How to make our locksmithing meeting a succuss?

[prag]

I was recently invited to our local locksmithing meeting. Was I excited to go because I was expecting to learn allot. All that was really discussed was the last minutes of previous meeting and the lack of people attending( even though they were giving out certificates for exams passed-- only 2 of that 25 people arrived)

When the floor was opened I suggested we do workshops, afterall there is a wealth of knowledge that can be tapped into. The answer I got was that as soon as this was done the non members knew all about it. I think its just a case of not wanting to share.

Then about a week after this meeting I get a call from a member to ask what I thought of the meeting. I was honest and said that it was boring.

I later realized I should not have said that because now I have been delegated to do something at the next meeting.

The challenge is that there is different levels of knowledge and I want to engage everyone. What suggestions could you add for demostations or workshops. Secondly what can be done to make these meetings more enticing for other members.( It has been suggested we get strippers but lets not go there ) Thirdly, how do you get people to impass their knowledge or experiences so that these meetings can be more succussfull.

[keysman]

What suggestions could you add for demostations or workshops. Secondly what can be done to make these meetings more enticing for other members.( It has been suggested we get strippers but lets not go there ) Thirdly, how do you get people to impass their knowledge or experiences so that these meetings can be more succussfull.

Vendors are a huge source of information .. many suppliers are MORE than happy to give demostrations, literature and maybe a few free samples.

Getting people to show up and return again ??? Well you have to make it worth their time .... If your meeting with your " friends" it becomes more like a social event than a chore. Keep in mind .. you can't please all of the people all of the time .. so just do what YOU think is a good idea .. let the complainers provde their own agenda.

[le.nutzman]

What suggestions could you add for demostations or workshops. Secondly what can be done to make these meetings more enticing for other members.( It has been suggested we get strippers but lets not go there ) Thirdly, how do you get people to impass their knowledge or experiences so that these meetings can be more succussfull.

Vendors are a huge source of information .. many suppliers are MORE than happy to give demostrations, literature and maybe a few free samples.

Getting people to show up and return again ??? Well you have to make it worth their time .... If your meeting with your " friends" it becomes more like a social event than a chore. Keep in mind .. you can't please all of the people all of the time .. so just do what YOU think is a good idea .. let the complainers provde their own agenda.

Couldn't agree more with what's been stated already, but will also add that it may help to ask those that do show up what exactly are their expectations? What do you expect to gain or learn by attending these meetings? Having hands on items and demos and sometimes even vendors themselves are strong selling points. It's hard to say a meeting is boring when you have a rep from Schlage or Medeco there talking about their products for example.

I know Doug does a tremedous amount with the Longhorn group, you might even speak with him to get some ideas.