Post #478711 by Otto on Sat, Aug 22, 2009 1:45 AM

OK, it took me a few days to read all these posts. Thanks for your enthusiasm!

Obviously I know about most of these problems and am already working on it. Here are some answers to some of the issues.

The reason there were long lines at registration is partially because we were lax about checking wristbands in the past and this allowed non-paying guests into the show who did not respect the event. So, in order to keep gate crashers out we need security and we need to enforce the wristband aspect. Guests were not prepared for this and waited til the last minute to get their wristbands. We did the best we could working with the system we had in place. I personally handed out programs to guests waiting in line, handed out wristbands to vendors and performers in line, and bought Mai Tais for volunteers. Next year registration will be in the Kona Coast lobby which is three times larger, there will be a bar set up and a water station, and we will have some sort of barcode scanner/computer setup. Swanky's comment about splitting the list is definitely true within our existing system but we are looking in to how to implement that for next year.

The security makes good people feel secure, and sketchy people feel insecure. I'm sorry if someone was intimidated by the security. I think they were a little heavy handed this year. I will fix that next year. Sorry they had guns. I requested "no guns". I paid for no guns. I got the guns for free! The supervisors said they always carry their guns and it is included in the deal. OK, I'll fix that next time. Unbeknownst to you, they actually chased off a homeless encampment outside the far corner of the parking lot. The homeless guys had tools such as crowbars and wire cutters. I'm glad I had several uniformed, armed, security guards on duty after hearing that. They also got Tiki Dan's info including expired registration on his car! The hotel has 24 hour security from the same company. We added one extra 24 hour guard on Saturday night. And doubled our security overall for the event. Yes they were more visible. I think that's OK at a large event. Let me know if you still think otherwise and I can take steps such as requesting no uniforms.

As for the long lines at bars and restaurants. I kept both the Bali Hai and Crowne Plaza informed of the attendance. Both of them ramped up, just not enough. At Bali Hai we burned through all 15 cases of Primo Beer before midnight and we are not even a beer drinking crowd? (it was on sale). Believe me, Primo and Bali Hai wished they had planned for more than that. AND don't tell me people could not get drinks. 15 cases of Primo in 5 hours not to mention other beers and other tropical drinks? Despite the lines, there was plenty of drinking going on.
The Islands restaurant actually had to close early on Friday night because they ran out of food! You can bet that won't happen again next year! The burger stand outside will be larger and stay open one hour longer next year. They added veggie burgers to their menu this year at our request. Did anyone notice that? They are open to suggestions, let me know what else you'd like.

The pool party and the room parties are an organic - free - part of the event. They are, quite frankly, what make the event so personable and friendly and set our Tiki event apart from rock n roll weekenders such as Viva Las Vegas (not that Viva is not cool, just a little different). I will not close the pool or room parties to guests not staying at the hotel, which happens to be about half the guests. How would you like half the people to be eliminated from the room parties? That might make for a pretty boring party. I had the pool and the jacuzzi stay open until 2 am for our guests on Friday and Saturday. if the pool was too crowded at noon, try jumping in at 10 pm?

We prefer to use volunteer staff for several reasons. They LOOK better than hired temps for one!
Hiring volunteer staff is actually MORE work for us. It would be easier to hire a staffing temp agency. Let's vote on this. Who wants to come to Tiki Oasis and be greeted by a part-time temp who knows nothing about Tiki and cannot answer your questions?
Who wants to go to Tiki Oasis and be greeted by someone who is there for the fourth year in a row (or more), loves meeting the rest of the Tiki Oasis crowd via the registration table, and knows a fair amount about Tiki, but STILL might not be able to answer your question?
Our volunteers do not work for FREE. They are compensated with free tickets ($40 value) and a small gift, in exchange for a few hours of work. Where else can you get paid $10+ per hour while drinking Mai Tais and having fun? We call it volunteering because some of them make 4x that amount at their day jobs. Some of our more leaned-upon volunteers (thanks Cammo, Matteo, Jim G, etc.) get more $$ based on responsibilities. Certainly not a real wage but enough to keep them happy. Most of the volunteers ENJOY volunteering and being part of the event and most of them are return volunteers which tells me they are being compensated adequately. BTW, a pleasant smile from the guests (that's you) goes a long way so next year will you please smile and thank the volunteers for their efforts!

I certainly know that if I did not receive huge, genuine thank yous from the majority of the guests at Tiki Oasis (and I do) to assure me that they are having a great time, I would not do the event. If 50% of the guests said they had a bad time I would throw in the towel. Thankfully that is not the case.

I also have a great time at Tiki Oasis. I love the bands, the dancers, the few room parties that I am able to make it to, the DJs spinning rare tunes that I have never heard, the vendors, the hot rod cars, the uke jam, I love everything that is at Tiki Oasis and I hope that the guests attending will also. Baby Doe and I throw this show for ourselves and we hope that everyone else enjoys it too!

So huge thanks to everyone who posted here with comments and with support. We appreciate both. Now let's move on to the next Tiki party!