This weekend I was asked to sub for my friend’s recreation league basketball team. The game was in an unfamiliar town. I e-mailed him for an address to get directions. Here is what I was sent:
Take 75 S to 70 West and get off at Eaton Rt. 127 exit. Turn left off the exit and go a few miles pass Kmart and Wal-Mart. At second light where a CVS is on the left and Speedway on the right, turn left onto Lexington Rd. You will stop at Maple don’t turn, stay on Lexington. The next stop sign is at East. You can see the church from that stop. The First Church of God is right there at corner of East and Lexington. It has a blue roof.
Wow, are you lost? Are these directions driving your crazy? You can imagine the frustration I was feeling as I tried to negotiate these directions and drive at the same time. I was traveling alone, so it made it even more difficult. My drive time was 30 minutes longer because of the way these directions were written.
Our Advice: BE DIRECT WITH YOUR DIRECTIONS. Start with basic information like site address, contact person and emergency phone number. Then use a modern form of providing directions (Mapquest, Google, Yahoo, etc). Always be sure to check accuracy of these directions before posting to the public. Imagine how frustrated your teams would be if they had to sort through the directions listed above to make it to your tournament. This can foul up your event very quickly. Let’s face it! One of the most basic elements to managing a successful tournament is to have teams, coaches and referees arrive on time, safely to their game site. All those associated with your event deserve easy to read, accurate and reliable directions to their game site.
Use the website maintenance module to post directions and layout maps for all sites used by your event. This module allows directors to post directions with a map through Google. There is even a feature allowing for latitude and longitude. Talk about precise. Spectators will also appreciate information related to pets, restroom facilities, smoking policy, concessions, etc. This information is crucial to helping promote a positive on-site experience for all parties involved in your event. After all, you want happy players, coaches, volunteers, spectators and referees to participate in your tournament