The post-resurrection post-mortem

... or, "There must have been a con -- I have T-shirts!"

I'm no longer exhausted from Dragon*Con. So, now I'll tell you what I have to say about it.

First, I'm a veteran. I've been a member, I've been a guest, I've been a volunteer, I've been a ghost. I've been at Dragon*Con for at least 15 years, even if I just came to hit the dealer's room for my favorite comics. I've been disappointed in it before, but this is the first time I can remember that I was relieved for it to be over.

Now, as they say, this is My Humble Opinion and Your Mileage May Vary. Dragon*Con is the one time of the year where I am a "social butterfly." I have friends who are musicians, Rocky Horror fans, writers, photographers, security staffers, dealers, directors, costumers, actors, artists, gamers, and more. I'm interested in publishing, film, special effects, computer technology, and about half a dozen fandoms. Most of the time, I'm not attending panels, or trying to get into the great parties as much as I am networking with professionals and catching up with friends.

It is this that was starkly absent for me at this year's Dragon*Con. The longest time I got to spend with anyone just chatting was when I had a cigarette with iworkhere, whom I hadn't seen in person for about 10 years, so YAY. I know I passed at least two people with only a wave as I darted off somewhere else. Most of the socializing was done off site with zamiel and company on his "Fine Dining Tour." Heck, I saw so few people for such brief periods of time, I didn't even come back with phone numbers and business cards like I usually do.

The major reason I believe this happened is because we were too crowded. Gee, where have you heard that before. But it wasn't just the maximum capacity rooms and parties; it was the fact that there were so many people, it was actually dangerous to stand still.

I'm blaming the Hyatt, in large part. They put up satellite bars in the areas where we used to be able to stand around, meet people, check our schedule, and yak. I don't think we need to spend ALL our money on booze, really.

I'm also blaming the concom. They have known for years that we were pushing our limits, and never leveled off, or capped membership. They have reported different figures, depending on who's asking... if it's the Fire Marshall, Of COURSE we're not pushing capacity.

For the first year, instead of just finding a couple of big stars/parties/concerts crowded to capacity, I was unable to get to several panels and events in smaller rooms (and two I did get to were closed while I was in there) because they reached capacity and were closed to further entry.

Yet, the halls ... not halls, atria. Entire floors.... were still crowded, to the point that the Hyatt was shut down twice.

That this was NOT the situation in either the Marriott or the Hilton suggests to me that our resources are underutilized... or perhaps the Hyatt should actually get less SCHEDULED events, since it seems that promenading and partying are what people actually want to do there.... Most of the photos I've seen were taken in the Hyatt.

I was annoyed at the person who suggested that we should be more like San Diego's Comic Con, which isn't open 24 hours, and doesn't serve booze. That's like saying since New York City entertains more people than New Orleans without allowing flashing or walking the streets with booze, New Orleans should do the same. After 21 years, this is a culture. This is the way it goes.

In general, that's my problem. I'd like for the concom to notice what WE'RE like and adapt to us, instead of just numbers, money, and regulations.

Some things were terrific, but they were personal moments, mostly... the kind of moments I go there FOR... and not enough of them. Some part of my heart is still trying to get to Dragon*Con.

Yeah, I'll be there next year. I'll hope for change, and if not, you can find me in the ConSuite.