AV8BQAR
Mech
Phrog, now that I know who you are, I can give you candid advice. PM me and I will tell you about 203's most excellent ball in 2004.
In 2005, we used the Havelock welcome center. Not bad for location, since the Hampton Inn shares a parking lot with it. Unfortunately the Hampton costs more than a DUI.
I would have to say the best way to put on a good ceremony is quality audio/visual. Nobody likes a crappy emcee or second-rate sound system. Use motivating, pertinent (aka airwing stuff) images to hold attention. Lots of explosions in the videos. Throw some grunt action in there for those with the secret fetish. We want the worst non-hackers to feel the pull of pride.
Try to limit the guest speaker's rant. We just had a mess night and we had a phenomenal guest. He might be hard to book, though- we had connections.
Keep your ear to the pulse of the squadron. There is nothing worse than hearing groans when the squadron's Loud Overmotivator plays up his or her part in the ceremony. If one of those guys volunteers (and you know they will!), keep it to a non-speaking role.
I don't need to tell you, but a reminder to consider child care setups. More on that with the 2004 203 Ball. Also, concerning alcohol, allow for a variety. in 2005 we had white zin or chardonnay for wine choices. As a result I drank too much of the chardonnay (the zin was ORANGE) and do not remember the dancing portion. Good thing I spent my DUI money at the Hampton.
In 2005, we used the Havelock welcome center. Not bad for location, since the Hampton Inn shares a parking lot with it. Unfortunately the Hampton costs more than a DUI.
I would have to say the best way to put on a good ceremony is quality audio/visual. Nobody likes a crappy emcee or second-rate sound system. Use motivating, pertinent (aka airwing stuff) images to hold attention. Lots of explosions in the videos. Throw some grunt action in there for those with the secret fetish. We want the worst non-hackers to feel the pull of pride.
Try to limit the guest speaker's rant. We just had a mess night and we had a phenomenal guest. He might be hard to book, though- we had connections.
Keep your ear to the pulse of the squadron. There is nothing worse than hearing groans when the squadron's Loud Overmotivator plays up his or her part in the ceremony. If one of those guys volunteers (and you know they will!), keep it to a non-speaking role.
I don't need to tell you, but a reminder to consider child care setups. More on that with the 2004 203 Ball. Also, concerning alcohol, allow for a variety. in 2005 we had white zin or chardonnay for wine choices. As a result I drank too much of the chardonnay (the zin was ORANGE) and do not remember the dancing portion. Good thing I spent my DUI money at the Hampton.