FanimeCon 2024 Forums

FanimeCon: Participate, Join, Create => Ideas and Suggestions => Topic started by: Bromopar on May 26, 2013, 01:31:38 PM

Title: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Bromopar on May 26, 2013, 01:31:38 PM
My wife and I were discussing this today and thought it would be much more inviting for Fanime to offer a lower price badge for certain areas.  We feel that the Artist's and Dealer's areas should not be the same price as the rest of the con because that's where we go to spend money.  With a low price badge for only those areas you can encourage more customers to visit those areas and the artists can get more exposure.  It also gives anyone new to Fanime a chance to sample the con atmosphere and see if they want to come back for the panels/rave/masquerade/gameroom/viewing rooms which would still require the full price badge to get into.  Perhaps you could even make Monday or Thursday a free day to get into those areas since there really isn't much else going on those days anyway.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 26, 2013, 02:44:56 PM
I left today with a sore throat and so many personal things that happened to me that i felt discouraged and left the con.
also
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Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 26, 2013, 06:41:33 PM
Firstly, pleade excuse my typos. My ipad seems to be possesed by the devil.

For two reasons
- a complete lack of courtesy from those taking photos.

During our official photoshoot there a couple of practally naked cosplayers behind us(  which was also in the middle of a walkway) of coarse it drew a crowd of creeps.

I told everyone " were having a photoshoot move this way. ". I didnt say you cant take photos I just wanted them to move to one side.  And the response was basically fuck you, tits!"
Some Picard....player even yelled at me.
This is an ANIME convention I should not have to take any shit from someone who should not even be here.

That brings to point two.

The amount of entirely unrelated cosplay is out of hand. It was neat and creative at first but now the majority of cosplayers are from BBC  DC Marvel, homestuck and MLP. I understand we cant kick them out but allowing them to have the prime spots for cosplay/ panels is making ithe con less enjoyable for anime cosplayers. It almost isnt worth atending anymore.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 26, 2013, 07:18:40 PM
THANK YOU i was getting so pissed off at that too like seriously i see too many homestuck and other type of cosplays, this isnt homestuck con or comic con i have no idea why theres so many of them. every 3 anime cosplayers i saw 10 homestucks. it isnt even an
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just a shitty
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that isnt good at all. i would rather see less homestuck/people in favor of actual anime cosplayers with low numbers. what im trying to say is:
Less people = less homestuck
more anime but less homestuck. idk lol going to Kintoki con, sac anime, and kin yoobi con to fill the void of this crap
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: MinamotoSanji on May 27, 2013, 12:03:17 AM
As far as shoes go for Fanime, if you are going to turn people away who are wearing official dancing shoes you should hire people who know dancing heels from regular heels. People who bought official dancing were turned away for not buying brand name dancing shoes.

Both of the cosplayers were wearing beautiful Clamp gowns, bought their badges specifically for this event and bought their shoes JUST for this dance.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/11857293058916000991?q=salsa%20dancing%20shoes&sa=X&ei=cgOjUcnMKMGligKh1YCoDA&ved=0CN0BEMATMBE4FA These are the same shoes they were wearing for the event, same brand, same color and they were turned away for not having professional dancing shoes that fit the criteria for admittance.

EXCUSE ME?

What kind of people were watching the doors? Do they know ANYTHING about dancing shoes? The sharp point is for quick turns while the flat toes are for keeping ones balance on those turns as you move your feet across the floor in a quick, slow or average pace. This is not the only instance this occurred tonight. Many people bought tickets JUST to attend the Black and White Ball, to dance and have a good time in a way they can't do outside of conventions.

The Black and White Ball is like the Ball from Cinderella to most cosplayers, who go in expecting their dreams to unfold. To be told at the door that the shoes you spent 50 bucks on and spent weeks looking for in your size aren't good enough when they are ACTUAL dancing shoes? That's not fair and it's not right.

They bought their tickets, as I'm sure everyone else did. If you allow some heel's in, let them all in because you can't tell the difference between Waltz, Salsa or Tango shoes, that much is obvious. Train your people to see dancing shoes or next year, say flats all around. Nitpicking through shoes you don't know the brands for is not going to protect the floors.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: bsan89 on May 27, 2013, 12:07:39 AM
Eh, I had a great time.
Some of the problem is possibly due to construction.
The room where the swap meet was empty when its not in session (O_o)
Artist alley was in another building. Everybody was spread out.

I know whats the problem though.
Fanime, has for some time grown out of it league.
It has too much attendee than it can possible handle with just volunteer staff.
I thought things would change after the old founder left.
But its using the same formula as before when it has much less attendee.
(We have ppl like Acksonl who rather come to Fanime than AX)


The line for pre/reg is about 4-7 hours. I rather volunteer the whole day doing something useful than to wait in line.

I don't have any problem with Cosplayer from "other" (homestuck, star wars, video game, comic etc) 
I do admit though, I didnt know about Homestuck until I search my phone after running into so many of them. lol.
Beside that, Any kind of geek culture con, (anime, PAX, comic on) ppl will dress up as what ever.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 08:21:31 AM
1. homestuck cosplayers should get their own con
2. homestuck sucks
3. lines!
4. i pre-reg and  i didnt went into the booth untill 9:30 to register and pick up the badge since i was in line around 7am
5. people stink! please carry a deodorant or some sort of spray because that smell is horrid!
6. organize your staff since some staff were making lines and other staff members were asking why?
7. artist alley shouldve been closer :/
8. need more room to manuver around! place was packed
9. more bands
10. this year i hardly saw anything gothic fairy!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 08:52:08 AM
I agree whole-heartedly about the first point. 500 people is more than enough to have their own con( not that it will stop them from coming here, even though it has nothing to do with anime/manga/video game or japanese culture.

But then the majority of cosplayers dont. I wouldnt have such a problem with it, if it weren't for the fact that there are in fact more sci-fi, comic, and TV conventions and dont even try brining your anime cosplay there.

I am very titled of this idea " we should accept everyone" crap. If were going to do that we may as well just call ourselves " general media con"

Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 09:03:15 AM
So my first thought when reading this was " there is always two sides to a story. They must have had a reason" .

Then I remembered the stormtrooper who was in the ball, that, in my opinion negates e ery argument that staff could have possibly made.

Yes, he was black and white- a condition which doesnt actually seem to matter, not that Im complaining it would be ridiculous to turn away amazing ballroom attire because it has some color- and yes his shoes were okay. But are we not forgetting the most important part of the dance? It is a black and white BALL for which you are supposed to DRESS UP.

Im very disappointed that the staff would let in someone who could not even bother to change his highly  costume, and turn down those who planned far in advance. I take that back, Im disappointed that staff would turn down ANYONE after letting that storm trooper in.






Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 09:29:26 AM
cant really judge about the whole anime community but its what i saw mostly, for ever 1 attendee there was like 5 homestuck " cosplayers "
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on May 27, 2013, 09:46:43 AM
It felt more like Fun-in-MayCon rather than FanimeCon.

From what I've seen, a LOT of people are refusing to attend next year because of their experiences this year, from lines to Homestuck to lack of 'anime' to cosplay etiquette to crowds to 'staff' and everything in between. Something huge and drastic has to be done.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: znarx on May 27, 2013, 10:34:12 AM
First off, let me thank the staff and volunteers for their time and hard work. Without you, there would be no Fanime.

Second, please keep the conversation civil and productive.

That said, I think Fanime needs major improvements in the way pre-registration badges are distributed. It took me nearly 6 hours to get my badge on Thursday night. I have some suggestions for improvements.

1. Optionally allow people to have their badges sent via mail, UPS, or FedEx, for an extra fee.

2. More people processing the people in line. I counted 10 people Thursday night. For the amount of people in line, you probably needed around 50 people doing the processing. Have multiple different pickup locations available if you can't fit all of the processors in one location. For example, maybe the South Hall, Civic Auditorium, or space at the Doubletree could have been used as additional processing locations Thursday night.

3. Spread the pre-registration pickup out over more time. If Thursday pickup were open 9 AM to 9 PM, wait time would be shorter because people would be more spread out over the day. Consider having pre-convention badge pickup over several days, such as Wednesday-Thursday, or even Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday.

4. If getting enough volunteers to hand out badges is a problem, consider hiring professional staff to handle badge distribution, at least for Thursday night.

5. Learn how other large conventions and trade shows handle badge distribution. Cons like Anime Expo and trade shows like Oracle World handle much bigger crowds than Fanime. They may have better ways of handling getting this many people registered.

6. The way the individual processing stations were working wasted a lot of time. Once someone was finished, the staff member would wave their sign and the person at the head of the line would walk over. Sometimes it took a while to notice that there was an empty station. If it takes 30 seconds to process someone and 10 seconds for the person at the line to walk over, you're wasting a quarter of your time doing nothing. This is the difference between a 4.5 hour line and a 6 hour line. This could have been vastly improved by having people waiting 2-3 deep in front of each processing station once they got to the head of the line. You would save all of the wasted time waiting for people to walk from the head of the line to the individual processing booth.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 10:38:43 AM
I agree, I arrived 6:30am and got in line about 7am (pre-registered) and was finished by 10am!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: chifunii on May 27, 2013, 11:03:20 AM
Points 1-2: I don't really give two cents about who people come cosplaying as, though I guess I could say I've seen some people unhappy with the large influx of Homestuck cosplayers over the last two years or so. I don't really think this is something the staff, or anyone, really, has control over? Though Yuu-pon makes a point that perhaps the Homestuckers would like to consider starting their own con, if they so choose. To me, FanimeCon is a chance for people with the similar (not same!) interests to get together and have fun. Basically what I want to say is, what does other people wanting to cosplay Homestuck have anything to do with me? Or you? Nothing, really. They do their cosplay, you do yours.

3-4: I don't really see you offering any clear ideas or suggestions (as this thread pertains specifically feedback of this sort), and your feedback about the lines isn't very clear. I waited in line for pre-reg pickup on Thursday night from 7:30PM to 2AM, so I do believe Registration has room for improvement. I'm very appreciative that they tried to do something new this year. Though it may not have worked as efficiently as we all had hoped, knowing this they'll be able to come up with something more efficient for next year.

5. Yes, please. Staff already do their best to tell people to shower, eat, sleep (but not in public), and otherwise keep themselves presentable, but there are--of course--people who don't do these things. Body odor was particularly bad at the swap meet.

6. Is it wrong to ask why? I'm just going to skip this.

7. Half the convention center was under construction, artists' alley had to be moved, as did many other things. I don't think half a block is too far, it's just a pain that it's not as close as we're used to. Most (or all?) construction should be done by next year, so Fanime will have bigger and better space to work with.

8. Where, exactly? The con is always packed! Lots of people come! If you mean in the walkways, there were some people who would linger in the middle and block traffic, true.

9. Two is their standard (as the past ~3 years indicate), so sorry they don't have an unlimited budget to bring moar bands.

10. I was hoping to see people play up the theme! Not just attendees, but con too. Last year (sports festival? I think?) they had athletic-related events, like relays/scavenger hunts and whatnot, and I really liked that attendees had to chance to interact with the theme. Otherwise it's just a theme that dictates the art on the pamphlets and displays, and not for the con as a whole.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: chifunii on May 27, 2013, 11:10:36 AM
I'd just like to point out that badge-pickup was also available at Clockwork Alchemy. A friend of mine went Friday morning and she basically said that it took two seconds to get it. I guess not many people knew about it.

I don't think badge pickup could span over more days than there are, since renting the con center itself is very high cost, and the people giving out badges have work/school during the week. They're short on manpower, it's true, though as a fan-run con, Fanime works very differently from other cons. There might be a thing or two we can learn from other cons though, yes.

The waving-the-sign-yoohoo-I'm-open thing has been done for a long time, though I think you make a good point that we should keep each booth 2-3 people deep, to keep up efficiency. Reminds me of going to the airport.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 11:18:20 AM
Yes, people were blocking traffic. I used my voice in loud mode just for the person to move out the way. I think some staff werent in the same page as others. One example was the screening of EVagelion 3, one staff member said to form a line, there was a line, after the doors open there were already people inside and the other staff member yelled at him " YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO MAKE A LINE AND THERE WAS NEVER ONE NEEDED " In my last point, I dont judge, its just crazy to see multiple homestuckers...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 11:21:27 AM
really? i was curious as to why there was an " at con/pre reg " booths >__<!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Tiffytan on May 27, 2013, 12:00:31 PM
I love going to fanime con. But hate that you can only register online ahead of time for the whole weekend. I have school and work I can only do one day. I also do not understand why we cannot pay online for our badges. This would eliminate so many problems. I waited for 5 hours to get my badge on Saturday so I missed about half of the con. Everyone else in line was furious. I think it's time that Fanime grew up and adopted some of the registration systems of the other cons. AnimeExpo, comic con, ect. They allow you to register for one day. I paid online a head of time and there was one line for me to stand in to get my badge.
Fanime has 5 lines you stand in. The outside line, the inside line, the registration line, the payment line and the badge pick up line.
So While I was waiting in line for 5 hours I made a petition.
https://www.change.org/petitions/fanimecon-san-jose-improve-logistics-of-registration-and-allow-for-single-day-purchase-online
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: MinamotoSanji on May 27, 2013, 12:10:38 PM
Very true. I saw many people in much less formal wear than the two friends I mentioned were wearing absolutely stunning ballgowns. One was wearing this: http://www.cosplayfantasy.com/images/sakuraflamekimono.jpg and the other was wearing another beautiful dress that I do not know the style of.

The only reason they came here was to enjoy the Black and White Ball, and they were turned away while a Storm trooper was let in? One of them spent hours upon hours painting the dress for this event alone, and she's been really upset ever since. We all have those 'big cosplay' events we go to, hers was Black and White Ball. I really can't believe they let a Stormtrooper, along with many others in, while turning away some people. Pick and choose much?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: davidcrandall99 on May 27, 2013, 12:16:06 PM
Hi!  I have to say, I did have a blast at Fanime, however, I have a few suggestions that may help improve the overall experience - from registration to the actual attendance of the con.

1.  Registration.  I know, we've heard a lot of complaints about it, but it's true.  My wife and I preregistered, and attempted the 7PM early badge pickup on Thursday...we were there for 4 hours, and had to leave; we never got our badge.  The following day, we waited in line for over 6 hours before we got our badge.  One staff member even told us the room we were waiting in was the last one, however, every 1-2 hours, we were transfered to at least 3 more rooms.  So, it's safe to say the registration process needs improvement.  I think a good solution is to either mail badges for preregistered attendees - even if that means registering by an earlier deadline, or adding a shipping cost.  I know some cons even require to attend you must preregister, and there are no walk-in registrations.  As large of an attendee list FanimeCon had this year, it could be a viable solution.  It doesn't seem fair to pay for a 3-4 day con, and lose a day because of a line.

1a.  For walk-in registrations (or for re-reg pickup), there really needs to be a larger staff.  With thousands of people registering, 4-8 people handling registration and badges simply isn't enough

2.  News updates on social media NEEDS improvement.  The website itself didn't have very many updates available to the public.  On top of that, Facebook users were told that all updates were being made solely on Twitter - this I do NOT understand.  It is very easy to sync twitter, facebook, and any other social network, so you can make one update and ALL followers on ALL networks receive it.  As big as Fanime is now, it's important to be present on all social networks, and treat them equally.

3.  To go along with the last point, I find the website to be a bit disorganized as far as finding information about the con and its events, specifically prior to the event.  During the event, several changes and updates were made, but were ONLY POSTED ON TWITTER; even the fanimecon website didn't have such news.  As attendees, if something is changing, we all need to know.

I know the construction played a big roll in the organization of the event, so having various booths/events at different locations isn't worth discussing; the con is not at fault.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: abcbadcat on May 27, 2013, 12:46:18 PM
The pre-reg line was the worst. Why would I pre-reg when I still have to wait 6+ hours in line just to have a plastic colored badge when every other attendee is still getting a plastic badge and probably had to wait in line less!

The arcade is getting stale. I liked how they finally had a real Beatmania IIDX machine but Time Crisis was broken (on the left side), no DanceManiax and of all places, you would think this con would have Jubeat or an updated version of Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune.

I know there are a lot more thing to be said but I am too tired and exhausted to think
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: nemuneko on May 27, 2013, 01:51:13 PM
I don't understand the whole Homestuck thing, either. Maybe I'm just too old to get it (I'm in my late 20's). There did seem to be a huge amount of them this year, though. That's their business if they want to cosplay as that, though. They are all in their little cliques and I just try to ignore them.

I did have a major problem with people blocking walkways this year, though. Was it just me or were a lot of people just downright rude this year? There was a large group of people just standing in the middle of the hallway (at the entrance to the Marriot and the rooms where the panels were held), blocking foot traffic so no one could get through except a very narrow space. I said "excuse me please!" really loudly to get their attention and they just looked at me like I was an idiot. Someone in a wheelchair was trying to get through too, and they still wouldn't move! I noticed this in several areas. They need staff to tell these people to move out of the way because they obviously wouldn't listen to anyone else. They did this in previous years, but this year I hardly saw any staff members telling people to not block the walkways.

And the stench did seem a lot stronger this year. When we walked into the convention center on our first day (Friday), the B.O. just completely overpowered us and we felt like going home and taking another shower. Yikes.

And, yes, pre-registration was a complete MESS this year (the absolute worst in my 10+ years of attending Fanime), but everyone knows that by now. Fill out their feedback form, although I'm not sure how much good that will do.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 27, 2013, 02:19:03 PM
Despite me always going to the arcade, i felt discouraged to even play games funny thing. i heard the rave had nasty underage girls and old men. does anyone not monitor the raves? I spent more time walking and waiting in line than actually doing things :/
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: nemuneko on May 27, 2013, 02:22:03 PM
It definitely was my worst Fanime, in all my years of attending Fanime since the late 90s. Pre-reg was a total MESS and I've never had to wait hours in line for pre-reg before on a Friday afternoon. This will most likely be my last Fanime because of that.

I think Fanime has just gotten so huge that staff can't keep up anymore and have stopped trying altogether. Organization was never the greatest to begin with in previous years, but this year it's like they just flushed it all down the toilet. It definitely soured my entire experience with the con and we missed out on a lot of panels and other events due to waiting in line for pre-reg for hours. It's hard to enjoy anything there anymore with the huge amount of people that attend + lack of organization in general. I really don't look forward to ever going back.

Also, something REALLY needs to be done about people blocking walkways in the con (including photographers). I remember staff telling people to move along or move to the side when people gathered in the middle of hallways in previous years. This year, I didn't see any of that. In one case, people were blocking an entire area (just standing in their huge group talking) at the entrance to the Marriot area where the panels are held and refused to move. I said "excuse me please!" really loudly to get their attention, but they just stared at me like an idiot and wouldn't move. Someone in a wheelchair was trying to get through and they still wouldn't move! This happened a lot and I'm really getting sick of it. There needs to be some sort of traffic control by staff since there are so many people attending now and a lot of these people are just plain self-centered and rude.

All in all, a very disappointing year for me and my friends. We might go back if construction is finished before Fanime starts next year, but if not and/or if pre-reg is going to be an utter mess again, forget it. I'll save my $60+ for something else.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 27, 2013, 03:01:15 PM
Quote from: nemuneko on May 27, 2013, 02:22:03 PM
It definitely was my worst Fanime, in all my years of attending Fanime since the late 90s. Pre-reg was a total MESS and I've never had to wait hours in line for pre-reg before on a Friday afternoon. This will most likely be my last Fanime because of that.

I think Fanime has just gotten so huge that staff can't keep up anymore and have stopped trying altogether. Organization was never the greatest to begin with in previous years, but this year it's like they just flushed it all down the toilet. It definitely soured my entire experience with the con and we missed out on a lot of panels and other events due to waiting in line for pre-reg for hours. It's hard to enjoy anything there anymore with the huge amount of people that attend + lack of organization in general. I really don't look forward to ever going back.

Also, something REALLY needs to be done about people blocking walkways in the con (including photographers). I remember staff telling people to move along or move to the side when people gathered in the middle of hallways in previous years. This year, I didn't see any of that. In one case, people were blocking an entire area (just standing in their huge group talking) at the entrance to the Marriot area where the panels are held and refused to move. I said "excuse me please!" really loudly to get their attention, but they just stared at me like an idiot and wouldn't move. Someone in a wheelchair was trying to get through and they still wouldn't move! This happened a lot and I'm really getting sick of it. There needs to be some sort of traffic control by staff since there are so many people attending now and a lot of these people are just plain self-centered and rude.

All in all, a very disappointing year for me and my friends. We might go back if construction is finished before Fanime starts next year, but if not and/or if pre-reg is going to be an utter mess again, forget it. I'll save my $60+ for something else.
I was really tempted to rush and push people i was stopped 4 times because someone decided it was okay to just stand in the middle being an idiot and stop the traffic of people behind me, i need a spear...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: MikanCos on May 27, 2013, 03:16:31 PM
 The masquerade was unorganized this year and my microphone was off.  By the time i performed my soul was asleep.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 27, 2013, 03:24:13 PM
Quote from: 01 on May 27, 2013, 03:16:31 PM
The masquerade was unorganized this year and my microphone was off.  By the time i performed my soul was asleep.
i havent been to the masquerade since 2011 because ric meyers wasnt the host of it in 2012 and 2013. ah crap i am sorry for not being able to perform properly :/
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 04:19:06 PM
Im using an iPad so I wont even attempt to quote all the posts I want to respond to. Ill just stick with the key points.

- I dont mind irrelevant cosplayers BEING there either. I mind that the BBC ( or was it nickelodeon?) was not only allowed an official but that they got it it at 1 in the afternoon; a prime time that could have been given to something actually relevant

The Masquerade . I attended it last year for the first time in many years. It became apparent that 95 perc. of the skits are painfully high- pitched MOE songs to played out dances or the same 3 memes over and over. The immature meowing and marco polo- ing gives no respite in between.

It must be frustrating to those who put a lot of work into original and well thought - out skits which will never be seen.

Crowding

" What is the meaning of these tape lines and signs with arrows on the walls? " Why it was obviously because a few staffers just thought it would be really fun to to crawl on thier hands and knees down the length of the con center al for a tape race. The sogns were just to confuse us. Damn those staffers! Always going out of thier way to make our con experience as confusing as possible! ( im sitting at Cocos killing several hours until my train arrives, no, I dont have anything better to do)

All smartassary aside, the lanes created by the staffers are brilliant. Please use them.

Know your laws.

This has been a problem at everyone con Ive attended. During my incredibly frustrating time dealing with the attention skanks and the followed them into the background of our official photoshoot, that stupid Trekky yelled at me" this is a public place!"
No, no, it isnt. It is private property owned by the con  center. That fact alone is what keeps the protesters in the middle of the street.

And to not seem biased, there was an incident at SC in WA where a rover told some girls they couldnt take yaoi photos while in a public park.

I think that informing people of these boundaries and what they mean would solve many unesecery  conflicts.

I know that I mentioned this before, but A lot of the outside crowded was ( and has always been) because scantly clad( if you can even say that) women and thier creeper photographers.
Really. Ask a generic cosplayer to move, and 99 perc. Of the time they do, with no issues. Try to get a cosskank and  photographer to mover, your request will fall on deaf ears. Or they'll just tell you to piss off.

Why dont we have a specified " Creep corner?" Creepy photographers can set up thier and cosskanks can show up there when they want attention. Its like a 24/7 official photoshoot. That should make them feel special.


Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 27, 2013, 04:31:59 PM
Seriously though, I'm wondering what went through the staff's heads when they decided that 5 laptops and approximately 15 people working badge booths to accommodate the thousands of people who were showing up at once was a brilliant idea?

I'm expecting a good number of these topics to show up here, but it was enraging to hear the stories I have other this weekend so every little mention should HOPEFULLY get heard by next year...if not, consider me done with fanime.

My own story isn't nearly as horrible but does kind of show a good example of how unorganized this is. I had planned on going to day zero badge pickup, but I was already getting texts from friends saying "This line is too long, just stay at the hotel or something", "consider yourself lucky right now", etc. So when two of my friends and I went the next morning to pick up our badges, we went up the main escalators and a staff member at the doors asked if we had any questions. All we did was ask about where pre-registration people go since we'd literally just gotten there, and she pointed into the room towards the two lines, telling us to go on the left. I found out about a half hour later this was the last room of a massive 3-4 hour line, and we were just told to go right in (makes me wonder how many people came up, confused and just wanting directions, but were essentially given a free pass of several hours). Another roommate who'd been there 3 hours before me walked into the room just a few minutes later, rather confused and upset how I'd gotten ahead of her.

And it still took almost two hours to get our badges, from a line of booths where I saw 5 people handing pre-registration, 3 handling on-site (after only having 5 laptops in the other room for them to check in), and maybe 9 people passing badges out.

I've gone to Fanime for several years now, and the only problem with registration I've ever had was when a system crash last year (or so we were told) brought the line to a stop for 4 hours. Everything else was smooth and it was awesome, but I think it's gotten far too big to expect this to keep working. Other large conventions are on top of this already, I don't see how this is an issue. AX is supposed to be the counterpart to Fanime and yet it runs so much smoother with almost as many people, most likely more by this point. I don't know....I just know a lot of people who aren't going to bother with the convention next year if this isn't fixed. I'm not spending 60 bucks for a weekend I'm going to miss most events for anyways, just waiting 7 hours in line. All those people wanting to go to Clockwork on friday night? Hahahaha good luck getting your badge in time if you happen to have school that day.



As an added note, I'd like to know what the hell even happened with the masquerade, seems like the staff wasn't quite on it that night with the serious number of sound mix-ups, cut offs, early starts and no script. I felt sorry for the people who'd practiced so hard to go up there, suddenly having everything go wrong in front of everyone.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 27, 2013, 04:40:04 PM
Being one of those homestuck cosplayers, sorry for being offended but yeah, rather offended. I was under the impression that a lot of various fandoms are embraced at conventions, but it's homestuck that gets most of the slack simply because there's a lot of us? Believe me, a con to ourselves would be nice, but why take it out on us if there isn't one and we just happen to want to cosplay and find others interested in it? You have your cosplays, we have ours. There are plenty of other things at this convention not related to anime or japanese culture anyways. The league of legends gathering was huge as well, maybe not 500 people but that sure as hell isn't an anime.

As for everything else, chifunii hit the point well on all those. I do have to comment on the artist alley location as well though. South Hall is NOT that far...it's half a block and directly behind the convention center. By the way, it's huge or did you not notice? Artist Alley in previous years was so painfully cramped, it was wonderful to have a huge hall entirely for this, and it was actually really cool in there compared to the warm stuffy air in dealer's hall. Construction isn't supposed to end until next winter, so apparently we're getting one more convention with the construction, but it should be really amazing after.

I didn't have too much trouble with people blocking walkways this year, but I had SERIOUS issues with it over by the dealer's hall entrance, where they taped the silly little roadway isles down. It was a good idea I guess, but horribly followed up on, when large groups of people stopped for pictures dead center of it. Of all the roaming staff I saw, I never saw any there and if I did, they didn't say a word about keeping it moving.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 04:57:08 PM
Your supposed to be offended.

- You ASSUME that it is for every fandom because people are entitled and inconsiderate: they barge theyre way in without caring whether or not they are welcome. It was okay at first but since con staff/ attendees are polite and dont want to single anyone out, other fandoms have taken advantage and do whatever the hell want and force the rest of us to accept it.

-For the record I dont approve of ANY fandom doing the afore mentioned. I had distain for star wars costumes long before homestuck existed.

- Yes, it is because there are 500 of you. Even the most obnoxiously popular ANIME series have capped out at maybe 200 .

- To me a lot of homestuck cosplay just seems lazy and uncreative. Black  T- shirt, jeans and horns. It makes me think that some people are only doing because its popular and they dont to put in any effort. I have a few good ones, but I think there is some extra responsibility on those enormous groups to do a little better. I felt the same way when. I cosplayed Bleached.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 27, 2013, 05:04:56 PM
So explain how we're supposed to coordinate so there aren't 500 of us. If your response is actually going to be "just stop doing what you're enjoying", you're kind of just as bad. I'm still amazed that people hate us for this. It's not like we can automatically know how many there will be, and just NOT cosplay something we enjoy? I've already dropped homestuck as a cosplay because of this and because no matter what I can do, people will hate what I do ENTIRELY because it's homestuck. I'm sorry we have a horrible reputation but we also get horrible responses for things not all of us are responsible for. And yeah, it's simple cosplay. No it's not as well thought out, although some are amazing. But it gives people a chance to cosplay something they enjoy for less cost and not as much talent if they don't have it?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 05:08:51 PM
Yes, my response is stop doing what your doing. You cannot just do whatever you want everywhere all the time. The world does  not revolve around you.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 27, 2013, 05:09:27 PM
Likewise, considering I've done nothing but defend myself and others against you lol
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 05:12:45 PM
When you come to the table with a willingness' to discuss possible solutions and compromise I might listen . All your doing is playing the victim against the big bad....minority?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: nemuneko on May 27, 2013, 05:13:02 PM
I believe construction will be finished this fall, according to the official San Jose website (http://www.sanjose.org/content/san-jose-convention-center-expansion-and-renovation-opening-fall-2013 (http://www.sanjose.org/content/san-jose-convention-center-expansion-and-renovation-opening-fall-2013)). MercuryNews.com also had an article about it. Some people are saying next year, but this is incorrect from what I've read. Just wanted to throw that out there for people who are concerned about that.

Construction or not, I'm unsure if I will be returning to Fanime after the mess it was this year.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 27, 2013, 05:15:16 PM
Hahaha what the hell? 500 to 20,000 and you're calling yourself the minority? Solutions and compromises to what now? What are you, 14? Sorry you hate everything you're not interested in and sorry you want all of us to bend to your will, but whoops everyone likes their own stuff so it's gonna happen.

"You cannot just do whatever you want everywhere all the time" and such.

Best just to stick to your own and let others have theirs, as I really dont care what you cosplay and if it was something I didn't like, I wouldn't care either way. Wouldn't call you out on it or anything.

But awesome, thanks nemuneko, I hadn't heard an exact date so that's cool to hear it'll be open earlier than I was told.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 05:20:25 PM
I am not the one who resorted to insults. I wasted my time trying be civil and you ignored itall and decided that I wanted you "just  stop doing what your doing"

I am cosplaying as an anime character at an anime convention. I am not going to sci- fi con, nor comic con and forcing them to accept me. I am well within my boundaries.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 27, 2013, 05:22:22 PM
Hahaha alright, whatever you'd like. I personally consider "entitled, inconsiderate, self-centered" as insults but ok.

Everyone take note that everyone must be an anime cosplayer for fanime! No more video games, no more comic books, no more movies, no more webcomics or american cartoons. There goes roughly a third of the gatherings, and approximately a quarter of dealer's hall :)

Can I also mention that fanime is by fans, for fans, and has been for all fandoms for I don't even care to count how many years? It's easy to get into, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, maybe we actually enjoy anime too, and most people aren't extremely "self centered and care only for their anime" and actually are nice to talk to. Seems like you're the odd one out here so, I'm sorry for existing since it seems to hinder your own interests and amusement.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Zabi on May 27, 2013, 05:24:00 PM
There were a lot of people being turned down for not having the proper heels or if the dress just above the knee. My friend got in with her dress just fine, but then when we just stood at the door to the outside she got kick out for "having too short of a dress." We saw another girl in the ball which did not even belong in such a setting, it was more appropriate for a rave than Ball. And then my other friend was let in with her heels, but left because her boyfriend forgot to change his shoes. When they returned she was denied for being a quarter too high. They really need to revise the dress code to the ball. And what was up with the stormtrooper inside the ball? If he was more suited up then yes, but he did not even change into formal wear. It was very ridiculous! Both my friends spent money for their dresses which cost around $60 - $70 just to go to the ball. They seriously need to train the people better and have to revise their policies/dress code for the Ball.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: keitoghostie on May 27, 2013, 05:42:18 PM
I'm a mod for a Bay Area Homestuck group and I can tell you that even if there were a Homestuck convention that occurred in the same month as Fanime it probably wouldn't make a huge impact because people in general like to represent media they enjoy and find like-minded people and Fanime allows for a lot of people with similar interests to be in one place at one time. There are frequent Homestuck meetups that take place but the scale of things is very different compared to Fanime.
I've considered starting some sort of Homestuck convention in the area to provide a similar experience (of being at a large convention) but at the moment I don't have the resources to do so.

That said, I definitely understand how the prevalence of events and cosplays dedicated to western media detract from the vibe of Fanime. I'm not going to shit talk any particular fandom, but there are definitely ones that bother me as well.
I personally know that Homestuck can be obnoxious for a number of attendees so I try to balance what I present - be it cosplay or events.

I feel like the increasing number of fandom-centric panels (not just Homestuck but also Superwholock, Hetalia, etc.) divide con attendees into sections, causing things to be more segregated and people to get more defensive.
I'm really proud of the anime mad libs panels my friend and I have put on since 2012 because they bring things back to a feel of a more united general anime fan collective, which is something I really like about Fanime!
I make a point to cosplay from anime more often than that of Homestuck for this reason as well, and probably spent about 15% of my convention time in Homestuck cosplay this year.

What I'm saying is I completely understand what the issue is, but even as a respected authority in the Homestuck fandom there's not much I can really do aside from what I'm currently doing.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Zabi on May 27, 2013, 05:48:17 PM
I am sorry, but registration needs to have a better system than the one that was in place. In order to go faster, you need more booths for pre-reg and reg. Everything should be computerized with bar codes or keep it the same (which was okay-ish) for pre-reg, and for at-con reg they should hand out the reg papers while in line so they only have to hand it once up there. They should also print out the badge at the booth; making us wait in another line just for the badge is very ridiculous. I have never attended a con that ever did that and I now know why; you slow down the line that way. Also, the con bags should come with the lanyard/attachments for the badge already in them, thus speeding up the process. Just hand the bags as everyone is leaving the registration area. Like come on, waiting in line for 4-6 hours in line and missing almost a whole day at con  is very ridiculous. I needed to go cancel my room and move my stuff to a different hotel room, I was getting very frustrated waiting in that line-ception.

I believed this con was a very disorganized and I may never go back. This was my first time going to a con outside of Los Angeles and my impression of Fanime has turned from awesome to god awful. I was expecting it to be similar to Anime Expo, but it was not (just because both are very large anime cons). I am sorry to say but the staff needs to be trained better and the con seriously need to be organized better. The only saving point to this con was the Dance (which was okay) and the cosplayers. And I may not return next year due to this awful experience with the convention itself. In my opinion it was not really worth the 6 hour drive up.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Firefury Amahira on May 27, 2013, 05:53:27 PM
I'm probably going to sound like the odd one out here, but I really enjoyed Fanime this year. Yeah, there were problems, but I think there are always going to be problems at an event this size, and the construction only compounded it.

-Can't offer much relevant commentary on reg lines- all three years I've attended I've been a panelist, so I've yet to really deal too much with the regular line. They could probably find a better and more efficient way to DO it though; little things to improve overall efficiency such as taking payments online, pre-printing badges and sorting them by last name for more rapid pickup, and so on.

-Definitely needed more staff patrolling along the traffic lanes in the convention center to keep people from blocking it up though, ESPECIALLY down near the dealer's hall and in the Marriot hallway. It seemed like random photo-takers and such were a bigger problem in those areas this year than last year. Not sure about increased rudeness from any particular cosplayers or photographers, but I wasn't out in the gathering area much.

-Seemed a bad move scheduling the Poke-scandalous panel back-to-back with LittleKuriboh's panel; both were traffic-blockingly huge and I think staff was just overwhelmed trying to manage exiting the crowd from one and keeping the line in that hallway in something vaguely resembling order. When a line gets that massive, it would probably be easier to send the excess to some sort of waiting position out of that hallway. Maybe once the construction is finished in the convention center, managing line overflow for panels could perhaps extend to the bottom floor of the convention center or something. Trying to keep the entirety of a line that huge in that hallway just is not working out, resulting in blocked hallways. Another possible solution is setting the panel rooms (especially the big room) with one door as the entrance and another the exit. That floor is set up in a loop, making it a one-way traffic flow might help ease congestion when one of the really enormous panels is lining up.

-Artist Alley being offsite was really annoying, though I get that can be blamed on the construction. Still, I can't help but think maybe the swap meet could have been in the tent since that only ran two nights, and Artist Alley could have maybe been fit into the room where the meet was- it was rather starkly empty the rest of the time. The amount of space in the tent was a nice change of pace though, and I don't know if all those tables would have fit in the indoor exhibit hall.

A lot of the crowding problems this year I suspect will be alleviated when the construction is finished- with so much of the outdoor gathering space blocked off, you had the same huge crowd trying to compete for that much smaller available space. So of course the assholes in the crowd are going to be more apparent in closer quarters.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Firefury Amahira on May 27, 2013, 06:23:08 PM
RE: Homestuck (and other non-anime) cosplayers

Fandom should be fun. Cosplay is part of fandom. It should be fun. You don't find Homestuck cosplay to be fun? Nobody is making you cosplay it, or take pictures of it. They paid for a badge just like you did, and presumably they are spending money in the dealer's hall and artist alley, just like you did; and they are participating in the convention, just like you did.

Honestly, I have zero interest in Homestuck myself, but it sure as hell isn't my place to say "You can't dress up at a convention the way you want." (Provided, of course, that said costume isn't violating any public decency laws or convention guidelines.) And frankly, I would think very poorly of Fanime's management if they tried to enforce an anime-only cosplay policy. There is a TON of overlap between anime fandom and various web, comics, and video game fandoms. People like to dress up to reflect one or more of their favorite interests, regardless whether it's Fanime, Anime Expo, or Comic Con. It's no different from the huge cosplay fads for Bleach or Naruto or whatever other fads have come through. It will flare up for a few years, then taper off to less blatantly visible levels.

And having helped run even a small convention, let me tell you: It's very easy to say "Hey, you should set up your own convention for X thing!" Actually doing so is a very large, very expensive logistical undertaking that requires the cooperation and lots of donated time by a large group of people. You have to consider venue, organization, safety (and insurance liability,) staff and organization... and none of these things are particularly cheap nor quick and simple to do.

I suppose the tl;dr version of what I'm saying is "You just gotta deal with it!" Getting worked up about what somebody else wants to wear for a costume is just absurd.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Naiagu on May 27, 2013, 06:44:21 PM
This year was alright, there was not a lot I was hyped up for but my one gathering really. I was the leader for my pre-reg group and I got there around 4:30pm. I was in line for 6 hours in front of a really huge group of loud high school kids to kept bumping into me and bringing friends into the line.

Honestly, I miss when Pre-reg and early-reg were separate lines. I waited faar too long to get my badge. I was tired and having loud high school kids behind me for 6 hours did not help. When I got into the second to last room I also noticed there were a dozen new people behind the guy I was told to remember who was originally in front of me from the outside lines. The lady in front of me said she'd just followed the line, somehow she managed to get into the 2nd to last room without having to wait in the whole line.

One more thing about the lines, having to pick up badges in different lines when picking up for a group is the worst idea. I had to go into 5 different lines for the badges I was picking up. I saw another girl next to me picking up for 8 people. I wish they would put all the badges who are under a group with the group leaders name. It was quite ridiculous having to go into 5 separate lines when I was already exhausted.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: cassz on May 27, 2013, 06:52:18 PM
Quote from: chifunii on May 27, 2013, 11:10:36 AM
I'd just like to point out that badge-pickup was also available at Clockwork Alchemy. A friend of mine went Friday morning and she basically said that it took two seconds to get it. I guess not many people knew about it.

I only happened to learn of this tip (after I had already experienced Thursday's pre-reg failure) from a couple tweets with the #fanime and #fanimecon hashtags; other than that, it hadn't been publicized anywhere.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: veganbabies on May 27, 2013, 07:49:49 PM
Personally I was most let down by the Masquerade and the Black and White Ball

The cosplays and the skits were all wonderful (from what I saw, I left early), but the tech and the organization was terrible. The MC came off as really unprepared, the sound kept cutting out or getting mixed up, and it was just awful. I felt really bad since they cut off a Hetalia skit and it seemed like the cosplayers had worked hard on their performance.
The Black and White Ball was a disappointment. There were a lot of double standards being enforced and a TON of people ended up not being able to get in. I wore a business type dress and it was considered too short by an inch, so I couldn't get in. I ended up switching shoes with another girl because she got inside the ball but was later kicked out when staff changed their minds about her shoes.
I feel like they put all the strict staff members in charge of the ball and everything else, like enforcing walkways, was pushed aside.

Other than that, I think this fanime was the most attended and I did have a lot of fun besides these things. I just hope next year is better.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 07:50:35 PM
Quote from: Firefury Amahira on May 27, 2013, 06:23:08 PM

And having helped run even a small convention, let me tell you: It's very easy to say "Hey, you should set up your own convention for X thing!" Actually doing so is a very large, very expensive logistical undertaking that requires the cooperation and lots of donated time by a large group of people. You have to consider venue, organization, safety (and insurance liability,) staff and organization... and none of these things are particularly cheap nor quick and simple to do.

I suppose the tl;dr version of what I'm saying is "You just gotta deal with it!" Getting worked up about what somebody else wants to wear for a costume is just absurd.



And thats what im doing im dealing with it, but i hate that some of those " fans " act obnoxious, its like me asking " OH SO YOU COSPLAY HOMESTUCK? PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOURE A FAN OF ANIME " but i didnt talk shit to anyone at all, im just dealing with it, its the attitude of the thing.
hopefully my detailed cosplays are finished by next year, something ive been working on for a while.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: royjovero on May 27, 2013, 09:20:36 PM
I didn't get a badge this year because of last year's experience, and had a feeling this year was going to be on-par, if not worse.  My suspicions were validated by feedback I received from friends when my girlfriend and I came to hang out with some friends.

It's always brought up every year, but what are the logistics behind not being able to mail badges out.  EDC mails their ticket packages out and an EDC ticket is 3-4X the cost of a Fanime badge.  Granted the money numbers are drastically different between the two events, but honestly, if you're just mailing the badge and a couple other pieces of literature, you'll only have to pay for First-Class Mail and, for security reasons, Signature Confirmation.  I don't want to speak for a mass of people, but if you were able to mail my badge to me, I would have no qualms against paying a premium for a mailed badge over one that requires 7 hours of waiting in line to receive.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: chifunii on May 27, 2013, 09:44:09 PM
Quote from: cassz on May 27, 2013, 06:52:18 PM
Quote from: chifunii on May 27, 2013, 11:10:36 AM
I'd just like to point out that badge-pickup was also available at Clockwork Alchemy. A friend of mine went Friday morning and she basically said that it took two seconds to get it. I guess not many people knew about it.

I only happened to learn of this tip (after I had already experienced Thursday's pre-reg failure) from a couple tweets with the #fanime and #fanimecon hashtags; other than that, it hadn't been publicized anywhere.

Actually, when you pre-registered online it asked you where you wanted to pick up your badge, either at Clockwork or at Fanime. Most people just didn't choose it.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on May 27, 2013, 09:48:55 PM
Note to self: pre-reg for Clockwork Alchemy instead of Fanime next year
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: hikanteki on May 27, 2013, 10:09:55 PM
Can you choose to pick up your badge Thursday at Clockwork too?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: tazo on May 27, 2013, 10:25:09 PM
Yeah the Clockwork Alchemy badge pickup wasn't even relayed to us until we were about 3 hours into the line. It was right under our hotel too. I'm more than a little furious we didnt hear about that sooner. :T
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Kite on May 27, 2013, 10:27:33 PM
I would actually like to bring up something that was brought up on Friday while I was volunteering.

Due to logistics problems the line did not move for a considerable amount of time. Inevitably there were hostile parents who laid it on harshly about there annoyance of the fact. In my opinion, it was uncalled for that they were venting there rage on the volunteered help me included.

However what they said did have a point. By the time they reached the register half the day would have passed while the badges they were buying for the day would not be of their full money's worth due to the loss of so much time.

So I was wondering if a time limit could be used that after a certain passage of time for one day passes that the prices could be lowered at certain hours to appease certain parties?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Dracil on May 27, 2013, 10:40:47 PM
Yes, I would like to see that.  In fact, there should probably be a line for single-day registrations.

On Friday, there was someone with us in line from 12PM to about 5-6PM, at which point she gave up because she had to leave by 8PM.  So you basically wasted a person's entire day for no reason being unwilling to try suggestions given every year that other cons have implemented in order to improve the situation.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on May 27, 2013, 10:51:51 PM
I would like to hear Fanime staff's side of the story too and what they are going to do regarding all of these complaints, horror stories, and sayings that they're not coming back (and telling others not to go either).
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 27, 2013, 10:54:04 PM
LOL!!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 27, 2013, 10:56:58 PM
Quote from: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 04:19:06 PM
Im using an iPad so I wont even attempt to quote all the posts I want to respond to. Ill just stick with the key points.

- I dont mind irrelevant cosplayers BEING there either. I mind that the BBC ( or was it nickelodeon?) was not only allowed an official but that they got it it at 1 in the afternoon; a prime time that could have been given to something actually relevant

The Masquerade . I attended it last year for the first time in many years. It became apparent that 95 perc. of the skits are painfully high- pitched MOE songs to played out dances or the same 3 memes over and over. The immature meowing and marco polo- ing gives no respite in between.

It must be frustrating to those who put a lot of work into original and well thought - out skits which will never be seen.

Crowding

" What is the meaning of these tape lines and signs with arrows on the walls? " Why it was obviously because a few staffers just thought it would be really fun to to crawl on thier hands and knees down the length of the con center al for a tape race. The sogns were just to confuse us. Damn those staffers! Always going out of thier way to make our con experience as confusing as possible! ( im sitting at Cocos killing several hours until my train arrives, no, I dont have anything better to do)

All smartassary aside, the lanes created by the staffers are brilliant. Please use them.

Know your laws.

This has been a problem at everyone con Ive attended. During my incredibly frustrating time dealing with the attention skanks and the followed them into the background of our official photoshoot, that stupid Trekky yelled at me" this is a public place!"
No, no, it isnt. It is private property owned by the con  center. That fact alone is what keeps the protesters in the middle of the street.

And to not seem biased, there was an incident at SC in WA where a rover told some girls they couldnt take yaoi photos while in a public park.

I think that informing people of these boundaries and what they mean would solve many unesecery  conflicts.

I know that I mentioned this before, but A lot of the outside crowded was ( and has always been) because scantly clad( if you can even say that) women and thier creeper photographers.
Really. Ask a generic cosplayer to move, and 99 perc. Of the time they do, with no issues. Try to get a cosskank and  photographer to mover, your request will fall on deaf ears. Or they'll just tell you to piss off.

Why dont we have a specified " Creep corner?" Creepy photographers can set up thier and cosskanks can show up there when they want attention. Its like a 24/7 official photoshoot. That should make them feel special.




It was a Nickelodeon/Cartoon Network Gathering. It was quite small actually, CN outnumbered Nick by vast numbers. Nick had Gir, Angelica, Korra and Steve only I believe. Can't remember exactly.

Scantily clad women cosplayers will always exist. I do agree though that when creeper photographers find them though, they tend to take up space in crowded areas. I ran into one who was somewhat blocking the main convention center entrance on Friday if I remember correctly.

Quote from: Naiagu on May 27, 2013, 06:44:21 PM
This year was alright, there was not a lot I was hyped up for but my one gathering really. I was the leader for my pre-reg group and I got there around 4:30pm. I was in line for 6 hours in front of a really huge group of loud high school kids to kept bumping into me and bringing friends into the line.

Honestly, I miss when Pre-reg and early-reg were separate lines. I waited faar too long to get my badge. I was tired and having loud high school kids behind me for 6 hours did not help. When I got into the second to last room I also noticed there were a dozen new people behind the guy I was told to remember who was originally in front of me from the outside lines. The lady in front of me said she'd just followed the line, somehow she managed to get into the 2nd to last room without having to wait in the whole line.

One more thing about the lines, having to pick up badges in different lines when picking up for a group is the worst idea. I had to go into 5 different lines for the badges I was picking up. I saw another girl next to me picking up for 8 people. I wish they would put all the badges who are under a group with the group leaders name. It was quite ridiculous having to go into 5 separate lines when I was already exhausted.

I was there at 6:30 in the morning and was the second person/group of people in line. Getting there that early, I knew I was in for a long wait but the fact that the wait was even longer than it should have been due to the even more chaotic than usual Pre-Reg pick up, it was too much. I'm hoping they make badge pick up less chaotic next year.

Quote from: veganbabies on May 27, 2013, 07:49:49 PM
Personally I was most let down by the Masquerade and the Black and White Ball

The cosplays and the skits were all wonderful (from what I saw, I left early), but the tech and the organization was terrible. The MC came off as really unprepared, the sound kept cutting out or getting mixed up, and it was just awful. I felt really bad since they cut off a Hetalia skit and it seemed like the cosplayers had worked hard on their performance.
The Black and White Ball was a disappointment. There were a lot of double standards being enforced and a TON of people ended up not being able to get in. I wore a business type dress and it was considered too short by an inch, so I couldn't get in. I ended up switching shoes with another girl because she got inside the ball but was later kicked out when staff changed their minds about her shoes.
I feel like they put all the strict staff members in charge of the ball and everything else, like enforcing walkways, was pushed aside.

Other than that, I think this fanime was the most attended and I did have a lot of fun besides these things. I just hope next year is better.

BW Ball was more strict than I remember. I almost wasn't allowed in because of my shoes when they were the exact same shoes that I wore last year to get in, no questions asked.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: aetherltd on May 27, 2013, 11:07:31 PM
Shuttle bus service between Clockwork Alchemy and the Convention Center was great - in 2012.

This year, it was awful. The bus drivers had no idea how to get around downtown San Jose.

(https://forums.fanime.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aetherltd.com%2Fpublic%2Fmisc%2Fca2013%2Flostbus1.jpg&hash=821ece8d3685bf95a3e9e9dcbc149abeef33e0c0)
Green - 2012 route. Red - 2013 route.

What was supposed to be a direct shuttle from the Convention Center to the Doubletree took the route shown in red. First, a side trip to the Fairmont.  Then a trip under the freeway, across the Guadalupe River, past the Sharks Arena (Sharks won!), under the railroad yards, around the Arena parking lot, back under the railroad tracks (low narrow tunnel), across the river again, under the freeway again, and finally onto the freeway.

WTF?

Same route on a later trip. One of my friends said their driver got lost even worse.

Smaller buses than last year, too. People had to wait through two or more buses to get on. It took some an hour or more to make the trip. It was really tough for Fanime people to make a quick trip to Clockwork Alchemy. We had some volunteers trying to work CA between cosplays at Fanime, and they spent hours in transit.

(Corinthian International, which ran the shuttle, is a parking company, not a bus company. It shows.)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: hikanteki on May 27, 2013, 11:10:16 PM
Quote from: Otakuya on May 27, 2013, 10:51:51 PM
I would like to hear Fanime staff's side of the story too and what they are going to do regarding all of these complaints, horror stories, and sayings that they're not coming back (and telling others not to go either).

I'd like to hear what they're going to do too.  While I'd also be open to hearing their side, there's not a lot they can say that can convince us that the 6 hour wait couldn't have been prevented.  (Also, I noticed your sig no longer says "not proud of 2013." ;-) )
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on May 27, 2013, 11:16:53 PM
^ even if it doesn't run smoothly, it takes guts to even try to plan an event as big as Fanimecon is now,  especially with an estimate of 22,000 people.  With that, I commend thee
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 27, 2013, 11:21:15 PM
Glad to see I'm not the only one who questioned why the Storm Trooper was allowed in yet others with very beautiful and classy attire were turned away due to a mere quarter of an inch or something ridiculous like that. Maybe I should pull together a sick Darth Vader costume like the Storm Trooper and go to the BW Ball, no reason why I shouldn't get in, right?  ??? I hope you sense the sarcasm in that last line.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Sanity on May 27, 2013, 11:34:47 PM
Definitely the per-registration line. Why did I stand in a line out side of a room, to then stand in a line IN a room, just to get moved to another room with two more lines in it? and why where the lines mixed together? The organization was HORRIBLE this year. is all I have to say.

besides that the construction was a complete hassle but not much can be done about that really, at least not until they finish the building.

but that's it for me really. I finally got my costume to do what I wanted it to do this year so nothing can really bring me down too much.

also to the person complaining about the cosplays/panles I understand the homestuck one but beyond that for the panels please remember that anime is short for ANIMATION so MLP is perfectly in their rights to have a panel at an anime convention. no matter how much the show annoys me >.>

the homestuck one I don't really think it should have but hey I do like it in general so i personally am not complaining.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 27, 2013, 11:47:10 PM
I have nothing against Homestuck considering all I know is that it's a webcomic involving vampires or something(it was explained to me at the BW Ball by a Homestuck cosplayer). Anyway, after reading all of this arguing, I truly believe it to be frivolous. Why single out a certain group because there are more of them or because their costume is simple? It isn't fair to them since, just like you, they paid to get into the convention and meet people who share similar interests with them. All this hate on Homestuck makes cosplayers of that series assume that all of us hate them. One cosplayer I met, I didn't know what her cosplay was so I asked. She responded and said it was from Homestuck. I simply replied, "Oh" and she responds, "I assumed you'd react like that." I asked why and she says because everyone reacts in a fashion like that yet in a more extreme way since they hate Homestuck. Seriously, all the hate is getting all of us the label of being a hater of Homestuck along with anything that isn't anime related such as My Little Pony, Adventure Time, etc. Now, onto simplicity. For those of you who are familiar with the video game, "Catherine," Vincent Brooks, the main character, wears nothing but horns and pink polka dot boxer shorts in the nightmares. I see that cosplay and no one complains, I even cosplayed him this year(didn't have the horns but I did have his Rave shirt). Now, if I added the horns and painted my skin grey, I'd be assumed to Homestuck yet I'd still be Vincent. How is it fair that a simple cosplay that isn't Homestuck doesn't get ridiculed and hated on while a Homestuck one is? Basically, like most things, it comes down to double standards.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 27, 2013, 11:56:16 PM
The long wait times for people who want just a day pass is horrible. They should have a separate thing for them so they don't waste all day in line.

Quote from: Dracil on May 27, 2013, 10:40:47 PM
Yes, I would like to see that.  In fact, there should probably be a line for single-day registrations.

On Friday, there was someone with us in line from 12PM to about 5-6PM, at which point she gave up because she had to leave by 8PM.  So you basically wasted a person's entire day for no reason being unwilling to try suggestions given every year that other cons have implemented in order to improve the situation.

That person wasted their entire day.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: black7hearts on May 28, 2013, 12:39:35 AM
Not sure what happened on Friday about registration. The process didn't start up til 9 am, even though it was suppose to open up at 8 am.

I agree that there should be a separate line for those who want one day badges and a weekend badge for at least Friday and Saturday. 2013's wait line for a badge was about a five hour wait if you got there around 7:30. My boyfriend was in line until 12:00. Thank goodness he got a weekend badge but for those who were getting a one day pass, half the day is already gone. Especially if you get there around noon and it's still a five hour wait, it's not even worth coming to Fanime. So essentially there would be a line for pre-reg, a line for at-con registration for full weekend, a line for one day pass, and a line for special badges like dealers or artists.

I also remembered that there were only five computers being used and eventually it went down to four. The tables were huge as well and maybe up to 10 laptops could have been used.

People can say that they could get it at alchemy but that's a good four miles away from fanime. I wouldn't want to walk that and who knows when the shuttle will come to pick us up. Maybe if there was an online shuttle schedule, like how they have an app for buses/subways. That or have your own car to get to clockwork alchemy. But if the lines are as long as they were this past year, I'm going to get a car and pick up at clockwork.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: black7hearts on May 28, 2013, 12:48:15 AM
I totally agree with this. I was denied since my heels were too thin and I had a red Chinese dress on. So I had to change into some ugly boots just to get in. The people behind me were denied as well because her heels were too thin but they were dance shoes. We had a conversation about how she was wearing a corset and she was dressed in a lovely long black dress with a slit to the side (very beautiful, wish I got a picture) and in the end, she got denied which was a waste of time of standing in line. My sister had a dress that was apparently "too short", which was barely above her knees and when I got in, I saw girls who had dress that where mid-thigh high. There were also girls who had way thinner heels than myself or the woman behind me had on. It's probably safe to say that I won't be attending the ball next year if there is no consistency to the rules. The first and last Black and White Ball I will see.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TC X0 Lt 0X on May 28, 2013, 12:58:44 AM
I was a little disappointed.
The PreReg line was terrible, and all the Pre-Reggers got was a plastic badge with a sticker pasted on. In former years your name would be printed on the badge. My buddies Badge got all smeared from his long hair rubbing against the sticker. And most of all those that did not prereg got basically a slightly less detailed badge then us Pre-Reggers.

The Artist Alley being in south Hall was pretty bad, and I almost did not visit it at all. Same with the 4th panel room being in the Gold Room at the Fairmont, I just did not have the willpower to make that trek.

Elsewhere, Exhibit Hall 1 was basically just a waste of space. In only got used for two nights for the swap meet, and not much more.

Some other things that bothered me but can't be helped was the lack of many diverse cosplays and the vast amount of Homestuck.


Really though I was just drained of energy that entire weekend because of being forced to work 6 days in a row at a terrible place like Jack in the Box.
Ill definitely return next year if time/money permits, but I will have my reservations.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Dracil on May 28, 2013, 01:12:41 AM
So here's the thing, the rover told us somewhere around 2PM we were only about 45 minutes from the door, and about 60 minutes after that inside to get the badge.  And we weren't sure we could actually get on the shuttle if we waited there, and the rovers themselves weren't actually sure what the situation was for registration at doubletree except for rumors that it *may* be faster.  So we calculated it'd probably take us 60-90 minutes going the doubletree route if our fairly big group could actually get on the shuttle, for which there was a line already, and that's why we decided to wait it out since we'd already been there for so long.  Well it turns out the rover was wrong as it probably took us another 1.5 hours to get to the door, only to be greeted with basically 3 more lines after we got in.

Had the rover properly informed us of the inside situation, we'd probably have just made the trip to doubletree, or the person could have stopped trying to line up for a badge right then.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: amused_ on May 28, 2013, 08:10:48 AM
This was my first time going to the convention so if I seem ignorant about a couple of things, please forgive me.

We decided to stay at the Airport Garden Hotel because of price and location.  One member of our group was there primarily for Clockwork Alchemy and two members of our group are huge poker players, so we would be in walking distance to both the Doubletree and M8trix.  This worked out for us because on Friday, we went over to the Doubletree to pick up one badge.

While in line for the shuttle we were advised by someone that we should avoid the Fanime registration and just pick up our badges at the Doubletree.  We had to confirm that we could do that because we were under the impression, from our e-mails, that we had to pick them up at the Fairmont. 

So our group and a few other people went back to the Clockwork Alchemy registration line and they printed our badges out no problem.  15 minutes tops on Friday, 5PM.

Advice for transportation to the Doubletree:  Peak hours the shuttles will come by more often, but you may not get on the first one that comes by while you're in line.  I'd say the most you'll wait is an hour, though.  Another way to get to the Doubletree would be to use public transportation if you really don't want to wait for shuttles twice.  VTA is cheap for single riders.  Cabs are still affordable especially if you're in a group of 4.

Of course this is all valid advice only if things don't change for 2014.

(Also, Dracil from RBJ?)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Dracil on May 28, 2013, 08:40:50 AM
Yes.  That's from so long ago!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: thedoctorinblue on May 28, 2013, 08:41:23 AM
Quote from: Naiagu on May 27, 2013, 06:44:21 PM
This year was alright, there was not a lot I was hyped up for but my one gathering really. I was the leader for my pre-reg group and I got there around 4:30pm. I was in line for 6 hours in front of a really huge group of loud high school kids to kept bumping into me and bringing friends into the line.

Honestly, I miss when Pre-reg and early-reg were separate lines. I waited faar too long to get my badge. I was tired and having loud high school kids behind me for 6 hours did not help. When I got into the second to last room I also noticed there were a dozen new people behind the guy I was told to remember who was originally in front of me from the outside lines. The lady in front of me said she'd just followed the line, somehow she managed to get into the 2nd to last room without having to wait in the whole line.

One more thing about the lines, having to pick up badges in different lines when picking up for a group is the worst idea. I had to go into 5 different lines for the badges I was picking up. I saw another girl next to me picking up for 8 people. I wish they would put all the badges who are under a group with the group leaders name. It was quite ridiculous having to go into 5 separate lines when I was already exhausted.

I have a very bad feeling that it was myself and my friends that were the loud obnoxious group of teenagers that were behind you. I apologize for any of the conduct that you found irratating by either myself or my friends. I know for a fact that when I get around my friends, we tend to get pretty loud which usually pisses off people in our nearby vacinity. I hope we didn't completely ruin your con.

best regards,

Alex
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: amused_ on May 28, 2013, 08:50:45 AM
Hey it's me, Clouded!  (I think that's the name I used then.  We D&D'd a little bit, along with a couple of others on RBJ!)

Anyway won't derail this thread much further.  Hope you had a good time at the con (aside from the lines).
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Okach on May 28, 2013, 09:26:16 AM
Hi!  I'm a little groggy from running around for four days and I'm not completely all the way back yet, but I wanted to let you know that we are reading your comments.

First of all, thank you for your feedback - it is part of the process by which we improve the Ball.  A word of warning:  if you claim dance experience in your comment, we will be requesting credentials (video or otherwise) in a PM to you before we weigh what you have to say.  Your real name will not be released in any public way.  We have had issues with people misrepresenting themselves in comments and emails to us over the years.  And since I know someone's going to do it, feel free to PM me for mine with the same consideration for privacy.  For the record, I was the West Coast Swing instructor/demo/Prop Challenge emcee this year.     

Secondly, if you were denied entry or taken out of the Ball due to dress code violations or if the dress code somehow ruined your life even if you were in compliance, our sincerest apologies.  While we cannot expect you to come back to the Ball if this year ruined your experience, we nonetheless extend to you the invitation for next year.  We work through a considerable chunk of the year, some of us throughout the year, some of us despite work or personal tragedy, to bring the Ball to you.  If, however, you decided to act out your frustrations upon being denied entry by taking it out on fellow congoers or Ball staff, that invitation is NOT extended.

Now, the mea culpa part:

We identified several issues in the post-ball review held immediately after. 

First and foremost, enforcement.  One of the people at the door decided to wave in a bunch of noncompliant folks through for an unspecified period of time.  That was negligent, not to mention that some of us apparently did not follow the dress code *grits teeth*.  All of this will be addressed for next year.  Very thoroughly.  As for the dress code itself, please feed back as much as you can.  We are establishing a more thorough review and critique process that will include more public opportunities to comment. 

Second of all, dress code distribution.  Apparently, some folks did not know that there was a dress code despite it being posted on Facebook, here in the forums, in the program guide, and in Parkside.  If any of you have any suggestions as to how to get the word out, please respond here or in the official FanimeCon feedback thread or email [email protected] 

Thirdly, staffing issues.  We ended up with close to 1400 attendees this year (we did not count those we turned away at the door or caught inside)  for which we had under 50 to manage with.  Yikes - we could have used some more eyes.  We will let you know if you have the option to help us even more for next year.


Those were the major ones.  If you have any others, please feel free to post in the feedback threads, email [email protected], etc.

Now, the commentary section:

As previously described in posts here in the forums, the dress code exists for several reasons. I will address health and safety of congoers as well as floor damage, since these are the ones that motivate the heel of the shoe section of the dress code, which this year wins the Most Controversial award. 

While we would like to think that everyone on the floor looks where they're going and are watching out for each other, the truth of the matter is that for a beginner level dance event like the Ball, accidents do happen at a greater than zero rate.  One of the most common accidents is getting your foot stepped on.  While getting your foot trod on by a normal flat may have some initial pain, it generally goes away after a while unless it's a really heavy step (platform boots, cough, which is why it's in the code) or is accompanied by a kick in the shins (which hurts MUCH more).  However, if the shoe is a heel, you have the chance of either a puncture or a scratch which is not fun if it breaks the skin, even more if it punches through and severs the tendon (which does happen).   One of us got scratched by a compliant shoe while dancing and we have documented her injury for future dress code posts.   

Our contract with the floor vendor stipulates that any damage over and above normal wear and tear is FanimeCon's responsibility.  This translates to "FanimeCon pays for it."  The floor vendor commented to us that the conventions that he has the most issues of additional damage with are salsa conventions, mainly due to the use of long, thin heels on a lot of people dancing for many hours. 

After much discussion over the years (and much hair pulling) the four inch heel/diameter of a nickel was decided upon as a compromise between fashion and potential cost (injury/floor).  Apparently, a decision was made to relax the nickel rule by using duct tape at the Ball.  I probably would have favored applying the banhammer a LOT more had I been consulted.  Full disclosure:  I'm the direct liaison to the floor vendor - do NOT expect any sympathy from me on this topic if it turns out one of the consequences of this feedback is that I man the door for a time next year.

Apologies for the long and rambling post.  If you have any further feedback, please use the channels provided.  If you need a little more discretion, feel free to PM me.  Thanks!   
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: phr34kish on May 28, 2013, 09:52:43 AM
FYI: Thursday was badge-less this year. Nothing actually required a badge until Friday Morning. :)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 10:02:07 AM
I hate to be that guy but I'm going to call out the Registration heads and chair/board on this. Whoever headed the Reg department and made crucial decisions (or lack of) this year needs to admit their mistakes and may need to reconsider doing their position next year. I know Fanime is a volunteer on-basis position and it takes up your own personal time, but with power comes big responsibilities and it's extremely unacceptable to run registration for a convention like this. From opening up online registration late in January (compared to other years, taking reg in January I would assume less time to prepare for the year and does show us fans you guys are not prepared) to waiting 6-7 hours in line for badges, the way everything have been running has gone down in quality and there should be no excuse this year as no power line went down. XD

Please spend whatever you guys need to improve the wait time and lines. Have a analyst or whatever carefully take a look at your process (cause there's some extreme bottleneck somewhere). Clockwork alternative is great if you guys plan to keep the sticker method. Less time in line = reassurance of great service. Plus if there aren't any lingering issues in the con-goers mind, higher chance of people returning to the con. I can feel Fanime can be more awesome with the new part of the convention center opening up next year and expanding to be an even greater con, but I feel like Reg is holding the con back in becoming better.

I know this is not an overnight process, but please make the improvement of the registration process the highest priority for next year. Fan relations should be #1 and Fanime has to reassure everyone again that they'll have a fun time, not play the waiting game. I love this con too much to see registration suffering and con-goers not coming back next year because of this.

Everything else about the con is great, despite construction. Hopefully reg gets fixed next year, cause I believe in the Fanime staff that they won't disappoint us next year. :D
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: princesskitty18 on May 28, 2013, 10:13:03 AM
I will also add onto what Alfred posted.

i was one of the staff at the door for a period of time at the very beginning when people were JUST starting to come in (between 7pm-8pm)

- in relation to the difference between ballroom heels and regular heels, i do personally understand the difference. i know that 'ballroom shoes' were on the allowed list, but any heel with a circumference less than a nickel was not allowed as they are considered stiletto 'heels'. they're not stilettos per-say but they are still stiletto heels

- we try and post the dress-code wherever possible. be it facebook, the forums, on signs outside parkside hall, on the actual website and within the big program guide. if you know of anywhere else that we could post signs, please let us know. we want to make our event as fun as possible for everyone and that can only happen if ppl know how to properly dress for it

- for the stormtrooper thing, i am so sorry. i personally wasn't at the door and i dont think i actually saw the stormtrooper but that would have definitely not been allowed. for next year, if someone sees something like that, please let a staff or a rover know and we can handle it accordingly

- in regards to the 'some girls had mid-thigh length dresses', please believe that i actually did go up to many ladies inside the ball and ask them to either lower their skirts/dresses/whatever or they would have to leave. the communication between staffers and rovers have gotten A LOT better for this year, but obviously there is still some miscommunication. i apologize for that

any other comments, you can PM me or any of the other staffers or u can leave comments in here.
thank you for your patience and time.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: lonemeditater on May 28, 2013, 10:17:35 AM
Quote from: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 10:02:07 AM
I know Fanime is a volunteer on-basis position and it takes up your own personal time, but with power comes big responsibilities and it's extremely unacceptable to run registration for a convention like this.

Translation: I know that a lot of people put their personal time and energy into running the convention, but that doesn't really matter...


Quote from: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 10:02:07 AM

Please spend whatever you guys need to improve the wait time and lines. Have a analyst or whatever carefully take a look at your process (cause there's some extreme bottleneck somewhere).

Spend whatever is needed? If you're talking about improvement, the implication is to spend as much as it takes to ensure that the convention is the best it is every going to be. Since there is always room for improvement that amount could essentially divulge to infinity.

Quote from: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 10:02:07 AM
Fan relations should be #1

What exactly do you think is #1?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Okach on May 28, 2013, 10:43:48 AM
As for Toms and VANS, both brands are used by swing dancers.  Both do not mark the floor and both have lineups that fulfill the heel requirement.  That's the reason for inclusion.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 11:14:18 AM
Quote from: lonemeditater on May 28, 2013, 10:17:35 AM

Translation: I know that a lot of people put their personal time and energy into running the convention, but that doesn't really matter...

Please don't put words in other people's mouths, but interpret it as you will as it is your mind. Everyone who has staffed this year is great. I care for all the staffers for their time and efforts, but if you're going to run a convention, please don't run it at the expense of ~15-20,000 people staying in line for half of the day and missing out on some of the fun events. That's neglecting con-goers time to actually spend their days at Fanime.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: hikanteki on May 28, 2013, 11:39:38 AM
Quote from: lonemeditater on May 28, 2013, 10:17:35 AM
Quote from: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 10:02:07 AM
I know Fanime is a volunteer on-basis position and it takes up your own personal time, but with power comes big responsibilities and it's extremely unacceptable to run registration for a convention like this.

Translation: I know that a lot of people put their personal time and energy into running the convention, but that doesn't really matter...

I'm normally not one who says that one bad episode can negate a lot of other good ones; however, here's the deal: this is registration, the point of entry, the initial contact for the con.  If people have to wait too long and end up getting fed up and leaving and not registering, then sadly they're not going to see anything else and thus won't see the hard work, time, and energy put into running the rest of the convention.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: nemuneko on May 28, 2013, 11:47:46 AM
Quote from: Firefury Amahira on May 27, 2013, 05:53:27 PM
-Seemed a bad move scheduling the Poke-scandalous panel back-to-back with LittleKuriboh's panel; both were traffic-blockingly huge and I think staff was just overwhelmed trying to manage exiting the crowd from one and keeping the line in that hallway in something vaguely resembling order. When a line gets that massive, it would probably be easier to send the excess to some sort of waiting position out of that hallway. Maybe once the construction is finished in the convention center, managing line overflow for panels could perhaps extend to the bottom floor of the convention center or something. Trying to keep the entirety of a line that huge in that hallway just is not working out, resulting in blocked hallways. Another possible solution is setting the panel rooms (especially the big room) with one door as the entrance and another the exit. That floor is set up in a loop, making it a one-way traffic flow might help ease congestion when one of the really enormous panels is lining up.

Totally agree with this. We wanted to go to both the Poke-scandalous! panel and Little Kuriboh's panel, but the lines were horrendous. The entire hallway was literally crammed full of people and we couldn't figure out where the line started and ended. The line for Little Kuriboh's panel was already forming 15 minutes or so before the Poke-scandalous! panel even started. We had to just give up and leave. Very bad move scheduling those two very popular panels back to back. I really wanted to see them both, but it was just too crowded

For the artist alley, while I really liked the larger building this time, the lighting was horrible. It was dark and it made it hard to see a lot of the artwork. We talked to several artists and they were complaining about how dark it was inside. Not very good lighting at all for displaying artwork. I hope they move it back to the convention center just because of that or at least adjust the lighting somehow to make it brighter in there. Other than that, I appreciated the larger, less cramped space. It was a lot easier to move around than in previous years.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 28, 2013, 11:56:44 AM
I found the artist alley weird. They should have used that space for previous years
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: chifunii on May 28, 2013, 12:25:05 PM
Quote from: Okach on May 28, 2013, 09:26:16 AM
Second of all, dress code distribution.  Apparently, some folks did not know that there was a dress code despite it being posted on Facebook, here in the forums, in the program guide, and in Parkside.  If any of you have any suggestions as to how to get the word out, please respond here or in the official FanimeCon feedback thread or email [email protected] 

First and foremost, while I didn't attend the B&W Ball, thank you (and princesskitty) very much for all the hard work you put in year after year. Many people I know attend Fanime solely to attend the ball, so definitely, thanks! *U*

As for getting the word out on dress code:
I think many people used the Fanime twitter and/or app a lot more this year, so I think it'd be helpful for the Twitter reminders, for example, to mention the dress code in addition to the time/place of the ball. :)

Additionally, while this isn't as helpful now that con has ended, it would've been a good idea to ask the people who didn't know about the dress code on the spot about where they found out about the ball. That way it's easier to pinpoint where they're getting their information, and where dress code reminders might be lacking.

Just my two cents, but I hope this can help you guys out for next year :D
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: chifunii on May 28, 2013, 12:33:24 PM
Renting the convention center and the furniture needed (tables, chairs, etc.) costs a looot.
While it costs the artists/vendors money to rent a table/booth, Fanime doesn't get anything from the exposure the artists get, or the profit the vendors make. Plus, AA and DH are arguably two of the greater reasons people buy badges. You can get art from your favorite artists who might otherwise not sell their stuff, or only sell online. The selection and sheer amount of stuff in DH is very much a one-stop shop for goods. It just doesn't make sense to me to charge less for one of the main exhibits/events of an anime convention.

Personally, I think it's great they had Thursday badge-free, like a sample day, for people to, as you said, "sample the con atmosphere and see if they want to come back".
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: hikanteki on May 28, 2013, 12:40:17 PM
Quote from: chifunii on May 28, 2013, 12:33:24 PM
Renting the convention center and the furniture needed (tables, chairs, etc.) costs a looot.
While it costs the artists/vendors money to rent a table/booth, Fanime doesn't get anything from the exposure the artists get, or the profit the vendors make. Plus, AA and DH are arguably two of the greater reasons people buy badges. You can get art from your favorite artists who might otherwise not sell their stuff, or only sell online. The selection and sheer amount of stuff in DH is very much a one-stop shop for goods. It just doesn't make sense to me to charge less for one of the main exhibits/events of an anime convention.

Yes, I agree.  While at first it may seem kind of crass to have to buy a badge in order to go somewhere where you can spend more money...the dealer's room is a spectacle unto itself, and I find a lot of things for better prices there than online, or things that I just can't find online. 
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: sysadmin on May 28, 2013, 12:50:07 PM
Quote from: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 05:12:45 PM
When you come to the table

A table?  That's awesome.

I didn't know you got to set the table and determine what things were allowed and not allowed.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 28, 2013, 01:29:17 PM
I guess I attracted a bad person ? lol I was just sharing my likes and dislikes, I could care less ill just deal with it untill next time but dont call homestuck an anime please
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: sysadmin on May 28, 2013, 01:38:42 PM
Quote from: spycker on May 28, 2013, 01:29:17 PM
I guess I attracted a bad person ? lol I was just sharing my likes and dislikes, I could care less ill just deal with it untill next time but dont call homestuck an anime please

Nah, man, you're cool, and you raise reasonable points.

For other people in the thread, like Yuu- chan, remember there's a forum rule called "Don't be hating"
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 28, 2013, 01:55:14 PM
I'm a bad person overall because I don't like something? That's a bit of A stretch do t you think?

I don't actually think they should banned from the con.  No group should be flat out banned. I said that out of frustration because I took the time to post an explanation  as to whypeople are upset with homestuck ( because she asked)and was met with hostility by someone who who would refused to address a single thing I said a d then it degraded into personal
insults.

Okay let's not discuss.Im a bad person and groups of  unrelated cosplayers can continue to grow. That is a brilliant solution that will surely remove the possibility of any future tension between all groups.

I'm a little confusedI'm not hating. I'm not the who made personal insults
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SOawesomeness on May 28, 2013, 01:56:05 PM
Quote from: lonemeditater on May 28, 2013, 10:17:35 AM

Translation: I know that a lot of people put their personal time and energy into running the convention, but that doesn't really matter...
I'm sorry if you feel that way. I personally know that many registration staff did not sleep Thursday-Friday night because we had closed at 4am (after the line died down and we were cleaning) to setting up opening at 7am. Many of our staff on Friday were running on less than 3 hours of sleep. I personally could not walk on Friday because I had been standing all day on Thursday. Most Registration volunteers/staff work are incredibly dedicated and loyal. No matter what, they will work as hard as they can until the last person walks through those final doors and is registered.

I personally read all feedback concerning Registration and at this moment, I am planning some proposals for next year. If you have any ideas that are new, constructive, and unique, I'd love to hear it. Please e-mail me at registration AT fanime DOT com or leave feedback on this forum (as it will be read).
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: sysadmin on May 28, 2013, 02:04:38 PM
Did you have a point you were trying to make?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 28, 2013, 02:16:53 PM
People are annoyed by homestu Homestuck are mad that poee are annoyed by them. Why don't we try to come up with a way to make both sides happy. That is my point.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Avairrianna on May 28, 2013, 02:21:30 PM
I thought having the gathering in the park was a great solution to the whole issue so that 500 Homestucks weren't disrupting the flow of the con (besides where are we gonna fit them this year?)

As someone who was asked BY Cosplay Staff to help moderate that gathering I must say that I was shocked at how well the whole gathering was and how good everyone was behaving.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: sysadmin on May 28, 2013, 02:27:35 PM
Quote from: Yuu- pon on May 28, 2013, 02:16:53 PM
People are annoyed by homestu Homestuck are mad that poee are annoyed by them. Why don't we try to come up with a way to make both sides happy. That is my point.

I'm in too feisty a mood to say what I really think about this idea.

Instead, I'll just say, let this go.  Find some other thread to comment in.

Admin edit: everyone can continue this discussion if they wish; just not Yuu- pon.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on May 28, 2013, 02:35:47 PM
i'm hoping once construction on the sjcc is completed, we can have the bus pick up right in front of the sjcc again like we had in 2012..

dunno why they switched to the smaller shuttles.. maybe due to cost is my guess.. lack of signage this year to where the shuttles exactly picked up caused a little bit of confusion as well.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 28, 2013, 03:05:38 PM
I am genuinely interested what the reason this year was for not having the charter busses like last year...it really caused a lot of trouble in getting fans back and forth. My group wound up taking light rail since it conveniently stops right in front of our hotel. But on friday, we ran into a situation where we waited for our bus to holiday inn, the shuttle before us going to double tree filled up like a clown car, all seats filled and people standing to cram in. When our holiday inn shuttle stopped at fairmont to pick up more holiday inn guests, all the double tree guests begged to get on since the shuttle had already been full as it drove by. Bless the driver, he was such a sweetheart, he took all of the double tree guests since there were only 7 of us going to holiday, and he took them all to double tree first before dropping us off.

I'd actually heard a little bit about the shuttles not knowing where to go, but I thought that was just fans not knowing san jose. I live here so I know it can be somewhat confusing. Seeing the map there, that's way too much lol. Dunno what happened there.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: le_momo on May 28, 2013, 03:07:09 PM
First off, thank you to everyone who is giving us constructive feedback. We were taking notes since Day 0 of con as to how we can improve our event as well as our department for next year.

I will try to address individual comments as they come and will try to keep things as in-context as possible, but if you have any questions about anything that has been said by my staffers or myself, please email us at [email protected] or PM me here to discuss it privately.


Quote from: MinionJay on May 27, 2013, 12:03:17 AM
People who bought official dancing were turned away for not buying brand name dancing shoes.
Heels specifically, no matter their brand name or whether they were true dancing shoes or not, were turned away for exceeding the height restriction or not meeting the width requirement in the dress code. This, unfortunately, is due to the safety of individuals as well as protecting the dance floor we rent - Okach explained this in his post quite thoroughly. Attendees who decided to change their shoes to types that were not allowed in the dress code after being permitted inside were politely asked to change their footwear back to the compliant shoes and those who refused to comply were unfortunately asked to leave. Please keep in mind that, like many other convention as well as dance events, the Black & White Ball has its own individual guidelines that need to be followed. For us, it's the dress code.


Quote from: MinionJay on May 27, 2013, 12:03:17 AM
If you allow some heel's in, let them all in because you can't tell the difference between Waltz, Salsa or Tango shoes, that much is obvious. Train your people to see dancing shoes or next year, say flats all around.
If you would like, I can send you a picture of my multiple Salsa, Ballroom, Tango, Swing, and dance shoes of varying styles (jazz, modern, ballet) to help you understand that we do, in fact, know our shoes. Our staff is comprised of people who are students learning or fully involved in dance, hobbyists, dance instructors, and competitive dancers who have a wide variety of experience in dance in and outside the social/partner dancing circle. The shoe rules were relaxed a little bit this year to include Toms/VANS due to their heavy use by swing dancers, but we could not do much about the heel rules since safety of everyone attending the Ball was the biggest priority.


Quote from: Yuu- pon on May 27, 2013, 09:03:15 AM
Then I remembered the stormtrooper who was in the ball, that, in my opinion negates e ery argument that staff could have possibly made.

Yes, he was black and white- a condition which doesnt actually seem to matter, not that Im complaining it would be ridiculous to turn away amazing ballroom attire because it has some color- and yes his shoes were okay. But are we not forgetting the most important part of the dance? It is a black and white BALL for which you are supposed to DRESS UP.

Im very disappointed that the staff would let in someone who could not even bother to change his highly  costume, and turn down those who planned far in advance. I take that back, Im disappointed that staff would turn down ANYONE after letting that storm trooper in.
Quote from: MinionJay on May 27, 2013, 12:10:38 PM
Very true. I saw many people in much less formal wear than the two friends I mentioned were wearing absolutely stunning ballgowns. One was wearing this: http://www.cosplayfantasy.com/images/sakuraflamekimono.jpg and the other was wearing another beautiful dress that I do not know the style of.

The only reason they came here was to enjoy the Black and White Ball, and they were turned away while a Storm trooper was let in? One of them spent hours upon hours painting the dress for this event alone, and she's been really upset ever since. We all have those 'big cosplay' events we go to, hers was Black and White Ball. I really can't believe they let a Stormtrooper, along with many others in, while turning away some people. Pick and choose much?
Quote from: PinkHairSasuke on May 27, 2013, 11:21:15 PM
Glad to see I'm not the only one who questioned why the Storm Trooper was allowed in yet others with very beautiful and classy attire were turned away due to a mere quarter of an inch or something ridiculous like that. Maybe I should pull together a sick Darth Vader costume like the Storm Trooper and go to the BW Ball, no reason why I shouldn't get in, right?  ??? I hope you sense the sarcasm in that last line.

I apologize for your friends' experience, MinionJay, as well as the storm trooper issue. The costume that had been linked would have been approved in the dress code, so the only thing I can think of that may have caused them to be turned away at the door could be their shoes since I am unaware of what they were.

I have been made aware of a large majority of issues relating to the inconsistency of the dress code enforcement at the door and we have already started setting up a new system for checking the dress code for next year. Okach had mentioned one of our issues with this and I am making sure that these kinds of inconsistencies will not be occurring in the future. If you have any specific ideas as to how to improve the dress code process, please email me at [email protected] so we can discuss them in detail.

The skirt-length issue has been a consistent dilemma for our staff over the years. In previous years, we've had a two-inch-above-the-knee rule as well as several others, but it seems from my point of view to have a never-ending backlash over whatever we decide for in the dress code. This year, the dress code clearly states "skirts that do not go higher than the top of the knee cap at its highest point (including slits and asymmetrical hems)." If it's a half inch above the knee, it's higher than the top of the knee cap and, unfortunately, against the dress code. I really do not want to have to enforce a mid-calf-or-lower skirt rule as that cuts out a lot of shorter, formal dresses, but if it will help get the point across that we are trying our best to be a formal event, we may actually have to keep that idea in mind (I'm joking, I promise ;))

The new system we are already starting to work on will not allow any of these inconsistencies to happen in the future.


Quote from: black7hearts on May 28, 2013, 12:48:15 AM
I was denied since my heels were too thin and I had a red Chinese dress on. So I had to change into some ugly boots just to get in. The people behind me were denied as well because her heels were too thin but they were dance shoes. We had a conversation about how she was wearing a corset and she was dressed in a lovely long black dress with a slit to the side (very beautiful, wish I got a picture) and in the end, she got denied which was a waste of time of standing in line. My sister had a dress that was apparently "too short", which was barely above her knees and when I got in, I saw girls who had dress that where mid-thigh high. There were also girls who had way thinner heels than myself or the woman behind me had on. It's probably safe to say that I won't be attending the ball next year if there is no consistency to the rules. The first and last Black and White Ball I will see.
I sincerely apologize for your experience. As it has already been stated, shoes in general became a large issue this year due to the lack of understanding the width requirement of the heels. If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve our door system or any other places we should post our dress code to make it more accessible to everyone, feel free to email us at [email protected]. The inconsistency of this year's Ball will not be happening in the future.


Quote from: chifunii on May 28, 2013, 12:25:05 PM
First and foremost, while I didn't attend the B&W Ball, thank you (and princesskitty) very much for all the hard work you put in year after year. Many people I know attend Fanime solely to attend the ball, so definitely, thanks! *U*

As for getting the word out on dress code:
I think many people used the Fanime twitter and/or app a lot more this year, so I think it'd be helpful for the Twitter reminders, for example, to mention the dress code in addition to the time/place of the ball. :)

Additionally, while this isn't as helpful now that con has ended, it would've been a good idea to ask the people who didn't know about the dress code on the spot about where they found out about the ball. That way it's easier to pinpoint where they're getting their information, and where dress code reminders might be lacking.

Just my two cents, but I hope this can help you guys out for next year :D
Thank you! I'm glad to hear that. :)
We did have a daily Twitter reminder of either the Black & White Ball itself or to check out the dress code, but we will definitely try to make those happen more often in the future.

We ended up posting an extra lesson schedule sign at the info desk by Stage Zero. Do you think we should have the dress code posted up at some of the info desks as well? If you could think of any other areas where more information should be posted, please let me know - it would be very helpful for us!



Now that I have caught up on everyone's feedback, we will try to keep up with what everyone has to say. Our department takes every critique in mind as we prepare for future years, so any positive or constructive feedback is definitely welcome so we know what we did right and what we can improve for the future.

Thank you.
- Rebecca
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on May 28, 2013, 03:15:53 PM
I haven't visited Clockwork, but since it's only at 1 hotel, can Clockwork move to the same area as Fanime? There are more hotels apart from the convention center hotels that can be used (or even the SJSU campus).
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on May 28, 2013, 03:21:41 PM
the Doubletree hotel is a great place for a convention that is currently the size of what CA is.. so I dunno what they will be planning on for future years..

just saying.. the Doubletree is really nice for what it is, and I can't see any other hotel in the area with the capabilities or having a better fit. who knows what the expansion of the SJCC will lead to though...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SOawesomeness on May 28, 2013, 04:07:25 PM
Just something I thought really funny. I was wearing a strapless dress that was almost too short for your dress code (but I'm pretty short and I passed the bend test) but before I did the test, the staffer asked me "Is there any way to pull down your dress to make it longer?"

.__________. I mean, I could have, but you'd be seeing a lot more top than bottom at that point and that'd probably be the least of your concerns then...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: princesskitty18 on May 28, 2013, 04:16:09 PM
Quote from: SOawesomeness on May 28, 2013, 04:07:25 PM
Just something I thought really funny. I was wearing a strapless dress that was almost too short for your dress code (but I'm pretty short and I passed the bend test) but before I did the test, the staffer asked me "Is there any way to pull down your dress to make it longer?"

.__________. I mean, I could have, but you'd be seeing a lot more top than bottom at that point and that'd probably be the least of your concerns then...
LOL
ur completely right about the whole 'seeing more of top than bottom' thing. i was one of the staffers early on (maybe u talked to me? lol) that was asking ladies to see if they could just keep the bottom skirt length as long as possible, meaning pulling it down. but thankfully most of the ladies that i asked that of had straps or sleeves of some type

i personally did that the whole 'try and pull ur skirt down' thing to allow some leeway if the skirts were JUST at the top of the kneecap but because of the tulle/frill/whatever that really itchy material is, it looked a bit shorter so i personally allowed that to slide.
however any lady whos skirt/dress CLEARLY was above the kneecap i unfortunately told them that they wouldn't be allowed in :(
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Abyss1 on May 28, 2013, 05:54:01 PM
Cons:
There was absolutely no line at the double tree.. got my badge in 10 minuted. I wish the Con did a better job announcing the two locations tho, i did stand in the long line for 30min and it barely moved...weak. >:(
No friends to hang with this year...was the lonliest con I've had in 13 years

Pros:
Evangelion 3.33
Ruroni Kenshin Live action movie
Some funny ass- AMV's and Parody films
Massively packed Rave on all nights kids are learning to rave properly now thanks to Skrillex ;)
I got leftover food at 3am when the caterers left 8)
Bought a sick looking Katana for $150
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: irawratyou on May 28, 2013, 06:08:47 PM
Quote from: SOawesomeness on May 28, 2013, 01:56:05 PM
Quote from: lonemeditater on May 28, 2013, 10:17:35 AM

Translation: I know that a lot of people put their personal time and energy into running the convention, but that doesn't really matter...
I'm sorry if you feel that way. I personally know that many registration staff did not sleep Thursday-Friday night because we had closed at 4am (after the line died down and we were cleaning) to setting up opening at 7am. Many of our staff on Friday were running on less than 3 hours of sleep. I personally could not walk on Friday because I had been standing all day on Thursday. Most Registration volunteers/staff work are incredibly dedicated and loyal. No matter what, they will work as hard as they can until the last person walks through those final doors and is registered.

I personally read all feedback concerning Registration and at this moment, I am planning some proposals for next year. If you have any ideas that are new, constructive, and unique, I'd love to hear it. Please e-mail me at registration AT fanime DOT com or leave feedback on this forum (as it will be read).

I would kindly ask you not to heed this person's interpretation of my thoughts. No doubt in my mind that the registration staff year-in and year-out works hard with all their might during the con days with the process and procedures they've been given, which is NOT their fault for the long delays in wait. I thank registration staff for working their butts off and getting everyone into the convention asap.

It feels like the cause of the delays are within the planning phases (which would primarily be decisions most likely made by the higher-ups), with delays to pre-reg online and some other things we don't have insight on. If the planning and preparation to the con sucks, doesn't matter if your staff works 110% if the process isn't up to it's maximum capabilities and bottlenecks during the con somewhere.  But I really appreciate you responding back here and that you are proactive in making changes to the registration line and having everyone wait less.

Some Suggestions I have in mind:
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: VicksMagnolia on May 28, 2013, 07:48:50 PM
I maintain that despite the many hiccups Fanime had this year, it's still the people that make it what it amazing, and in that respect it was just as magical this year. The construction sucked, but at least we'll have a cool new addition to the convention center to play with next year.
But still, my sympathies go out to all those who had trouble with the registration lines and Black and White Ball trouble, that kind of stuff can really put a damper on the con and I consider myself extraordinarily lucky I found out about the Double Tree registration.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 28, 2013, 07:50:46 PM
Well, I just think the registration should be setup like very early in the morning, I leave Oakland around 5:30 or 6 in the morning to get a good parking spot and a good spot in line and I think the pre registration people should get their own section of a room to pick up their badges. As for homestuck, dont get it confused as Anime, just like people cosplay anything but when it comes down to actual anime, people confuse different cosplays for being anime
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lil_Lost_Lenore on May 28, 2013, 07:55:43 PM
I had fun just wish the con was all in one spot driving from con center to double tree was kinda a pain.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: amre1204 on May 28, 2013, 08:07:23 PM
(For some reason my post isn't showing up)

Long post, my apologies.

I already submitted my feedback on the google link earlier, but decided to post my experience here as well. Overall, this Fanime felt very disorganized than in previous years. While I was already expecting a long line based on last year's "server is down / crashed" incident, I was not expecting the constant snaking outdoors and then again indoors, especially for Pre-Reg. The line didn't bother me too much, but the snaking did. It felt really unnecessary, and it felt like it added time to waiting for a badge rather than helping it. The con was fun for a while, but I do agree with many of you there was a bit too much Homestuck for my taste. It seemed like for every other cosplayer or con-goer, there was a hoard of Homestuck. But that is ultimately a fan decision and not my concern about why I was disappointed with Fanime this year.

My worst con experience happened on Sunday. I was in Artist's Alley dressed in lolita looking for water (believe me I was dehydrated). I finally found the water area, only to discover it was empty. So, I head on over to the Rover table that just happened to be across from it and asked if there would be any more water. The rover glares at me like I asked a stupid question and shrugs. Then I asked if there was anyone he could call to get more water. He proceeds to open the fridge, pull out a cold water bottle, drinks it, and tells me it's "my problem". Excuse me? I understand there may be some asshole people at the con treating you like an idiot, but for someone asking politely about water only to be given attitude? That is very rude. Extremely. Rude.

Later that evening, I dressed up a bit more with one of my friends and ventured over to Black and White Ball. It was my friend's first Fanime, and she was looking forward to the Ball. Supposedly, new rules were added to the rules already established, and we were not notified until we were AT THE DOOR. We get to the door, and they stop my friend, claiming her heels were too short. As she explained to the rover that she had been wearing these shoes for moths and that these were her only pair, the Rover just gives her attitude and claims that heels like hers "have been driven through people's legs before in years past".

Excuse me? Were people DRUNK in previous years? Who STABS heels through legs? What kind of dancing is that?

I managed to get past the first checkpoint but at the second, I was given both attitude, disrespect, and rude comments. First, the guy was giving me flack about my shoes. I was wearing a pair of Mary Jane shoes with no heel and calmly explained to the guy I cannot wear heels due to problems with my feet. I was given more attitude and flack about shoes then moved to the girl rover who preceded to tell me my dress was too short. My dress was directly at my knee, no higher than that, and I was wearing a petticoat beneath it. I pulled my dress down and showed that it was longer than it seemed, but the petticoat was giving it a more rounded shape. I was given attitude and flack once more. That's when I decided that it wasn't even WORTH the effort to attempt to enjoy the ball, let alone go.

Found out later that night, shoes skinnier and taller than my friend's heels and dresses that were shorter than mine were allowed into the ball. Also, the demos were given by people in short shorts and stiletto like heels. So demos are allowed to not follow dress code? Who let the shorter ones in? Seriously?

Also found out later that the leg stabbing thing was a lie - they were concerned about the floors getting scraped. Why not tell us this in the first place, instead of lying straight to our faces??

If this is supposed to be a con "by fans, for fans" I don't think the attitudes, lies, and overall disorganized scramble is necessary. And that is my two cents.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Xanreo on May 28, 2013, 08:31:53 PM
The Con was very disorganized this year and I'm not sure why; I'm sure the current construction couldn't have scrambled the way FanimeCon handled situations in the past.

I aired out all my grievances with the many Staffers I bumped into and 2/3rds of the time I got the same answer: we're trying something new.
Ok, acceptable. Nevertheless I'm never going to try and pick up my badge on Thursday or Friday ever again.
Glad all the Staffers I ran into were polite and helpful, though.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 09:07:20 PM
Quote from: spycker on May 28, 2013, 07:50:46 PM
Well, I just think the registration should be setup like very early in the morning
Most of the prereg staff(who are all non-paid) I'm pretty sure would rather have a little more time than that to wake up... That's just me though- I'm personally not a morning person.
Quote from: spycker on May 28, 2013, 07:50:46 PM
I think the pre registration people should get their own section of a room to pick up their badges.
Last time I checked, prereg people were put into a different line than at-con registerees...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: le_momo on May 28, 2013, 09:08:52 PM
Quote from: amre1204 on May 28, 2013, 08:07:23 PM
Later that evening, I dressed up a bit more with one of my friends and ventured over to Black and White Ball. It was my friend's first Fanime, and she was looking forward to the Ball. Supposedly, new rules were added to the rules already established, and we were not notified until we were AT THE DOOR. We get to the door, and they stop my friend, claiming her heels were too short. As she explained to the rover that she had been wearing these shoes for moths and that these were her only pair, the Rover just gives her attitude and claims that heels like hers "have been driven through people's legs before in years past".

Excuse me? Were people DRUNK in previous years? Who STABS heels through legs? What kind of dancing is that?

I managed to get past the first checkpoint but at the second, I was given both attitude, disrespect, and rude comments. First, the guy was giving me flack about my shoes. I was wearing a pair of Mary Jane shoes with no heel and calmly explained to the guy I cannot wear heels due to problems with my feet. I was given more attitude and flack about shoes then moved to the girl rover who preceded to tell me my dress was too short. My dress was directly at my knee, no higher than that, and I was wearing a petticoat beneath it. I pulled my dress down and showed that it was longer than it seemed, but the petticoat was giving it a more rounded shape. I was given attitude and flack once more. That's when I decided that it wasn't even WORTH the effort to attempt to enjoy the ball, let alone go.

Found out later that night, shoes skinnier and taller than my friend's heels and dresses that were shorter than mine were allowed into the ball. Also, the demos were given by people in short shorts and stiletto like heels. So demos are allowed to not follow dress code? Who let the shorter ones in? Seriously?

Also found out later that the leg stabbing thing was a lie - they were concerned about the floors getting scraped. Why not tell us this in the first place, instead of lying straight to our faces??

If this is supposed to be a con "by fans, for fans" I don't think the attitudes, lies, and overall disorganized scramble is necessary. And that is my two cents.

I want to sincerely apologize to you. There was no changes in the dress code relating to heels this year, but we were trying to enforce it more than the previous year. I don't think that your friend was turned away for shorter heels, though - the heel tips most likely were too narrow, as was the largest issue relating to heels.

The so-called "leg stabbing thing" being a lie is, in fact, not a lie. Even with the heel width requirements, one of my staffers was injured during the night due to a heel that complied with the dress code scraping her already very injured ankle. I have photo documentation of her injury, but there are better examples out there relating to the safety in the partner dancing world. If you would like, I could PM you a slightly graphic example of said injuries. Personally, I have witnessed someone getting the front of their ankle stepped on with a stiletto by accident when dancing, leading to their ankle getting slashed and their tendon severed. I could also give you specific details on said event but to put it simply, the injured person still can't properly walk anymore, let alone dance safely. These types of injuries are not unheard of - I have a feeling most (if not all) of my staffers have some sort of scarring around their ankles/feet relating to similar events, myself included.

The next priority after that was the safety of the floor. I don't think attendees realize that the floor we rent was a custom-made size just for the size of our event. I'm quoting one of my staffers from a separate thread just to make this more clear, as he is our vendor liaison:
Quote from: Okach on May 28, 2013, 09:26:16 AM
Our contract with the floor vendor stipulates that any damage over and above normal wear and tear is FanimeCon's responsibility.  This translates to "FanimeCon pays for it."  The floor vendor commented to us that the conventions that he has the most issues of additional damage with are salsa conventions, mainly due to the use of long, thin heels on a lot of people dancing for many hours. 
After much discussion over the years (and much hair pulling) the four inch heel/diameter of a nickel was decided upon as a compromise between fashion and potential cost (injury/floor).

We had a few situations in which the dress code was highly inconsistent (One of the people at the door decided to wave in a bunch of noncompliant folks through for an unspecified period of time.. they are no longer going to be involved with our department) This will not be happening again. We are already working on a better process to enforce the dress code at the door. If you have any suggestions, please email us at [email protected] or PM me here so we can see what can be done.

However, even with enforcement at the door, many attendees still chose to switch to their non-compliant shoes during the evening. These people were asked to leave, unfortunately, but the damage had been done, so to speak.

Again, I want to sincerely apologize to you for the experience you had. We are doing our best to make sure all of the issues relating to the dress code that occurred this year will not be happening again.

- Rebecca
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 09:11:44 PM
There's already alot of variants in badges... adding more(Ex: artistalleyonly-attendee) just further complicates things.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 09:17:11 PM
Quote from: tazo on May 27, 2013, 10:25:09 PM
Yeah the Clockwork Alchemy badge pickup wasn't even relayed to us until we were about 3 hours into the line. It was right under our hotel too. I'm more than a little furious we didnt hear about that sooner. :T
From my understanding, Clockwork wasn't prepared for huge lines of people to pickup their badges.        It was better the way it was this year because people would have suffered at both areas due to networking and communication issues.        It simply could not have been done.

Though at the closing cermonies, people got to ask questions and give inquiries to the chairmen about how to improve Fanimecon. This was one such topic.

Hopefully Clockwork will be setup to take on more people next year so this could be a better option? Who knows? Fanimecon could always use more volunteers to help make things run smoother... like for registration...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Wabbit98 on May 28, 2013, 09:45:08 PM
Quote from: Okach on May 28, 2013, 09:26:16 AM
 

After much discussion over the years (and much hair pulling) the four inch heel/diameter of a nickel was decided upon as a compromise between fashion and potential cost (injury/floor).

That is an understatement.  More like very public, heated discussions.  One time between me and the old department head after meetings about this.

Since I have been around for a little while longer I will provide some prospective on this issue.  It is an issue that will make some people unhappy.  Not everyone is going to like it.  We have always had rules about the size and length of heels.  And we say it is about the floor and it is.  But it is more than just that as well.  It is about the safety of you and those around you.  Because in the end when you are at the Convention we want you to be safe and those around you safe as well.  That is why we are also a dry con. 

Are there rules?  Yes.  Does everyone like them?  No.  But they exist for a reason and the code of conduct for attendees.

Will the rules ever be perfect?  Will people still complain and then claim they heard, saw or know someone who got in that was against the rules?  The answer to those questions is the following : No and Yes.

In terms of drunks.  This happens every year, seems to be about the same percentages.  We try to keep it under control.  Several people were asked to leave because they were intoxicated.  Some are more visible than others.

We know many young people come to this convention, and are often away from home and from the normal rules they are use to following everyday.  But when they come to Fanime their will be rules, just rules to keep a crowd of 30,000 people a bit under control and civilized.  But then again not everyone like the rules.

If you think you have some good ideas you can either send an anonymous email to [email protected].   Also as a staff member of the Ball, and a long time one, I will also take PM on this forum and they will remain anonymous as well.  And I will respond to each one.

Yours,
Kevin
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: spycker on May 28, 2013, 10:21:06 PM
I mean like in different rooms hehe, like ballroom for " at con " and imperial room for " pre-reg " people..:D
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 10:34:39 PM
Quote from: spycker on May 28, 2013, 10:21:06 PM
I mean like in different rooms hehe, like ballroom for " at con " and imperial room for " pre-reg " people.. :D
From what I understood, Fairmont was taking rooms away....      One idea brought up at the Closing Ceremony(which attendees were encouraged to go to), was to have the location of this year's AA- as next year's registration since it was so spacious and long...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 10:47:00 PM
Quote from: Zabi on May 27, 2013, 05:48:17 PM
In order to go faster, you need more booths for pre-reg and reg.
From what I understood(I might be wrong), there wasn't enough Registration staff.
Quote from: Zabi on May 27, 2013, 05:48:17 PM
for at-con reg they should hand out the reg papers while in line so they only have to hand it once up there.
This is a great idea... I didnt hear anyone mention this at the Closing Cermony :P
Quote from: Zabi on May 27, 2013, 05:48:17 PM
Like come on, waiting in line for 4-6 hours in line and missing almost a whole day at con
Last time I checked the con was 24hrs... 24/6= 4.... so 1/4 the day=4/5 the day????      Yeah, the long wait is horrendous- but considering the unique circumstances like having relocate where badge pickup was going to be as well as other factors- this wasn't as bad as it could have been.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 28, 2013, 11:10:32 PM
Quote from: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 10:34:39 PM
Quote from: spycker on May 28, 2013, 10:21:06 PM
I mean like in different rooms hehe, like ballroom for " at con " and imperial room for " pre-reg " people.. :D
From what I understood, Fairmont was taking rooms away....      One idea brought up at the Closing Ceremony(which attendees were encouraged to go to), was to have the location of this year's AA- as next year's registration since it was so spacious and long...

^I like that idea.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Gigantor on May 28, 2013, 11:14:42 PM
Quote
Quote from: Zabi on May 27, 2013, 05:48:17 PM
Like come on, waiting in line for 4-6 hours in line and missing almost a whole day at con
Last time I checked the con was 24hrs... 24/6= 4.... so 1/4 the day=4/5 the day????      Yeah, the long wait is horrendous- but considering the unique circumstances like having relocate where badge pickup was going to be as well as other factors- this wasn't as bad as it could have been.

I think it depends on what you define as a day at con. In the case of dealer's hall and artist alley, they have limited hours. If you need to spend around 4-6 hours in line that is a significant portion of time spent. Around the half the amount of time that they are open on average.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Dany on May 28, 2013, 11:40:22 PM
[quote author=Lucifargundam link=topic
From my understanding, Clockwork wasn't prepared for huge lines of people to pickup their badges.        It was better the way it was this year because people would have suffered at both areas due to networking and communication issues.
[/quote]

My understanding was that CA had two people manning registration only. There would have been no way to handle a sudden influx of people there if it were to have happened unless it was maybe a few hundred people or so. Also, I think you had to choose your location when you registered and I cannot remember if and when there was a cutoff to change locations.

...which brings me to the fact that Clockwork is going to need more manpower next year.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: amused_ on May 28, 2013, 11:46:54 PM
While I "chose" the fanime location and my email told me to go to the fairmont to pick it up, the registration at Doubletree still printed my badge out.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Saki Usagishi on May 28, 2013, 11:53:10 PM
I'm kind of in awe about how many people are upset by this year. I thought this year was waaaaaaaaay better than last year.
However, there were things I am disappointed about.
Line Con otherwise known as PRE-REG BADGE PICK UP!!! It was almost as bad as last year. This is always the biggest problem and it is terrible. Get it together Fanime! You know you have thousands of people giving you their money for the con, and all the line is doing is wasting time. I wasn't going to Double Tree when I'm staying at the Fairmont.....I heard they waited 10 minutes while I waited almost 8 hours!?!?!
I was kind of upset about the panels as well. Didn't make any sense to have a small panel room at the Fairmont and then have huge crowds at the Marriott. I wanted to go to back to back panels but there was no way I could run in full cosplay from hotel to hotel. Every panel I went to this year I went an hour early to wait in line.

The Cosplay Spectacular otherwise known as Masquerade was.....wow.... in a bad way. Lots of people are sad that Rick Myers has been MIA. I love him and Evil Bunny. In protest last year my husband and me didn't go, and I had to watch it on youtube. This year we got to see a few skits toward the end because we heard rumors about how terrible black and white ball was. The MC is good for the Opening ceremonies and Closing ceremonies. I feel like he was really unprepared for the role. You don't spring an event of that size on a speaker who is use to a group of people and on going walkers in the background. Also it seemed like some acts weren't as fun or interesting like previous years.

Other than that I thought Fanime was really fun. I plan to continue to go for years to come.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Dagger-6 on May 29, 2013, 12:02:20 AM
Quote from: amre1204 on May 28, 2013, 08:07:23 PM
(For some reason my post isn't showing up)

Long post, my apologies.

I already submitted my feedback on the google link earlier, but decided to post my experience here as well. Overall, this Fanime felt very disorganized than in previous years. While I was already expecting a long line based on last year's "server is down / crashed" incident, I was not expecting the constant snaking outdoors and then again indoors, especially for Pre-Reg. The line didn't bother me too much, but the snaking did. It felt really unnecessary, and it felt like it added time to waiting for a badge rather than helping it. The con was fun for a while, but I do agree with many of you there was a bit too much Homestuck for my taste. It seemed like for every other cosplayer or con-goer, there was a hoard of Homestuck. But that is ultimately a fan decision and not my concern about why I was disappointed with Fanime this year.

My worst con experience happened on Sunday. I was in Artist's Alley dressed in lolita looking for water (believe me I was dehydrated). I finally found the water area, only to discover it was empty. So, I head on over to the Rover table that just happened to be across from it and asked if there would be any more water. The rover glares at me like I asked a stupid question and shrugs. Then I asked if there was anyone he could call to get more water. He proceeds to open the fridge, pull out a cold water bottle, drinks it, and tells me it's "my problem". Excuse me? I understand there may be some asshole people at the con treating you like an idiot, but for someone asking politely about water only to be given attitude? That is very rude. Extremely. Rude.

Later that evening, I dressed up a bit more with one of my friends and ventured over to Black and White Ball. It was my friend's first Fanime, and she was looking forward to the Ball. Supposedly, new rules were added to the rules already established, and we were not notified until we were AT THE DOOR. We get to the door, and they stop my friend, claiming her heels were too short. As she explained to the rover that she had been wearing these shoes for moths and that these were her only pair, the Rover just gives her attitude and claims that heels like hers "have been driven through people's legs before in years past".

Excuse me? Were people DRUNK in previous years? Who STABS heels through legs? What kind of dancing is that?

I managed to get past the first checkpoint but at the second, I was given both attitude, disrespect, and rude comments. First, the guy was giving me flack about my shoes. I was wearing a pair of Mary Jane shoes with no heel and calmly explained to the guy I cannot wear heels due to problems with my feet. I was given more attitude and flack about shoes then moved to the girl rover who preceded to tell me my dress was too short. My dress was directly at my knee, no higher than that, and I was wearing a petticoat beneath it. I pulled my dress down and showed that it was longer than it seemed, but the petticoat was giving it a more rounded shape. I was given attitude and flack once more. That's when I decided that it wasn't even WORTH the effort to attempt to enjoy the ball, let alone go.

Found out later that night, shoes skinnier and taller than my friend's heels and dresses that were shorter than mine were allowed into the ball. Also, the demos were given by people in short shorts and stiletto like heels. So demos are allowed to not follow dress code? Who let the shorter ones in? Seriously?

Also found out later that the leg stabbing thing was a lie - they were concerned about the floors getting scraped. Why not tell us this in the first place, instead of lying straight to our faces??

If this is supposed to be a con "by fans, for fans" I don't think the attitudes, lies, and overall disorganized scramble is necessary. And that is my two cents.

Do you have information/descriptions for the rovers? Specifically interested in the one with the water bottle.  When you say 'rover table' do you mean the one on the 3rd floor of the marriot or the peace bonding table by the lost and found?  We don't have any tables aside from those so I want to confirm it was in fact a Rover with a yellow armband.  If we do have rovers behaving that way, please give us as best a description you can and I'll forward it to our division heads/seconds.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: amre1204 on May 29, 2013, 12:33:47 AM
Quote from: Dagger-6 on May 29, 2013, 12:02:20 AM
Do you have information/descriptions for the rovers? Specifically interested in the one with the water bottle.  When you say 'rover table' do you mean the one on the 3rd floor of the marriot or the peace bonding table by the lost and found?  We don't have any tables aside from those so I want to confirm it was in fact a Rover with a yellow armband.  If we do have rovers behaving that way, please give us as best a description you can and I'll forward it to our division heads/seconds.

It was in Artist Alley, specifically near the middle but on the left side of the building (when entering). It was a series of tables set up in a square shape with a fridge. I assumed it was a rover table since there were a few sitting there (along with some of the people carrying the "Ask me for info" signs or what not) which is why I went to them in the first place - again assuming it was indeed a rover table or a table with staff. Sorry I can't give you much more than that.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Dracil on May 29, 2013, 01:21:20 AM
This seems to indicate there was indeed a staff table.  http://2013.fanime.com/artist-alley-map
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: themalletofjustice on May 29, 2013, 01:41:36 AM
Would it be possible to place a link to the Black & White Ball FAQ on the Registration page right under the link to the "Code of Conduct". That's the page everyone has to go to to register and might help in getting the word out about the dress code.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Direnkei on May 29, 2013, 04:27:31 AM
Quote from: nemuneko on May 27, 2013, 05:13:02 PM
I believe construction will be finished this fall, according to the official San Jose website (http://www.sanjose.org/content/san-jose-convention-center-expansion-and-renovation-opening-fall-2013 (http://www.sanjose.org/content/san-jose-convention-center-expansion-and-renovation-opening-fall-2013)). MercuryNews.com also had an article about it. Some people are saying next year, but this is incorrect from what I've read. Just wanted to throw that out there for people who are concerned about that.

Construction or not, I'm unsure if I will be returning to Fanime after the mess it was this year.

i hope it come backs to san jose its great there. i mean it was packed this year but half the con was closed off. i mean next year its gunna have an added 125,000 total sq.ft of new space according that link.  i just think fanime need to stay in the bay area it the only one really. i mean there some small one but fanime is the best even if this year was wishy washy
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Wabbit98 on May 29, 2013, 06:10:20 AM
Quote from: themalletofjustice on May 29, 2013, 01:41:36 AM
Would it be possible to place a link to the Black & White Ball FAQ on the Registration page right under the link to the "Code of Conduct". That's the page everyone has to go to to register and might help in getting the word out about the dress code.

That could be a possibility.  We will consider trying to do something like that going forward.  We thank you for your suggestion.

-Kevin
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 29, 2013, 06:33:00 AM
Isn't Clockwork its own con though? It seems kind of rude to send a huge number of people to a different con to pick up their badges because fanime is unable to handle their own attendees. Yeah, I wish we'd known about getting our badges at CA, I had a group that was going to go there friday evening but missed it because of the lines at Fairmont, but you can't expect one convention to process everyone from a different convention.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: AuroraSareii on May 29, 2013, 06:40:21 AM
Quote from: Lucifargundam on May 28, 2013, 10:47:00 PM
Last time I checked the con was 24hrs... 24/6= 4.... so 1/4 the day=4/5 the day????      Yeah, the long wait is horrendous- but considering the unique circumstances like having relocate where badge pickup was going to be as well as other factors- this wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Still though....a fourth of a day (if you were to actually be awake all 24 hours) is a LONG time to spend doing essentially nothing. In the case of Friday, where a lot of the attendees from the area actually have school until 3pm, this already cuts off most of their day. Friday also tends to have some big stuff happening, this year was Steam Powered Giraffe at Clockwork, but if you happened to be one of the many people just barely getting off school, coming to the convention to find a 5 hour line is the last thing you want.

A quarter of a day doesn't sound like much on its own, but when you factor in how much you pay for a badge, what actually goes on in those hours you spend standing in a line, and that the convention is only 3 and a half days, that is a significant portion.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Enkai on May 29, 2013, 07:21:10 AM
I didn't actually end up attending black and white ball because my feet were killing me by the time we were about ready to go to it, but I think that more at-con information would be better.

It was very difficult to find information in the little pocket guide that we used to get around; all we saw was a little blurb about it, nothing about when and where.  Any blurbs need that basic information, and in the case of B&W ball, a comment on the dress code and that it is strictly enforced.  You don't have to enumerate the rules of the dress code in the pocket guide, but definitely where to find it (both online and in the big program).

I don't know what it was like at the door since I didn't actually make it out there, but it seems like a sign that specifically states the rules that you could point to if you can't let somebody in would be helpful.  I'm hearing these stories about "not x brand of dance shoes," which is clearly a miscommunication.  If the rules are nickel diameter heels no more than 4" high, then that should be what is pointed to.  It's not going to help much with getting the word out before hand, but at the very least it would help with consistency in enforcement.

Regarding getting word out before hand; definitely take advantage of social media.  The only mention of it on facebook was from Day 3, which is too late for people to make sure their shoes are correct.  Similar twitter, maybe utilize a hastag #FanimeB&WDressCode or something similar.  More a critique of the website than anything else, but I feel that the links could be made clearer (underlining maybe?).  For something as important as the dress code for this event, the link to it needs to be obvious.  Relying on scrollover changes doesn't help if you don't know to scroll over, and the font choice was bold enough in general that listing the links in actual bold didn't make it obvious there was something special there unless you looked closely.  People skim, I know I do, and if you want to get information out, you need to make sure getting to that information is unmistakeable.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: kookiekween99 on May 29, 2013, 07:25:45 AM
Quote from: amre1204 on May 29, 2013, 12:33:47 AM
Quote from: Dagger-6 on May 29, 2013, 12:02:20 AM
Do you have information/descriptions for the rovers? Specifically interested in the one with the water bottle.  When you say 'rover table' do you mean the one on the 3rd floor of the marriot or the peace bonding table by the lost and found?  We don't have any tables aside from those so I want to confirm it was in fact a Rover with a yellow armband.  If we do have rovers behaving that way, please give us as best a description you can and I'll forward it to our division heads/seconds.

It was in Artist Alley, specifically near the middle but on the left side of the building (when entering). It was a series of tables set up in a square shape with a fridge. I assumed it was a rover table since there were a few sitting there (along with some of the people carrying the "Ask me for info" signs or what not) which is why I went to them in the first place - again assuming it was indeed a rover table or a table with staff. Sorry I can't give you much more than that.

Do you remember around what time this was? Roaming info desks aren't supposed to be sitting down, they're supposed to be roaming. Also, was it perhaps one of the info desk staff who was rude to you?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Wabbit98 on May 29, 2013, 08:05:12 AM
Enkai,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.  We will take them under consideration and see what we can do about them for next year.

-Kevin
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 29, 2013, 10:06:09 AM
Quote from: AuroraSareii on May 29, 2013, 06:33:00 AM
Isn't Clockwork its own con though? It seems kind of rude to send a huge number of people to a different con to pick up their badges because fanime is unable to handle their own attendees. Yeah, I wish we'd known about getting our badges at CA, I had a group that was going to go there friday evening but missed it because of the lines at Fairmont, but you can't expect one convention to process everyone from a different convention.

I believe CA is to Fanime as Wondercon is to Comicon. A smaller con that is like a sister one to the bigger one.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: aetherltd on May 29, 2013, 12:27:08 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on May 28, 2013, 03:21:41 PM
the Doubletree hotel is a great place for a convention that is currently the szie of what CA is.. so I dunno what they will be planning on for future years.
Those involved with CA generally like the Doubletree, and the Doubletree likes CA. Other than access to food and bad shuttle bus service, there have been few problems.

With good shuttle bus service (like 2012), the Doubletree is seven minutes from the convention center. With miserable shuttle bus service (like 2013), it's 45 to 90 minutes away.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: amre1204 on May 29, 2013, 02:09:58 PM
Quote from: kookiekween99 on May 29, 2013, 07:25:45 AM
Do you remember around what time this was? Roaming info desks aren't supposed to be sitting down, they're supposed to be roaming. Also, was it perhaps one of the info desk staff who was rude to you?

It was between 1 and 1:30 PM. The roaming info desks had already left by the time I had finished my conversation about the water bottle. It wasn't them.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Rhornez on May 29, 2013, 02:49:41 PM
Quote from: JackMackerel on May 29, 2013, 02:20:04 PM
I wish there was some sort of quiz to keep annoying, racist, elitist dickheads who give non-anime cosplayers shit out of Fanime. Knock it the fuck off. Stop getting your panties in an enormous twist because people who like a series you don't like is there.

I was let down this year, but only because I wasn't in cosplay, didn't have a camera, and had almost no money to spend on merch. The Masquerade disappointed me deeply, and I wish there were better questions at Banzai Arcade on Sunday. Other than that, good con.
your not referring to me right?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 29, 2013, 04:06:18 PM
 After reading the many explanations of the B&W 'shoe code' I completely understand and agree with it. Dancing in stilettos just seems like a really bad idea anyway.

Maybe it would help to put a note in the B&W requirements to bring a second pair of shoes just in case.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: avatarkayla on May 30, 2013, 01:12:04 AM
I can't even begin to describe how much of a let down this con was. Each and every issue that took place before, at and after this Fanime 2013 has been given the same response of "If you think you can do better then volunteer", "We were under staffed", or "It's complicated.".

The underlined expectation that I see from these responses is that nothing will change. Forums will continue to be locked, blocking fellow con goers the ability to share in there own experiences (GOOD and BAD) about this year. Badge pick up Lines (pre-reg and not) will continue to last longer than the con it's self. Artists ally will continue to feel like its planning was the left to the last minute and god forbid you ask any questions. Cosplayers will repeatedly be disappointed by a computer-less and un-organized cosplay spectacular. And hours to months spent working on an outfit for the black and white ball will be put to waste, because they weren't even allowed in the door.

My prediction for future years is that some people will continue to attend Fanime, but no one will even bother to buy a badge. Why pay to wait in line, or be turned away when the most fun people have at this con is being outside the con itself and do what we do best. BE FANS WITH THE FANS.

I post this on the FORUMS because I wish to hear what other people who have attended Fanime 2013 have to say about this year. If staff wants they can respond to my feedback form that will be sent to them via the link they posted.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: sakaki on May 30, 2013, 01:25:58 AM
Totally agree with you. I too have a locked thread regarding the Cosplay Spectacular and all the issues there, and was super disappointed no one bothered to respond to any of it.

You know what? I also realized that the only fun I had was because of the people I was with and the people I met. And you don't need to attend a kluge like this to do that....

Thread locked in 3...2... ;)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 30, 2013, 01:40:33 AM
I Im not trying to kiss-ass or anything ( believe me, I do not think the mods are always right) I understand frustration in having all the feedback threads locked.

But threatening and making demands of the mods is not only a piss-poor way to show your frustration, but is just a bad idea that isn't going to get you anywhere.

Perhaps you could try something a bit more diplomatic
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Alejandro Cuba on May 30, 2013, 02:15:07 AM
I can't say that I would call anything either of the first two said a threat.  Venting or rant perhaps: yes.  However, many have made similar points in other places on the forums about this and other things.  Sure it may not be the best way to express something, but when one is truly mad it can be hard to make everything politically correct.

Besides, is not one of the points of the forums (and in fact this thread) that we should be able to say what we like or do not like and why and have others respond so that the point can be discussed?

For myself, I did only have fun because I found some friends.  Otherwise, I was tied in the South Hall to my table not making anywhere near the sales of the previous year.  When I was able to get away it usually wasn't for long and I was entirely unable to enjoy many of the parts of con that I have in the past.  The only large event I was able to attend was the Spectacular and for several reasons that I have stated both on the forum and on the feedback form, I was utterly disappointed.  Between that and a few other things I actually left con feeling rather depressed and certainly not for the normal "post-con blues".  This was legitimate sadness for the con not being up to what it had been and hearing so many people whom I respect and admire say they won't come back to Fanime because of it.  I love Fanime.  I was proud of it.  So why should it not be allowed for myself or other to state, rant or put out there what has made us so sad or angry?  Civil discussion can always follow an unhappy beginning!   
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: meowrei on May 30, 2013, 03:16:41 AM
We must of been in a bubble or something for the whole con(s).  We had a blast at both cons attending panels and what not. No complaints here (well, maybe 1). We definitely plan on returning in 2014.  :)  And I hope Fanime is able to work out some their growing pains by 2014.  Like having  water or drinks, food and/or entertainment available to all that are waiting in the varies long lines.

I must admit, I had zero complaints about picking up our badges. First, I learned awhile back that assigning a group leader is the way to go for badge pick ups.  And since I was the group leader, I opted to pick up the badges for my group at the Doubltree on Thursday evening (I didn't want a repeat of last year :P).  Sure our badges said Clockwork Alchemy on it and not Fanime but hey, that didn't bother us. 

The only complaint we have is with the shuttle company Fanime hired. :-[  It seemed like the drivers didn't bother to learn the route(s) ahead of time.  To me that is not a very competent company.  The company should of required their drivers to learn the route(s) ahead of time.  One driver arrived at the Doubletree, let folks on the shuttle then called in for directions to the convention center. WTH! All the way to the convention center she seemed lost even with her GPS on. My friends that are bus drivers (most works for a school district & the one is a driver for Gray Line Tours in SF) all say they are required to map out and learn turn by turn each routine they are assigned to for the day, weekend or week. Using a GPS is not an option. Oh... and there was no rovers monitoring >:( the line at the Hilton. 
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 30, 2013, 10:23:28 AM
Eh, the last bit aboutreplying to  feedback through E-mail seemed like they were trying to boss the stuff around. Maybe it wasn't, I don'tknow, I was reaally tired when I read it. Though now that I'm wide awake I mantain that it's a pointless attempt.

In this situation, I can see both sides PoV. Having feedback shut down does seem like kind of a..Fascist move.( It maybe because I'm usd to the Sakura com forums. The mods on the Scs delete whatever they don't like and do not povide a feedback form and the response has always been " Then join staff" They even do some really shifty things.)

Of coarse no one likes to be silenced BUT I can understand why they did it.

Before they were shut down there were...3 or 4 threads abut the reg problem and I've heard about the Masquarade issue several times.

Even I find it annoying reading multiple threads with the very same complaint and I'm sure that the staff is does not want to give out the same answers to everyone who complains.
And keep in mind that they also locked threads focusing on the positives of the con. So it isn't as if they are keeping you from speaking out.
That said, I had few problems at the con but those were all because of other con-goers. The convention itself was a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: aetherltd on May 30, 2013, 11:04:47 AM
Come over and visit Clockwork Alchemy, the steampunk side of Fanime. Almost everyone is in costume there. All the vendors are crafters, not commercial sellers. There are workshops for everything from martial arts to costume to brass engraving. You can meet big-name authors and talk to them, not just look at them from a distance.  There are LARPs and a game room.

Fanime and Clockwork Alchemy badges are valid in both places. The lines at Clockwork Alchemy registration are short.  You can pick up a Fanime badge at Clockwork Alchemy even if you pre-registered for Fanime.

The tea room has free tea and cookies.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: djmonolith on May 30, 2013, 11:29:03 AM
Quote from: avatarkayla on May 30, 2013, 01:12:04 AM


My prediction for future years is that some people will continue to attend Fanime, but no one will even bother to buy a badge. Why pay to wait in line, or be turned away when the most fun people have at this con is being outside the con itself and do what we do best. BE FANS WITH THE FANS.



I hope this isn't the case.  And just to clarify... we arrived at 7 AM on Friday morning and waited about 3 hours in the pre-reg line.  Our friend arrived at the same time and waited 6 hours in the non pre reg line.

So, even though pre-reg is bad... it could be worse.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Hakaru_chan on May 30, 2013, 11:42:55 AM
Quote from: sakaki on May 30, 2013, 01:25:58 AM
Totally agree with you. I too have a locked thread regarding the Cosplay Spectacular and all the issues there, and was super disappointed no one bothered to respond to any of it.

You know what? I also realized that the only fun I had was because of the people I was with and the people I met. And you don't need to attend a kluge like this to do that....

Thread locked in 3...2... ;)

Hey, the thread we were on got locked and I wanted to write back to you so I'm hoping it's ok here for now. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding concerning that skit in particular. Since's everyones POV is different, interpretation of performance can also range and is really on the subjective level. The way I saw the skit was totally different than how you interpreted it and how others see it so,

with that being said..

I know the CS staff try their best to filter performances as much as possible before CS starts and they try their best without having to scrutinize performances beforehand or without prejudice. It get's difficult however, when lets say, a group comes over and states they are going to perform A, B and C, then on stage improv and add Z to their performance out of the blue or in the heat of moment. Was there a room open for performers to be used as a practice room adjacent to the check in room? I remember using a room like that to go over the skit in front of some staffers before but i dont think staffers intentionally used that room for us to perform a "run through" in front of them or anyone. the staff just have to trust the performers and take the information we've given them into account, hoping that the skit is acceptable.

I can think of some suggestions tho. If a group performs and during the masquerade, it was deemed inappropriate, perhaps that group or certain members can be disqualified from further fanime masquerade participation for a certain amount of time etc.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on May 30, 2013, 11:54:43 AM
Quote from: aetherltd on May 30, 2013, 11:04:47 AM
Come over and visit Clockwork Alchemy, the steampunk side of Fanime. Almost everyone is in costume there. All the vendors are crafters, not commercial sellers. There are workshops for everything from martial arts to costume to brass engraving. You can meet big-name authors and talk to them, not just look at them from a distance.  There are LARPs and a game room.

Fanime and Clockwork Alchemy badges are valid in both places. The lines at Clockwork Alchemy registration are short.  You can pick up a Fanime badge at Clockwork Alchemy even if you pre-registered for Fanime.

The tea room has free tea and cookies.

That does sound like fun. I've always wanted to at least try out a Steam Punk con but one, I do not know the first thing about it. Two, you had to mention LARPing. Nothing has scared me quit like LARPers.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: PinkHairSasuke on May 30, 2013, 12:20:46 PM
Locking threads when people are sharing their experiences with fellow con-goers and getting their take on it is no bueno. I understand that they want our feedback on the feedback forms but why block us from constructively expressing frustrations and concerns with fellow con-goers? Are we not allowed to make them public? Are they afraid that someone's negative outlook will harm them? A forum about something that caused you gripe at con allows others to agree or disagree on if they experienced the same thing, it helps get ratios of who experienced or felt each thing.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Alejandro Cuba on May 30, 2013, 12:21:49 PM
@ Yuu-pon

All that was stated was that staff could reply to the feedback form if the wanted.  There was no saying they had to respond to it.  The way the whole post sounded to me was that here she just wanted to hear from other con-goers, preferably without the discussion being locked like others.  That she'd give staff feedback in the form they requested and they were free to respond to that if they wished to discuss a point.  The last line of the first post is also the only place that staff is specifically mentioned. 

I too read through all of the threads of feedback.  I didn't find it annoying because some had different opinions or attitudes and suggestions about how to fix what they didn't like.  In some ways I found it cathartic.   And yes, there was a good feedback thread that was closed.  It doesn't help soothe anyone's ruffled feathers and may just cause more.  I've also seen the staff post about why.  But if even half the people who attend fill out the form, is that not the same as reading the (potentially) same complaint ten thousand times?  I assume they are asking for the forms because someone is going to sit down and read through all of them so that staff can make one large post in response to them all (and make sure feedback goes to the right department), which could have also been an option for the multitude of threads with similar complaints. 

I'm glad that you, like many others, had a good time at this convention.  That is great.  The people posting feedback and suggestions, for the most part, wanted to have a similar good con experience and didn't for reasons relating to the convention itself.  Many who have made post genuinely want next year to improve and plan to attend to see if it will, my self included.

@aetherltd

I cannot tell you how much I wanted to go check out Clock Work!  I've been wanting to for two years, but I never have a chance to get over there.  Not to mention that I didn't know where it was both years.  Sometimes working an Artist table makes it hard for me to get away, especially if the thing I want to do is further then the convention center and surrounding hotels.  I loved seeing the few steampunk outfits I did and they were lovely!  Hopefully I'll be able to see it next year especially if there's free tea and cookies involved!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
i was very let down this year. while i understand circumstances related to construction:

1. Lines sucked this year
2. everything seemed less organized
3. i felt exhibit 1 was a complete waste of space. i mean come on, bring in more vendors or something.
4. sucked that the artist alley was not in the convention center. because of that i found myself going only twice where as i usually go visit it everyday. i felt as though the swap meet should have been in that building instead (swap meet is my favorite thing at con)
5.there seemed to be less games in the gaming room this year, not sure if its true or just me.

overall is seemed less organized and lower budget despite the increase in attendees
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on May 30, 2013, 05:00:05 PM
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
1. Lines sucked this year
Prereg::: construction/Fairmont staff
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
2. everything seemed less organized
Con staff needed help
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
3. i felt exhibit 1 was a complete waste of space. i mean come on, bring in more vendors or something.
"Panic and the disco"
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
4. sucked that the artist alley was not in the convention center. because of that i found myself going only twice where as i usually go visit it everyday. i felt as though the swap meet should have been in that building instead (swap meet is my favorite thing at con)
there has been talk of moving registration to that area instead.
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
5.there seemed to be less games in the gaming room this year, not sure if its true or just me.
seemed just as much to me.
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PMoverall is seemed less organized and lower budget despite the increase in attendees
Construction threw alot of things off.... more volunteers are needed. Feel free to help out next year :)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2013, 05:52:57 PM
So glad everything was consolidated into a single thread! It's a bit of a jumbled mess right now, because of how many threads there were, but now we can get on with post-con discussion.

I'm just going to copy/paste what I put in the official form:

I had a great time at the con, but I felt like a lot of it was despite the con itself, not because of it. Most of the activities I did that really stood out as amazing experiences weren't con-specific, and were more private and social.

Though, a few highlights:
- Cosplay gatherings seemed to be run really well this year, all around. I went to three (Cowboy Bebop, Final Fantasy, and Homestuck), and all three seemed to go very smoothly
- Karaoke is one of my main draws, and it was fantastic, as usual. Never get rid of the KKD as your karaoke staff, as they really make the experience. One highlight of karaoke was on Saturday night, when the members of ROOKIE'Z IS PUNKED came into the karaoke room and performed one of their own songs. I'm not a fan of theirs, but it was an amazing performance, and a really nice touch for their fans. They seemed to enjoy themselves, as well.
- THE COSPLAYER HANGOUT. This seriously saved my entire con. Everyone in there was really super nice and polite and HELPFUL. I had cosplay emergencies two days in a row (both with rather large horns not wanting to stay on my head), and the wonderful, wonderful people in there were able to get my horns stable on my head with all of the materials there. They really helped me out a lot, and I love having a photo-free room with a repair station and seating areas to rest in, especially in some of those rather large cosplays of mine with limited mobility.
- Not something the con can really do anything about, but everyone I met was amazing.
- The open hallway at the front of the gaming room. Genius. Really helped with the flow of traffic in that area, especially for people like me who walk rather quickly and thus have a difficult time in crowds sometimes. the taped walkways throughout the convention center were also great, but no one seemed to really follow them.
- The 24-hour food vendor. While I didn't go there late at night for snacks, it is a really nice touch, and if that kind of thing is there at future cons, I might have to go pick up some snacks for late-night karaoke sessions.



While I had a great time at the con this year, the con itself was a disaster. Here are all the comments I can think of, and if I can get discussion on other channels (since it is being shut down on the forums) that produces further feedback, I will submit that further feedback.
- Lack of transparency/staff making excuses or giving no explanations/giving non-answers/generally being unprofessional/etc. This was my biggest issue with this year's con and how it was run.
Both before the con and after, staff have been silent about many issues, or, if someone has a legitimate complaint or question about how things are being run, they are shut down (the staff give a "that's how it has to be because of reasons" type answer and lock the thread without actually explaining what the "reasons" are, the person is told to go volunteer, the thread is simply locked, staff ignore the question or answer it in a way that isn't actually answering the question, etc.).

There are many major examples that I'm sure you guys can find and already know about, but to show how pervasive this is, I'll use a rather minor example from, of all things, the Black and White Ball music request thread. I posted a waltz, was told that it was a Viennese Waltz, which is not done at this event (understandably), so I looked up what the difference is, and found that a Viennese waltz is faster, so I found a slower version of the song, posted that, and asked if it would be okay, and then asked where exactly the cutoff is between a traditional waltz and a Viennese waltz. The staff in the thread pretty much just told me that Viennese waltz will never be done at this event. Alright, perfectly understandable, and I get why, I just don't know exactly what makes it a Viennese waltz vs. a traditional one, so I was asking, and trying to find a solution. I never actually replied to the thread, but I had -two or three staff members- come in and rudely tell me that Viennese waltzes are not done, and why they aren't done, without ever addressing my actual question. (Someone else asked the exact same question later in the thread, and they got a prompt and helpful reply) Maybe my own question was somewhat unclear, but I thought I asked it in a clear enough way, and felt that the responses I got were rather unprofessional and unhelpful, even if not -overly- rude.

This is just a very minor incident of this happening. I've seen this happen with much more powerful staff in much more important areas (Artist's Alley, Registration, etc.), giving non-answers, rude answers, and locking threads when people ask important questions about how things are being run and why.

Then there is the issue with the feedback for this year. Instead of allowing even one thread on the forums to allow for open discussion, which would not be difficult to manage at all (I have forum moderation experience, on a somewhat large fan forum, and know that it is not entirely difficult to keep everything that belongs in one thread in a single thread) and would not be difficult at all to read, as all the information would be in that one thread, Fanime has opted for a private feedback system. Yes, there are assurances that all of the feedback will be posted, but that isn't the same. It feels like Fanime is trying to hide something, and trying to stifle discussion of their con and how to improve it.

Besides, if Fanime doesn't know what is wrong with their con, there are more serious issues going on than anything a fan could give feedback on in a comment form. It seems obvious.

I feel like this year, Fanime has been really behind in many ways (getting EVERYTHING up late, the registration disaster, etc.), and that the con really needs to find out how other large cons run themselves as smoothly as they do and get their own act together. I understand that there will always be hiccups with running a large event, but this year was more than a hiccup, it was a huge, poorly-run, mess. I thought that last year was bad, but it has only gotten worse. Staff's response to feedback has been extremely unsatisfactory.

(The most helpful, polite, and nice staff that I dealt with all con, both on the forums beforehand and at the con? Karaoke staff, by far. It helps that I know them all, I'm sure, but one of the staff went out of his way to help me with a question about one of their songs, and I'm thankful for that. Why can't any other department seem to be that helpful?)


- Lines. Enough said. I waited well over four hours for prereg on Friday. As I had to drive down from Sacramento in the morning, I missed almost the entire day, and by the time I got my badge, it was night and almost everything was closed. I was going to enter the karaoke contest, and couldn't (good thing I was only trying for at-con signups and wasn't already signed up, as I would have missed my spot by a few hours). I missed a cosplay gathering I really wanted to go to. I worked hard on a cosplay for a cosplay group that my friends and I were going to do but couldn't because half of us were stuck in line for over four hours. I feel like I missed an entire day of the con because of this. I was one of the lucky ones, too, as many people waited twice as long as I did for Friday prereg pickup. The system needs to be improved, simple as that.


- Drunk people. Fanime is a dry con, yes? I have no problem with people drinking in private room parties, or in bars, or otherwise not -wandering around the con totally sloshed and carrying open containers of alcohol-. It isn't just an annoyance issue, it's a safety issue. Last year, the drunk people at the con were worse than I had ever seen it. This year, it was twice as bad. I had a rather inebriated gentleman harass me in the karaoke room. Thankfully, he left before he got too bad, but then he came back (again thankfully, it was right before my last song of the night, so I was able to abscond after I sang and hide in the restroom with my sister because he was following me). Why hasn't more been done about this kind of thing? I saw MANY, MANY PEOPLE walking around the con, obviously drunk out of their minds, carrying open containers of either thinly disguised or not at all disguised alcohol. Paper and styrofoam cups that obviously smelled of booze. Flasks. Actual bottles. People who smell so strongly of alcohol that you can tell from halfway across the hall. People so drunk that they can't stand upright by themselves. Are the staff not seeing this, or do they simply not care?  In past years, there have been drunk people, but most of them were kicked out right away. Please enforce your own policies better as to ensure the safety of everyone involved, both the people trying to enjoy the con sober and the drunks.

(For the record, I am of legal age, but choose not to partake in alcohol myself, and get extremely uncomfortable around random drunk men constantly hitting on me, following me around the con, etc., for obvious reasons, as I am a rather petite woman and would not be able to easily defend myself if something happened. Also for the record, though it is totally irrelevant, when I had the drunk gentleman follow me, I was dress as Mom Lalonde from Homestuck, which is not a skimpy outfit at all, so don't anyone dare think that it was because of my choice of costume.)



Please get your act together. Please be more transparent about why things are done the way they are. Please enforce your own policies. Please don't shut down open discussion. Please. I love this con, and I have been going for more years than I can count on my fingers, and would hate to see anything happen to it because of PR issues and because of how poorly run it has been the past couple of years. I'm hoping that next year is better.

One last thing, feedback on this form itself -- I personally put down my full name and the ability for staff to contact me because I have nothing to hide. I will be posting all of my comments publicly. I do ask that any comments of mine that get published are done anonymously, as I do not want my real name tied with any of my online accounts. I am putting way more trust in Fanime by putting down my real name, knowing that it may be published, than I maybe should. I am also not a fan of the idea of bribing people to contribute with their real names and contact info by allowing them to win a badge, so I have opted out of the raffle, though winning a badge might be the only way that I am getting one for next year, if things don't approve.

I will continue to attend, and hope that once the construction is done and once all of this feedback is processed, that next year will be a satisfactory convention, because it was not this year.


Some of this maybe shouldn't be posted publicly on the forums. I don't particularly care at this point, since everything needs to get out there.

I have since thought of a couple more points:
- While I liked the 24-hour food vendor booths, I didn't like that archery room. It's cool to have, but every time I went or looked in there, nothing was going on. It seemed like a huge waste of space. I'm sure it was cool when it was happening, but that seemed to be rarely, and there was no schedule anywhere for it.
- I didn't post my feelings on AA because they are mixed. I haven't talked to any artists to know how sales were compared to previous years, but I do know that I gave a LOT of people directions there. I only went there once myself because of the distance. While it isn't exceptionally far from the con, it is a bit of a trek when you have to navigate crowds, cars, cosplays, high heels, etc. It also seemed extremely dark in there, even though I went in the middle of a sunny day. I did like the sheer amount of space, though.


Also, now that there is a place to discuss:
What can I, personally, do about drunks bothering me? This fellow wasn't harassing me to a large degree, but he was hanging around where he clearly wasn't wanted, followed me, and kept leaning in closer to me. I'm always afraid to say anything directly to someone like that because he was obviously not getting a hint and since I am a fairly small female, I'm always afraid of some type of retaliation. Could I have told a staff member and they could have done something? He wasn't overly bothersome, just...very uncomfortably close. Could he have been kicked out simply for being drunk in the halls? Does staff even care about that these days? The drunkenness in the halls seemed WAY out of hand this year. I'm hoping to get some staff input on this one. I don't have much faith in the staff helping me out much with something like this, since while he made me quite uncomfortable (and followed me out of the room), but wasn't harassing me in the traditional sense, and I've heard plenty of horror stories of Fanime staff not properly addressing this kind of issue, and seeing as no one seemed to care that the boozing seemed 10x worse than ever before, I honestly don't know if staff would even -care- if I brought it up. This is becoming a huge problem, and I might not stay out late at the con in future years if there is this much rampant drunkenness, simply for my own safety and comfort, since things could have been a -lot- worse. (It isn't like this was my first year at the con or staying up late, so I've seen the levels of drinking before and how it was handled before, and there is a marked difference between the past two cons and my ~10 Fanimes before that.)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Sunara Ishi on May 30, 2013, 06:09:25 PM
Quote from: Lucifargundam on May 30, 2013, 05:00:05 PM
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
4. sucked that the artist alley was not in the convention center. because of that i found myself going only twice where as i usually go visit it everyday. i felt as though the swap meet should have been in that building instead (swap meet is my favorite thing at con)
there has been talk of moving registration to that area instead.
I thought about that also but a friend brought up a good point:
Where would they line up the excess line when it overflowed from that building?

I am unfamiliar with the area south of Con. I had no clue that building was even there. -.-;

Having swap meet there might work better as it would mean they only would need to rent the building for 2 days. 3 or more if they decided to hold something like the dance, dance practice, or masquerade practice there.

But keeping artist alley there and moving more (all food vendors) into Hall 1 would work also as it would clear hallway space.

But either way, that building needs better access to water, signs to bathrooms, and lighting.

BTW, what was up with the blocked off section in back of artist alley? Where there was a wall of black fabric? Anyone know? o.O?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on May 30, 2013, 06:35:42 PM
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2013, 05:52:57 PM
So glad everything was consolidated into a single thread! It's a bit of a jumbled mess right now, because of how many threads there were, but now we can get on with post-con discussion.

I'm just going to copy/paste what I put in the official form:

*sigh* thanks for posting to the form too. Staff will read the forums, but likely sometime in June and July. We will be having intensive meetings these next few weeks to post-mortem the con. That is why the form is important. It will be directed to the appropriate persons in the short timeline that we have to make decisions that will critically affect 2014.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on May 30, 2013, 06:52:15 PM
The idea had been thrown out there to get sponsorships and professional help to continue to make Fanimecon successful. Get sponsors willing to give advertising space in the programs and naming rights to events, maybe even a presenting sponsor.  With an event that attracts more than 20,000  people, I bet there are some companies willing to listen,  even if that company has nothing to do with anime.

Sure it may sound annoying,  like how we are with watching commercials on tv,  but the reason why there are commercials is to help pay for programming.  Fanimecon needs help funding and simply raising registration process isn't going to help.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Sunara Ishi on May 30, 2013, 07:47:57 PM
I hate to say it but maybe all those threads should have been moved to a sub-forum, locked, and then create this generic thread? Because now we have a bunch of crazy fans talking to themselves... >.>;

I sent some feedback via the official link. Forgot to include some stuff though but I am unsure whether multiple feedbacks are allowed.

First off, I think the fact that fanime didn't erupt into flames means that staff did some things right. And as I know a lot of staff, I hope none of you take my comments personally. D: Unfortunately when a con starts badly, negative feelings take awhile to wear off and that will end up overshadowing even the great things. But I know for fact how much work so many of you put in (through facebook and other ways. XP ) so please take this as the suggestions it is.

1)REG- aka linecon. Like more people said: more computers and go back to pre-printed badges for pre-reg. Stickers damage too easily and pre-printing will save on time if you organize right. Organize by last name (no silly first name -.-; ), have separate rolls for each letter of the alphabet. And have separate rolls for groups. And label, label, label. Over-label; you'll be glad you did. If a section if too big, divide it up.

Maybe bring back the extra goodies for pre-reg people. Make fans feel that being in was worth it. You guys had VIZ totebags back in 2003 and there were little things other years. Maybe allow dealers to offer fanime goodies for a reduced cost for space in dealer's hall or first pick of spot. Have a contest to get the best offer?

2) Artist alley- better signs & maps to show where it is. (If you keep it at this year's location). That hall needs better access to water, better signs directing to bathrooms (hello random construction & blocked doors... -.-; ), and do something about the lighting. The light was poor for people with vision problems. I think the artists were also having a problem with it.

3) Video rooms- The rooms always had decent selection but I feel like the last few years there hasn't been enough comedies and other episodic series. Things that don't require constant watching are better; more OVAs, movies, and stand-alone shows. Also increase the numbers of viewing rooms. The con needs to move away from "Buy buy buy" and back to "Omg. Look at all this awesome anime!".

4) Panels- Same thing; less "Buy buy buy!" and more "This panel looks fun", "This sounds like something I'd like to learn", etc. Add a couple more rooms and create categories w/ limits of panels. Some of us want panels that focus on things we want to learn like say "Making figurines", casting, and other cosplay activities. Maybe categorize rooms like you do with the viewing rooms. I always find that the things I want end up scheduled at bad times because of a million of "Hey, I think this meme is funny so let's have a panel on it". Have industry rooms/career rooms that let fans know what is out there. What programs they might want or what game/anime job fields are available.

5) Food Vender Hall - (aka the almost empty abyss) If you utilize a separate area for food venders, please move all food venders into it. The Grab'n'Go by Marriott was blocking traffic and making things more congested than they needed to be. I do like the idea of a separate room for food & tables and I am aware that it probably wasn't fully packed because of swap meet. Which brings me to:

6) Swap Meet- I had no problem with swap meet itself but it should be held in a hall strictly for temporary events. Use a temp hall for swap meet, dance practice, masquerade practice, and other things that only utilize an area for a short amount of time. That will save on space and (perhaps) money and you can use any left-over rooms for growing other events.

7) Dealer's hall is always good. XD But eventually something will have to be done to divide professional artists and official merchandise. I don't really see any major problems here as the staff has things down. And I don't really have a problem. I just worry that there might be complaints in the future.

8) Musicfest - Was good like always.

9) Masquerade - please announce the time (aka have it written like everything else). Many were thrown off my the 5:15pm time when masquerade was 7pm previous years.

10) If funds are really an issue, things like sponsors & advertising should be utilized. Maybe get sponsored by Adobe and have a panel on photoshop? Get paid to advertise their product and have something many fans might like to learn. Have an industry panel room where groups can advertise their product. Maybe have schools come in and advertise in a career panel room that will let fans know what anime & game careers are available. You could probably pick and choose what goes into there and have non-relevant things as ads.

Things fanime has little control over:

1) Shuttle - better posted times & pickup locations. Shuttle was iffy on Monday and didn't pickup at the Fairmont.

2) Perhaps suggestion for ride pickups (those of us that get rides home, etc.) seeing as past pickup location seems like it'd no longer exist after construction is done.

No control over and because everyone comments on it anyway:

1) I wish there was as much cosplay variety and insane cosplays as there were in previous years. 'nuff said.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: avatarkayla on May 31, 2013, 12:54:29 AM
Quote from: Sunara Ishi on May 30, 2013, 07:47:57 PM
I hate to say it but maybe all those threads should have been moved to a sub-forum, locked, and then create this generic thread? Because now we have a bunch of crazy fans talking to themselves... >.>;


I completely agree. This constant cluster-fuck of forums being locked, unlocked, moved, deleted, moved again then combined and finally unlocked has created a mess. Much like how the con itself felt.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on May 31, 2013, 01:00:15 AM
Quote from: avatarkayla on May 31, 2013, 12:54:29 AM
Quote from: Sunara Ishi on May 30, 2013, 07:47:57 PM
I hate to say it but maybe all those threads should have been moved to a sub-forum, locked, and then create this generic thread? Because now we have a bunch of crazy fans talking to themselves... >.>;


I completely agree. This constant cluster-fuck of forums being locked, unlocked, moved, deleted, moved again then combined and finally unlocked has created a mess. Much like how the con itself felt.
Zing
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: eHash on May 31, 2013, 04:33:06 AM
I hope people realize that FanimeCon is a Con staffed by volunteers.  In order for the feedback to be best utilized, a centralized feedback form is best.  Critics are always more vocal and I have to remind my staff that may get discouraged and some downright quit based on the negative feedback in the forums.  It's hard to get staff willing to put in the time, money, and effort just to get picked apart or trolled here.  I can't speak for the con, but I will say, asking people to commit to going to staff meetings and put in the work hours for zero compensation is extremely difficult.  Before you just say "something sucks", give a good explanation of why...and perhaps think about why you aren't staffing...?

As for sponsorships, I hope you think it through...people are less inclined to reduce prices or volunteer if they know there is sponsor money coming in....getting more sponsors, raises the minimum run rate price of things and every year you will have to hustle more and more to get additional sponsors while the corporate sponsors give less and less as their ROI decreases.  Do you really want a highly commercialized event like some of the other Southern California Conventions which charge additional money for special events? 

I'm surprised nobody has made the comment in support of the move of AA to south hall which is that there was more space ...
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: phr34kish on May 31, 2013, 10:50:14 AM
Quote from: eHash on May 31, 2013, 04:33:06 AM
I'm surprised nobody has made the comment in support of the move of AA to south hall which is that there was more space ...

We had more space, sure, but that's about where the advantage ends. Speaking as an artist that was there open to close all weekend, the primary concern is the health issue. Something was very wrong with the filters in the air conditioning system, and every day a new black film layered over everything. Many people started having severe allergic reactions and asthma attacks. And that's just the health bit - that stuff got into/on all of our wares. Then there was the problem that AA was pretty much forgotten as far as con placement/advertisement went. The 2 signs they placed were helpful, yes, but not everyone on staff knew where we were - and some told attendees we didn't exist at all. The South Hall wasn't even included on the maps with the convention center - further adding to attendee confusion. After that, the list gets petty (lighting, walking distance, etc.).

Don't get me wrong, the extra space was a dream come true. Just all the other negative that went along with it kindof made our space a moot point.

(And yes, I included this on my feedback form. ;) )
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: djmonolith on May 31, 2013, 11:30:32 AM
Wow... this is the first time I heard there was a "health issue" - that MUST be resolved for all future events that use that space.

I LOVED the larger space and was surprised at how many artists booths there were.

If the tent is to be used for AA next year there MUST be many signs... signs in the main convention center and signs on the sidewalk.  Perhaps the staff can find some cosplayers to help direct traffic along the sidewalk.  Also, the roamers and mobile info people should understand where Artist Alley is before the Con starts... it is surprising to hear that it was not known by many "helpers" as this is a MAJOR part of Fanime.

Again... yay for the large space.  I made a lot of new friends and walked away with loads of contacts and commissions.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: nemuneko on May 31, 2013, 12:00:53 PM
As I mentioned before, my main problem with the Artist Alley being in South Hall was the poor lighting. It was just not bright enough in there for displaying artwork, especially for people who don't have the best eyesight. My friends agreed and many of the artists we talked to found it annoying. I appreciate the much larger space (and I'm sure the artists do, as well), but the lighting really needs to be turned up if they're going to have it in there again. Artwork really needs good lighting in order to fully appreciate it.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on May 31, 2013, 01:26:51 PM
It's all in my todo list already: clean the floor, wind-tunnel effect, low lighting at a bad temperature, and water stations in there. The gears will likely be in motion to confirm the next AA location in a few days. Of course, it may take months to confirm this, but feedback from the artist surveys, the feedback form. the staff, and to a smaller extent the forums will all affect our decisions.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Ko-tan on May 31, 2013, 01:49:58 PM
Hi there everyone, I will try my best to express my suggestion without offending anyone. The last few years I have attended Fanime, I realized that despite having multiple dance rooms, they all play the same music. I personally am not quite fond of "EDM" type music and neither are my friends. I tried to get into the groove, but the music went from fast to slow and it had irregular rhythms that my friends and I could not really dance to. It is not to say that this is a bad thing, I just wish that there was another (even if it was tiny) room where we could dance to other music instead. Either a mix of 70's-present  American Music or just the top 100 hits from Japan and America from the last 10 years would be nice. I really don't mean to offend, and it's not that this EDM music is bad, it is just not my type of music. What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: djmonolith on May 31, 2013, 02:12:56 PM
Quote from: Ko-tan on May 31, 2013, 01:49:58 PM
Hi there everyone, I will try my best to express my suggestion without offending anyone. The last few years I have attended Fanime, I realized that despite having multiple dance rooms, they all play the same music. I personally am not quite fond of "EDM" type music and neither are my friends. I tried to get into the groove, but the music went from fast to slow and it had irregular rhythms that my friends and I could not really dance to. It is not to say that this is a bad thing, I just wish that there was another (even if it was tiny) room where we could dance to other music instead. Either a mix of 70's-present  American Music or just the top 100 hits from Japan and America from the last 10 years would be nice. I really don't mean to offend, and it's not that this EDM music is bad, it is just not my type of music. What do you guys think?

More trance!  ha ha ha...

How about an ambient chill-room for early morning chill out??  I am available to dj... wink
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Oniko on May 31, 2013, 04:07:11 PM
Quote from: Lucifargundam on May 30, 2013, 05:00:05 PM
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
1. Lines sucked this year
Prereg::: construction/Fairmont staff
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
2. everything seemed less organized
Con staff needed help
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
3. i felt exhibit 1 was a complete waste of space. i mean come on, bring in more vendors or something.
"Panic and the disco"
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
4. sucked that the artist alley was not in the convention center. because of that i found myself going only twice where as i usually go visit it everyday. i felt as though the swap meet should have been in that building instead (swap meet is my favorite thing at con)
there has been talk of moving registration to that area instead.
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PM
5.there seemed to be less games in the gaming room this year, not sure if its true or just me.
seemed just as much to me.
Quote from: crystalsoul on May 30, 2013, 04:46:06 PMoverall is seemed less organized and lower budget despite the increase in attendees
Construction threw alot of things off.... more volunteers are needed. Feel free to help out next year :)

It would certainly be a big enough space if reg moved to south hall.  But I think they would either need to scrub the floors or put something down to cover them because it was very dirty and people like to sit in reg line.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Steve.Young on May 31, 2013, 04:12:41 PM
Quote from: Otakuya on May 30, 2013, 06:52:15 PM
The idea had been thrown out there to get sponsorships and professional help to continue to make Fanimecon successful. Get sponsors willing to give advertising space in the programs and naming rights to events, maybe even a presenting sponsor.  With an event that attracts more than 20,000  people, I bet there are some companies willing to listen,  even if that company has nothing to do with anime.

Sure it may sound annoying,  like how we are with watching commercials on tv,  but the reason why there are commercials is to help pay for programming.  Fanimecon needs help funding and simply raising registration process isn't going to help.

Hello, if you know of any companies that wish to advertise or sponsor FanimeCon, my email is in my signature.

We work with a variety of companies from various industries and offer plenty of opportunities but not everyone has the budget available to do major advertising. Some companies, just throwing a few out, like Viz Media and Bushiroad sponsored us this year (you saw Viz's ad in the program guide and Bushiroads postcard in your registration bags) so if you know of any other companies that may wish to work with us, send them my way.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Steve.Young on May 31, 2013, 04:31:35 PM
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2013, 05:52:57 PM
Also, now that there is a place to discuss:
What can I, personally, do about drunks bothering me? This fellow wasn't harassing me to a large degree, but he was hanging around where he clearly wasn't wanted, followed me, and kept leaning in closer to me. I'm always afraid to say anything directly to someone like that because he was obviously not getting a hint and since I am a fairly small female, I'm always afraid of some type of retaliation. Could I have told a staff member and they could have done something? He wasn't overly bothersome, just...very uncomfortably close. Could he have been kicked out simply for being drunk in the halls? Does staff even care about that these days? The drunkenness in the halls seemed WAY out of hand this year. I'm hoping to get some staff input on this one. I don't have much faith in the staff helping me out much with something like this, since while he made me quite uncomfortable (and followed me out of the room), but wasn't harassing me in the traditional sense, and I've heard plenty of horror stories of Fanime staff not properly addressing this kind of issue, and seeing as no one seemed to care that the boozing seemed 10x worse than ever before, I honestly don't know if staff would even -care- if I brought it up. This is becoming a huge problem, and I might not stay out late at the con in future years if there is this much rampant drunkenness, simply for my own safety and comfort, since things could have been a -lot- worse. (It isn't like this was my first year at the con or staying up late, so I've seen the levels of drinking before and how it was handled before, and there is a marked difference between the past two cons and my ~10 Fanimes before that.)

Hi Nina, staff does enforce the code of conduct, including the harassment and dry con policies. If you have been a victim of harassment by intoxicated individuals, you have every right to report the incident and that person would have been dealt with. As the con grows, there will be growing pains, many of which are increasing numbers of members who may be intoxicated. We highly encourage you to call the number on the back of your badge (the number is a direct line to convention operations) and report these incidents. It's not that staff doesn't care, its just that they can't be everywhere at once. We also have many staff members who are not trained to deal with these situations. You wouldn't want a staff member who was uncomfortable dealing with drunks to confront them either, which is why we have Rovers and specially trained Operations staff handle these types of situations.

I highly encourage anyone reading this thread to remember several key things.

Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Xeluu on May 31, 2013, 08:36:15 PM
Quote from: Steve.Young on May 31, 2013, 04:31:35 PM

Hi Nina, staff does enforce the code of conduct, including the harassment and dry con policies. If you have been a victim of harassment by intoxicated individuals, you have every right to report the incident and that person would have been dealt with. As the con grows, there will be growing pains, many of which are increasing numbers of members who may be intoxicated. We highly encourage you to call the number on the back of your badge (the number is a direct line to convention operations) and report these incidents. It's not that staff doesn't care, its just that they can't be everywhere at once. We also have many staff members who are not trained to deal with these situations. You wouldn't want a staff member who was uncomfortable dealing with drunks to confront them either, which is why we have Rovers and specially trained Operations staff handle these types of situations.

I highly encourage anyone reading this thread to remember several key things.


  • If you have been the victim of harassment during con, report it immediately. Convention Operation's phone number is listed on the back of every badge.
[/b]
  • Take down their badge numbers. If someone is harassing you, try to get a name or badge number.
  • If you have an issue with a staff member, please get their badge number. This helps us pinpoint issues and find responsible parties. Not every staff member who walks the floor is a Rover (people often assume this is the case).

Actually, I talked with ConOps this year about a similar problem and wanted to point out that the attendee's badges had a number for Rovers this year, NOT ConOps.

I still need to fill out the feedback forum when I'm no longer sick, but I reported someone for drinking inside an event, and nothing was ever done until I left right at the end and reported it to a staff member at the back of the room (I reported it at 11:17pm, and I left and reported the person again at 11:55pm). I'm not certain at that point what should have been done, but I watched as the person's badge was NOT revoked, and they were merely told to leave the room.

As someone who has had friends who run the late night video rooms for years, I will say that I think the issue with drunken behavior this year was worse than in recent prior years. I watched drunks being let in to the rooms because they weren't being "belligerent" but were very vocal.

This is something I will be putting in the feedback: There needs to be more staff able to pull badges. I understand that you don't want everyone to be able to do this, but when the "best" a person can do is to kick them out of a room, you have a problem.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on May 31, 2013, 11:46:02 PM
I was just about to mention.. yeah.. attendee badges had the Rovers texting hotline.. they couldn't even call or talk to anyone on the phone as the number to rovers was not connected to a phone. However, the hotline was quick to answer.. and if needed, can be used to send a rover to the person in need of help. I know a few people who needed help from harrassment and texted rovers about it, had people sent to them to get it taken care of.

do not be afraid to text rovers when you need help.

intoxicated people have been the most problematic thing staff has had to encounter over the entire con's history.. (minus registration lines.. sure).. and regardless of Fanime being a "dry convention".. countless people continue to ignore that..

for a staff member to "pull" a badge.. the violation needs to be deemed severe enough... and yes, it can only be done by a limited few. on the other hand, any staff member can confiscate a badge that is either fake, or clearly does not belong to the person that's using it.. the issue on revoking or pulling badges is that not many staff are properly trained or experienced.. and in the end, attendees will "complain" about staff abusing their power or some other nonsense... and then some other staff members will also go power crazy as well if they were given that capability.

having someone who's intoxicated, but cooperative.. is obviously much different than one who's causing trouble. those who aren't causing trouble besides being intoxicated... at that point.. if they are cooperative and take themselves back to their room.. there's no need to reprimand them by pulling their badge... if they require additional reminding... then the issue can be escalated.

if the person is outright belligerent.. then security gets involved and it becomes a more serious issue.. there is always someone awake during the convention that can pull a badge... and when the issue is serious enough, they are called out to do so.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on June 01, 2013, 12:00:59 AM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on May 31, 2013, 11:46:02 PM
intoxicated people have been the most problematic thing staff has had to encounter over the entire con's history.. (minus registration lines.. sure).. and regardless of Fanime being a "dry convention".. countless people continue to ignore that..
Probably because there is a bar in the first floor of both hotel rooms.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: keitoghostie on June 01, 2013, 12:01:29 AM
I already filled out the form with everything I think is relevant but I'd like to make a few of the same points here.

The biggest WTF came from the panels staff not being up to date...
My friend and I were hosting a panel that got taken from the waitlist and in both the panelist lounge and on the sandwich board outside our panel it listed the cancelled panel that ours was replacing.
I'm not sure if this was an issue with other departments but it just seems really weird that they weren't using information from the most current schedule.
In the end it wasn't a huge issue; we still had a fun panel with decent attendance but I feel like more people would've been on board had the information been correct.

I really like the use of South Hall!! I really hope it's used again in some way but I totally agree with the whole bad lighting thing aaa

I also really liked the food court since it allowed for more hallway space, plus it was a nice area to escape from the crowds.
The hall was definitely very empty but I kind of liked that?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on June 01, 2013, 12:15:00 AM
omg yes! the empty space in hall 1 when swap meet wasn't around was really nice.

larger groups that were just lingering around (especially that one night when a group of people with instruments were taking space in the hallway).. Rovers moved them inside Hall 1 and there were no complaints since they had the space, didn't block the hall, and didn't disturb anyone once they were inside because of how much space they had.

the large spin the bottle group that was in there one other day was getting pretty close to getting shut down because they were growing too big... but it never got to that point, and the game was over before any major issues happened. (staff loves people who can self-police themselves).. but yes.. large space in hall 1 was great for that.

then finally when dealer's hall line grew too big and started filling up the hallways.. the line was able to be routed inside hall 1.. that was convenient.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Lucifargundam on June 01, 2013, 11:47:20 AM
Quote from: renalcul on June 01, 2013, 12:00:59 AM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on May 31, 2013, 11:46:02 PM
intoxicated people have been the most problematic thing staff has had to encounter over the entire con's history.. (minus registration lines.. sure).. and regardless of Fanime being a "dry convention".. countless people continue to ignore that..
Probably because there is a bar in the first floor of both hotel rooms.
2 bars connected to con and 10 nearby... more if you walk a little longer...              in short, alcohol was everywhere but on the concourse-which is the con itself.  It was accessible but not provided. It was inevitable that such people would show up.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: CeruleanRogue on June 01, 2013, 01:08:02 PM
Feedback I've submitted (via two forms, since I just thought of more feedback recently):

~'Fire Support' staff for Cosplay Spectacular - This year's CS staff worked very hard, but the majority of them were very green.  (Some literally did not even know stage directions.)  Any further assistance that can be provided to them to minimize CS errors would be awesome.

~Satellite Panel Check-in for Fairmont panels - I was both staying at the Fairmont and hosting a panel in the Gold room there.  However, I had to walk over to the Panels lounge in the Marriott to check in for my panel, then walk all the way back to the Fairmont for my panel.  That felt really inefficient to me, any chance of having a 'satellite' check-in at the Fairmont ONLY for panels hosted there?

~Additional Registration staff - I would love to staff Registration during Night Zero and (possibly part of) Day One.  However, due to distance and other potential event conflicts I'm unsure I could fully join as Reg staff.  I do have registration experience at events, if there was a way I could assist even just for the first couple days I would gladly do so (and I'm sure others would as well).  My suggestion included a slight reduction in badge cost (maybe $10-$20 or so) or a Starbucks card or similar to reimburse peoples' time.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Alejandro Cuba on June 01, 2013, 01:32:18 PM
Quote from: eHash on May 31, 2013, 04:33:06 AM
I hope people realize that FanimeCon is a Con staffed by volunteers.  In order for the feedback to be best utilized, a centralized feedback form is best.  Critics are always more vocal and I have to remind my staff that may get discouraged and some downright quit based on the negative feedback in the forums.  It's hard to get staff willing to put in the time, money, and effort just to get picked apart or trolled here.  I can't speak for the con, but I will say, asking people to commit to going to staff meetings and put in the work hours for zero compensation is extremely difficult.  Before you just say "something sucks", give a good explanation of why...and perhaps think about why you aren't staffing...?

As for sponsorships, I hope you think it through...people are less inclined to reduce prices or volunteer if they know there is sponsor money coming in....getting more sponsors, raises the minimum run rate price of things and every year you will have to hustle more and more to get additional sponsors while the corporate sponsors give less and less as their ROI decreases.  Do you really want a highly commercialized event like some of the other Southern California Conventions which charge additional money for special events? 

I'm surprised nobody has made the comment in support of the move of AA to south hall which is that there was more space ...

Yes, we realize that it's volunteers.  That's the first thing most people mention in defense of any negative comments anyone points out here or at con.  Usually in the context of "well X would have worked fine if we had more volunteers" though we do also hear "don't be hard on staff because their all volunteer" and "if you don't like what staff does, why don't you volunteer" and more.  To address the last one I mentioned, quite simply, not everyone wants to volunteer.  I know that I personally do not.  It doesn't appeal to me and I'm an artist, so I wouldn't have the time at con to be of any help.  That doesn't stop me or any other con goer for doing things like give directions or helping out or grabbing Rovers or medics for other attendees we see in need.  And how exactly do you differentiate between 'staff' and normal 'volunteers'?  I can't say that I've ever understood that. 

Also, congoers who do elaborate cosplays and artists alike put in time, money and effort to what they will be bringing to con.  Many of the cosplayers only reward is to be told how amazing they look.  Isn't that similar to what staff would hear (something like, "Hey, great con!") if we didn't have issues that we wanted addressed?  The intangible reward of verbal congratulations?  And many of those who have posted have tried to give you explanations as to why!  I know that I did.  I gave you three pages worth of responses and explanations on the form that we were constantly being directed to.  I posted the link to the form on my facebook, tumblr, and in the AA facebook page because I wasn't sure when staff would have time.  And here's a link someone else had posted to an actual report of the con: http://www.usagichan2.com/Fanime2013/

You don't want sponsors because that will just start Fanime on the path to corp-con?  Fine, then don't do that.  Why not capitalize on your existing partnerships and friendships with the local downtown businesses that benefit from the influx of thousands of people?  I pretty sure none of them want to see Fanime decline, fail, or move.  They would like to see it continue to grow I sure.

Now to get to that last line.  I have seen plenty of people post how they like the location of Artist Alley.  By and large it seems to be non-artists saying that, but there are artists who liked it as well.  For me as an artist the only good thing was more space behind the table.  That's it.  People at my table did experience allergies and health issues that many people have mentioned.  I also felt separated from the rest of the con.  Honestly, it surprised me how much an extra block made a difference.  Normally, I would be able to do other things at con such as dealer's hall, gatherings, gamer's hall, and some other things.  This year I was able to scrape some time to blaze through dealer's hall so that I wouldn't be away too long.  I got to go to one gathering.  I went to the Spectacular and later left for reasons I've stated on the form.  Before it's said "but you could have gone back to con after AA closed!" yes that's true except that after dinner had been achieved I was back in my hotel room working on items for the table.  Once I'd finished that it would be late and I'd be really tired, since I'd been up quite early to put on my costume, eat, and get to the table before the hall opened to the public.  It was much easier to squeeze in some of these other activities when AA was in the main con space.

Finally, traffic was down, no one seemed to know where we were, and there wasn't any water in the hall unless we brought our own until mid-Saturday.  Those were constantly empty.  I am most vehemently against having Artist Alley in South Hall next year.  I have offered my suggestion for this on the form.  I don't want another con where I feel like it was an utter waste of my time, effort and money to make items for my table or to go at all.  Because at the end of this con that is how I felt!  That it had been an utter waste only just saved by seeing some friends I only see at con.  Otherwise, I'm in the red this con both financially and emotionally.  I don't know if it really affects staff when they hear that long time con goers say they won't be coming back.  I'm not quite there yet.  I'm willing to give the con another shot, but if next year can't improve then I can't say I'd return.  And that is not something I'm happy to say, especially as a former local who use to have such pride in the convention!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: otakuya on June 01, 2013, 07:20:10 PM
To staff and out of curiosity:

I'd like to ask staff how would you fix the issues with Fanime. I'm pretty sure you heard all of our sides, but what about your ideas that you wish to share to us, if possible.

Also, with all of the posts saying that this is their last Fanime, or they are not coming back, or they are not recommending Fanime, or whatever, how do you respond to those and what are you planning to do to win them back for next year and years to come?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Nina Star 9 on June 01, 2013, 08:11:22 PM
Quote from: Steve.Young on May 31, 2013, 04:31:35 PM
Hi Nina, staff does enforce the code of conduct, including the harassment and dry con policies. If you have been a victim of harassment by intoxicated individuals, you have every right to report the incident and that person would have been dealt with. As the con grows, there will be growing pains, many of which are increasing numbers of members who may be intoxicated. We highly encourage you to call the number on the back of your badge (the number is a direct line to convention operations) and report these incidents. It's not that staff doesn't care, its just that they can't be everywhere at once. We also have many staff members who are not trained to deal with these situations. You wouldn't want a staff member who was uncomfortable dealing with drunks to confront them either, which is why we have Rovers and specially trained Operations staff handle these types of situations.

I highly encourage anyone reading this thread to remember several key things.


  • If you have been the victim of harassment during con, report it immediately. Convention Operation's phone number is listed on the back of every badge.
  • Take down their badge numbers. If someone is harassing you, try to get a name or badge number.
  • If you have an issue with a staff member, please get their badge number. This helps us pinpoint issues and find responsible parties. Not every staff member who walks the floor is a Rover (people often assume this is the case).
Thank you for the reply.

I didn't mean to insinuate that staff didn't care about their jobs, or that every staff member could handle this, I'm more wondering why there has been a marked increase in drunkenness in the past two years. Is it simply a lack of numbers? I'm wondering how staff can miss people walking around the con not even trying to conceal the alcohol that they are actively consuming. It feels like this particular part of the code of conduct hasn't been enforced as strongly as it has been in the past.

I will keep in mind, if there are Fanimes in my future, the number on the back of the con badge, though it might also be a challenge to get away from someone causing problems for long enough to call. (It can also be difficult to get a name or a badge number off of someone...I've tried to do this before, but I'm not comfortable getting close enough to someone to be able to see and memorize a badge number, so I have never been able to, and I figure that without information like that, reporting it is fairly useless.) I'm also always afraid that staff won't take my complaints seriously or not see it as harassment, so I'm often too afraid to report anything for that reason. Out of curiosity, what is the the procedure if I did report harassment and the individual in question were located? Would they simply be reprimanded? Does that usually stop them from harassing others?

I don't mind people drinking at bars or in rooms and then calmly walking through the con to get back to their rooms or wherever they belong. That's all cool. I have a problem when people get super drunk and then actually try to attend a dry con, disrupting my con experience, or when they shout harassment at me in the halls (thankfully didn't happen this year but was quite a problem last year), try to grab at me inappropriately (again, not a problem this year, but was quite an issue for me last year), sit way too close to me showering me with "compliments" only to leave and then come back to find me again (despite making it clear that I wasn't interested) and follow me out of the room (the incident this year), since those things do impact my con experience and make me feel significantly less safe at the con. I don't want to turn in earlier than I would otherwise just because I'm afraid of being harassed, stalked, or worse by drunks, and I really hope that whatever issues have prevented a stricter enforcement of the dry con policies these past two years are fixed so that I can feel safe at the con late at night again.

These things didn't ruin my con or anything, but if I don't feel like I can be alone inside the con at night anymore, which it is getting to that point, I might stop coming. I'm already feeling like next year is the con's last chance for me (it should also be my last Fanime before grad school, so depending on where I end up, I might not be able to attend after next year anyway), and if the organization issues aren't solved, I feel like I might as well not bother and find another large con to attend, which would be quite unfortunate.
(I have had harassment at the con ruin an entire day of the con for me before, though...once when an older gentleman physically grabbed me and pulled me into a crowd so he could inform me that I made good masturbatory material, and last year, when I was so harassed in my Maj. Kusanagi cosplay that I'm actually reluctant to wear it again. The first incident was so quick and so crowded that I couldn't hope to possibly find the guy again, and the second was so MUCH [also from people who weren't con attendees] that it was too much from too many different people to report)

Now I'm wondering how many people get harassed and are made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe at the con, but never actually report it and just handle it themselves. Probably quite a few.

I'm glad that there is at least a phone number on the back of the badges, in case something goes wrong that I feel I can't handle by myself, or in case I am able to get enough information on someone harassing me that there is a chance of them getting caught.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Tsu on June 02, 2013, 09:28:22 PM
Before I get into it, let me note that I'm sending this (verbatim) to the feedback form so that Fanime's staff can see it. That being said, I just wanted to give other congoers a chance to pitch in.

Since the convention here on the forums I've seen the volunteer/by fans for fans mentality listed as an obstacle to extreme change at the convention. Congoers ask for badges to be mailed out, Fanime folk tell us that they don't have enough volunteers to do the envelope stuffing. People ask for logistics folk to be hired for registration to flow more slowly, we're told that no one is paid on the Fanime staff so that's an impossibility. I've seen posts with regards to the masquerade requesting that someone with experience be brought on as staff, whether to run it or to help train the volunteers- and again, it's shot down under the notion of everyone being volunteers.

I love the fact that Fanime comes from a fan mentality and that it's run by people who are fans of anime. But I am genuinely concerned that Fanime will become strangled by this ideal- maybe not next year, maybe not the year after, but possibly in the future. Even beyond registration, there were apparently many problems (not all of them, mind you) at the con this year that often came back to not enough people or people who didn't have enough training. I'm not doubting the dedication or effort of the volunteers and staff AT ALL, but Fanime is only going to get bigger and bigger. What if more people step down (like with the cosplay spectacular department) and Fanime's left scrambling to find volunteers/staff to fill in that may or may not have the proper experience? The FMV directors stepped down this year. Will there be someone who's qualified to fill that space?

I think most people would agree with me that if Fanime had a handful of people on PAID staff, that it wouldn't ruin the ideals of fanime. Would badge prices have to be raised? Possibly, but even a few dollars per badge with 20,000+ attendees would create quite a budget for such a thing. I'm not going to claim to have any ideas as to raise revenue or how much additional revenue would need to be raised, but I think Fanime needs to open itself to the idea. At this point in time Fanime can't afford to not be a professional-level convention, volunteer-run or not.

I hope this doesn't come off as inflammatory. I want Fanime to thrive. I've been going to Fanime for ages and it worries me to see such major stumbling blocks two years in a row- this time without the outside uncontrollable influence of a power outage to blame. I admire the staff and volunteers for all they do- I just don't want to see Fanime having to choose between its ideals and flourishing as a con. I'm sure there's a middle-ground!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: aetherltd on June 02, 2013, 09:34:46 PM
Registration needs to be automated.  This is Silicon Valley.

Fanime already has iPhone and Android apps. Those could be used to help with registration.

Ideal arrangement: pre-registration involves sending in a selfie and paying on line. A bar code comes back, which can be printed or displayed in the Fanime app. At registration, you show your bar code to a camera or scanner, and your badge is printed with your picture on it.  The person at the badge printer compares your face with the picture and gives you your badge. There is no manual data entry at registration for pre-registered members. That's the Silicon Valley way to do it.

Rent enough badge printers. They can be rented by the day.

Reg staff then deals mostly with problems and with cash customers.

If you need tech volunteers to build the system, get in touch with Hacker Dojo.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on June 03, 2013, 12:40:20 AM
Quote from: ewu on May 30, 2013, 06:35:42 PM
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 30, 2013, 05:52:57 PM
So glad everything was consolidated into a single thread! It's a bit of a jumbled mess right now, because of how many threads there were, but now we can get on with post-con discussion.

I'm just going to copy/paste what I put in the official form:

*sigh* thanks for posting to the form too. Staff will read the forums, but likely sometime in June and July. We will be having intensive meetings these next few weeks to post-mortem the con. That is why the form is important. It will be directed to the appropriate persons in the short timeline that we have to make decisions that will critically affect 2014.

Thanks!

Is there any ETA on a response about the Cosplay Spectacular? I've shared my own personal account of the event here: http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18572.msg464893.html#msg464893

I know that numerous people have left feedback regarding it and we have not had any response from Fanime Con staff.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: echoshadow on June 03, 2013, 01:17:32 AM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 03, 2013, 12:40:20 AM
I know that numerous people have left feedback regarding it and we have not had any response from Fanime Con staff.
I'm pretty sure staff is not going to personally respond to ever single form turned in. They will post a general "thank you, we will work on it" mass statement on the website or email. So don't hold your breath on ever receiving a personal response.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: echoshadow on June 03, 2013, 01:47:16 AM
I for one do support Fanime in there choice not to mail out badges. For one, I don't trust people in the bay area, I'm 90% sure they would try and make counterfeits or get another free by saying they lost the first one. Anyone who knows about professional printing knows just how cheap the material is. So no on the mail thing.

On your other points I highly agree with you. There seems to be too many volunteers that have no idea what they are doing. that really doesn't lay with the volunteers them self but the management that leads them. You can have the most highly skilled volunteers but that doesn't mean jack if the management doesn't use them. The problem is with the higher ups.

If Fanime is complaining about lack of staff, well hire a third party or temps. Will that increase badge prices? Yes, but I'll gladly pay more or a short wait time on badge pick up, improved scheduling, better guests, and just over all a more organized anime con.

Will Fanime management make changes? I don't really think so. I'm pretty sure will see those same 6-8 booths there for registration again. As my friend that went to Fanime for the first time said, "I can't believe how cheap tickets for a 4 day con is." Then what he said after day 4 "I can't believe how little Fanime has to offer, I guess its true you get what you pay for."

Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on June 03, 2013, 02:26:43 AM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 03, 2013, 01:47:16 AM
I for one do support Fanime in there choice not to mail out badges. For one, I don't trust people in the bay area, I'm 90% sure they would try and make counterfeits or get another free by saying they lost the first one. Anyone who knows about professional printing knows just how cheap the material is. So no on the mail thing.
This argument doesn't really hold weight considering how many people trade badges and sneak into things anyway.

Besides, with the amount of people who would be willing to pay up to 1/3rd more of the cost of the badges to simply have it mailed to them and not have to pick it up would more than likely negate however many people decided to counterfeit or claim duplicates.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SpiritOfKairi on June 03, 2013, 11:09:11 AM
Quote from: renalcul on June 03, 2013, 02:26:43 AM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 03, 2013, 01:47:16 AM
I for one do support Fanime in there choice not to mail out badges. For one, I don't trust people in the bay area, I'm 90% sure they would try and make counterfeits or get another free by saying they lost the first one. Anyone who knows about professional printing knows just how cheap the material is. So no on the mail thing.
This argument doesn't really hold weight considering how many people trade badges and sneak into things anyway.

Besides, with the amount of people who would be willing to pay up to 1/3rd more of the cost of the badges to simply have it mailed to them and not have to pick it up would more than likely negate however many people decided to counterfeit or claim duplicates.
I have to agree that the whole counterfeiting argument doesn't hold much weight at all.  With how the badge checkers verify your membership by simply glancing to make sure you have a pass for the current year on, it is very easy to give your badge to a friend so they can get in for a few hours.  I know several people who have loaned their badges to others for a few hours, and it worked flawlessly.  All they had to do was go somewhere out of sight of staff and rovers to make the exchange, which wasn't difficult.

Also, you can't get replacements for free, so that whole argument is invalid.  Even if you DO lose it, you have to pay half of what you originally did for the first replacement, and then full price for additional ones.

To me, if Fanime still doesn't allow the mailing option for 2014, they would be doing themselves a disservice.  Given how many people are willing to pay $10-15 extra for that convenience, it would more than make up for their end of the costs, and again, that whole counterfeiting argument doesn't really work.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on June 03, 2013, 01:06:50 PM
Re: counterfeits and mailing out badges. We are not presenting arguments, we are presenting reasons. They are not arguments because an argument would require us to explain the entire situation and divulge certain information that we have deemed inappropriate for public dissemination. Counterfeiting is the main reason but not the only reason. While I would like to explain it all, it would be impractical and inappropriate for me to do so.

I do not ask for your trust at this time, but soon, we hope to have a properly explored and vetted plan that we can share with you. At that time, I hope that you will see that we have given the situation thought and contemplation to present to you our best solution. Where we have not chosen to take action, I ask that you will trust that we have made critical decisions and have good logical reasoning to back up the decision, even if we are unable to share with you all the details. Reg is an immensely difficult system that involves more than half of the senior staff, so it will take time to figure it out. However I know that we are currently mustering our resources in manpower and already have multiple plans to move ahead that will be evaluated and refined in the next few weeks. So I ask for your patience while we develop a plan that is a culmination of your feedback, and the lessons that we have learned from this year as we likewise learn from each year.

As for hiring staff, we are considering it. But because it is a weekend and a holiday weekend, we may need to pay not just overtime - time and a half pay, but possibly double time. It may become a decision of staffing reg and giving up programming - for example and totally pulled out of my.... is if we need to choose between having two more staffers versus losing a panels room or cutting a video room.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Tsu on June 03, 2013, 04:23:38 PM
Quote from: ewu on June 03, 2013, 01:06:50 PM
As for hiring staff, we are considering it. But because it is a weekend and a holiday weekend, we may need to pay not just overtime - time and a half pay, but possibly double time. It may become a decision of staffing reg and giving up programming - for example and totally pulled out of my.... is if we need to choose between having two more staffers versus losing a panels room or cutting a video room.

I hope this is noted because sending in a 3rd feedback form would seem excessive, but have you all considered Kickstarter or something else of a crowd-funded nature? If I knew that the money was actually going to go towards hiring staff to help improve the con, or to preserve the panels/video rooms in light of paid-staff hiring, I would totally pitch in some $ and I'm sure others would too, since folks have said that they're willing to produce extra money just to get their badges mailed to them. Little perks could be offered of little-to-no monetary value, like high amounts getting a ticket to the Yamaga party or getting a special little "I donated!" sticker on your badge or something like that.

Alternatively, what about different tiers of "membership" like other cons and the AMV.org have? The higher you pay, the more perks you get and the more you support the con. Higher-tier supporters would have special badges indicating this, maybe some kind of VIP privilege, that sort of thing. Though I realize VIP privileges at most other cons indicates that you're guaranteed to get in to see guests and such which isn't usually a problem at Fanime, but other VIP privileges could be created. Like guaranteed seating for the masquerade, or a fenced off seating section or something for the very highest tier. Kind of like how it used to be done for the AMV editors back in the day.

...maybe I will submit this in a feedback form after all.... >_>
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on June 03, 2013, 05:07:52 PM
Quote from: foester on June 03, 2013, 04:23:38 PM
...maybe I will submit this in a feedback form after all.... >_>

Heh, kickstarter was mentioned, not sure how this will go with our finance and PR peeps:P But yah the form is the best place.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Yuu- pon on June 03, 2013, 06:20:36 PM
Quote from: ewu on June 03, 2013, 01:06:50 PM
Re: counterfeits and mailing out badges. We are not presenting arguments, we are presenting reasons. 



What I hear is " We don't need to explain anything to you people because were in charge"

In the past, I can see this being a valid argument. At this point a few counterfeit  badges would be about equivalent to reimbursing those who lost an entire day at con and still had to pay full weekend prices.

To me this says that you aren't willing to pay the consequences for your own short-comings. It says that you would prefer to make the loyal attendees, who payed to stand in line all day pay for them.

I love Fanime, I want to want to continue to support it. But  why should I support anyone who leaves me holding the bag full of their mistakes?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on June 03, 2013, 06:29:23 PM
Quote from: ewu on June 03, 2013, 05:07:52 PM
Quote from: foester on June 03, 2013, 04:23:38 PM
...maybe I will submit this in a feedback form after all.... >_>

Heh, kickstarter was mentioned, not sure how this will go with our finance and PR peeps:P But yah the form is the best place.

Bro-Tip:

Sell hats!

and by that i mean custom badges. Charge like 5-10$ more for a custom badge (subject to aproval) make dollars, hire more staff.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on June 03, 2013, 06:35:54 PM
Quote from: renalcul on June 03, 2013, 06:29:23 PM
hire more staff.
you mean hire staff? you can't "hire more staff" if you never hired staff in the first place..  :o

lol.. there's Fanime merch.. hmm.. custom badges... i dunno.. but that gives me another idea though... goes along the lines of a vip/premier badging system.. *shrug*..
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on June 03, 2013, 06:43:14 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 03, 2013, 06:35:54 PM
Quote from: renalcul on June 03, 2013, 06:29:23 PM
hire more staff.
you mean hire staff? you can't "hire more staff" if you never hired staff in the first place..  :o

lol.. there's Fanime merch.. hmm.. custom badges... i dunno.. but that gives me another idea though... goes along the lines of a vip/premier badging system.. *shrug*..

>0 = more
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Fi-Fi on June 03, 2013, 10:07:18 PM
I have submitted my feedback, but here its again.

So, here it is, what I submitted to Fanime... a critique of 3 things: registration, Cosplay Spectacular, and Artist Alley



---------------------------------

To start off, I was part of the 8 hour Pre-Reg line on Thursday Night. I was also subjected to the line last year, but at least I was inside and I realize that with power outages things happen. But this year I was in fact in line LONGER than I was last year. After the mess of lines in different halls and rooms, I finally made it to the final line (or so I assumed) and got to the booth, I was rudely told I was in the wrong line. Now, when we entered the room every single person was funneled into the same line. No one asked "Are you Pre-Reg? Early Reg? Group Reg?" I still have no idea who that first line was even for because I was blown off so quickly it was as if I wasn't the first person to have the problem. Seeing as the booth I was shooed away from clearly said "Pre-Reg" I was mighty angry.

When I was finally in what I assumed was the correct line, before I was able to talk to the person at the other booth (labeled Early-Reg) I was again told that because I was group reg, I needed to go to another table. What that person did not do was ask me my name or print the labels to put on my badges. So, after once again being shooed into a line while other people just walked up to the table and where being helped before me, I was told we had to GET BACK IN THE OTHER LINE. I told the lady, NO, and to her credit, agreed with me after I explained that another staff member had ordered us into the line we were now in. The staff or Volunteer who was in the bright green jacket to her credit was working her ass off to try and stem the tide of madness that was the group registration pick up. She was concerned that my badges weren't already printed, and that is when she informed me that no one had printed them, and she rushed around to get them printed. It was 2am at this point.



To offer solutions for your registration failure, I have the following suggestions:

1) Pre-print your badges. I don't care that people get upset that they don't get a spiffy badge if the register at the con.

2) Or, have a label printer at every single station along with a computer that the registration volunteer can quickly find a person and send their name to be printed.

3) Have lines CLEARLY marked. If you are going to do Early Reg and Pre Reg on Thursday, then you need to have each line clearly marked and a person stationed to direct people to the correct line.

4) Group registration needs to have its own booth. This was my first year doing it and I realized just how popular it is. My understanding was that group registration was to help lessen the number of people in line, but because of the confusion and lack of organization it was even more of a pain for me to wait in line for 8 hours than it would have been for all 5 of us to wait in line for 6. And yes, it was an extra 2 hours of waiting tacked on because I was doing group reg.





My second major grip of this convention was the mess that was the Cosplay Spectacular. It started with the extremely late start, which while I understand that we lost Melissa (and her entire staff as I later found out). I understand staff turnovers are hard, and training and finding good staff is hard, but it starts with a calm and competent leader. And Jack was neither of those. I heard many stories, but this is my personal experience with him. After exchanging some hard to read emails, we arrived at the convention with no knowledge if we needed to check in with anyone, we didn't even know when the show was going to start. I emailed Jack during the convention but never received a reply, and after searching through emails and asking other people who were also in the show, we finally found where judging was going to be taking place and that there wasn't any need to check in... or at least that is what we assumed.

We arrived at judging, we did check in directly with Jack and his staff and I asked if they needed our audio again, or if it needed to be checked. I was told it was all OK, and we went about our way. The next day we stopped by the hall to check in again, asked where we could keep our props, and if they had our audio. I asked Jack, again, if he needed our audio and if he had gotten the email with our intro, he said yes and that we were all set. Around 3:30-4:00 PM we show up in costume and asked about what number we where in the show, only to find out we had been scratched because "we never checked in" Bullshit, not only had we checked in, we had checked in directly with Jack. I proceed to text my friends who were also in the masquerade to double check if they were still in the show because of what we had just been through. (which we found out that 3 groups had been cut for the same reason) After asking why our name was scratched out to be waved away with an "Oh, that is nothing, you are here, I'll fix it... blah blah blah" we, already stressed and unhappy with how this has been going so far, find a seat and sit down. Here is where the rest of Jacks staff really stepped up and worked very hard with what they had. The stage manager (I never got his name) tried very hard to seat us in performance order, we were told we were 16.

So, after the rock concert, which while good, was not appreciated at all by any of the contestants because of nerves and stress levels, we were finally taken out into the hall and given a new number, 12. After more confusion as to who was going next because the list they had was useless, we were finally let back stage. And we waited. And waited. And then the sound guy told me our audio didn't work. Excuse me, I had been told 3 times that our audio was fine, and I didn't have my backup with me. Then I was told "You are Italy's Pizza Conference, right?" NO. "Oh, Automatic Dolls? We don't have your audio." And they didn't have it because Jack decided that he wanted to switch computers (which I heard him ask a staff member for another computer than the little one he was using during the rehearsal) and he did not move the audio files to the new computer. Well, panicking I yelled (the backstage yell) at Jack that he said he had our audio and why didn't he have it now. He had me search his email for my audio. He then put it on a thumb drive and transferred it to the computer the sound guy was using.

Now, while waiting for all of this to take place, I was asked if I was the Madoka group no less than 5 times. I was asked, again, if I was the Italy group. I watched as the Hatsune Miku cosplayer was told to go out suddenly when we were suppose to go and he was not ready. I watched as the Italy group have their audio cut and lights dimmed before the end of their skit and then they were just yelled at to get off stage. When our audio was finally found and added to the play list, it started playing over the Madoka skit! We heard it from backstage, and told the sound guy to shut off our audio, and then he shut off the Madoka audio instead. I watched in horror as the group finished their skit to our music and the group members storm back stage and start screaming (with good reason) at Jack. And Jack let them redo their skit. But if he was going to give in to the screaming he should have let the Italy group go again because that is unfair. So, by this time I didn't want to go on stage. Tell me who would want to go on stage and preform after their audio just ruined another skit?



We did perform, but I'd had it. When Jack finally got our audio he offered us high-fives. It was if he wasn't taking anything he was doing seriously. Because the high-five, after I just went though the panic of being told my audio was bad and then that they didn't have my audio, was lucky to have not turned into a punch.



Most of Jacks staff worked best with what they had, but I feel that things like performance order should have been decided either before the con if there is no mandatory check-in, or at mandatory check-in with an audio check.



So, here are some suggestions for next year.

1) I don't say this lightly, but fire Jack. He did not display any qualities of a good leader, he was unorganized and his lax attitude was completely inappropriate.

2) The online form needs to come back. Email and forum communication for the contest was lacking and confusing.

3) Things need to be on a deadline. If audio submissions were on a deadline, I was completely unaware of it. The same with sign ups.

4) The next person to take over needs to have either more experience or at least have proven organizational skills.

5) The rules need to be applied to everyone. If one group is allowed a do-over, then every skit that had its audio affected by a mistake needs to have the opportunity to re-do their skit. I don't care if one was more popular or better put together. The rules need to apply to everyone equally.

6) The audio should have been re-named with the performance order, it should have been on a portable HD and a thumb drive, and during rehearsal, every single audio should have been played to assure that they worked and that every file was accounted for.

7) I did like that there were cash prizes, better than the bags-o-paper we have gotten in the past. If you had included a trophy like in years past, it would have made me even happier. But if it came down to the plexiglass trophies or cash, I would prefer cash.

8 ) I hope that if you do remove Jack as the coordinator you will not dally and find a replacement asap because it is going to take time to fix this mess.





The last thing is the artist ally. I understand because of construction it had to be moved. But when all the signs say "South Hall" and there is no South Hall... you shot yourselves in the foot, along with all the vendors in the tent. Your signage was awful, and should have said "Artist Ally One Block That Way" The Fanime AA is one of, if not the best AA around and it is just horrible that you couldn't simply direct people to the right place.




Will I go back next year? I honestly don't know... I fly in from the Midwest so it is a big deal trip to make it all the way to San Jose. I hope that you can implement changes that will make it worth my wild and my money.

Yes, this is long, but I felt Fanime needed to know exactly what was wrong.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: kookiekween99 on June 03, 2013, 11:18:02 PM
Quote from: Fi-Fi on June 03, 2013, 10:07:18 PMThe last thing is the artist ally. I understand because of construction it had to be moved. But when all the signs say "South Hall" and there is no South Hall... you shot yourselves in the foot, along with all the vendors in the tent. Your signage was awful, and should have said "Artist Ally One Block That Way" The Fanime AA is one of, if not the best AA around and it is just horrible that you couldn't simply direct people to the right place.

To be fair, the big blue tent is South Hall. Though in your defense, most people who don't A) know San Jose, B) stalk the forums, or C) have friends/family on staff wouldn't know that.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SOawesomeness on June 04, 2013, 03:29:31 PM
Quote from: Fi-Fi on June 03, 2013, 10:07:18 PM
The staff or Volunteer who was in the bright green jacket
Hi. o:
I wore the jacket so that people could see me/find where I was. At least now I know it's definitely memorable... As noted before, we're working on improving the system. I currently have 3 different proposals to alleviate the long wait and there is definitely more brainstorming in the works. I will try to make the lines much more marked.

I also didn't realize how popular group reg was so I'm also planning on having a few booths dedicated to group pick-up.

Thank you for the feedback. (:
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: kookiekween99 on June 04, 2013, 03:47:04 PM
Quote from: SOawesomeness on June 04, 2013, 03:29:31 PM
Quote from: Fi-Fi on June 03, 2013, 10:07:18 PM
The staff or Volunteer who was in the bright green jacket
Hi. o:
I wore the jacket so that people could see me/find where I was. At least now I know it's definitely memorable... As noted before, we're working on improving the system. I currently have 3 different proposals to alleviate the long wait and there is definitely more brainstorming in the works. I will try to make the lines much more marked.

I also didn't realize how popular group reg was so I'm also planning on having a few booths dedicated to group pick-up.

Thank you for the feedback. (:

Has it not been popular in the past? I ALWAYS do group pickup. I tend to have a group of 5-10 people under me. That way I make the sacrifice of standing in line while they get to go enjoy badgeless Thursday.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Fi-Fi on June 04, 2013, 04:59:15 PM
Quote from: SOawesomeness on June 04, 2013, 03:29:31 PM
Quote from: Fi-Fi on June 03, 2013, 10:07:18 PM
The staff or Volunteer who was in the bright green jacket
Hi. o:
I wore the jacket so that people could see me/find where I was. At least now I know it's definitely memorable... As noted before, we're working on improving the system. I currently have 3 different proposals to alleviate the long wait and there is definitely more brainstorming in the works. I will try to make the lines much more marked.

I also didn't realize how popular group reg was so I'm also planning on having a few booths dedicated to group pick-up.

Thank you for the feedback. (:



Hi! Thank you for working so hard so late into the night, I know I was a bit testy and I am sorry if I snapped at you, but honestly, thank you so much for finding out what happened to my badges and taking care of it. It was really nice to have someone who cared at that point. So, thank you again!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SOawesomeness on June 04, 2013, 05:44:23 PM
Quote from: kookiekween99 on June 04, 2013, 03:47:04 PM
Has it not been popular in the past? I ALWAYS do group pickup. I tend to have a group of 5-10 people under me. That way I make the sacrifice of standing in line while they get to go enjoy badgeless Thursday.
It was popular, but I didn't realize compared to single-pick up how popular it was. @w@ But now I definitely know.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: djmonolith on June 04, 2013, 08:33:27 PM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 03, 2013, 01:47:16 AM
For one, I don't trust people in the bay area,

Totally random comment of the day.  Seriously?  I am trustworthy.  I live here.

Better watch out for us bay area people!!!!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: djmonolith on June 04, 2013, 08:38:11 PM
Quote from: ewu on June 03, 2013, 01:06:50 PM

So I ask for your patience while we develop a plan that is a culmination of your feedback, and the lessons that we have learned from this year as we likewise learn from each year.


Thank you for the post.  Have you spoken with staff members/planners from other conventions who don't seem to have a problem with Registration?  Why recreate the wheel?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 01:09:43 AM
Quote from: djmonolith on June 04, 2013, 08:38:11 PM
Thank you for the post.  Have you spoken with staff members/planners from other conventions who don't seem to have a problem with Registration?  Why recreate the wheel?
certain wheels work better with different vehicles.. ;)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: EJAY420 on June 05, 2013, 04:26:54 AM
Have an supreme/elite/presidential/idontcarewhatyoucallit  package/deal.  Example: a 100 badge. Get it in the mail JUST ONCE. Prior to fanime, like one day. I do not mind paying more to not fkn wait in line.

I would give you $100 for a no waiting in line badge. :-)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on June 05, 2013, 04:55:42 AM
Quote from: EJAY420 on June 05, 2013, 04:26:54 AM
Have an supreme/elite/presidential/idontcarewhatyoucallit  package/deal.  Example: a 100 badge. Get it in the mail JUST ONCE. Prior to fanime, like one day. I do not mind paying more to not fkn wait in line.

I would give you $100 for a no waiting in line badge. :-)
Most would pay up to 70 for a no wait badge, doesn't mean they'd do it.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Anon on June 05, 2013, 10:54:17 AM
Just thought I'd leave a little feedback regarding the swap meet, as I haven't seen any from some of the other more vocal sellers, but I would like to say thanks to the staff for a relatively flawless execution this year for at-the-event. I'm guessing you guys aren't seeing many critiques due to the fact that there really weren't any to mention regarding the event from a seller's viewpoint.

The actual registration for the event felt a little rushed, but I imagine that's because you guys got an all new db running to cross-check registrations. If you guys could get the whole reg process in place in some time like Feb or March, some of the other sellers who decided not to go this year would more likely attended.

I think my only complaint would be the fact that I was once again accused of being a retail dealer selling at the swap meet. I have been selling at the Fanime swap meet since the mid 2000's off and on prior to 2007, and almost every year from 2008 and on. I know how to prepare and sell at the event, how to set up a make-shift display with what we bring in. Presentation is everything in sales, and I try to make everything as pretty as I can. This year, I was politely informed yet again that my display was "too well set up", and to break it down when possible, and we complied. I don't really have any suggestion or proposition to present, just a little something I wanted to get off my chest.

Several years ago my friend painstakingly hunted out a refridgerator box for us to bring our stuff in for sales, which was ok'd during check-in and setup, but halfway through the night we were told to knock it down to waist level. Begrudgingly my friend complied, his beloved transformer box had to be nixed. The following year, the box made a return, in a new waist-high form. Again, it was OKd at check in and during the pre-sales check the swap meet staff do before letting loose the customers upon us, and again halfway through the night we were told to take it down a notch.

I hate to think that people are expected to lay things on the ground to have people step on while trying to reach further back in to our slowly-decreasing-in-size-yet-increasing-in-price stalls for the item they want to buy.

Speaking of the crowd, thanks again to the staff for giving us ample time for setting up and preparing for the swarm.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 11:56:10 AM
Quote from: echoshadow on June 03, 2013, 01:17:32 AM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 03, 2013, 12:40:20 AM
I know that numerous people have left feedback regarding it and we have not had any response from Fanime Con staff.
I'm pretty sure staff is not going to personally respond to ever single form turned in. They will post a general "thank you, we will work on it" mass statement on the website or email. So don't hold your breath on ever receiving a personal response.
I don't think anyone is expecting a personal reply - just an admission that the Cosplay Spectacular was not a successful event and some commentary on how they are going to address it. The response would not even have to be detailed - just some descriptions of how they understand the problem and a general overview of an approach to resolution. Other problem areas (registration, Black and White ball, Artist Alley) have all had at least some response along these lines. With the Cosplay Spectacular a failure and no commentary from staff past "we're reading your feedback" it implies that in fact the FanimeCon staff do not feel there was something wrong with the event.

Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 01:09:43 AM
Quote from: djmonolith on June 04, 2013, 08:38:11 PM
Thank you for the post.  Have you spoken with staff members/planners from other conventions who don't seem to have a problem with Registration?  Why recreate the wheel?
certain wheels work better with different vehicles.. ;)
They also still spin the same. The fact that events with dramatically larger attendance numbers (many being comic/anime conventions) do not have this issue indicates that the approach used here is flawed. Extending the analogy further Fanime's registration pickup is a wheel that turned out to be an ellipse. Looking at how other events handle the same problem is a logical starting point. There is even a conference specifically for organizers of these kinds of events to meet and discuss approaches to these kinds of problems: http://www.project-anime.org/
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 01:53:00 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 11:56:10 AM
There is even a conference specifically for organizers of these kinds of events to meet and discuss approaches to these kinds of problems: http://www.project-anime.org/
one click, and seeing at SPJA was involved with project-anime.. pretty much, at least for me, negates what Fanime is supposed to stand for.

in the end, it's about how much support Fanime and their registration system have.. both in manpower as well as finances.. those other events have tons of sponsors and financial backing to allow them to do the things they do.. it's not about the wheels at that point.. but the motor.

the motor wasn't strong enough to move the heavy vehicle.

i've been hearing and reading so many different suggestions.. and each one has either been tried in the past before.. is actually still implemented in some way.. or something else completely different. the con environment is dynamic and things change from year to year.. for the better or worse... but it's an ongoing evolution with changes constantly made.

as i've mentioned a few times, the system that Fanime Registration was using this year was actually good.. and allowed for things they weren't able to do before. there's always going to be complaints.. and what they lacked in manpower and implementation of their system caused the problems everyone saw.

as a long-time con veteran who's been there and done that, that's my personal opinion.. they needed more volunteers.. more people... but it's not just that really, there were people who said Fanime should have just grabbed people from other departments.. or shift manpower to support reg.. as if it would easily work that way.. people require training to be able to follow the proper procedures.. to get it done correctly. such flawed logic from people who think they know better.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: keitoghostie on June 05, 2013, 02:05:34 PM
I was going to joke about implementing a fastpass system a la disney but something similar might be beneficial - giving out times to return to the line to stagger the wait times and allow attendees to experience day zero events.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 03:35:27 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 01:53:00 PM
one click, and seeing at SPJA was involved with project-anime.. pretty much, at least for me, negates what Fanime is supposed to stand for.

in the end, it's about how much support Fanime and their registration system have.. both in manpower as well as finances.. those other events have tons of sponsors and financial backing to allow them to do the things they do.. it's not about the wheels at that point.. but the motor.

the motor wasn't strong enough to move the heavy vehicle.

i've been hearing and reading so many different suggestions.. and each one has either been tried in the past before.. is actually still implemented in some way.. or something else completely different. the con environment is dynamic and things change from year to year.. for the better or worse... but it's an ongoing evolution with changes constantly made.

as i've mentioned a few times, the system that Fanime Registration was using this year was actually good.. and allowed for things they weren't able to do before. there's always going to be complaints.. and what they lacked in manpower and implementation of their system caused the problems everyone saw.

as a long-time con veteran who's been there and done that, that's my personal opinion.. they needed more volunteers.. more people... but it's not just that really, there were people who said Fanime should have just grabbed people from other departments.. or shift manpower to support reg.. as if it would easily work that way.. people require training to be able to follow the proper procedures.. to get it done correctly. such flawed logic from people who think they know better.

FanimeCon staff learning how other conventions do things does not invalidate the "By fans for fans" premise. It just means that they want to get better. I don't know what personal problems you have with that specific advocacy group but it makes for a poor reason to dismiss a conference specifically about running conventions. Plus FanimeCon attended this very conference last year so obviously an association with the SPJA is not an issue for the staff here.

Further I think you're misunderstanding the point of the suggestion - it's to explore other options and learn how others do it. The point still stands that other conventions do not have this registration issue and are also staffed by volunteers. Something can be learned from how other conventions/conferences handle this and it's obvious that there is a fundamental flaw with Fanime's approach. Eric's comments indicate they understand this and are looking into it which is to be applauded.

I don't disagree that many of the suggestions here are not ideal or pragmatic. However emotions are high and you can't fault people for voicing their opinions. It should be noted that if things ran smoothly to begin with we would not be in the situation we're in now. This is especially important to keep in mind as last year's registration suffered as well making things all the worse.

Finally I don't believe in letting people off the hook from criticism just because they're volunteers and they're "doing their best." People spend real money and substantial amounts of time attending these kinds of events. FanimeCon is not about profit but the fact is that hundreds of thousands of dollars are being thrown around on all sides. Some estimates I've heard indicate that FanimeCon generates almost $5 million dollars worth of business in San Jose (though frankly I think these estimates are exaggerated). This makes it a serious financial venture and not something that can be written off just because it's run by volunteers. Fanime is by fans for fans but that doesn't preclude them from delivering on the experience paid for.

Moving past the registration woes - Eric do you think you can shed some light as to what's at least being discussed regarding the Cosplay Spectacular? The ill-will after the event is being left to fester with no response past "we're reading your feedback." I know the staff have jobs and other responsibilities to attend to first but it would help if there was at least an acknowledgement of what happened. 
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on June 05, 2013, 03:55:08 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 03:35:27 PM
Moving past the registration woes - Eric do you think you can shed some light as to what's at least being discussed regarding the Cosplay Spectacular? The ill-will after the event is being left to fester with no response past "we're reading your feedback." I know the staff have jobs and other responsibilities to attend to first but it would help if there was at least an acknowledgement of what happened.

For the record, Fanime sends people to Project Anime. We also have close ties with the convention planning community and will reach out for ideas and the like.

As for CS, unfortunately I am not privy to that discussion. I will try to follow up.

Thanks,
Eric
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: sakaki on June 05, 2013, 04:07:06 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 01:53:00 PM
i've been hearing and reading so many different suggestions.. and each one has either been tried in the past before.. is actually still implemented in some way.. or something else completely different. the con environment is dynamic and things change from year to year.. for the better or worse... but it's an ongoing evolution with changes constantly made.

as i've mentioned a few times, the system that Fanime Registration was using this year was actually good.. and allowed for things they weren't able to do before. there's always going to be complaints.. and what they lacked in manpower and implementation of their system caused the problems everyone saw.

as a long-time con veteran who's been there and done that, that's my personal opinion.. they needed more volunteers.. more people... but it's not just that really, there were people who said Fanime should have just grabbed people from other departments.. or shift manpower to support reg.. as if it would easily work that way.. people require training to be able to follow the proper procedures.. to get it done correctly. such flawed logic from people who think they know better.

Wow. You know, I'd said my piece about the terrible, huge waste of time Cosplay Failure event and thought I'd be done with the forums. Reading this, though, makes me want to open my big mouth again.

Why do people think it's an excuse that the convention is run by volunteers? Almost *every* anime convention out there is run by volunteers. Big freaking deal. Not every convention out there has terrible line problems. Registration sucked in every single way possible. I'll reiterate in case you missed points other people have made:


So let me see. What exactly was good about all of that? I would even argue that no, they didn't lack manpower. They lacked brains. Why were multiple people just walking around the ballroom - unable to assist people with questions, not keeping line jumpers in check (yes, that happened in that room too) - just being absolutely, 100% worthless.

LOL it must be SO hard to follow registration check-in procedures. Sorry to break it to you, it probably wouldn't have helped. If it takes upwards of ten minutes to print out crappy black and white *labels* - they either needed
a) more printers
b) pre-printed badges
c) more brains - oh sorry, this was a given
d) better planning - oops, there I go again

Flawed logic my right gluteus maximus. Probably could have put a thousand monkeys in a room and registration would have been faster and less painless- albeit with more Ebola virus.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 04:09:50 PM
Quote from: ewu on June 05, 2013, 03:55:08 PM
For the record, Fanime sends people to Project Anime. We also have close ties with the convention planning community and will reach out for ideas and the like.

As for CS, unfortunately I am not privy to that discussion. I will try to follow up.

Thanks,
Eric

Thank you - I'll keep an eye out and hope to hear something soon.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 04:35:47 PM
Quote from: sakaki on June 05, 2013, 04:07:06 PM
So let me see. What exactly was good about all of that? I would even argue that no, they didn't lack manpower. They lacked brains. Why were multiple people just walking around the ballroom - unable to assist people with questions, not keeping line jumpers in check (yes, that happened in that room too) - just being absolutely, 100% worthless.

LOL it must be SO hard to follow registration check-in procedures. Sorry to break it to you, it probably wouldn't have helped. If it takes upwards of ten minutes to print out crappy black and white *labels* - they either needed
a) more printers
b) pre-printed badges
c) more brains - oh sorry, this was a given
d) better planning - oops, there I go again

Flawed logic my right gluteus maximus. Probably could have put a thousand monkeys in a room and registration would have been faster and less painless- albeit with more Ebola virus.
points and arguments.

other conventions invest and have the money to invest in better systems. most outsourcing their registration system. run by volunteers at the con, yes.. but the system is still outsourced and maintained as such.. outsource = money.

signage: yes, there wasn't enough. no argument. no time nor money to get them done on time. make-shift signs were made for the most part to help. didn't help that much. people had trouble locating registration when it was clearly announced it was going to be at the Fairmont (there were plenty lost people wandering around SJCC looking for it)

volunteers not being able to give answers/help/info/etc: back to training. not everyone knew what was going on. lots of people to manage, and lack of communication. that covers a big block of your points. not knowing how long the wait was? same thing. not being able to answer questions? not lack of brains.. lack of that information given to them. they have a job to do, told to do something.. and they do it.

rude volunteer/staff: take down their name or badge number. report it and send feedback. it'll be handled appropriately.

more printers: more money or have the appropriate allocation of their budget for them. (yes, they needed more printers and i won't argue there)
pre-printed badges: it was done in the past.. but why not this year? because Fanime wanted the capability for people to choose where they can pick up their badge. (yes, people could have gone to Clockwork Alchemy)
more brains/better planning: well duh.. but it's a bit difficult to plan when more than half the volunteers bail out on you. did i mention lack of manpower? blah blah.. it's because we're run by volunteers.. blah blah.. yes.. that's not an excuse.. blah blah.

you argue that there weren't enough brains, but insist on having a ton of monkeys as manpower.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: CeruleanRogue on June 05, 2013, 05:11:52 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 04:35:47 PM
Quote from: sakaki on June 05, 2013, 04:07:06 PM
So let me see. What exactly was good about all of that? I would even argue that no, they didn't lack manpower. They lacked brains. Why were multiple people just walking around the ballroom - unable to assist people with questions, not keeping line jumpers in check (yes, that happened in that room too) - just being absolutely, 100% worthless.

LOL it must be SO hard to follow registration check-in procedures. Sorry to break it to you, it probably wouldn't have helped. If it takes upwards of ten minutes to print out crappy black and white *labels* - they either needed
a) more printers
b) pre-printed badges
c) more brains - oh sorry, this was a given
d) better planning - oops, there I go again

Flawed logic my right gluteus maximus. Probably could have put a thousand monkeys in a room and registration would have been faster and less painless- albeit with more Ebola virus.
points and arguments.

other conventions invest and have the money to invest in better systems. most outsourcing their registration system. run by volunteers at the con, yes.. but the system is still outsourced and maintained as such.. outsource = money.

signage: yes, there wasn't enough. no argument. no time nor money to get them done on time. make-shift signs were made for the most part to help. didn't help that much. people had trouble locating registration when it was clearly announced it was going to be at the Fairmont (there were plenty lost people wandering around SJCC looking for it)

volunteers not being able to give answers/help/info/etc: back to training. not everyone knew what was going on. lots of people to manage, and lack of communication. that covers a big block of your points. not knowing how long the wait was? same thing. not being able to answer questions? not lack of brains.. lack of that information given to them. they have a job to do, told to do something.. and they do it.

rude volunteer/staff: take down their name or badge number. report it and send feedback. it'll be handled appropriately.

more printers: more money or have the appropriate allocation of their budget for them. (yes, they needed more printers and i won't argue there)
pre-printed badges: it was done in the past.. but why not this year? because Fanime wanted the capability for people to choose where they can pick up their badge. (yes, people could have gone to Clockwork Alchemy)
more brains/better planning: well duh.. but it's a bit difficult to plan when more than half the volunteers bail out on you. did i mention lack of manpower? blah blah.. it's because we're run by volunteers.. blah blah.. yes.. that's not an excuse.. blah blah.

you argue that there weren't enough brains, but insist on having a ton of monkeys as manpower.

I'm sorry, but all of that just reads to me as a load of excuses.  Excuses on top of excuses that are being thrown out to try and placate people and downplay the MASSIVE incompetence that was displayed at this year's Fanime.  For the record, it didn't directly affect me (I skipped the Night Zero line and got my badge first thing the next morning), but seeing people waiting in line for 6-8 hours easily?  Hearing about people fainting nad/or needing to be taken away by ambulances while waiting in line?  Totally, utterly unacceptable.  And yet all you can do is throw up your hands and say 'We're doing the best we can, stop complaining!'.

Sorry, but no.  No, you are not doing everything you can.  You're doing the minimum that you're contracted to do (getting people in, getting their badge, getting them out), and when people call you out on your outdated way of doing things, you fall back on the tired old 'We're a volunteer organization' excuse.  Your attendees deserve a million times better than what they're getting, yet these excuses are blowing off their concerns and making them not want to come back to Fanime.  If that right there isn't poor customer service, I don't know what is.

The problem is, Fanime's attendees are outstripping its current registration budget.  It's like trying to force ants through a drinking straw, it's an unnecessary choke point.  And from what I can tell, this isn't the first year you've had issues like this (though this is so far the worst year).  Instead of falling back on the tired old 'We're doing our best', how about putting your money where your mouth is?

~Whoever heads registration needs to take it up with Fanime's higher-ups that this system isn't viable, it has to be fixed budget, equipment, and capacity-wise.  Don't have the money to invest? Cut some of the dead weight out of the org so you'll have the budget for the important things.  Also, Fanime isn't PMX, or Conji, or other smaller events.  Budget for the event as it is NOW, not how it was years ago.  Where is there the greatest need for budget allocation?  Where can things be trimmed?  And so on.
~Volunteers and staff don't know things and/or are rude?  The onus falls on reg to train people, full stop.  They are the face of the con, and they need to learn to act it.

TL;DR: The excuses aren't fooling anyone.  Knock it off and actually take steps to improve things, instead of playing lip service.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on June 05, 2013, 05:33:42 PM
Hi I am in the know:) We know there are these problems and are taking steps to address them. We are working to integrate technology to increase speed and tapping more resources to manage people better. It has been 2 weeks since the close of con, so we do not have firm plans yet. Please be patient. If possible, we will publish our plan and not only inform you, but help you understand that errors were made, we recognize them, and are working to resolve and prevent them. Expect to see changes soon.

Note that ideas need to be vetted, budgets approved, and risks evaluated. Once we have a plan we are happy with, we will do our best to get it out to you.

Thanks again for your patience!
Eric

btw, please see my previous post: http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18525.msg464497.html#msg464497
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: jemz on June 06, 2013, 03:21:30 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 03:35:27 PM
Moving past the registration woes - Eric do you think you can shed some light as to what's at least being discussed regarding the Cosplay Spectacular? The ill-will after the event is being left to fester with no response past "we're reading your feedback." I know the staff have jobs and other responsibilities to attend to first but it would help if there was at least an acknowledgement of what happened.

I have been in contact with the current Div Head and she is working hard to make sure that what happened with the Cosplay Spectacular this year will not happen again next year.  She is aware of the disappointment and the anger of all those who participated and watched. There will be changes for next year to make next year's Cosplay Spectacular run smoothly.

Thank you for giving her all your constructive feedback as it will aid in her decision-making process.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Tsu on June 06, 2013, 08:51:34 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 04:35:47 PM
pre-printed badges: it was done in the past.. but why not this year? because Fanime wanted the capability for people to choose where they can pick up their badge. (yes, people could have gone to Clockwork Alchemy)

Here's what gets to me about this. The idea of having two different registration locations is a good one, for the convenience of those who come mostly for Clockwork as much as those of us who are mostly there for Fanime. What I find extremely irritating, though, is the fact that Fanime specifically made us choose whether you wanted to pick up your badge at Fanime or Clockwork when you pre-registered and it was never mentioned in the actual line or prior to the convention that you could pick up your badge at EITHER location. I assumed like most years (and I imagine others did as well) that the badges had our names pre-printed on them and therefore if you went to the wrong registration location, they of course wouldn't have your badge and couldn't provide you with a new one. Turns out they had labels and that logic was wrong. All it would've taken was one registration staffer (or heck, the roving info desk who came through a couple times) to simply give a verbal announcement that you could go to the other location and pick it up and I'm sure lots of people would have jumped at the opportunity. Someone, or multiple someones, really dropped the ball multiple times.

And if by chance this was posted on Twitter or something on the day registration opened, that's a good step, but there's also something to be said for face-to-face verbal communication. Or a physical sign. :/
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: SOawesomeness on June 06, 2013, 11:18:53 PM
Quote from: foester on June 06, 2013, 08:51:34 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 04:35:47 PM
pre-printed badges: it was done in the past.. but why not this year? because Fanime wanted the capability for people to choose where they can pick up their badge. (yes, people could have gone to Clockwork Alchemy)
What I find extremely irritating, though, is the fact that Fanime specifically made us choose whether you wanted to pick up your badge at Fanime or Clockwork when you pre-registered and it was never mentioned in the actual line or prior to the convention that you could pick up your badge at EITHER location.

And if by chance this was posted on Twitter or something on the day registration opened, that's a good step, but there's also something to be said for face-to-face verbal communication. Or a physical sign. :/
We had internally discussed this and CA was very concerned because of their lack of resources and capabilities to handle a large line. I will be considering solutions or alternatives to your concern. Thank you for your feedback.

I am considering also having a roaming Registration "Info" Booth as well, as I saw the feedback for Info desk's was very popular. I'm actually very excited to explore this possibility! Signage will be increased as well. Definitely.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TravelingPumpkins on June 06, 2013, 11:42:24 PM
Quote from: SOawesomeness on June 06, 2013, 11:18:53 PM
Quote from: foester on June 06, 2013, 08:51:34 PM
Quote from: SquallLHeart on June 05, 2013, 04:35:47 PM
pre-printed badges: it was done in the past.. but why not this year? because Fanime wanted the capability for people to choose where they can pick up their badge. (yes, people could have gone to Clockwork Alchemy)
What I find extremely irritating, though, is the fact that Fanime specifically made us choose whether you wanted to pick up your badge at Fanime or Clockwork when you pre-registered and it was never mentioned in the actual line or prior to the convention that you could pick up your badge at EITHER location.

And if by chance this was posted on Twitter or something on the day registration opened, that's a good step, but there's also something to be said for face-to-face verbal communication. Or a physical sign. :/
We had internally discussed this and CA was very concerned because of their lack of resources and capabilities to handle a large line. I will be considering solutions or alternatives to your concern. Thank you for your feedback.

I am considering also having a roaming Registration "Info" Booth as well, as I saw the feedback for Info desk's was very popular. I'm actually very excited to explore this possibility! Signage will be increased as well. Definitely.

Actually, CA staff members were announcing to people in the Doubletree shuttle lines that they could indeed pick up badges and to "tell friends, post it on facebook, and post it on twitter."  This indicates that they could have been able to handle many more people, as CA's registration lines were extremely short.  Definitely made for some happy attendees who were spared the several hour long lines.  From what I was told, Fanime staff were discouraged from disclosing that people could pick up their badges from the Doubletree (unless asked first).  Perhaps better communication between Fanime and CA during the actual convention could have helped to bring attendees to the Doubletree, alleviate the lines, and keep CA's registration department busy.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on June 07, 2013, 10:52:10 AM
Quote from: jemz on June 06, 2013, 03:21:30 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 03:35:27 PM
Moving past the registration woes - Eric do you think you can shed some light as to what's at least being discussed regarding the Cosplay Spectacular? The ill-will after the event is being left to fester with no response past "we're reading your feedback." I know the staff have jobs and other responsibilities to attend to first but it would help if there was at least an acknowledgement of what happened.

I have been in contact with the current Div Head and she is working hard to make sure that what happened with the Cosplay Spectacular this year will not happen again next year.  She is aware of the disappointment and the anger of all those who participated and watched. There will be changes for next year to make next year's Cosplay Spectacular run smoothly.

Thank you for giving her all your constructive feedback as it will aid in her decision-making process.

Thank you for the update. I hope we'll hear details about what's changing soon (or at least what decisions have been made thus far). It was very unfortunate that the event was more or less a disaster. I've jokingly been telling my wife the only positive was that the building didn't burn down.

I think the feedback has been submitted by everyone multiple times but the largest issue was simply the lack of organization. You can't expect events to start on time or technical needs to be taken care of when simple schedules are unclear. With lots of help from my fellow Pizza Time Cosplay members I've put together an account of our own experiences in the Cosplay Spectacular so hopefully some insights can be gleaned from that: http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18572.msg464893.html#msg464893
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Fi-Fi on June 08, 2013, 07:33:31 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 07, 2013, 10:52:10 AM
Quote from: jemz on June 06, 2013, 03:21:30 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on June 05, 2013, 03:35:27 PM
Moving past the registration woes - Eric do you think you can shed some light as to what's at least being discussed regarding the Cosplay Spectacular? The ill-will after the event is being left to fester with no response past "we're reading your feedback." I know the staff have jobs and other responsibilities to attend to first but it would help if there was at least an acknowledgement of what happened.

I have been in contact with the current Div Head and she is working hard to make sure that what happened with the Cosplay Spectacular this year will not happen again next year.  She is aware of the disappointment and the anger of all those who participated and watched. There will be changes for next year to make next year's Cosplay Spectacular run smoothly.

Thank you for giving her all your constructive feedback as it will aid in her decision-making process.

Thank you for the update. I hope we'll hear details about what's changing soon (or at least what decisions have been made thus far). It was very unfortunate that the event was more or less a disaster. I've jokingly been telling my wife the only positive was that the building didn't burn down.

I think the feedback has been submitted by everyone multiple times but the largest issue was simply the lack of organization. You can't expect events to start on time or technical needs to be taken care of when simple schedules are unclear. With lots of help from my fellow Pizza Time Cosplay members I've put together an account of our own experiences in the Cosplay Spectacular so hopefully some insights can be gleaned from that: http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18572.msg464893.html#msg464893

My feedback about the Cosplay Spectacular is also in these thread http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18540.msg465113.html#msg465113
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: Sivartius on June 09, 2013, 11:45:04 AM
I enjoyed Fanime. This was my first Con, and I had a great time. I really appreciate all that the staff did to make it enjoyable. I'm really looking forward to next year. I wish they could have run 2 Speed Dating events side-by-side at the same time, because I was a bummer to come 15-20 min. early either 2 or 3 times (I can't remember if I made it one of the times,) and find all the spot taken more than an hour before for guys. But whatever. Honestly, and I mean this in the kindest, most gentle and compassionate way imaginable, if you couldn't find a way to enjoy yourself at Fanime, with all the official things going on, and all the people to do unscheduled things with, I must say, again with respect, that that is on you. I know that there were things that I would have enjoyed doing that I didn't get to, because I was doing other things that I enjoyed. Nothing at the Convention was perfect. This is the Real Worldtm.  Sorry if I offended anyone. I think it had to be said.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: renalcul on June 09, 2013, 12:12:58 PM
Quote from: Sivartius on June 09, 2013, 11:45:04 AM
I wish they could have run 2 Speed Dating events side-by-side at the same time, because I was a bummer to come 15-20 min. early either 2 or 3 times (I can't remember if I made it one of the times,) and find all the spot taken more than an hour before for guys.
Speed dating is still an evolving event, although one does need to consider space allocation, popularity and staffing limitations.
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: CatToy on September 05, 2013, 02:43:26 AM
Quote from: ewu on May 31, 2013, 01:26:51 PM
It's all in my todo list already: clean the floor, wind-tunnel effect, low lighting at a bad temperature, and water stations in there. The gears will likely be in motion to confirm the next AA location in a few days. Of course, it may take months to confirm this, but feedback from the artist surveys, the feedback form. the staff, and to a smaller extent the forums will all affect our decisions.

...ok, it's been months. anything new?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on September 05, 2013, 07:37:28 AM
Quote from: CatToy on September 05, 2013, 02:43:26 AM
...ok, it's been months. anything new?

More months.......Things are in motion, but facilities are no simple deal. So let the pieces fall in its place and we can announce once all i's dotted and t's crossed. Don't want to announce, then have to change later b/c of some oversight.

Thanks for your patience!
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: CatToy on December 06, 2013, 02:42:53 AM
Quote from: ewu on September 05, 2013, 07:37:28 AM
Quote from: CatToy on September 05, 2013, 02:43:26 AM
...ok, it's been months. anything new?

More months.......Things are in motion, but facilities are no simple deal. So let the pieces fall in its place and we can announce once all i's dotted and t's crossed. Don't want to announce, then have to change later b/c of some oversight.

Thanks for your patience!

3 months later, is there anything you can tell us?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on December 06, 2013, 09:46:49 PM
LOTS of stuff going on...but not much I can tell you. When its all nailed down, we'll get it out to you.

Quote from: CatToy on December 06, 2013, 02:42:53 AM
3 months later, is there anything you can tell us?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on January 30, 2014, 12:58:24 AM
Quote from: ewu on December 06, 2013, 09:46:49 PM
LOTS of stuff going on...but not much I can tell you. When its all nailed down, we'll get it out to you.

Quote from: CatToy on December 06, 2013, 02:42:53 AM
3 months later, is there anything you can tell us?

Eric - I don't suppose there's an update on changes to the Cosplay Spectacular?
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on January 30, 2014, 08:01:58 AM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on January 30, 2014, 12:58:24 AM
Eric - I don't suppose there's an update on changes to the Cosplay Spectacular?

I will check
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on February 12, 2014, 11:31:02 PM
Quote from: ewu on January 30, 2014, 08:01:58 AM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on January 30, 2014, 12:58:24 AM
Eric - I don't suppose there's an update on changes to the Cosplay Spectacular?

I will check

Anything?  ;)
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: ewu on February 12, 2014, 11:39:21 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on February 12, 2014, 11:31:02 PM
Anything?  ;)

Sorry, I haven't heard anything, but I will ping them again.

Eric
Title: Re: Con feedback (Feedback will not effectively reach staff if you do not use form)
Post by: TruePoindexter on March 14, 2014, 11:27:29 AM
Quote from: ewu on February 12, 2014, 11:39:21 PM
Quote from: TruePoindexter on February 12, 2014, 11:31:02 PM
Anything?  ;)

Sorry, I haven't heard anything, but I will ping them again.

Eric

Any luck?  8)