General Feedback

Hey folks, we're looking for some general feedback about the 2010 show. What did you like? What didn't you like? Any comments or suggestions for next year?

Some specific questions we'd like to hear your input on:

1. Were volunteers and staff helpful? Did you have any issues?

2. How was registration?

3. Price-wise, did you feel like the show was on the money?

4. How did you like the space and layout of the con?

5. What were your favourite events, panels, and screenings?

We'd like to hear both what's on this list, and just about anything you guys can throw our way. Let us know, so we can make our show that much better next year!

2. How was registration?

It went well. No visible hiccups.

3. Price-wise, did you feel like the show was on the money?

Yes. I thought it was a reasonable price for a 2 day convention of this size.

4. How did you like the space and layout of the con?

I loved the location of the convention! It's close enough to the GO train station and within walking distance to a number of restaurants.

5. What were your favourite events, panels, and screenings?

Even though I was checking the room every now and then, I liked how there were old-school titles being shown in the video room. I'd love for this to happen again next year.

Live Action Mario Party was also amusing to participate in.


My only issues were:

The Para Para panel ended an hour and 15 minutes early. The Panelists said they wanted to beat the traffic going back down to the US and wanted to get back before the exchange rate changed significantly.

The dance closed early due to noise complaints.

Need to be more efficient in getting water for the dance ready.


Hopes for next year:

Gaming Room would be available for both days instead of just the Sunday.

A dealer for anime DVDs, manga, Game/Anime Soundtracks.


Suggestion:

Since I saw one of the dealers selling their old DVDs and games, I was thinking if it would be a good idea to arrange a swap meet or flea market.

1. Were volunteers and staff helpful? Did you have any issues?
Everyone was super nice, but we didn't really ask them much, maybe which panel was next or something lol

2. How was registration?
It was quick and easy. We came saturday morning around 10, and already they were surprised at how many were already there.

3. Price-wise, did you feel like the show was on the money?
I thought it was a pretty good price, I don't think I'd of paid more though.

4. How did you like the space and layout of the con?
The hotel was really nice, and I loved the inside balcony's. It was cool to be able to stand out there and be sort of still apart of the con if you didn't feel like hanging out down stairs. The pool was a little open though haha. But as for the actual con it was nice, though I wished there were more dealers with a larger variety. The panel rooms were alright too.  It was clean.

5. What were your favourite events, panels, and screenings?

My favourite events panels or screenings…hm…well the dance was fun except for my terrible dancing skills but you can't really help that lol We went to Con horror stories which was pretty amusing, it kind of makes me nervous about cosplaying Sailor Jupiter next month haha But its a fun insight on how things could turn out. We also went to AMV 101's for a bit which was interesting. Maybe there could possibly be more screening panels of different animes. I liked the games room too, it was pretty fun. We went to the skit panel too which was pretty fun. I give total respect to those who can stand up infront of people and do that kind of stuff because I totally couldn't lol


Other than that, and correct me if I'm wrong but you guys advertised about being open pretty much 24 hour but I heard that everything shut down around 3 30 or sometime during the night (I was asleep because I love sleep =D~) and it kind of left the people who didn't want to go to bed stuck doing nothing. Now I'm sure there were reasons for that having to happen but possibly for next year things could be sorted out with the hotel management so that things arent shut down (Thats going on assumption it was shut down because of them) or just not advertise it 's a 24 hr con. Because I think it just disappointed a lot of people.

And I have to agree with the water thing, I went out maybe twice and there was no water, or fresh glasses.

Other than all that it was really fun, it was a fun get a way for the weekend to be around some pretty awesome people. I also got some sweet kitty ears which I'm happy with n__n They're super cute~

With regards to the 24 hour issue, I do have to apologise for things there. Yes, noise became an issue with the hotel, but it was also our inexperience which caused things to shut down a bit early. We had some trouble with a couple of rowdy late-nighters which tired out a few staff members. Owing to the fact we've never had to deal with such a situation before, it was a bit difficult on us. I do apologise for that, and next year we will be far more prepared.

As for the ticket, we're committed in policy to never raising the ticket price unless actual inflation dictates that we must. $25 is, I think, a fair price for such an event across the board, and any special guests or tournaments will always have a slot ticket added, which attendees can pay if they want to, rather than having it be mandatory.

Dealers we'll be working on. As you well know, space is limited for us, but we're going to work hard to put in more variety for next year. At the very least, we'll be looking into utilising our hallways and other space for merchants and artists to work with.

With regards to the ParaPara Panel, it was because of a scheduling issue. Ordinarily they would have stayed, but because their ride back was leaving, the good folks at LAMP had to hightail it. Apologies again, we've already slotted that one in for double-checking at next year's show.

Water was a definite issue; I'm sure the hotel staff will be prepared next year. I think this is the first time they've had such an event run at their hotel, and keeping up with demand is, of course, a learning process.

Gaming room will probably be two days next year. We've yet to hold a meeting on the matter, but I think quite a few of us are on with that idea.

The swap meet or flea market is a great idea! We'll take it into consideration. Might be only an hour or two, but it could work out really, really well.

Thanks both of you. Looking forward to hearing more!

Shiyoku - I'm happy you found con horror stories amusing, I've run that panel twice now and it still amuses me =) Don't be afraid to cosplay Sailor Jupiter!! It took me YEARS before I had a really bad horror story (aka the "Let me tell you about my fan fic" one) and I did some pretty scandelous cosplays in those years. But yay =)

If anyone has any feedback on the Masquerade, I'd LOVE to hear it!! Email me at masquerade@conbravo.com <3!

1. Were volunteers and staff helpful? Did you have any issues?
They were good. Pretty friendly, no complaints.

2. How was registration?
It was okay. They got kind of confused when I asked them if the dance was part of the Saturday pass (Since it goes past 12) but it turned out okay.

3. Price-wise, did you feel like the show was on the money?
Can't complain too much about the price since we were from Tillsonburg and it was a long trip there. We only stayed for Saturday so it was 15$ the day for us, my little brother wanted to stay for the gaming but we other plans that Sunday.

4. How did you like the space and layout of the con?
I like the hotel, and the parking was great once I found out they weren't going to tow away my car. We initially had trouble finding where the panels and screening room were. We eventually found it with the help of the big map near the entrance. Yes though, more water, we brought our own food and drinks so it wasn't that big of a deal but we still went to subway because my girlfriend is a picky eater.

5. What were your favourite events, panels, and screenings?
I didn't go to any screening except I popped in and out of one of two, I forget the name, the one about the police and not being human, it got a little strange for me. My girlfriend watched a couple screening and she liked them. The panels were average, I know they were all trying and such, but it seem ... well ... amateurish. I was soo disappointed in the panels, that I thought I could do a better job paneling myself so I waited in the AMV 101 panel and the panelist didn't show up so I took over and became a panelist myself. Since it was not planned or anything, I think I did an excellent job. I had to use my own laptop to project the AMVs and bug my two volunteer helpers to get the password for the wireless network for the hotel.

What makes cons the best, is of course the people and there was a lot of cool and nice people which came to the event. I found at times that there was really nothing to do except sit down with strangers and talk to them. By the end of the night, it felt pretty worth while.

Some suggestions though:
Bigger Artist Alley, and more Dealers
Music, there should dancing on the street or a place to listen to JPOP during the day other than the dance
Get the audience involved more with events. I saw this worked great with Mario Party but with events like the dating game, I felt the volunteers were kinda dragging the show. With small cons, people gotta create their own fun.
Use the parking area for something, anything, use the outside areas for something.
Have a freeplay video game area on Saturday and Sunday
Music in the lunge area or something happening there all the time (a ddr machine perhaps, or a guncon game machine)
Use the pool?

Really, I'm not surprised the dance was reigned in. It was way too loud for a hotel (thankfully most of the dudes in the hotel were there for the con). But there were times when only seven or eight people were dancing while the music could be heard almost all the way to the staff room. And the music left a bit to be desired - is it me, or was 10 minutes spent on a remix of baby got back?

Gaming room was great, if i ever got bored on sunday, I can go over and play some mario, no sweat.

My poorly defined comic book panel was on the schedule but didn't get a description so nobody showed up and that is suck. myt transformers panel did however get a few attendees so I am allowed to live until next year.
Seriously, for being a comics/anime/gaming convention, the "comics" element was just barely represented - but in fairness, comic book dudes don't play the convention experience like anime fans.

Honestly I'm really amazed with how well it did turn out. And next year should be exponentially better because there's some claim to being establish which should be a better draw for guests. (Since, you know, not everybody cares about getting on the ground floor like I do).
I was afraid it would be just a ton of first year art students trying to sell their artworks and a few guests wandering about.

Lord Zedd   Really wish the convention was bigger so more people could appreciate his coming. I went to both of his events and he was very good at hosting them, but I really had to wrack my brain to think up good questions to ask him. I want to know how of all the voice actors in the world, he was picked, I mean everybody knows that Zedd was awesome but it's just slightly out of left field.

What do I do with a leftover poorly made Z-staff?

I said she needed to give me more space, but now Connie Bravo isn't returning my calls.
Anybody wanna buy my mint-on-card signed Lord Zedd figure? Since... I have a spare.

Oh, and I dunno 'bout you guys, but I don't think the hotel was really on the ball regarded refilling the water cups.

Oh, and I dunno 'bout you guys, but I don't think the hotel was really on the ball regarded refilling the water cups.

There's been a few comments on the water issue.