Re: WPC 10K Post Challenge - You Ready?!
It's just an idea... I'm guessing around the Birmingham area would be fairly central for England... what were previous meetups like - what did you do and what went wrong?
The meetups I've been to were different and in both this country and others.
Just in general you end up with some weird people sometimes. I've rushed to some and then find out that few people turned up. I find with meetups people seem eager then you get closer to the day and then you end up with 2-6 people.
This not just the UK, it happens everywhere.
Venue is very important as you can end up splitting the group up too much and you end up isolating people and it makes it difficult to talk to other people or mingle well. This has happened on more than one occasion.
Having food options is good, even if it's just snacks as you do get the munchies but be clear to tell people before hand that is what is available only. I went to one once where we were under the impression there was going to be a dinner and it turned out to be a snack venue instead. The people were total party people we found out as well. Not that I have a problem with that but I rather know before hand what I'm getting into. I'm a little older too so partying isn't exactly my thing.
On a personal note, when meetups are in pubs or loud places I have trouble hearing, I have tinnitus due to working in a manufacturing area early in life and not wearing hearing protection, that's my problem to deal with. I may come across loud myself but not purposely. Also loud places make it hard to talk to one another if that's your main purpose.
Not to bum people out, this is just experience talking. LOL!