[Bloo09]

Our new policy is now posted at Click Here!

After reviewing last years policy and reading all of your feedback we have reworked a lot of the policy and have either redid the rule completely, or reworded it to be better understood.

The badge policy has completely been redone and lengthened to better explain how to get your discounted or complimentary badge. This new policy is per panel because the previous per hour encouraged panelists to drag out a topic over multiple hours which we did receive complaints about from attendees. Our new per panel policy encourages multiple quality panels that are their appropriate time lengths. It also rewards each of the panelists equally instead of only benefiting one panelist per hour hosted as it was last year.

ARTISTS! Those in Artist Alley please make sure you read the NEW policies that apply to panelists who also are in ACen's Artist Alley. Our Artist Alley will also be posting policies for you to follow that match ours.

Everyone please read this entire policy. Last year people said the old one was lengthy so sections have been shortened and redundancy has been removed. Rules that were wordy and hard to understand have been reworded and clarified. And rules have been added that were missing can be found in most of the sections so you will need to read the entire policy.

We want YOUR feedback! If there is a policy you don't understand, that doesn't work, or is completely unfair please post here and we will clarify and correct it's wording, explain them, etc.

Chelsea Tessmann
Dept. Head of Panel Programming

[Brightdreamer]

One panel = 50% discount off a Full Weekend badge at the current tier price when payment is made.

This is unclear. Is it going to be 50% off the tier price at the time at which we registered, or the time at which our panel is approved (which could be much higher)?

Heck, panel applications don't even open up until tier 2 pricing is in effect.

So how should we register/pay if we're only planning on submitting one panel?

[redneckotaku]

From how I read it, it seems like that it is off the tier price after you are approved for a panel. If the panel is approved 12/1, then it would be at 50% of the $48 tier. If the panel is approved 3/1, then it is at 50% of the $53 tier. I was going to complain about the 50% discount, but having two panels for a free membership is a very fair way of dealing with that. I think I will most likely put in a couple of panel suggestions when the timeframe opens in a month.

[Elf From Space]

Had to read the badge policy a few times to get it but it does seem like a fair compromise.

So the comp badges basically works like: 1 panel 50% off, 2 panels free badge. 3 people per panel get credit?

The other thing I notice is how EARLY submission is this year! It was January last year and now October? a lot of people are unsure if they can even attend that early. Can a way be come up with to lock in earlier pricing without having to close submissions 8 months ahead?

[wrexness]

Aside from that little caveat Brightdreamer brought up, I must say this policy is much more clear than last year. It also does seem to be a more fair one, and it does show that you were indeed listening to our suggestions when revising the policy for this year as I can see some of those suggestions showed up in the final policy. Kudos on that.

[Zerox20]

We will ensure we clarify the 50% off concerns soon, keep the questions and feedback coming!

[Bloo09]

The early opening and closing is due to schedule issues we had last year with it being so late in the year. But we will be staying open longer if we do not fill and since we have 5 more rooms to put panels in there is a good chance we will not be full by the end of October (but do not count on that! Please apply in October or you are not guaranteed space). We will also be leaving a wait list application open until March 1st which is our deadline for schedule changes. Applications close 6 months before the convention, but for us to place all of our programming and have a schedule posted for our attendance it needs to be closed by the end of October, the rough schedule done in December, and changes, updates, etc done from then on. Remember ACen is a month early this year so it's bumped a few of our deadlines earlier as well.

Unfortunately panel applicants will only have access to the tier 2 pricing. When you apply your badge price is frozen at tier 2 (if you applied during the tier 2 dates). Approvals and Denials will be done by December 1st which should be when we can release our first rough schedule. It is the tier price of when you applied for your panel. If someone applies during the application time in October it will be tier 2. If someone applies on the wait list and is approved is could be tier 3 etc depending on when they applied.

50% would be for those only doing 1 panel and will be 50% off the tier price of when they applied which will be tier two for most panelists.

I will add how to register as a panelist. You will need to have an account in our registration system to apply for a panel. Once we email you if you are approved or denied then you will be able to pay. For those approved doing 1 panel you will get a 1 time use discount code to apply to your registration account. This code also works for those registering through Artist Alley. These codes are trackable by staff so if we see one used by someone it wasn't assigned to it will be removed from that account. Approved panelists cannot select mailing, your badges can be picked up in panel programmings office in the basement of the Hyatt which is the Gatwick room. We are not allowing mailing due to how many panelists change throughout the year, we would have no way to remove the discount from panelists who quit their panel.

"So the comp badges basically works like: 1 panel 50% off, 2 panels free badge. 3 people per panel get credit?"
yes that is exactly it.

[AcenGuyPing]

Panel Length and Scheduling

6. Anime Central retains the right to reschedule a panel to a different time or room. The Panel Leader will be notified if any changes are made to their panel.

Last year my panel room was changed somewhere in the neighborhood of three times including a last minute change that was in no way communicated between panel staff and our panelists before the panel scheduled start time, then the panel in the new room ran long. The panel went off without a hitch,and we appreciate the hard work panel staff does for the convention but what system is now in place to notify panelists? And if no such system has been implemented yet what plans are being devised to do so?

This post has been edited by AcenGuyPing: 23 August 2011 - 08:30 AM

[Zerox20]

AcenGuyPing, on 23 August 2011 - 08:26 AM, said:

Panel Length and Scheduling

6. Anime Central retains the right to reschedule a panel to a different time or room. The Panel Leader will be notified if any changes are made to their panel.

Last year my panel room was changed somewhere in the neighborhood of three times including a last minute change that was in no way communicated between panel staff and our panelists before the panel scheduled start time, then the panel in the new room ran long. The panel went off without a hitch,and we appreciate the hard work panel staff does for the convention but what system is now in place to notify panelists? And if no such system has been implemented yet what plans are being devised to do so?

With Scheduling being locked a LOT earlier this year, we will be able to notify Panelists much easier if their is a change. This is one of the benefits of having earlier deadlines and locking panels in. So Rest Assured you will be notified MUCH quicker if their is a change.

Also since we have our mailing list if their are major schedule changes we can e-mail it out to everyone quickly as well to ensure we get instant feedback on any schedule modifications. We are going to do everything we can once we lock in your time to keep it there!


** PLEASE KEEP QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK COMING !! **

This post has been edited by Zerox20: 23 August 2011 - 09:02 PM

[S1NN3R]

Just wondering, if compted/discounted badges isn't an issue, could we just have our badge sent to us like normal and pick up the panelist badge when we get there? (assuming we are approved)

This post has been edited by S1NN3R: 25 August 2011 - 02:08 AM

[Bloo09]

There isn't a different badge for panelists, you use a full weekend badge. And the issue is with so many panelists playing musical chairs we wouldn't have a way to correct the pricing of someone who leaves a panel and had their badge mailed. This isn't just for a couple cases that happen, a lot of cases happen. And you'll be able to pick up your badge in panel's office, not in registrations liberty room anymore so you'll be away from that line. It will be open on Thursday, probably around 4pm when reg opens, possibly earlier. If someone is paying full price because they don't qualify for the discount, say the 4th panelist since only 3 qualify per panel, we can look at allowing their badge to be mailed.

[Dark Spellmaster]

Just wanted to know one thing, do we have to get the panalist badges? Normally I buy three badges at the same time, so do we have to get the panalist badges in order to allow us to be panelists? Or is it okay to use my normal badge?

[Bloo09]

You can purchase your own badge and forfeit your discount. Panelist badge is really just a "status" not a badge type. Every panelist gets a Full Weekend Badge like regular attendees. The "panelist badge" status just says you have access to your designated panel room and the ability to host one etc.

Are you sure you want to purchase your own? Even if you're only doing one panel you still save something like $24 dollars per badge (max 3) for each person hosting.

[Dark Spellmaster]

Bloo09, on 28 August 2011 - 10:46 AM, said:

You can purchase your own badge and forfeit your discount. Panelist badge is really just a "status" not a badge type. Every panelist gets a Full Weekend Badge like regular attendees. The "panelist badge" status just says you have access to your designated panel room and the ability to host one etc.

Are you sure you want to purchase your own? Even if you're only doing one panel you still save something like $24 dollars per badge (max 3) for each person hosting.

My reasons for purchasing my own are becuase I purchase for my family. My fellow panalest is getting his own, but I'm buying for two people that will not be on the panel, and, as I seem to understand it, the discount would not apply to this tier purchase, am I correct?

[Bloo09]

Correct, Tier two is active while panel submissions is open and approval/denial is done.

[Brightdreamer]

Bloo09, on 22 August 2011 - 09:58 PM, said:

50% would be for those only doing 1 panel and will be 50% off the tier price of when they applied which will be tier two for most panelists.

I will add how to register as a panelist. You will need to have an account in our registration system to apply for a panel. Once we email you if you are approved or denied then you will be able to pay. For those approved doing 1 panel you will get a 1 time use discount code to apply to your registration account. This code also works for those registering through Artist Alley. These codes are trackable by staff so if we see one used by someone it wasn't assigned to it will be removed from that account.

All right, I was obviously already registered in the system, but I mistakenly already ordered a badge and said I was going to pay later by check, which I assumed would be the right way to do it. This was way back in August. Will I still be able to apply this "code" or should I try to get that order canceled? It's showing that I registered under Tier 1 and that I will owe $43.

If this is incorrect, could you tell me the correct way to go about it so I can tell my other panel members how to order their badges?

[Bloo09]

"DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT if a discounted or complimentary panelist badge is desired, you will not be refunded. " Do not pay until your panel is approved or denied. Once it is approved or denied the appropriate discount will automatically be added to your account. So if it is approved then a 50% discount will be automatically applied to your account. If you have 2 panels approved then you will get the full 100% discount for a complimentary badge. The price on your account will update to the current tier pricing. Please wait until your panel is approved or denied, we plan to be done the reviews by December 1st.

[HEDGESMFG]

What about a single panel that comes out to be 2 hours rather than one? Would one still need to participate in 2 panels in order to get the badge if you get the full badge, or does 2 hours fill the quota.

Clarification on this issue would be appreciated! If this is pretty much doing 2 panel hours do get a badge, and it applies to anyone who can prove they've done 2 hours, I like this policy.

To further clarify things, I see problems with a policy where if someone normally makes their panels over an hour, and does 2 of them at over an hour, they only get the badge if they do the full (hypothetical) 3-4 hours of their time, while a person doing 2 one hour panels gets the same. If this is an attempt to diversify content and encourage a larger number of panels irregardless of their length, I can see that, but still object a bit. I think this is otherwise a great policy, but should apply to a single 2 hour panel in at least some cases as well.

This post has been edited by HEDGESMFG: 18 October 2011 - 09:07 AM

[Bloo09]

Last year the hour policy was harshly abused. Many panels dragged out their content for multiple hours by "beating a dead horse". Some didn't even cover their topic as I have read in our feedback forms, and others requested 3-4 hours and ended at 2 hours leaving the room unusable when another panel could have been placed in it if they'd originally requested the correct time. This is to encourage panels to be the length they should be, instead of pushing another full hour of time they can't fill for another badge. It is also to encourage more panels as we have 5 more rooms to fill and need a lot more panels this year. And comparing the policies this new one actually gives you half a badge more in discount. Last year a 1 hour panel got 1 badge for only the head panelist and the co panelists received no reward. This year each of the 3 panelists receives an equal 50% discount for 1 panel, or 100% discount for 2. Hours are not considered in this new policy. The only reason the policy was changed last year at the last minute was because of how wordy it was and no one understood it. We will not be continuing the policy change from last year that every panelist receives a full complimentary badge no matter the length or number of panels they host. This new policy is sticking but if there is a part that should be reworded to be better understood please make a suggestion and we will alter the wording.

[Brightdreamer]

Bloo09, on 18 October 2011 - 12:08 AM, said:

"DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT if a discounted or complimentary panelist badge is desired, you will not be refunded. " Do not pay until your panel is approved or denied. Once it is approved or denied the appropriate discount will automatically be added to your account. So if it is approved then a 50% discount will be automatically applied to your account. If you have 2 panels approved then you will get the full 100% discount for a complimentary badge. The price on your account will update to the current tier pricing. Please wait until your panel is approved or denied, we plan to be done the reviews by December 1st.

That's not what I asked. Please read my question.

Obviously I'm not submitting payment. I'm asking how my other panel members should order their badges, and if I've done something wrong in ordering mine already. I marked that I would pay later by check, and have not sent payment already, and do not PLAN on sending payment until I get my discount. Your policy states that we'll be given a "code" to apply to ordering our badges, and I don't know how I'll be able to do that if I've already ordered a badge.

Also I don't know if I should tell my other panel members to order their badges now, or wait until the panel is approved to get said "code."

[Bloo09]

Please don't do anything else in your account until the discount is applied. A badge will be added by the system and discounted when your panel is approved. We decided not to do the discount code and have the system just do it automatically. Saying you'll pay by check should have no effect on the addition of a discounted badge, a new order will probably be made.

[Brightdreamer]

Bloo09, on 18 October 2011 - 11:02 PM, said:

Please don't do anything else in your account until the discount is applied. A badge will be added by the system and discounted when your panel is approved. We decided not to do the discount code and have the system just do it automatically. Saying you'll pay by check should have no effect on the addition of a discounted badge, a new order will probably be made.

You still haven't answered the second part of my question, which is what I should tell my other panel members to do about ordering their badges.

[Bloo09]

If they are the 2nd and 3rd panelist in your group that the discount would apply to tell them "Please don't do anything else in your account until the discount is applied. A badge will be added by the system and discounted when your panel is approved. Once it is added after the panel is approved you can pay IF the discount was properly applied. If you have 2 approved panels then no payment is needed."

1 panel approved = 50% discount off the current badge price for up to 3 panelists (the head panelist and 2 co panelists)
2 panels approved = 100% discount meaning up to 3 panelists will receive a full complimentary (free) badge.
Each panelist's badges are tracked separately so you do not need to remain with your first panel group to host a 2nd panel and get the full free badge.

Do not pay until the discount is applied to the account if you are expecting the 50% discount for doing 1 panel.

[Brightdreamer]

Now according to the instructions sent out, I've done all of this wrong in already ordering my badge. It's still showing the full amount of $43 for when I registered. Maybe someone needs to cancel that order? Or something?

[Bloo09]

Brightdreamer, on 28 November 2011 - 12:45 AM, said:

Now according to the instructions sent out, I've done all of this wrong in already ordering my badge. It's still showing the full amount of $43 for when I registered. Maybe someone needs to cancel that order? Or something?

As long as you did not pay yet we can fix it. I'll look in your account and see about deleting your existing order as long as it's not paid for.

[Zerox20]

tsukeru, on 28 November 2011 - 08:11 AM, said:

I never received an email with instructions or times/days yet for my panels. Was this sent out? And can someone resend it out if that's the case to tsukeruu (at) gmail [dot] com?

I never received an email with instructions or times/days yet for my panels. Was this sent out? And can someone resend it out if that's the case to tsukeruu (at) gmail [dot] com?

We have not released scheduling as of yet. The only thing sent out was some approval emails. As of now no times or scheduling has been finalized.

SEE HERE: http://www.acen.org/...ists-read-this/