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Sunday - Opinion


MikeDonovan
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Well, for my twopenneth worth, we had a fab day today. Admittedly, the weather treated us kinder than it seems to have the past 2 days, but as for the layout, guest positioning, dealers etc my wife and I thought SM did a good job with limited options. It was definitely better than not having a CM MK this year, and we're very much looking forward to next years, which will be indoors in the main exhibition hall at the stadium (which is still not finished, which is outside SM's control...).

 

 

I think that's fair and basically my point of view too. I don't think the venue would be comfortable in any weather condition - at the Britannia Stadium, for example, even a 40 degree summer day can reduce me to a shivering block of ice if I sit in there.

 

Hey Psychosis, knew you were a potter, so glad to hear you're not a Valiant! You go to the Britannia often? Or just on the one day of summer when you need cooling off? lol

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Shoving people out of the way without any concern at all is just wrong.

And could possibly be classified as assault.

Agree with this 100%. It's inexcusable - I'd strongly urge you to put in a formal complaint Psychosis, otherwise those thugs are left with the impression they can get away with it.

I hate all that macho crap; they're escorting a well-known actor from one part of a venue to another in suburban middle England - not George W Bush through some of the more lawless parts of Baghdad. If they can't get a generally friendly crowd to part just by organising their "formation" and asking loudly with enough authority (or menace, if you wish) in their voices, then they're probably not too good at their jobs.

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I was guided out of the way by one of his bodyguards rather than pushed (which I thought was unecessary anyway as I wasn't in the way), but that's awful that they actually pushed people. I had them walk past me 4 times over the course of the weekend and they did seem a bit rough in getting everyone out of the way.

 

I can understand the £2 for the postage of photos that couldn't be collected - I was perfectly happy to pay £2 for my Philip Glenister one to be posted to me as I had to leave at 3:30 and mine wasn't out by then. The £2's just the cost of posage and packaging - seeing as it was £2 in the store to get your photo tickets posted to you, I thought it was quite resonable. I just hope it gets here!

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Back to Sweden today and some thoughts on my Saturday visit to the convention:

 

I felt pretty stupid standng by a DOOR next to a sign that said "Leonard Nimoy queue starts at door three", well there were 5 doors next to that sign so I stood by the third of those DOORS, first in line and felt great, it was about 7. About a half hour later a nice man got out of his car and told me and my friend that we were supposed to be at GATE three. I said "But it says door?" and he explained that gate & door is the same thing so off we went. We were no longer first in line but among the first 25, so that was cool.

 

I've mentioned my meeting with Mr. Nimoy in a thread already so I won't mention that again here.

 

The area with all the sellers were pretty filled, it was hard getting around, especially since I had a sportsbag with me. I was a bit disappointed about the lack of Star Trek action figures, if it weren't for the figures from the new movie, I would only have bought one as there were very little to choose from. They had tons of other Star Trek things though. I somehow expected more sellers though, it didn't seem to be as big as I thought it would be, but it was big enough.

 

It was freezing, so freezing that I managed to get a cold later in the day.

 

The crewmembers were nice and helpful, all except for one guy who annoyed me. A bald guy with glasses who shouted every chance he got regarding the queue's to the photo-ops. When he asked me what color my ticket had, I reached for my pocket to show him, he then said rather rudely "You don't know, so I can answer the next persons question" and turned away from me. About ½ second later I had my ticket up and had to approach him again. He was very unapproachable, also regarding the pick-up of your photos, which also took a long, long time. At first it was said you could get it at two (while someone else said two hours after the end of the photo op which would be about 3) One guy said he *hoped* they'd get them before the end of the day, otherwise they'd send it to you :P , about a half an hour later a girl said that they would be finished in 30 minutes, 2 hours later they still weren't finished and I got a bit worried. I got it at about 5 though, after standing a long time in line.

 

The food, wow. I know this is a stereotype, but did they actually BOIL the hamburgers?? They tasted absolutely nothing, and the "chips" tasted like potatoes that hadn't been boiled long enough.

 

The bus was a nice touch, I got on the last one.

 

Overall I am very pleased with my experience at this convention and would very much like to go on another one if there are ay guests worth going for (William Shatner!)

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Shoving people out of the way without any concern at all is just wrong.

And could possibly be classified as assault.

Agree with this 100%. It's inexcusable - I'd strongly urge you to put in a formal complaint Psychosis, otherwise those thugs are left with the impression they can get away with it.

I hate all that macho crap; they're escorting a well-known actor from one part of a venue to another in suburban middle England - not George W Bush through some of the more lawless parts of Baghdad. If they can't get a generally friendly crowd to part just by organising their "formation" and asking loudly with enough authority (or menace, if you wish) in their voices, then they're probably not too good at their jobs.

 

Too right. I hope the offending person/persons are reprimanded and retrained in dealing with the general public.

Edited by A007
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:P If you made a list of possible venues to hold this event The Mk Dons Stadium would surely have been last maybe whoever picked it had the list upside down.I have being going to these events for many years and went on the Sunday this year and for the very first time did not enjoy it.

No fault to any of the guests or most of the staff but the venue was so unappropiate its not true with the signings taking place on a narrow concourse at the top of the stadium.

I notice you have had reasons for the dealers being in the warm and the guests in the cold draughty cell like areas but I am sure these guests and there agents will be spreading the word around about the conditions here and it will hit your event very hard in the future.

As for the photo shoots usually like clockwork there were a shambles to get in to with a no pink tickets yet just hang around for 20 mins when everyone had payed the same money for the shoot.

The talks being cancelled there's a suprise why on earth pick a venue relieing on the weather for possibly the stand out events of the day!.

Also a great idea to hide the Ashes To Ashes car in the middle of nowhere only found it trying to walk back to our car.

On a good note at last thanks to Leonard Nimoy,Nathan Fillion,Phillip Glenister,Andrew Robinson and John Delancie was great meeting you.

If this event in the same place next year count me out.

Andrew Lock

Leamington Spa

:crying:

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my experiences with the guests were pretty positive, even though Nathan dedicated my cast shot to me after me asking him nicely not to as i just like to get a collective set of autos on a group pic, so as he couldn't duplicate Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyks autos he signed something else for free for me.

later on?

 

I looked after Nathan on Saturday.. he was mortified that he hadn't done as you'd asked him.. after asking your name it must of stuck in his mind as he started to sign your picture.. also by the afternoon he was feeling terribly jet-lagged.. which certainly affects your concentration. Its terrible unfortunate that it happened on something already signed rather than on an ordinary picture, which would of been easy to correct.

 

I hope the lovely signed extra picture he did for you in someway helped with your disapointment.. I'm sure Nathan would hate to think he'd spoilt your day or upset you.. he thinks the world of his fans

Debbie

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*facepalm* I just realised it wasn't Friday that the Nimoy thing happened, it was Saturday. My other friend was there too.

 

I was there Friday and Saturday and did see the security guys escorting him around a couple of times. Although I didn't see anything as bad as what happened to you I did think they where over the top. I could appreciate it a bit more if they where having trouble with a fan or somthing but they never where. People didn't even see them approaching because they wheren't facing them and they got a hand on the back to move them over with load calls of "out of the way!"

 

A simple "excuse me" would have sufficed.

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I think I might've been in front of you in the queue, someone mentioned a themselves and a wheelchair being pushed out of the way who was in a TNG uniform (with their partner in a newer style unifrom and sunglasses), I also remember overhearing talk of you normally being a Klingon which you are in your display pic, so I'm guessing it might've been you :D

 

yeah that was me. I was absolutely furious at the time. Hey, I'm a Klingon, I've got a temper! I do have to say, I don't think Mr Nimoy saw what happened and when I met him he was very nice.

 

Its a shame that people have got caught in the way through no fault of their own and I appreciate how that can feel. In defence of the security guards though, they're not paid to mess about and being all "touchy feely" in asking people to move doesn't always work. Ultimately, they are paid to get the guest from A to B as quickly and safely as possible, they cannot take chances or risk getting delayed. Even more so with guests of Nimoys status.

 

I do take your point but it is never acceptable to knock over someone in a wheelchair who cannot easily get out of the way. With all due respect to Mr Nimoy he does have functioning legs and there was plenty of space for him and his guards to move round us

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:dance: If you made a list of possible venues to hold this event The Mk Dons Stadium would surely have been last maybe whoever picked it had the list upside down.I have being going to these events for many years and went on the Sunday this year and for the very first time did not enjoy it.

No fault to any of the guests or most of the staff but the venue was so unappropiate its not true with the signings taking place on a narrow concourse at the top of the stadium.

I notice you have had reasons for the dealers being in the warm and the guests in the cold draughty cell like areas but I am sure these guests and there agents will be spreading the word around about the conditions here and it will hit your event very hard in the future.

As for the photo shoots usually like clockwork there were a shambles to get in to with a no pink tickets yet just hang around for 20 mins when everyone had payed the same money for the shoot.

The talks being cancelled there's a suprise why on earth pick a venue relieing on the weather for possibly the stand out events of the day!.

Also a great idea to hide the Ashes To Ashes car in the middle of nowhere only found it trying to walk back to our car.

On a good note at last thanks to Leonard Nimoy,Nathan Fillion,Phillip Glenister,Andrew Robinson and John Delancie was great meeting you.

If this event in the same place next year count me out.

Andrew Lock

Leamington Spa

:wub:

 

Blimey what a shame you wont be attending next year !!!!

 

moving on we had a great time and the general feel was possitive, dealers were inside and outside but next year it is in the same place but a different part, We were amazed at how many people came to this event, well done to showmasters for all their hard work and dedication in making this one of the busiest shows we have dealt at

 

Lynn :D

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I came yesterday to see Nathan and Phil and had a great time. A bit cold but this is england after all and i was well wrapped up and really enjoyed my day as always and met up with friends too.

 

THanks to Showmasters and the crew and i for one appreciate you bringing these events and the guests over for us.

Also great photos as well thanks to Malcolm.

 

Nicky

Edited by buffy2k
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I'm really fuzzy on my days/times/positions though. I don't remember what time of day it was, it took me an hour to remember that it was Saturday not Friday, and I couldn't point out where exactly I was. That, and I can't prove anything. It was over and done so fast. I sent them an email though to let them know that it happened so that perhaps they can bring it up if the same people/situation might occur in future.

 

Well its not just rude, it is assault. Even just placing a hand on someone can be classed as assault never mind throwing them to the ground. Even if your not sure on the details you can still report it to the police, I am sure the stadium has an extensive CCTV system.

 

Also as SM say these are highly trained professionals they should know better and be able to handle crowds and move through them with out throwing girls about or pushing wheel chair users out the way. Also I never noticed any SIA identification on any of the security people? Was I not looking hard enough? As this is a legal requirement for security staff now.

 

Having dealt with security teams for people with far higher profiles than the guests at the weekend, who perhaps are/where at risks of assassination, it can be done with a lot more subtlety.

 

I fully understand the need for security, and I would be the first to back them putting down a trouble maker. But it should not put normal attendees at risk.

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I had a great time all weekend.

The one and only downer for me at times was the weather, which none of us could do anything about! (Oh , and the food - but as a vegan I often have this prob when out for the day, lol! Ended up in Asda yesterday, and food was lovely and very cheap!)

Everyone I met was lovely and friendly, and all the crew were fab as ever - thanks guys! I love all my photoshoots, although I hate myself in photos normally - how does the photoographer do it??!!

I love CM as it's meant I've got to see so many of my favourite TV peeps over the years - something I wouldn't dreamed of doing before Discovering CM, and SM 3 day cons - like The fabulous HUb's.

Thanks SM!!

Hugs to all,

Maxine

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  • Showmasters Admin

I think people need to remember when saying things like 'why pick a venue that's going to be outside - that's just stupid' (I am paraphrasing here) that the venue was supposed to have been finished being built before now and the event would have been indoors at the four olympic sized basketball courts instead of outside in the cold.

 

The venue was booked, the dates were booked, the guests were booked. Would you rather have had the event outside in the cold for ONE YEAR ONLY and still get to meet all of these amazing people, or have had the event cancelled until the venue was finished?

 

I personally am glad the event went ahead as I met a lot of really nice and amazing guests, a lot of whom I hadn't met before, and am glad I got this chance. Perhaps if this event had been cancelled and there were different dates none of these guests would have been able to get it, and you may never have got to meet them!

 

But hey... that's just my opinion.

SJ

xox

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Thought it was great - dont know why people are complaining apart from the cold weather.

 

i totally agree - had great time, thought the layout was great and the guests were top notch

 

thanks

 

the dude :D

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I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to roxy! she was sooo lovely and helpful to me all weekend wen i got stuck with something, or had a question! Shes a great assest to you guys!

 

 

Aw Sarah :D you know it was my pleasure to help out, so glad the main things were sorted and everyone was happy....and it was lots fun seeing you and the girls over the weekend! Made me laugh ('fc', bungee-bowling etc!)

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After reading other comments I figure I may as well add my own thoughts. Firstly, I agree with a lot of what has been said about the problems, however, I did get used to the venue as the weekend went on. Thanx to SM for getting all these wonderful guests and putting on another excellent event. Also, thanx for opening a seating area for Saturday as it would have been mad to have kept things the same as Friday.

 

Surely we can all lay off SM for a bit and accept that new things need time to get working properly. Besides, we wouldnt get to meet all the stars if it wasnt for SM bringing them over.

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I'm really fuzzy on my days/times/positions though. I don't remember what time of day it was, it took me an hour to remember that it was Saturday not Friday, and I couldn't point out where exactly I was. That, and I can't prove anything. It was over and done so fast. I sent them an email though to let them know that it happened so that perhaps they can bring it up if the same people/situation might occur in future.

 

Well its not just rude, it is assault. Even just placing a hand on someone can be classed as assault never mind throwing them to the ground. Even if your not sure on the details you can still report it to the police, I am sure the stadium has an extensive CCTV system.

 

Also as SM say these are highly trained professionals they should know better and be able to handle crowds and move through them with out throwing girls about or pushing wheel chair users out the way. Also I never noticed any SIA identification on any of the security people? Was I not looking hard enough? As this is a legal requirement for security staff now.

 

Having dealt with security teams for people with far higher profiles than the guests at the weekend, who perhaps are/where at risks of assassination, it can be done with a lot more subtlety.

 

I fully understand the need for security, and I would be the first to back them putting down a trouble maker. But it should not put normal attendees at risk.

Taken from the SIA website:

 

*You do not have to wear your licence where it can be seen if you can demonstrate that the nature of your conduct on that occasion requires that you should not be immediately identifiable as someone engaging in such conduct. On such occasions you must carry your licence on you and be able to produce it on request. This condition allows store detectives or close protection operatives to perform licensable activities without the need to be identifiable. The covert licence condition cannot apply to vehicle immobilisers*

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I would not have thought that collectormania employees escorting a guest have any need for covert action and therefore should be wearing their badges where they are visible. In a job like this, surely the whole point is that they are visble and its obvious what they are doing so that people can see them coming and get out of their way.

I'm not saying they werent eearing them, I honestly didnt notice if they were or not.. I know they did have lanyards round their necks but didn't see what was hanging from them.

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Taken from the SIA website:

 

*You do not have to wear your licence where it can be seen if you can demonstrate that the nature of your conduct on that occasion requires that you should not be immediately identifiable as someone engaging in such conduct. On such occasions you must carry your licence on you and be able to produce it on request. This condition allows store detectives or close protection operatives to perform licensable activities without the need to be identifiable. The covert licence condition cannot apply to vehicle immobilisers*

 

Thanks for that.

 

Though TBH I would argue that the security here have a requirement not to be identifiable, especially if they are throwing people to the ground. I would say that the CP work done at CM15 is different from the type of CP work that the covert licence condition is aiming at. As lets be honest, if you saw it was security coming at you at CM15 you would be more like to move out the way than if you thought it was just some guy barging through.

 

But if they wish to be covert then so be it.

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