Sorry ArienDrakon, Lets see what I can comment on.... And for future reference, even if I don't reply to something someone posts, that doesn't mean I didn't read it. Either I assumed I had already commented on the subject or I don't have anything new to add. I don't hate chya! Just not always chatty!
Ok first let me say a thanks to all the Kumoricon staff as they did excellent with what they had to work with. Having been staff at things before I know how it is to be stuck between various rules, regulations, fun, attendees, owners, other staff and all that jazz.
You have no idea (well maybe a little bit of an idea) how much this means to staffers! They do everything they do for free, often times working sleepless nights or tirelessly for the simple joy of being able to say "I helped". The fact that people appreciate the work they do... makes it worth coming back each year, and we need Staff Retention, so those comments are a big help!
However I did want to present some thoughts and concerns I had about last year. And yes I read the previous pages.
My first concern is with the lobby and hallways. I know fire regulations prohibit blocking exits and entrances. Also I understand keeping walkways clear so it’s not one big human wall. However in areas like the lobby or a huge hallway I really enjoy just hanging out and talking to people. However on several occasions we were told by hotel staff and kumo staff that we had to keep moving. We weren’t allowed to sit on the carpet in the lobby or stand next to seats. Only people who had seats were allowed to remain. For the rest of us we were basically pushed outside in the rain, even those of us who were hotel guests. We never had this problem at any of the hotels in the past 4-5 years. What little there was, was never to the extent that it was at the Hilton.
Without sounding like a repeat of exactly what you just said; Fire regulations prohibit a MILLION and one things, safety codes and the fact that we are GUESTS in the hotel, not owners of it make it hard to fight those rules. Think about it this way; even if I were paying full price for the whole hotel, and the convention space, that doesn't give me the right to bring a bunch of people into the lobby and sit on the floor and hang around, essentially loitering does it? Unfortunately for our lovely group, it does not. We have to treat the hotel as it is meant to be treated, which means sitting, where sitting is allowed (chairs) and moving along in traffic ways. I realize this isn't easy, and I realize that that person dressed up as Riku has been sitting in the red chairs for 4 hours and she and her friends will NOT move and let other people sit down... but I don't control them, they have free will to be jerks, as long as they aren't sitting on the floor or blocking traffic in the hall way.
That may indeed suck, but every single hotel is gonna have that rule. Especially nicer ones with the amount of space and facilities we require. We are a very unique group. That gives us some leeway... but it doesn't do much for our ability to have an Anime Sit-in. I am sorry about that, I wish I could change that, but Until a good, safe, secure and legal way to make a public lobby a hangout appears, we just have to play by the rules.
My second concern is the hotel staff blocking of entire floors, via escalators, saying that there is only one event down there and it’s full. So they didn’t let us move down to the floor even if there actually was another event about to start or even just to look around to familiarize myself with the layout of the place.
This coincides with the ever present fire codes. And all I can say is, there are new things going into function that should prevent SOME of the pile ups. Can't guarantee it'll all magically go away, but thats the way the hotel is laid out, and we can't change that. Certain areas HAD to be closed off because the fire marshal outright said if we put any one else in an area we'd break fire code AGAIN (believe it or not we were having issues with this all weekend, and we did NOT need to get into a bad tiff with the city of Portland and the fire marshals. I realize that if an event should be starting and you can't get to wear it is is frustrating, but please be patient, we will try and work it out as best as possible.
Thirdly is the masks. Now I know that masks have been an issue with past hotels, but usually by the second day they lighten up and are ok with them. I was told during all three days at the Hilton though that my mask was not to be worn. I being Jack Skellington need my mask to complete the costume, but I was told that I could never have it on except for a quick photo. It’s really frustrating, especially since that is one of fulcrums for a con is the ability to dress up.
I apologize that this situation made it difficult for you. It's never fun to be the one at the party screwed by the rules. But you are right, this is a issue at EVERY hotel. In fact, most hotels have a much more strict mask policy than any attendee will ever see because we put a lot of time into coaxing as much freedom out of them as possible.
A lot of things with masks were communication errors. And for that I'm sure you understand, we are sympathetic. While I know most of the staff was doing their best to continue to uphold the rules, things changed a lot mid convention, information was brought to light that changed things, and rules that hadn't been common knowledge were suddenly being forced on everyone. It makes it hard, and everyone has a right to be stressed about it. While I can't change the past, rest assured I will make the Costume Policy as clear and specific as possible and I will be informing the hotel and every staffer that will be working with us and you of the policies that affect them and you. Thats the best I can offer anyone.
My last thought, that has been talked about a bit in previous pages, is getting organized with age limits at events. Several events I attended that was, according to some material, adult only, ended up being any age. This confusion caused various costumed events with some people dressing up and behaving in adult manor not knowing that it had been changed to a kid friendly event. One confrontation with one of my friends at one of these events had an accusing tone to the attire. They ended up crying and left feeling humiliated. There was sympathy and comfort offered, but it didn’t change the initial reaction of ‘you know this is a kids event so you are blatantly breaking the rules’ tone that was taken. (Note: all the other events I attended were very amusing and well organized. So great job on them in my opinion)
I don't... exactly understand the situation here... As far as I was ever aware (and I was a attendee at the convention for 2009 so while I went to a lot of events, I by no means went to them all) All the adult panels I went to were adult, and all the all ages were all ages. I have found, however, that people were listening to people about certain things with second hand "he said, she said" telephone style communications. Nothing about programming is easy... but events that are being run by the convention are pretty safe bets... however, there are these wonderful panels and things that Attendees ask to run... and... while we try to give them every ounce of help and support we can, we have to trust our panelists to go by what they have given us, or someone to tell us if things go wrong.
An adult panel rating (by this I think you mean 18+) will ALWAYS require some kind of ID/Ident checking at the door. If this is not done, consider the panel a PG event... ALWAYS. If we don't check ID then there is a chance, A VERY GOOD CHANCE, a kid could wander in and see or hear things they are not permitted to hear. That, is a big legal problem. If what I am hearing from you is true then there should have been clear signals that something was off about the audience or the make up of the panel. Regardless, I feel for your friend who clearly sounds like they were not trying to cause a scene, but ended up in the middle of a difficult situation. It can only be, for me... a reminder to be vigilant and to remind EVERYONE that you can NEVER be too careful, even in a 18+ panel room, always assume that there is the potential for a child to be watching unless you entered the room after being IDed. That is your only assurance, and your only safety net, other wise, assume all bets are on. I'd live by that at any convention.
[/quote]
I know not everyone experienced all these things, but a lot of my friends did. Again let me say that the Kumo staff is awesome, and I don’t doubt the resolve of the hotel managers to help keep us happy. That said though it was really frustrating and on more that one occasion I left the hotel for just wandering around the city, just out of frustration. I know it will be better this year (insert faith in you guys here!), but if I knew what it would have been like last year before I went I never would have attended.
Sorry for the long post and please don’t think I’m trying to pick on you guys cause you guys rule! It’s just a couple wrinkles that if straightened out would make con epic again!
[/quote]
I for one appreciate your comments. They keep me on my game and in my thinking cap... I need to remain fresh to the problems of the past year to ensure they are not repeated.
Hope my answers helped you some... at least for peace of mind...
Oh, and by the way Pyro... thanks for the love! You rock too! If it wasn't for you and Brandon standing outside that first meeting, being so friendly and positive to me, I'm might have never had the courage to really get involved... thanks a million!
