The Gathering Formula

[Reim]

Is there a formula to good gatherings?

Now I am no expert to hosting gatherings, or gathering in general, but I have hosted a few and have attended enough gatherings of varying size and significance.

But I'm sure any one that has been to or has hosted a gathering knows there's certain things that make a gathering good and what makes a gathering lame.

So my question is, what are a few basic YESs and NOs for gatherings?

I'm sure it will help plenty of people get tricksters together more effectively and enjoyably.

[Flowers]

Events and organization that forces trickers to intermingle is key in my book.


treat a gathering like an adult awesome version of summer camp.



IF you have enough people together you can get away with doing very little and still keeping every entertained.

But otherwise it's good to always having something to do.




the biggest key I think, is a central location

[Reim]

I agree. I gathering should be filled with tricksters as well as tricks. Sociallity is key

[Flowers]

hahaha I actually didn't even think about tricks really. Tricks are the reason you know eachother, the gathering is to hang out with eachother

[900rmk]

Atmosphere...I've only been to our local gatherings but they've all had their own feel that made them unique and memorable.

My gathering theory: Awesome people + Awesome tricks + Reim = Awesome gathering!

[D.A.]

My favorite gatherings that I've been to have been small, like less than 15 people total. Larger gatherings are fun for sick tricks but smaller ones are more fun for "chillin' 'n' stuff, bro"

I mean, a certain gathering can be unbelievably fun for one person and really lame for another. I think if everyone has met before the gatherings seem to be the most fun. Here's a list of gatherings I've been to, in order:

-MD "Shwam" Gathering. you know, that monkey one.

-FF FS renegades- not really a gathering, I just got to tag along and witness the pure awesomeness that is James Yu, Dave C, and Jaime C. Dave C is a phenomenal host!

-FF Crustaceous Gathering 07

-NYG late 07 (the gathering that never happened)

-WilliamT's Basement Mini-gathering

-New Jersey Gathering II

-Cape Cod Mini Gathering

-LoopKacks 09


Those were the "official" gatherings, anyways, like the ones with videos produced 'n' stuff. I also visited Roanoke one other time right before PLN.
I've also been to non-tricking gatherings like family reunions, foreign exchange programs, 'n' stuff.



What gatherings have YOU been to??

[Reim]

I have been to

Toronto 05 "It was for a girl"
Toronto 06
Loopkicks 08
LoopKacks 09

As well as countless local gatherings, I like local gatherings.
It's nice to be able to train with the majority of our small community all at once, and get everyone together hanging out and talking and tricking it up.

I think as far as local ones I've witnessed goes, planning ahead really makes a difference. Booking a good gym that people can get to, for as cheap as possible for 2-4 hours.

Another important thing is letting people know ahead of time, and getting the word out there.

[Ewasiuk]

I wouldn't be able to socialize for shit :dead:

[Butteroll]

I'm all about the chillin. That's what makes gatherings for me.

[simon]

scotland easter gathering 06(lol)
uk gathering 06(more lol)
derby 07
random jiayotime/tomtime/coventry 08
amazingstoke/tomtime2 08
birmingham/tomtime3 09

and then the 5 or 6 gym sessions in edinburgh when we would have funtimes after with george or craig d.

gatherings are good if you aren't ill.

[Andy R]

FF gathering
cape cod gathering
nick vail ny gathering

i think its cool to keep gatherings cheap moneywise .

[Flowers]

I've hosted:

MG08
PWM08
part of UK Michigan Madness
Indy Tricks Gathering 06

and I've been to

loopkacks09
Michigan Madness
UK Michigan Madness
Fm extravaganza
Pitlock and towels
little sessions with Danny G

[Kyle McLean]

txtg06
PLN07
TXTG07
NYG 07 PT 2
Loopkicks 08
TXTG08
LoopkAcks 09


ive been to small and big. and i love them both. big gatherings can be personal to, like LK 08 was huge but like we kinda broke into small groups but still hung out with everyone at the same time, it was pretty fun. i dunno i just love gatherings, for me all you need is trickers and tricks and its a great gathering.

[TiVo]

Weed is also a factor. (affects it positively)

[alpha7158]

Gatherings I've been to/hosted where more than 20 people were involved:
Uk Gathering 2005 (Hosted)
Uk Gathering 2006 (Helped Host)
Uk Gathering 2007
Uk Gathering 2008
TXT Gathering 2008
TXT Gathering 2007
Southcoast Gathering 2006
Lynalls Reel Big Fish Gathering 2009
Alton towers 2006
Alton towers 2007
Derby April 2007 (Hosted)
Derby Summer 2007 (Hosted)
Oxford Gathering 2006

Make sure you invite/don't invite the right people.

Have plenty of trick sessions

90% of a gathering in non-tricking. Make sure you cater for this.

Make is fairly cheap for everyone

Treat at least one evening like a party.

Try to invite some people who are new to the crowd and/or new to tricking

Be organised and give people a plan.

Have food sorted or planned

[simon]

lol did i "host" alton towers 1 and 2?

i made most of the arrangements and then didn't go.

[Andy R]

it cant be a gathering unless jester is there

[Taimatsu]

it cant be a gathering unless jester is there

Agree'd

[Andy R]

Taimatsu: agree'd with Andy R's post

[BABYRILLA]

i hosted a few MD gatherings within the passed year.

they turned out great! nice comfy east coast meet ups.
great crowd, fantastic tricks.
to me the environment matters just as much as tricks.
i hate seeing less experienced tricksters feeling left out. -_-

[Flowers]

Rilla you are a pro!

[Ryan Murray]

I probably couldn't list all of the gatherings I've been to. It seems like sometimes when I plan on going to a session, there's such a big crowd that it seems like a gathering.

I think ATG09 was one of the best I've ever been to. It's a different atmosphere that I've never seen anywhere else. Everybody seems to throw down, regardless of skill level and everyone receives their due props. And very little hate. Gatherings in the US tend to have some degree of dick swinging and ego. Sometimes that makes a session more intense, but it doesn't make it feel better.

But really any gathering is always a great experience. Everyone just steps up their game so hard. I think that's why we even do it at all; when you're tricking in person with all of these people, the adrenaline kicks in and grants you with an amazing lightness that could never occur in a normal practice situation. We bring out the best in each other.

[alpha7158]

lol did i "host" alton towers 1 and 2?

i made most of the arrangements and then didn't go.
You organised it but nobody in particular hosted.

[BABYRILLA]

I think ATG09 was one of the best I've ever been to. It's a different atmosphere that I've never seen anywhere else. Everybody seems to throw down, regardless of skill level and everyone receives their due props. And very little hate. Gatherings in the US tend to have some degree of dick swinging and ego. Sometimes that makes a session more intense, but it doesn't make it feel better.
.

ATG is the best gathering evarrr.
haha

[brandonn]

[quote=Ryan Murray;1196105] Gatherings in the US tend to have some degree of dick swinging and ego. quote]


agreeeeed :|

wish we could be awesome like australians

[Rudy]

-FF FS renegades- not really a gathering
Loopkicks 08
MD Halloween 08
MD Thanks Giving 08
MD (something else....i don't remember right now)
LoopkAcks 09

[Reim]

What about field trips?

I find them enjoyable.. to a degree. They usually aren't worth the effort of getting to the place.

It's nice, but are they needed for a successful gath?

[Flowers]

What about field trips?

I find them enjoyable.. to a degree. They usually aren't worth the effort of getting to the place.

It's nice, but are they needed for a successful gath?

When It becomes a hassle to anyone with the whole "Whose riding with who/? Whose driving?"

then you're better off not doing it.


If you have a van or bus, you're set!