(Note: I'm intentionally vague when it comes to certain details surrounding this discussion. There are some things we play close to the chest to avoid causing unforeseen problems down the road--especially if circumstances change and something that's true now wouldn't be true later. Other things are still in flux.)
To clarify a point, we've already decided on an attendance cap to take effect for NDK 2011. I don't know if we've publicized a number just yet, so I'll refrain from posting that, but it's a reasonable number that will ensure that NDK's attendance numbers won't grow considerably larger than they were in 2009. Regardless of any other measures we might take to mitigate crowding at NDK, the attendance cap will still take effect. In all likelihood, the attendance cap will be here to stay for the foreseeable future.
The idea of splitting hotels is one that comes up regularly. I can tell you that, in the relatively short time I've been on the board, the topic of splitting hotels has come up several times. We've discussed--at length--all the benefits and drawbacks of splitting hotels. And any time a new factor to consider arises, we discuss the idea again. Though we've opted to not split hotels at this time, it's not a decision that's set in stone. If there comes a point where the benefits of splitting hotels outweigh the drawbacks, splitting hotels becomes a possibility.
We're still planning for NDK 2010, which means that plans for NDK 2011 are still pretty fluid. When the time comes, we'll look at all of our options and make a careful, considered decision. Nobody can yet say what that decision will be.
Starfest did it, so why not ndk?
Strictly speaking, Starfest only uses the Marriott. It's ComicFest that uses the Hilton Garden Inn. This is one factor that makes it a more suitable solution for them.
I understand that NDK has to work with what they have. But at the same time, what's wrong with speculation? What's the harm in TALKING about NDK spanning to more than one hotel?
I don't believe anyone has tried to shut down the discussion in any way...
..No offense, but as much as the staff always says "We're always looking for new ideas!" They seem rather against them.
We welcome all questions, suggestions, and proposals from attendees. They're how we find out what attendees want and they quite often provide the catalyst for change at NDK.
Whenever these things are brought up, the response from the staff seems to always be "We can't do that because _______ <- inserts reasons here"
There are certain instances where an issue has already been considered and, unless a new idea or new information comes to light, we can provide a concrete response without requiring further consideration. This is one of those instances. Unless circumstances change in some significant way (and they might!), we don't plan to split hotels.
Where is the harm in discussing what NDK 2015 may be like? [...] Is there really a need for that? I can't see one.. unless people are actively demanding impossible changes. [...] The rules and limitations were under shouldn't dictate what we can imagine NDK to be.
With all due respect, I believe nemisis47 was proposing specific changes for NDK 2011, not speculating as to what NDK might be like in the distant future. As such, addressing this specific issue in practical terms in this thread is only proper. Were this thread about what we'd imagine NDK to be 20 years hence, your argument would certainly be applicable.
If you'd like to create a thread discussing what you think NDK might be like 5, 10, or 20 years hence, please feel free to do so. But that's not what this thread is about, so I'm not sure why you're arguing the point.
While I'm by no means trying to be obnoxious I'd like to point out that we still wait in multi-hour lines for two hour events.
Unfortunately, that's going to be a problem any time you have a lot of people interested in something with limited space--especially if the people interested in attending the event outnumber the available seats. We do what we can to mitigate the problems associated with this effect--and we always welcome ideas about how to do just that--but we can't eliminate it entirely. Would that we could!
It's all well and good to say you want a 'scaled back' show, but with the increase in attendance it's really not happening anymore.
I'm not sure NDK has ever positioned itself as "scaled back"...
Yes getting more staff would increase the cost [...]
Ours is an all-volunteer staff, so cost isn't an issue when it comes to bringing on more staff members.
It feels like it's time for NDK to decide if its going to just be a 'home town convention*' or step up and be an Anime Convention**, cause right now its stuck in between.
Our options for growth are limited and unfortunately all of the options available to us have significant drawbacks of some sort. It's not an unwillingness to spend resources that has precluded us from exercising those options. Most of the drawbacks tend to be ancillary (mostly logistical) rather than economical, and the economical drawbacks often affect our attendees' budgets more than they affect the convention's budget.
If they want to stay home town that's fine, but they're going to have to cap it; on the other hand, if they want to step it up and make themselves an Anime Convention, they're going to have to look seriously at how they use their space and whether or not it's being done right.
Those two options aren't mutually exclusive. Many conventions larger than our own have attendance caps. And anyone running a convention would be unwise if they didn't consider all of their options and make an effort to utilize what they have to the best of their abilities.
**attracts out of state fans and con goers
The majority of our attendees are from Colorado, but we actually have quite a few people that come from out of state. We even have people fly in from other countries just to attend NDK. We may not be the largest con in the country, but we attract our fair share of non-locals.
Agreed, NDK seems to be in convention limbo. XD People say they're proud of it's "Small Home town feel" But at the same time, there's no way we can stay that way, unless we put a cap on attendance.
As I mentioned, this has already been done. It goes into effect for NDK 2011. This year's convention remains unrestricted, but our projections put us under that limit anyway.
Let's face it, NDK is growing more and more every year, and we WILL eventually outgrow our venue. It may not be 2011, or even 2012, but it will happen.
Our goal is to never reach a "breaking point" when it comes to the number of attendees at NDK. We have to balance giving as many people as possible the opportunity to attend NDK while not spoiling the experience because we have too many attendees.
WE LOVE IT, yet that doesn't mean it couldn't be so much more.
We're constantly trying to improve NDK for our attendees. We've got new stuff in store this year and we're already talking about how to improve NDK in future years. The last thing we want to do is remain stagnant. Stagnation is boring.
Of course, these things can't happen over night. Just because we say "We should have NDK in more than one hotel!" Doesn't mean the staff can just DO it. And NDK growing will also mean NDK having growing pains. More kinks and bumps along the road. That we as fans and lovers of this crazy shindig shall have to be patient with them as they're ironed out.
I appreciate this more than you know. We're not deaf to complaints and suggestions and we really do try. But sometimes the options available preclude us from being able to make something happen. Or maybe it just takes more time and effort to implement a plan than we can spare in one year's time (we're all volunteers, remember--we do this in our spare time). But if there's a problem, you can be sure we'll do everything in our power to address it. (Alas, not all problems are in our power to solve.)
And as far as the whole thing about a larger convention costing more? My belief is "You get what you pay for"
Indeed. But we're also cognizant of the fact that most of our attendees have limited amounts of disposable income--the majority of our attendees are college age or younger (nearly half are under 18). Raising our rates might preclude a significant number of those younger attendees from being able to purchase a badge and that's certainly not something we're interested in doing.
Most of our venue alternatives would require larger financial outlays from attendees, though. Not just in terms of badge costs--although those could rise, too, if we exercised certain options--but for things like more expensive hotel rooms (probably 1.5 to 2 times the cost), parking, food and drinks, etc. Some options could potentially result in doubling (possibly even tripling) the overall cost of attending NDK for the whole weekend. That's quite a large burden for us to ask our attendees to accept for the sake of growth.
