More schedules, more announcements! Since there was no paper guides/schedules available, you could have used the PA system to announce what things were coming up next. I could not find *any* info at all about the AMV station, and only came across some video's by pure chance.
I found myself (virtually) running back and forth, from one end of the hall to the other, trying to figure out what was going on.
IMHO, you should design this con to be the most friendly as possible for first time visitors. [Of course, this was my first so I am biased ^_^]. The "Pro's" are going to ignore the instructions and do their own thing anyway, so there is no need to worry about "offending" them. More signs, with descriptions as necessary. For the hard to reach places that are off in the corner, make arrow/crossroad signs!!!
Add a "hang out" room. Okay, I know the whole con is in a way but maybe a designated room with more chairs that is sectioned off from everything. There were a lot of people standing in the middle of the hallway talking, and it looked awkward for them and difficult for those trying to pass by them. Although i suppose that is inevitable to occur at some level, as that is the nature of the event.
To be honest, I think the people that are complaining about getting hugs are girls. No offense, but it seemed to me that some of the people holding "free hugs" were semi-creepy and very lonely looking guys (who's only purpose was to hug/glomp a girl). I mean, I feel sympathy for them and all, but I think those were the one's that were violating people's personal space (without permission).
As a possible solution, perhaps you could make a "hug" or "glomp" room (with large signs) that makes it clear that anyone who enters agrees it is OK to be hugged. That way, people don't have to deal with signs and guessing people's intention. For a while, there was effectively a "glomp row" with a bunch of those people right next to each other, and making a designated place would eliminate quite a bit of confusion. I don't know what would be the ideal way to implement this..
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All that said, I do feel that overall fanime was indeed a good event. Part of Fanime's appeal is because it is zany, spontaneous and informal and we have to be careful to not go too far the other way and suck out the life of the con either.
I found myself (virtually) running back and forth, from one end of the hall to the other, trying to figure out what was going on.
IMHO, you should design this con to be the most friendly as possible for first time visitors. [Of course, this was my first so I am biased ^_^]. The "Pro's" are going to ignore the instructions and do their own thing anyway, so there is no need to worry about "offending" them. More signs, with descriptions as necessary. For the hard to reach places that are off in the corner, make arrow/crossroad signs!!!
Add a "hang out" room. Okay, I know the whole con is in a way but maybe a designated room with more chairs that is sectioned off from everything. There were a lot of people standing in the middle of the hallway talking, and it looked awkward for them and difficult for those trying to pass by them. Although i suppose that is inevitable to occur at some level, as that is the nature of the event.
To be honest, I think the people that are complaining about getting hugs are girls. No offense, but it seemed to me that some of the people holding "free hugs" were semi-creepy and very lonely looking guys (who's only purpose was to hug/glomp a girl). I mean, I feel sympathy for them and all, but I think those were the one's that were violating people's personal space (without permission).
As a possible solution, perhaps you could make a "hug" or "glomp" room (with large signs) that makes it clear that anyone who enters agrees it is OK to be hugged. That way, people don't have to deal with signs and guessing people's intention. For a while, there was effectively a "glomp row" with a bunch of those people right next to each other, and making a designated place would eliminate quite a bit of confusion. I don't know what would be the ideal way to implement this..
-------
All that said, I do feel that overall fanime was indeed a good event. Part of Fanime's appeal is because it is zany, spontaneous and informal and we have to be careful to not go too far the other way and suck out the life of the con either.