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Part 4: The BTS Lectures
The BTS Lectures will celebrate their 10th birthday in 2012. Quite an achievement considering when Mark and Kim Pennell suggested it way back in 2002 it is a fact certain members of the BTS Committee were sceptical as to its chances of success. Older members might remember a similar venture being attempted in the early 90’s by Phillip Charpentier in Europe. His attempts fell by the wayside due to a mixture of apathy and lack of financial backing. Mark and Kim assured us that they could revamp the idea and it would be a success. There is really nothing like enthusiasm and they certainly had it. The proposal was voted upon and The Annual BTS Lectures were born. Their brief was to be quite simple.
They would find a suitable venue, organise a number of lecturers from the world of Arachnology to attend, advertise, coordinate and run the event from start to finish and make it, if not profitable, certainly self-supporting. What could possibly be easier??They soon found the Aztec Hotel in Bristol. The question has been asked as to why Bristol? Well as I have said previously, if you are tasked to do something then why shouldn’t you make it as easy as possible for yourself? Mark and Kim live in Bristol, they know the area, they needed to find a venue, make numerous visits to negotiate terms, check rooms and facilities and be able to be on hand if any problems arise before the day. I find that perfectly understandable. In truth, I have considered moving the BTS Exhibition to nearer to me as it would certainly make my life easier. It was decided that they would try and procure lecturers from all aspects of Arachnology and not just the world of tarantulas. Those of you who have ever tried to organise local groups will know just how difficult it is to attract speakers that specialise. Nevertheless, they have managed this unenviable task for the last ten years and this year they have once again managed to procure some fine speakers. The format has stayed the same as it works. A light-hearted lecture by one of the more insane committee members (me or Pete) would introduce the day and break the ice. This would be followed by a number of lectures on more serious topics and the evening would see a sit down meal and a few wise cracks and side swipes at each other would ensue after a few beers. Andrew Smith would then give one of his classic lectures.
The lecturers over the years have included such dignitaries as Fernando Péres-Miles (Uruguay), Boris Striffler (Germany), Eddy Hijmensen (Holland), Volker Von Wirth (Germany) , Søren Rafn ( Denmark), the legend that is Jean-Michel Verdez (France),Jenny Dobson ( Liverpool Museum), Jan Beccaloni (UK BMNH), Ray Gabriel (UK), Chris Hamilton (USA), Martin Huber (Germany) and of course our very own Andrew Smith. You can see there are some big names amongst them and we thank everyone who has made the effort to support the BTS Lectures over the years. Other BTS Committee members including myself, Martin Nicholas, Mark Pennell, Peter Kirk and Richard Gallon have lectured on occasion. Of course, all this has a price tag attached and we are the first to admit that the hotel is not cheap, the beer is certainly not cheap and the hotel is indeed four stars with the obvious costs. But I would point out that all BTS Committee members pay to attend the lectures (the full price) and for their own rooms. However we have taken the comments made on board as to the price excluding some members and the distance putting others off. But in our defence this is very special event organised by the club for its members once a year (although non-members are of course welcome) and why shouldn’t it be upmarket. The hotel is superb; the food is par excellence and the surroundings comfortable. I will not apologise for us trying to put on a first class event. Our attendance is usually between 60 and 70 and I am sure there are those who frequent this forum who have attended. The lecturers who attend for us are not paid. We may organise and pay for their flights, hotel accommodation and some expenses but none of them have actually ever asked to be paid a fee to speak for us. We consider it an honour that someone as respected as Fernando Péres-Miles would make the trip for us and frankly don’t see why we should compromise our principals on this. We accept that we could easily and more cheaply organise an event in a cheaper hotel with a conference centre somewhere in the Midlands perhaps, but it would still have to be funded and to attract the calibre of our headliner lecturers we feel it should be held in a suitable location. It is true that with the UK if not the World in the grip of a major recession there may be an argument to rethink certain aspects of the day. We are always open to suggestions and if you have attended the lectures we would love to hear from you with any improvement ideas .The BTS subsidises the Lectures. We do not make a profit on the day. We never intended to. For us it was a case of providing a service for those who had an interest. Since its inception in 2002 a number of other organisations have followed suit; DeArge, the German Tarantula Society, now holds hugely popular lecture weekends as does the ATS. The charge made to attendees goes to pay for the hire of the hotel facilities and the meal. The cost of the accommodation goes straight to the hotel. A breakdown of the running costs is freely available to any full BTS member on request but I think some of you may be surprised as to exactly how much things cost.
All this said, however, I admit that it can be a hell of pricey weekend and I can see why when the cost of petrol, room, alcohol and the lectures has been considered it would put some folk off. As a BTS Committee member we are required to attend. So I know about costs. Recently we have had discussions on whether or not we should seek an alternative venue perhaps in a more central locale. Maybe we should, but once again this will require the enthusiasm and drive of someone else. Love them or hate them no one can deny that the lectures are a unique event. Mark and Kim have done a stirling job over the years, they continue to strive to provide a first class weekend and I for one hope they will continue to do so.
Ray Hale
BTS Committee
The BTS Lectures will celebrate their 10th birthday in 2012. Quite an achievement considering when Mark and Kim Pennell suggested it way back in 2002 it is a fact certain members of the BTS Committee were sceptical as to its chances of success. Older members might remember a similar venture being attempted in the early 90’s by Phillip Charpentier in Europe. His attempts fell by the wayside due to a mixture of apathy and lack of financial backing. Mark and Kim assured us that they could revamp the idea and it would be a success. There is really nothing like enthusiasm and they certainly had it. The proposal was voted upon and The Annual BTS Lectures were born. Their brief was to be quite simple.
They would find a suitable venue, organise a number of lecturers from the world of Arachnology to attend, advertise, coordinate and run the event from start to finish and make it, if not profitable, certainly self-supporting. What could possibly be easier??They soon found the Aztec Hotel in Bristol. The question has been asked as to why Bristol? Well as I have said previously, if you are tasked to do something then why shouldn’t you make it as easy as possible for yourself? Mark and Kim live in Bristol, they know the area, they needed to find a venue, make numerous visits to negotiate terms, check rooms and facilities and be able to be on hand if any problems arise before the day. I find that perfectly understandable. In truth, I have considered moving the BTS Exhibition to nearer to me as it would certainly make my life easier. It was decided that they would try and procure lecturers from all aspects of Arachnology and not just the world of tarantulas. Those of you who have ever tried to organise local groups will know just how difficult it is to attract speakers that specialise. Nevertheless, they have managed this unenviable task for the last ten years and this year they have once again managed to procure some fine speakers. The format has stayed the same as it works. A light-hearted lecture by one of the more insane committee members (me or Pete) would introduce the day and break the ice. This would be followed by a number of lectures on more serious topics and the evening would see a sit down meal and a few wise cracks and side swipes at each other would ensue after a few beers. Andrew Smith would then give one of his classic lectures.
The lecturers over the years have included such dignitaries as Fernando Péres-Miles (Uruguay), Boris Striffler (Germany), Eddy Hijmensen (Holland), Volker Von Wirth (Germany) , Søren Rafn ( Denmark), the legend that is Jean-Michel Verdez (France),Jenny Dobson ( Liverpool Museum), Jan Beccaloni (UK BMNH), Ray Gabriel (UK), Chris Hamilton (USA), Martin Huber (Germany) and of course our very own Andrew Smith. You can see there are some big names amongst them and we thank everyone who has made the effort to support the BTS Lectures over the years. Other BTS Committee members including myself, Martin Nicholas, Mark Pennell, Peter Kirk and Richard Gallon have lectured on occasion. Of course, all this has a price tag attached and we are the first to admit that the hotel is not cheap, the beer is certainly not cheap and the hotel is indeed four stars with the obvious costs. But I would point out that all BTS Committee members pay to attend the lectures (the full price) and for their own rooms. However we have taken the comments made on board as to the price excluding some members and the distance putting others off. But in our defence this is very special event organised by the club for its members once a year (although non-members are of course welcome) and why shouldn’t it be upmarket. The hotel is superb; the food is par excellence and the surroundings comfortable. I will not apologise for us trying to put on a first class event. Our attendance is usually between 60 and 70 and I am sure there are those who frequent this forum who have attended. The lecturers who attend for us are not paid. We may organise and pay for their flights, hotel accommodation and some expenses but none of them have actually ever asked to be paid a fee to speak for us. We consider it an honour that someone as respected as Fernando Péres-Miles would make the trip for us and frankly don’t see why we should compromise our principals on this. We accept that we could easily and more cheaply organise an event in a cheaper hotel with a conference centre somewhere in the Midlands perhaps, but it would still have to be funded and to attract the calibre of our headliner lecturers we feel it should be held in a suitable location. It is true that with the UK if not the World in the grip of a major recession there may be an argument to rethink certain aspects of the day. We are always open to suggestions and if you have attended the lectures we would love to hear from you with any improvement ideas .The BTS subsidises the Lectures. We do not make a profit on the day. We never intended to. For us it was a case of providing a service for those who had an interest. Since its inception in 2002 a number of other organisations have followed suit; DeArge, the German Tarantula Society, now holds hugely popular lecture weekends as does the ATS. The charge made to attendees goes to pay for the hire of the hotel facilities and the meal. The cost of the accommodation goes straight to the hotel. A breakdown of the running costs is freely available to any full BTS member on request but I think some of you may be surprised as to exactly how much things cost.
All this said, however, I admit that it can be a hell of pricey weekend and I can see why when the cost of petrol, room, alcohol and the lectures has been considered it would put some folk off. As a BTS Committee member we are required to attend. So I know about costs. Recently we have had discussions on whether or not we should seek an alternative venue perhaps in a more central locale. Maybe we should, but once again this will require the enthusiasm and drive of someone else. Love them or hate them no one can deny that the lectures are a unique event. Mark and Kim have done a stirling job over the years, they continue to strive to provide a first class weekend and I for one hope they will continue to do so.
Ray Hale
BTS Committee
I joined 2 years ago and haven't regretted it. Like I said, worse case senario - you lose £15.00
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