New Jersey AO Day 4!!!

[Dayspring]

Grand opening weekend of the field had well over 200 people. Capacity is not a problem.

[Tobe2be]

suede HA HA really funny... /me changes suede from the good people list to the bad people list. as a matter of fact im taking a train so BLAH!

[bofh]

Looks rushed.

One month notice looks like they are only going to get locals, who don't have anything to do, because people normally plan a month in advance. Who don't play woodsball. And aren't expected to stay around, since no nearby hotels where suggested, or contacted for discount rates in the annoucement.

After we know the target market, I 'd suggest that the indoor field will be plenty big enough for *everyone* who shows.

Since I plan more than a month in advance, I'm just venting because I'll be somewhere else.

[Danz]

Tobe, if you go to MI hope you fly and not drive out there. There's no going back home and getting the tow truck.

Danz & Melissa--does this mean we will have the pleasure of the entire Stud Squad?

[Timmee]

Can I get an address to the field we'd be playing at? I didn't see it on http://www.pbxbattlezone.com, although maybe I missed it (I already have the days off, as I was planning to attend a stock class day at a local field, but that fell through). As long as the drive isn't too bad, and assuming I don't have anything come up, I'd love to attend (although I'd more than likely be coming by myself).

[ogre55]

While all of Stud Squad may not be able to make it, a lot of us, myself included, will be there.

Ogre

[Suede]

I updated my previous post to include directions. Hope this is helpful.

Also, please feel free to call the field. Number is in my sig.

[Iceman#1]

my first AO day wooohooo !!!!!

Iceman

[NJPaint]

I guess I will be there...

Day, we reffing?

[govnamac]

How many fields does Battlezone have? Two? Also, what about woodsballers? Not every person who comes to NJAO will want to play speedball, you are ignoring a large portion of people who come to these events.

I thought Knightbreed last year was absolutely perfect for an AO day. Not only did it have enough fields to keep a bunch of people busy and happy, but it had cabins on-site so you could throw a hell of an afterparty and not have to worry about anyone traveling or whatnot.

It just doesn't seem like this was planned out that much.

I am in total agreement with Thordic

[graycie]

hmm....finalize a date and costs i may be able to go

[1stdeadeye]

I guess the big difference between this year and last year will be the air conditioned lounge. Oh yeah and the lack of mud and boulders on the field!

[NJPaint]

I had a couple concerns.

1) Site capacity. We've had well over a hundred people show up for NJAO in the past, and thats a lot of players at once. I don't think you can cater to that many people at an indoor field. How many fields does Battlezone have? Two? Also, what about woodsballers? Not every person who comes to NJAO will want to play speedball, you are ignoring a large portion of people who come to these events.

2) Scheduling. First off, only a months notice? Thats WAY short, just about everyone I know was expecting NJAO in August, not June. Four weeks is pretty tight scheduling for anyone who has to travel.

Also, MIAO was scheduled a LONG time ago, and now they are considering moving it to the fall because they don't think they can compete with NJAO. I hardly think thats fair to them, they've had MIAO in the works for months.

I thought Knightbreed last year was absolutely perfect for an AO day. Not only did it have enough fields to keep a bunch of people busy and happy, but it had cabins on-site so you could throw a hell of an afterparty and not have to worry about anyone traveling or whatnot. The Sussex field from NJAO2 was good, but kinda out of the way, no on-site cabins, and no facilities. But at least it had some woodsball.

It just doesn't seem like this was planned out that much.

Last year black cell said that over a hundred would show up, but I thought that the organizers were mad because not nearly that many people showed up... Last year, we used two fields, one 3 man sup air for the tournament, and a speedball field. Now we have a 5 man and a 3 man field. Capacity I don't think will be an issue. Woodsballers... Was there significant interest for this last year? I don't remember groups going off into the woods...

[Thordic]

Last year the attendance was pretty large, but I don't have numbers. Last year was also short notice. NJAO2 we had 130ish people. More notice = more attendees.

Last year there were woodsball fields being used, all day long. We had some fun games. Didn't you see Jon covered in mud after the last game? He looked like Swamp Thing because he fell into a big puddle.

1DE - Last year that area had been newly bulldozed, and NJAO came before they got to clean it up. They've had a whole year now to get that area ready.

The concept of cabins on-site is also a potential huge draw at Knightbreed as well. Last year we had around 10-12 guys staying I believe, and we had an awesome time. We had almost the whole campground to ourselves. Theres a huge firepit so we could prolly have a bonfire and whatnot as well.

[Dayspring]

How about we focus on a few of the positives here...

Hotels- 5 minutes from the field.
Restaraunts/food/bars- 5 minutes from the field (actually walking distance).
Beach- less than 20 minutes away.

Field capacity? We cycled well over 200 people on opening weekend in the first session ALONE. NJAO3 had about 65-70 people all day. That's a slow day at PBX.

Knightsbreed- as nice as the field was, was out in the middle of nowhere. PBX is within 200 feet of the Garden State Parkway. Let's also remember that it was hot & humid as hell that day.

The other reason that things SEEM rushed (but really aren't) is because we don't have the organizational issues that all the other ones had. no need to find a field. We own the field. We have well over 200+ cases of paint on site, so no need to get that. We have air on site, no need to rent like last year. No need to worry about food, lodging or anything else, as they are readily available or already taken care of.

Lastly- we have to work around several schedules- NPPL, PSP, IAO, GPL, our own tourney series, Jon's schedule, Mel's schedule & many other factors. Is there a chance things may get pushed back so as not to conflict with another AO day- yes. So keep your eyes and ears open.