[ACML] Connecticon maybe in jeopardy

[Greg]

On Sunday 24 July 2005 05:17 pm, Briana Benn wrote:
> We did, actually, but both areas are just large open rooms.  You guys
> seemed to have managed it with the use of curtains, I heard, but we
> hadn't thought of that.  We figured it would be too much trouble to
> create walls that would be an additional expense, so we looked into the
> CCC.
>
This year, we were forced to build a wall to contain our Dealers Room in a 
very "exhibit hall" space.  We built a wall using styrofoam (like 6 in thick) 
and plywood, with some duct tape for good measure.  It was not an "ideal" 
solution, but it got the job done.  After the con was over, we "tested" the 
wall during tear-down and I've gotta say, it was pretty darn sturdy. (felt 
like I broke a toe when I kicked it wrong (and it barely moved, and that was 
just one unconnected section, we also took a sword (I think) and a wooden 
sledge hammer to it).  Short of someone taking a 20+ yd dash and flying leap 
at the thing (and maybe even something like that depending on the weight of 
the runner) it took everything we threw at it.  For added caution, we 
stationed security on the opposite side whenever necessary (sometimes the 
entire exhibit hall was locked), but all things considered that wall held up 
very well.  And the whole thing was built for something on the range of $1000 
(IIRC, give or take, definitely no more than $2k, but I think it was more 
like 1) and that thing spanned well over 60 ft in length.
Anyway, point being there are ways to work that if necessary.  I offer this 
more as a suggestion if anyone else wants to try it one day more than 
anything else.
Regarding Connecticon, I want to say I admire the loyalty you inspired in the 
webcomic community and it sounds like you ran a great con.  That said, I DO 
have 1 question.  You said in your last email that overage charges went 
around $27,000 and the debt statements say you were $34,000 in the red.  I'm 
not trying to criticize (seeing as I have NO idea what went into the planning 
and execution) but it sounds like you were going to hit at LEAST something on 
the order of $7,000 debt even without the CC screwing, and while that is a 
much more manageable number, that sort of thing DOES make me think you might 
want to more closely examine your budget.  Best of luck with the funding 
drive, did you try disputing the added fees?  (I assume yes, but *shrug*) 
because it seems like at least some of those were fees where you did not 
receive the services you paid for.  (I mean, if the "nurse" can't even handle 
a simple cut, what ARE you paying him/her for?)

Greg Simoes
Ushicon GO!
http://www.ushicon.com