DualAG, direct this question at a redpot either by sending it to info@studentbonfire.com or directly asking one of them...

I will also do my best to find out because I have a feeling that you may not be the only one with this question.

As far as the roads go, an RV would be able to get from pavement to Site, if there are any overhanging branches they can probably be cut off to clear an RV sized path.

An RV should not be much of a problem. I got stuck behind two big-ass 18-wheelers going down that road last weekend! =D

It is good to see people talking about this. I just sincerily hope that we act on it and get this problem fixed before the 21st.

- Werley
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Lekner Hall,
Got it made!
We go to class
cuz we get paid!

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dispatch a fleet of 50 shuttle busses

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that has to be very expensive

In previous years they've had 30+ busses, as I recall.

The buses have been one of the greatest annual expenses for SB in the past.

id expect around 2000 people total

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The buses have been one of the greatest annual expenses for SB in the past.

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Ok, but what is their impact on revenue? You have to spend money to make money.

Moreover, what is their impact on perception? What will a person who takes a timely, well-planned shuttle bus think of ASB? What will a person who gets stuck in traffic and gets their car dirty on a dirt road think of ASB?

ASB can't keep half-assing the burn event and expect the crowds to keep coming and their business to turn a profit.

Put yourself in the shoes of a moderately jaded observer that doesn't know anything about ASB but is willing to give ASB a shot by attending burn. What will they think afterwards?

Will they see it as a poorly planned event slapped together by students with little regard for guests? Or one exhibiting near-professional quality that seemed focused on giving customers a positive experience?



[This message has been edited by Keegan99 (edited 11/2/2006 11:19p).]

Well said Keegan. Apparantly I'm in a very agreeable mood today. What the hell is wrong with me?

Uh oh, true to form...
Is 2000 enough to cover expenses or to make this seem a success in reaching out to Aggies?

no, 2000 is not really enough. hopefully im wrong

but 2008 is....

WHOOP!

Jayci, shutup. I don't think 8 people matters. I think 1 less would fit more comfortably anyways...

SO this thread is about attendance expectations...

There was some talk about excuses why people would not show up. Most people outside of college have to work the next day anyway and I remember in the 4 years I was there on campus that the THOUSANDS of people came in were not all college students. The experience was well worth being sleepy the next day!

SO my husband and I may go. Guess we better bring the truck for the back roads.

Thanks for all the work you guys have done and your positive spirit that helps keep the tradition alive. Like in the history of this country, people can set up barriers or shoot you down, but you keep fighting for your cause.

See you when it burns!

I'm glad to hear you guys are thinking about going. I said it a while ago, but I don't think I'll be able to go because of school stuff, but hopefully if I'm able to wrap that stuff up, I can go. But I can speak for myself and the 40 people in my 407 class and say that Tuesday night might be spent in the library or SCC

So...two tough losses and Gates' message later, what do you guys now expect attendance to be? Any change?

[]107, what do you think the attendance should be to be a fair attendance and what should it be to be a great attendance? Weigh those numbers against the Tuesday burn date and Keegan's traffic analysis. I'm thinking that 2,500 to 5,000 would be good and 5,000 to 7,500 would be great but could cause traffic issues.

When Bonfire 2003 burned, our team had a 4-7 record and had just suffered two embarassing losses. The newspapers estimated the attendance to be over 10,000.

Don't get me started on Tuesday...

Well, what has the attendance been in previous years? In it's 4th year, the group should have it's highest numbers. I'm not sure of what those numbers have been in the past though.

I am gonna say that 2,000 may be realistic, but I don't think that's any good. In my opinion, 8,000 would give SB legitimacy. Anything less than about 4,000 probably makes SB not look so hot.

These are just some numbers tossed out there, what was attendance like in years prior?

You really don't know...no one does. Anyone would just be making an educated (or uneducated) guess. Who really has the right to say what is ligitimate and what is not? I think it is a huge slap in the face to say that if less than X number of people show up, then they should just call the whole damned thing off next year. Be real!

Most of us hope for the best attendance and know that it is just a number. I just can't see how 2000 people would make the whole thing look bad. 50 people show up...yeah that's bad...

Yeah for optimism! Poop on the pessimists!

[This message has been edited by sharklady00 (edited 11/12/2006 10:33p).]

Seriously, does the exact number really matter?

In the four years I attended A&M, you could have thrown a number at me and I would have never noticed the X number you told me were there.

It isn't about the attendance level. Bonfire has nothing to do with the number of people that actually show up.

I hope for excellent weather, for Bonfire to burn for SEVERAL hours and then we BTHO t.u.!

Thanks to those keeping the tradition alive!

quote:

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It isn't about the attendance level. Bonfire has nothing to do with the number of people that actually show up.

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From the perspect of ASB as a business, the number of attendees matters.

I didn't say if X people didn't show up the whole thing shoudl be cancelled.

Why isn't it about attendence? How can the argument be made that this is Aggie Bonfire is 2,000 people show up? Seriously...I always thought, and actually talked to some old Ags yesterday (c/o 86) who thought the same, that Aggie Bonfire was about bringing Aggies together...sort of like a more upbeat Fall version of Muster. Well...2,000 people coming out isn't quite that.

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I would rather see SB become a well oiled machine that pulls off a great Bonfire every year, that is well recognized and attended

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Obviously it matters to some other people too. Getting people out there is key. Interest generates participation as well as funds so they can keep on with that machine. Don't tell me attendence doesn't matter.

Let me rephrase. You don't have the right to say what is legitimate and what is not. Bonfire is about bring people together, the one thing you have right!

As far as ASB being a success, Rome was not built in a day and the Bonfire attendance of the past will not be reformed in 4 years. Give credit to those who are working their butts off.

I bet they might even have a job for you, just as they have one for anyone.

On a side note, I bet you were so proud that one person agreed with you. I guess that feels good. My appologies to the other poster who says attendance matters. I am sad to hear Aggie Bonfire referred to as a business. Times are changing. Keep up the good work. Some of us appreciate you!

So, give it time. Don't stress over the numbers. Get your well oiled machine up and running and then spread the word. Look into Aggie History. Attendance levels increased over the years. I hate to say this, but man was it convenient to just walk from our dorm rooms. You have to help people see that it is worth the drive from their dorm rooms or even from 2 hours away.

Help people see what it is all about and what building and burning the Bonfire really means...then you will get your attendance levels!

Square - I know you had an excuse not to go, but seriously, you would be the perfect guy to count people at the gate. They could even make you official and you could wear a red safety vest! Then you be the very first to know something about Bonfire. You would even know more than the President! Consider it!

Edit - too early for spelling! Have a fabulous day my fellow Aggies!

[This message has been edited by sharklady00 (edited 11/13/2006 6:19a).]

Shark, it's people like you that discourage people from things like Bonfire. Really.

There are many many many more people who agree that Bonfire needs to pull numbers this year, if you would read other posts as you read mine, you would notice that. Bonfire, as it exists today, does not HAVE all the time in the world. Don't you realize that?

I'm sorry you hate to see Bonfire referred to as a business, but it's very true. So much like a lot of the other things I say, I'm sorry you don't like them, but it's true.

I like this Keegan guy. Specifically like his post on 11/1 about keeping people busy. Keegan and several others seem to be pretty involved in the entire process. Is there a PR committee? Living in Houston, there are seem like a ton of bands and I bet there are quite a few bands here and there with Aggies. It may be too late for this year (and there will be a next year...gut feeling on that one), but find a reasonable band and get some alums to chip in. I am sure t-shirts can be donated...etc.

There is an organization I am in where to attract more people to the boring meetings, they offer free cookies. The organizers were amazed that free cookies brought in double the atendance.

Awesome ideas guys...keep it flowing!

That's just it, attendance doesn't matter.

Student Bonfire is not entirely a business, it is a non-profit organization. If nobody wants to come to watch it burn besides those Aggies who built it...then so be it. The next year will be affected, but it won't stop the tradition.

That's why I think attendance matters though. If people come out and if there's enough positive attention given to Bonfire, then next year and the years following won't be nearly as difficult to pull together from a financial aspect.

Attendance most certainly matters. It is necessary for recruiting people for next year. It is the main source of cash to keep SB inc. running.

Attendance shows that people still care about Bonfire. We need to make Burn better and better so that not going to Burn doesn't even cross peoples minds. It was unimagniable for many people to miss on campus burn. We need Burn to be like that again.

quote:

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That's just it, attendance doesn't matter.

Student Bonfire is not entirely a business, it is a non-profit organization. If nobody wants to come to watch it burn besides those Aggies who built it...then so be it. The next year will be affected, but it won't stop the tradition.

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Check your facts and introduce yourself to a Green pot. I can find at least 5 misconceptions or mis-truths in the above quote.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

Ok, so I have two questions. If Bonfire attendance is so important, why have alumni not been informed. Most of my friends who are not members of TexAgs have no clue it exists. If you think back to pre'99 days, wasn't the huge attendane mainly due to Old Ags? What is being done to spread the word?

Also, is a Green Pot the same as a Pink Pot? I assume that it is.

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Also, is a Green Pot the same as a Pink Pot? I assume that it is.

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No. Not the same. The Greens are primarily responsible for accounting and have secondary jobs as those who handle the ancillary stuff at Bonfire. They are an essential part of Bonfire and also create needed positions for those participants who want to help, but don't really care to swing an axe.

They send invites/thank-yous, check participants in/out of cut/stack, manage the merchendise, set up vendors, handle paperwork, find staff to work Burn night, help with Burn night hospitality, document EVERYTHING, manage communication, and run a very long checklist to make sure the small stuff doesn't get ignored or forgotten.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

However, if you want to develop your reflexes you can call them Pinkpots and practice dodging the stuff they throw at you. Bwahahahahaha

Scott Coker '92

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If Bonfire attendance is so important, why have alumni not been informed. Most of my friends who are not members of TexAgs have no clue it exists.

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Last year, I met current students who had no clue it exists.

quote:

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Last year, I met current students who had no clue it exists.

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Last year, you met some current students who didn't pay attention to the news.

http://www.theeagle.com/stories/110605/am_20051106003.php
http://www.theeagle.com/stories/111805/am_20051118003.php
http://www.theeagle.com/stories/111905/am_20051119004.php
http://www.theeagle.com/stories/112005/am_20051120034.php

http://www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2005/11/18/MailCall/Student.Bonfire.Is.Safer.Than.On.Campus-1110327.shtml?norewrite200611141533&sourcedomain=www.thebatt.com

(sorry about this one) http://www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2005/11/21/News/Burning.Out-1111538.shtml?norewrite200611141534&sourcedomain=www.thebatt.com



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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.