[Smokey]

Thanks chainedbyroses, that was well said.

There are no set parameters on this subject simply because everybody's situation and needs are different. We deal with every case on an individual basis, finding the best solution for that person alone. We're just asking that you keep your bag proportional to your needs. If you just have a handful of supplies, then please bring a fanny pack or a purse.

We've had instances of people trying to keep their big bags in prohibited locations by buying a bottle of aspirin at the hotel store and claiming they need their big shopping bag full of swag to carry it in. Those are the types of situations we're trying to avoid.

[Molly Mae]

I'm not going to post any gripes because you guys rock. Anyone who complains about the little things has never tried to plan anything as large as a wedding--I can't even imagine an event this large. So huge props to IRT and Staffers and Admin. There's a lot you can't foresee and the level-headed quick-thinking decisions are appreciated (even though most people don't know about them).

I will make a suggestion about lines. I don't have issues with the lines as everything seems logical enough, but a lot of people complain without making any actual suggestions. Good or bad, I want to throw this out there: Line cords similar to the ones used in the registration lines...just not metal. Or maybe metal.

I guess I can't actually attach items to a post, but the idea should be pretty easy to follow. Set the cord up against the wall until 30 minutes before the panel starts. At the 30 minute mark, move it away from the wall and let people line up. Leave gaps in the cord for any random hotel hallways or whatever. Place signs at intervals on the cord that says what room they lead to (so you don't have to switch them for every panel). Special needs/VIP can line up outside the corded area next to the wall on the other side of the door.

I drew up a pretty sweet diagram in MS Paint, but can't attach it. =/ Maybe I'll host and link later.

[SRomo006]

This is gripes/suggestions for the next ACen. Help by suggesting ways to improve ACen. Constructive suggestions are always a help and welcome. Thought this should be a new topic instead of adding all suggestions from previous and current under one topic. (Starting a new one for the new year.)

[SRomo006]

From what I had said last year, GREAT JOB to everyone on making some significant improvements. Much better than last year. Still room for some improvements though.

The elevator idea seemed to help (while it may not have been perfect, i heard very few bells and all 4 seems to operate till Sunday!)

• Signage: Still could always use more.
  
• Event Rooms: Consumption of the larger rooms in the Convention Center for the larger events is still a good idea.
  
• IRT and Staff: ACen now has a great mobile app that has the up to date schedule. IRT all have phones (I assume most have smart phones.) Have the staff use the app when asked questions by attendees. I saw a bunch when asked where something was respond with "I don’t know, look it up." If your staff and you are not pressed with a long line or busy, help them out!! That’s just being lazy. This could help to give a better perception to the schedule changes that always happen. The more informed people are the less likely they are to get a bad taste about change.
  
• Lines: There was an idea about the ropes for lines for different panels and main events (if the no line till 30 min before cannot be enforced, give in and control it.) Manage the lines, expect them! Comic-Con does this masterfully, I suggest the same for here. The hotel/convention center should be able to provide these on request to ACen. For example, the rope line for the Soap Bubble was great and a large improvement from last year. Do this more!! Have line starters for each of the panel rooms (like one rope line against the wall) if it fills up request more. This will help control the demand. If people don’t like that they had to wait XX hours in line to see XXXX, then tough don’t go to a Con. They all have lines for popular events. The minimum wait at Comic-Con is a good 4 hours, deal with it.

This is all I really have. They seem simple enough and I hope its valuable input.

[Dark Spellmaster]

Just something I put in the gripes and I thought it might be better here for the suggestions as well.

Some suggestions to help out the issues.

1. Lines: this gets a section onto itself. Lets's break them down by sections.

• Popular Event Lines: to start with for popular events (Concerts, panels that will get a lot of people, etc) I think a hand stamp policy is in order. What is a hand stamp policy you may ask, well it's quite simple. Four IRT or Staff members stand where the enterence to the line starts, here they have a stamp that has a number on it, and the stamps can change, (if not a number then an animal. People that come up to form a line get their hands stamped and then they have to leave. No loitering or you get an ex in marker on your hand that means you can not get in the event, period. It's simple and effiencet. You'll have less people lining up to early because they know that they can go to the front because of the stamps. You let people know when they come over, for example: Dog stamp is first in line, or row one. Cat stamp is section two, bird is section three, and so on. No arguing or anything.
  
  
• Panel Lines: I like the idea of a taped off section for panels, and rope it off. tie a string around a small stand, or two chairs, and people have to line up single file. The arrow says which way you can come in, then, like at rides, you have the staffer, direct the people out, and escort the people in. Again simple and easy to teach.
  
  
• Rave Lines: You want people to hug the wall, quickest way to do this...set up a paramiter. again, rope off area outside. Single file, and have a megaphone, also maybe it's time to change where the raves are being held. Rather then in the grand ball room at the Hyatt, how about the larger ball room at the hilton? I think that's bigger then the one there and also might make the linesn easier to control?
  
  
• Registration lines: Again tape off, and make people in single file or use the stamp policy as above. Maybe have an app for people that only buy single badges where they can fill it out before they get in line and then fast track them?
  
  
• All other lines: Break the Autograph lines into parts. Again this is where the Stamps come in. Group one, group two, etc, this way people can line up. or move the autographs away from the dealers room and to another place where control can be done. Don't have a cap, but rather again use the stamps. First fifty people get to come to session one, second group get in session two.

For IRT best way is to give them a drilling sitiuation, and based on their reaction to very harsh things, see where their frustration level is, based on that, then you can figure out where to place the person. Tell them not to joke, make it very clear that they are there to serve the customers, and that under no circumstances can they make jokes that can be seen as threatening or offensive. Reward those who do good, and those that do not, then set up a system where they need to make up for their behavior.

Cosplay, maybe if the brand is popular, it's time to actually you know, split up the shoot. More then one My little pony with smaller groups. Also again heads must learn to control the people there. What I'm going to do with mine is that if you want in on the shoot, you have to sign up and read some rules, such as, "If you harrass anyone before, during or after the shoot, you are no longer welcome at the shoot." Etc.

In regards to litter, do what disney does. They looked into how far someone is willing to carry trash. Test it out maybe a week before or more then a week before and set up trashbins around for people to throw out. Also helps to have it where guests can report to someone about the garbage on tables.

[SprinklePuff]

Hand stamp policy sounds AWESOME. Dear God, that would make my Acen experience SO MUCH BETTER.

[TheRabbi]

I would never claim to have all the answers, but here are my impressions on your suggestions.

Signage: We're getting there, I think.

Event Rooms: There's been the suggestion at the beginning of every year to move more events to other hotels or to the con center, but it usually comes down to money. The convention center halls are expensive.

IRT and staff: Speaking as IRT, we've got a fair amount of people who have smart phones - and a fair amount who don't. To be honest, the guidebook app was as much of a surprise to us as it was to you, just about, so I think it may take until next year to see into our staff's consciousness that their smartphone can be used as a resource in that way. We'll also try to provide some training on it this year.

Lines: We do expect the lines! We had a dedicated line control team for the first time this year and, while things went pretty well, we've already discussed how it needs to change to make it go better. As for getting ropes and stanchions, again it comes down to money. One of ACen's goals is to have the badge price be as low as possible, but this constrains our funds - and stanchions from the hotel cost money. It also takes time. We can request more stanchions to be brought out - and this year the hotel was really good at that - but if it's done during the event in response to an unexpected demand, we can't guarantee that it will get there while the demand is relevant. That said, I'm not rejecting your suggestion out-of-hand; it will be brought up when we're talking about how to handle the lines even better.

[shinigamichan05]

I have some gripes and some suggestions for how to improve them as well. It might be a little disorganized cause I'm not always best at sorting my thoughts into a logical order :3

Autographs: First off I wish to say the autograph line was SO much better then it was in '11. 11 was the first year I'd managed to drag my butt from MN all the way there and was extremely upset with all the miscommunications with signings. There was still a couple this year, but it was MUCH better than the mass group that happened last year.

I enjoyed the fact that there was a general autograph line that then got separated. Though this line got worse and worse as the weekend got along. There was a point on Friday when about 5 staff members walked away from the entrance at the same time. This caused the one person left to have to yell down the line, which then caused a horrible game of Anime Telephone. Please give staff enough people (at least two at ALL times, I wasn't very far down when this happened and could just barely hear them), also give them a megaphone to yell to the crowd with.

I don't mind that if you are willing to waste your day you can wait as long as you want. This was actually kinda nice because last year I was told I wasn't allowed to line up till 30 minutes before and when I showed up 30 minutes they told me (and several others) 15 minutes. And at 15 minutes we went back to be informed it was full.

I also VERY much enjoyed that the people (for the most part) where one at a time instead of groups of three. Because if something happened to one that they weren't able to do as many (such as injury) then we could still get who we wanted. But my suggestion would be if the line is starting to get long then try and go through and do a rough head count. Obviously not every person can get to every single person and we realize they are human and this might happen, but it saddens me to wait 45 minutes in line, get separated, have to wait another 30 minutes outside of the area after the first group gets separated, and then get informed that it wouldn't be happening.

Another way to improve on the above things is to try to limit photographs for the more popular people. I realize JYB is SUPER popular, but a lot of people were upset at waiting in so many lines and then getting close and being told they ran out of time. A suggestion we came up with was either let them have 2 signings or a photo. When people got 2 signings and one (or more) photos plus some photos it got to be the point even being 10 people away you got worried about being able to make it. I found myself checking my clock every 2 minutes to see if we would have time.

On Friday one of the staff told me they had been informed that the Angelic Pretty signing had been cancelled (not rescheduled) I was upset about this but soon moved on. However when I came from a (cancelled) panel on Saturday afternoon there was a line around their booth for signings. This deeply upset me since I didn't have anything for them to sign due to the miscommunication.


Artist Alley: I love that you let in so many different artists of skills, talents, medias ect. But please make sure you have enough tables for the artists that sign up. There were several amazing artists that got pushed into dealer's section. One in particular had made her own wall scrolls. People got upset when they were so expensive and almost demand she lower her prices. She had to shyly explain that there wasn't enough room in artists for her and she had gotten moved over and that was why her prices were so high.


Photoshoots: I was super excited for the Vocaloid photoshoot. I rushed outside to get to the designated area in time to find only about 5 other vocaloids there that were equally confused. We then got informed that the shoot had been moved to the front area. So we all migrated up the small alley where there still wasn't anyone. We stood around for a while, unsure of what to do. Right when we were ready to start our own mini photoshoot we got informed it had been moved inside. After being lead around to the front lobby we discovered that the photoshoot was half after. Most of us were really upset because unless we had arrived to the shoot around 15-20 minutes early we wouldn't know about it and we never were informed of why it got moved.

I suggest doing all the photoshoots indoors. I realize this means less space to have 5+ photoshoots at once, but is it really necessary to have the same photoshoots on two different days?


Panels: A friend of mine waited somewhere around 2 hours for the Anime Bingo (she was never informed of a rule that you could only line up 30 minutes before if there was such a rule). Throughout this time she saw a lot of staff go by, but about 30 minutes before it was supposed to start a staff member came out and said the panel was cancelled and everyone had to leave. Apparently two panels had been booked at the same time in the same room. This especially upset her since none of the staff seemed to know till that very moment that the panel had been cancelled. When I looked at the app later the panel was still there as scheduled (which I found odd since the signing people told me that the app would inform me of any changes).


Staff: Please keep them informed. They work hard and take all the hit when something goes wrong. I admit I got frustrated at some staff, but that was mostly due to last minutes changes that I'm sure frustrated them to cause as soon as they got the news they were probably like "aw great. Who has to tell 200 con-goers they aren't gonna get an autograph?" I saw in the previous gripes page a lot of people complained about Amazon. I actually enjoyed Amazon saying things like "I'm about to ruin your day but...." It lightened the mood for me and made the blow softer of what I had sensed was coming.


However, overall I had a great year and didn't leave with a bad taste in my mouth like last year. I'm already registered and planning for next year. See you in 2013.

[shinigamichan05]

In Addition: I noticed someone suggesting this in the gripes forum and I don't know if they brought it over here. But a good solution also for the issues with lines and such with autographs was to do a ticket system. You get a ticket in the morning for the signing you want so there is only that initial frustration and you can enjoy the rest of your day. An added idea to that is to have a "will call". If people don't show up or there is extra time then more people can get let in, however these people come with the knowledge that there is a strong chance that they will not get in.

[myrla]

Registration - MAPS has been at this for 15 years. Tear it down completely and start over. Right now I probably am not coming back because of the absolute nonsense of registration regarding panelists (even though I have 3-4 panels in mind to submit, they might work out better at a different con, one where panelists aren't waiting in line for hours for a pre-paid badge or one where they can actually be mailed)

This post has been edited by myrla: 01 May 2012 - 09:22 AM

[laceyarsenic]

I just worry that ACEN is becoming a "party-con".
Maybe, if possible the Synergy and Soap Bubble could be more "separate". Like maybe moving them to another hotel room so it doesn't interfere with main programming. Or having the concerts and fashion shows in other main rooms so if one runs late or is delayed it doesn't affect the entire programming. Too many main-events are scheduled in the same room. I realize it's due to it's large size, however it can't be the only large room available.
I'm sure this has been posted in previous years, but maybe it should be given some serious thought.

[Sarahlicious]

Move the dances/concerts into a different room from the masquerade or do not schedule the main events so close together to allow for more wiggle room and breakdown/setup time.

[linlindesu]

Sarahlicious, on 01 May 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

Move the dances/concerts into a different room from the masquerade or do not schedule the main events so close together to allow for more wiggle room and breakdown/setup time.

THIS. This times 8.
The Hardcore could have easily fit in the Rosemont ballroom or one of the outside hotel ballrooms.

[Washu Takahashi]

Overall I was please with my Acen experience this year, and I've already some suggestions in gripes so I just want to put my main one here.

Please please please PLEASE go back to the old signing system. I'm not talking about the lines, those were good. I'm talking about having some of the VAs have a double or triple signing. It was so much easier when you had a few people in a row, and only had to wait a ridiculous time for 3 autographs rather than waiting a ridiculous time three separate times to get 1 autograph. However, more popular VAs (Vic is the easiest example here) should get their own signings. And if you have them all together you'd need 2 or 3 hour sessions or multiple 1 hour sessions so more people could get through. Even if you don't change it to having multiple signings in one line, you NEED to either allot more time or make more signings available. It was crushing to hear the line for Chris Sabat was cut off at 50 people when he was the one person there I really wanted to meet and he was only scheduled for 1 time. I ended up getting to meet him quickly at the Panty and Stocking signing, but I haven't even watched P&S and they weren't allowed to sign other merchandise :/ I got lucky for a lot of the VAs and literally was just passing through when their lines were called, but I felt horrible for those who weren't lucky and weren't in the right place at the right time.

[ATICE]

I know this is quite a long shot... But for all the guests that ARE in fact having autograph times scheduled. Not only should it be required for them to stay for the whole thing, but also don't cut the freaking lines! I've had this happen at EVERY SINGLE anime convention I've been to, and I was furious on Saturday... That Vic's line was cut, and it was only around 5:20. What the...!!!! He still had at least another hour. I could've gotten an autograph, but oh no... the line had to be cut yet again. -.-

I strongly believe that if this doesn't change, then the attendee list WILL in fact drop... because I wasn't the only one who was fed up. I heard people walking away talking about how they wouldn't come back next year now.

This post has been edited by ATICE: 01 May 2012 - 03:05 PM

[jsieczkar]

Washu Takahashi, on 01 May 2012 - 02:54 PM, said:

Overall I was please with my Acen experience this year, and I've already some suggestions in gripes so I just want to put my main one here.

Please please please PLEASE go back to the old signing system. I'm not talking about the lines, those were good. I'm talking about having some of the VAs have a double or triple signing. It was so much easier when you had a few people in a row, and only had to wait a ridiculous time for 3 autographs rather than waiting a ridiculous time three separate times to get 1 autograph. However, more popular VAs (Vic is the easiest example here) should get their own signings. And if you have them all together you'd need 2 or 3 hour sessions or multiple 1 hour sessions so more people could get through. Even if you don't change it to having multiple signings in one line, you NEED to either allot more time or make more signings available. It was crushing to hear the line for Chris Sabat was cut off at 50 people when he was the one person there I really wanted to meet and he was only scheduled for 1 time. I ended up getting to meet him quickly at the Panty and Stocking signing, but I haven't even watched P&S and they weren't allowed to sign other merchandise :/ I got lucky for a lot of the VAs and literally was just passing through when their lines were called, but I felt horrible for those who weren't lucky and weren't in the right place at the right time.

After the con the GR staff had talked about doing multiple VAs in the same autograph room. It is something that we are looking at but we are still very very early in planning 2013.

This post has been edited by jsieczkar: 01 May 2012 - 03:04 PM

[ATICE]

Suggestion for ACEN 2013: Have professionals/people who make props for a living (and know all the acen rules really well) to check props. I heard complaints from friends about how one prop wasn't nearly as tall as him nor did it look real and they told him it was unacceptable. Another one was about the prop looking too real, but then he saw other people walking around to photoshoots with pretty much the exact same prop... Okay, if it's not going to be mandatory to have props checked (like don't have them in the hotel... have them in the convention center lobby), then please remove this. Because it's just ridiculous. I brought 2 clear airsoft pistols last year, and the IRT was looking at them for 5 minutes like they were magical or something. They had no clue whether to allow it or not, and I was told on the forums that if it was clear then it was fine. Don't know if they were the same people this year.. but yeah.. This whole idea needs to be changed up for the next years.

This post has been edited by ATICE: 01 May 2012 - 07:08 PM

[DJFLuFFKiNS]

jsieczkar, on 01 May 2012 - 03:03 PM, said:

After the con the GR staff had talked about doing multiple VAs in the same autograph room. It is something that we are looking at but we are still very very early in planning 2013.

We've been doing multiple VAs/Guests at once for an autograph session for years... I'm not sure why there was a departure from that this year.

[Washu Takahashi]

ATICE, on 01 May 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

I know this is quite a long shot... But for all the guests that ARE in fact having autograph times scheduled. Not only should it be required for them to stay for the whole thing, but also don't cut the freaking lines! I've had this happen at EVERY SINGLE anime convention I've been to, and I was furious on Saturday... That Vic's line was cut, and it was only around 5:20. What the...!!!! He still had at least another hour. I could've gotten an autograph, but oh no... the line had to be cut yet again. -.-I strongly believe that if this doesn't change, then the attendee list WILL in fact drop... because I wasn't the only one who was fed up. I heard people walking away talking about how they wouldn't come back next year now.

Just wanted to note that they actually should have cut off Vic's line sooner. I was one of those who got in, BUT he ran out of time to sign everything and had to turn away a good 50 or so people. The poor guy looked heartbroken, same as us. So really, what was worse? Being turned away at 5:20, or getting in and still not getting an autograph? (Course I got one Sunday but that's besides the point. Line had to be cut. You weren't getting a signing that day whether or not they let you in the room at 5:20)

jsieczkar, on 01 May 2012 - 03:03 PM, said:

After the con the GR staff had talked about doing multiple VAs in the same autograph room. It is something that we are looking at but we are still very very early in planning 2013.

Agreed with DJFLuFFKiNS. This was how things were run previously and I'm not sure why it had to change. But even if you don't change it back, I do BEG you to either make longer signing sessions or more of them. It's ridiculous that only 50 people can get someone's autograph in a convention that probably had close to 25,000 attendees.

[Stormy-chan]

That is why I went to the Madoka cast autograph session. It had all three ladies and they were very sweet. I got my items signed by each, and few happy sentences exchanged before I moved on so the rest of the line could do the same. It was so much easier than trying to get each one separately and taking up more of my con time else where Luckily I already have Vic's signature from a few years back so no need to wait in line this year. But I do think a ticket system would be wonderful so you know you will get in and avoid all the lines hopefully. Heck I wouldn't even mind paying a small bit, since if someone pays for such a thing they are more likely to show up. Even at $1 apiece that would be extra income for the con or maybe to be donated to a charity of the VA's choice? Just a thought.

[Jguy]

hi all,

I'm going to do a bit of cleanup. Renaming this thread to 'Suggestions for ACen 2013' to fit in the flow, then splitting posts from the old topic to this one and closing the old one out.

[rondo]

Jguy, on 02 May 2012 - 01:26 PM, said:

hi all,

I'm going to do a bit of cleanup. Renaming this thread to 'Suggestions for ACen 2013' to fit in the flow, then splitting posts from the old topic to this one and closing the old one out.

Thx boss.

[Jguy]

Well, the forums are not being very cooperative...Smokey's post made it in here and I can't put it back.

I try to fix it later. >.<

[ATICE]

Washu Takahashi, on 02 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

Just wanted to note that they actually should have cut off Vic's line sooner. I was one of those who got in, BUT he ran out of time to sign everything and had to turn away a good 50 or so people. The poor guy looked heartbroken, same as us. So really, what was worse? Being turned away at 5:20, or getting in and still not getting an autograph? (Course I got one Sunday but that's besides the point. Line had to be cut. You weren't getting a signing that day whether or not they let you in the room at 5:20)

Okay, you may want to think you before you post again.
I had to wait until I got the programming guide to see which day he was signing.. Friday and Saturday he was supposed to sign from 4:30pm okay. Now hold on.. He was scheduled to sign until the convention center had to be closed... which was 6:30/7pm. The thing said 6:30, but I'm sure it closes @ 7. So... you saying "You weren't getting a signing that day whether or not they let you in the room at 5:20" is complete crap. He's done this multiple times, and I went to another con where I got an autograph from a 70 year old lady who stayed for the FULL SESSION (which was 3 hours mind you). So unless he had to use the washroom (which they could've just said he's on break, he'll be back.. you know, unless he's an android... it happens)... yeah, he has no excuse/the one who issued the cancellation doesn't. It's ALWAYS something.

That's why I suggested either in this topic or another one that every attendee gets 1 minute only with the guests they're getting autographs from. It would be so painless! Just get the autograph, get a picture with him if you want (make it quick), and exit the line. IT IS NOT HARD! -.-

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

[kenkendazo]

Stop claiming/advertising the con is family friendly. It is not. I personally don't care how its advertised, but don't sell me one thing but claim it is another.

[ATICE]

kenkendazo, on 02 May 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

Stop claiming/advertising the con is family friendly. It is not. I personally don't care how its advertised, but don't sell me one thing but claim it is another.

I also agree with this. Barely anything about acen is "family friendly". There are people with bazookas, uzis, and etc. as props. Half the booths weren't family friendly at all. Neither were the panels from what I've heard. Anime is not family friendly, so why is ACEN trying to be?

[Washu Takahashi]

ATICE, on 02 May 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

Okay, you may want to think you before you post again.
I had to wait until I got the programming guide to see which day he was signing.. Friday and Saturday he was supposed to sign from 4:30pm okay. Now hold on.. He was scheduled to sign until the convention center had to be closed... which was 6:30/7pm. The thing said 6:30, but I'm sure it closes @ 7. So... you saying "You weren't getting a signing that day whether or not they let you in the room at 5:20" is complete crap. He's done this multiple times, and I went to another con where I got an autograph from a 70 year old lady who stayed for the FULL SESSION (which was 3 hours mind you). So unless he had to use the washroom (which they could've just said he's on break, he'll be back.. you know, unless he's an android... it happens)... yeah, he has no excuse/the one who issued the cancellation doesn't. It's ALWAYS something.

Okay, YOU might want to think before you post again. Or at least bother to actually READ the post you're replying to. You have to realize the people they were letting in weren't going straight to the front of the line and getting a signing. There was another line to wait in once you got past the initial one. I got in the second line at roughly 5-5:10 and there had to be a good 100 or so people inside there. Then waited until it was 6:30, at which point instead of at the end of the line I was probably around 50 or so. So he got through about 50 some people in an hour, which is roughly a minute per person, as you wanted it. Then he got up on the table, announced that he couldn't sign any more not because he didn't want to, but because the convention center was closing and they'd be coming in to shoo him out any minute. He said he would have stayed longer if at all possible, and I've been to another con where he did stay two hours later than scheduled to finish signing everything so I know he meant it.

So before you want to chew me or anyone else out for something you know NOTHING about, get your facts straight. It wasn't like, "okay, he finished signing those ten people, let's let a few more in", it was "okay, there's some room at the end of the second line again, let's send some more people in just in case he gets through them all" So what I said wasn't crap at all. I know, I was there. I got turned away for an autograph because the poor man had no choice but to turn us away. You weren't there, and should keep your mouth shut for things you know nothing about. (and probably you should apologise to me for yelling and to the poor staffers who were going their jobs and SHOULD have cut off the line even sooner, but that isn't likely to happen in your current state of anger)

[ATICE]

Washu Takahashi, on 02 May 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

Okay, YOU might want to think before you post again. Or at least bother to actually READ the post you're replying to. You have to realize the people they were letting in weren't going straight to the front of the line and getting a signing. There was another line to wait in once you got past the initial one. I got in the second line at roughly 5-5:10 and there had to be a good 100 or so people inside there. Then waited until it was 6:30, at which point instead of at the end of the line I was probably around 50 or so. So he got through about 50 some people in an hour, which is roughly a minute per person, as you wanted it. Then he got up on the table, announced that he couldn't sign any more not because he didn't want to, but because the convention center was closing and they'd be coming in to shoo him out any minute. He said he would have stayed longer if at all possible, and I've been to another con where he did stay two hours later than scheduled to finish signing everything so I know he meant it.

So before you want to chew me or anyone else out for something you know NOTHING about, get your facts straight. It wasn't like, "okay, he finished signing those ten people, let's let a few more in", it was "okay, there's some room at the end of the second line again, let's send some more people in just in case he gets through them all" So what I said wasn't crap at all. I know, I was there. I got turned away for an autograph because the poor man had no choice but to turn us away. You weren't there, and should keep your mouth shut for things you know nothing about. (and probably you should apologise to me for yelling and to the poor staffers who were going their jobs and SHOULD have cut off the line even sooner, but that isn't likely to happen in your current state of anger)

I'm not apologizing to anyone. I speak my mind, period.
The lines need to go quicker then. Like I said, every attendee gets 1 minute with the guest, then they have to exit the line. An autograph or 2 and a picture only takes a minute, and that way the guests get to meet ALL of the fans there, not just half or something like that.
Also when the line was cut, IRT said there was like 20 people in there.. not 100. So... one of you is lying. lol.

This post has been edited by ATICE: 02 May 2012 - 02:46 PM

[Galuade]

Well, after attending for a few years, I've finally decided to sign up to give some suggestions! Here goes nothing...


1. Lines
Problem: The line organization could use some work. Not once during my time at Acen did I ever notice the IRT staff enforcing the "30 minute" wait rule. At most they would announce "Hey you guys can't wait here". Nice effort, but almost nobody listened and the large mobs continued to wait in the general area for the line to form.

Solution: Since the IRT can't really enforce the "no waiting before 30 minutes" rule, there needs to be another system. One that uses the mob mentality rather than actively fights against it. For example, you could post the floor-plans/maps of the various hotels inside the guidebook. On these maps would be color coded lines with predetermined paths for each of the rooms. Therefore, instead of the lines forming randomly and the IRT having no idea how to organize the group, people wanting to wait for a panel and IRT in charge of maintaining the lines will advanced information on where to go. This solution combines the organizational needs of the IRT and staff while simultaneously allowing the eager con-goers to line up early to their hearts content

2. Raves and their ilk
Problem: Though the Soap Bubble has been at Acen for years, it has become associated with idiotic, drunken behavior and has become a poster child for everything that isn't really anime or even geek culture at Acen.

Solution: Combine the Soap Bubble and the Hardcore Synergy into one Rave. I understand the importance of the raves and that many people enjoy it, but there is honestly no reason that two are needed. By taking the Japanese-themed music of Hardcore Synergy and mixing it with the Soap Bubble, you trim the fat and turn the Soap Bubble into something actually fit for the convention. Also, disallow those under the age of 18 (or even 21) from attending it. They have absolutely no business being at something as sexually charged as a rave. Furthermore, make sure to check the actual badges more closely. Me and my friends were offered 25 dollars for our badges on the way to Denny's by a group of 3 young men (who, judging by the fact they called it a "Cartoon convention", had no real business being there)who wanted them so they could attend the rave and presumably get laid. Those are the kinds of people who have no business here and every measure should be taken to ensure they do not get in (or in the case of making the music entirely Japanese) or want to get in.


Well, those are the big issues for now, so I'll leave it at that.

[Washu Takahashi]

ATICE, on 02 May 2012 - 02:45 PM, said:

I'm not apologizing to anyone. I speak my mind, period.
The lines need to go quicker then. Like I said, every attendee gets 1 minute with the guest, then they have to exit the line. An autograph or 2 and a picture only takes a minute, and that way the guests get to meet ALL of the fans there, not just half or something like that.
Also when the line was cut, IRT said there was like 20 people in there.. not 100. So... one of you is lying. lol.

By my rough estimate of just looking around and guessing how many people were there and how much time had passed, Vic DID get through 50-60 people in an hour, which is a minute like you're suggesting. It's not really feasible to do more than that...maybe have it so people can only take pictures of the guests, not get in them? Or cut photos all together and make it strictly signings? (And I love walking away with a photo and wouldn't like this rule, as many others wouldn't, but it WOULD go faster...) And no way in hell were there only 20 people in there at 5:20. I was still near the back of the line then. There had to be...let's say 10 rows and about 10-15 people or so per row. So there were probably a good 100-150 depending on how close my guess is. Either way, WAY more than 20. And at 6:30 when we had to leave there were still about 50 people in line. IRT totally gave you false information I'm sorry you got turned away Saturday, but it sucked even more getting turned away after making it to that second line and waiting another hour and a half.