to think about. In the air conditioned area, behind the
glass doors, maybe set up a few fifteen minutes of fame where people
can just talk about whatever. We have done this a few times in our
meetings, but we could schedule strict times for people to seriously
talk about their passion. Fifteen minutes of fast blazing feverish
talk about whatever, then maybe a half hour break for drinks and
snacks, then hit another different fifteen minutes with someone else.
I could talk about things for fifteen minutes, shit: "Cincinnati
Drivers and how they suck", "Where I see Man evolving and Technology
surpassing", "How to make a resume that will actually get people to
want to talk to you", etc. We're all experts at something, why not
showcase that?
5. Something to win. People want to walk away with more than what they
came for. Raffles only really work if you have tickets and a method
for drawing, and enough expected people to make it all worthwhile. I
don't think we have all this, honestly. If we look at the numbers,
could we earn the street price back for the mame cabinets? Vendy
suggested during the meeting tonight that we just offer them up in the
silent auction with a reserve. If we don't hit the reserve, then what?
Maybe have a Rock Band competition for highest score, $5 entry for a
'team', winning group takes home four Hive13 t-shirts.
6. Attraction of new members. Silent auction a few member seats? First
month at whatever the end bid is? Since they would be a new member,
whatever they bid is over and above what we're currently 'earning' per
month, and if they drop after one month, at least we would see some
sort of spike in the coffers.
7. Fun! Invite your wacky neighbor! You know, the one that can sing
any song just slightly off-key while riding on a unicycle. Some of us
are rather introverted, especially around 'new people'. That's cool,
but you all probably know at least one person that is pretty lively,
and can change the mood of a room fast. Bring them along if for
nothing else than a smile and a beer.
So that's what I've got for a first blush at what needs to be there
for this party to be successful. Let me know what you all have.
John
