[ACML] hotel rules

[davidrmerrill]

It may be unfair to hold the convention responsible for the behavior
of attendees, but hotels do it anyway.  Rather than split hairs with
hotel management over who's at fault, convention organizers need to
address the issue proactively.  Work with the hotel to introduce rules
for hotel guests, educate the convention attendees in advance of the
convention as to their expected standard of behavior, and make sure
rules are enforced at the show itself.

AWA had a lot of pre-convention grumbling about the new rules.  We
sold the hotel out anyway last year and we've already sold the hotel
out for this year's show. Attendees who can't or won't abide by our
rules are welcome to stay in a different hotel; there are plenty of
people who would love to use those rooms. 

Most hotels and conventions already have the rules and structures in
place to educate the attendees and provide for those who won't play
nice.  It's only a matter of using what's already there.  



--- In animecons at yahoogroups.com, AaronRosenberg at ... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 2/22/2008 12:01:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
> animecons-request at ... writes:
> 
> 1.   How responsible are the Cons for their memberships' behavior in
the  
> hotel?
> As a philosophical exersise, I'll say right now they aren't because
the  
> problem has only recently become...well...a problem.  Right now we
are to  invent 
> a way of dealing with it.  Once that way exists, a convention is 
responsible 
> for attendee behavior if it neglects its duty to implement the 
solution.  
> Since no proven solution exists, it is unfair to hold the Con 
responsible.  
> 
> 2.   How do we educate the membership on appropriate hotel / public
behavior 
> so  that they don't bring us disgrace and higher hotel prices?
> The same way we let them know which weapons not to bring--post clear
rules  
> in the convention guide.  If you define the hotel (legally) as "part
of the  
> con" (but a special part that non-badge holders may enter) then con
can  
> rightfully remove the badges of those not following the rules.  
>  
> Also, the best way to educate is to tell the story.  People don't 
usually 
> respond well to negative commands--especially if they have done
nothing  wrong.  
> When the innocent feel unecessarily restricted they become angry 
and lash 
> out--thus joining the guilty.  If the rules are posted as stories  and 
> explanations, we will win the cooperation of the 95% who really do
treat  their rooms 
> well and would willingly do their parts to help the  convention.  
>  
> If room-trashers are violating pre-written Convention policy and are
 ejected 
> after the offense is committed, it will reflect much better on the 
Con.  
> "Your crowd trashes hotels and we don't want it" will turn into 
"Oops, you had a 
> room-trasher but you clearly, in writing, do not approve of  that
AND you 
> tossed him out.  Good work."  
> 
> 3.   Have the Soap Campaigns worked?
> Unknown; I have no data.  Now a Mythbuster would identify the specific  
> foul-smelling chemicals in the air and check for PPM in cons with
and without  Soap 
> Campaigns.  
> 
> 4.   What are suggestions for working with the hotel to provide
alternatives 
> for  this, and what alternatives can we come up with?
> 
> Here's what not to do:
>  
> OMNI SHOREHAM:  You can't do this,  It's against our rules, we 
don't care 
> that you paid, we're shutting down your fun and taking your  stuff.
 We'll also 
> be removing all Do Not Disturb signs so don't expect to  be able to
nap or 
> have privacy because housekeeping will just intrude.
>  
> FAN: You EXPLITIVE!  I didn't work all the way up to adulthood to 
be treated 
> like some immature child!  I'm a paying customer!  You're  my host
and I'm 
> your GUEST!  This is an OUTRAGE!  I'm calling my  attorney.  Maybe I
will thrash 
> your room since you're going to punish me  for it anyway.  
>  
> The hotel should have posted this battle plan on its web site AND
alerted  
> Katsucon so the info would be in the Con's Hotel Info page as well.
 That  way, 
> at the time of booking we'd either agree with the rules or find
another  
> hotel.  
>  
> -Aaron Rosenberg
> Simulated Headquarters
> "Take the weekend off, let us handle the convention."  
>  
> 
> 
> 
> **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL
Living.      
>
(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/
> 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)
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