REUNION SURVEY RESULTS

ALBEMARLE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The survey results presented in this report are NOT statistically valid and should not be considered as an accurate reflection of the opinions of the respondents. Neither the questions nor the survey methodologies conform to standard practices. Generally, it is based on answers from individual respondents and data was not collected by class except where indicated.

Important Disclaimer

9%

28%

31%

11%

12%

9%

Respondents By Graduating Year

50's60's70's80's90's2000-2012

4,100 alumni were invited to respond to the survey Senior years ranged from 1954 to 2012 477 people completed the survey. (11.6% of those who were contacted. At least 2 responses were received from every class from 1954 to 2007 55% have attended a reunion - 45% have never attended one. Respondents identified more then 30 locations where reunions had been held

in the Charlottesville area.

Survey Statistics

The Big Picture

45% of respondents have never attended a reunion.

Over 90% want to attend their next reunion.

There are some easy – and some not-so-easy - things you can do to increase attendance at your next reunion.

The Big Picture Ways to increase attendance

Help them plan ahead Tell them who is coming Cut costs Invite other classes

Events to consider Informal Friday night get-together Picnic Saturday evening events

Ways to make it more enjoyable Connect classmates before the reunion Keep it casual Concentrate on conversation

Most respondents plan to go to their next reunion, even if they have not attended before.

Future Plans

Respondents favored less formal events over dinners and receptions.

Type of events

Informal Get-to-gether

Picnic Tour of School

Dinner and

Dance

Re-cep-tion

Recep-tion and Dinner

Recep-tion and Dance

Football Game

DInner Breakfast Lunch0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

What events were held during the weekend?

Most reunion events attended by respondents attracted 50-100 classmates and guests.

Number of Attendees

1-25 25-50 50-75 75-100 100-125 125-150 >1500

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

How many classmates and guests do you estimate attended the event?

Events priced at $40 or less per person attracted significantly more classmates than higher priced ones.

Event prices

25 40 50 60 75 90 1000%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Number of Attendees At Events At Different Ticket Prices

Classmate Only

Classmate & Guest

Ticket Price

Perc

ent

Of A

ll Att

ende

es

Many respondents were interested in a visit or tour of the school. Fewer, but still a good number, were interested in a football game. The events listed above were not as well-attended as other events.

Event prices

Visit To School School Tour Attending Football Game Not interested in any of these events

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

I would be interested in the following Friday events at our next reunion.

Other events suggested by respondents included: A rally on a school day and invite the kids to meet the alumni. A potluck dinner in school cafeteria with 80s music A tour of historical sites in the area A track meet, volleyball game, or theater/play A football or basketball game would also be a treat. A donut eating contest

Other suggestions

A Friday night “Break the Ice” event was vey popular.

Friday night.

Yes45%

No15%

Maybe40%

Would you be interested in an optional Friday evening

"Break The Ice" Event.

Meeting at a restaurant was the highest rated Friday night activity.

Friday night.

A "pot luck" dinner at a classmate's house.

A list of suggested restaurants where we could con-gregate if we want.

A reception with pre-registration and a price-per-person required held at a hotel or club.

A get-together at a selected restaurant/bar where regis-tration is not required and you pay your own tab.

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50

How do you rate the following alternatives for a Friday evening "Break The Ice" Event

Nearly 90% indicated they would or might attend a picnic.

A Picnic.

Not interested; 11.5%

Yes; 46.1%

Maybe; 42.4%

Are you likely to attend a picnic if one is held?

Nearly 80% preferred to have a picnic on Saturday.

A Picnic.

Saturday; 78.4%

Sunday; 21.6%

When should a picnic or lunch be held?

Less formal event formats were favored.

The Saturday Night Event

A reception only with "heavy hors d'oeuvres" and a chance to talk.

Reserving a section at a restaurant/bar and keeping it casual.

A reception followed by a sit-down dinner.

A reception, dinner and dance.

A reception followed by a dance.

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00

How do you rate the following alternatives for an evening event.

A casual atmosphere was heavily preferred – even for a Saturday night event.

Sit-down dinners and a “dressy” atmosphere were not favored.

The Saturday Night Event

A casual atmosphere

Cash Bar

Heavy hors d'ouervres

A buffet dinner

Meet at a selected bar/restaurant and eat appe-tizers. Pay your own tab.

A sit-down dinner.

A dressy atmosphere.

3.00 3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 4.00 4.20 4.40 4.60Tell us what you think of the following dinner options.

There were no clear favorites among types of venues. Respondents did seem to prefer a nicer venue. (that was

contradicted by the results of other questions)

The Saturday Night Event

A Classmate's House

A Value Hotel -(Comfort Inn)

Casual Bar/Restaurant (Lazy Parrot)

Somewhere On The Mall

A Special Venue (Paramount Theater, for example)

A Nicer Club (Alumni Hall, Farmington)

A more casual club (Elk's Lodge)

A nicer Bar/Restaurant (Millmont Grille, Boat House)

A Middle Market Hotel (Doubletree)

A Nicer Hotel (Boar's Head, Omni)

1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50

Rate some popular kinds of locations for the major event during your reunion weekend.....

Cost is a significant factor to many people: Cost will be the biggest factor Cost may influence people's attendance I won’t pay a large price tag for the event. I’m not willing to risk a lot of money for a event I don’t know about. I can’t afford $100 for two. Don't exclude folks by making it too pricey.

Other suggestions

It was clear that interacting with classmates was more important than other factors.

It has to be a place where it is easy to move around and mingle. I want somewhere where the music is NOT loud The people are the important part, not the place. Anywhere we can gather and have audible conversation is okay.

Other suggestions

There is no right time to have a reunion Most reunions are held in summer BUT – the fall and spring seem to be okay with respondents. (This is

probably different depending on age groups.)

Making reunions better

Spring (Mar-Apr-May) Summer (Jun-Jul-Aug) Fall (Sep-Oct-Nov) Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb)0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

When Reunions Are Held Vs. When Alumni Want Them

When HeldTop Choices

Most reunions don't invite other classes (in the past, this was due to cost of mailings).

BUT - 64% of respondents are at least somewhat more likely to attend if members of other classes were invited.

I would like to see teammates from other classes again. I haven’t seen my brother’s friends since they graduated.

Making reunions better

Yes; 18%

No; 38%

Possibly; 44%

Would you be more likely to attend if other classes were invited?

Possibly and Yes = 64%

Yes; 28%

No; 72%

Were members of other classes invited?

Early communication is, by far, the most important factor in attendance.

People want to know who is coming. The date and time of the event is much less important.

Making reunions better

Let me know who is attend-

ing

Let me know about it sooner

Communicate more prior to

the event

Connect me with my

classmates ahead of

time.

Make the events less

costly

Give me more time to talk to my class-

mates

Change the planned events

Change the time of year

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

What can your reunion committee do to make you more likely to attend?

What do classmates find important

Quality of food and beverage.

Level of service.

Overall ambiance, decor and comfort of the facility.

Cost/value.

Communication Prior to the event

Registration process.

Convenience of the location.

Ability to mingle and talk to classmates.

3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4 4.1 4.2 4.3

1.0 = Not Acceptable 5.0 = Terrific

How Classmates Rate Components of Previous Events

Shameless plugs for the Alumni Association!

Respondents recognized the help provided by the Albemarle High School Alumni Association in planning their reunions.

Thanks - we needed the help to get started. We never had a good list before Website has linked our class for first time You have really helped with communications Our class had stopped having reunions – you have helped

us get started again.

“Keep doing what you are doing!”