lykopis783 0 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 (edited) Hotel-based cons have options we do not when it comes to space. The Otakon dance has a much larger number of people to manage and for various practical reasons we need to be kicking folks out of the BCC by 2am. Heck, we kick most of our staff out by then. As the guy who, for two years running, was the last one out of the BCC at night (at 330 or 4am), I don't see it being particularly easy to extend that -- especially when most of the city shuts down at 2am. While some venues can stay open, we may well be up against city ordinances and noise rules. I'm sure that our planners will *ask* the Hilton about what's possible, but don't hold your breath for a much later thing. Remember, there's a TON of stuff that has to happen overnight, too -- cleanup most notably. Dance gets pretty messy, and pretty stinky too, and it needs time to air out, because that space must be ready for use the next morning by 8:45am. I am curious, though: Which cons run their dance party til 3am? AUSA and Katsucon ran their dances til sometime around 3am these past ones. Edited May 5, 2009 by lykopis783 Link to post Share on other sites
Asrial Dune 0 Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Hotel-based cons have options we do not when it comes to space. The Otakon dance has a much larger number of people to manage and for various practical reasons we need to be kicking folks out of the BCC by 2am. Heck, we kick most of our staff out by then. As the guy who, for two years running, was the last one out of the BCC at night (at 330 or 4am), I don't see it being particularly easy to extend that -- especially when most of the city shuts down at 2am. While some venues can stay open, we may well be up against city ordinances and noise rules. I'm sure that our planners will *ask* the Hilton about what's possible, but don't hold your breath for a much later thing. Remember, there's a TON of stuff that has to happen overnight, too -- cleanup most notably. Dance gets pretty messy, and pretty stinky too, and it needs time to air out, because that space must be ready for use the next morning by 8:45am. I am curious, though: Which cons run their dance party til 3am? AUSA and Katsucon ran their dances til sometime around 3am these past ones. Putting on my AUSA and Katsu staff hat for a second, neither of those dances were scheduled to run that late. AUSA's was pushed back a number of hours due to an issue with the band, and at Katsu the DJ decided to keep playing past the scheduled ending time. IIRC, if they'd both ended as planned, they would have been over around 2am. I would not expect to see either of those situations happen at Otakon for a ton of reasons. Link to post Share on other sites
evaunit01berserk 0 Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 . That was my only gripe with Otakon last year, the rave ended before it even felt like it started. I would suggest possibly talking to the Hyatt in regards to their space of ballrooms, as they're connected to the convention center through a walkway as well and seem to have a great large ballroom right by the doors that lead to the convention center. Link to post Share on other sites
OtakonOtaku 0 Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 hey a fast reply boy where have I been <3's it anyway *gets to topic* I don't really like the idea of a move for the rave. someone mentioned it killing the energy I agree with that like at AUSAs rave and Katsus sometimes there was a lot of open space it seemed odd. however in light of the Otakon side-room a move might be good >_<; it needed a room extention. so I guess it's worth a try. I don't like having to go somewhere other than the convention center. just like how the concert was moved from the con center - yeah i haven't been to a concert since TMR >_<; but the space was really neeeded too. running past 2 AM...... um well i wonder how good their sound proffing is? I guess thats me worring about hearing later that non-con hotel guests may be mad about the noise. it has a lot of pros and cons I like the comfort of being in the convention center I know so well but if we try it and it doesn't work out next year we move back Link to post Share on other sites
TheIronFistOfDeath 0 Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I'd be against a move. It just doesn't seem necessary. There is plenty of space every year at the BCC. I'm sure the last thing the Hilton staff wants is a bunch of underage kids who can't hold their liquor running around in their hotel and throwing up in their bathrooms. They're going to be less thrilled about cleaning up that mess than the BCC. Not to mention at the BCC there's plenty of areas to walk around and hang out should you want some air and there are plenty of restrooms. Also, there's the large area by the rave where people just hang out and talk which is often much nicer than the dance itself. The clean up is also going to take the same amount of time or longer because the Hilton is going to want their ballroom spotless each night before the staff leaves. Then there's the noise. There are just too many reasons NOT to move it. The BCC works just fine IMO and if it's not broken don't try to fix it. Link to post Share on other sites
moonbunnychan 0 Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 These replies have been kind of interesting in that it kinda feels like a lot of the posters have never been to a con held entirely IN a hotel. Maybe I've just been lucky, but it's seemed to me that the shenanigans were more or less pretty contained and kept to the lobbyish areas and have never bothered me. I had more of a problem sleeping in a dorm and people being out of control jerks then I ever had at a hotel during a con. Even not being contained to a single hotel, those same shenanigans seem to go on during Otakon in every hotel I've stayed at during it, since it's still full of con people. I know Otakon is much bigger, but having been to the dances at a lot of different cons, to me it doesn't feel like it's a HUGE increase in the number of people that go to the dance. I've always absolutely hated where the dance is...the main room doesn't feel like a dance at all, being entirely too bright and entirely too open and...well not even like...a room. It just feels like a hallway where loud music happens to be playing, it kills the mood for me and I just can't get into it. The side room is much better...but it gets packed to the point of hardly being able to move and just entering into it is like walking directly into a wall...a wall made of body heat and stench. My only real concern is that the BCC is already a labyrinth, and huge to walk, and the few times Otakon's done things out of it I usually just haven't bothered because it felt so far out of my way. The one exception was when they had L'arc...but I was staying at the Wyndham at the time and could actually see the arena from my room. Link to post Share on other sites
TheIronFistOfDeath 0 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Judging by the floor plans provided by the Hilton it's in a prime location, so that's at least a plus. Both ballrooms are on the 2nd floor, which is connected via skybridge. There are also no rooms on that floor. There would probably be less people still since it's not technically in the convention center and there would be lots of frustration trying to evade the minotaur that's chasing you through the BCC (it's a labyrinth). I'd still be against a move but I wouldn't be totally against trying the Hilton either. Vandalism might be a problem and since it's the Hilton, Otakorp is going to pay out the butt for anything damaged so that's something to think about too. Also, if the first night doesn't go well we won't be welcome back a second night and that could result in the rave being cancelled Saturday. Maybe try the BCC Friday and the Hilton Saturday and see how it goes and get feedback here after the con's over. Link to post Share on other sites
evaunit01berserk 0 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 These replies have been kind of interesting in that it kinda feels like a lot of the posters have never been to a con held entirely IN a hotel. Maybe I've just been lucky Link to post Share on other sites
bigdaddykev 0 Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Nothing is going to change for this year. Most of the dance staff is staying in the Hilton this year so we will get a good look at the spot for next years considerations. Regarding not having a rave Saturday due to misconduct on Friday...that's most likely not going to happen. Everything with Otakon is based on contracts and it would have to be something very serious for that to happen. I agree that the lighting situation in the main room of the current spot is bad and as said in previous posts we have limited control due to it being a public building and it having to stand up to certain fire codes. We might be able to get away with more in the Hilton but that question hasn't been asked. All in all I thank you all for your input and anything else on this topic please keep posting. If you have any other comments or suggestions regarding the OtakuRave in general please either email me @ bigdaddykev@gmail.com or send me a Private Message through the boards. I hope you all are getting excited for the Rave and purchasing your gear/supplies now. Remember that NO items are going to be at sale during the Rave and selling items will get you escorted out. Buy your stuff in advance and save some cash. Dealers room will have some stuff but who wants to pay those prices? Like I said before any questions/comments no matter big or small hit me up and I'll respond quickly. I'm excited about the OtakuRave and want you guys to get pumped as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Dark-Ryo 0 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Randomly, The Rave @ this year's Katsucon went on 'til 8am so I heard. I was only around 'til 5am or so! Link to post Share on other sites
Nash 1 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 i like the rave where it is now except for the small room that smells like sweat and body odor all the time :3 Link to post Share on other sites
kuramasan 0 Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Would you be able to have it dark in these rooms? More space would be REALLY good though. It gets so hot and I know some of my friends didn't even want to try and go because of how close it is. Also, one of my friends might have had some unwanted attention which was unavoidable because it was that close. (and now it's hard to get them to try to go at all) So would be glad to see a change. It can't really make anything much worse but there is a possibility for improvement. Link to post Share on other sites
evaunit01berserk 0 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Would you be able to have it dark in these rooms? Also, one of my friends might have had some unwanted attention which was unavoidable because it was that close. Link to post Share on other sites
kuramasan 0 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Would you be able to have it dark in these rooms? Also, one of my friends might have had some unwanted attention which was unavoidable because it was that close. the darker it gets the more that problem is going to happen Link to post Share on other sites
kuramasan 0 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I am meaning in my experiences and the experiences of those I know. (btw, no idea how to delete message to fit this in one post nor how edit a message, if there even IS a way) But nothing kills a dance faster than too much light. Especially white light. Link to post Share on other sites
Amacfa 0 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Sounds good to me!... How far is the hilton? :S Link to post Share on other sites
kuramasan 0 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Sounds good to me!... How far is the hilton? :S Link to post Share on other sites
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