mercredi, juillet 19, 2006
just got in from way up North, I'm aching tired now and I could use a friend
Our board meeting this week did not go as smoothly as we would have liked. Sometimes the president decides to have something a little more "fancy" than just a meeting, so for this summer meeting, he decided the board would travel to Red Deer (about an hour north of Calgary) and then trek over to one Director's ranch for a steak barbecue afterwards. It was a bit of a logistical challenge (God forbid we have a director hungry or thirsty for even a minute..!), and things kinda blew up at the last-minute.
I had done some research and found a great bus to transport the Directors and management from Calgary up north. Someone in Red Deer recommended a great catering company that did nothing but accommodate our every demand (when you say "money is not a concern" - I think they like that). We had the "Birds of Prey" organized to set up a demonstration, and we arranged to have our company tent (a massive thing requiring transport and set-up by an external company). I had to arrange for catering on the bus, more refreshments in Red Deer in the morning, then lunch, then this massive on-site barbecue. Luckily, in Alberta, caterers are accustomed to doing "spring break-up" barbecues for oil companies, so they already had a menu for this type of event.
Everything seemed to be coming together nicely. In addition to my role as "event planner", we pulled together Board binders reasonably smoothly, but as sometimes happens, the financial statements were not finalized when we mailed. So that means posting them on a website for the Board to access. This all went according to plan. But then the day before the meeting (Monday) hit and things kinda fell apart. We decided to print all the web-accessible documents so the gentlemen would have "nice" copies of the stuff to insert in their binders. Well, that was the day our super-reliable print shop girl was out with a migraine. And her replacement, well, he wasn't so efficient with getting stuff done. At the end of the day, three of us were here until 9:00 p.m. printing and assembling documents. Eep.
So Tuesday morning rolls around, and I get to work before 7:00, which is super-early for me. I wanted to be there to greet the bus and the caterer and make sure everything got loaded on the bus alright. I see the bus driver circling the block, probably unsure where to park, so I stand outside the building ready to greet him. He's a cute older gentleman, and he invites me in to inspect the bus. The first thing I noticed was the smoky smell. I'd been told that April Wine had just returned this bus, so maybe it was used for some serious partying...? Well, it turns out that they sent the wrong bus. You see, we ordered THIS bus:
Anyway, this story is getting long so I'll wrap it up. We hear that our catering company did an excellent job in Red Deer and with the barbecue at the ranch, so at least that went well. We are presently pursuing the bus company for an explanation, an apology, and financial compensation. Yesterday they seemed completely unremorseful and unapologetic for sending us the wrong bus - I guess they think they're better able to determine the needs of our company than we are. Yeesh! | ¶ 4:58 p.m.
I had done some research and found a great bus to transport the Directors and management from Calgary up north. Someone in Red Deer recommended a great catering company that did nothing but accommodate our every demand (when you say "money is not a concern" - I think they like that). We had the "Birds of Prey" organized to set up a demonstration, and we arranged to have our company tent (a massive thing requiring transport and set-up by an external company). I had to arrange for catering on the bus, more refreshments in Red Deer in the morning, then lunch, then this massive on-site barbecue. Luckily, in Alberta, caterers are accustomed to doing "spring break-up" barbecues for oil companies, so they already had a menu for this type of event.
Everything seemed to be coming together nicely. In addition to my role as "event planner", we pulled together Board binders reasonably smoothly, but as sometimes happens, the financial statements were not finalized when we mailed. So that means posting them on a website for the Board to access. This all went according to plan. But then the day before the meeting (Monday) hit and things kinda fell apart. We decided to print all the web-accessible documents so the gentlemen would have "nice" copies of the stuff to insert in their binders. Well, that was the day our super-reliable print shop girl was out with a migraine. And her replacement, well, he wasn't so efficient with getting stuff done. At the end of the day, three of us were here until 9:00 p.m. printing and assembling documents. Eep.
So Tuesday morning rolls around, and I get to work before 7:00, which is super-early for me. I wanted to be there to greet the bus and the caterer and make sure everything got loaded on the bus alright. I see the bus driver circling the block, probably unsure where to park, so I stand outside the building ready to greet him. He's a cute older gentleman, and he invites me in to inspect the bus. The first thing I noticed was the smoky smell. I'd been told that April Wine had just returned this bus, so maybe it was used for some serious partying...? Well, it turns out that they sent the wrong bus. You see, we ordered THIS bus:
Executive Coach: This beautiful unit is a mobile boardroom with plasma screens in front and back. It is set up to seat comfortably 24 people. There are 6 adjustable sleeping berths on board that can be converted to 2 couches to seat an addition 6 people. It is also equipped with a full galley, washroom and shower. This coach is ideal for a wedding party, executive trips to a retreat, overnight golf trips or ski trips or just a quiet rip to the Okanogan for a wine tasting tour.And they sent us THIS bus:
Entertainer Coach: which is equipped with 2 flat screen TVs servicing the front and back lounge areas. It has seating for 20 people and is equipped with a full galley bar and restroom. It has 12 sleeping berths and has just gone thru an extensive remodeling. This coach is the perfect coach for band tours or larger groups that want to go on a lengthy tour and have sleeping accommodations on board.And despite the fact that they say the bus can easily seat twenty people, it was tight in there, with "comfortable" seating for maybe fifteen people. We had a group of seventeen, and had no use for TWELVE sleeping berths. One of our vice-presidents decided to drive her own vehicle and took two others with her, so that the Board proper could have enough room to be truly comfortable. It was a little embarrassing for all of us, given the high priority given to the Board of Directors.
Anyway, this story is getting long so I'll wrap it up. We hear that our catering company did an excellent job in Red Deer and with the barbecue at the ranch, so at least that went well. We are presently pursuing the bus company for an explanation, an apology, and financial compensation. Yesterday they seemed completely unremorseful and unapologetic for sending us the wrong bus - I guess they think they're better able to determine the needs of our company than we are. Yeesh! | ¶ 4:58 p.m.
