Comments, compliments, concerns for NDK 2009

[Greg Hines]

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

I don't see how one conga line means that dancing is "taking over the con." You seem to be generalizing from one isolated event.

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

There seems to be some disagreement (from one person) about the rules of the cosplay contest. Again, this isn't something that I think can really be generalized into "dancing is taking over the con."

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.

I'm not quite sure what you're asking here. Are you saying the schedule is too hard to read?

For what it's worth, I'll be redoing the schedule for next year. One of my goals is to make it as easy to read as possible (similar to what I did with the video schedules starting a few years back).

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

I don't see how one conga line means that dancing is "taking over the con." You seem to be generalizing from one isolated event.

Actually I think I was generalizing from my personal experience at the con, it was not just one isolated event for me, it had inconvenienced my whole Saturday, I even had to dance around a conga line barricade to get to the restrooms.

My opinion might just be one sided, due to my experience. Indeed I have a personal vendetta, and must have found the cosplay argument to be a validation for my dislike of the dancing in the hallway, that inconvenienced me.

[allpowerfulbob]

Greg, the schedule is actually something I've thought about for a bit since the con. Maybe we could do some shading on alternating time slots, I.E. 11am is shaded while 12pm is not etc...

I think that would help make the schedule a lot easier to read. We should discuss it when we find the time.

[Greg Hines]

Yes, most definitely.

[theMulti-Facets]

(peeks in, waves timidly) Um.... hi?

I'd like to start by saying thank you, thank you, thank you so very much to the con hotel staff. When I was confused about the absence of a panel I'd been looking forward to, I was able to get an answer from Ops once I had been pointed in the right direction. When I dropped chocolate ice cream on my white pants, the hotel staff told me where the laundry machines were, and I was able to bleach out the worst of the stains before taking them home for a proper washing. (The detergent machines were empty, though. ) (On the other hand, there are no stains on those pants now!)

My pre-reg badge was easy to get, and I thank the people in charge of that for being quick and organized. The attendees were very polite and fun to look at. I recognized so many costumes, and every one delighted me. (What a year to forget my camera, though!) (Speaking of, I nearly walked into some photoshoots, and for that, I am so, so sorry. I'll try to be more mindful in the future, I swear.) My costume being recognized is always so flattering, too. I get hugs because of them (which were all asked for nicely).

I didn't see any panels or go to any events but for two 'cause I was in the Artists' Alley, but what I saw was fun, despite being in a bad seat. (Totally my fault; I couldn't really leave the table in time.) Thank you to the anime improv troupe and everyone else in the panels. (And many kudos to the people who were able to get up on stage and play along!)

I attended the non-battle karaoke this year, for the first time. It was so much fun, and reminded me of when I was able to act, and how much I love to perform. I do feel it needs to be streamlined, though, badly. (I know I'm partly at fault; I talked way too much, and I apologize for that. I guess it went to my head, and I felt I had to set the stage.) The karaoke rules say ONE song per person, but a lot of the SAME performers got up again and again and again. That meant less time for all of us. Don't get me wrong, there were so many talented people, but everyone seriously wants their turn, and enough time to set up with the sound techs. Getting up to dance is fine and fun, though.

And if possible, I would like to make a request to the staff: Please, please keep inviting Jan Scott-Frazier to attend. She is a wonderful, charming, polite person, and she has so many great stories thanks to her work in the anime field. It's absolutely marvelous to hear from her and speak with her, and her panels are highlights of my stay.

Thank you very much for listening, everyone. I really appreciate all the time you've taken to hear us out. I will be back next year, partly because I have to support my friend in the Artists' Alley, and partly because I love the positive energy of the con. It's like a high and a vacation all at once. ^n_n^ NDK is one of my favorite things, and I'm glad it's still going.



PS: I'm really looking forward to the Ball! (bouncybouncybouncy!)
Oh, and I noticed a lot of people carrying around ball-jointed dolls this time. Was there a panel on how to make them? If so, please repeat it; I'd like to see it. ^n_n^

[.Mitsu:Vision.]

NDK WAS GREAT~ Attendance was awesome, even though it was really crowded. BUT! That has already been commented on fully.

Complements: It was an awesome experience that I can't wait to have again! The dances blew my socks off and I danced until I could dance no more. Not to mention NDK allowed for so many opportunities to expand my cramped social circle. Also it was awesome to look at all the costumes and get so many new ideas for some. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!

Complaints: It was hard to get to some of the panels. There were actually a few times that I couldn't get into a event because it was so crowded. And the only other complaint was that the random dancing in the hall was a bit hazardous.

[Kerochan no Miko]

I've been to cons before where they'll start handing out pre-reg badges on Thursday night, for those who got into town early. Is it possible to do that for NDK? Maybe that would cut down on some of the crazy I noticed with the pre-reg line last year.

Also, when I was in the pre-reg line last year, staffers were repeatedly (I counted at least four separate times) leading people over to cut into line ahead of my group, saying that they'd been "in the wrong line." IMHO, someone who didn't read the signs has no more right to be at the head of the line than me, when I've been standing in the right line for an hour. Maybe if it had happened once or twice I would've overlooked it, but when I was getting annoyed because my friends who were buying memberships at the door are already through the line and I haven't moved at all, it gets very, very annoying.

[Choco]

I've been to cons before where they'll start handing out pre-reg badges on Thursday night, for those who got into town early. Is it possible to do that for NDK? Maybe that would cut down on some of the crazy I noticed with the pre-reg line last year.

I think they mentioned before that while this is a good idea, there are not enough staff/volunteers willing to do this on Thursday.

[Greg Hines]

I've been to cons before where they'll start handing out pre-reg badges on Thursday night, for those who got into town early. Is it possible to do that for NDK? Maybe that would cut down on some of the crazy I noticed with the pre-reg line last year.

We'll be doing just that. We'll provide more details about it at a later date.

I'll pass along your concerns about the line handling.

At any rate, I'm going to lock the thread since it's regarding NDK 2009 and it's what we consider a "dead thread" (e.g. no responses for more than 60 days). At this point, we're working on NDK 2010, so if there are any suggestions about going forward, please create a new thread.