[Lina]

Amazonia, on 01 May 2012 - 11:19 PM, said:

Thank you for the response! By nature I'm kind of a goofy, awkward 6'5 chick with a propensity towards trying to laugh something off versus being super serious, but if that situation calls for more of a professional approach, I'm more than happy to take it. Like I said earlier, the only way to get better is to know what you did wrong so you can fix it, so hopefully next year I'll be more aware of how to handle tense situations like these! I think I read you won't be attending next year, but I won't be slacking just because you won't be there to watch . Thank you again for helping me out!

- Amazon

I sincerely appreciate you taking your job seriously! It's true I won't be there next year, but from what I'm reading, I truly believe you will improve! Though that was the only thing I had a problem with. You were fine all the other times I saw you! Thanks for being an awesome staff member!

[SprinklePuff]

madhattr999, on 02 May 2012 - 09:07 AM, said:

The problem with preventing people from lining up is that it does not solve the underlining issue. And that is that people are willing to wait that long, whether they are discouraged from doing so or not. They will just stand around at the closest dealer's booth to the autograph line until they are allowed to line up. Shooing people away is not effective. Personally, I won't wait any longer than an hour for any guest, and I choose not to get Vic's autograph, because I think other people who wait longer deserve it more.



I think posed photos take longer than you would expect. But if they could realistically be done in 20-30 seconds, then I would concede the point. (And I agree about no voice recordings or other lengthy interactions).


I truly believe that in order to take feedback objectively, you need to separate the emotion that occurs from failing to receive an autograph, from the actual process of the autograph lines and how they were handled. The process of pulling out specific guest lines from the general autograph line was very streamlined in my opinion. And from what I saw (I lined up for 4-5 guests), the staff were generally educated as to what was going on, and so were the attendees. Each time someone came up and asked people around me, it only took a matter of seconds to explain to them why there was only one line, or why people were being moved to a new line.

The hand stamp system would help solve this issue, because people could leave once they've been stamped, and come back 30 minutes before starting time to line up depending on their stamp (blue stamps first, red second, etc).

I did recall one case where some people were turned away after being allowed in the session, and I agree that should generally be avoided (or at least, the attendee needs to be warned that that is a possibility).

Comparing autograph handling of the last 3 years, I would say that this year was the best. I think when you compare with previous years or other cons, you need to put aside the fact of how many autographs you personally were able to receive, because that isn't the point.

Maybe so, but there needs to be some sort of cap so people don't start lining up when lines for earlier events are occurring. It's a huge pain in the butt. I honestly think they could shoo people away. Threaten them with no being allowed in the line (once it starts) if they don't stop loitering. They need to find a solution. I mean, they even have a 30-minute rule that they don't enforce but apparently refuse to get rid of. If done right, they could make progress on (although not solve) this issue. Now they just need to put some effort forth.

I disagree. The process of asking for a photo, the VA moving to stand next to you, and snapping the shot never took more than 30 seconds for me. If you've got your camera ready, there shouldn't be an issue. I watched other people taking photos and it didn't take long at all. Although when Todd Haberkorn was allowing posed photos that would later be printed out and signed, I noticed that took longer, since it was a little more formal.

Everyone I talked to was unhappy and stressed. This had less to do with emotional disappointment, and more to do with not knowing what the heck was going on. The general line went PAST the restrooms, for goodness sake. We were causing so much confusion throughout the Exhibit Hall, blocking areas, etc. A lot of people had a difficult time grasping the fact that it was a general line. They just kept asking, "well, WHO is it for?" I didn't encounter a single person happy with the line situation, and having spent well over 8 hours in line on Saturday alone, probably over 10, I talked to a lot of people.

This post has been edited by SprinklePuff: 02 May 2012 - 09:51 AM

[myrla]

Washu Takahashi, on 02 May 2012 - 06:49 AM, said:

I agree with you. I already had a full weekend badge ordered at the time I applied to model, but being comped for that would have been great. It would have been a nice benefit, but not one they would be required to give. Still, something to think about for next year Acen if you have any more fashion shows! Toss in a free badge for the day if at all possible ^^

Being on one 3 hour panel gave me half price off my whole weekend. I would be incensed if a model got more than I did. Just throwing that out there. (I also applied but do not have the body type to do their modelling)

Amazon, you were awesome every time I saw you. (I was the one on crutches on Saturday that kept sneaking off the main reg line to get caffeine and coming back, then making faces at you so you'd smile)

I've never stood in a line for an autograph at ACen and I doubt I will, unless someone like Uematsu comes in. Almost all the autograph lines I see are just that: AUTOGRAPH ONLY. If you want a picture, there are official picture times at a booth where you can come and get a picture. That way everyone gets an autograph (be glad you don't have to spend a $20-30 item that day to get one), and you can get a photo for a bit more effort.

This post has been edited by myrla: 02 May 2012 - 10:04 AM

[Amazonia]

SprinklePuff, on 02 May 2012 - 08:34 AM, said:

PS: Amazon, just wanted to say again you were GREAT. I never heard anyone at the con who had an issue with you or what you said. Actually, a few times when we were in line for autographs and you weren't there, people were like, &quot;where is that tall girl? I wish she was here so we knew what the heck was going on.&quot; <br /><br />As for letting people in early and theft issues, was there no spare IRT person who could have escorted us to the autograph session and watched us? And if necessary, that spare IRT person could also escort one or two people at a time to the bathroom while another stood at the head of the autograph line?<br />

Unfortunately, I was down two operatives by Sunday, and day shift IRT couldn't spare any. But like I said, I just hope they don't schedule another autograph session that early!

SprinklePuff, on 02 May 2012 - 08:55 AM, said:

As for this year's lines being handled well... I think we attended a different con. ROFL. All I heard were complaints, people were crying, no one had any idea what line was for who, why there was a so-called &quot;general&quot; line, etc. Worst autograph situation ever. Last year' Acen was much better, both with lines and the AMOUNT of guests in each room. I was able to easily get all my autographs in 1-2 days because each session had multiple VAs instead of just one.<br />

Believe it or not, this was actually my first year specifically working lines for Acen, and they gave me the entire con center to deal with. I was freaking out on Wednesday because I thought I was going to mess this up horribly for everyone! I helped out last year as a standard mid-shift operative when one of my superiors needed me, and apparently I was well suited for the gig. And aside from opening a door for Yoshiki and watching the crowd, I didn't really spend all that much time back in Autographs. How did they do it last year? That way we can compile things that worked, things that didn't, and come up with some new solutions! I agree about the hand stamps too. That would guarantee an autograph, and if they want to line up they can, but anyone with a hand stamp would be going through regardless of time.

[Lina]

Amazonia, on 02 May 2012 - 12:00 PM, said:

Unfortunately, I was down two operatives by Sunday, and day shift IRT couldn't spare any. But like I said, I just hope they don't schedule another autograph session that early!



Believe it or not, this was actually my first year specifically working lines for Acen, and they gave me the entire con center to deal with. I was freaking out on Wednesday because I thought I was going to mess this up horribly for everyone! I helped out last year as a standard mid-shift operative when one of my superiors needed me, and apparently I was well suited for the gig. And aside from opening a door for Yoshiki and watching the crowd, I didn't really spend all that much time back in Autographs. How did they do it last year? That way we can compile things that worked, things that didn't, and come up with some new solutions! I agree about the hand stamps too. That would guarantee an autograph, and if they want to line up they can, but anyone with a hand stamp would be going through regardless of time.

Regarding stamps, you could do different colors and different stamps for each session. Sure, it would be a lot to keep up with, but if you make a sheet that says which stamps are for which guests, then it would be easy. Then again, that's a lot of different combos for all the different guests.


I really think a ticket system would work. You go up to the IRT member, they hand you a ticket and have you come back like 10 minutes or so before the autograph session. IRT has you line up in order of ticket and you would hand the IRT member the ticket so you don't use it for another autograph session. The booth that Jhonen V was signing at at C2E2 did that and shoo'd us away so we wouldn't be blocking everyone. It was simple and easy.

This post has been edited by Lina: 02 May 2012 - 12:18 PM

[Ashori]

kahad, on 01 May 2012 - 11:54 AM, said:

My one gripe: the room for Anime Hell/Midnight Madness was too small and had only one screen. Needs to be back in the main ballroom.

Yeah, that was definitely a big issue for me as well. XD This was my first time attending Anime Hell, so I didn't know we all sat on the floor, which I didn't mind so much since that allowed me to nurse my knee properly. However, because of how we were squished in, I had to bend it way in, which went against my doctor's orders. Thankfully, people seemed to have moved back after about 45 minutes or so, so I was able to stretch it back out.

Still, I wish I would've known we had to sit on the floor; I would've tried to sit closer to the back where there were some chairs I could've sat in. But I didn't even notice those chairs until my friends and I were leaving to go home after Anime Hell. XD

[madhattr999]

SprinklePuff, on 02 May 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

Maybe so, but there needs to be some sort of cap so people don't start lining up when lines for earlier events are occurring. It's a huge pain in the butt. I honestly think they could shoo people away. Threaten them with no being allowed in the line (once it starts) if they don't stop loitering. They need to find a solution. I mean, they even have a 30-minute rule that they don't enforce but apparently refuse to get rid of. If done right, they could make progress on (although not solve) this issue. Now they just need to put some effort forth.

For autographs:

I've just never found limiting wait-time to be effective at any of the cons I've been to. ACEN is really only one of two cons out of the 12 I attend a year that have this policy for autograph lines. It's never worked at Acen as far as I've seen, and it also doesn't work at Ohayocon (and in fact, has caused stampedes in the past). All the other major cons (Anime Expo, Otakon, Anime Boston, etc all handle the lines directly by line management and forward planning.

And from personal experience, there are very few people willing to line up longer than 2 hours. The only exception might be for very popular Japanese guests.

I must ask you, what are your goals for preventing lining up longer than 30 minutes? I think I've already shown that there is really no logistical benefit to the staff. If it is to have an equal chance at getting an autograph as someone who is willing to wait longer than you, then, I don't see the justification.

You said yourself that a lottery is not fair because people who don't care about winning might take your spot. But then it follows that you might be taking someone else's spot who cares more about the autograph than you do (and is willing to wait longer). If you want a "fair" lottery, there needs to be some measure of desire for that autograph, and that measure is time spent waiting. It can't be fair when it benefits you, but not fair when it doesn't benefit you.

I would agree that a lottery would be fair, if and only if, your chances of winning that lottery are based on how much time you're willing to wait for the autograph. But this is not really feasible in reality.

For other events:

As far as preventing lines for multiple events in the same room, or lines for two close-by rooms at the same time, I thought it was interesting how they handled that situation this year. They basically said "okay we're using the same line for both events. when we start moving people in, you will choose which door to go in." That way, if there is only room for one line (due to only having one side of the hallway), people can still line up for either event. It may be confusing at first, but it is effective.

This post has been edited by madhattr999: 02 May 2012 - 12:43 PM

[gavv]

Ashori, on 02 May 2012 - 12:32 PM, said:

Yeah, that was definitely a big issue for me as well. XD This was my first time attending Anime Hell, so I didn't know we all sat on the floor, which I didn't mind so much since that allowed me to nurse my knee properly. However, because of how we were squished in, I had to bend it way in, which went against my doctor's orders. Thankfully, people seemed to have moved back after about 45 minutes or so, so I was able to stretch it back out.

Still, I wish I would've known we had to sit on the floor; I would've tried to sit closer to the back where there were some chairs I could've sat in. But I didn't even notice those chairs until my friends and I were leaving to go home after Anime Hell. XD

they started doing it two years ago in Main, the reason there was to not have the time taken to clear the room, reset the chairs following whatever concert was going on, then seat again. this year they did it purely to try and boost the #s the room could hold. It took me behind the scenes there at the last minute to get them to put those back few rows in. Regardless i was extremely disappointed in the setup, and after seeing footage of the HS and hearing of the hell line, that there was no reason HS shouldn't have been in Rosemont and Hell in Grand.

gavv

[Roark]

Lina, on 02 May 2012 - 12:09 PM, said:

Regarding stamps, you could do different colors and different stamps for each session. Sure, it would be a lot to keep up with, but if you make a sheet that says which stamps are for which guests, then it would be easy. Then again, that's a lot of different combos for all the different guests.

Wristbands work better than stamps.

Edit: And Gen-Con-style ticketing works better than (or in combination with) wristbands.

This post has been edited by Roark: 02 May 2012 - 03:29 PM

[Amazonia]

Lina, on 02 May 2012 - 09:13 AM, said:

I sincerely appreciate you taking your job seriously! It's true I won't be there next year, but from what I'm reading, I truly believe you will improve! Though that was the only thing I had a problem with. You were fine all the other times I saw you! Thanks for being an awesome staff member!

Bah, no worries! I figure the only way to lead is to lead by example, so if I want all my operatives under me to respect theirs jobs on IRT and take them seriously, I have to do just that. And like I said before, we're all trying to make better conventions through gripes and such, so really the thanks goes to you for letting us know what didn't work! <3

- Amazon

[FuzzyVT]

Okies, as Chris Sabat's GR handler, i think i should address a few things here:

First off... the man was AMAZINGLY BUSY the whole weekend. Specifically, on saturday the longest break he had from noon until almost 9:30pm was just under an hour for lunch. He went from a panel, to an autograph session, to a press panel, to the Panty and Stocking premier and Q&A, to another panel, to the Panty and Stocking autograph session with almost no breaks the entire day. In fact, other than his break for dinner, the longest i was with him when he wasnt at an event was during the fire alarm. It was all i could do to keep him from running late to his next event (if you were at any of them, i was the guy saying "sorry, he has to go").

As far as the only 50 people at the autograph session, nobody from GR ever specified a specific number. I told IRT to start sending people into the session, and they sent 50. I made several announcements throughout the session about "please keep this to autographs only, save your questions for his panels" in an attempt to keep the session moving along, and an average of a minute per attendee isnt TOO much time IMO. Not sure why we didnt get at least 60 signings in (my mind is a little fuzzy cause we were all over the place that day), it might have been that we got there a few minutes late (like i said, it was run from this room in the basement to the exhibit hall to sign autographs, etc. all day long) and/or there was some confusion at the beginning about when to send people into the room, but once it got started it moved along pretty well. There WERE a few times i had to tell people to move on, but all in all, yeah. I'm sure Chris would have been happy to sign more, but the unfortunate fact was he was scheduled another event almost immediately after.

Also, i do have to apologize: I wasnt made aware until right before the Panty and Stocking autograph session that the guests doing the signings would ONLY be signing P&S merchandise, and i told people who missed Chris's individual autograph session to come back to that one.

This post has been edited by FuzzyVT: 02 May 2012 - 07:00 PM

[QuitetheHotmess]

Although I fear this may have already been mentioned, registration was a HUGE problem for my friend and I. We had arrived at the convention at 2:30, but ended up having to wait until 5:30 to get our badges and leave at 6:30 as the dealers hall was starting to close and we had already missed all the panels we wanted to go to. I love you dearly ACen, but 40 dollars is a lot of money for an hour in the dealers hall. I hope you find a solution next year, because I look forward to this con all year, and really don't want to have to find another.

[chainedbyroses]

linlindesu, on 29 April 2012 - 08:05 PM, said:

Also, this is a gripe to attendees.
Seriously, why are you going here to destroy and litter.
The skywalk last night was filthy. There was visible damage to the walls. This.Is. Disgusting
I don;t care if you drink or smoke, but nearly burning people with your cigarettes while drunk in a main walkway? Swearing like a manic and being clearly drunk OUTSIDE the hotel. Acen, you can do something. all you have to do is SAY you'll call the cops and they will hide! Why do you guys let this behavior slide?

I actually was about just a couple minutes behind the people who destroyed all this -- the damage, piss and vomit were still fresh and hot when my roommate and I walked through it all, and we could hear loud noises banging up the walkway ahead of us Dx. Talking later to a Hyatt supervisor/manager, they did say they plan to look at their security footage over these weekend incidents and ID & prosecute the individuals found in violation of the destruction on their ends (and the con center would likely be doing the same later)

Actually, as for the smoking, the drugs, and the public intoxication, I had encountered a number of extremely helpful IRT/Staff and hotel staff on the matter. When I had a seizure (info in my other posts on it) thanks to some asswad toking up a few feet away fro mme in Hardcore Synergy, the IRT & Staff we told actually took off running right to where we told them we/the guy was at (& from what I heard later supposedly police got involved - idk if indeed that was the case as I was pretty ill, but I'll check the police reports from 2-6am Saturday later). Con staff was more than helpful with all this, especially when I started feeling sick a few hours after that all in my Saturday morning panel, both going to seek out IRT/medic in the Doubletree (not sure what happened with that, but thanks for trying?), and for having a staffer sit in on us just incase I got worse during the run, and getting EMRT there quick once I got indeed worse some 5-15 into our start (& for anyone who attended our panel, my apologies know no bounds, sincerely). All EMT, Staff, and IRT who were involved were more than helpful and on it, and for what it's worth, helped keep this from turning into Medical Emergencies From Hell Con for me, and I really appreciate that. Not dying is a nice thing.

I was honestly rather surprised most of IRT appeared on their A-Game (for most of the department overall) this year...

....bar 2 IRT who were outside the "entrance door" for the dances/main events Sunday ~12:30am, one who said people smoking outside smoking areas, people smoking weed, and people selling weed et al was "not a problem and nobody cares anyway" & when strongly suggested to use his walkie to inform either IRT HQ or RPD directly of these violations/felonies I was told he's "not a badge and it's not [his] problem", and then the other on the street a few feet off from there who had insisted I walk through the crowd of smoke and weed despite my prior seizure, my informing her (I think? it was dark but they were ~5'6"ish & dark haired in a dark black/navy tee?) of my severe asthma and severe allergies to both smoke and weed, and me showing her(?/him?) my card/passes to prove I had a legit documented problem. When she/they insisted that didn't matter, rather than have ANOTHER seizure right on the street and possibly die due to the chaos and inattention, I ultimately had to ignore the yelling and just walk to the door in the street where I could safely breathe (*if I were to get hit or run over, I know it's my own fault and would willingly tell a cop or a judge that on the spot, taking sole liability for my own actions, and have that notecard in my wallet actually, just for the record*).

Otherwise, most of the trouble I encountered this year was courtesy of individuals and panel troubles, not things staff could have fixed at any rate. I was rather surprised and delight to see the Hyatt elevators working still on Sunday, for the first time in ages, and not have caution tape or security or staff warning of elevator delays. Overall, time delays did not seem as dramatic as in past years, though basically cancelling the main event (Masquerade) for the main drug party dance was a bad call guaranteed to greatly piss off virtually everyone who worked so hard on costumes and skits for the better half of a year, and a move bound to lose at least a modest number of serious costumer customers & was already addressed by their DH sabre (last second ninjar edit skillz gooo).

My main complaint, however, should kind of be a no-brainer at this point:
HEAVY USE OF WEED/DRUGS AT AND INSIDE THE CONVENTION.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE. WHETHER YOU ARE A COP OR A HUMBLE STAFFER, THIS IS A FELONY. FELONIES, AS THE PROGRAM GUIDE AND RULES HAVE STATED FOR 10 ODD YEARS, THAT ACEN (SUPPOSEDLY) DOES NOT IGNORE. (MIGHT WANT TO PASS THAT MEMO AROUND TO THE GUYS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ENFORCING THAT POLICY AND RELAYING INFORMATION AND INCIDENTS TO THE POLICE, AND KINDLY BEAT IT INTO THEIR HEADS.) WHETHER YOUR BADGE MERELY SAYS "STAFF" "IRT" OR "POLICE OFFICER", TAKING NO ACTION IS TO CONDONE THE ILLEGAL ACTION AND JUSTIFY IT, ULTIMATELY CONDEMNING INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS MYSELF TO POTENTIALLY DYING IN A SEIZURE OR BECOMING SERIOUSLY INJURED THANKS TO LAX ENFORCEMENT AND A "F*CK IF I CARE" ATTITUDE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, NOR OKAY.

FELONIES ARE NOT FUN. SEIZURES ARE NOT SPIFFY. INDIFFERENCE IS NOT IDEAL. WHETHER YOU CAN ARREST THE DRUG OFFENDERS YOURSELF OR HAVE TO CALL IN ACTUAL LEOS, TAKE SOME SORT OF ACTION FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THINGS SACRED OR DO NOT EVEN BOTHER WORKING A ROLE WHERE YOU MAY ENCOUNTER THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

Rant mode off; I needed to get that of my chest, and, having had no voice the last 3 days having been coughing up smoke/weed phlegm nonstop that's been starting to look like green Temple of Doom hearts from my chest cavity, that's the closest to a loud stern lecture I can get without busting a vocal chord & falling into another hour-long hacking and wheezing fit. Needless to say, I want to see this resolved next year -- if not ultimately completely eradicate (I am aware progress takes time), at least address and take proactive steps to prevent as many future incidents as possible and maybe even save others from enduring the medical and emotional chaos I had to survive this year. Advice: Canine Unit at the entrance to the dances/events, and outside the smoker hangouts. If you can't get past the dogs' highly trained noses, you can't get in. Simple as that. Honestly, if it means me and others not nearly dying again, I would personally be willing to pay something toward getting them to bring K9, if it were required. Death from others' drug abuse is bad beyond words, frankly.


edit - quick edit to say I'm not in as foul a mood as my typing comes off (text has trouble displaying tone), & once I get the antibiotic in me I'll be able to articulate better and clarify stuffs

This post has been edited by chainedbyroses: 02 May 2012 - 08:02 PM

[KungPowKirby]

Roark, on 02 May 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

.....Edit: And Gen-Con-style ticketing works better than (or in combination with) wristbands.

This.

[linlindesu]

@ Chained_by_Roses
WTF staff. WTF attendees.
Can't we all just like anime and not act like ignorant a**holes?
And Every year, staff come in and say
"get their call name"
well, what if it isn't just one person?
What if it is an attitude some IRT adopt?
Is there a screening process for IRT?

[myrla]

@chainedbyroses = BRAVO. bravo. Bravo. The main reason I won't stay in the con hotel, and attend any "ACen after dark" is the rampant underage abuse of alcohol - I haven't seen the drugs, but I totally understand the allergies.

ACen needs to get more police in. If anyone is publicly intoxicated, they need to be dealt with. Anyone underage should:

1. Be arrested.
2. Taken to the local precinct
3. call their parents if 18 or under and not a legal adult
4. have the book thrown at them.

I think, sadly, only this would help. The fact it's not done not only is frightening, but downright makes me wonder "Do i really want to support a con that will not do much about this issue"?

[BakaBarbarian]

chainedbyroses, on 02 May 2012 - 07:53 PM, said:

I actually was about just a couple minutes behind the people who destroyed all this -- the damage, piss and vomit were still fresh and hot when my roommate and I walked through it all, and we could hear loud noises banging up the walkway ahead of us Dx. Talking later to a Hyatt supervisor/manager, they did say they plan to look at their security footage over these weekend incidents and ID & prosecute the individuals found in violation of the destruction on their ends (and the con center would likely be doing the same later)

My question is: why isn't the Hyatt more on top of these things--as they are happening? IRT is a volunteer group of con-goers from a private event with varying levels of training in security, but the number one thing to remember here folks is: IRT are not cops. They CAN'T control what goes on in non-badge areas, as NarumiKenshin pointed out here: http://www.acen.org/...ost__p__1078230 . So it follows that the only way to deal with the serious problem that has taken root and flourished at ACEN for a number of years now is for ACEN's highest levels of staff to get together with Rosemont PD and the hotels, and figure out a way to enforce the rules as the con is going on. From there, the directives to ALL IRT need to be clear: if there is even a whiff of something illegal, call in the pros. Period.

Quote

....bar 2 IRT who were outside the "entrance door" for the dances/main events Sunday ~12:30am, one who said people smoking outside smoking areas, people smoking weed, and people selling weed et al was "not a problem and nobody cares anyway" & when strongly suggested to use his walkie to inform either IRT HQ or RPD directly of these violations/felonies I was told he's "not a badge and it's not [his] problem",

This is the problem right here, summed up in one event. The repeated failure on the part of ACEN staff at varying levels to call in the pros. This is why the bad behavior has gotten so bad, why the con has the reputation it has (believe me, it's not a good one), why the property damage goes up, why people get hurt, why people like me are thinking that ACEN isn't worth going to because we value our safety. At an event like this, with a lot of very young, very immature people who have ready access to alcohol, drugs, and hookups, they will behave as badly as you let them get away with.

Quote

My main complaint, however, should kind of be a no-brainer at this point:
HEAVY USE OF WEED/DRUGS AT AND INSIDE THE CONVENTION.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE. WHETHER YOU ARE A COP OR A HUMBLE STAFFER, THIS IS A FELONY. FELONIES, AS THE PROGRAM GUIDE AND RULES HAVE STATED FOR 10 ODD YEARS, THAT ACEN (SUPPOSEDLY) DOES NOT IGNORE. (MIGHT WANT TO PASS THAT MEMO AROUND TO THE GUYS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ENFORCING THAT POLICY AND RELAYING INFORMATION AND INCIDENTS TO THE POLICE, AND KINDLY BEAT IT INTO THEIR HEADS.) WHETHER YOUR BADGE MERELY SAYS "STAFF" "IRT" OR "POLICE OFFICER", TAKING NO ACTION IS TO CONDONE THE ILLEGAL ACTION AND JUSTIFY IT, ULTIMATELY CONDEMNING INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS MYSELF TO POTENTIALLY DYING IN A SEIZURE OR BECOMING SERIOUSLY INJURED THANKS TO LAX ENFORCEMENT AND A "F*CK IF I CARE" ATTITUDE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, NOR OKAY.

FELONIES ARE NOT FUN. SEIZURES ARE NOT SPIFFY. INDIFFERENCE IS NOT IDEAL. WHETHER YOU CAN ARREST THE DRUG OFFENDERS YOURSELF OR HAVE TO CALL IN ACTUAL LEOS, TAKE SOME SORT OF ACTION FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THINGS SACRED OR DO NOT EVEN BOTHER WORKING A ROLE WHERE YOU MAY ENCOUNTER THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

Rant mode off; I needed to get that of my chest, and, having had no voice the last 3 days having been coughing up smoke/weed phlegm nonstop that's been starting to look like green Temple of Doom hearts from my chest cavity, that's the closest to a loud stern lecture I can get without busting a vocal chord & falling into another hour-long hacking and wheezing fit. Needless to say, I want to see this resolved next year -- if not ultimately completely eradicate (I am aware progress takes time), at least address and take proactive steps to prevent as many future incidents as possible and maybe even save others from enduring the medical and emotional chaos I had to survive this year. Advice: Canine Unit at the entrance to the dances/events, and outside the smoker hangouts. If you can't get past the dogs' highly trained noses, you can't get in. Simple as that. Honestly, if it means me and others not nearly dying again, I would personally be willing to pay something toward getting them to bring K9, if it were required. Death from others' drug abuse is bad beyond words, frankly.


edit - quick edit to say I'm not in as foul a mood as my typing comes off (text has trouble displaying tone), & once I get the antibiotic in me I'll be able to articulate better and clarify stuffs

The fact that this even happened is indicative of the major problems rotting this con from the inside out. We've had one person who's had a major health scare, no doubt racking up some medical bills in the process, because of a lax attitude toward calling the police at the slightest hint of someone doing something illegal. Someone who can't even talk right now because of the permissive attitudes that have been the standard around this con for some time. What more is it going to take? Someone getting raped? Someone dying of alcohol poisoning?

It's time to stop expecting that a bunch of volunteer staff have the legal authority and training of police. It's time to start working with the hotels and Rosemont PD to massively upgrade the security around the con, both in the badge and non-badge areas. It's time to get IRT and any other con staff reporting anything and everything that even hints at being illegal. It's time for this con to grow up.

[frzndaqiri]

QuitetheHotmess, on 02 May 2012 - 07:26 PM, said:

Although I fear this may have already been mentioned, registration was a HUGE problem for my friend and I. We had arrived at the convention at 2:30, but ended up having to wait until 5:30 to get our badges and leave at 6:30 as the dealers hall was starting to close and we had already missed all the panels we wanted to go to. I love you dearly ACen, but 40 dollars is a lot of money for an hour in the dealers hall. I hope you find a solution next year, because I look forward to this con all year, and really don't want to have to find another.

This is why we constantly promote pre-purchasing your badge with mailing, or at the least for at-con pickup. Will Call was nearly empty all weekend that I came through. Registration was at FULL SPEED and we had not a moment of downtime Fri-Sun. Any wait times experienced were just the sheer volume of folks purchasing their badge on site. Beyond adding more staffers (which involves logistics that I am not part of and a Reg Staffer will likely officially address once they're conscious again ) I just want folks to understand we were processing everything speedily (as humanly possible).

That said - there is of course always room for improvement so I do appreciate the feedback.

[Dark Stranger]

As someone who didn't go this year I know my talking really has no point but after reading this I can't beleive they cancelled the masq. That's like a stable, a piller of not only this con but almost ALL cons. And I'm sorry if all they can say is "we didn't want to pospone the dance/rave". But that's a dang copout. 1. people wait hours before the rave even is close to starting so that's not a problem. 2. The dang thing lasts til like what? 3am? if it starts late I'm people will just stay closer to the 3am time cuz god knows it's barley half full by the time the clock is at that point. and 3. The rave already needs some sort of major rehauling anyway to deal with the problems they have been having for a while so maybe no rave is a good thing at this point.

And as far as the atmosphere I think it has to deal with two things. 1. I do believe the age range and attidute is drastically different not just in our culture but outside it as well. So their behavior is almost normal to them while shocking/annoying/rude to us. (even though I'm only 25. ugh i'm talking like someone twice my age.) 2. I believe that word has finally reached the ears of people who aren't actullay into our culture and have just heard this is a place where they can "really party" wheather that be drugs, overabuse or alcohol, public destruction, etc. I'm not sure how to weed out these undesireables but something needs to be done.

As far as weed/drinking in general goes. I say to each his own, I have no problem with it, but restriant is the problem here not the items themselves. Even if I did smoke weed I sure as heck wouldn't do it outside in front of hundres of people and easily seen by police. No would I get so drunk as to do bodily fuctions out of any orafice outside of a hotel room. Even though I love to party, people need common sense and restraint. Kinda makes me wish there was just a 18+ Or 21+ con to go to.

[Kikai]

frzndaqiri, on 03 May 2012 - 12:09 AM, said:

This is why we constantly promote pre-purchasing your badge with mailing, or at the least for at-con pickup. Will Call was nearly empty all weekend that I came through. Registration was at FULL SPEED and we had not a moment of downtime Fri-Sun. Any wait times experienced were just the sheer volume of folks purchasing their badge on site. Beyond adding more staffers (which involves logistics that I am not part of and a Reg Staffer will likely officially address once they're conscious again ) I just want folks to understand we were processing everything speedily (as humanly possible).

That said - there is of course always room for improvement so I do appreciate the feedback.

This. It boggles my mind that people still wait until the day of to register. I waited once in the Acen reg line for 6 hours -- I learned my lesson. Never again.

[Washu Takahashi]

FuzzyVT, on 02 May 2012 - 05:55 PM, said:

Okies, as Chris Sabat's GR handler, i think i should address a few things here:

Thank you for your hard work and I don't think anyone here is blaming you Personally, I was really disappointed that Sabat didn't have a longer signing session or more of them. It makes sense to cut the line at 50 people, since it should take roughly an hour for them. But only 50 people in a con of almost 25000? Very sad indeed. Guests like him need longer session or just more of them. If he was busy all Saturday, couldn't they have fit in a signing Friday or Sunday? (I did manage to see him Sunday for P&S, after being told he'd be there, only to be disappointed that could couldn't sign anything other than P&S since I'd yet to see it...but I had him sign in my program book as Kurogane ^^) Anyways, popular guests like him need more and/or longer signings. And sheesh, give the man a moment to take a breath during the day! Can't believe they had his schedule so tight on Saturday.

[rondo]

frzndaqiri, on 03 May 2012 - 12:09 AM, said:

This is why we constantly promote pre-purchasing your badge with mailing, or at the least for at-con pickup. Will Call was nearly empty all weekend that I came through. Registration was at FULL SPEED and we had not a moment of downtime Fri-Sun. Any wait times experienced were just the sheer volume of folks purchasing their badge on site. Beyond adding more staffers (which involves logistics that I am not part of and a Reg Staffer will likely officially address once they're conscious again ) I just want folks to understand we were processing everything speedily (as humanly possible).

That said - there is of course always room for improvement so I do appreciate the feedback.

Is the online option being advertised throughout the registration line and when at the booths. Also, are you advertising this option within the program book, particularly in a highly visible location.

[BreBre716]

I had no idea there. was all this drug use going on .

[Siren Noel]

ATTENTION

Not sure if anyone else is noticing this, however...

While everyone is voicing their concerns and many of you are coming up with excellent strategies to remedy them, there are so many posts on this thread and many of those posts are being unseen due to the constant flow of incoming posts! Where can we go, or what can we say, what can we DO to really make ourselves clear here? I see some staff are moderating/watching here which is excellent, however, some things are being looked over..

Lines are lines. They have been an issue since day one. THere ARE ways to remedy the line-up issues.
HOWEVER

Anime Central (as I experienced and also, judging by other posts here) has become a FIASCO.

THE LATE NIGHT PARTYING IN THE HALLS OF ALL THE HOTELS (THERE ARE OTHER GUESTS AT THESE HOTELS WHO ARE NOT ACEN ATTENDEES WHO HAD TO PUT UP WITH ACEN ATTENDEES)

THE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL THAT WAS PRESENT THE SECOND THE SUN WENT DOWN

THE DESTRUCTION OF HOTEL PROPERTY INCLUDING THE SKYWAY, THE GARDEN AREAS, ETC. (NOBODY NEEDS TO BE STANDING AND WALKING ALL OVER THE STONE GARDEN WALLS. YOU ARE NOT ANIMALS. GET A HOLD OF YOURSELVES.)

THE HORRIBLE BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES I WITNESSED BETWEEN ATTENDEES AND NON-ATTENDEES

This has got to stop. IT HAS TO STOP.

I partially want ACEN to shut down for a year to ensure this is serious and unacceptable behavior.

The hotels can hardly stand us, and local law enforcement have to deal with absolute IDIOTS all weekend long.
It is OUT OF CONTROL. THIS is more important than Lines. Badges. Merchandise. Autographs.

Either a manual of behavior is written (re-written) and STRICTLY enforced...
or simply ensure that cops are ready to arrest.

It sucks that it has come to this, but I have had it. The whole convention area, hotels, staff, transportation services, and food services; when I asked them what they thought of us, there were NOT kind and compassionate things said.

Get. A. Grip.

DO SOMETHING. This is the focal point. Without solid and law-abiding attendees, the whole con will end up shut down by local law enforcement.
You are all lucky that they even ALLOW you to be wandering around at 4 AM. I am disgusted.

If someone would like to point me in the direction to where I can make this known and have this handled, whether by ACen staff or local law enforcement, I will certainly do so.

[linlindesu]

frzndaqiri, on 03 May 2012 - 12:09 AM, said:

This is why we constantly promote pre-purchasing your badge with mailing, or at the least for at-con pickup. Will Call was nearly empty all weekend that I came through. Registration was at FULL SPEED and we had not a moment of downtime Fri-Sun. Any wait times experienced were just the sheer volume of folks purchasing their badge on site. Beyond adding more staffers (which involves logistics that I am not part of and a Reg Staffer will likely officially address once they're conscious again ) I just want folks to understand we were processing everything speedily (as humanly possible).

That said - there is of course always room for improvement so I do appreciate the feedback.

However, this year, you guys had very few guests around the time mailing closed. So to really stick behind your words, get guests asap this year instead of a month before the con. That would be great,

[jigishere]

I know some of the issues have been brought up but I just wanted to put my input.

I was most upset to hear about the Masquerade not only being late but being extremely shortened to where the skits were cancelled. I feel this is one of the key events of any anime convention and being cut like this was not only rude, but disrespectful to those who had worked hard on making their skits and costumes perfect. Not forgetting time spent outside of the con and within con times for practices and registrations.

I understand things may not run smoothly but waiting 2.5 hours for the concert was upsetting. I was more upset with the concert issue after being told by an IRT that line up WOULD NOT start until 8pm and when I came back to the hall about 7:30, they had gone and changed their minds. So I had to get in the back of the line when told less than an hour ago that they were sticking to the other rule. Set a line rule and keep to it or don't set rules.

Another thing in regards to the Autograph Sessions, NONE of the IRT that I confronted throughout the weekend had any clue about who was having an autograph session at a certain time or line ups. I was quite disappointed in the lack of communication and direction there from all weekend.

The guidebook is helpful to those who have a Smartphone but some of us are unable to afford such a delicacy. I was upset on being confronted by an IRT saying that I should get a smartphone so I could keep up with schedule changes. The lack of notice to changes and half of the program book being incorrect was very disappointing.

Suggestion about a photoshoot location. I was watching some stuff inthe video rooms late Saturday night and I relaized there was a photoshoot location dead center of the area. This was kind of a nuisance taking that every time the door opened up for someone to come in, the noise was loud and the show was hard to hear. I was wondering if there could be another area around the Hyatt for late night photoshoots (not in the Lower Dome) that isn't in the same hallway as the video rooms. Much appreciated!

Needless to say, I doubt that I will be contributing to further ACEN experiences after my first (and last) ACEN convention. The only thing I found least frustrating was the availability to have a badge shipped to your house before the con.

[Dark Spellmaster]

My only thought about how to deal with the drug issue is this. Have drug sniffing dogs around at night and arrest people that have the narcotic.

[linlindesu]

I think the idea of drug sniffing dogs may be a tad unrealistic.
Having more police present if possible? That seems a bit more doable.
Just having police in the area may ward off the drug use/ smokers directly outside of main programming/ the heavy drinkers destroying everything

[PrinceAsh]

This might just be me, but I was really disappointed by the lack of anything AMV related at all. At other cons you see the AMV contest as part of the Main Programming, AMV dinner, and like a meet and greet/Q&A with the editors, or something. I understand about the problems this year but I feel like in past years AMVs have just been getting more and more pushed aside. Editors work just as hard as the cosplayers do for the Masquerade skits. Is there any way that AMVs can be brought back to life with more focus next year? As far as I remember, there was only one panel about it at all this year.

[rondo]

make con more AMV friendly