I had a few curious questions. I believe all of us felt the increase in attendance this year, even before we receive any actual numbers on it (early speculations said 18k-20k). I was wondering.... How many people can the San Jose Convention Center hold? And I also remember someone saying we've booked the SJCC for a few years in advance. How many years it is booked? I just got to thinking about it is all.
SJCC can hold a lot of people. It's hard for us to give an exact answer as it shifts with all of the chairs/tables that we set up. Also remember that we also have the hotels to have programming to move people into so I doubt we'll hit that magic number. ;)
I can't answer anything regarding how SJCC is booked for FanimeCon, so I'll say that we have it booked for ever and ever and ever!
Hmm... I'd say it holds about 5 people? Maybe 7, if we can squish together...
If FC did break 18,000 attendants (or close to 20k), that would mean that there were more people at Fanime than a sold out Sharks playoff game. The HP Pavilion holds 17,500 for hockey.
What if we have to expand again? what is larger than the SJCC?
Quote from: Knightfire on June 06, 2010, 10:00:19 PM
What if we have to expand again? what is larger than the SJCC?
A larger SJCC of course!
Seriously speaking, MPLe is right, we have a while until we hit that magic number. It may seem crowded at times because of all the furniture we have (Stage Zero, all the tables in Artist alley, food vendors, etc.)
Quote from: Knightfire on June 06, 2010, 10:00:19 PM
What if we have to expand again? what is larger than the SJCC?
There are rumors that San Jose will tear down every building in downtown San Jose and make an even bigger SJCC (ala what Sen said) in order to fit everyone that attends FanimeCon in the future.
The good news: More space, more fun!
The bad news: I'm most likely making this up and I hope you don't believe me.
If the con grows really big, I can see it taking over nearby hotels and facilities.(which it already kind of did with the b&w ball being in the fairmont) As long as they don't move to the moscone in frisco I'll be fine.(ugly place)
I think eventually the city of san jose will be fanime during those four days. XD
Mm~ This was my first time going on Saturday, and there were SO MANY PEOPLE!
I wouldn't be surprised if we hit max capacity.
But since we're already branching out to suitable venues (Fairmont for the ball, Civic for MusicFest)...
But expanding it would mean more cost. While I don't mind, it's like DANNGG ; - ; And just renting out the SJCC takes a bunch out of the budget (I'd like to assume), and insurance and equipment and GOSH everything costs money.
If all of Downtown SJ turned into FanimeCon for four days, it'd feel more like FanimeFest or something. XDDD!!!
I can't believe FanimeCon has grown this much since its starting days.
Quote from: chifunii on June 07, 2010, 07:44:27 PMIf all of Downtown SJ turned into FanimeCon for four days, it'd feel more like FanimeFest or something. XDDD!!!
I can't believe FanimeCon has grown this much since its starting days.
Whoa wait. There are other things that happen in SJ during the weekend of FanimeCon?! I guess FanimeCon's Marketing people have failed. :P
Quote from: Glitch on June 07, 2010, 07:16:57 PM
If the con grows really big, I can see it taking over nearby hotels and facilities.(which it already kind of did with the b&w ball being in the fairmont) As long as they don't move to the moscone in frisco I'll be fine.(ugly place)
I think eventually the city of san jose will be fanime during those four days. XD
Fanime moving to San Francisco? Isn't there another con held in SF that same weekend?
Quote from: MPLe on June 06, 2010, 12:52:14 AMI can't answer anything regarding how SJCC is booked for FanimeCon, so I'll say that we have it booked for ever and ever and ever!
I like this. That means there's no chance of FC moving away...maybe...hopefully. I also like the idea of "FanimeFest" or FanimeCon City, lol.
Seriously, to spread the crowd around, maybe book the South Hall (big blue tent behind the CC) as the dealers room and use the extra exhibit hall space for something else (playground, anyone? ... oh wait,
cosplayground!). Also, use meeting rooms at Fairmont, St. Claire, Tech Museum, and SJSU/MLK library for panels and other vid rooms.
Quote from: Otakuya on June 08, 2010, 09:17:41 AM
I like this. That means there's no chance of FC moving away...maybe...hopefully. I also like the idea of "FanimeFest" or FanimeCon City, lol.
The City of San Jose, presented by FanimeCon......
Quote from: MPLe on June 07, 2010, 07:49:54 PM
Quote from: chifunii on June 07, 2010, 07:44:27 PMIf all of Downtown SJ turned into FanimeCon for four days, it'd feel more like FanimeFest or something. XDDD!!!
I can't believe FanimeCon has grown this much since its starting days.
Whoa wait. There are other things that happen in SJ during the weekend of FanimeCon?! I guess FanimeCon's Marketing people have failed. :P
O_O? I don't see how the post you quoted as anything to do with...what you said? hm?
XD I'm a little confused, is all.
Every year we get closer and closer to dominating the city. hahaha~
I remember watching the news, and it mentioned something about San Jose and money issues, and I thought...
"Nah, just wait 'till Fanime happens!"
I've never really expressed my vision, but here's how I want my last year to be.
A lightrail train, covered in colorful FanimeCon characters and logos, stops in front of the SJCC. People of all sorts - cosplayers, photographers, kids dressed how they could never dress at school - flow out of the train, badges dangling on lanyards around their necks. The spread to the fountains, crowded by gatherings and photographers. In the background, a gigantic FanimeCon banner adorns the front of the SJCC, welcoming the crowd. The attendees smile at each other, and clamor at the sight of each amazing cosplay.
Everyone else - the hotel staff, the residents, the clueless out-of-towners - stand by in awe, and can only meekly return the waves-hello of joyful attendees as they pass by. They don't understand what they're seeing, but they accept the phenomenon, and feel the happiness.
Lining every filled street are rows of FanimeCon banners. They point the teeming crowds to the convention center in their trek from the overstuffed hotels. From the top floors, it's a sea of color flowing from venue to venue, all excited and anticipating the events, and brought together by their passions.
For just that weekend, San Jose is undeniably ours.
Quote from: Tony on June 08, 2010, 07:49:58 PMFor just that weekend, San Jose is undeniably ours.
And for that, I say congratulations!
Perhaps in the future we can get all the hotel employees to wear proper butler and maid outfits.
Seriously though, the forum gathering went to Ben and Jerry's for our forum gathering outing, and we got there about ten minutes before it opened. The guy let us in a little early, let us move all their furniture outside, let us pick the music, was sooo nice... and he was like "yeah, during fanime weekend all these restaurants and hotels pretty much belong to you guys, because you give us so much service and are fun to be around" and I was talking to the hotel guys, and they were like "we love this convention because we get so much business and you guys are so interesting and nice."
We like them, they like us.
edit: it's not famine weekend, it's fanime. thank you chifunii.
Quote from: michiko nakano on June 09, 2010, 02:54:06 PM
Perhaps in the future we can get all the hotel employees to wear proper butler and maid outfits.
Seriously though, the forum gathering went to Ben and Jerry's for our forum gathering outing, and we got there about ten minutes before it opened. The guy let us in a little early, let us move all their furniture outside, let us pick the music, was sooo nice... and he was like "yeah, during famine weekend all these restaurants and hotels pretty much belong to you guys, because you give us so much service and are fun to be around" and I was talking to the hotel guys, and they were like "we love this convention because we get so much business and you guys are so interesting and nice."
We like them, they like us.
Wow, that's really cool! It feels as if San Jose really comes alive for those four days. Plus you made this disastrous typo. AH~~
[Plus, we give them money, so who's complaining?]
But getting all the hotels to wear butler/maid uniforms...Aren't they already doing that?! If you mean like...moe!maid...that's probably not going to happen unless all the stars align and everyone is high off coffee or something...
Quote from: michiko nakano on June 09, 2010, 02:54:06 PM
Perhaps in the future we can get all the hotel employees to wear proper butler and maid outfits.
Seriously though, the forum gathering went to Ben and Jerry's for our forum gathering outing, and we got there about ten minutes before it opened. The guy let us in a little early, let us move all their furniture outside, let us pick the music, was sooo nice... and he was like "yeah, during fanime weekend all these restaurants and hotels pretty much belong to you guys, because you give us so much service and are fun to be around" and I was talking to the hotel guys, and they were like "we love this convention because we get so much business and you guys are so interesting and nice."
We like them, they like us.
edit: it's not famine weekend, it's fanime. thank you chifunii.
About this gathering, Jerry, iirc, didn't you take a picture of the whole group. If so, mind sharing?
Quote from: AbsolutelyCursed on June 10, 2010, 06:06:47 PM
Quote from: michiko nakano on June 09, 2010, 02:54:06 PM
Perhaps in the future we can get all the hotel employees to wear proper butler and maid outfits.
Seriously though, the forum gathering went to Ben and Jerry's for our forum gathering outing, and we got there about ten minutes before it opened. The guy let us in a little early, let us move all their furniture outside, let us pick the music, was sooo nice... and he was like "yeah, during fanime weekend all these restaurants and hotels pretty much belong to you guys, because you give us so much service and are fun to be around" and I was talking to the hotel guys, and they were like "we love this convention because we get so much business and you guys are so interesting and nice."
We like them, they like us.
edit: it's not famine weekend, it's fanime. thank you chifunii.
About this gathering, Jerry, iirc, didn't you take a picture of the whole group. If so, mind sharing?
I remember there being a picture taken, but for the life of me i can't remember if i took it or someonme else, and who that someone else was. There isn't a picture on my camera tho, must have been someone elses. Ask Jerry?
I believe it was Jerry who took the pic.
Quote from: AbsolutelyCursed on June 10, 2010, 10:58:34 PM
I believe it was Jerry who took the pic.
oh... um... fyi in the middle of the chaos of the last day [monday] and chasing around LM.C
um... I lost my camera... :-[
But dont fret! I think someone "UP" there was looking out for me because it was turned into Fanime's awesome HR staff, and I will pick this camera up at the fanime Dead Dog day.
Sorry for the delay ladies and gents. :P
Back on Topic - it is pretty amazing that we fill up the majority of the SJCC, Marriott & Hilton meeting rooms, the Civic Center across the street, the Fairmont, it makes me wonder... where else could we expand if we get bigger?
Hmm, did we actually use up all the meeting rooms in the hotels and rooms in the SJCC?
Looking at the con map it doesn't look like it, although were some of the rooms used for con staff or other storage or organizing purposes?
Ha, if only the economy hadn't tanked and San Jose wasn't wimpy about investing, they were supposed to make the SJCC even better but instead of continuing balls out they scaled back plans :[ you'd think with the amount of revenue that conventions bring into the city that they'd bother making the improvements, but hey, that's politics for you.
Maximizing the use of the SJCC is definitely one of our concerns. Although it may seem that we are not using all of the space, most if not all has been allocated to some purpose. The great thing about the convention center is that it is very flexible to our needs. But because of the flexibility of the room arrangements, the room you are in may be multiple rooms combined or a larger room divided into smaller one. Rest assured that as the con continues to grow, we will leverage the space to maximize the efficiency.
i hope that in the future the whole convention center won't have to be a ticketed area, cuz though i'm sure the reason we take up so much space is because we let people w/o badges in, it would be sad to have to deny them in order to save space :(