Keep in mind that until a couple years ago, the Hilton wasn't even included in event space. Secondly, while the Marriott was active during the day, at night all bodies were in the Hyatt. Parties were in the Hyatt, the happening bar was in the Hyatt and all the nighttime events were in the Hyatt.
It's not rocket science to understand why it was overcrowded. I'm not quite sure why everyone seem to think it has to do with incompetence.
There WERE nighttime events in other hotels. But the major event space remains at the Hyatt, so the concerts, dances, etc, occur in the Hyatt. There was a time when ALL nightlife was in the Hyatt. This year, there was a notable and significant crowd drinking at the new Marriott bar. I suspect the people will spread themselves more evenly next year, since I heard of good times in both hotels. Regardless, I can't help but think that the need to find blame for how the tide of humanity ebbed and flowed seems futile.
What I'm suggesting is that perhaps there is a way to even out the major events among all three hotels. If it's logistically possible, I mean. Maybe the other hotels don't have large enough ballroom type accomodations?
It seems like the Hyatt is being organized as the "main" hotel. I noticed that as you moved towards the Hilton, the crowds decreased. Some of the panels and events at the Hilton were crowded, but, in my experience, the Hilton lobby was always clear.
Frustrating on the brink of violence, as usual. ;)
There was one guy at the second-floor elevators who was so angry that I was too nervous to wait on that floor. My fiends and I climbed up one level to wait.... then a few more for the heck of it. We finally caught an elevator going down (since, of course, it would eventually go up) and there was a group of people having an "disco-elevator party" that involved singing, taunting people who couldn't get on, and pushing all of the buttons (that part stopped when my husband planted himself in front of the buttons). As we stopped at the second floor, I was seriously worried that guy would get on and we'd be caught in some sort of cross-fire!
Long reply in the wee hourstasharowanSeptember 6 2007, 05:37:32 UTC
The problem is a rather complicated one. One aspect is space. However there are also: the panels, con staff, hotel staff, hotel construction, and old habits
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Re: Long reply in the wee hoursazuresorrowSeptember 6 2007, 06:24:40 UTC
I see. Very insightful. One solution, then, might be to actually allocate some of the con's revenue to paid staffing. This might raise the ticket costs somewhat, but considering attendance was like 50K+ this year, And next year - if the con continues growing - may be even higher, even two extra bucks a ticket means a significant amount of $$ (like $100,000 to be exact) that can be allocated to a staffing budget.
Now, I don't think I insinuated placing any blame or anything negative towards the hotel staff; I'm sorry if I misinterpret your comment.
I have to agree with the issue of overcrowding being a problem. I've been going to Dcon since before it was at the Hyatt and every year after. This is a more recent issue. I think its appalling that one can be forced to stand outside of the hotel waiting till the crowds thin in order to get to their paid rooms. The con has grown so has the space. It started in 99 with just the Hyatt. This lasted for a few years. Growth occurred and more space was needed. Hence the Marriott coming into the play and more growth (plus construction) and voila enter an old friend of DCON the Hilton. I look at it as an issue that has to be rectified.
My first con there was no hotel. The con was in the Apparel Mart, Convention Center and another building. We all survived. Moving a couple of concerts or big events to other hotels would not be a bad thing.
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It's not rocket science to understand why it was overcrowded. I'm not quite sure why everyone seem to think it has to do with incompetence.
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I think part of the problem was having all the huge panels happen at the Hyatt... I think that's why the crowds were bad there...
The Hilton didn't have that much and didn't seem crowded beyond in the dealer's room
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Haven't been to D*Con in years - can see that nothing's changed.
Heh. How was the wait for those elevators?
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There was one guy at the second-floor elevators who was so angry that I was too nervous to wait on that floor. My fiends and I climbed up one level to wait.... then a few more for the heck of it. We finally caught an elevator going down (since, of course, it would eventually go up) and there was a group of people having an "disco-elevator party" that involved singing, taunting people who couldn't get on, and pushing all of the buttons (that part stopped when my husband planted himself in front of the buttons). As we stopped at the second floor, I was seriously worried that guy would get on and we'd be caught in some sort of cross-fire!
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One solution, then, might be to actually allocate some of the con's revenue to paid staffing. This might raise the ticket costs somewhat, but considering attendance was like 50K+ this year, And next year - if the con continues growing - may be even higher, even two extra bucks a ticket means a significant amount of $$ (like $100,000 to be exact) that can be allocated to a staffing budget.
Now, I don't think I insinuated placing any blame or anything negative towards the hotel staff; I'm sorry if I misinterpret your comment.
Reply
My first con there was no hotel. The con was in the Apparel Mart, Convention Center and another building. We all survived. Moving a couple of concerts or big events to other hotels would not be a bad thing.
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