Evaluation results

Overall the event was a success with similar results to previous years being achieved. A few differences were detected. From the preliminary budget and administrative figures available at the moment it is clear that:

• There were less trucks in the parade this year than last - 2006 – 205 trucks, 2007 – 182 trucks.
• The total amount raised from the event is roughly $5000 less than last year.
• There were more display sites bought for the event.
• There was also more money raised from the auction and the raffle.

These results are really pleasing and demonstrate that the Road Transport Awareness Day 2007 was of a similar standard to last year that achieved record results.

From the evaluation survey I conducted on the day, it was found that:

• The majority of attendees have previously come to RTADs, heard about the event from family and friends or from work.
• The majority of people thought the entertainment, food and drinks and truck display were excellent; and the information and overall atmosphere were above average.
• Some areas that require more attention in the planning of next years event are the toilets and signage.
• The majority of people surveyed will be returning for next years event - this indicates the RTAD 2007 was a real success.

There were other comments made in the surveys that indicate areas of success and areas for improvement of the RTAD. These are all valuable for the improvement of the event for future years.

This is the final posting for my event placement. I think it was an enriching experience and I was happy to be involved with the organisation of the day.

Thanks to the RTAD committee, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and specifically -

Tony and Anne McGrath, Lynne Jack and Janine Chandler.

Cheerio!

Road Transport Awareness Day 2007

Some photos I took on Sunday from the crane ride -

(Janine Chandler [my supervisor] and me)

(the leading truck that I travelled in)

The Event

Although it was overcast and raining on Sunday morning - it turned out really sunny and I ended up getting sunburnt!
The Road Transport Awareness Day 2007 was a real success. I had a great time - the day went so quickly!
I was in the first truck of the parade of about 200 hundred trucks, which was really cool. There were so many people lining the Pacific Hwy and the streets of Newcastle as the parade trailed through on Sunday morning - which was really good to see.
There was a 60 metre crane that was taking people up in a man cage for $10 - this turned out to be really popular and was operating all day.
There was a real family-feel about the event with lots of children being entertained by jumping castles and rides.
The auction was really successful, the entertainment went smoothly and lots of money was raised for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

I'll update soon with some further information gained from the event evaluation process.

Radio interview

This morning I was on 2HD (for a very short time) being interviewed by Mike Rabbitt about the Road Transport Awareness Day. I was nervous - but it all went well. This happened because Mike Rabbitt, as the promotions manager for NBN and as the sports speaker for 2HD on Saturday mornings, works for two media partners of the event. I'm really happy I had this opportunity - and hopefully somebody relevent heard it.

As I'm writing this blog there is some very scary sounding thunder and raining going on outside. I hope it clears up for the event tomorrow!

Week 14

Monday saw the final committee meeting take place before the 14th Annual Road Transport Awareness Day!

All of the final organisations were checked and the first three places in the truck parade were auctioned off.

Looking forward to the day! Media awareness so far seems to be fairly good - the event is getting tv, radio and print coverage on a local and national basis.

Wish us luck!!

Week 13

There was another meeting this evening. All the details are still being worked out for the event.

The committee thought my suggestion of an evaluation survey for the event was a good idea. I have finished a draft of an evaluation and will print off a few copies for the day to hand out.

Today we finally got the sponsors list off to the Herald for the printing of an ad for the day.

A risk management list has been made up for all of the committee to check that all efforts are made to reduce risk at the event.

I'll post another blog after the next meeting next Monday.
x

Week 12:

I went to another committee meeting on Monday – everything is coming together. Some issues were discussed like insurance, risk management and logistics.

This week I have spoken to the editor of Big Rigs magazine/paper. Apparently it is a widely read paper by people in the road transport industry. He said he should be able to get a news piece in about the day in the November 2nd issue. I would have preferred to have some information in this Friday’s issue – but I did not find any contact information until Sunday the 14th October and thus it too late to get anything in so close to publication.

The Chairman of the committee, Tony McGrath, has been having interviews/discussions on 2HD (a Newcastle radio station) on Sunday evenings about the day and about the trucking industry. This has been a great opportunity for exposure of the day. These interviews will continue on Sundays until the day itself. I may be able to get on one of these discussions in 2 weeks time.

Meetings are now held weekly until the event.

I offered to create some sort of an evaluation survey to be conducted on the day. The committee secretary agreed this would be a good idea and I’ll bring this to the next meeting for the committee to have a look at. This evaluation process will be beneficial to the group for organising next year’s event and also for my case study.

The organising committee has also just recently become an incorporated group, officially “Hunter Region Road Transport Awareness Group Incorporated”. The group is progressing in organisation and getting better and better each year.

The television commercial will begin next Tuesday 23rd October – this will really help in promoting the day to the general public.

My next tasks are to create an evaluation survey, organise an interview with Mike Rabbitt on 2HD, follow up event listings on online sources (council/event websites), and send to Purser Communication a media reminder about the event.

I’ll update next week….

Heather