1) The ball. Last year it was discrepancies between staff about the line that created a huge problem. THANK YOU for ticketing it this year, however this year it was the dress code creating problems. It was stated that the dress code needs to become stricter, I 100% think that is NOT the problem, it doesn't need to be stricter, it needs to be CLEARER. You say semi-formal, formal, and cosplay. You say no sandals, flip flops unless part of cosplay. But then someone cosplaying Jesus cannot get in because his outfit is made of cotton? Because he is wearing flip flops? He is in cosplay. He is in flip flops but they are PART of the cosplay, he is following the rules!!! It no where said cosplay needs to be of a certain caliber, it simply stated- cosplay. A woman dressed in a $500 cocktail dress she bought for her senior prom years ago, wearing high-heeled strappy open toed shoes, she is in no ones mind, not formal. But she is not allowed because her skirt is too short? Because her formal shoes can be categorized as sandals? She is following the rules! (Any woman, girl, anyone who has bought an outfit for prom should know, there is a big difference between casual sandals and formal sandals)
If you are going to say cosplay is allowed, but then limit the type of cosplay after that- it needs to be WRITTEN out. Cosplay- UNLESS- etc. Semi formal and formal cosplays only. Example: ect. Spell. It. Out. Do not leave one thing to a guessing game come time con. And do not- enforce rules AFTER the rules have already been printed in the con book. That is completely unfair.
2) Lines. Our third year in a row at one location, I don't understand why where lines are going to go is such a huge issue. It just seems like something we should automatically know, every staffer should know, especially info booth, before the con starts. I understand we jumped in attendance this year, but that doesn't seem like it should be such a huge factor we didn't know where any line was going anywhere throughout the whole con. I realllly hope that after this year we can get an idea where we want lines to go for what events, and when the event schedule is out, someone can please plan the line routes then relay that information to the rest of staff. Also, more signage would be great. Instead of walking about trying to figure out if this line is for this, is that line for that, is the line outside on which wall, or inside against the wall, we can have large signs like the "Start of Line" "End of Line" signs, and put on there, for WHAT event. Put signs out every panel room saying where the line for that event will start. "Signs are not in the budget" is a horrible excuse. How much money does it take to make a sign that would solve a huge percentage of what attendees complain about and what causes stress on staff. Even regular printer paper, markers, and tape. I would have gladly made some for every panel room at Info Booth with those supplies in under five minutes if it could have spared the headaches that were the lines this year. Same thing goes for events with ticketing. We need a plan going in, on if we allow attendees without tickets to line up, but make sure they are in back, or tell them to go away and then come back (which I see not really working because if someone really wants in they are going to hover and block walking space) and then let maid squad, yoji, and info booth know this so we know what we are doing, looking for, and can give accurate information.
3) A lack of adult panels it felt like this year
