What makes it good?

[Szczepankiewicz]

I am hosting a seminar in July. I'd like to hear some comments on what makes a seminar good, and what makes it bad?


Any advice would be appreciated.

Sorry, Bitty, but there will be no sheep at this function.

Spanky

[Guest]

Have a celebrity. Draws in the crowds.

Get it advertised in the local press, radio and a national martial arts magazine.

Have some kind of gimmick, like someone going for some kind of record attempt.

Raise some of the money for charity.

Invite a wide range of different martial artists.

etc etc.

All I'm advising on is marketing really. If you give more details on what things you intend to do at the seminar I may be able to come up with more.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Yes, I realize that I need to be very specific when 'axing' you a question.

What things do you like and or dislike about ATTENDING a seminar?

My goal is not making any money. If I'm lucky, I'll just break even.

[platinum_angel]

what are you trying to accomplish.................by having it

[Szczepankiewicz]

Martial arts training?

[kengar]

You probably already know this...
Have a lesson plan, not nessecarily every thing laid out with a time limit, but have a lay out of what you want to get done. Also, ask people what they expect/want to get out of it, and leave 15 min at the end of class to cover some of those topics.
Not a lot of help, but the only thing at the moment.


Ken

[Szczepankiewicz]

That sounds good for a class, or a short seminar with people you work with on a regular basis.

However, this will be an all day joint locking/destruction seminar where most people will not talk to me until the day of.

[MrPoopy]

Bri was suggesting himself when he mentioned having a celebrity! But since he probly won't be able to make it, I'll come in his place.

[platinum_angel]

have full contact sparring there. between your best students. then ask for volunteers. explain the mechanics of whats going on. preach the word.

[Ryu (JKD?)]

Hey there!

An all day seminar is draining! Have you put one on before?


Well I can tell you what I think is the most important in an all day setting..... variety. Make sure the people there do not get bored. With big seminars that last a full day ( 6-7 hours plus breaks) I would say that the participants' enthusiasm and motivation are your key worries.

Keep things running smoothly, make sure to break up the training and give them different variations of doing things, etc.

For example, say you want to spend a good deal of time on something like "de-fanging the snake."
Don't just have the group practice de-fanging for two hours straight, then take a break, and do it again.
Instead, have them train the skills by varying the drills and excercises. Have them spend maybe 10-15 minutes getting the basic concepts down with each other. Then have them play a round of "red robin" using the same concepts. Then have them spar it with some equipment on, etc.
Show different ways that concept applies to empty hands, etc.
Have them train various drills empty handed.

Make sure that people are continually stimulated with new drills, new ways of training, etc. You can keep the "concept" all the same, but just make sure they don't start feeling that the training is redundant.

That would be my advice.
I hope it helps. I'm not expert on seminar success....they're hard to run in the beginning.

Ryu

[jcolvin]

What ever the cost of the seminar you want everyone to walk away with a couple of things in mind. a) that was money well spent b) I learned a lot c) man am I tired

I have always thought seminars as a big private lesson. What I mean by that is you have certian things you want to get accomplished, for example different techniques along with some heavy conditioning, but you also want the attendees to get a chance to ask questions about some of the problems they are having with different techniques.

I think you should really put an emphasis on conditioning and training and what it means.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Thanks for the things to think about guys. I appreciate the comments.

Poopy, if you're comin' make sure you confirm. I'll have the limo pick you up at the airport.....

[MrPoopy]

A limo? What kind of cheapo shindig are you puttin on? I was expecting you to send a jet for me.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Of course, that is what I was going to do, however, I wanted to get you from the airport to the dojo, the luxurious hotel, and back to the airport in style.

My apologies for not better explaining myself.

Bad Dobby! Bad!

[William]

Of course, that is what I was going to do, however, I wanted to get you from the airport to the dojo, the luxurious hotel, and back to the airport in style.

Mr. P., Make sure he takes you to 'The Pilot' in Mtn. Home. Order "The Bucket". Now that's livin!!! Don't let him take you to the Sizzler like he did for me...Seafood in Idaho I'm still not regular. Cheapskate.

William