How long would it take for 60 people to assemble?

[Anonymous]

We have a large group of around 60 meeting for an event. We plan to all meet up beforehand so tickets can be distributed. If the group was to meet at 7pm sharp, for instance, how much of a grace period would you think was necessary? Like, realistically, how long do you think it would take everyone to arrive? What time would you say you would feel confident everyone would have arrived by? I only ask because I want to allow enough time to account for stragglers without actually being late or having to leave them behind. (They will be left behind without a ticket if late.)

[Anonymous]

It depends how familiar they are with the meeting location, and whether there are known difficulties with transportation in that area (traffic, metro closures). If some people in your group are habitual tardies, maybe give them an earlier meet-up time.

[Anonymous]

At least half hour.

[Anonymous]

Hahahahaha. You’ve never tried to move a herd before. For sixty that’s an infinite amount of time. Half will be there half an hour early, most of the rest will turn up 5-10 minutes after you said to meet, and the rest will be all over the map. Make envelopes up with tickets by each unit that’s coming, had out the ones who are there fifteen minutes before the event starts, and leave the rest at will-call. So if the always-late couple turns up half an hour in, their tickets are at the box office. Someone will likely ghost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hahahahaha. You’ve never tried to move a herd before. For sixty that’s an infinite amount of time. Half will be there half an hour early, most of the rest will turn up 5-10 minutes after you said to meet, and the rest will be all over the map. Make envelopes up with tickets by each unit that’s coming, had out the ones who are there fifteen minutes before the event starts, and leave the rest at will-call. So if the always-late couple turns up half an hour in, their tickets are at the box office. Someone will likely ghost.

I haven’t.

Follow up question: how long would you wait?

[Anonymous]

There is no will-call service at your venue, OP?

For a group of 60, I would set a "call time" an hour earlier than the time you need to get to your seat. The early people can just mill around and wait, or get a drink somewhere close by, or at the venue.

Do not wait past the time when you would miss the start of the event, or miss the best seats if it's a first come, first seated, situation. Write in all-caps in your group email or text that you are waiting for no one!

So the concert starts at 8pm, and doors open at 7:30, but your seats are assigned? Call time is at 7pm at the ticket office. The concert starts at 8pm, doors open at 7:30, but the seats are free for all? Call time is at 6:30.

[Anonymous]

half an hour, only

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:half an hour, only

+1 and turn off your cell phone once you leave the meeting place. If they want to see the event, they’ll make it on time.

[Anonymous]

Just be specific in your instructions.

Meeting time is at 6:45 pm at very very specific location.
Tickets will be distributed promptly at 7:00 pm.
Absolute last call is 7:15 pm.
Apologies that we will not be able to hold tickets after that.

See you at 6:45!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just be specific in your instructions.

Meeting time is at 6:45 pm at very very specific location.
Tickets will be distributed promptly at 7:00 pm.
Absolute last call is 7:15 pm.
Apologies that we will not be able to hold tickets after that.

See you at 6:45!

Strong disagree. This is confusing, can't be skimmed, and plenty of people are going to show up at 7:20 and say they were only five minutes late?!? The people who are most likely to be running late are also the people most likely to latch on to the last time listed.

You say "We are meeting at 7pm (or whatever time). Please be prompt!! Once we go in, we have no way to get you your ticket and you will NOT be able to attend."

Start distributing tickets immediately. I would assume everyone will be there by 7:30pm (30 min grace period). But I would take into account other factors - if there's public transit involved, if people are traveling very long distances (2+ hrs), if people are from out of town, if the parking situation is annoying/stressful, then plan for more.

You should assume that someone will be SUPER late, and are not going to be able to attend. If you really need 100% attendance, plan to stand outside until 8pm.

[Anonymous]

You should have people pick up the tickets from you ahead of day-of. This is not something you want to be dealing with the night of the event.

[Anonymous]

I'd have the meeting time at 6:45 and say that I will wait outside until 7pm sharp when I am going in so if you haven't gotten your ticket by then, SOL.

[Anonymous]

Can you hire someone to stand there for an hour and distribute tickets in the absence of will-call?