[Deptheads] Fwd: Strategicon Parking RE: [SoCalgamers

Fri May 9 13:05:01 PDT 2008

Actually, I have to say that Robert is largely on the right track.

Not that I wouldn't suggest slipping him a sedative before he disembowels a whiny knowitall or two...

BUT - the two points he brought up are vitally important to communicate.

1) The hotel change-of-ownership has been a shock to the system.? WE are working our butts off to solve as many problems as possible.? WE want the cons to be the best WE can make them.? WE are YOU, I'd point out to loudmouth types.

2) Again, we are gamers, and overwhelmingly volunteers.? And the ownership types, including myself, are NOT making any profits on this.? Again, we need to stress that we are gamers. "We are you."? 

And I would stress another point: DO NOT APOLOGIZE.? It might be a subtle, subliminal thing, but none of the problems that have come up were produced by any bad faith decisions or any lack of concern about the quality of the conventions.? Feel free to agree that problems are problems, but, I don't think the word "sorry" or any apology should leave any of our lips or be typed by any of our fingers.

Adding to Robert's topics, I would stress:

1) Clarify. De-bunk rumours and venomous hearsay. Make sure people know we are working hard to fix problems and potential problems. Conventions take time to plan and schedule.? We are not in Cloud Cuckoo Land were we can wave our hand and land in a perfect location at the drop of a hat.

2) Communicate who we are.? We're not some slick corporation raking in the money here. We are gamers and we are overwhelmingly volunteers.

3) Again, do not apologize.? We are in the same boat.? It will seem strange to the loudmouths, but amazingly, we want the conventions to run well, be high quality, and (gasp!) fun. Imagine that.

4) Communicate, truthfully, that we are working to solve and avoid problems DAILY.? We know the work that's going on.? Avoiding the gory details, make sure the community knows we are working to solve problems, and to avoid more problems in the future.

Eric N.

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Kreder <zeotter at gmail.com>
To: deptheads at strategicon.net
Sent: Fri, 9 May 2008 12:25 pm
Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Fwd: Strategicon Parking RE: [SoCalgamers]

Scared the crap outta me, I am going to hide now...

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 12:02 PM, Robert Lionheart <spinachcat at yahoo.com> wrote:

Here is the response.? Patrick, you are their moderator so you would probably be best to make the response or Eric Aldrich.?? However, one of you better put a foot on this Chris Johnson or I will and I will not?be pleasant.?? 

?

THIS IS GAMEX RUMOR CONTROL

?

1) There has not been any "pussyfooting around the issue"

?

Let's have a Strategicon history lesson.?? The Radisson hotel is a franchise and the LAX Radisson location changed?ownership?after we signed our initial contract. ? There were no remodeling plans?discussed with us until after OrcCon.?? Currently, the Radisson under its new ownership is planning to tear down their parking lot.?? However, they do not know when this will happen.?? We have?continual?contact with the hotel and supposedly there is some?delay with their city construction permits and they could start demolition today, tomorrow or Christmas.?? 

?

There is a chance that the parking lot will be useful for Gamex.?? We do not know anything for certain and the convention staff is working hard on alternate solutions.?? The day that we know something for sure is the day we will be sending out information to everyone on the attendee email list.

2)?There will not be any?"annoyed-to-pissed-off people" in anyone's face.

?

The Strategicon conventions are run by volunteers.?? Not martyrs or profiteers, just volunteers who devote huge chunks of their free time to help the SoCal?gaming community have large regional events three times a year where we can all have fun.?? This is a volunteer effort by gamers for gamers so we are all on the same side here.?? Please know that all of your frustrations are taken very seriously by the entire staff.?? If you have any concerns, please post them on our Strategicon Yahoo Group.? If you have time to help solve problems, please join our team as a volunteer. 

?

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Karl (zeotter at gmail.com)

The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling.
- Paula Poundstone 

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