All questions were answered on the scale of 1 to 5 as given below;

1 – Very Poor (significantly poorer than expected)

2 – Poor (below expectation)

3 – Good (met expectation)

4 – Very Good (exceeded expectation)

5 – Excellent (significantly better than expected)

All results shown are the modal average.  Items shown in italics are quotes from the questionnaire responses.

It took longer than expect to reach the venue due to traffic issues.

Not very keen on the NEC

Great rail links

The accessibility to the NEC is excellent, road, rail and flight access is difficult to beat in the UK.  However, the site is extensive and the UK road network around Birmingham in general is congested.  As an organiser I was pleased with the assistance obtained from the NEC and my biggest gripe is their car-parking charges (on-top of all the exhibition and conference fees they receive they additionally charge £7 per vehicle to park).  Probably a worse venue for some car users, but we actually had only 2 late arrivals by the start of the conference so overall a good location.

Only problem was room a bit small.

Obviously restrictive, more space to spread-out at breaks (IEE Birmingham is good).

Meeting room much too small.

Room a little crowded

Bigger room is more convenient

There is no avoiding the fact that the room was too small.  This is a combination of the success of this years event (almost 50% higher attendance than the previous 2 conferences) and the other events occupying space in the conference suites.  It was also compounded by late bookings, 2 weeks before the event we could have fitted tables into the room.  I did ask about the possibility of an additional room for the refreshments about a month before as a safety net, but was told there was no other rooms available (I'm not convinced this is true as of the 12 rooms on the floor I did not see any signs above 4 of the near neighbours). I had stopped taking bookings on-line at 40 delegates, but additionally 2 had booked via post and one turned up on the day without pre-booking.  Despite the slight over-crowding the room was at least comfortable (not too warm) and everyone became good friends quickly!

Tables to make notes (and drink tea from) would have been nice

Add table

Gluten free was fantastic.

Buffet OK, missed a table for my plate.

I thought the refreshments and lunch were excellent and the NEC staff assisting were equally well prepared, accomodating (when we over ran our time slots for example) and did a great job on the day.  I was worried that at such a large venue we would get lost in the grand scheme of things, but the staff on the day made me feel very welcome and I think gave the conference a very good personal level of service.  It would have been nice to have tables as in previous years, even a separate room for the lunch (again as in previous years), but unfortunately circumstances over took the conference (see above) and we were very space constrained.

Useful documentation

Need of clear telephone number to allow admin dept to get in contact for any reason

The biggest compliment to the quality of the information was the fact that only 2 people missed the start (one in traffic, the other due to 2 cancelled flights and a reschedule to Manchester airport).  Despite the NEC's size, number of concurrent activities in progress and expense of providing additional signage (the NEC charge for any additional signs in the building), everyone made it to the venue and to the conference room.

The telephone problem was due to my mobile dying on me the week before the conference while I was overseas, however, I answered e-mails daily, despite being out of the UK for the week before the conference on business.  I have to add that the admin department in question did get in touch by e-mail, both times quoting the incorrect fee and requesting information already contained in the booking form, then after I had corrected their fee they still paid incorrect amounts for 2 delegates and by differing values?  I don't think a telephone contact would have helped in this case but I apologise if anyone did experience problems due to the lack of telephone contact.

Conference Overall Rating:    4

I wish I could and I am personally very touched that someone took the time to write such a kind comment.  Unfortunately I am no longer able to give the conference organisation the time it requires having changed job last year, plus my new position is not in the automotive field.  I will continue to maintain the website and give whoever does take over the conference organisation as much support as I can (this includes some technical support on proceedings compilation and programme committee co-ordination if required).  I feel sure the conference will survive without my personal input and will do my best to ensure future conferences under the Automotive EMC Network banner are as successful as the 4 I have so far organised and chaired.  I will miss the event, mainly for the people who attend, some of whom I now consider as friends.  I hope whoever takes over gains as much from the conference as I have over the past 4 years and I would like to especially thank all those speakers who have provided their time and work that have made the conference a success since its' inception on 2003.

Would you be interested in attending Automotive EMC 2007  [  YES=29  /  NO=4 (all no response)  ]

It is a tribute to the overall standard of past years is that we have a repeat visit rate in excess of 33% from one year to the next and at this years event just over 50% of the attendees have been to at least one previous Automotive EMC conference.  Even so having 88% of respondents suggest they would come to next years event is a triumph for this years content and presenters and suggests the conference will be able to sustain itself in the future.  This is the best compliment the conference can have. 

Martin O'Hara

May 2006