Why Have a Shoe Booth?

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by gorrilla

We clean them with anti-bacterial spray, and we make sure whoever checks out a pair has socks. And they don't get as dirty as you would think, the people that usually check them out are mostly visiting vip's and stuff.

If they don't have socks, do you provide/sell them?

(a shoe booth isn't really useful in Michigan during the winter, but this definitely is sparking my curiosity)

[Mr Jim]

We do get people other than VIPs and stuff. Friends and relatives of participants like to visit the pits. For those that don't have socks, we offer disposable nylon socks/stockings that we buy at the Dollar store. One drawback is that someone (or two) have to man the booth during the matches and may miss seeing their team compete. This year, one of our mentors is getting some volunteers from her office to join us and man the booth. We have a one page procedure we'd be glad to share. Check with your Regional coordinator for permission to put up a booth. Ours wouldn't let us hang a storage rack or put up large signs. We put the shoes on a table or floor and taped an 8.5 x 11 sign to the table.

[MurphyAlter]

For everyone who is interested, here is the Shoe Booth manual.

Shoe Booth Plan
- - -
Components of shoe booth

Table(s)
Tablecloth(s)
Shoes
Shoe rack
Disposable Socks
Volunteers
Signs
Cans of Shoe Sanitizer (at least one per day)
Hand sanitizer

Operation of shoe booth

Check-out Policy
1. Guests must wear closed-toe shoes into pit area.
2. Shoe booth operator must watch crowd at all times for those without closed-toe shoes.
3. Anyone without closed-toe shoes must exchange their footwear for closed-toe shoes, or they cannot enter the pit.
4. Make guest aware that it is for their own safety.
5. Make guest aware that the service is free.
6. Ask guest what their shoe size is.
7. If shoe size is unavailable, offer them a choice between the next-higher and next-lower size.
8. Hand them a pair of disposable socks before handing them the shoes.
9. Ask them for their shoes as you hold out their exchange pair of closed-toe shoes.
If they refuse to hand over their shoes, have them sign the shoes out.
10. Encourage guest to enjoy themselves.

Return Policy
1. When guest comes to return shoes, be sure to ask if they had a good time.
2. Have them throw their disposable socks in a nearby garbage can.
3. Ask which shoes are theirs. Make sure that they don't give a vague description, such as "Mine are the brown flip-flops".
4. Hand the guest's shoes back to them when they lay theirs on the table, and be sure to thank them.
5. Wait until the guest walks away to remove the shoes from the table.
6. When the guest leaves, remind them to "Stay safe!"
7. Once the guest is gone, pick up the shoes, and spray them with shoe sanitizer, being sure to get the top of the inside as well.
8. Adjust lacing as needed.
9. Set shoes in their storage location.

Visitors' shoes should be stored under the table, not visible to anyone in front of the table, to avoid theft.

Our Safety Captain will inform you what kinds of footwear represent hazards.

When I ran our shoe booth last year, I also was sure to keep track of what was getting checked out, so I would know what we needed more of. Also, as was stated earlier, shoes that are worn-out-looking would be preferable, as there are people who would walk away with nice shoes. Luckily, I don't recall this ever happening to us.

It takes a diligent person to watch the shoe booth, because people will often come in waves or groups as matches end, making it hard to see everyone's feet.

[Sayrah]

If any of you are considering setting a shoe booth up at your regional, I suggest you give your regional planning committee a call and discuss it with them. They get enough things sprung on them during the regional. This is something you should work out with them in advance

Sarah