by S-Config » Fri Mar 02, 2012 3:09 pm
I pre-registered in July for the whole weekend at $25 and I don't pre-reg at convention tables because it's a hassle. having to keep a yellow paper receipt slip for a year and hoping you don't have to pull it out because they forgot to register you. I like the luxury of pulling up my paypal account and going through the history for confirmation of payment.
I used to think like that. Never know where I'll be next week let alone 6 months from now. With all of the technology going on in the world and all of the distractions we've become a very impatient generation. I remembered how my grandparents used to plan for their trip to their cabin up north. how they would be buying things almost a year in advance before finally loading the car and heading up there. nothing was a surprise. and if something did happen then it was no loss because they can simple try again.
I guess what I'm saying is. you've seen the pre-registration line. (lack there-of) you've experienced the at the door line. I would almost think the choice is rather simple. HOWEVER! I'm sure you're thinking "what if something comes up and i can't go?" well.. you loose $25. or did you -really- loose $25? Even if you don't go your money helps contribute to a great convention. you'll in fact help a local convention become more successful. So in essence it did do good and there's far worse things to loose $25 on.
To give an example of other things you can loose $25 on.
1. A overnight parking ticket without a permit in the city of Milwaukee (everyones done it)
2. loosing your cel-phone and paying the replacement insurance deductable (although i think with most plans it's almost $50 )
3. 10 boxes of poki (one is enough. it's unhealthy to consume them all in a day. My friend does this)
Since this is the random board. allow me to go on a rant about educating people about pre-registration and how. in a lot of ways, you are doing a world of good pre-registering. Think of what would happen if every single person at anime Milwaukee pre-registered 6 months in advance. Let me run through the scenario.
1. Money - saved by all - not only do YOU save money.By keeping more of your money, you now have the ability to buy something else saving $15+. Better food, or, something from the dealers room. But in a strange way you give a convention something as powerful as money. which goes right into the next section.
2. Time - saved by all - by pre-registering you give the convention time. Time to allocate resources in a cost effective manner (which is why in many cases at the door attendees pay much more, allocating personnel and resources on the fly is expensive). Time is saved by walking to the pre-registration table. simply showing your ID and getting your badge. If everyone at Anime Milwaukee pre-registered you could process all 3,000+ people with just three people behind the table. less manpower, less resources, but faster service and processing. saving money, and well, time.
I've said the word 'time' enough where I can almost hear the Pink Floyd song playing now. But now it's time to execute what is the last step
3. leverage - Society and business judges success by the use of force and power. Leverage is what a person can do with that power. And by applying leverage to a hotel/restaurants and eventually the city this allows an organization to save you even more #1 which is 'MONEY'.
Take the hotel scenario for instance what sounds better when meeting with a hotel? Saying that you have a few hundred people registered and possible thousand coming but your not really sure because they haven't signed up yet? or that you have 3000+ pre-registered and can book your hotel solid with responsible individuals who are ready to plan their vacation and their experience with our convention and your hotel. NOW! What will give us in return?
That's leverage and the application of force. I should note some people disagree with the usage of that tactic against a hotel. Mostly because it involves having a backup plan if they say 'no' and being able to know how to walk away. However that's just my opinion and example.
I think this concludes my rant on the subject matter. Look I know people who run conventions have to stay up-beat and happy encouraging people to pre-register for their convention whatever con it may be. But I thought I should share my views of what I believe is the 'meat on metal' view of pre-registration and the kind of impact it really has. without the smiles, candy, and roses. So if you truly DO care about having a local and fun convention to go to. Then sign up and pre-register when the electronic system becomes active guys.
DISCLAIMER: The views/opinions/rants/concepts expressed in this response are that if only the attendee S-Config and do not reflect the views of any staff member/volunteer/guest/operator/chair of any convention. S-Config is not responsible for the content of this response.
-S-Config
That's what server said, End of line.
