[TemariRoxMySox]

I was browsing youtube and I saw that at another con... Izumicon I think it was, they had a dinner where the guests and the fans could all eat together and mingle and what not. I just thought it sounded cool and if it's too late to plan something like this for this year, next year ccould be cool too. It's just a suggestion.

[fallenstar]

This would be pretty cool. At that con, how many people went to the dinner?
It would be crazy if more then 20 people went though.

[Voxx]

I'm thinking since it is such a big con it would turn out to be more of a food fight with guests. It would be nice if it was a smaller group deal, but I'm guessing with the Hyatt they wouldnt like it very much and the food would be very expensive if it was hosted there.

[TemariRoxMySox]

Fallenstar It looked like a pretty big dinner. I also found out that Sakura-con does it too.

Ska_Toranpetta I see what you mean. The hyatt food is really expensive. XP

Edit: Here's a link of Vic at a guest dinner at Izumicon. You can kinda guess how big it is bu looking in the background.

This post has been edited by TemariRoxMySox: 05 January 2010 - 02:27 PM

[Lina]

You could do it like a Maid Cafe. Youma has that and it works out nicely. =)

[Krystal]

At comic con, it cost 200 dollars to eat breakfast with Doug Jones.

[rlissau]

TemariRoxMySox, on Jan 4 2010, 09:37 PM, said:

I was browsing youtube and I saw that at another con... Izumicon I think it was, they had a dinner where the guests and the fans could all eat together and mingle and what not. I just thought it sounded cool and if it's too late to plan something like this for this year, next year ccould be cool too. It's just a suggestion.

Returning ACEN guest Russell Lissau here. I think I safely speak for several of the guests when I say we're extremely approachable and often can be found at the Hyatt bar. Rather than paying $200 or some ridiculous amount for a Golden Ticket, just walk up to one of us, introduce yourself and chat away. Buying us a drink never hurts, either!

This post has been edited by rlissau: 11 March 2010 - 05:12 PM

[Krystal]

^ Well, I hope all of the guests are as nice as you! Some that I met were really disagreeable. And to tell the truth, the fact that you posted that makes it SO much easier to approach other guests; some of us just needed an ok. Thank you very much!

[wrexness]

rlissau, on Mar 11 2010, 05:09 PM, said:

Returning ACEN guest Russell Lissau here. I think I safely speak for several of the guests when I say we're extremely approachable and often can be found at the Hyatt bar. Rather than paying $200 or some ridiculous amount for a Golden Ticket, just walk up to one of us, introduce yourself and chat away. Buying us a drink never hurts, either!

10/4~ Thanks for the info. I've not really run into a guest that doesn't like the fans, but speaking for myself I can tell you sometimes it's a little nerve wracking because I don't want to come off as an annoying stalker-ish otaku. XD

[Krystal]

^ This. I mean, I also feel awkward because a lot of the time, guests don't want to talk unless you're buying their autograph. *_* it makes me feel really uncomfortable, kind of like when those cell phone case sellers stops you in the mall and asks to see your phone. By then, you're in a vicious cycle of awkwardness...

[rlissau]

Krystal, on Mar 11 2010, 09:24 PM, said:

^ This. I mean, I also feel awkward because a lot of the time, guests don't want to talk unless you're buying their autograph.

Considering that I never charge for an autograph and never will -- nor would Josh, Steve or Trevor -- you don't have to worry with us.

[wrexness]

In all the cons I've attended, the only person who asked for a fee for an autograph was David Carradine, so much props to the geek celebrities on that front.

[rlissau]

wrexness, on Mar 12 2010, 01:17 PM, said:

In all the cons I've attended, the only person who asked for a fee for an autograph was David Carradine, so much props to the geek celebrities on that front.

The actors and wrestlers who attend Wizard World Chicago and other cons generally do, but not comic-book creators. We're just thrilled if you buy our books, sketch cards or other materials -- and we'll sign them for free, of course!

[Nei]

There are other guests (at other cons) who've balked at the idea of a VIP ticket dinner. I think mainly because they are upwards of $100 for a fandom that is vastly teen and young adult and just don't have that kind of money and excludes so many. I have mixed feelings. On one hand I cna agree with that. On the other hand, a lot of those same kids are blowing hundreds of bucks in the dealers room. If the extra cost actually pays for the meal, then OK. If it's just extra going to the con, then not so much. Also ambivalent about VIP access to sit in the front or get in the front of the line. Fairness can be argued, but I've spent a whole days in autograph lines because if you went to a panel and then came to the line, the line was already cut off. Get through that line and the next guest is in the next autograph session. Rinse and repeat.

Wizard and SciFi Expo have a whole different set up than anime cons. Many of the celeb geusts are on the con circuit as a job. It's really how their earning a living, hence the autograph charges. Some are there just to try it or because it sounds like fun, but since the structure is to chrage, they charge too. Anime con guests are working too, and they do get whatever appearance fee they may charge, but the cons aren't the bulk of their income. They're a way to promote projects, be a draw for the con and have fun with fans too.

[El Ken]

Well, I can definitely bring the idea up to the guests we are/will be inviting. I personally like the idea, but we obviously need sign-on from the guests themselves.

Russell, thanks for your input and direct contact here!

[rlissau]

My pleasure, Ken.

I speak for myself, Josh Elder, Trevor Mueller and Steve Horton when I say that we're all hoping to be invited back as guests for 2011. ACen is our favorite show of the year, and the one where we spend the most time with fans of our work.

I've also recommended artist John Bivens be invited as a guest. He's a marvelous guy who'll be a hit with the attendees.

[dreamgirl]

They do have VIP tickets, I wouldn't be surprised if they did a dinner with the guests, one of my friends were on staff last year and i recall her saying she had dinner with a guest or lunch. one of the two.
if staff can i think they would allow VIP con goers to do so.
regular con goers, probably wouldn't be able to as there are over 10,ooo attendees.

[Krystal]

Since when coul we get VIP badges?

[dreamgirl]

didnt they have some package a couple years back for like $75 or $100?
OwO i swear they did...i think???? O_O'''

[opimus.rm]

[quote name='dreamgirl' date='10 January 2011 - 05:29 PM' timestamp='1294702140' post='962177']
didnt they have some package a couple years back for like $75 or $100?
OwO i swear they did...i think???? O_O'''
[/quo
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Reactor had a VIP badge. Acen does not have one.

[dreamgirl]

RIHHHHHHt.
yea reactor, i havent been there in a while. lolz.

[MsLovelyCookie]

That sound like a good idea I wouldn't mine dinning with a guest but as long as there are more then one dinner in case I miss it with different people each night.

This post has been edited by MsLovelyCookie: 10 January 2011 - 07:01 PM

[opimus.rm]

I think one of the other hotels would be best suited for the dinner.

[rlissau]

Now that I'm officially a returning guest for 2011, my earlier statement stands. If you see me or one of the other comics guests (Trevor, Josh or Steve) at the Hyatt bar, don't be shy. Say hello and buy us a drink, and we'll chat with you all night.

[Bloo09]

ACen has not and does not have VIP badges. All of our attendees are equal and pay the same price(early bird discounts etc aside). It's something we've considered but decided against. It may happen in the future, there is no way to say right now.

[manga1]

It would be neat but impractical for sure, even the large ballroom at the hyett would only hold a few thousand and then you have the mass amount of people to feed, I would be happy if some guests would be willing to talk for a few minutes, many voice actors do their pannel and then they disappear to the green room or the hotel bar and get drunk and then you dont see them the rest of the con, and some will also have something in the vendor area and you can get the wanted time to make chit chat with them if they do other things like write books or do music such as Vic Mignoga, or Tristian MacAvery.

I would not like to pay tons just to eat with someone that would be famous in the circle of fans known as anime, I might for Yoshinki, or someone like Tite Kubo, or maybe even Liji Matsumoto, but cons are expensive as it is, I come to cons because there are soo many differant people many like minded and from all walks of life as well as some famed people that I like to thank at times for the work on a series they worked on and it ment something to me or was an inspiration for me at a time. That and I like to compete in skit and show people proper hip hop dance in a skit, the neat hand made costumes that took hundreds of hours to make, and learn about japan during panels.

signed Jeremy manga1