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Sogen Con

News: SOGEN CON VIII
Into the Future
July 20-22, 2012

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Topic: Feedback Panel Notes  (Read 1141 times)

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Offline James

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Feedback Panel Notes
« on: July 29, 2010, 02:52:01 PM »
I thought it might be helpful to go over the notes taken during the 2010 Feedback panel.

The following things were requested by thoughtful attendees:

  1 ] Screening Room Schedules, printed or made available in portable format
  2 ] More activities requiring physical interaction, in addition to the LARP, dance, 4-Square, Combat for Cosplay, and DDR/rockband gaming.
  3 ] Better projectors, as the viewing room displays were dark.
  4 ] Listings for anime clubs that may be local to the attendees and event.
  5 ] Bands, or other musical events, in addition to the dance and karaoke.
  6 ] More guests, especially voice actors.
  7 ] That notice of possible absences be given as early as possible.
  8 ] Clear panel outlines to ensure the quality of fan and staff panels
  9 ] Game shows with educated participants and presenters.
10 ] That staff preview and review future MSTA3K films for (1) Appropriateness, and (2) better ratio of pain vs. hilarity
11 ] That it be made clear if viewers of MSTA3K are allowed to join in.
12 ] More intensive guide organization and proofreading.
13 ] That the schedule be available in an online format, compatible with portable devices.
14 ] More screening "hosted" by guests.
15 ] Advance notice of these "hosted" screenings, so that attendees could familiarize themselves with the show(s).
16 ] The possibility of moving con to a later weekend.
17 ] Illuminated clocks
18 ] Some way to identify Volunteers for the benefit of staff and attendees
19 ] That Sogen remain a "dry" Con, free of open alcohol.
20 ] That the concession stand keep more reasonable hours and prices.
21 ] illuminated clocks in con rooms, for the benefit of panel timeliness.
22 ] An art show
23 ] Name and or number on badges.

These are the specific things mentioned during the panel, which attendees felt Sogen had done well:
[ + ] Video Game room was well-stocked and set up.
[ + ] Viewing Rooms were timely, and ran smoothly.
[ + ] Schedule Boards were visible and helpful, especially for moved or canceled panels.
[ + ] Panels were equipped properly for their content, and in a timely fashion.
[ + ] Security was very timely, and responsive, even in the face of a very difficult crowd mixture.

Also mentioned during the panel:
[ = ] Split registrations, where a deposit is placed to secure a badge at a particular price-point.

If you have anything to add, now would be an excellent time! Your feedback helps Sogen Con to improve

Offline Magpie

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2010, 03:11:22 PM »
Really, really, really preferred the con when it was scheduled in the fall. Too many cons (AnimeIowa for example) and other things going on in July. 

Also, people who volunteer to do a panel should be put on the schedule, not just told "find a spot". And then discovering that the panel is on the schedule posters when it wasn't on the online schedule is a little disconcerting.

Dealer room was well run (thanks for the goody bags and lunches!) EXCEPT for the change in opening time that was NOT communicated well.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2010, 03:39:38 PM by Magpie »
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Offline TechKat

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2010, 03:32:47 PM »
I would like to compliment the lost and found services which helped save me 200 bucks and mild heartache.

I wish the dealer room was open later on Saturday--as late as it was Friday. However, I understand the need for dealers and security to take breaks as well.

Offline Eiri Yuki [Sexta Espada]

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2010, 05:22:29 PM »
This reminded me, is there a lost and found thread? I wanted to say that somewhere between the con and the hotel, my friend lost her camera..

I had thought I lost an usa-chan earring as well, but luckily i found it just this morning..
But Yellow and Yellow Make Love. XD.
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Offline Maru-sha

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2010, 06:56:34 PM »
I agree, the con should be moved back into the fall season.

When I first started going, it was in September and every year after-wards, the month was pushed back.

Plus, in fall, there is only a MILD threat for tornadoes and storms!  :>


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Offline Jacen Solo

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2010, 07:53:07 PM »
There is no good time of the year, as in spring there's Anime Deotur which is three from hours Sioux Falls, in the summer there's Anime Iowa and convergence just to name a few, and in the fall, there's School Girls and mobile suits, Anime Nebraskon, etc. So all in all there is no great time to have an event without having a conflict somewhere.

The issue we were having with being in the fall was that we were seeing a decline in attendance from year to year. where we have actually seen a 10% a year growth since moving to the summer, plus in the fall its much more difficult for some of our guests of honor to attend due to date conflicts with other events.



Offline NoobyBanana

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2010, 12:43:03 AM »
I really prefer that it remain a summer con.  Mostly for selfish reasons (I'm away in Florida during the school months), but I'd really miss being able to go.

I agree with the "more physical panels" part though. :D
Sogen 2010 Cosplay:

Friday: Soul Evans (orange/black outfit)
Saturday: Soul Evans (yellow/black outfit)
Sunday: undecided. perhaps Okami?

Offline Sir VG

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2010, 01:07:41 AM »
There is no good time of the year, as in spring there's Anime Deotur which is three from hours Sioux Falls, in the summer there's Anime Iowa and convergence just to name a few, and in the fall, there's School Girls and mobile suits, Anime Nebraskon, etc. So all in all there is no great time to have an event without having a conflict somewhere.

The issue we were having with being in the fall was that we were seeing a decline in attendance from year to year. where we have actually seen a 10% a year growth since moving to the summer, plus in the fall its much more difficult for some of our guests of honor to attend due to date conflicts with other events.

It's not so much the moving from fall to summer, but the fact that it gives less and less time to get good cosplays prepared.  And Anime Iowa just keeps following you around wherever you go.  It's been a week after you for several years now.  Iowa only wishes they were as awesome as Sogen Con. :P

While I don't mind a summer con, let's not keep pushing it earlier and earlier.  July is probably the best month.  August is not good, at least in the first half due to the huge influx of traffic for Sturgis.

Offline Autobubbs

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2010, 09:35:20 PM »
There is no good time of the year, as in spring there's Anime Deotur which is three from hours Sioux Falls, in the summer there's Anime Iowa and convergence just to name a few, and in the fall, there's School Girls and mobile suits, Anime Nebraskon, etc. So all in all there is no great time to have an event without having a conflict somewhere.

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Offline lelia12

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2010, 01:04:40 AM »
I think summer is the best time for the convention because in the fall things like school can make it harder for people (like me) who live farther away to get up there. Clocks would be a good thing to have, they would make it easier to keep things on time and help people who want to attend certain event get to them on time so they don't miss them. So would small printed versions of the big schedules.
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Offline Primula

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2010, 08:17:44 AM »
Perhaps a bit off the current topic... but I wanted to suggest a couple possible ideas for future cons.

Add a steampunk component (learned more about it after watching Steamboy!)  League of Steam is a for-hire group as an example http://www.steampunkghostbusters.com/League_of_STEAM/Salutations.html, Abney Park takes the genre to music (currently one of my fav groups.) http://www.abneypark.com/flash.html

Also, I think any of the editorial staff of Mechademia would be excellent choices for panel discussions. http://www.mechademia.org/about/
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Offline Jacen Solo

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2010, 06:01:12 PM »
I think summer is the best time for the convention because in the fall things like school can make it harder for people (like me) who live farther away to get up there. Clocks would be a good thing to have, they would make it easier to keep things on time and help people who want to attend certain event get to them on time so they don't miss them. So would small printed versions of the big schedules.

We like the idea of small printed schedules but the problems we have, is one pretty much every convention in the country runs into. Something happens and the schedule is made invalid or inaccurate. If we were to go the route of putting the schedule grids in the guide book it would be difficult to effectively make and communicate those changes to the populous.

We want to increase the number of large schedule grids to make them more accessible to everyone, however when the unfortunate happens and we need to change things the larger schedule grids provide the best way to communicate those changes. However we are looking into a mobile apps for our schedule grid where people could just download the schedule grid to there PDA, smart phone, ipod, zune, etc. and have access to a more portable schedule that we could then just update as changes happen electronically.

We are open to any idea's anyone has on scheduling. As the most important thing is making it the easiest way to get you the attendees the information in its most accurate form and with printing schedules it would be hard to guarantee the accuracy of small printed grids.

Offline Shun_Goku_Satsu

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2010, 05:24:43 PM »
Quick comment to staff: I heard discussion of getting digital clocks for the Game Room. I should have a couple that I can donate if we just need something to keep time visible. At the very least, it keeps the con from having to buy new ones.
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Offline Jacen Solo

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Re: Feedback Panel Notes
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2010, 12:54:51 AM »
awesome!