Now that I have read all of these posts, I will make a few generalized statements.
1)Registration
This was a HUGE unexpected turn out for Saturday registrants, and it was a good and bad thing. It was great we had such a huge attendance,
but was bad that it took so long to get through the line. Our apologies for that. We are looking into a 3-Part Reg System, that you as the attendee
only see 2-parts: The Badge printing, and paying. You won't be there to wait for us to enter your info. The goal is to get this line down, and let me tell
you, we will do it. This is my top priority, seeing that if we don't get you in, we don't have a convention right?
2)Guests
This was a culmination of things that created guests to be the same this year. Mainly, we had 2 other larger conventions the same weekend as us (which
won't happen again) that created this issue. We as a convention did not book our guests as soon as we liked, thus causing fewer in people we were able to
invite that we wanted. Lastly, was the late start of our GR department. All of these items will be fixed for this next Anime Milwaukee, and we are excited to see
your suggestions as guests you want to see (or see back)! We can't predict what you want, so you all have to tell us~! =D
3)Staff Presence
We are trying our darnedest to hire more staff, more security, and make ourselves more present as staff. We ran short on time to get a unifromed system
of recognition, so I tried a lanyard and ribbon system to signify staff. Staff and others have little ribbons hanging off their badge to show they were staff.
Seeming as this had little effect, I thought "Let's have a lanyard color coated system!". Well, without tell you the attendee what each color meant, that failed
too :/ So!!!!, we will work to A) inform you the attendee what makes us recognizable as staff, B) Try to hire more staff, and C) make better items so that you
can tell who is staff =P
4)Bags
This is a tough issue at hand. As most have seen, we did not allow bags into the E-Hall, Video Gaming Room, and the Rave. This most likely not change unfortunately.
Reasons why?
A) Security- It helps prevent theft in the VGR, and the E-Hall, and makes it easier for us to patrol for it.
B) Safety- This provides safety in the Rave, to prevent people from bringing in items that are not allowed (alcohol, drugs, etc.)
C) Space - The less bags, the more space there is in general to walk, no matter where you go.
The only real suggestions I have is come prepared to have a space for a wallet if you need one, or have a vehicle here at the hotel to store
your items in, or utilize our coat check. If you are not comfortable with that, it would be best to then store the items in your hotel room. I'm sorry
to those this seems hard on, but it is one of those, you have to understand where we are coming from situations. We may look into however, in the
future allowing small purse sized bags, and very small items of the sort. Don't quote me on that, but it is a possibility we can discuss and look into.
5)Rave
Thank you for all that enjoyed the rave! Sorry for those who dealt with the incident of the indecent furry, we will work on that to have better and more security.
We would love to have a Friday rave too, but we have to look at it in a financial and logistical light to see if it is possible. You never know what the possibilities are =D.
6)FAC Walk
This is one of those, it is going to be there and never go away. As we expand, we will consume more space of the FAC, along with all the rooms in the Hyatt as we do already.
It's more of a brace yourself, and prepare for the walking and exercise. Let me tell you I felt like I lost 10lbs walking that fangled thing back and forth and wish I had a seg-way
or bike, or rocket skates, anything to help! =D
7)Panels and Masquerade.
These are things we need your help as the attendee to make better and more of a success. We need:
A) All your input for types of Panels-> This includes you guys running panels that you would love to see here, seeing as most are run by attendees
B) Your suggestions for Panels-> Keep em coming and we can do nothing but get better from those ideas.
We will do our part and work on a better schedule for Masquerade and look into other options. Thank you for those who went and enjoyed it, or
participated in it! =D
8) Parking
As most have mentioned, we have little to no control over this. I was lucky to get the $15 a day event parking, and we will work to make sure they know
that everyone with the event gets it. But, it is owned by Milwaukee and not the Hyatt, so it is terribly hard to work on a better deal. We shall see though.
We will have better means of providing alternatives if there are possible ones!
9) Hotel Staff
These are items we as Anime Milwaukee staff need to know, and we can only solve these issues if we are aware of what is happening. I apologize to those
who had a hard time with the staff, and thank those who had a wonderful time dealing with the Hotel Staff.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and gripes as we strive to do better each and every year! Keep em' suggestions coming!!!
Corey~!
AMKE 2013 Con Chair
