The really need a instruction manual...

[Forever Purity]

But here's a question to all the staffers, just HOW is a convention run?

See, I'm trying to get on the INSIDE, which is why I voulenteer... alot. But I wanna get down to more of the nitty gritty here. It can be a huge explanation or whatever, but I'd just love to know, what would be some basics of starting up a convention, or steps?

I'd like to start up my own con here in 5 or so years. So I'm trying to get as much info as I can. 8D

[Ramothhe]

But here's a question to all the staffers, just HOW is a convention run?

See, I'm trying to get on the INSIDE, which is why I voulenteer... alot. But I wanna get down to more of the nitty gritty here. It can be a huge explanation or whatever, but I'd just love to know, what would be some basics of starting up a convention, or steps?

I'd like to start up my own con here in 5 or so years. So I'm trying to get as much info as I can. 8D

The bottom line. Lots of hard work, dedicated volunteers, MONEY, space, time, and planning skills. Many cons fail within their first 2 years. thats the 'critical time' for most. Some cons have panels like 'the secrets of con running' so I'd reccomend you going to those if you have a chance.

[Forever Purity]

I've never even SEEN those panels. :/

[gamergirlx]

That's such a loaded question, I'm sure most of us staffers wouldn't even know where to begin. The best way to find out I'd say is through experience and volunteering.

[Ramothhe]

I've never even SEEN those panels. :/

Let me ask you something. Take a guess at how much the bill for the Scanticon was this year?

[Technowraith]

I've never even SEEN those panels. :/

Let me ask you something. Take a guess at how much the bill for the Scanticon was this year?

I'll take a guess at $30,000. Assuming that all attendees were to register at the door, $30 x 1300 is $39,000. Give or take, $30K for the venue, $9,000 for the rest of everything else.

[Forever Purity]

....roughly around $10,000?

[gamergirlx]

I'll take a guess at $30,000. Assuming that all attendees were to register at the door, $30 x 1300 is $39,000. Give or take, $30K for the venue, $9,000 for the rest of everything else.

you've assumed incorrectly. It's just the cost of the venue, not the funds received from attendance. Plus you can't have a budget that exceeds
your attendance projections. Attendance was not expected to be over 750.

[Forever Purity]

So I was thinking too largely?

Hm.

x.x 1500-2000?

[Technowraith]

I've never even SEEN those panels. :/

Let me ask you something. Take a guess at how much the bill for the Scanticon was this year?

I'll take a guess at $30,000. Assuming that all attendees were to register at the door, $30 x 1300 is $39,000. Give or take, $30K for the venue, $9,000 for the rest of everything else.

you've assumed incorrectly. It's just the cost of the venue, not the funds received from attendance. Plus you can't have a budget that exceeds
your attendance projections. Attendance was not expected to be over 750.

750 x $30 = $22,500. So maybe a new guess of $15,000? >.<

I fail at guessing games. >.< but i guess the bill isn't cheap in any case. When you guys project income from attendance, do you assume the costs at the pre-reg price (x number of attendees at pre-reg price) or the full at door price (x number of attendees at final at door price?). I've always wandered how cons project income from attendance.

[Forever Purity]

-nodnod- I agree with cloud!

...Maybe I should think about vouleteering fro Registration/Con Ops next year. LUL.

...doubt that'd really help me anyyyy... ><;

I wish I could help like PLAN for next year.
Like shadow somehow. AAARGH.

I look at cons and think, How DO they do it?! I mean, we're all just normal people...

And I've tried to like, search up stuff, but it's like IT'S A TRADE FAMILY SECRET. D:

I WANT IN. lul

[LarLar]

I can say that after a lot of volunteering, I know the outside of how a con works (like what the people see), but I'm clueless on the number side. If you need someone to help with running security or something, I'm your girl, but actually running the whole con is over my head.

[Technowraith]

-nodnod- I agree with cloud!

...Maybe I should think about vouleteering fro Registration/Con Ops next year. LUL.

...doubt that'd really help me anyyyy... ><;

I wish I could help like PLAN for next year.
Like shadow somehow. AAARGH.

I look at cons and think, How DO they do it?! I mean, we're all just normal people...

And I've tried to like, search up stuff, but it's like IT'S A TRADE FAMILY SECRET. D:

I WANT IN. lul

There's tons of planning involved for the convention, trust me. Complete logistics range from security details, down to the table sizes available for the dealer's room and artist alley. I know that once you've been proven as a reliable gopher for a year or two, most cons will invite you to serve as a staff member. So just give it time. As eager as you are to join the staff, prove yourself reliable as a gopher first. After all, every ladder has a bottom rung. And for convention staffing, that bottom rung is gophering. Given certain circumstance, you may be invited to the staff earlier, if you've shown dedication and maturity. Either way, if doors to staffing don't open right now, you can certainly still gopher and volunteer in other ways, either on the street team or some other function.

[Forever Purity]

...I've been vouleteering for awhile.

I think I gophered once.
Worked Security twice.
And then I gophered again this year. XD
I was invited to be a Co-Head of Security for a con back down in texas AFTER I had moved up here, but I wasn't able to get back down there, due to not having work/finances to get there.


But yeah. I knew that was my best bet. Voulenteer, get on staffs, take notes....

Hm. Really need to get a drivers license and a car. I think that's really hindering me. :/

<_<;

I was really just trying to get advice. Lul.

But I guess the staffing bit is best. xD

[Ramothhe]

I've never even SEEN those panels. :/

Let me ask you something. Take a guess at how much the bill for the Scanticon was this year?

I'll take a guess at $30,000. Assuming that all attendees were to register at the door, $30 x 1300 is $39,000. Give or take, $30K for the venue, $9,000 for the rest of everything else.

you've assumed incorrectly. It's just the cost of the venue, not the funds received from attendance. Plus you can't have a budget that exceeds
your attendance projections. Attendance was not expected to be over 750.

750 x $30 = $22,500. So maybe a new guess of $15,000? >.<

I fail at guessing games. >.< but i guess the bill isn't cheap in any case. When you guys project income from attendance, do you assume the costs at the pre-reg price (x number of attendees at pre-reg price) or the full at door price (x number of attendees at final at door price?). I've always wandered how cons project income from attendance.

Yes you fail! Do not pass go or collect 200 yen XDDD

Not everyone gota 2 day pass at the door my good sir. The counts are not exactly right.

The con iteself (flat room rental fee for just the rooms activities were held in) came to just over 10 K. But keep in mind this is a flat fee without:
Stage Rental/Setup Fee
Table Fees
Pipe and Drape Fees
Stanchion (the little ropes and poles) Fee
AV/Tech Fee
Plane Ticket Fees
Equipment Van Rental Fees
Equipment Rental Fees
Delivery Fees
Gas Reimbursal Fees for Guests
Staff Room Printer Ink Cost
Food Fees (outside catering)
Food Fees (inside catering)
Hotel Rooms for Guests Fees for multiple nights
Some hotel rooms for staff for multiple nights
Program Book Printing Fees
Badge Printing and Cutting Fees
Fees for Prizes for the Tournaments
Event Insurance Fees
ASCAP (Music Licensing) Fees

Probably more fees that I am not remembering right now. Lol