[El Ken]

As we look to bring larger and more popular musical guests to ACen, we are finding that many of the potential performers are looking for a larger, more professional venue, as well as the possibility of bringing in revenue from ticket sales (to them, not ACen). How can we best approach this situation to give attendees the opportunity to see these acts, but also give the performers a suitable concert venue and revenue to get them here in the first place?

Vote in the poll and leave some feedback. I'm eager to hear everyone's responses and ideas!

[chainedbyroses]

(First i might just say excuse crappy typing as i seem to have excellent timing in painting fingernails for the first time in years... ergo, typing skills ofa twotoed brontesaurus 8D)

I'd say first off before anything else, see if Rosemont Theatre (the one next to the InterContinental) would be willing to get involved with the con for concerts. They have a modestly large audience seating space available -- they ran everything from Paul Potts to Selena Gomez (or whatever Disney star was there earlier this month), so they know how to handle crowds and modestly large shows. IIRC they have dealt w/ even pyrotechnics before, with Australian Pink Floyd (though that may have been Allstate Arena). For the average con concert not only are they space enough, but they are in walking distance for almost all attendees, and they are overall a very nice theatre (having been there on occasions previously).

For larger shows -- liek if we were to have a popular visual kei band or the like (X, BUCK-TICK, Dire en grey, D'espairs ray, what have you), or some Idol, or big pop group, or really anything assuming attendance over 500+ -- I'd talk to the Allstate Arena. If they can run sports shows with more crazy people than even ACen can create or provide, they can more than easily handle us. If we were to talk with them some sort of deal on those with badges = small discount on things, I'd say even the brokest of college attendees (hello fellow Ramen-noodles-every-meal-kind-of-budget/gonna-hafta-live-in-a-box art students!!) couldn't really complain much if at all. Because the distance from the con is fairly far and the main ways of getting there aren't exactly walking-friendly, negotiating shuttles or some deal with RTA/CTA though would most likely be necessary -- I would think RTA can't really complain if we asked, because money is money and when you're ~$65 billion in the hole, you're not gonna be whining when people want to give you money lol. Alternately, if RTA does decide to whine like, kids -- make like all our childhood field trips did: Chicago has a metric butt-ton of yellow school buses amok that can be rented on the cheap (w/ my elementary school's Brookfield Zoo trips, we had ~65 kids @ $5 trip/kid fees, so I'd estimate about $130-180 a bus or so, able to hold either 70 or 100 odd people each). I sure wouldn't mind riding in a school bus to an awesome show XD

In either case though I'd argue make it so the general public could access the shows so as not to limit the attendance & potentially bite us in the butt if weather is bad, or finals is in con week, or ACen = Mothers' Day once again, or gods know what else could possibly be thrown at us via Murphy's Law. I WOULD, though, give first access and announcement of the show/ticket availability to convention attendees before the main public announcement/news goes out, so that attendees will have a shot at tickets before ticketmaster/whaever is handling tickets gets all LOL NO TIKKETS FER YOO LOLOL GO GET THEM SCALPED ON STUBHUB AT AN EXTORTIONAL RATE LOLOLOL (basically, just like Chicago Blackhawks tickets have wound up getting this season :/). Perhaps make a mass email announcement to previous attendees -- upon registration we all provide email addresses, so that step is already there & on file from this past year - all that would need be done is create the mass email announcement & select all to send to. There is always the postcar-in-the-mail method, which really guarantees people WILL see it (unless they throw away all mail of such kind out as "junk"), but email is generally faster to spread and, ultimately, free.


Edit 1: voted for 3rd option since that would be fairest for some attendees -- those in high school/unemployed for example who otherwise would NOT be able to attend in any ice bat's chance in hell -- yet it still allows a perfectly fair chance at getting tickets to the regular area and guaranteeing a spot for those who don't want to risk getting there and the free area being full. I would alos recommend having an area for ACen ADA pass -- wheelchairs and crutches & such shouldn't have to duke it out with the crazies who are are than willing to kick shove and go to godsknowwhatelse extreme to get "their" seats they think they are entitled to. Tired of seeing those poor folk get trampled, so if anything I'd say give them priority in the free seating area, and have a couple ADA-aware/trained staffers there to help out in case a case of con uglies rears its head.

I do wonder though how ACen attendees would be able to get their tickets in advance if they won't have badge/purchase confirmation to get a discount until they get their badge a couple weeks before con if mailed, or at con if not mailed/staffing/Artist Alley/running a panel. If there's no way to prove they're an attendee, the tickets t o the show may wind up sold out to non-attendees before congoers would have a chance at them. Likewise, the congoers who opt to say "screw it" and just buy full price to guarantee a ticket for them and their 40-odd friends. Basically... don't let this turn into the fiasco lining up for main programming has become, or we're doomed before we start. @_____@;

(edit 2: I -WILL- fix this up whne my nails dry - just trying to get my thoughts out before they go all mumblejumble in my head, and before my dad nags again to run to Fry's before they're out of whatever it was he wants..in the meantime excuse my crap typing skillz XD)

This post has been edited by chainedbyroses: 25 November 2011 - 02:42 PM

[opimus.rm]

El Ken, on 25 November 2011 - 12:45 PM, said:

As we look to bring larger and more popular musical guests to ACen, we are finding that many of the potential performers are looking for a larger, more professional venue, as well as the possibility of bringing in revenue from ticket sales (to them, not ACen). How can we best approach this situation to give attendees the opportunity to see these acts, but also give the performers a suitable concert venue and revenue to get them here in the first place?

Vote in the poll and leave some feedback. I'm eager to hear everyone's responses and ideas!

I would rather the money be used for anime and manga industry guests.

This post has been edited by opimus.rm: 25 November 2011 - 04:18 PM

[obakasan]

Personal thoughts:

One question would be if seating was pretty much "general" (you would be allowed seating anywhere you could find a space in a blocked-out area when you arrive - sorta like some airlines do) or "reserved seat."

Some sort of transportation (shuttles) would be necessary IMO. For safety if nothing else.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I said the 5th option, but I chose that only on the notion of liking the ACEN attendees at the concert only policy. But Option #3 I liked too but I chose 5 because of what I just said. but here's the thing--like obakasan said we would need provided optional transportation to these off site places. Think of the TRAFFIC THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE from the con to the third party place so shuttles would be a super need. Also if there's a ticket need for the show, and it ends up we all have to pay to get in, it should be a discount, and maybe have a system where its an add-on to the pre-ordered badge like mailing is--and then send the ticket with the badge in the mail? Or mark the badge a certain way that it counts as the ticket to the concert?

[El Ken]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm going to keep the poll open through the end of the year. Keep the comments coming!

Thanks again.

[KungPowKirby]

Well, I voted for 2 but I'd like to suggest an addendum.
Charge for full price tickets to the concert to non-ACen attendees; ACen badge holders get good sized free seating area, as well as first dibs on main concert tickets and a discount.

I think it is very important to have a free section for ACen attendees, as they arent accustomed to paying for concerts. Also this should be a TICKET/VOUCHER event. Since this wouldn't even be at the hotel and it would be unfair to make them wait in line all day (potentially in the cold and/or rain)at a place that isnt in the general con area. There would be a time and place that you would pick up the tickets at the hotel. Perhaps having them handed out as they wait for the shuttles (which I agree is a must.), somewhat like they do for black friday deals. Once all the vouchers are gone, there isn't anymore free space in the concert venue. One must show a ticket (whether it be a "free" ticket or a paid for ticket.) and badge to get onto the shuttle. Shuttles should not be open to non attendees.

Instead of having a block of seats reserved, have a block of TIME reserved for ACen badge holders. This way, every attendee that wants to buy tickets has had a real shot at getting them (Make sure you have some way for staff to purchase a ticket within the same time frame as well though) and they wont run out, unless the venue sells out. You could potentially have a block of tickets reserved after the time frame has passed as well, this is up to you.

Sorry for the slight rambling. I just got off work, and its bed time now. <3 zzzzzzzz.....

This post has been edited by KungPowKirby: 29 November 2011 - 08:02 AM

[GITS SAC Motoko]

KungPowKirby, on 29 November 2011 - 07:54 AM, said:

Well, I voted for 2 but I'd like to suggest an addendum.
Charge for full price tickets to the concert to non-ACen attendees; ACen badge holders get good sized free seating area, as well as first dibs on main concert tickets and a discount.

I think it is very important to have a free section for ACen attendees, as they arent accustomed to paying for concerts. Also this should be a TICKET/VOUCHER event. Since this wouldn't even be at the hotel and it would be unfair to make them wait in line all day (potentially in the cold and/or rain)at a place that isnt in the general con area. There would be a time and place that you would pick up the tickets at the hotel. Perhaps having them handed out as they wait for the shuttles (which I agree is a must.), somewhat like they do for black friday deals. Once all the vouchers are gone, there isn't anymore free space in the concert venue. One must show a ticket (whether it be a "free" ticket or a paid for ticket.) and badge to get onto the shuttle. Shuttles should not be open to non attendees.

Instead of having a block of seats reserved, have a block of TIME reserved for ACen badge holders. This way, every attendee that wants to buy tickets has had a real shot at getting them (Make sure you have some way for staff to purchase a ticket within the same time frame as well though) and they wont run out, unless the venue sells out. You could potentially have a block of tickets reserved after the time frame has passed as well, this is up to you.

Sorry for the slight rambling. I just got off work, and its bed time now. <3 zzzzzzzz.....

That's a good idea. I like the whole voucher thing before you get on the shuttle to the place so we don't have tons of people racing to the concert to get there first. "Black Friday Madness ACEN STYLE!!!! O.o" But handing out vouchers right before the shuttle leaves doesn't solve the maddness of people wanting to get vouchers and waiting in line all day to this hand out voucher area either Friday or Saturday so they could see (insert awesome popular J-rock/pop/metal artist here). If anything, there should be an online page where you can reserve a voucher before the con, then pick up the voucher at con. Maybe like have a separate booth in registration to pick up concert vouchers ONLY--which will get you on the shuttle to the concert. Before you get on the shuttle, the IRT/Staff could stamp or punch it or something and hand you your ticket to get in. Or just have a system that once you're on that shuttle, you're in the concert no matter what (I know my college did something like this for a boat trip on the Lake).

ACEN can easily post this link in their newsletter and everything to make it known so no one loses out. And in addition, you can have some available at con as well but I feel doing something like this before con would help prevent a lot of the madness/waiting in line all darn day for this. I mean there will be some waiting to pick up the voucher, but how long does it really take to hand you a piece of paper and check someone's name off a list to confirm they picked up their concert voucher? Not too long at all.

I would like to add, the seats that ACEN attendees get should be the best ones. ACEN should have a section of seats that are near the front, some in the middle and a few in the back. Because this is OUR event and we the attendees should get first dibs on the good seats.

[limegummi]

Late to the party, but I just wanted to add:

Isn't there a fundamental problem with offering discounted tickets? I've been trying to think this one through, and concluded that some sort of presale date or discount code over ticketmaster would be the most efficient. People know they won't have to go o XYZ location during the con to get a piece of paper, and they know exactly where they're sitting, etc.

But that's the thing. Attendees could buy only one ticket, right? If they could buy multiples, then what happens...

1. They buy them for all their non-attending friends, so it's possible that most people will benefit from the "perk" that should only be available to attendees.
2. Attendees scalp the tickets to non-attendees. Yes, they can do that with one ticket as well.
3. But if attendees cannot buy multiples, that means very few people will end up sitting with their friends. Some people are ok with that, but I don't think everyone would agree. The only way around it would be to...allow ticket trading at the forum? More paper vouchers at con? I have no idea, but it sounds painful. One possible solution would be to adapt the Johnny's Entertainment ticket balloting system, where fanclub members submit a request (they have to rank their preferred venues) and the system returns some result with the names printed on the ticket(s). I guess one person could submit all the names of the badgeholders in the group in one ticket request. Then a staffer/computer program figures out seats that are near each other and assigns tickets that must be matched to the badge.

That also sounds painful, and of course, any presale depends on people actually being registered. So...here's one way it could be done:

day 1: first tier registration
day 2: open presale for those who prereg, get all those taken care of
day 3: open public ticket sales. Anyone who registers on or after day 3 will just get a discount code and will have to buy a ticket the normal way.

:/

At any rate, I'm not totally agreeing with free tickets, simply because of "where will the money come from?" opimus.rm made a good point. If the concert audience isn't paying for the venue/buses/etc with their ticket sales, that means everyone at the con is paying for it, which doesn't seem fair. Granted, they are already doing it right now. So, the cost of the free tickets could really only justifiably match whatever cost is currently being spent to have a concert in the ballroom. I don't know how many tickets that turns into. Maybe it's a surprising amount, I dunno. But anything over needs to be covered by the concert audience.