Hello all
 
I just wanted to take a moment to say that if you didn't attend the Ferret
Extravaganza in Columbus this past weekend, you missed a great show.  The
show staff went out of their way to plan a fantastic event.  Truly, it was
one of the best shows I have ever attended.  As someone who's helped to
organize shows myself, I had to admire the attention to detail that made
a difference.
 
Since I'm spouting off my opinion, I figured I'd let you all know (in no
particular order) what I thought made the event so super:
 
1. Check in - the check in staff actually looked in the carriers to
   examine the litter pans for anything unhealthy
2. Show packets - the show packets contained a nicely laminated tag to tell
   spectators not to touch the ferrets;  the ferret numbers were printed
   on cardstock and outfitted with a hanger for attaching them to the show
   carrier
3. Staff - event organizers wore matching shirts so that you could quickly
   flag them down!  (Suggestion - have the volunteers wear name tags too.)
4. Seminars - two educational seminars were offered
5. Show Hall - the show hall was a great size, well laid-out, and served
   food
6. Vendors - lots of interesting vendors attended
7. Judging area - a ferret drop off and pick up area were provided; the
   judges were provided with nice big calculators, big plexiglass sanitary
   mats, easy to use disinfectant-soaked wipes, and garbage cans
8. Announcements - an overhead projector was set up next to the judging
   area;  the entry numbers of ferrets being called to the show ring were
   marked on the overhead so that everyone could check to see if their
   ferrets were needed
9. Raffle - each raffle item was clearly numbered;  entrants wrote their
   name and item number on the ticket and gave the tickets to raffle table
   staff; the staff put the tickets into matching numbered containers
   behind the raffle table; this system was much less confusing and
   cluttered than the usual approach of placing bags next to each raffle
   item.
10. Prints - a special, limited edition black-footed ferret print was
    commissioned just for the show;  exhibitors could purchase copies;
    as very kind gesture, each judge also received one
 
Well, that's enough from me!  Anyone else care to share their compliments
and comments?
 
Happy ferreting!
Gina Hart/Sage Ferrets
http://www.geocities.com/sageferrets
[Posted in FML issue 3157]