Otakon 2003

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Postby hackerzc » Tue May 13, 2003 1:26 pm

iserlohn wrote:I'll be in on Thursday night as well - need to meet up with a friend at BWI and get him to the hotel OK, and there's also going to be early prereg pick up Thursday night.


Oh so it IS a 100% sure thing now?

Last time I talked to staff, they were 99% sure but did not want to comit to any times yet. Also they want to wait untill after pre-registration is closed to officially announce it (so my "sources" tell me)

And Vlad, this did have something to do with the comments recieved at the post con discussion last year. You went to that if I remember correctly (at least you were talking of going to it, to talk about this very issue)
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Postby iserlohn » Tue May 13, 2003 1:34 pm

hackerzc wrote:Last time I talked to staff, they were 99% sure but did not want to comit to any times yet. Also they want to wait untill after pre-registration is closed to officially announce it (so my "sources" tell me)


It has been repeatedly confirmed on the official Otakon Bulletin Board by staff that there will be prereg pickups on Thursday. The times aren't set yet, and the A/C will not be on, but badges will be available for pickup. I just hope it's late enough that I can drop stuff off at the hotel first...and get to BWI and back on light rail first.
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Postby hackerzc » Tue May 13, 2003 1:40 pm

iserlohn wrote:
hackerzc wrote:Last time I talked to staff, they were 99% sure but did not want to comit to any times yet. Also they want to wait untill after pre-registration is closed to officially announce it (so my "sources" tell me)


It has been repeatedly confirmed on the official Otakon Bulletin Board by staff that there will be prereg pickups on Thursday. The times aren't set yet, and the A/C will not be on, but badges will be available for pickup. I just hope it's late enough that I can drop stuff off at the hotel first...and get to BWI and back on light rail first.


Yeah I'm on the Otakon Board also (not very oftem mind you), but yeah I sold my soul to anime..........*in hillbilly accent* I'M A GOPHER! *smiles to reveal missing teeth* yup yup yup. :lol:
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Postby Vlad G Pohnert » Tue May 13, 2003 11:22 pm

hackerzc wrote:
And Vlad, this did have something to do with the comments recieved at the post con discussion last year. You went to that if I remember correctly (at least you were talking of going to it, to talk about this very issue)


Yes, I was there and yes I suggested it...I also taked with a few at the end of the grip session stating that this was the best thing about AnimeExpo...The Thursday pre-reg running for 6 hours and that if they did that if would make Otakon so much the better.... I think they were planning this all along and it's great to see it happen....

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Hotel rooms for Otakon 2K3?

Postby Cybermat » Mon May 19, 2003 8:45 pm

SarahtheBoring wrote:A friend and I have considered it, but are hotels really already selling out? :?


Seriously, as soon as a hotel is listed on the Otakon web page, it seems to sell out. We're working on expanding our room blocks and on getting the best deals for our members that we can but I'm pretty sure nearly all the hotels are already filled. If there are any rooms left, I'm not sure if they're in hotels near the convention center.
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Re: Hotel rooms for Otakon 2K3?

Postby hackerzc » Tue May 20, 2003 5:12 am

Cybermat wrote:
SarahtheBoring wrote:A friend and I have considered it, but are hotels really already selling out? :?


Seriously, as soon as a hotel is listed on the Otakon web page, it seems to sell out. We're working on expanding our room blocks and on getting the best deals for our members that we can but I'm pretty sure nearly all the hotels are already filled. If there are any rooms left, I'm not sure if they're in hotels near the convention center.


And in some cases the hotels have been selling out before they are even listed (in the case of the Days Inn, which was sold out in Early January)

From the sounds of things, it looks like we can expect to see a nice increase in membership this year.
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Postby BaHaRa » Wed May 21, 2003 10:58 pm

and from what i read on ANN, TM Revolution will be at Otakon this year? gonna be crazy...i can't wait!! heh

--Rachael
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Postby iserlohn » Thu May 22, 2003 12:12 am

I'm debating whether or not I want to go to the TM Revolution concert. On the one hand, TM Revolution makes some groovy music, but on the other hand, I'd like to be able to hear it, and 5000 screeching fangirls may make doing so difficult...also don't want to ruin the mike on my camera like that...

But in the meantime, w00t, major guest. Take that Expo.
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Postby Cloud1783 » Fri May 23, 2003 1:22 am

otakon i hope this year will be at least as good as the last 2 i have been to being the only convention i go to (lack of money or i would go to more), this year in stead of just me and 2 freinds its going to be a group of about 30 so it should be alot of fun. the only problem i have with otakon is how long it takes for them to get the stuff up on the site expectully the hotels that seem to sell out as soon as the days the of the con are announced. i would like to know how is volentearing? i might try this next year but im not sure. what does it involve? will i still get plenty of time to do what i want to do?
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Postby iserlohn » Fri May 23, 2003 9:48 am

You can volunteer as much or as little time as you want, but if you want the benefits be prepared to give over a major section of your congoing time. Also be aware that instead of putting you up in a room, the con now comps you $30/night for as many nights as extra shifts you take past a certain number (check the website for details). Consider this as well before volunteering.

I, for one, had a horrendous gofering experience that I wouldn't wish on anybody (well, maybe a couple people...). The sad truth is that unless you do TGC (aka gofer 95% of the con), you are seen as expendable labor by the staff and will get more help, respect, and sympathy if something goes wrong from the congoers than the people who are supposed to be fixing it.

To sum up: Otakon's reputation for gofer mistreatment is quite strong, and while things have been changing over the last 2-3 years, be warned that if you're not on staff track (TGC), the staff will treat you as if you're a four year old: an inconvenience to bitch at, give a menial task to, and then send away.
"I'm recording an album tonight. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later."
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Postby Cybermat » Fri May 23, 2003 12:38 pm

Sorry to hear you had a bad gophering experience at Otakon. :(

As far as the "menial" duties at the con for gophers/volunteers, all I can say about that is that gophers are always in such short supply during the convention that we simply can't afford to waste their time by assigning them meaningless tasks. If the staff has to assign a gopher to a task, then the task has to be something that's worth that gopher's time to the con. Even if it's only for a short time, or is not seemingly demanding, it is always something that is better not left un-done.

A lot of gopher time is devoted to forestalling problems (help direct foot traffic here, guard this video equipment for a while, keep unauthorized people from wandering into this room) rather than more high-profile and obvious responsibilities. It's not all glorious but it is essential.
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Postby hackerzc » Fri May 23, 2003 3:18 pm

iserlohn wrote:You can volunteer as much or as little time as you want, but if you want the benefits be prepared to give over a major section of your congoing time. Also be aware that instead of putting you up in a room, the con now comps you $30/night for as many nights as extra shifts you take past a certain number (check the website for details). Consider this as well before volunteering.

I, for one, had a horrendous gofering experience that I wouldn't wish on anybody (well, maybe a couple people...). The sad truth is that unless you do TGC (aka gofer 95% of the con), you are seen as expendable labor by the staff and will get more help, respect, and sympathy if something goes wrong from the congoers than the people who are supposed to be fixing it.

To sum up: Otakon's reputation for gofer mistreatment is quite strong, and while things have been changing over the last 2-3 years, be warned that if you're not on staff track (TGC), the staff will treat you as if you're a four year old: an inconvenience to bitch at, give a menial task to, and then send away.


Well, something else to remember is that the first year you gopher you can't be a TCG (a requirement for being a TCG on the Staff Track is have gophered in a previous year).
As for being treated liek a 4 year ould and being given medial tasks, GREAT! Let then underestimate you. It's eazy to impress people when they don't think you can't do anything.
I was offered a staff position last year and had to pass it up (no previos gophering or anything, I was just asked), so now if I ever want to take advantage of that again I will have to work for it. But one thing to also remember. If you DO want to gopher in order to one day become staff, don't do it just for the title. I have heared too many tails of staff members becomming staff for the tital or the so called "power" that is gained (power of members I guess, as just about all staff are equal in power, NONE, lol).
Ah well...
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Postby BaHaRa » Fri May 23, 2003 3:26 pm

does otakon have the entire convention center again this year?

--Rachael
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Postby hackerzc » Fri May 23, 2003 4:07 pm

BaHaRa wrote:does otakon have the entire convention center again this year?

--Rachael


Of course =^)
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Postby BlueJellybean » Sat May 24, 2003 12:33 pm

This will be my first Otakon!

And from the looks of what you guys are saying its going to be freaking huge!

I'll be coming from Charlotte, NC. I was thinking of driving but I don't want to drive all that way all alone!

Is anyone else coming from NC? Or should I just get a plane?

Eeeek! I don't know if I have money for a plane! *faints*
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