AA Teccie (Paul)

Many thanks "Little Rob" for making the effort to join us at the show and I'm glad to hear you had a good day Cheers, Paul

Thanks all for your comments n suggestions, and I will ensure the request for a northern ARB Show type event is heard at the highest level but please understand, whilst I sympathise, I (personally) am not a decision maker and this is a massive decision for the AA to consider. Please do keep them coming as I'm still here and listening Thanks again, Paul

Hi Edward, thanks for your feedback here, very interesting and very useful...and quite challenging but I did invite "the ugly" too. I am sorry you feel I "paid you lip service", that was never my intention, but I did mention prior to the show that I am not a decision maker and I did try to direct you to either Stewart Wardrop, the AA CEO, or Jamie Bray, the 'vice-chair' who was mulling around but you'd disappeared when I tried to facilitate this. My point about the Branches was that many Head Office organized seminars / events, admittedly not including the ARB Show nor Conference, can be facilitated but this requires suitable activity and input at Branch level...which every member has an opportunity to influence. I don't particularly understand your reference to AA Membership being like a bank account. My current account has many 'fringe' benefits, all of which I utilize to best effect, and collectively I'm very happy with the service. It's down to the individual to take advantage BUT I do acknowledge location / 'geography' can be an issue and where you are in Carlisle isn't terribly well serviced by either the Scotland nor Northern Branches...wouldn't you care to move? The APF Show seems to have settled at Ragley Hall, Alcester, and hence I wouldn't anticipate that coming up north anytime soon either unfortunately. As a Lancs lad by origin (albeit now living in S. Devon,) I do understand your frustrations Edward, but the demographics of AA membership / staff / suppliers / exhibitors also means the ARB Show isn't likely to shift in the foreseeable future...I am sorry about this. I will ensure your views are 'aired' and considered and I will request you receive a direct response from somebody higher up the ladder than I (can you please supply a direct email or tel. number...perhaps by 'pm.') Regards, and I'm pleased to learn that overall the show was useful and meet your needs and THANK YOU for making the effort to join us Paul

Hi all, please also take the opportunity to comment on certain aspects of the show too, e.g. - Arborist Workshop sessions - technical demo's - tree climbing comp All very useful and valuable feedback, Thank you Paul

Hi John, thanks for your feedback here...I have to admit it did make me smile though, albeit a very valid, and important, point you make about the bar and (I think) "real ales" were considered to be very popular...but obviously not in the arb world....SORRY 'et al' I will ensure this is feedback and, fingers crossed, you won't be left as thirsty again next time Cheers, n hope yer well Paul

Aaah, sorry, DOOHHH!!! I'm sure (I know) there are many, many people on here who will help you virtually but I guess you mean "at the show." So, Steve unfortunately couldn't make it this year because of prior commitments but hopefully he, and ARBTALK, will next year and may be able to "take this on board." (I'm happy to support ARBTALK's presence at future events but Steve needs help to....over to you guys.) Cheers, Paul

Hi John, that feedback was given to Ben and Noddy to feed through to the research they're undertaking. Thereafter it will feed through into the production of the industry technical guide for tree access and descent (hopefully due out by end 2017.) Cheers, and thank you for the valuable feedback, Paul

Hi there and thanks for your post. This was intentional, or certainly acknowledge as circumstantial, we the show was delivered collaboratively with Westonbirt and in particular their "Friends of.." Guess it was a bit "pros n cons" as I spoke to someone who said that whilst they knew about tree surgeons they didn't realize there was a whole industry delivering tree care other than foresters and the FC. So it was awareness raising too. Friday, being much the busier day, was certainly more "the industry" so maybe bear that in mind for next time Cheers, Paul

Hi Rob, thanks for your post here and I'm really sorry to hear about this...you shudda come to see us in the AA tent and I'm sure we would have arranged a refund Unfortunately I can't promise to do so now but I will raise it with Head Office. Apologies again, Paul

Many thanks Paul, was good to see you, and your 'young man', albeit very briefly. Cheers, Paul

Than you David, catch you at the next one...but hopefully before. Paul

Hi, if this is aimed at me I apologise as my intention is not to lead, for fear of MIS-leading, but to facilitate as we need to know what we got right but more importantly what we didn't so we can aim to improve for future shows Cheers...n if others feel I'm interfering and stifling discussion please do say so...but then that doesn't usually stop you Paul

Can't comment on the suppliers 'exchange policy' but good luck However I do take on board your other comments and maybe we could look at doing a "which kit" session, including compatibility of items and systems, in the Arborist Workshop...we'd have to be really careful about giving totally impartial advice to be fair to manufacturers / suppliers present. Cheers, Paul

Unfortunately the cost of the exhibitor plots has been taken down from the website (I think because we "sold -out") BUT whilst I don't know the exact cost I do know it's nothing like this (maybe the following "Craig David" concert will attract those kind of exhibitor fees but certainly not the ARB Show...about a tenth I reckon and that depends on the size and location of the plot.) Cheers, Paul

I'm sorry about this and will ensure it is fed-back, in general terms, to the suppliers. I guess sometimes there's that delicate balance between assisting and interfering but YOU should make the call. Thanks for posting, Paul

Hi all, Firstly, THANK YOU to all for coming along and supporting the show in its new location at Westonbirt I know it's a cliché but without you there'd be no show (forgive the pun.) It was fantastic to see so many of you and thanks to all who intro'd themselves...twas a privilege. So, "warts n all", I need to know the good, the bad....n the ugly please. Obviously this will allow us to hopefully improve things next time round. Apologies in advance as I may not have time to reply to everyone who responds but thank you so much for so doing Reet, "over t'you"...n Cheers! Paul PS "the weather" = sorry, don't have the right contacts

Hi all, I just wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who came and spoke to me / 'us' at the show about this. There was a great deal of interest and I hope it proves a useful "stepping stone" towards getting your business accredited and you the recognition you deserve If you want to know more either post back, email me [email protected] or call me 07971995351...or get along to one of the 'Prep' workshops. Good stuff n thanks again, Paul

Excellent, thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to future shows ATB, Paul

"Yer on " thanks for that Ian Paul

Hi Steve, besides numbers being minus one very important one they were very good overall, Friday was notably busier. However we don't yet know final numbers as Westonbirt staff managed it this time round n it also included Westonbirt visitors / " friends of". Accurate figures should be available soon so I will post back when we know...Sorry. Cheers Paul

Hi Ian, "our pleasure Sir"...glad you enjoyed it n hope everyone else did too. Catchup at the next one...if not before All the best Paul

Indeed but the associated benefits are less although does include free access to ARB Show I too think it's quite reasonable...perhaps not surprisingly Cheers Gary Paul

As long as they don't get in the way of a good story of course

Unfortunately yes ...almost worth becoming a member for £60 a year