93 replies to this topic

[SugarSpunSister]

Some good feedback coming from this thread... Personally I went to London and had an absolute blast.

The Gold area worked well I thought, I was standard but spoke briefly with both Jose and Charlie outside of the gold area and they happily posed for pics.  It's a really fine line for the crew to walk as being too agressive with rules and regulations upsets the guests and fans (as we have all seen with other events - no names mentioned), they are always the "bad cop" too because a guest will not want to be shown in a bad light, if they don't want to personalise or have pics taken, the crew then take the flack for that.  

I certainly think Twi Prom worked better than at ET1, as what TooTall said the guests had to leave after half an hour there because it was bedlam.  

I think ME did a fantastic job, considering this event was massively undersold, they still made an effort with the branding and decoration.  I think the budget for this may have stopped them from doing more things on the schedule.  In London the Eternal Twilight video was being played in the photo shoot/bar area.

I think another event like this could work, not sure if the two cities in 3 days is a good model, as people have said the guests were tired after London, I know I was knackered on Saturday after the talk we left for home, on top of them flying in from half way across the World.

What would be good is if a smaller event is done, perhaps do it at the same hotel and location and perhaps do as a dinner and dance and build it into the cost of the ticket.

I would definitely pay more for a smaller event in future and I think if it was a dinner type set up, it would be more relaxing and less of a massive booze up (although I did enjoy the boozing hahahaha).  

If I think of any more I will add, but now have to go and buy some monitors.... :)

xoxo

Edited by SugarSpunSister, 22 September 2009 - 11:54 AM.

[Too Tall]

bewarethepossums, on Sep 22 2009, 12:44 PM, said:

Quote

I agree they cant watch like hawks but I also think if the fans hadnt asked for photos knowing they were not meant to, then the gold and standard passes wouldnt need to be checked.

But it was announced before the party that people were quite welcome to take photos if the guests were willing    - I remember that beacuse I was surprised...since at ET the guests were swamped with people taking photos even though it was expressedly forbidden at that con.

That was at Birmingham after we'd found it worked at London. As I said above if it had looked for one second like it was going to start turning in to ET1 we would have stepped in and stopped it.

[Talie]

kegan5, on Sep 22 2009, 12:33 PM, said:

Thanks Crépuscule :) Especially for the train advice I hadn't even thought of that xx

haha no worries

I noticed you on the prom your white dress was stunning I had to point it out to my friend lol

[Rhianydd]

Too Tall, on Sep 22 2009, 12:32 PM, said:

nicola, on Sep 22 2009, 11:16 AM, said:

@ Too Tall, I noticed you were checking out the badges of some of the guests, however should a company advertise different packages at extra prices and stipulate rules in the t&c's then this should be adhered too.

In which case just dont offer the gold package at all and then this would not be an issue, nor would the thankless job of the volunteers who seemed to enjoy themselves.

I agree rules should be adhere'd to, I'm just explaining that we did try very hard with the gold area. And that as only very few people did get in I don't think it was a huge issue.

Without having a turn style it's very hard to police 100%.

I think the gold area worked really well or we could have had the ET1 situation all over again, were 200+ attendees all try and get to the guests all at once and then they leave after 30 minutes.

The photos with the guests, they made that decision. I don't think we could have stopped them

I was't worried about the distinction between standard and gold, if you want the ViP area, then it has to be paid for.

My son played black jack with charlie, he really behaved himself, so much so, that when Charlie saw either of my boys, he did a big thumbs up and a "hey guys" and before we knew it, had thrown his arms around matthew and looked expectantly at me to take a photograph, so of course I did!

I think the guests looked like they had a great time.  I don't think they were overly hassled at Brum, I obviously wasn't at London.

Hubby stood and chatted to Daniel at the bar for a while, they were just very decent blokes, all three of them

I liked the way the crew handle things

It is up to them if they wish to take someone into the VIP area.  You get that at gigs too, it doesn't hurt anyone, I don't think the Gold pass people I spoke to had a problem with it, so if they don't, then why not.

I agree with TT, a 1 in 30 chance of being taken in there, fair enough.  I wasn't bothered either way, and no, I didn't go in!

I had a fantastic weekend.

I think the food costs were the only issue, but I will take food with me next time (was a bit rushed this time in my preparations).  Hubby nipped off to subway which was much appreciated, but you could actually order a dominos through the hotel anyway (which we did )

Where the numbers of attendees were concerned, well, just chalk that one down to experience maybe.

SM/ME did actually put on the event by responding to all our pleas on the forum, so, business or not, I for one am still grateful they did it, or I might never have got to go to ET at all and meet all the incredible people there, guests, crew and attendees alike.

With any event, there will be a niggle here or there, but as long as you don't let it get on top of you and let it ruin your weekend, thats fine.  You get out of it what you put in, there is nobody stood there telling you to dance or whatever.  

I didn't mind the casino in the different room because you could talk, I wonder if that is why the VIP area was to the side so that they could have both light, and a little break from the music volume to chat, I don't think they could have easily chatted next to the speakers or anything, so that would have spoilt the gold pass experience

Yes, it was a little too roomy, but all those at the forks high disco was vouch that it was a fantastic evening, we danced our socks off, and we reluctantly had to leave for home at 10pm, but could have stayed all night (something about hubby needing to start a new job at 9am Monday morning?  Is that more important than Twi-entertainment,?  Well, jury's out on that one! )

Fab event.

Even the parking at the hotel was reasonable.

[bewarethepossums]

Quote

That was at Birmingham after we'd found it worked at London. As I said above if it had looked for one second like it was going to start turning in to ET1 we would have stepped in and stopped it.

Ah, okay. Well I thought the photo thing worked really well, to be honest. Surprisingly so, considering ET1!

Edited by bewarethepossums, 22 September 2009 - 12:30 PM.

[SugarSpunSister]

Ya but ET1 was 600 attendees!

[kegan5]

Crépuscule, on Sep 22 2009, 12:54 PM, said:

kegan5, on Sep 22 2009, 12:33 PM, said:

Thanks Crépuscule :) Especially for the train advice I hadn't even thought of that xx

haha no worries

I noticed you on the prom your white dress was stunning I had to point it out to my friend lol

Aw thankyou :) I got it in a shop in LA will try find the receipt to see which one it was, twas really cheap though like $20 lol it's my new fave shop! Just a shame it takes £500+ to get there

[Talie]

SugarSpunSister, on Sep 22 2009, 01:10 PM, said:

Ya but ET1 was 600 attendees!

Was it not 800?

[Massive Events]

Crépuscule, on Sep 22 2009, 01:18 PM, said:

SugarSpunSister, on Sep 22 2009, 01:10 PM, said:

Ya but ET1 was 600 attendees!

Was it not 800?

It was indeed 800!  

Mark  

[Ilora-Danon]

My only criticisms of Brum, was the DJ... not the best selection of tracks imo.

And the fact that people still crowded the guests when (it is stated in the programme not to, isn't it?) they were out of the VIP section.
I purposely ignored Charlie during that time, because I didn't want to be seen as that sort of fan.

Yeah, I felt for the guests at that point, so even more clear instruction to the fans may help, who knows.




I also don't know if this is the place to bring this up, but Beth and I asked Too Tall if we could have our stock photos signed by the guests on the sunday, by one of our friends who was going to be there all weekend. He said yes, and we were all happy.

What I didn't realise was that I had to put the programme in with the pack (I thought the badge would be sufficient, so it didn't occur to me to take the programe out of my clutch bag). so when it came to it, my photos were refused to be signed, whereas the other Beth's were signed because she'd left the programme with them. I'm a little disappointed that such a small oversight caused my pack to be refused signing. I'm honestly gutted after being told I'd have the autographs done.
Considering both badges were present, and one programme, I'm shocked and a little hurt that it was refused.
Meh.

Edited by Ilora-Danon, 22 September 2009 - 12:36 PM.

[SugarSpunSister]

A whole lot more than Twi Prom...

I loved that Twi Prom was less attendees, it was all very cosy :)

But still looking forward to ET2.... 3 weeks ahaaaaaaaaaaa !

[bewarethepossums]

Yeah, I thought it was 800 .

[Talie]

Ilora-Danon, on Sep 22 2009, 01:27 PM, said:

My only criticisms of Brum, was the DJ... not the best selection of tracks imo.

And the fact that people still crowded the guests when (it is stated in the programme not to, isn't it?) they were out of the VIP section.
I purposely ignored Charlie during that time, because I didn't want to be seen as that sort of fan.

Yeah, I felt for the guests at that point, so even more clear instruction to the fans may help, who knows.

Was not my type of music, however it was the perfect music to dance to I felt.

[tinktwimum]

i honstley dont think charlie minded having his picture taken he was the one who came out of the vip section and he continued to stay at the barrier if he didnt like the attention he could have gone away from the barrier like the other 2 did a few time no one go hurt and i think thats all that matters

about cost of hotel me and my husband stayed at a different hotel and we didnt miss anything so i think its unfair to conplain about price we also eat outside of the hotel and out other friends took food with them

about people going in the vip section i think fair enough you did pay more but i dont see why it a problem for one or 2 standard ticket holders to go in the vip section it doesnt hurt anyone plus its done now im also a mother and go standard tickets it was first time i manage to go to a con and i think it is what you make of it i just took everything as it happened

about the time we had i like it me and my hubby went for a walk around london and stuff it was lovely then when we got back the photos where being printed wihich was great

i loved the hole event and there is not one single thing i would change these event are not going to be perfected for everyone becouse everyone is different i just took this as it comes and enjooyed myself we are all adluts and i think the guest are 2 and know what they wont

x

[Ilora-Danon]

tinktwimum, on Sep 22 2009, 01:42 PM, said:

about cost of hotel me and my husband stayed at a different hotel and we didnt miss anything so i think its unfair to conplain about price we also eat outside of the hotel and out other friends took food with them

In Brum there wasn't any other restaurant/food facilites within a 10 mile radius of the Hilton. It was literally in the middle of an industrial estate, which is why people found the price of the food in the Hilton to be difficult to stomach. It's all well and good taking food, but you can't really live on crisps and snacks for the weekend. A main evening meal does go down well generally - which unless you've got £18 to spend on a burger, then you're pretty stuffed.

[tinktwimum]

you can buys salads and stuff from any super store and sandwhiches i understand where ur coming from but i think maybe that summit they will consider next time becouse in london u walked like 1 min down the road and there was food shops its all about learning

x

[kegan5]

Have to agree on DJ point, but only because I'm not a fan of dance music and it seemed to take over at some point :)

[Too Tall]

Ilora-Danon, on Sep 22 2009, 01:57 PM, said:

tinktwimum, on Sep 22 2009, 01:42 PM, said:

about cost of hotel me and my husband stayed at a different hotel and we didnt miss anything so i think its unfair to conplain about price we also eat outside of the hotel and out other friends took food with them

In Brum there wasn't any other restaurant/food facilites within a 10 mile radius of the Hilton. It was literally in the middle of an industrial estate, which is why people found the price of the food in the Hilton to be difficult to stomach. It's all well and good taking food, but you can't really live on crisps and snacks for the weekend. A main evening meal does go down well generally - which unless you've got £18 to spend on a burger, then you're pretty stuffed.

There are places over at the airport that is a 20 minute walk away.

Also about a 20 minute walk or 2 minute car drive there is a very nice pub called the little owl. It does food for between £5 and £12. We went there on Sunday night.

I understand you may not have known about it, but if you'd asked any of the crew, they all know about it, also the hotel will tell you about it if you ask about local pub food. That's how we found out about it the first time.

I think my main point here is, if you have any issues AT ALL at one of our events please do talk to us (even if it's venue and not event related). It maybe that we have information that you don't and maybe able to resolve the issue for you. We stay at a lot of these hotels a number of times a year and so sometimes the crew have great insider knowledge.

Edited by Too Tall, 22 September 2009 - 01:13 PM.

[laurendel]

Ilora-Danon, on Sep 22 2009, 01:27 PM, said:

My only criticisms of Brum, was the DJ... not the best selection of tracks imo.

And the fact that people still crowded the guests when (it is stated in the programme not to, isn't it?) they were out of the VIP section.
I purposely ignored Charlie during that time, because I didn't want to be seen as that sort of fan.

Yeah, I felt for the guests at that point, so even more clear instruction to the fans may help, who knows.




I also don't know if this is the place to bring this up, but Beth and I asked Too Tall if we could have our stock photos signed by the guests on the sunday, by one of our friends who was going to be there all weekend. He said yes, and we were all happy.

What I didn't realise was that I had to put the programme in with the pack (I thought the badge would be sufficient, so it didn't occur to me to take the programe out of my clutch bag). so when it came to it, my photos were refused to be signed, whereas the other Beth's were signed because she'd left the programme with them. I'm a little disappointed that such a small oversight caused my pack to be refused signing. I'm honestly gutted after being told I'd have the autographs done.
Considering both badges were present, and one programme, I'm shocked and a little hurt that it was refused.
Meh.

If you ever have chance to speak to Charlie at another event please ask him if he felt crowded, because it  was actually him going up to everyone and chatting with them all.
I actually asked him if he was bothered by all us "fans" as you say, and he answer was "hell no, i bloody love it"!!!
So to those " fans" keep up the good work cuz Charlie LOVES IT!

Lauren x

[Too Tall]

Ilora-Danon, on Sep 22 2009, 01:27 PM, said:

I also don't know if this is the place to bring this up, but Beth and I asked Too Tall if we could have our stock photos signed by the guests on the sunday, by one of our friends who was going to be there all weekend. He said yes, and we were all happy.

What I didn't realise was that I had to put the programme in with the pack (I thought the badge would be sufficient, so it didn't occur to me to take the programe out of my clutch bag). so when it came to it, my photos were refused to be signed, whereas the other Beth's were signed because she'd left the programme with them. I'm a little disappointed that such a small oversight caused my pack to be refused signing. I'm honestly gutted after being told I'd have the autographs done.
Considering both badges were present, and one programme, I'm shocked and a little hurt that it was refused.
Meh.

The crew did the right thing. Someone coming up with 2 badges and asking for 2 set of autographs when that person only has 1 programme. How were the crew to know that the owner of the second badge hadn't already got the autographs themselves, that's why we have vouchers.

I remember you asking me on Saturday night I said if you had someone that could do it for you, that was fine. Just give them your reg pack but you needed to make sure they had your programme and giving them your badge was a good idea too.

I'm sorry you didn't get them, but I don't think we could have made it any clearer, no vouchers = no autographs.

This information has been here on this forum for quite some time in the HOW THINGS WORK thread. And as far as I'm aware this information was also in the reg packs.

From the HOW THINGS WORK thread.....

Quote

Vouchers: Your registration pack will contain vouchers for your autographs (these autograph vouchers maybe on the back of your convention guide book). Your pack will also contain your photo shoot vouchers if you are a Gold pass holder or have ordered them in advance online. If you think any of your vouchers are missing please let us know immediately. You will be asked for them when you come to claim your autographs or photo shoots. If you forget to bring these vouchers or lose them, you will not be able to claim your autographs or photo shoots. These vouchers are YOUR responsibility, please treat them as if they are CASH. You WILL NOT be able to claim your photo shoots and autographs without these vouchers.

Edited by Too Tall, 22 September 2009 - 01:53 PM.