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Heck, even confirmation that May'n will actually be at her panel would be nice.

That might be difficult, since May'n's tour has a 5/25 date in Kanagawa (at Club Citta), then 5/30 and 5/31 stops in Nagoya and Kyoto. Well, technically it's not impossible, but that would be a bit much to fly out her out to SJ and fly her back to Japan so quickly. She does have to prepare for each stop and rest and stuff.

[After this date, a cancellation penalty of one night's room and tax will apply.]

I think we have untill the 30th to cancel reservations. I got good rooms this year so i'm in high hope of them announcing someone soon. It's fanime they wouldn't let us down i hope lol.

27th I believe

The 27th is correct. However if you read the email thoroughly, this is only to cancel through FaniHousing.

If you read the FaniHousing site, you'll also see this gem:

Cancellation Deadline: Last day to cancel is Friday, April 27, 2012. After this date, a cancellation penalty of one night's room and tax will apply.

What, just in time so people can't cancel their hotel rooms? That would be quite the coincidence.

Hey, look, that convention at the end of July has announced their first guest. They're still 93 days away and they have the same amount of announced guests.

It makes no sense for us to delay announcing guests to lock everyone into a hotel room. Looking at the entire picture, it would mean that we sell out of hotel rooms for one year but hurt us in future years. Makes no sense to me or anyone else that would make decisions like this.

Note, I'm not claiming that anyone is delaying announcements for this purpose. Just that it would be a hell of a coincidence (i.e. I don't believe that to be the intention). But you must admit, cynical thoughts may creep is (perception is reality, as they say). Just because no one is saying it out loud doesn't mean people aren't *thinking* it on some level (perhaps in a deep corner of their minds).

Note I'm also not complaining. Things happen for various reasons. Fanime staff have to do what they feel is necessary (making sure everything is confirmed, details worked out, contracts signed, etc). Of course, potential attendees also have to do what they feel is necessary (make plans to go to Fanime, make plans to go to other conventions, stay home, etc).

Also, I don't think selling out hotels is a problem, seeing as every year, they seem to sell out just fine without any guests announced. This year they went pretty fast; less than 6 hours and the contiguous blocks were all snapped up (Fri-Mon) in the walking distance hotels. Plus, looking at the survey on what people go to Fanime for, guest related stuff was surprisingly low on the ranks (the highest were the concerts, which were ranked 4th with 10%), so it would appear that a specific set of guests aren't critically important to the survey taking people or the hotel reserving potential attendees.

Whatever the reasons, it actually doesn't matter to me, since I have to concern myself with my situation. On the attendee side, a final decision must be made, since the free hotel cancellation period ends this Friday. Why this is the case, I don't know. Certainly wasn't like this the first year I went to Fanime; this "can only cancel a month before" thing only seemed to have started last year. I'm sure Fanime will have great guests, but I since I do not live down the street from San Jose, I can't just decide to when things get announced. The guests are a critically important factor for me, so not knowing more than 1 guest with 30 days to go makes it so that difficult choices must be made, because of this cancellation policy (which I've never seen for any other sort of event, but maybe I'm wrong).

As for the staff having day jobs...yes, this is true. It is also true for many other conventions. Do they have a difficult job running the convention? Yes. Do they get my sympathy? Sure. Does that mean it's perfectly fine they way it's being handled, from a attendee's perspective? That's for each of the attendees to decide.

Anyways, enough ranting off topic. I'm sure whomever Fanime is trying to finalize as their MusicFest guests will be great and the attendees that go will love them. I'm sure whatever other guests Fanime is about to secure will also be great and people will love them too. I'm just not sure if I will be there to see them, since my decision on what to do MUST be made shortly.

I guess its a repeat of last year. The start of the month is when they posted up all the guests.
Heck, AX only has two guests so far..

Wait tell the end of the week, then you'll see more names show up, but thats just my guess.

What, just in time so people can't cancel their hotel rooms? That would be quite the coincidence.

Hey, look, that convention at the end of July has announced their first guest. They're still 93 days away and they have the same amount of announced guests.

The ones that I knew were press were fine; they got their shots and weren't just standing there trying to record the whole thing. The press people were as respectful as I expect press photographers to be (they moved around, got their shots and generally stayed out of the way), but that's because they knew what press photographers are supposed to do. Actually, there were a few (non-press) people in the front that did snap a few pics (myself included), but it was during MC sections and not during the show. The main problem would have been with some that were just standing there, recording the whole thing, while blocking others and perhaps a bit oblivious to those around them.

I do understand some of genman's other points; really, to stand there and record the event, instead of participating does miss the point of a live show. I read it as him having a few complaints that could be solved by banning non-press from recording the concert proper (people not participating, non-press people not knowing the etiquette of shooting a concert, asking questions that might be better off not asked, etc.). Of course, I might not fully like that idea, because I do take video and snap photos, but I'm also cheering in full force).

eHash: That's an interesting read. I will say that I think the layout for her performance this year was much better than last year. While I'm not all that interested in the dance room itself and all I have to reference was her performance this year and last year, the atmosphere/ambiance IMO was better. I think you and your staff did a great job, especially given the kind of prep time you had. If that's what happens when things are done quickly, I can only imagine what would happen if you had more time!

I should disclose that I was one of those with a tripod set up way in the back. I'm way the heck to busy cheering for her to try to film while things are going on (which would have been extremely rude, given where I was during the concert). :P As someone who likes to snap a picture or two on occasion, and like to video record things from time to time, I can understand some of the reason why people do it, but please, not in front. Even press people don't just sit there in front. Actually, some of the press were having a hard time doing their job, because they were trying to cheer, too. ;D

While I'm just a regular attendee, if cameras are going to continue to be allowed (helpful for me, of course), maybe some ground rules (like not standing in front, if you're going to try to video the whole thing) is in order, though it can be a bit messy to enforce if the offenders are dab smack in the middle. I know I saw someone over in front (in front of the audience, even) trying to video the whole thing; that person didn't seem to be participating. I think that's most bothersome type. The ones in the middle videoing and trying to cheer at the same time (which is hard, because it's hard to hold the camera steady) are a different story.

I've re-read genman's original post a few times now and thought about it some more. I definitely see where he's coming from; I was shielded more from the situation than he was, primarily because most of it was happening behind or to the side of me (plus I think I stopped noticing most things not on stage real fast. :P ). I don't think any more comments from me on the subject will be useful as both eHash and PyronIkari are aware of the complaint and know where and how to take it up the chain to help improve things for the future (whether it's Momoi in the dance room or another singer/performer).

Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing PyronIkari is wondering. While she can't directly say "hey, it's okay to post concert videos publicly" (it becomes a complicated matter, so it's kind of a wink wink nod nod situation), she does allow for photo taking and video recording (if it wasn't allowed, restrictions would be put into place; there have been times where this has been the case) and encourages it.

BTW, when being asked about permission at her panel, her response was a "lalala, I didn't hear you" kind of answer. The situation can become very complicated, very fast, especially when the subject involves music.

Edit: Though I should mention that I did notice a couple of people up front recording video of the whole thing. The press people were actually mostly snapping photos and being respectful and professional about it*. I understand Genman's sentiment; it's a Momoi performance; it's a special concert with an awesome performer that loves to interact with her fans. It's a little disheartening to see some more interesting in recording the event, rather than participating, but to each his own.

And eHash also has my thanks in working to get the glowstick rule reversed; she loves glowsticks and it wouldn't have been the same without them (especially when she herself wanted a glowstick for LOVE.EXE and asked for one).

*this means trying hard not to get in anyone's way, snapping a few pics, then moving on, etc. As press people covering concerts normally do.

I didn't have any problems with the Crowne. Didn't have a mini-fridge, but I knew this going in and it wasn't such a big deal. Wasn't on the 6th floor, though. What happened there?

Have the rules changed wrt glowsticks (chemical) in the Dance rooms? My friend apparently had his sticks confiscated tonight. There could have been a communication problem (he speaks very little English), but he definite had them taken away.

BTW, someone might want to tell all the Rovers staff that glowsticks (LED or chemical) are okay for the Dance, as one of them tried to tell us that it wasn't allowed at all in the convention. I'm sure it was just some miscommunication, or operating on some older info, but if some attendees also didn't know, they might have been misinformed as well and then mad when they got to the Dance or to one of the performances at the dance hall.

(it would be a sad, sad Momoi performance without glowsticks. I'm sure Yukie would love to see them, too!)

LEDs are still preferable, sense they are reusable, brighter, cleaner, and the price is only slightly higher, cheaper considering being over a 20 to 1 battery life ratio, and being able to swap out batteries.

...
And my glowsticks have a built in Whistle.
LIKE A BOSS.

Depends on how one ends up with an LED glowstick.  ;D Mine are kind of custom built, and cost me more to make than all the chemical ones I've ever bought or helped to buy (which is saying a lot, because I've helped buy a ton of glowsticks for a variety of events.  :-* )

And yours has a whistle? I know exactly which ones you have.  8)

where can i get LED glowsticks at?

I've seen battery glowsticks in a number of places, including home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. I think one year we found a bunch at Walgreen's, too. I know I've seen something at Costco, but it's hard to guess availability of such things at Costco.

I try to limit myself to one suitcase/duffel bag, plus something to walk around with (messenger bag, or back pack). I start packing my clothes a little early (like right around...NOW); I try to carry 1-2 days of extra clothing. I then carefully consider what I want to bring (camera/camcorder, laptop, etc.) and then carefully plan out what critical thing I will forget to actually pack and bring with me. Sometimes it's a charger. Sometimes it's the thing I wanted to get autographed. I won't know until I get to my destination; it's a mystery game!

I know it sounds silly to bring ear plugs to a concert, I'm just letting you know this was my experience last year and it was unfortunate because I was hoping to see FLOW, but my ears just couldn't take it. :(

It's definitely not silly. It can be a great idea; your hearing is precious. I've pretty sure I've damaged my hearing by being in a lot of very loud environments. I picked up some SureFire Sonic Defenders a little while ago; they're designed to dampen sound, but not block it. It works really well for concerts; that's what I got them for. There are other ear plugs out there that do similar things.

Does anyone know If she will perform at the music fest again? or will she do individual performances like in the Quest for Momoi last year? My apologies If I posted this in the wrong section If it is in the wrong one can someone move this thread?

Maybe I shouldn't mention it, because the main Fanime schedule isn't up, but if you wander over to the Fanime Dance DJ Schedule sticky, over there in the Live Programming and Events section and look at that schedule...there might be something there. The most important something.  ;D

[Sunday May 29 (Day 3)]

Sunday May 29 (Day 3)
ROOM 1 (J BALLROOM)
4 PM to 6 PM    <<< M O M O I - C O N C E R T >>>

Noticed this is there now after the announcement. I'm there.

I was at the Crowne Plaza last year; seemed fine to me. Nice to just be able to roll out of bed and cross the street and poof! the convention center is there.

My guess is that there are a few things at work here.

A: People grabbing rooms they think they'll need, but maybe won't need them later. Plans change, people can't make it, etc. So, there's probably at least several rooms that will be unreserved.

B: Hotels might be holding back a few blocks of rooms, just in case they need them for something else (a group using another meeting room that weekend, etc.). The hotels could make those blocks available at a later time as they no longer need to hold them.

I would try to get on a waiting list if you really wanted a particular hotel for a particular set of dates. I think you might need to call CMR for this type of thing, though; can't hurt to ask.

Thanks to everyone for coming out. Hopefully it was helpful in some way.

The panel time felt too short for what we planned to do; if she comes back next year, we might just go with a pure practice session; show the moves and just jump right into song practice. Well, this relies on a couple of assumptions. ;D

I kept looking at the Fanime schedule, and I am assuming the Q&A's are also the autograph sessions for the guests of honor or is it not on the schedule? ;_______;

They're not on the schedule; in the schedule, there's a section there that says to check with the info desk for when the sessions will be held, though staff has posted when LM.C's and FLOW's autograph sessions will be.