Sadly we were unable to attract sufficient numbers to break even on the costs and this year the Seminar ran at a significant loss.
I assume that this wasn't a case of the seminar being fully booked and someone getting their sums wrong on how much to charge, but the loss is down to insufficient numbers attending.
Maybe as someone who looked at attending the seminar, but chose not to, my observations might be of use.
From what I read on the web site there appeared to be only one option; three days attendance, paying for two nights in university accommodation with provided food. The cost of this package was very reasonable,
if you were there all three days.
However I couldn't commit to three whole days attendance and I've stayed in university digs in the past and whilst they're cheap, they're also pretty basic and unappealing. I also live within commuting distance for one or two days attendance, so accommodation might not have been required.
As I've never been to an event like this before, two hundred quid for maybe only a day starts to become an expensive indulgence.
Some of the presenters held little interest for me either.
Should you should consider a 'day rate' ?
That way people can just pay for the days they wish to attend and don't have to pay for accommodation they either don't want or need.
I also suspect the problem here is that the seminar might get compared to other turning events like the Red Rose's two days at Daventry and the Yandles show in autumn, both of which have good reputations and are free to attend.
There's probably a market for smaller one or two day events a few times each year with more local (cheaper) demonstrators maybe in conjunction with sponsors like Yandles, Axminster, Sorby etc.
Then just having the flagship residential events every four or five years with really world class contributors that would draw an international crowd willing to pay enough to break even.
many commented that the site layout at Loughborough meant lots of walking between the accommodation, seminar lecture halls and the lunch facilities.
That sounds like just grumpy old men having a moan.
There are venues that have all the facilities close together, but they cost a lot to rent and stay in. For a low cost event like this, universities almost certainly offer the best value venues.