[Deptheads] Gateway 2010 Notes

[John Paiva]

RJ,

On the breaks in the schedule, I tried to implement that a few years ago and it worked for 1 convention before people started to complain that there were times with "nothing to do," so I don't think this is a possibility at Strategicon conventions. 

To be truthful, the most successful dealer's rooms at cons I have run have been based on the dealers making it a "must go to" rather than a "I'll hit it when I have time." The dealers have to offer something that gamers can't get just by going to their local stores on days when there is no gaming scheduled. I have had success making games out of going to the dealers' room (such as a puzzle or mystery where the vendors have clues that are given to you when you do a demo or buy something, etc.), having dealer's sponsor tournaments (everyone who plays in a tournament gets a percent off at that dealer between this time and that time, etc.) and having "Happy Hours" where each dealer takes an hour during the con and everything is discounted (and we provide a schedule of who is discounted when). 

You can't herd them in, you have to make them want to go in and buy something they can't get everyday. 

John




-----Original Message-----
From: RJ <the1ring at the1ring.net>
To: deptheads <deptheads at strategicon.net>
Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 11:43 pm
Subject: [Deptheads] Gateway 2010 Notes


Here are most of my notes from the Convention, some of which involve other 
epartments and are intended to be constructive.
Exhibitors Hall:
equest for Friday Night opening:   Denied!  We have lots of people just 
rriving at 5-6 pm to start setting up.  We can't really be "open" with 
arts and boxes all over and dealers unable to deal or watch their 
ables.   I was also told that dealers are too tired after all the 
oading/unloading etc to want to be open for just an hour or two.  They 
ant to rest/game and get ready for the long days ahead.
Request for early opening:  Approved!   I will be modifying the Dealer Room 
ours.  Most likely it will be a 9:30 AM opening (prior to those 10AM 
ames).  Closing still 7pm Sat, 6pm Sun, 3 Mon.  Comments welcome before 
inal decisions made (7PM Sun?   6:30?  6:30 both?).
Request FROM dealers room: Can games be scheduled with intentional gap to 
llow players time to hit the dealers room?  Some dealers feel that are 
acked schedules are leaving no time for people to browse.  We do seem to 
et "waves" and people are often in a hurry.  Not sure if we can really do 
his in a practical way, but something to keep in mind.
Along those lines:  If there can be a game break around closing.  Maybe 
ven a 20/30 minute warning call prior to room closing.   If 3-4 hour games 
tarted at 3 PM on Sat for example, and the next block at 7PM, there should 
e room between games to make a dealer room run before it closes.
Friday Only badges...  how many do we get?  There is no dealer room Friday 
nd they are often upset they cant come in.  Do we remind them they can 
eturn to shop on ANY DAY when they get the badge?
Magic Players:  Complaint/Misunderstanding that they have to pay for a 
onvention badge and then pay to play in the tournament.   Maybe we could 
ffer a special deal - if there are spaces they pay tournament cost plus... 
10...  to play?   Full badges have priority.  This may be important with 
he push to increase card games, and letting people know.
Boardgames:   Any advertised game should have at least one copy of the 
ame.  Either the GM supplies it or we reserve it from the library (like 
ur GM TBD games).  I know that Cash n Guns live could not go (left at 
ome?).  My friend passed up a game and we were first on a list for 
ontainer, but there was no copy to play.  Would have done a different game 
hat started 1 hour before had it been known.   And I don't like the "If 
ou want to play, bring the game" thing...  People cant bring all their 
ames, people want to play/learn games, people play games they cant afford 
yet), etc...  the first 6 players in a 6 player game should expect to 
lay, after 6, then it's someone better bring a game.
Also, had a complaint about a GM teaching Through the Ages (Neil, I 
entioned to check the name, remember?) .   It's a long game, and he did 
ot watch the players - so one new player was doing "illegal" actions, but 
as never backed up.  He also talked a player out of an action (building up 
ilitary) to buy a card - then next turn tells him he can't use that 
ard!   The player felt it was a waste of a big block of time.   Do we have 
 feedback place for that?
Coffee Cups... we are out of them.  Paper ones.  It's really my problem I 
uess, but if anyone want to get some, that would be great, since I don't 
rink coffee!  Not sure what people like for cups... or coffee...  haha.
Donuts:  Will probably do the advanced list send out again, then pre-order 
hem.  I got a good price last Con by paying in advance, and they were 
eady to go when I got there.  I think that went well this time for Reg/BG 
lso.
Um...  where to sign up for stuff...  guess that already covered...  can we 
ut a note on any sign we put up whose department the sign is from?  The 
andemic LARP was not clear where to sign up, and I did not know where to 
end people..  LARPs?  Special Events?  Board Games?  At Penthouse?
OK... one more Email and I think I am done for a bit... really....
RJ
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