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Yearly CanJoeCon Discussion / Re: Con Sets On E-Bay
« on: August 09, 2010, 09:48:05 PM »
2 quick bits from someone who has been involved with running conventions for 10+ years.
Lines and authority:
If the line is just one that starts by someone parking themselves down, and others "line up" behind them, then there is nothing that should be expected, and the only rules are those of common-sense. I'm sorry to say but it that case then the convention is under zero obligation to be concerned about what happens, or how long some have been there.
However, If the line is an official one, then it needs to be staffed by someone in a position of authority, who needs to be there the entire time. It is their responsibility to police said line to ensure no cuts/spot holding (not including someone needing a bathroom brake) are made.
While I know that this convention is only a handful of guys, but it is not an excuse. this week-end coming up I am running a convention that "starts" about 9am Friday to 5pm Sunday. I plan to be on site about 10am Thursday to who knows when Monday morning. While I am not "on duty" that entire time, and I have almost 400 staffers working, I am active almost the entire time making sure that the convention is giving the best experience possible within my capacity. If I have 3 hours of sleep each night I'll be surprised.
ATM:
I have seen more empty ATM's during conventions then I can remember. Sadly no matter how much preparation an event provides to a facility, unless that facility has previously hosted an event of that type, they are never prepared.
One convention I have worked with in Seattle used the same hotel complex (a half-mile from SeaTac International) for 6 years in a row. Despite the convention warning the local businesses, the first year within 12 hours of the official opening of the convention (the day before the busiest day of the con) the ATM's of all three hotels were empty, the 7-11 between two of the hotels was ravaged of it's ATM, snack foods, soft/energy/alcoholic drinks and such, and three restaurants were under-prepared for the onslaught of customers at all hours.
With the exception of a Denny's (who bothered to take notice bringing in extra staff and materials) the same situation repeated for 2 more years before they clued in.
The best case you can do, is figure out what your maximum spending limit is, and bring that plus 25-50% more "Just in case" so you aren't dependent on those machines.
Lines and authority:
If the line is just one that starts by someone parking themselves down, and others "line up" behind them, then there is nothing that should be expected, and the only rules are those of common-sense. I'm sorry to say but it that case then the convention is under zero obligation to be concerned about what happens, or how long some have been there.
However, If the line is an official one, then it needs to be staffed by someone in a position of authority, who needs to be there the entire time. It is their responsibility to police said line to ensure no cuts/spot holding (not including someone needing a bathroom brake) are made.
While I know that this convention is only a handful of guys, but it is not an excuse. this week-end coming up I am running a convention that "starts" about 9am Friday to 5pm Sunday. I plan to be on site about 10am Thursday to who knows when Monday morning. While I am not "on duty" that entire time, and I have almost 400 staffers working, I am active almost the entire time making sure that the convention is giving the best experience possible within my capacity. If I have 3 hours of sleep each night I'll be surprised.
ATM:
I have seen more empty ATM's during conventions then I can remember. Sadly no matter how much preparation an event provides to a facility, unless that facility has previously hosted an event of that type, they are never prepared.
One convention I have worked with in Seattle used the same hotel complex (a half-mile from SeaTac International) for 6 years in a row. Despite the convention warning the local businesses, the first year within 12 hours of the official opening of the convention (the day before the busiest day of the con) the ATM's of all three hotels were empty, the 7-11 between two of the hotels was ravaged of it's ATM, snack foods, soft/energy/alcoholic drinks and such, and three restaurants were under-prepared for the onslaught of customers at all hours.
With the exception of a Denny's (who bothered to take notice bringing in extra staff and materials) the same situation repeated for 2 more years before they clued in.
The best case you can do, is figure out what your maximum spending limit is, and bring that plus 25-50% more "Just in case" so you aren't dependent on those machines.
