Chess Scotland Noticeboard

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Attention Mr McHarg, Bryson, Brechin, Rocks and co !

I would be most interested in drawing up an independent poll of Scottish chess conferences. As a tentative suggestion factors like geographical location, type of venue, prizemoney, sections, accomodation and so on could be considered. Their must be a vast majority of members who play in at least one congress per year and I am sure their would be a great deal of interest from everyone as to why they choose their respective tournaments. I want there to be as many weekend conferences as possible in the Scottish chess calender and I am certain I am not alone in this view.

Robin.

AMcHarg · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:16 am Post subject:

When I ran the Lothians Congress I issued a survey to each player. I can forward you the results of that survey if you like, although I think you want a much broader survey across the whole of Scotland.

I don't actually think an online poll is the best idea. The level of response you will get from an online survey will not be as high because a lot of players don't go online, and since you want to get the most reliable set of results possible, you want to get the most responses as possible. The best option in my opinion would be to issue surveys at all the congresses and to league secretaries for distribution to teams. These could then be completed and returned to you.

Market research is very important. If we can establish what most players want then we can provide tournaments that are better suited and attendance will (in theory) go up. I am surprised that more tournaments don't survey their players.

Alan Tate · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 377 Location: Edinburgh

I always felt like having surveys at tournaments was an absolute no-brainer. Good idea to do the leagues as well but wouldn't dismiss online poll so quickly.

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Thanks guys,

I think an online poll must be worth trying. A couple of extra categories to consider adding are

1. What grading band do you fall in to?

2. How important are the directness of public transport links to the venue?

If we are going to try an online poll we may as well put as many possible relevant factors in it. Ok it may even become a bit long winded but all data will be of interest to past, present and future tournament organisers.

GN · King Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 415

Keith S Rose · Queen Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 107

Thanks George.

A number of the adjustments we have made over the years have been as a direct response to feedback. We also post all feedback from the comment forms and emails to our website - see www.dundee-congress.co.uk/feedback.htm for the past four years - along with responses from me when appropriate, so potential players, sponsors and, importantly, our venue management can see what participants think of their visits.

Incidentally, we didn't survey last year because some idiot forgot to put the forms out. He was duly sacked but nobody else would do the work so I had to reinstate myself.
I will not forget this year.

Pat McGovern · Bishop Joined: 10 Jan 2011 Posts: 24 Location: saltcoats

can anyone help me understand why Dundee chess congress is not actually in Dundee? Confused

Stuart Blyth · King Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 209

Keith S Rose · Queen Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 107