The
idea on having second H4U been talked about since early 2011. I guess everybody
really wants it, but nobody can dedicate time to organize the whole orchestra. The
standard have been set high ever since the successful event on 2010, and
whether it has been said out loud or not, members were expecting the original
member of organizer to take the responsibilities for the second event. And that
where the problem begin?
The
original organizers consist of me, Asmar, Hassan and Radzi had our own commitment
the whole 2011. All of us already raised
the white flag, surrendering that we can’t actually do it. We do not have the luxury
of time. Perhaps especially that we know, we can’t just simply organize a “the tarik”
session for H4U…. Expectation is way too high...
In
mid 2011, I did try to get votes from the members of the group. Asking if we
were to organize event, who would attend? It didn’t goes well. Perhaps timing
was not right. Even then Asmar mentioned that he may not be able even to attend
it. I thought… that is the end of H4U.
Towards
the end of 2011, the idea comes to my mind once again. I guess partly as I am
nearing my birthday on January which celebrates a significant age in life, I
thought of having something meaningful in 2012 other than KPI set in my day
job. And I know, to actually get the snowball rolling, I must set a firm date
and act as if the event is set for real.
Thus
I quickly make an Announcement. Put it up in my blog and posted it on Facebook.
The event is back for real. The date was set as 1st April 2012. That
sparks a lot of interest. Even the date itself, to have it on April fool was
something. But as I expected, it created an intense debate and thus quickly I created
a poll and people vote for date. Thus 3rd of June was set.
But
until then, in all honesty I don’t know where it would lead me. Basically I
already set a plan in motion but I am damn broke, I don’t have a venue and I don’t
know who would pay. Not to forget at that stage I am all alone with this so
called mega plan.
Next
stage, I start scrambling a committee team. I wrote to Asmar about my plan, and
he agreed to be part of it. A few others start volunteering. Then I received an
offer I couldn’t resist. A proper venue. Can’t reveal exact details now, but I
am thrilled with it. Next I set up an electronic form for registration and the
respond was overwhelming. We received the first 100 participants within 3 weeks
of setting up the form.
Then
we started talking about forming and registering an Association of Watch
collector. We received great respond. I wrote a paper on it that took a lot of
my time. Created a forum to support the motion. It all seem set, we are going
to have our inaugural AGM during the event. It is a perfect set up. I even
called for election for temporary committee to run the show. It seems like
everything goes well base on the early support. We have 50 names supporting the
petition in the first week
The
next agenda would be to get the sponsors. I actually wrote to about 150 people
in the industry. Yes, I send to all of them. But somehow when you send large
email to people, the spam filter system will recognize you mail as threat and
block you out. As result, 50% of it bounces back. But not all. I received great
respond from World of Watches II, Red Army , H3 Tactical Watch and Halda Watch.
We had a numerous meeting with them and agreement was made.
And
suddenly we are already in February. I wanted to get more sponsors but time is
tight. I doubt I can get more. However prior to that I have send emails to registered members pleading
for financial support and donation. The respond ??? Mind blowing for sure. We
collected over a thousand ringgit in cash whilst the goods we received were and still are beyond my wildest
dream. To date, we have venue, food, non woven bags, watches and other goodies totaling
of 76 items for lucky draw alone.All come from sponsors, individual and corporate.
However
it is not all roses along the way. I had my hiccups. We receive serious threat
on the date of the event due to the possibility of having an election. I was
nervous as people already book the flight ticket and all. What if we can’t have
it on that date? I have to wait until early May to make final decision. And
finally… on 3rd of May 2012 I make official announcement that the
event is on. Unfortunately, we lose sponsorship of T-Shirt. We can’t make it on
time. Earlier in April I set a competition for T-Shirt design. We have chosen a winner but no, we can’t print it.We just dont have enough time. I was sad but life goes on. With the cash
available I managed to print 150 non woven bags as little momento for everybody.
First come first serve though.
And
back to the association, it went cold after a while. Somehow, we couldn’t rally
enough support to make it happen. All the works done for it goes down to the
drain…I was quite upset, but convince it would happen someday. So I put the
whole motion on hold.
I
also face a lot of commitment issue on my side. I had my work and my newly set
up business venture to look after. I also have my young family that I need to
spent time with. In that sense, I am lucky, my wife is the coolest wife on
Planet Earth, and probably the neighboring planets. She understood the serious
lack of time available issues I am facing and giving me her full support. Without
which, I would never manage to pull this. Since February, we had so many work
that we need to get it done. Press invite, designs, meetings, organizing,
pleading for support and thousands other works that we really need to get it
done. Race against time. Sometime I wonder whether we would ever have enough
time. To a point, I had nightmares on it. Woke up in the middle of the night and
quickly I wrote notes base on my dream. Wicked
End
of April, I received great news. The Star newspaper agrees to write pre event
story on us. After 4 months harassing their mail boxes, they finally gave in.
They like our concepts and will run a story on it. It was published on 24th
May 2012 and I was really thrilled. It is like a great booster for me to move
forward.
Along
the way, I have doubt …. I questioned myself, can we actually do this? And why
the hell am I doing this ??? …For most people, this is an event they look forward to attend...but for me and fellow organizers, it is a huge responsibility we shoulder on.... But as the song goes…..never say never….so bring
it on. We are finally going to have the event this coming Sunday and I am
thrilled. For I have given my heart and soul. I work hard for the past six
months, investing my money, time and energy. And for what it worth, I know no
matter what happened come Sunday… It is much more than a man could offer. It is
my A games. My slam dunks…..
One
hell of a journey….we should do this again next year.
A big shout out to the organizing committee...the song is dedicated to (especially) my wife, my son and you guys....cheers
MOHD NAZRI MD AKIM (mnazri.tan)- www.timeasitis.com
DR MOHD ASMAR ASBOLLAH (As Marl)- www.duniajam.blogspot.com
AHMAD ROSDI ZAINODDIN (Sarip @ Black)
HASSAN BAHRI - www.detikduabelas.blogspot.com
AHMAD AZRI MOHD SAUFI (jeghi)
OSMAN AFFENDI MOHD SHALLEH (Ketua
Pengawas) - www.pencintamasa.blogspot.com
and the fellow sponsors
-SPONSORS-
SIMON GUOK, RAM SULAIMAN
RAMLI (CLASSICMALAYA),SYED MOHRI (IRHOMDEYS) MOHD NAZRI (TIMEasitis), MOHD
ASMAR (DUNIA JAM)
ZULKANAIN ABD RAHIM, ZULEKHZAN(JAM
LAMA)
JOLEE YEOW (WRIST SOLUTION)
HASSAN (DETIK DUA BELAS)
ZAINUDDIN ZAINON MUZIL MANSOR
(LT WATCH GALLERY),
AFHAM ABDUL RAHMAN MAHFUZ MD
OMAR, WAFEE SOID,NORAINI MD ALI
KETUA PENGAWAS (PENCINTA
MASA) MUHAMMAD ROZIF,AHMAD ROSDI ZAINODIN, DR HAMID
-CORPORATE SPONSORS-
RED ARMY WATCHES
| WORLD OF WATCHES II |H3 TACTICAL WATCH
EALHAM PACKAGING | HALDA WATCH
AZIMUTH
ENNEBI
ARCHIMEDE
