I'm one of the people who bought a ticket at the beginning of the year. A few of my favourite authors are going. But, one I really wanted to see had to back out (due to personal reasons not connected to the convention). I was happy that a few more of my favourites were still attending.
I was unable to book into the official hotel but got a good rate from one a few streets away. Travel was a problem, mainly due to the travel industry penalizing everyone during half-term, even if you never had a child (train fare for 2 last year was just under £50 and I am paying over £70 for just me!). It would have been nice if the con planners took this into consideration.
But, now that I have seen various issues (that you highlighted), I started regretting wanting to go. It's too late to back out without losing a few hundred pounds, so I will still go, attend the bits I want to attend and have fun with the people I know who are going. This may mean room parties or just hanging out.
I went to the last 2 Fantasycons and there weren't any of the
( ... )
There is a particular individual who seems to be being held responsible for a lot of this, but I'm not close enough to know whether that's the case or not.
To be honest, it doesn't matter where it's coming from. It needs to stop.
I looked at the website and there is no committee member listing, just one for those attending. But, on a site with info for all the past WFCs, there are people listed. One of the people listed is someone I know who is level headed and a good person. I don't know anything about the 2nd, but the 3rd person I've heard both good and bad, but I kind of don't think they would be responsible some of the problems happening-I could be wrong.
Like the £75 replacement fee. I don't remember this being part of the Fantasycons I have attended in the past (I've been to 4), and I certainly would have remembered that!
The hotel in Brighton for the last 2 Fantasycons had no disabled issues that I heard of. How hard is it to have registration in the lobby (or nearby) where it's accessible for all? I should think that if a hotel is hosting such a large convention, they would have thought of this (being an older building is no excuse-I saw the photos of the convention spaces and they are modern). *sigh*
The Worldcon exhibits team spent Saturday in the first of three meetings to make sure that the Exhibits hall plans are both accessible and comfortable for those with mobility, and other issues.
Just wanted to answer your question about how committees work for WFC (I was on the Con Com for WFC 2012)
The Con Com is different for each WFC (sometimes with a member or two overlap, but not in organizational positions, except with years in between)
A preliminary Con Com is formed and then makes a bid to the WFC Board, which then grants the city the convention based on its APPARENT preparedness and willingness to run a convention that adheres to the spirit of WFC.
So, in short, all the World organizers are different from each other.
But, is the £75 for a replacement pass a WFC requirement? I've only attended one previous to this (1994) and don't remember if it was a part of the info or not. And, it wasn't an issue at any Fantasycons I've been to in the past.
I am happy for WFC to not be a media con with film/television celebrities and people in costume (I attended 2 SFX Weekenders so know what that entails) but am confused by the lack of recognition of graphic novels/art and the ability for dealers to sell those items. If, for example, Neil Gaiman was a GoH, it would suck to not be able to buy an Absolute Sandman to get it signed.
Looking at the committee members on the link, I have to say that I have met/talked to 4 of those people and find it odd that they would agree to the problem issues (£75 replacement badges, way of selecting people to be on panels, lack of evening disco/raffle, etc.) people are discussing about WFC13.
I am not attempting to attribute individual blame for these problems, and I would rather you didn't either. Not here, anyway. The point is that the convention as a whole is a disgrace to the UK scene, and there is a set of people who are all, collectively, responsible for that.
I was unable to book into the official hotel but got a good rate from one a few streets away. Travel was a problem, mainly due to the travel industry penalizing everyone during half-term, even if you never had a child (train fare for 2 last year was just under £50 and I am paying over £70 for just me!). It would have been nice if the con planners took this into consideration.
But, now that I have seen various issues (that you highlighted), I started regretting wanting to go. It's too late to back out without losing a few hundred pounds, so I will still go, attend the bits I want to attend and have fun with the people I know who are going. This may mean room parties or just hanging out.
I went to the last 2 Fantasycons and there weren't any of the ( ... )
Reply
To be honest, it doesn't matter where it's coming from. It needs to stop.
Reply
Like the £75 replacement fee. I don't remember this being part of the Fantasycons I have attended in the past (I've been to 4), and I certainly would have remembered that!
The hotel in Brighton for the last 2 Fantasycons had no disabled issues that I heard of. How hard is it to have registration in the lobby (or nearby) where it's accessible for all? I should think that if a hotel is hosting such a large convention, they would have thought of this (being an older building is no excuse-I saw the photos of the convention spaces and they are modern).
*sigh*
Reply
None of them are involved in Worldcon
The Worldcon exhibits team spent Saturday in the first of three meetings to make sure that the Exhibits hall plans are both accessible and comfortable for those with mobility, and other issues.
Reply
Just wanted to answer your question about how committees work for WFC (I was on the Con Com for WFC 2012)
The Con Com is different for each WFC (sometimes with a member or two overlap, but not in organizational positions, except with years in between)
A preliminary Con Com is formed and then makes a bid to the WFC Board, which then grants the city the convention based on its APPARENT preparedness and willingness to run a convention that adheres to the spirit of WFC.
So, in short, all the World organizers are different from each other.
And the committee for WFC 2013 can be found here - http://wfc2013.org/committee01.html
Hope this clears some things up!
Reply
I am happy for WFC to not be a media con with film/television celebrities and people in costume (I attended 2 SFX Weekenders so know what that entails) but am confused by the lack of recognition of graphic novels/art and the ability for dealers to sell those items. If, for example, Neil Gaiman was a GoH, it would suck to not be able to buy an Absolute Sandman to get it signed.
Looking at the committee members on the link, I have to say that I have met/talked to 4 of those people and find it odd that they would agree to the problem issues (£75 replacement badges, way of selecting people to be on panels, lack of evening disco/raffle, etc.) people are discussing about WFC13.
Reply
Reply
No getting away from it, I'm afraid.
Reply
Leave a comment