Discussion > NDK Discussion

Comments, Compliments, and Concerns for NDK 2011

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LadySarabi:
We here at NDK are always looking to improve the convention, as such we would love to hear your comments on how to improve, or what you loved about the convention right here on the forums.

Good, bad, ugly we want to hear them all. Please note replies to comments will be civil, no one on staff will be upset with you for your comments, and as such no other attendee replies should be rude or otherwise offputting. Any and all overly argumentative replies will be deleted. Also all other topics regarding feedback will be merged with this thread.

Some more tips for this thread.

Constructive criticism helps us to improve much more. If you didn't like something, please offer a suggestion to improve.
If you have a specific issue with a staff member or a volunteer, remember that we are all wearing badges. Please feel free to ask for a badge if needs be.
Any con specific hotel issues please feel free to bring up here in this thread; however, if you have very specific hotel issues, such as room issues, please address them with the hotel.

This thread will be unlocked at the conclusion of NDK 2011.

Thank you so much everyone for attending and for your feedback!

Shrek2:
I had a lot of fun at NDK 2011, but unfortunately the hotel was too crowded and lessened the experience. I was unable to get into panels I wanted unless I waited an hour to an hour and a half in line. This is the first year I had to wait in line for the dealers room and the length of the rave's line was pure ridiculousness. I couldn't walk as freely and I was annoyed by how many staff members had to yell at me or order me around to just clear an area. Either the cap on the con has to be lowered or maybe the con could be expanded to the Hilton across the street. You could move the video game rooms or movie or anime showings or artist alley to the Hilton to make room and thin the crowds. Everyone pushing to get to the panels they wanted to go to dampens the con experience and makes people irritated.

I enjoyed the convention, but this year was by far the least enjoyable. The panels and content were just as good as always, but the place was overcrowded and turned one of the fun parts of the convention, stopping to take pictures and enjoys others cosplay, into a nightmare.

Hope this is taken into consideration while planning for NDK 2012

AuroraDreamer:
I love attending NDK, but this year left me with a bitter attitude. I still had fun, but this years con was on my least favorite list of cons I have been to.

 :)Pros:
+++People helping with Elevators
+Panel options

 :(Cons:
-Long lines
-Long Wait Times
-Lack of space
-lack of any line organization
--------- Really Rude Staff! (Some were pleasant.)

Comments/Ideas:


* I have volunteered for conventions in CA. I realize it is frustrating towards the end of the con to actually want to be friendly and kind, but when you act like that the first day that is saying something. I have never been so offended by con staff before. They made me feel like I was a pointless person and was expendable as an attendee :'(. After talking in lines with people too, I wasn't the only one.  I would recommend maybe doing training with your staff more in being friendly and hospitable.
* The next idea would be to tape lines for each panel room. At Fanime in San Jose, we used this technique to help lines organized and fair to everyone. Basically use blue scotch tape and create a maze of tape that helps people get in lines. It is easy to manage and if you have just maybe 1-2 staff depending on size of event, you are all set. Kind of like what you did for pre-reg, but more compact. Sometimes it annoys con-goers, but it is less frustrating then waiting in a line for a hour to be cut and not able to get in your panel due to lack of organized lines.
* Honestly I feel the venue is still too small, but there is not much anyone can do about that. The cap was a good idea, but I feel the con was still too huge for what was provided.
* I really loved how many panels you had available. :D I really enjoyed the Death Note Mafia, Wigs 101, Sewing 101, and Traveling to Japan for Less. They were fun and enjoyable. Also the plastic/paper model room was amazing! Staff in there was fun, friendly, helpful, and honestly enjoyed being in that panel. You guys were all amazing :)
* Also there is an app called "guidebook" that I would recommend checking out for making next years schedule. SacAnime used it and it was very convenient. Less paper and any smartphone/Tablet/app thing can check whats going on from where ever they want. I had no issues with schedules just thought you might want to check it out.  ;D
I really hope that you guys can fix some of the issues that happened this year to make next year's awesome.

ohki85:
Someone I know suggested that maybe we have lines start outside so they don't take up needed space in the halls.  They do this at Anime Expo and it is a lot hotter in Los Angeles around July 4th.  Then we can have someone with water manning the line to make sure nobody gets dehydrated.  Also as the line starts to move you let a few people into the building at a time.  I feel this may help reduce congestion in the halls.  There are plenty of doors and space outside the building that can help us use our space more effectively.

Ideas for line start locations:

Door near the Tower Elevators/VGR: This entrance is used less and there is a long sidewalk to wrap the line around on.  This line starting point would be great for the dealers room.

Door near registration: Use this area for the registration line.  You can wrap the line on the grassy area and along the building.

Door near Main Events:  Use this area for the huge lines for the AMV's and Costume Contest.  You can have them start inside and then wrap to the outside.

I did have a great year at NDK 2011 and I want to thank the Staff as well.  I appreciate all your hard work.

Thank You  ;D

luftwaffel:
The Art Auction was not on the schedule. I bid on a few things in the art auction and was not aware that the auction was at noon on Sunday. I thought it was the same as the Charity Auction (4pm on Sunday) and missed out. The items sold for much lower than they would have had this been more clear.

ETA a response to Kumiko Miyazaki:

Moving lines to outside wouldn't work if it were to rain. It would require (already limited) staff to be there during the hour+ of line gathering to pass out water. Also, the outside is for photo shoots.

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