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?
There is a logistically intelligent reason to keep similar events in similar spaces. It took at good 15 minutes to walk from one end of the con to the other, would you have similar events on opposite ends and increase the amount of traffic flowing over the streets?
The issue isn't with people IN the events... the issue is that people want to mill about outside the events and see other people that they know. They will congregate and stagnate till the space becomes inconveniently congested. Then they will get on LJ and complain that spaces were congested.. :)
But it seems that, for the latter reason, it's reasonable to spread out events. If we have two events happening at the same time, both of which will gather large crowds congregators, why not give the congregators and event attendees as much space from each other as possible?
That would also reduce congestion caused by people hopping from one event to another. If two events are right next to each other, I might be tempted to bounce back and forth between both. If it takes me 15 minutes to walk to either one, I'm going to pick one and stick to it.
It took at good 15 minutes to walk from one end of the con to the other, would you have similar events on opposite ends and increase the amount of traffic flowing over the streets?
Reducing the major night events to two adjacent hotels could be a decent compromise. That extra traffic is probably going to be less of a hassle than being practically evacuated from the hotel.
It's the Con's call. They get to weigh which would cause the fewest problems. And the fact is, there's no perfect answer.
15 minutes? The only time it took me that long was when I was walking with my disabled partner who is on Canadian crutches. I was frequently bouncing back and forth between panels in the Hyatt and the dealer's room, and it was a pretty quick walk along the side streets - basically one city block.
If I'd attempted to make my way through the hotels it probably would have taken that long or longer, but my clone-batch didn't spawn no dummies so I didn't try it that way.
Yeah, actually, I think we were more spread out this year.
I'm sure it'll shock the first-timers, but the Hyatt crowds seemed significantly thinned down to me this year. The last couple of years, I sometimes felt like I could hardly move.
That said, I agree with he poster that there's a lack of balance. The Con should take advantage of the Marriott's improvements and move more night events over there.
And if the Hyatt would just keep all of their elevators in working order, that'd just be icing on the cake!
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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The issue isn't with people IN the events... the issue is that people want to mill about outside the events and see other people that they know. They will congregate and stagnate till the space becomes inconveniently congested. Then they will get on LJ and complain that spaces were congested.. :)
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That would also reduce congestion caused by people hopping from one event to another. If two events are right next to each other, I might be tempted to bounce back and forth between both. If it takes me 15 minutes to walk to either one, I'm going to pick one and stick to it.
Just a thought.
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Reducing the major night events to two adjacent hotels could be a decent compromise. That extra traffic is probably going to be less of a hassle than being practically evacuated from the hotel.
It's the Con's call. They get to weigh which would cause the fewest problems. And the fact is, there's no perfect answer.
Reply
If I'd attempted to make my way through the hotels it probably would have taken that long or longer, but my clone-batch didn't spawn no dummies so I didn't try it that way.
Reply
I'm sure it'll shock the first-timers, but the Hyatt crowds seemed significantly thinned down to me this year. The last couple of years, I sometimes felt like I could hardly move.
That said, I agree with he poster that there's a lack of balance. The Con should take advantage of the Marriott's improvements and move more night events over there.
And if the Hyatt would just keep all of their elevators in working order, that'd just be icing on the cake!
Reply
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