Discussion: Registration Feedback

We (by which I mean me and a couple of my frustrated buddies from the epunch side of the house) are working on revamping the registration system for our A meet, and are looking for some feedback/suggestions from all of you.

First, please post anything on what you liked or didn't like about our online, mail-in, or day-of registration systems this year and/or anything you would like to see in the future.

Second, for any of you who have handled registration for large A meets, what are some things you have done that you have found to work particularly well? This can be anything from how you ran packet pick-up to the software you like to use...

Thanks!

I prefer on line registration and payment by credit card, but seldom do I have the option to register the whole family and make one payment. it would also be great if we could digitally sign the waiver.

Some systems allow sorting on the various columns of the registered participants, class, course, club, etc in addition to just have the list by name.

Online registration with CC payment option is a huge thing for me, and as Joe mentioned e-signature of the waiver would be just like an icing on a cake.

The online registration was very easy and convenient. I liked it. Online waivers would have been nice though.

I am one who disagrees with on-line signature of waivers. The signature of the waiver should be witnessed by a meet official. When signing the waiver I think the person should also have to produce identification that he/she is who he/she claims to be. This will not only make the insurers happier but if it should become a problem it could help prevent impersonators from running in the place of others. (Who was that guy with the slow times running in my place at West Point?? :) )

I agree with Joe, it would be really helpful to be able to register an entire family and pay one time instead of individually

I would recommend putting labels on the bib numbers that show start times for each race. This is particularly helpful when dealing with large numbers of juniors.

From a waiver perspective I think it is even better to have the waiver signed in front of a race official who first asks "Do you have any questions?" Electronic or mailed in waivers give the signor an out such as I didn't understand this or that or it wasn't explained to me. I think that the question by the race staff makes the waiver even stronger. But I am not a lawyer

I think either way, whether you make me sign the waiver in person or acknowledge having read it online, it is my responsibility to read it, understand the contents and sign it. people who are inclined to read it in either form will do so, those who choose to skip reading the contents will always have that option. I purchase items or make online payments all the time and the last thing you are faced with is agreeing to all the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement prior to submitting. Is signing a waiver any different?

I agree about the being able to sort the lists in different ways that is very helpful!!! Also if it could be viewed without having to download something. All of the things you posted had to be downloaded which was quite annoying on slow computers.
Also i agree with Tom labels on bib numbers are a great thing! Especially when there are two (or more) different courses for the same color to have what course you should be running AND your start time right on you is great! And if you have two races in one day sometimes by the time you run one race your not going to remember your second start time (or at least i have a hard time doing so)
And a thank you to Hannah for fixing my age group for the Sprint!

As a past registrar, I am opposed to requiring in-person signature of waivers. Besides significantly slowing down check-in, it could complicate situations where a junior is traveling with someone other than a parent (unless the in loco parentis principal is liberally applied). Unless and until we are told in no uncertain terms by a bonafide legal authority that this must be done, mailing of signed waivers should continue to be acceptable practice.

As for registration in general, future USMAOC registrars should consider using Kent Shaw's system -- which includes sortable entry lists. See the CSU, BFLO & PNWOF online registration systems. It is no longer free, but not at all expensive either. I'm sure it could be set up to tie into the USMA online payment system.