Comments, compliments, concerns for NDK 2009

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

Rumor I want you to know we seem to disagree on several thing in this forum, particularly on topics I am very passionate about, but I do not intend to ever personally attack you, so if this has happened I am sorry.

When I read your suggestions on chains this is what I thought

Bleach cosplayer OMAG SOUL CHAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!! le glomp, oh get my pic

Chains snaps, gets caught in someone’s cosplay scythe.

BOOM all of the chains are snapped in various places and entangled in angry cosplayers.

Other than the massive chain cosplaying blob, I also can imagine a new never ending flam against NDK staff next year.

I know people are not allowed to take pics in the hallway or are suggested not to; but It is extremely inconvenient, and it is very hard to convince someone on their way to an event or dealers room to go outside and out of the way for a pic. I think having the chains in the hallway will disrupt the flow of traffic even more, as a result attendees will not get as many pics as they want, possibly get yelled at even more by the staff, and their will be even more massive staff complaint threads in the forum, after next years NDK.

P.S Rumor had a very good idea Conceptually, and if it could work properly.

[Bara]

This was my eighth year at NDK and I found it to be one of the better years of late.  Sure, there were some hiccups (which all seem to have been mentioned already), but overall I saw a great many improvements.  I found the staff to be wonderfully polite and much less inclined to shouting at everyone.  At least where I was at, the lines for main events seemed to know where they were going and people were behaving themselves.  Panels this year seemed to be more diverse and spread out better than in the past.  The availability of water was excellent, and the hotel staff did a great job of keeping restrooms and whatnot clean.  Overall, it felt to me like a very professional con, and it was one of those years where NDK felt like it had "grown up" again.  Thank you, staff, for all of your hard work!

I would also like to pass along a thanks to the Hilton employees.  They seemed a bit overwhelmed but were very polite, and I appreciate them helping with the parking issue.  I wasn't too happy to have been directed to the Hyatt's pay parking garage, but Saturday the Hilton had someone in the parking lot making sure that it was only guests parking in their lot.  While I understand that this was likely a bummer for some, I greatly appreciate the effort to ensure that paying guests of the hotel got to actually park there.

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

It might be a good idea for people who are planning on going to NDK to find a group of people near them that are also going, and find a buss they can rent  to take them their, then back home after the con. All of the people taking the buss can split the cost amongst themselves .When I mean rent a bus, rent it for Friday and Sunday, have the company pick up the bus on Friday and bring it back on Sunday.

[William]

Car-pooling is a great idea to help the parking sitation. We all have a lot of friends who join us at the con, so it shouldn't be to hard for a lot of people to manage.  Also, the light rail drops off a block away, and is an easy walk to the hotel (I take it to work every day) if you're staying for the weekend, that would be a great way to save the headache of parking.. or even if you're just coming in for one day.  Their are pleanty of places to eat that are within walking distance from the hotel, so not having a car won't wreck your weekend, might just make it that much better.

[Alitain]

Rumor-
Thanks for clearing that up with the cosplayer in the workout clothes, I admit I was giving her THAT much attention.  And either way didn't have a problem with it but good to know.

As for you comment on keeping lines against the wall, that's what they did for basically EVERY line at the con, except the general registration.  Actually the staff can sometimes, and yet gratefully, be called ornery about keeping people against the wall.  Were you ever at NDK when it was at the Holiday Inn?  That was nuts!  But I can kinda understand at least the general registration line being right in the middle but it's kinda hard to place it along the walls in there.

But on the note of velvet ropes and such, maybe while it wouldn't work for every line, maybe doing it for the general registration line might at least keep it orderly for everyone.  That wouldn't be a huge cost just to do it for one line, and that might help.

[trinityrenee]

The Good: I love the fact that a lot of the staff (Epically the EMS Chick. She cracked me up every time I saw her XD) was very kind and generally helpful. I have a job in customer service aswell and I know what it's like to get the same questions thousands of times a day. But the staff did it all with a smile on their face. Also... THANK YOU TO THE TECH DUDE WHO CAME IN TO HELP ME SET UP FOR THE FULLMETAL FREAKS PANEL!!! =3 We didn't require his help, but it was awesome that he showed up anyway!!

The bad: o.o The number of people. While it's not bad that the con is getting more popular in that way (I grew up with Otakon. I remember the caps they had to put on it. Twas not a pretty sight), there needs to be a cap or we move. From what I hear, the contract with the Marriott ends next con. If it's possible, let's just get half of the convention center? =3 More room too!!

The ugly: The rain. Nothing to do with the con, but I hate Denver weather, lol. WHY MUST IT ALWAYS RAIN IN DENVER?!

^_^ I was happy with the con! And all of the people that showed up for my panel! Thank you all!

[Kylwell]

The DCC is much large but also incredibly expensive, not to mention parking downtown and hotel room costs downtown.

[Rumor]

Rumor-
Thanks for clearing that up with the cosplayer in the workout clothes, I admit I was giving her THAT much attention.  And either way didn't have a problem with it but good to know.

As for you comment on keeping lines against the wall, that's what they did for basically EVERY line at the con, except the general registration.  Actually the staff can sometimes, and yet gratefully, be called ornery about keeping people against the wall.  Were you ever at NDK when it was at the Holiday Inn?  That was nuts!  But I can kinda understand at least the general registration line being right in the middle but it's kinda hard to place it along the walls in there.

But on the note of velvet ropes and such, maybe while it wouldn't work for every line, maybe doing it for the general registration line might at least keep it orderly for everyone.  That wouldn't be a huge cost just to do it for one line, and that might help.

Yeah I was at the Holiday Inn *shudder*

But what I meant was essentially what you said. Only have a few lines roped off (General Reg, And maybe parts of lines, like if a line exceeds one wall space and has to move throughout the hotel, some parts can be roped so people know where it is/are separated from big groups of people. )

Once NDK has a chance to go over their budget for next year they'll know what to do. But I do think we're in the Marriott for at least one more year.

[Alitain]

Rumor-
Ah okay, gotcha.  And yeah, from all I've heard to there's one more year in the contract.


Hopefully we'll get to stay at the Marriott and the contract will be restored, I like it there even if there's a lot of people there'll always be a lot of people.  People just need to learn how to move through a crowd, and to quick blocking traffic.

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

Ok read every post of the first 3 pages and did not see this topic, I am sorry if it was in the other 6 pages, Once I finish Reading  those 6 pages, I will edit this post if it appears to be a repost of a complaint.

I know NDK does need or want another complainant, but I think this is important. I have noticed a great deal of un savory public affection, this has nothing to do with sexual preference yaoi, yuri, or heterosexuality; I did however notice the people who where perform yoai, and yuri were of greater quantity than the heterosexuals.

The public affection I am talking about is not hugging and glomping, but extremely graphic and inappropriate heavy petting and such.

[GimmeAnime]

While people are talking about the velvet ropes idea, there are other ropes that are less expensive than those. The one's I've found are canvas and retractable. I've seen them at banks and other offices. The same website that was posted had them available.

If worse comes to worse, a trip to a Lowe's, a few nails and some yellow plastic rope should do the trick. You'd want something sturdy just because it'd be used from year to year, but for the most part, you just need a more visual clue as to where the line and the boundaries are. Something waist high is more blatant than taped on the ground.

[Sarge]

A few responses and general information:

Heavy petting/excessive PDA - I personally stopped a few of these instances, regardless of who was participating (guys/girls).  We try, but even our awesome ninja security staff cannot be everywhere at once.

The Rave - was actually scheduled to end at 3am.  It ended at 3am.  There was no early closure.  As to what 'incident' was mentioned earlier, I'm not sure what you refer to, but it would best be discussed by pm if you need to report anything.  I do know that the hotel hallways were cleared directly after the Rave by us, but this is fairly normal.

Febreeze - They were definitely talking about spraying the room, not the people.  Spraying random people, whether they smell or not, is strictly forbidden.  Allergies is the biggest reason, but it's also downright rude.

Lines - I was so darn proud of the attendees this year.  You all managed yourselves better than we could have ever helped you to do.  In general, all of the massive major lines (AMV, Cosplay) were full of kind, friendly, self-managing people.  I love you all!

Staff politeness and yelling - Okay this is my big one.  Bear with me here.
I am probably by far the loudest staff member in existence.  You have all heard me yell, I guarantee it.  However, I do try to keep it polite, and even fun.  At the worst of times, it will be concise and sound like an order.  This is probably because I was on my way to something very important.  This could be EMS, a Security Issue, or any number of things.  If it was you in trouble, you'd want me there quickly too.  However, and I know this has been repeated a couple of times, blatant staff rudeness is not tolerated.  I can personally reassure you that anyone on the Security staff who was caught, reported, or even rumored to be rude to attendees was either dealt with by our Area Head, or by myself directly.

If you have a specific complaint about the behaviour of myself or my staff, please PM me with details and I will be sure to make our Area Head aware.  We are working on ways to better increase the visibility of the Security Staff, as well as ensuring that we are the most professional we can be.  It's a tough job, since we get to deal with the worst sides of the con at times, and have little time to do anything else while in the waking world at NDK.  But all of you make it worth it for us.

Cheers,

Timu
NDK Security Lt.

[Sirblood]

A little something many conventions are starting to do is this:

Drop 100$ (or so) in plug in air freshners and plug them in around the convention area.  They have cheap ones with fans also that work GREAT!  

Best scent I have seen that will cover just about any smell and itsn't sensory overload is potpourri

I know a few conventions assign 1 or 2 people to randomly spray fabreeze air freshner here or there in the halls, and during Nebraskon, I have a large fan that I usually aim at the dance floor, I aim it upwards and randomly spray in either a little axe or some fabreeze air freshner.  You have to do this in small ammounts (especially if you use axe) or it becomes sensory overload!

I would suggest trying to find a couple of people who have large air circulation fans and use them during the rave!!!!!!

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

I like the air circulation fan idea, but those could be high cost items; but then again circulating air on the dance floor could prevent people from fainting of heat stroke.  

Some people are allergic to air fresheners, and sensitive to certain smells, a release of too much chemicals from the air fresheners could also make people nauseous and light headed, and we are already at high elevation.

[theshadow]

I like the air circulation fan, idea, but those could be high cost items; but then again circulating air on the dance floor could prevent people from fainting of heat stroke.   

Some people are allergic to air fresheners, and sensitive to certain smells, a release of too much chemicals from the air fresheners could also make people nauseous and light headed, and we are already at high elevation.

I agree, there is a small subset of perfumes and aromas that don't immediately cause me to have headaches so having these things all over the place is in general a bad idea. But don't feel distressed, keep tossing out ideas!

[Mahou Shoujo Michi]

I agree, there is a small subset of perfumes and aromas that don't immediately cause me to have headaches so having these things all over the place is in general a bad idea. But don't feel distressed, keep tossing out ideas!

Wanna know what's just as bad as confunk?  Being next to the person drenched in perfume or cologne.

If we were to go with any sort of "air freshener" the non scented ones that aim to kill bacteria would probably be best.

^_^ Of course, taking the extra mile on your hygiene is always good too

[Pestilence]

I think just being a good friend to your buddies and letting them know in a constructive way is a good step in eliminating this.  I know it's hard to approach someone about it, but I always do the whole "Whoa, I stink, I better shower.  Anyone need to go first?" thing.

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

This is in response to the conga line issues

http://ndkdenver.org/forum/index.php/topic,3753.0.html

And the cosplaying dance issues

http://ndkdenver.org/forum/index.php/topic,3778.60.html

I admit I am a bit of NDK noob, I have only gone to 3 conventions, but I have never gone to or read what any of the panels and events are – minus the cosplaying, opening ceremony, and masquerade (So bare with my lack of knowledge )

There is a masquerade held on Friday, but this does not seem to be enough, to get the jitters out of NDK attendees.

As you can read from the conga line topic, dancing is invading the hallways, causing safety problems, and inconveniences

And there seems to be a problem with dancing during the cosplay contest

I am aware that there may have been an anime dance panel; however I am still concerned about dancing taking over the con, because there seems to be a lack of places for attendees to dance

I know space, time, and cost are issues, but is there a way to make a designated dance location to be open for the main hours of the con for all three days.
( or at least Friday and Saturday)

I know finding a way to solve the dancing problem is inconvenient, but the problem itself is also inconvenient.

*Shrinks into dark corner, no more dancing, make it stop.  

P.S
Oh I forgot there is also DDR, that seems like it should be enough; DDR, a dancing panel, and masquerade, why has dancing become so inconvenient.

[Mizukodomo]

I agree with many of the comments made, I just have one more to add, and feel free to disagree with it:
I felt as though the time schedule was way out of whack. Like I couldn't tell when anything should have started, except some of the more popular events. I'm thinking if there is a more efficient way of letting people know when things start- I liked the idea of the screens up in the lobby, but I felt like the times would blink past so fast, you'd have to wait around for the next round to come, and by that time, something else may have caught your eye, or someone tells you to move out of the way XD. It seems like a fairly small complaint, considering there might not be much you could probably do about it, but if there is is (like having a more comprehensive list with in the program guide), then that might help alleviate some of the confusion at the con. Oh and possibly moving the line (or mailing badges to those who pre-reg.) for those picking up their badges would make it again, seem less crowded, it was very efficient, and fairly quick, though I do believe that was already said ^^; That being said, I had a lovely time this year, and cannot wait to go again!! Though I won't be eighteen in time =_=;

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

http://ndkdenver.org/forum/index.php/topic,3797.msg125393.html#msg125393
 
This is a weblink to another discussion in the forums that focuses on pre registration lines

As for sending badges out, there are several reasons this can not be done some reason are  identity theft through mail, or stolen badges through mail.

If you would go back and read through from the beginning of this thread, there are several posts about badges, and time, and sending them out via mail.