Re: AUGD: Apple store policies toward Apple User Groups
Re: AUGD: Apple store policies toward Apple User Groups
- Subject: Re: AUGD: Apple store policies toward Apple User Groups
- From: Russ Conte <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:33:40 -0500
Hi everyone,
It was my initial post that got the topic started. First and foremost,
I'd really like to thank everyone who replied so far, and I hope that
more replies continue to come in.
My totally honest perception is that our arrangement with the store
has been quite good. There have been some bumps, but I can clearly see
some huge plusses on both sides that vastly outweigh the bumps. For
example:
* Our meeting is the largest regularly scheduled event in the store -
by a long shot. We bring in more people - and with more consistency -
than any other regular Apple event in the city of Chicago.
* Several times a year we bring in some absolutely gold star marquee
names to the store, and the store does not have to lift a finger to
help in the logistics or transportation or scheduling. The fame of the
store helps us get the speakers, and the fame of the speakers helps
draw people to the store.
* Virtually every month we point out some of the many classes and/or
upcoming workshops that are available. Conversely, the store announces
our meetings during their workshops. I've been there myself, I know
they really do this for us.
* We routinely send people to the genius bar, or they go there on
their own before the meeting. We do have Q&A, and I'm quite careful to
make sure that it is run in a way that positively reflects the best of
Apple and the store.
* We have a strict non-compete with the store. It's very clear, and
it's been honored and respected by both sides since day one.
* The store provides use of their theater, including projector and
audio and people to help us every month.
* The store has provided speakers to us, several times a year. Our
speaker earlier this month was an Apple Creative who I thought did a
marvelous job on very short notice because the person we had scheduled
was not able to attend.
So to those who are concerned that Apple is not supporting user
groups, I would say look at the example in Chicago for an example
where the two are working together quite strongly for many years. If
Apple wants to have tight control of how transactions are handled
inside their store, that's their choice since it's their store, and we
are their guests. We in Chicago want to find out if the control of
financial transactions inside the store is the experience of other
user groups at this time. Regardless of how the issue about
transactions in the store is resolved, our main goal is to support
Apple, and they have demonstrated support of us for many years. Sure
it could always be better, but I know members who have purchased
several systems at the store, people have paid for classes, attended
the Genius Bar, and much more. The store benefits from having us, and
we benefit from meeting in the store. We've flowed together quite well
for years, my goal is to continue to make things even better for both
sides. My sense is that in the large scheme of things, the control of
financial transactions inside the store is an issue we can work with
one way or another. We recognize that this relationship is very
special and unique, and want to do our very best to support all sides
as much as we can :)
Hopefully this helps address some of the questions, my most sincere
apologies if my prior communication was not as clear. Please feel free
to post more questions and/or replies, it is all very helpful.
Best wishes from the greatest city in the world :)
Russ Conte
President, the Chicago Apple Users Group
www.chicagoapple.org
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