Cluster. Fuck. 2015

[neadods]

So, I thought that ChicagoTARDIS had a rocky start and would even out. After all, they have a lot of experience running conventions.

Except. I paid extra for the Alex Kingston reception. Only no one was timing her, so she spent around 15-20 minutes at the first 4 tables of 15. When I pointed out to staff that if she wasn't going to get to all the tables -- and if people did not get what they paid for because of where they sat -- that was a PROBLEM. The response was to rush her from table to table answering a single question -- and I saw security wave off a guy who tried to follow her.

Is this, a roast beef sandwich, and some ice cream worth an extra $100 on top of the second-highest membership? Is "This is the first time we've tried this" acceptable as an excuse on top of the massive screwup yesterday? This is the second night in a row access I paid extra for was not provided.

Have also heard horror stories of people waiting in line for hours. They know better than this.

Comments

[shawan-7.livejournal.com]

Ugh. So sorry to hear this.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Yeah. And I've lost something again -- not the con's fault but not the most shining year either.

[themis1.livejournal.com]

I hate these pro cons with pay extra for things. So do some of the guests. I won't name names, but one person I talked to complained that they were expected to circulate round a room of tables where the background music was so loud they couldn't hear a word people were saying to them, and had no idea if they were actually answering what they were being asked.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

The irony to me is that I keep telling the Staggering Stories folks that you can have a great time at ChicagoTARDIS at a basic membership with no bolt ons -- and this year, that is actually a much better experience than the pay extra one. After all, all the panels and dances are included and there's enough seats in the auditorium.

[not-hathor.livejournal.com]

Oh dear.

I started side-eyeing ChicaoTARDIS con last year, when I registered and discovered that registration was being handled by a third party and included a handling fee...... then this year all the hoopla re: Jenna Coleman and the added SPECIAL Memberships actually helped my decision to spend my money and my holiday time elsewhere. I DO regret missing Tony Lee, though.

Correction: I think the downhill slide may have started with 2013(?) and the 50th Anniversary Celebration. The only Special Function I ever paid extra for was the Sunday Brunch, which was a guaranteed meal, with guests....

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed the 50th anniversary year a lot. But this... this one's ranking slightly worst than the food poisoning one, only the food poisoning was my own fault.

[not-hathor.livejournal.com]

Oh, I did too, but I suspect that the Con organizers may have decided that they had to top themselves by adding 'special' features/guests/memberships without much thought as to the logistics involved --- More!! Bigger!! (not necessarily better....)