posted 12-21-2014 03:46 AM               

As many of you will already know, Space Lectures is run on a not for profit basis. Any monies made above and beyond the cost of putting on an event are ploughed in to the next speaker.

There are a number of Apollo astronauts out there that we would love to bring to Pontefract but their fees are such that ticket prices would inevitably be higher than previous.

One such speaker currently under consideration would require a lecture ticket price of £80 for the event to work.

Ken and I think that is great value for a lecture and a signature when their base signature alone would cost in the region of £140 at a private signining or an organised autograph show.

High lecture ticket prices goes against the grain for Ken who endeavours to keep prices to a minimum; to keep it as affordable as possible. But people baulked at paying £100 to hear Neil Armstrong speak a few years ago and Ken is naturally reluctant to book speakers whose current fees would result in a high ticket price.

posted 12-21-2014 04:32 AM               

If we consider that Space Lectures is run on a not for profit basis, the ticket prices should not be an obstacle to the presence of the public.

As you know, I work on the meetings, exhibitions or events, and I know the difficulties in organizing these types of events and how much passion is needed!
No one can expect a great event without paying the costs. Keep it up!

posted 12-21-2014 07:28 AM               

SPACEKID, it is an Apollo astronaut Ken is looking at for October 2015 and not just one; he is looking to future events also. All of the names in the frame command high fees.

But don't book anything just yet. Just as soon as Ken is able to confirm the event for October 2015 I will post details on here.

posted 12-21-2014 07:38 AM               

The notion of a £100 barrier would suggest a figure people would go up to... but not beyond. In the case of Neil Armstrong feedback at the time suggested people were not prepared even go to the £100 in the first instance.

posted 12-21-2014 09:33 AM               

I wonder if the sticking point then was the fact that our worthy astronaut was only prepared to sign copies of his book. Since this appears to not be the case in future events, isn't the key question how much people are prepared to pay for an autograph, an opportunity to shake hands and be photographed with the guest and also hear him speak about his experences.

I agree with previous comments that perhaps £100 might be a barrier. However, could this be overcome by plugging also the great chance these events present to meet old friends and fellow enthusiasts?

posted 12-21-2014 11:58 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by moorouge:
As an afterthought - is there any possibility of making arrangements to pay so much a month into an account so that finding a one off large amount is a little less painful?

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posted 12-22-2014 05:40 AM               

When the October announcement is made perhaps half the ticket price could be paid immediately and the second half within 2 months.

This would apply to the lecture only and seats would be allocated as full payment is received ie. Those that pay in full are allocated a seat immediately with the installment option not being allocated until the second payment has been received.

posted 02-14-2015 06:11 AM               

Money is tight and I know many household budgets are stretched these days but £80 equates to a couple of dozen coffees with cake at any well known high street coffee chain. I like coffee and cake but it's no match given the opportunity of meeting someone who is living history! - and in my field of interest to boot!

Having attended the Fred Haise lecture and seeing how well these events are run I would have happilly paid £100+ to meet Neil Armstrong.

I'm sure there is the ever growing realisation amongst space enthusiasts and Apollo enthusiasts in particular that these icons of the space age won't be around for ever.

As a latecomer to space lectures, I know I've missed some great guests, and looking ahead, I would love the opportunity to meet any Moonwalkers, Apollo or Gemini astronauts or veteran cosmonauts while there is still time.

Thank you to Ken, Rick and all involved in Space Lectures for organising these unforgetable experiences and for keeping them as affordable as can be given the guest fees. More of the same please!

posted 02-14-2015 07:14 AM               

Can I take the opportunity to reiterate, Ken Willoughby and Space Lectures is a not for profit event run entirely by volunteers. Any monies raised over and above the speakers fee and expenses are ploughed back in to the next event, but not until a donation has been made to charity.

I make NO apologies for repeating myself but for the record, some of the comments directed at Ken (not by members of this forum I might add) have been pretty odious to say the least.

Ken is big enough and ugly enough to look after himself but I for one have been outraged at some of the comments sent his way or posted on the Space Lectures Twitter site.

"What's in it for you Ken?" and "How much are you making from this?" and "£80 for a ticket is OUTRAGEOUS!!" or "I can't afford to bring my 4 kids." Ken is not fishing for compliments here but please realise it is what it is!

Ken has made concessions for children at previous events but is unable to do so for Capt Lovell in October. To put it bluntly he can't afford to do so this time around.

In my opinion Space Lectures offers great value for money and will always endeavour to do so.

It may come as a surprise to many but a sell out dinner and lecture combined are not enough to cover the cost of the event in October; the event will work only because of income from other sources i.e. previous events, the auction etc.

posted 02-16-2015 02:03 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
I make NO apologies for repeating myself but for the record, some of the comments directed at Ken (not by members of this forum I might add) have been pretty odious to say the least.

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Ken works very hard to organise these events, very often in difficult and trying circumstances, and deserves every credit for doing so. Of course, there may be some aspects that one might not totally agree with but there are ways to express these without the need to be abusive. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. However, these days the anominity of social media sites seem to have made a few people forget that there comes with this a greater responsibility to use this freedom in a responsible manner.

Like Rick, I don't think that cS users are among those who have posted offensive remarks about Space Lectures on Twitter. Anyone who has attended the Pontefract lectures will know that they are always happy and friendly occasions.

posted 02-17-2015 03:11 PM               

I personally am still disappointed by the fact that Jack Schmitt's visit didn't happen, since he also skipped the 2012 ASF show so instead of meeting him twice in a short time he remains the only living moonwalker I haven't met in the flesh. That means I would be willing to pay up to £300 just to hear him speak in Pontefract, since it would save me a transatlantic ticket.

Obviously the likes of Borman and Collins are in the same category as far as I am concerned.

Anyway, what I was thinking is: for very special guests some people might be willing to pledge more than the usual ticket price just to increase the odds of the guy coming at all. Once again, in my case I wouldn't mind donating say £200 above a £100 ticket for Schmitt.

posted 02-18-2015 12:15 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by David C:
Even I'd be willing to go anywhere at any price to meet Schmitt - on one condition. That is that he'd be willing to autograph something other than his book, I've already got that.

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The reasons why Schmitt didn't come to Pontefract have been discussed at length elsewhere. However, David C. has scored a direct hit on the head of the nail. It wasn't the ticket price that made it impossible to arrange the visit, but the fact that he was only prepared to sign copies of his book reduced the number of ticket sales to a point where the economics didn't add up.

posted 02-18-2015 07:06 AM               

£80 is a small price to pay for Capt Lovell (his signature is worth double that without the honour of meeting him). £80 gets you a ticket to a London Premier League match. I know what I think is better value.

posted 02-20-2015 03:44 AM               

I myself have had an email from a cS member recently explaining in lovely detail how much of a ripoff my event is and also saying I am full of s**t for charging £75 for Al Worden's autograph - somehow thinking that I have control over what Al charges for an autograph.

Even after pointing out how wrong this person was, he persisted and changed his argument rather than admitting he was wrong and apologise. Some people just can't see past the fact that you do these events at the benefit of others, not yourself. Either they don't see it or don't care - maybe they just want an argument, who knows.

posted 02-20-2015 11:37 AM               

However we now use social media along with collectSPACE and this has helped promote these events successfully

This has allowed Ken to bring over some excellent guests with the assurance of selling a good proportion of the tickets in advance.

posted 02-20-2015 12:57 PM               

The lecture theatre sold out for TK Mattingly; 475 signatures in around 80 minutes.

Fred Haise, keen to go the extra mile was happy to add one mission to each signature if asked. His signing took 140 minutes and that was despite curtailing the last few rows to a signature only.

If Jack Schmitt were to sign 3 books per person the signing would take an unrealistic 4 hours plus.