[Shay]

Suigetsu, on May 11 2009, 11:02 AM, said:

The bad

Autographs. I got my Chiaki Takahashi on Friday night and I thank god I did then. She was not there for the Saturday nor Sunday session. On top of that, most of the sessions were off time. I understand that, but something should be posted by the areas letting us know when things will be moved, that or a staff member be at the location INDICATED IN THE GUIDES to tell us where to go or what time it has been moved to. The people who were working that section had no idea what was going on so even they couldn't give us straight answers. I also think that staff should carry at least one programming guide on them because I knew more than 90% of them from my breif glance through on Thursday. All in all, one thing to work on for next time, I know you guys can do it since the reg line was a huge success.

Ummmm... Chiaki was there on both Saturday & Sunday, as well as Friday night. I know because I was her Guest Escort on Saturday, and I was also there on Sunday just after her signing walking around with her while she was taking photos. In fact, on Saturday, I was standing at the end of the autograph line directing people into her line and talking about her to people who didn't know who she was.

I can't remember the times off the top of my head, except that they were the scheduled times.

I'm not sure how you missed her, but she was back in the Autograph section of the Exhibit Hall.

[BeautifullyChaotic]

longsii, on May 12 2009, 12:15 PM, said:

I'm going to have to support this one as well. The sound was all bass and the reverb was not happy at all. The volume level seemed to be trying to compensate for the bad balance.
On a more personal note, while retrieving some equipment from tech on thursday they were running sound tests on the speakers. While walking back to get it, being only a few feet from the speakers, they were flicked on a full volume knocking me back several steps and leaving my vision waving and my ears ringing for nearly an hour. As cold as it sounds, if your Sound guys are too retarded to realized what the 140+ they were pumping out of those speakers does to people at that range, especially suddenly (because it was off then full volume as if it were just unmuted), then they need to stay the hell away from the equipment, that kind of power is actually dangerous to the body. To knock a 400lbs man sideways several steps is rediculous. I am very displeased with that fact and hope to see actions taken to insure such stupidity never happens again. The bad balance is half the reason I don't go to many dances/concerts anymore, being assulted by speakers during sound test... is just another reason.

After reading multiple posts with complaints about the sound levels and qualities for the concerts, I thought I would mention something to everyone...
Our sound crew is extremely efficient and knowledgeable. They have years upon years of experience running sound and they do it well.
Where the problem sometimes presents itself? Some of the guests that host concerts, have their own sound people. The levels that were "uncomfortably" loud for some of the shows, were not due to our sound guy being "retarded", they were due to other people running the board for their own shows. What can I say? Some bands like a "loud" sound setup rather than a "good" sound setup. However, we will take note of these issues, make all attempts to advise said bands as such and regulate the levels next year. Thank you for all your input, every bit helps!

[longsii]

My issue with them being retarded is cranking in on during the soundtest during SET UP not during any concert or event, it was thursday. And damned near knocking me over, because he was too retarded to think.. "oh yeah... this is going to hurt that guy standing infront of the wall of speakers." That is my biggest complaint. I cope when bands don't know how to EQ, and just don't show up when the staffers (in many con's defence often the in house sound crew that is just fail more often than not) don't know how to. I'm just pissed about being dizzy for an hour because they don't look or think about the guy standing in front of the speakers during the set up.

[kenkendazo]

Shay, on May 13 2009, 12:39 AM, said:

Ummmm... Chiaki was there on both Saturday & Sunday, as well as Friday night. I know because I was her Guest Escort on Saturday, and I was also there on Sunday just after her signing walking around with her while she was taking photos. In fact, on Saturday, I was standing at the end of the autograph line directing people into her line and talking about her to people who didn't know who she was.

I can't remember the times off the top of my head, except that they were the scheduled times.

I'm not sure how you missed her, but she was back in the Autograph section of the Exhibit Hall.

I have no problem with Friday, that was fine.
Saturday, I went to the time according to the book, waited for 30 min with some other people, she didn't show, and the staffer working the autograph booth said she was pushed back an hour or so.
Sunday, as I said, there was again a group waiting for her where the book said at the time, 111.30-12.30 and I had to leave at 11.50 because of the hotel room. She had not shown up, nor had anybody who was working the autograph section. The IRT was nice there, but they said they didn't know where she was.

Sunday Proof: IRT names were Ko-san and a guy I believe. I forgot his name but I think it had something to do with a gun or sniping term.

This post has been edited by Suigetsu: 13 May 2009 - 08:55 AM

[Shay]

Suigetsu, on May 13 2009, 10:52 AM, said:

I have no problem with Friday, that was fine.
Saturday, I went to the time according to the book, waited for 30 min with some other people, she didn't show, and the staffer working the autograph booth said she was pushed back an hour or so.
Sunday, as I said, there was again a group waiting for her where the book said at the time, 111.30-12.30 and I had to leave at 11.50 because of the hotel room. She had not shown up, nor had anybody who was working the autograph section. The IRT was nice there, but they said they didn't know where she was.

Sunday Proof: IRT names were Ko-san and a guy I believe. I forgot his name but I think it had something to do with a gun or sniping term.

Ahhh.... I just checked my schedule and Chiaki's autograph session on Saturday was 2:30-3:30, which is what I had on her itinerary, so they must have changed it after it was printed in the program guide. We (Escorts) were going by the Guest Itineraries, and then still have to make adjustments if anything else got moved.

On Sunday, she was there from 11:30-12:30 and then we walked around for a half hour taking pictures... and then we took her back to the hotel around 1pm. So, she was there at her correct Sunday time... I know because I had to call the other Op I was with to meet up with her to get Chiaki back to the hotel, and that was at 1pm CST. Chiaki's signing was right next to Vic's (and just before Nabeshin's) so maybe that's why it was missed? But I swear to you that she was there, and in the autograph section, from 11:30-12:30!

I'm sorry you missed seeing her on Saturday & Sunday, and I'm sorry if there was a time change for her Saturday session, but I have no clue why you missed her on Sunday.

[kenkendazo]

Shay, on May 13 2009, 10:07 AM, said:

Ahhh.... I just checked my schedule and Chiaki's autograph session on Saturday was 2:30-3:30, which is what I had on her itinerary, so they must have changed it after it was printed in the program guide. We (Escorts) were going by the Guest Itineraries, and then still have to make adjustments if anything else got moved.

On Sunday, she was there from 11:30-12:30 and then we walked around for a half hour taking pictures... and then we took her back to the hotel around 1pm. So, she was there at her correct Sunday time... I know because I had to call the other Op I was with to meet up with her to get Chiaki back to the hotel, and that was at 1pm CST. Chiaki's signing was right next to Vic's (and just before Nabeshin's) so maybe that's why it was missed? But I swear to you that she was there, and in the autograph section, from 11:30-12:30!

I'm sorry you missed seeing her on Saturday & Sunday, and I'm sorry if there was a time change for her Saturday session, but I have no clue why you missed her on Sunday.

Hmmm...I was there at 11.30 and no one was at the booths signing autographs yet. Either way, it was good that she had 3 sessions so I met her at least once. Keep that up for next year.

Edit: Also, with all the odd things that happen at the con, we could both be wrong or both be right. I'm still convinced that the key to dimensional/time travel will be discovered at a con.

This post has been edited by Suigetsu: 13 May 2009 - 09:13 AM

[Digital Forte]

I would Really Really Like to see some way to get a ticket to the masquerade or one concert Early like with my pre-reg.
I'd even be willing to pay a fee to get a ticket with pre-reg.

What If when you pre regged you had the option to buy a pre reg masq or concert ticket, (Only one ticket total.) Then you could just put a sticker on the back of the badge for the ticket or something. I don't know, I had gotten MOVE tickets but told they were for the Masq. So my groups Tickets were'nt Used for MOVE because we missed the time to get those. and then we still waited in line for the MAsq tickets.

And the line for Masq Tickets. We waited out on the sidewalk in front of the dealer room doors since 8 am. THe lady in front of us was there sice 7. they moved us to line up outside. but then when they opened the doors it was a free for all. It did look however like the mob just overwhelmed the staff. 10 IRT members can't really do much when 200 attendees rush the doors.

[Zrana]

Suigetsu, on May 13 2009, 04:09 PM, said:

Hmmm...I was there at 11.30 and no one was at the booths signing autographs yet. Either way, it was good that she had 3 sessions so I met her at least once. Keep that up for next year.

Edit: Also, with all the odd things that happen at the con, we could both be wrong or both be right. I'm still convinced that the key to dimensional/time travel will be discovered at a con.

When I was trying to find a friend getting an autograph on Sunday, I noticed something. I could have sworn that the autographs area had swapped out with one or part of the game areas from what I had seen set up on Friday. Maybe something along these lines is a reason for confusion?

[Shay]

Zrana, on May 13 2009, 12:56 PM, said:

When I was trying to find a friend getting an autograph on Sunday, I noticed something. I could have sworn that the autographs area had swapped out with one or part of the game areas from what I had seen set up on Friday. Maybe something along these lines is a reason for confusion?

I know that the autograph area was changed a couple of times... it was in one place... and then moved to another, and then moved BACK to the original place. All before I made it out there for Chiaki's autograph session on Saturday... so I'm not sure where it was on Friday. But Saturday & Sunday it was on the south side of the convention center, I believe.

[Sakamura]

KnitChick, on May 13 2009, 02:58 AM, said:

Oh McCormick place is crazy. It may seem strict the way the Rosemont Convention Center insists on nothing can be set up without being done by their union people, McCormick is worse from what I hear!

The transportation to/from/around McCormick is really poor. I don't like going to cons and events there because you can't get to any reasonably priced food beyond McDonalds (which I cannot have for medical reasons) without DRIVING and paying again. Parking is more expensive, and yeah there are CTA shuttles for certain events but they are only weekend shuttles, from Millennium Park parking which is even MORE expensive than McCormicks.

And your thoughts on Navy Pier? (The other part of agency that handles McCormick)

[KnitChick]

Sakamura, on May 13 2009, 12:04 PM, said:

And your thoughts on Navy Pier? (The other part of agency that handles McCormick)

Doubt they have as much room as Rosemont, plus there are no hotels nearby. Any that are, are SUPER expensive. There's very little parking at the Pier, though at least there's about four bus routes that go there (instead of one to McCormick). Still, not as good as Rosemont IMO.

Really, Rosemont is the best place for us. We still have more of the convention center we can take over, and plenty more hotels to expand to.

[Cursedeyes]

KnitChick, on May 13 2009, 06:48 PM, said:

Doubt they have as much room as Rosemont, plus there are no hotels nearby. Any that are, are SUPER expensive. There's very little parking at the Pier, though at least there's about four bus routes that go there (instead of one to McCormick). Still, not as good as Rosemont IMO.

Really, Rosemont is the best place for us. We still have more of the convention center we can take over, and plenty more hotels to expand to.

and not to mention the amount of drunk people there would be hundreds of people drowning in the lake lol. but seriously, this was my first con and i'm like, hmm, i had a different picture of acen which didn't smell of throw up and booze lol. It reminded me of some crazy frat party gone horribly wrong. There were people passed out and puking late at night and throw up and nasty spills in the stair ways and elevators im like woah this is getting kinda crazy now. i'm suprised with all the drinking people could still function the next day, but it might explain why saturday morning was a bit emptier than friday morning lol. idk, i just thought that was odd and it's not necessarily a gripe, i just wanted to see how everyone else felt about it

[mer2329]

i had problems getting in to see the Spoony Bards Concert on Sunday because there was no bag check
i complained to upper or mid management (cant remember which)
i transit from Chicago (i live there) on Public Transportation
so i have no car or no hotel room to put my stuff in
and i did not want to leave my stuff unattended for fear of theft
so i had no choice but to skip which made me so upset that i registered for next year and left

maybe you could start a bag check for concerts on Sundays

This post has been edited by mer2329: 16 May 2009 - 06:57 PM

[alunde]

I'd like to say, again, that there ought to be consistent room naming between the maps and the schedule, AND a key that cross-references the ACEN logical venue naming scheme to the names appearing on the hotel signage.

I had to keep my printout of the pre-con schedule PDF (linked in the forums) just to find which room was which.

(Thanks to all for posting more maps and schedules earlier that in previous years.)

Things seemed generally better organized, other than the problems imposed by sheer scale.

[Ambyy]

I have to admit just call the front desk and it would have been taken care of immeadiately. I have attended ACEN for 10 years and there is always too much noise at times. You just lean over pick up the phone hit the call button and it is taken care of. But they should have closed the door.

[akaikurama]

mer2329, on May 16 2009, 07:57 PM, said:

i had problems getting in to see the Spoony Bards Concert on Sunday because there was no bag check
i complained to upper or mid management (cant remember which)
i transit from Chicago (i live there) on Public Transportation
so i have no car or no hotel room to put my stuff in
and i did not want to leave my stuff unattended for fear of theft
so i had no choice but to skip which made me so upset that i registered for next year and left

maybe you could start a bag check for concerts on Sundays

There was a suggestion topic started about this here: http://www.acen.org/...topic=28005&hl=

If you want to look through this and see that Acen is open to ideas like this.

[trunks_lover29]

I think the best way to sum up almost everyone's problems at ACEN would be to say this: no organization. I have never been to a convention that is so poorly organized.

None of the ACEN staff at the convention ever know what's going on and cannot help you with your questions. I asked five ACEN staff, one at the ticket counter, three IRT, and the man operating the information desk where the two autograph desks were and none of them knew!

If you're going to recruit fans to fill in the gaps, at least write up a faq for them to reference. I'm tired of being told at the convention to go check the forum. Do you know how expensive it is to use the internet in those hotels? And I don't want to drive to McDonald's for WiFi to check information that should be common knowledge. ACEN staff have access to computers...let them use them!

rant over...

Though I would say 2009 was much better organized than 2008, so thanks to the staff for that.

This post has been edited by trunks_lover29: 11 September 2009 - 09:02 AM

[TheRabbi]

trunks_lover29, on Sep 11 2009, 10:00 AM, said:

I think the best way to sum up almost everyone's problems at ACEN would be to say this: no organization. I have never been to a convention that is so poorly organized.

None of the ACEN staff at the convention ever know what's going on and cannot help you with your questions. I asked five ACEN staff, one at the ticket counter, three IRT, and the man operating the information desk where the two autograph desks were and none of them knew!

If you're going to recruit fans to fill in the gaps, at least write up a faq for them to reference. I'm tired of being told at the convention to go check the forum. Do you know how expensive it is to use the internet in those hotels? And I don't want to drive to McDonald's for WiFi to check information that should be common knowledge. ACEN staff have access to computers...let them use them!

rant over...

Though I would say 2009 was much better organized than 2008, so thanks to the staff for that.

Thanks for your feedback.

As someone whose job description at the con (Dispatch Supervisor for IRT) unofficially includes being able to answer any question that comes along, I can agree with you that there's a good bit of an information vortex. But we're not unaware of it! This year our planning is starting much earlier, and we shouldn't have as many last-minute changes. In addition, we tried some new things out last year - like moving the autograph tables - and saw what worked and what didn't. (In addition, IRT who don't know the answers to questions are supposed to know where to get answers from. From your comments, this wasn't pounded into their heads enough. We'll fix this at least next year.)

Also as someone whose job it is to help set up many of the computers used at con (Sysadmin for IT), I can say that internet for us is pretty expensive too. We have to pick and choose what departments get access to the internet. Last year, we had a brand-new infrastructure for our network at con and we were trying to keep the bells and whistles down. This year, we may try to expand that to include a measure of internet access for our information booths and such.

Having an FAQ sheet for staff is a good suggestion, and having a better way to communicate changes in the schedule is a must for sure. I'll do what I can to help these things come into existence.

[Voxx]

I'd also suggest to find a better way to organize crowds for concerts. Moving around big lines from point A to B and then back to A without any structure is not fun. = (

[Shay]

trunks_lover29, on Sep 11 2009, 11:00 AM, said:

None of the ACEN staff at the convention ever know what's going on and cannot help you with your questions. I asked five ACEN staff, one at the ticket counter, three IRT, and the man operating the information desk where the two autograph desks were and none of them knew!

Though I would say 2009 was much better organized than 2008, so thanks to the staff for that.

I'm sorry you had problems getting information on where the autographs were, but if this happened on Friday there is actually an explanation to why things were confusing: the autographs moved locations in the exhibit hall at least 2 times... maybe 3... early Friday, and I know that all of us on Guest Escorts were running around confused trying to figure out where we were supposed to be taking our guests because it changed so much. It originally started in one place, got moved for some reason, got moved again, and then ended up back where is started. At least I think that's how it went, if I remember correctly. But basically, we had a hard time keeping up with the changes for a little while there so it's possible that all of this switching around was going on when you were trying to find out the locations as well. I'm sure that if my subsection of IRT was confused, then the rest of the staff was having a hard time keeping up as well.

Once again, I'm really sorry, and I hope things are better organized next year.

[TanukiOfYaoi]

Can't wait for ACen it's coming so quickly and I have prom on the same day. So it's going to be hectic... lol anyway, I didn't have much to gripe about last year except one thing.

Smokers, please be kind to us non-smokers and fallow the smoking rules. Last year I had terrible headaches because of all the smoke in the soapbubble line and the entrance to the convention center. I'm just saying, if you have the need to smoke and your in line, just ask the person nearest to you or friends to hold your spot before you take a puff instead of doing it in line. I'm probably going to be more bold this year and tell any smoker to stop it. It makes me physically sick and it makes me hack my brains out so much that I feel like keeling over.

[okaonos]

TanukiOfYaoi, on Feb 13 2010, 02:14 PM, said:

Can't wait for ACen it's coming so quickly and I have prom on the same day. So it's going to be hectic... lol anyway, I didn't have much to gripe about last year except one thing.

Smokers, please be kind to us non-smokers and fallow the smoking rules. Last year I had terrible headaches because of all the smoke in the soapbubble line and the entrance to the convention center. I'm just saying, if you have the need to smoke and your in line, just ask the person nearest to you or friends to hold your spot before you take a puff instead of doing it in line. I'm probably going to be more bold this year and tell any smoker to stop it. It makes me physically sick and it makes me hack my brains out so much that I feel like keeling over.

If you see a smoker violating the Illinois Smoking Ban (smoking indoors, smoking close to the doors, etc) notify someone, such a hotel staff or IRT. Also last year there was an IRT hotline you could call, so next year save that number in your cell.

[TanukiOfYaoi]

okaonos, on Feb 13 2010, 02:27 PM, said:

If you see a smoker violating the Illinois Smoking Ban (smoking indoors, smoking close to the doors, etc) notify someone, such a hotel staff or IRT. Also last year there was an IRT hotline you could call, so next year save that number in your cell.

Oh there is. Well I will put it in my phone then and hand it to my friends. Thank ^-^

[okaonos]

TanukiOfYaoi, on Feb 13 2010, 02:39 PM, said:

Oh there is. Well I will put it in my phone then and hand it to my friends. Thank ^-^

Keep an eye out for any updates on the IRT hotline too, just in case they change the number from what it was last year.

[Fullmetal_C]

I'm not sure if this was posted at all but one thing i would like changed would be tickets for the concerts. I think that its a good idea to have them (and i think last year was a great improvement from 2008 ^^) but i know the first thing we did saturday was go to the booth to get tickets and i remember when we asked for tickets for vic the staff member said we didn't need any. Of course i found out later that you DID need them >.> and i know its a big con so things maybe get confusing but it would be nice if these things were decided in advanced, what events NEED tickets and what others don't.

[Lina]

I wasn't a fan of the whole ticket thing either. If you don't need it for the soap bubble and you able to keep track of how many people go in and out, I think you can do the same with the concert. It's been done before.

[Dark Spellmaster]

Just a few gripes and suggestions here.

1. Lockers or Coat check -I know that certain events prohibit people from bringing in bags, or props, inside, but it can be rather tiresome to go wait in line and then find out you can't bring items in with you. So request would be either a coat check for props or bags so that people can place their items away for a small fee. I would be willing to do that if the fee wasn't too high. I know that at other conventions they have this.

2. Tickets -I think most people have said what I wanted to about the tickets and information. The only suggestion I could have is, make a list of places where the events could be moved to and have it updated as often as possible, even if it's just hand written on tape or something. That way the people that have to give us the information will not be pointing out all directions. Also possibly invest in a walkie talky system that staffers could have and be like "Yeah I have a question about where so and so's autograph session is." and then they can find out for the person and tell them where it is. I'm sure most people could stand to wait a few moments to get their answer.

3. Discouted Tickets -My main idea here comes from the fact that a friend of mine has a daughter that likes anime. She is autistic, so a good portion of the panels and such doesn't intrest her. However she enjoyed the vendors room and the cosplayers. I was curious if in the future there could be some sort of ticket that only allowed people into the vendors/Artist alley area so that they too can purchase items but not go into the panels and such. I'm sure that people would purchase that ticket and it could generate more money for Acen.

4. Local actors or groups -I know you guys do the local bands and such, but what about groups like Channel Awesome? They're here in Illinios (either Napperville or Oak Park) and would probably, happily come. Net Celebrities could also draw in people that might not normally come to a con, but they would happily come to see these guys in action. And I think they may be cheaper then some of the guest?

[TheRabbi]

I will answer such questions as I have certain knowledge of, and leave the others for more well-informed staff.

Dark Spellmaster, on Apr 20 2010, 09:54 AM, said:

1. Lockers or Coat check -I know that certain events prohibit people from bringing in bags, or props, inside, but it can be rather tiresome to go wait in line and then find out you can't bring items in with you. So request would be either a coat check for props or bags so that people can place their items away for a small fee. I would be willing to do that if the fee wasn't too high. I know that at other conventions they have this.

See this thread for an extensive discussion on why we cannot do coat and bag check this year.

Quote

2. Tickets -I think most people have said what I wanted to about the tickets and information. The only suggestion I could have is, make a list of places where the events could be moved to and have it updated as often as possible, even if it's just hand written on tape or something. That way the people that have to give us the information will not be pointing out all directions. Also possibly invest in a walkie talky system that staffers could have and be like "Yeah I have a question about where so and so's autograph session is." and then they can find out for the person and tell them where it is. I'm sure most people could stand to wait a few moments to get their answer.

We do use radios for this kind of communication. IRT, for example, makes extensive use of radios to convey information for congoers. The main issue comes when people are too busy to make sure that things like changes in schedule get communicated properly (and at con, it's very easy to get too busy). We know this is a problem and we've got some things in place this year to help combat it, but this will be an uphill battle.

[Neko_master_Luna]

How abut the audio & visual for the masquerade. I always get stuck in in the back & I am short, so I can never see the screens, or some tall guy always ends up in front of me & I have noticed, it's almost impossible to hear what people are saying, even if it's prerecorded. I am thinking raise the screens higher or have more closer to the back of the audience & I have no clue for the audio, maybe the same thing. I usually give up after a while & leave, witch I hate to do because I miss all the talent & wonderful costumes.

This post has been edited by Neko_master_Luna: 20 April 2010 - 09:54 AM

[Roark]

Dark Spellmaster, on Apr 20 2010, 09:54 AM, said:

Just a few gripes and suggestions here.

4. Local actors or groups -I know you guys do the local bands and such, but what about groups like Channel Awesome? They're here in Illinios (either Napperville or Oak Park) and would probably, happily come. Net Celebrities could also draw in people that might not normally come to a con, but they would happily come to see these guys in action. And I think they may be cheaper then some of the guest?

We actually invite a number of local comic artists to the convention; some of them are attending this year.

We walk a thin line with who we invite. We need to balance wants, demands, and perceptions from multiple angles. We can only invite so many people each year, so we need to make sure each guest adds something unique.