workshopswithwow

What gives a field day the Wow factor?

This blog is a compilation of the emails and comments I have collected from my last post. I hope you all enjoy reading it and gain some useful insights into what gives a field day the Wow factor.

1. Seeing or hearing something new – this could be machinery or a trial
2. When planning the event the organizers have thought carefully about the objectives & key messages
3. When the focus is on a few topics.
4. Hearing the real life story from someone who has done it. Give the research or theory and then a practical case study of whats worked in the field and what could be done differently.
5. Time for networking, name tags, time to introduce people and find about the other people at the event.
6. Interactive sessions – get rid of the power points
7. Plenty of time for questions and discussion
8. Evaluation – having the opportunity to let the organisers know what worked well and what could be done differently. These need to be written so people can be honest with their answers.
9. BBQ, great food
10. Have a microphone!! A PA system with back up batteries, make sure people can hear whats going on.
11. Be aware of the target audience and aim the information at the right level.
12. Relevant up-to-date information
13. Including some “blue-sky” research thats related to the region.
14. Hands on activities in the trial – not all stand and listen
15. Chairs to sit on around the site
16. Independent advice from industry experts
17. Field days that consider the needs of women – timing, location toilet and child friendly
18. Opportunity for small groups discussions
19. Be aware of the impact of the location and outside noise – good locations are accessible even when it’s wet, they are quiet (not with a train line or highway alongside the site)
20. Being aware of why farmers attend these events – knowledge, social occasion, exchanging ideas, seeing something different and providing for all of these creates the wow.

Thanks to everyone for your fantastic contribution to this Blog topic.

It doesn’t end here! Please continue to send through your thoughts and comments about great field days so I can continue my blog.

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