Panel line Armbands?

[Zakon]

I was listening to a podcast today, talking about the New York Comic Con, and I'm not sure if this was an idea that was actually implemented AT NY Comic Con, or someone speaking of another Con, but they mentioned lining up and receiving armbands for the panel, then being able to roam freely through the con.  Then, when the panel was starting, they could return and get in without any hassle.  Has this idea been given any thought?  I think it would be a fantastic idea for many reasons!

• If implemented with another idea (only being able to show up to receive a band up to an hour before the panel, and no later), it gives the Kan goers the chance to experience more of the Kan and not have to worry about planning a 3 hour campout just to get into a popular panel.
• It would definitely help with high traffic areas, such as outside of Artist's Alley for the main events.  Lines would definitely form, but they would (hopefully) be dispersed quickly as they receive their armbands in a timely manner.  Also, getting into the panel itself should become quick and painless.  Just walk in and flash your armband and your badge, and you're good to go.  To expand FURTHER, you could possibly set up a latecomers line for the few individuals who received armbands, but didn't show.
• By only handing out a set amount of bands, no one has to waste time at the back of the line, only to find that they aren't able to get in, which could help solve a lot of frustration.

Obviously, this is just a base idea, and could be changed to adapt any needs, but I just wanted to share, hopefully to start up a think tank of some sort!

So, what do you all think?

[Breanna]

sounds cool, but then you would need different colors for almost all the panels. You don't want someone who used a band to get into the AMV's to go and use it to get into a different panel with the same one. Unless they did a cutting when people got out or came in so that no one has one on by the end of the panel.

[Zakon]

sounds cool, but then you would need different colors for almost all the panels. You don't want someone who used a band to get into the AMV's to go and use it to get into a different panel with the same one. Unless they did a cutting when people got out or came in so that no one has one on by the end of the panel.

Indeed.  I was thinking a color code for each room, and the band gets snipped whenever you enter.

[M.Mouse]

well then if it was for every room people could cheat their way in they would have to do a different color for every different panel and NDK has way to many panels for that. Its a good idea but i would just have it for the major panels like the AMV and the Cosplay contest and panels that the staff knows will have a long wait and a long line

[Zakon]

well then if it was for every room people could cheat their way in they would have to do a different color for every different panel and NDK has way to many panels for that. Its a good idea but i would just have it for the major panels like the AMV and the Cosplay contest and panels that the staff knows will have a long wait and a long line

How about slapping an official NDK holographic sticker on each arm band, and then just returning them when you enter the panel?  This would greatly reduce the actual amount of armbands needed, and be fairly cheat-proof. 

Thoughts?

[M.Mouse]

Its a good idea but you have to think about prices and time. They dont have the time to put stickers on about 175,000 wristbands just a number but the attendance is over 9,000 and that would take up to much time. What they could do is like elitches and do VIP badges. It would cost a little extra for the con goer but NDK could make more money so more cool things could be done and people could get into the panels. And it could be just like a little sticker that they put on the badge instead of making separate badges. And you could have the choice wither or not to buy the VIP add on or not.

[Zakon]

*Edit* Read and replied to the wrong post.  It's late and I can't figure out how to delete a post in my phone.  I'll just reply tomorrow XD

[Sarge]

Its a good idea but you have to think about prices and time. They dont have the time to put stickers on about 175,000 wristbands just a number but the attendance is over 9,000

Just a small correction... the Attendance Cap, which has not been reached, is 7,500.

[M.Mouse]

Just a small correction... the Attendance Cap, which has not been reached, is 7,500.

I know i was just throwing out numbers lol but you get what i was getting at that is still a lot of time and most people would lose them and you would have to have extra and the 9,000 is what happens when you post with little sleep and just got done watch DBZ

[Zakon]

Hmm, allow me to clear up some confusion here.  I'm not sure where the 175k number is coming from, but they wouldn't need anywhere NEAR that many armbands.  As a very rough figure, I'm coming up with about 2.5-3k armbands total, and that is being very generous.  They wouldn't need to make enough armbands for every attendee to attend every panel.  They would simply make enough armbands for each room.  Example!

Let's say the Pike's Peak room has enough seating for 200 people.  They designate the room to the red coloring, and fashion up about 250-300 red armbands for the room (accounting for losing armbands and whatnot across the weekend), complete with a special holographic NDK sticker!  Then, as the panels start, people collect armbands up to an hour before the panel starts, then return them as they enter.  The armbands then get reused for the next panel in the same context.

To expand on a thought that occurred to me today, I'd like to state that this would probably not eliminate lines completely, as in order to get everyone into the panel in proper time, you'd probably have to line up about 15 minutes before hand.  I do, however, think a 15 minute line is a great trade-off from a multiple hour-long line.

[M.Mouse]

Hmm, allow me to clear up some confusion here.  I'm not sure where the 175k number is coming from, but they wouldn't need anywhere NEAR that many armbands. 

If you would read my other posts I state that I was just throwing random numbers around!!!!!

[Zakon]

I understand that.  I meant no offense!  :/  I just wanted to get some rather realistic numbers thrown in there.  It seemed that while your numbers were very random, the point you were trying to make was that the number of armbands would be excessively high.  My reply was just trying to shed some light on that issue.

Again, my apologies.

[The Ronin]

While this could help to alleviate some of the line woes, there are a few problems that it still presents.

First is personell. Staff is already spread a bit thin during the con trying to keep everything else under control, so we'd need volunteers to run the wristbands or whatever. I don't know the exact numbers, but I do know that we don't usually get enough volunteers to keep track of whatever system would be used. NYCC can afford to have people policing wristbands, because they pay the staff running the show. They don't use volunteer help, they just hire people to come work as needed. NDK is non-profit, and not a single one of us on staff gets paid a dime.

Second is panel jumpers. You suggested using reusable wristbands to keep costs down. How would you keep people from getting wristbands 3 panels ahead of the one they want to see, keeping others from getting in? If you issue enough wristbands for the room capacity, and ONLY allow that number in, you'll have unfilled panels and dissappointed congoers. I think that's worse than the lines by a mile.

Third is the cost. Wristbands aren't free. Adding more costs in one area usually means reducing something else. While Shima's numbers may have been a joke, she still has a point.

We've already determined that to reduce some confusion the lines will probably have markers taped to the floor.

Again, while the idea has merit, the logistics are a bit off. I can appreciate that people get tired of lines and waiting, but there really isn't much that can be done that's a better system.

[Zakon]

First is personell. Staff is already spread a bit thin during the con trying to keep everything else under control, so we'd need volunteers to run the wristbands or whatever.

To address this first, I was thinking that most of the personnel used to traffic the lines, especially through the busy intersections, could be used to hand out the arm bands instead.  I've never really counted how many are used, or if there is a solid number, but it seems that this idea, or ones like it, would drastically lower the amount of "Line-staffers" needed.

Second is panel jumpers. You suggested using reusable wristbands to keep costs down. How would you keep people from getting wristbands 3 panels ahead of the one they want to see, keeping others from getting in? If you issue enough wristbands for the room capacity, and ONLY allow that number in, you'll have unfilled panels and dissappointed congoers. I think that's worse than the lines by a mile.

Your first part is very valid, and something that I didn't think of at all.  I'll have to brainstorm an idea that would be both cost effective and not too difficult to implement.

The second part, however, I don't agree with.  Doesn't NDK do this already?  There are just long lines associated with it.  You can only allow so many into the room, anyhow, so anyone waiting at the farther end of the line gets turned away.  Pulling from one of my previous posts, an idea such as a "late-comers' line could form for only a few minutes after the panel starts.  The staff could see if there were any open seats (from people not showing up with armbands), and if so, allow people without armbands to join in.  Now, this is where your first problem of people waiting until later panels comes into play.  Again, I'll have to brainstorm on that.

Third is the cost. Wristbands aren't free. Adding more costs in one area usually means reducing something else. While Shima's numbers may have been a joke, she still has a point.

Indeed.  Cost is always an issue.  I can't sway the NDK staff one way or another on cost management, I'm sure.  But I think any idea should be considered, if it's feasible.

And again, I was NOT trying to dismiss Shima's post.  I was merely just trying to bring down the spectrum a tad.  While her point is valid, looking at a number such as 175k where the more relative number would be in the low thousands is very off-putting and confusing.

Thanks for the response!  ^_^

[mesona]

Arm bands do sound okay and would stop line jumpers but that's more lines plus people that skip the panel are now walking around with an armband we (con goers) had to pay for. And not to bring up some cosplayers are super picky and adding something not from their cosplay..

[The Ronin]

Your first part is very valid, and something that I didn't think of at all.  I'll have to brainstorm an idea that would be both cost effective and not too difficult to implement.

The second part, however, I don't agree with.  Doesn't NDK do this already?  There are just long lines associated with it.  You can only allow so many into the room, anyhow, so anyone waiting at the farther end of the line gets turned away.  Pulling from one of my previous posts, an idea such as a "late-comers' line could form for only a few minutes after the panel starts.  The staff could see if there were any open seats (from people not showing up with armbands), and if so, allow people without armbands to join in.  Now, this is where your first problem of people waiting until later panels comes into play.  Again, I'll have to brainstorm on that.

There's a difference between not being allowed into a full room Vs. not being allowed into a room with open seats. If you are at the back of a long line and don't make it in, it's your own fault for not getting there early enough. Of course staff could allow unfilled seats to be filled after those with armbands were collected, but then what happens when someone shows up late with an armband? Do you throw out the people that waited in line for extra seats? You're going to piss someone off either way. A line keeps it fair for the most part.

Another thing to keep in mind is that different panels have different space requirements. One panel may just need enough room for the presenter and the screen, but others require clearing chairs for presentation area. If you hand out 50 wristbands an hour before for a panel that only has room for 30 attendees, it's not going to be pretty.

[Rippy The Nekomatta]

I agree with The Ronin, some conventions i have heard you have to pay extra for a panel, if that were the case, I would out right REFUSE to pay extra for an armband to just attend the panels. It isn't fair to the person running the panel or the people standing in line.  If armbands are instituted, I would quit going to the con because it would just not be fun anymore.

[Zakon]

There's a difference between not being allowed into a full room Vs. not being allowed into a room with open seats. If you are at the back of a long line and don't make it in, it's your own fault for not getting there early enough. Of course staff could allow unfilled seats to be filled after those with armbands were collected, but then what happens when someone shows up late with an armband? Do you throw out the people that waited in line for extra seats? You're going to piss someone off either way. A line keeps it fair for the most part.

I agree, people just showing up last minute and not getting in, that's their fault.  But it is always unfortunate having two panels back to back that you REALLY would like to attend, but have no chance to.  Granted, my solution isn't any better for the most part, but it still offers a chance.  As far as throwing someone out, that wouldn't be my place to decide.  If a "late-comers" line were implemented, then those who showed up afterwards (which at this point, would be about 10-15 minutes late anyway) would just be out of luck.  These are valid holes in the system, and worth looking into.

Another thing to keep in mind is that different panels have different space requirements. One panel may just need enough room for the presenter and the screen, but others require clearing chairs for presentation area. If you hand out 50 wristbands an hour before for a panel that only has room for 30 attendees, it's not going to be pretty.

Erm...I would assume that...uh...those handing out the armbands would be aware of the seating arrangements...just as they are now.  I don't see why this would change?

I agree with The Ronin, some conventions i have heard you have to pay extra for a panel, if that were the case, I would out right REFUSE to pay extra for an armband to just attend the panels. It isn't fair to the person running the panel or the people standing in line.

Hmm, I'm not sure where the "paying extra to get into a panel" idea came about, but I'll clarify that isn't the purpose of the armband idea.

If armbands are instituted, I would quit going to the con because it would just not be fun anymore.

Uh...a little extreme, don't you think?  O_o

[The Ronin]

I agree, people just showing up last minute and not getting in, that's their fault.  But it is always unfortunate having two panels back to back that you REALLY would like to attend, but have no chance to

What if your first panel runs over? Or is across the building during the busy part of Saturday? Sadly there's no way to make it so that everyone can go to every panel that they want to.

Erm...I would assume that...uh...those handing out the armbands would be aware of the seating arrangements...just as they are now.  I don't see why this would change?

They kinda know, but not always. Occasionally panelists aren't fully aware of how much space they're going to take up until they start.

Uh...a little extreme, don't you think?  O_o

That's just Rippy. She finds some reason to threaten to not come every year.

[/quote]

[Rippy The Nekomatta]

Zakon, actually, it is true, I would think about not coming because that would mean paying for the panels, that isn't fair to anyone. Personally, I would rather all panels remain free for all. Its an equality for all thing, everything HAS to be equal