FC 2014
Just some rants about some stuff that I have been seeing here at Further Confusion (2014 - but also in previous years).
Please be aware that all of these are my own opinion and in no way reflects the thoughts, ideas, or stnace of the con itself, or any of it's current or previous staff.
First off the first thing that I have seen (or at least the most recent that prompeted me to post this), was the 'rules' of the elevators here in the Marriott hotel. Someone had told the elevator 'minions' that there was a limit of two suiters and two people, or six people allowed on the elevators at any time. Even though the elevators are rated by the city at 3,500 lbs (which would be twelve 250lbs furries). They made this 'rule' without asking the people that actually operate the elevators (the owners of said elevators, nor anyone that has actually worked on, or been involved with such a mechanical device. They based their judgement on the fact that the elevators 'where they used to work' would not handle much more than the 'rule' that they had put into place. Also, just to note, the 'ratings' on the license posted in each elevator is rated 10 to 20% lower than the engineering and manufacturing specifications, for safety.
There is also the fact that those who are the 'elevator minions', were not in any way trained in the use of said elevators. They think that the 'buzzing' of the elevator means that it is over loaded. It, in fact, means that the doors have been open beyond a specific time limit. I had one 'minion' grab me and pull me out of the elevator, because it was 'overloaded', even though there was only four of us on said elevator at the time.
There have been many opportunities for those 'in charge' to ask for opinions from those of us that have been doing conventions for a number of years, and when suggestions were made to them, they refused to even entertain the suggestions that were made. Even when the offer of 'consulting' was offered, those offers were, in some cases, outright refused, even to the point of being rude in the rejection of assistance.
Now, I will give you a bit of background about me. I have been working conventions of varying types for seventeen years. And for a number of years, multiple conventions each year (up to 5 a year).
I have offered my consultant services to the convention, to give them the years of experience that I have, and the things that I have seen. But those that are in power, are there because they have conned or manipulated their way into that position, and only want to have the feeling of power over others. Although they have no clue as to what they are doing. Another thing is that no one wants to 'rock the boat'... i.e. "This is how we have always done it"... and it can never be changed.
I will also say that I am of a split mind about attending FC2015. Mostly because of who the chairman is. I know him on somewhat of a personal level, and know his background (as most of you do)... (And, no I am not going to get into specifics or directly mention who this person is, but with a bit of research, you can probably figure out who it is.)
Mostly, I guess I could sum this up with the fact that one of the cons that I love, deeply, and have given blood, sweat and tears to (and I do mean that literally all three), has devolved into something that I don't know will last much longer. They are driving it into the ground. We have lost a number of WONDERFUL and TALLENTED people because of some in the upper levels not appreciating what their staff and others have given to the con, and basically pissed them off to the point that they just don't want to do what they love to do anymore. There are a number of people that would love to come back and do what they love to do. Most of those people started doing stuff with and for the con, simply because they love to do it and wanted to give back to the community. Most of us have given the blood, sweat, and tears... not to mention paid for a lot of the materials and stuff out of their own pocket... Not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
Please be aware that all of these are my own opinion and in no way reflects the thoughts, ideas, or stnace of the con itself, or any of it's current or previous staff.
First off the first thing that I have seen (or at least the most recent that prompeted me to post this), was the 'rules' of the elevators here in the Marriott hotel. Someone had told the elevator 'minions' that there was a limit of two suiters and two people, or six people allowed on the elevators at any time. Even though the elevators are rated by the city at 3,500 lbs (which would be twelve 250lbs furries). They made this 'rule' without asking the people that actually operate the elevators (the owners of said elevators, nor anyone that has actually worked on, or been involved with such a mechanical device. They based their judgement on the fact that the elevators 'where they used to work' would not handle much more than the 'rule' that they had put into place. Also, just to note, the 'ratings' on the license posted in each elevator is rated 10 to 20% lower than the engineering and manufacturing specifications, for safety.
There is also the fact that those who are the 'elevator minions', were not in any way trained in the use of said elevators. They think that the 'buzzing' of the elevator means that it is over loaded. It, in fact, means that the doors have been open beyond a specific time limit. I had one 'minion' grab me and pull me out of the elevator, because it was 'overloaded', even though there was only four of us on said elevator at the time.
There have been many opportunities for those 'in charge' to ask for opinions from those of us that have been doing conventions for a number of years, and when suggestions were made to them, they refused to even entertain the suggestions that were made. Even when the offer of 'consulting' was offered, those offers were, in some cases, outright refused, even to the point of being rude in the rejection of assistance.
Now, I will give you a bit of background about me. I have been working conventions of varying types for seventeen years. And for a number of years, multiple conventions each year (up to 5 a year).
I have offered my consultant services to the convention, to give them the years of experience that I have, and the things that I have seen. But those that are in power, are there because they have conned or manipulated their way into that position, and only want to have the feeling of power over others. Although they have no clue as to what they are doing. Another thing is that no one wants to 'rock the boat'... i.e. "This is how we have always done it"... and it can never be changed.
I will also say that I am of a split mind about attending FC2015. Mostly because of who the chairman is. I know him on somewhat of a personal level, and know his background (as most of you do)... (And, no I am not going to get into specifics or directly mention who this person is, but with a bit of research, you can probably figure out who it is.)
Mostly, I guess I could sum this up with the fact that one of the cons that I love, deeply, and have given blood, sweat and tears to (and I do mean that literally all three), has devolved into something that I don't know will last much longer. They are driving it into the ground. We have lost a number of WONDERFUL and TALLENTED people because of some in the upper levels not appreciating what their staff and others have given to the con, and basically pissed them off to the point that they just don't want to do what they love to do anymore. There are a number of people that would love to come back and do what they love to do. Most of those people started doing stuff with and for the con, simply because they love to do it and wanted to give back to the community. Most of us have given the blood, sweat, and tears... not to mention paid for a lot of the materials and stuff out of their own pocket... Not because they had to, but because they wanted to.