AniMix

[daxenryal]

So AniMix 2009 has finally ended and, boy, was it something else.

We didn't have the chance to hear from everyone about what they liked or disliked, so if it's possible, I'd like to get some people to post what they either liked or disliked. To make it easier for us to reference, I'd really appreciate it if you'd bold your main point, and if it's something to improve on, please provide us with some ideas on how to improve on those.

An example would be as follows:

The hotel had fire ants. (True story, actually, according to Keita-sama.)

This could be improved by getting another hotel. Or by just getting bug spray that can be used for the hotel rooms.

Please, don't comment on the actual hotel, though. We know how... lacking the hotel could be, so please don't focus on that. :/

Thanks!

[Babelglyph]

Can I open up another thread for hotel horror stories? I think it'd be best to keep them separate but I'm curious to hear more problems with the hotel itself. Maybe if we get a thread going we can use it for support to raise money to get to the convention center.

(also the hotel DID have fire ants. I saw them.)

My things:

Please shorten the staff and volunteer awards at closing ceremonies. I know they all work very hard, and they definitely deserve recognition! But maybe keep the actual handing out of DVDs and other swag to after. It seemed like that was all closing ceremonies was, and I'd love to see a retrospective of the three days more than "hey, you, here's your DVD. next person, here's yours. Where's this guy? Is he here? No, he's not? Wait, there he is." It's not much of a ceremony.

For next year, if we need to cut things from the budget, trophies and staff award plaques aren't necessary. They are a lovely gesture and they do help us look very professional, but since Funimation and other companies seem to have no holds barred when it comes to giving us free stuff, we could save some money by giving out that rather than trophies.

Lanyards next year could be optional, sold separately, or not given at all. This could be another way to reduce the budget. It was cool to have the different colors, but I'd be more than willing to buy a separate one (maybe even get nice ones with "animix" printed on them) or just re-use the one from this year. Hell, I'd even donate the ones I have back to the con so other people can use them. Reusing lanyards would also be a great way to keep the con a little bit greener--I know there are some otaku who love to do stuff all environmentally-friendly-like!

Appoint an email liaison. Someone to check and answer emails at least once a week, preferably every day. It's really, really uncomfortable to send an email and have silence back for weeks on end...

Eliminate volunteer t-shirts. Volunteers can get by on a special badge. Staff deserves shirts, they NEED to be instantly recognizable. Volunteers can afford to have to flash a pass if they gotta be Official Business.

Use the free swag as prizes and such! Or have a raffle or door prize! This way, people are more likely to get the items they want, rather than passing them all out at the end of the con. (Definitely keep some to "pay" the staff, though. They work super-hard.)

Keep up the variety of panels! it seemed like there were lots of different things to do, even if I wasn't interested in most of them. I liked to have the options for dancing, or art, or learning about kimono, or just talking with VAs. A very good plus in such a small con.

Include more 13+ or 16+ or 18+ events. It's wonderful to have the con so open to kids of all ages, but sometimes the adults want to let loose, and it can be a bit hard to watch what we're saying when we're so relaxed and having fun. Some ideas are hentai or ecchi art tutorials, Yaoi Vs Yuri tug-of-war (that could end badly), "This One Time at Con" con-story discussion, or even just an "18+ Lounge" where kids aren't allowed. It's not really that we need DIRTY SMUT RIGHT NOW CURSE WORDS ALL THE TIME, just I don't want to feel guilty when I accidentally say bad things around the children.

Offer something else during the concerts/cosplay? Even if it's just a sort of general sit-out we're-not-interested thing it'd be fun to group together and chat. Things that are easy to do and keep doing (like, say, practicing your Copic marker skills, or origami, or dancing) are great during these types of things, but just don't schedule something exclusively during these if it can be avoided so people have options!

Registration tiers could be clearer on the website. Things like press passes, child passes, parent passes, group rates, rate-tier deadlines, and military or senior discounts are all easy enough to address. If you don't offer parent or young child passes, add a note! I know someone asked about group rates and I emailed for a press pass--for these types of things you could even say "if you are interested in obtaining these, email [blahblah@whatever.com] for more information." Also, make sure special passes (like parent or press passes) include information on what those mean. A parent pass might mean hall priviledges only (no panels or concerts or dealer room) and a press pass might mean free or reduced admission and access to the con suite / green room. As it is, there's no info. (I'm pretty sure we don't offer parent passes, and I'm not saying we should--just that if we do want to add a special pass like that the info needs to be available somewhere.)

Keep the gaming guys, they were good. I wish they had had Guitar Hero and DDR (two things that are great to just pick up and play) but I heard why they didn't and that's fine.

Guests are awesome. Very, very awesome. This is the smallest con I've been to with guests this great! Seriously, great work on getting them all to come and keeping them happy while they were here.

If we have to have a theme again, please, please don't let it be "popular vote"... because then we end up with half the cosplayers being ninjas, and it gets old. Fast. There are a berzillion creative and unusual themes in anime to choose from. We could start a brainstorming thread on the forums and ask for ideas and the higher-ups could select from the offered ones. Also, if there is a theme again, broadcast it! Design the website around it, let people know!

Can there be more things available late at night than just concerts? see also alternate activities. It seemed like the con shut down around 7pm this year, and there wasn't anything but the concert and half of Artist's Alley left.

This is really a question, but it's one that is vital: If we get stuck with the Plaza again as our only option, what will we do?

I hope this wasn't too much complain-y, just suggestions of stuff to make this con even better. I know it's got a great chance to be amazing. Can't wait to see pictures and videos from this year!

[Aisha]

To your last question: We will not be returning to the Plaza, if we do not have the funds to get a better hotel next year, we will just not have a convention next year, it will return the year after.

[transsexual_unicorn]

hmm okay,


i think that we need to separate walk-ons and skits

also put the rules about the competition on the site, because without warning there was a meeting about it after people have planned out the wrong thing

there are some others im just too tired to think of them =w=

[datboicj03]

Babelglyph had touched on a lot of the things i to was thinking so i will do my best not to repeat as much.


Panel length and set up - Panels should end about 10 min before the next one begins to allow for set up. About 15 min til is when the panel should start coming to a close and then you got a good 10 minutes to set up for the next panel and work on the technical difficulties and what not. Johnny was saying how he had things to show us but nothing was set up for him to do so. Also i left during the silent auction because i felt it was running on a bit too long. There is a way to still have fun with it but at the same time keep it moving.

Preparation of equipment for panels - The day before to avoid as many technical difficulties all equipment should be checked to make sure its all compatible.

Panel notification I know programs are given out and all but, when it came time for the Band autographs i was unsure about if they where doing them or if they where still setting up. I was standing buy the door and heard one of the staffers say; "We need to let people know about the autographs." When i went in there Kimberly had ran back to her table to get her own sharpies. All of that could have been provided. When a panel is about to begin ya gotta let people know since some loose there programs and what not. A sign on an stand or something would be nice.

Physical contact I understand hugs and glomps are a norm at cons. But I'm 24 and i find it pretty uncomfortable when a teenager runs and jumps on me. Although i did say "please never do that again" as nice as i could.

Traffic Flow People should always be moving and not blocking the walkways. There where a few instances in which people where just standing around and stopping and not moving. I know the area is small and pretty tight but all it takes is for the volunteers to monitor and keep the traffic flow moving.

Volunteers I too believe the volunteers could be a bit limited. Reason being is because i would see some of them just sitting around waiting to be told to do something instead of doing something. You volunteer because you wanna help out.

Awards Now trophies are a must for the cosplay competition but everything else could be certificates. It'll save some money.

Will this is my list.

Animix not returning next year NOOOO!!!!!!! It's important that we do.

I have some fund raising ideas.

Also i would like to know how to be a part of the staff.

Thanks,
Corey J.

[Babelglyph]

Physical contact I understand hugs and glomps are a norm at cons. But I'm 24 and i find it pretty uncomfortable when a teenager runs and jumps on me. Although i did say "please never do that again" as nice as i could.

This is actually against the rules we had here -- at opening ceremonies, Keita specifically addressed the "ask before you glomp, hug, or touch" rule. Maybe printing it in the program (or printing it bigger) might help, or having signs posted. I was kinda worried on Friday that it might randomly happen to me, because my ankle had gotten hurt, and I was afraid it would make it worse. There are a lot of legitimate reasons to not want to be glomped or even hugged and other people should always respect that! I try to ask or at least warn somehow before I hug people.

I love your suggestions; they're things to really help the con flow more smoothly. Especially about the traffic. I didn't notice it much but I suspect I was one of those people contributing to clogs... <_<;; Definitely don't be afraid to speak up if people don't keep moving though.

[datboicj03]

Just popped in.

Website management - An regularly updated website is a must as it is the main way of communication amongst con goers. A regularly updated website will also draw more people to the forums as well. The website doesn't have to be fancy with all kinds of bells and whistles but as long as information is updated on a regular basis that would be good. It kinda also goes with the E-mail liaison.

[Aisha]

Just popped in.

Website management - An regularly updated website is a must as it is the main way of communication amongst con goers. A regularly updated website will also draw more people to the forums as well. The website doesn't have to be fancy with all kinds of bells and whistles but as long as information is updated on a regular basis that would be good. It kinda also goes with the E-mail liaison.

Unfortunately, only Keita is currently able to change the website. >.> Hopefully she'll get on and upgrade some of the staff on the forums so we can keep things up to date.

[Zero-1]

I would say most of the concerns I had were already posted, I would probably have more but I was put in charge of the AV room. I was a volunteer so I was really unprepared to provide better shows (sorry peeps). If I can get the same job next year I'll throw in some better and newer series. The main problem I noticed with this year's AV showing is that most people have seen a large amount of the series already playing. So there wasnt really a need to see them if you had seen it recently, or were hoping to see newer things that might catch your attention. There was one series though...that invited a lot of people hahaha, enough so that I ended up with projects from them afterwards (you know what it was lol).

Overall I for one enjoyed it. If possible next year I would like the same position and a little more advanced warning next time so I dont end up showing people things they can recite in their sleep lolz >.< The one thing I found MOST amusing was the fact that almost no one could remember my name lolz I was called many different things like "Hey you!"(some of the volunteers XD), "Zero!" (in costume) by some cosplayers, "Hey Kuran" (in costume again) same as before, "AV guy" (from some of the staff lol), and "Vam-PIRE!" (in costume) by this one energetic girl that would have probably enjoyed it had I really bitten her lolz.

I look forward to what plans we have for next year. I hope it can be better than what it was.

Edit: To Keita's crew sorry I couldnt see you off at the hotel I was working and I got your message on the answering machine when I got home. I would have come during lunch break had I actually KNOWN you guys were leaving then (I was told you guys were leaving sunday night thats why ><)

[AsianEyes442]

Is this Matt???? If so, this is Keita... I was just skimming through the threads before I deleted and archived stuff...

Laters,

Keita-sama

[Aisha]

Is this Matt???? If so, this is Keita... I was just skimming through the threads before I deleted and archived stuff...

Laters,

Keita-sama

>.> Random post by our con head lady.

[Zero-1]

Hahaha sorry yeah she was talking to me XD I sent her a direct message so we wouldnt spam the rest of this thread

[Rissa]

While I had an absolute blast at Animix once again, I have noticed things that should be tweaked. and one of them I offer at no charge.

Neater, user friendly website.

I've emailed Keita offering a re-do of the website and haven't received a reply yet. But the offer still stands.
See, what mainly attracts con-goers... is a nice, organized, user-friendly website that'll answer any and every question an attendee may have. For example, the location page. My bf was looking for the address of the hotel so we can drive down from dallas to the con. But the simple information was buried in a paragraph of info of the hotel...

Another thing. Perhaps if we changed location completely? Like, not in killeen itself, but somewhere around it. conventions in a small town like killeen usually don't survive... I say this from experience. Perhaps animix can be moved to, say, Austin? I know of one con in Austin, and that's Ikkicon, which is in February/January. Having a busy location, means busy convention. Which is always a plus. Or Waco.

Another note someone has mentioned, more to do. When one panel happens... it seems that, that panel's the ONLY thing happening. Maybe because of the small venue.

Guests are amazing. Keep them coming. They're your main attraction of your attendee's.

While trophies for masquerade (Cosplay Competition) are nice, I don't really find them necessary. Maybe a framed certificate? Cheaper alternative. Besides the trophies I saw looked like music trophies..

I do agree that walk-ons and skits should be separate. When I go to competitions at cons... normally they're ALL skits. So perhaps animix can have two separate events for those.

Speaker system.... It was hard to us judges to hear the music coming from a small boombox. I can only imagine what it was like for attendee's in the back.
Also, when judges are judging after the show, maybe there can be a performance of some sort and keep the crowd in the room, that way there can be a proper celebration for those who won.

I hope these help make animix a better convention and cant wait for the coming years! <3

--Rissa

[Kikyo4ever]

I have talked to TONS of people and 90% of them say that if animix were to leave killeen then they would not go anymore cause it would cost too much and that goes for me as well. I can't afford to go to cons outside of killeen. I've only been to one other con other then animix and that was ikkicon this year which it was a miracle I got to go to that. If keita takes animix away from killeen even im chief of staff I would have no option but to quit cause I wouldnt be able to go just like a bunch of people and I wouldnt dare take the con to Waco cause waco is too dangerous a city.

[Babelglyph]

I think Killeen, while not perfect, is a good place for this con. It's far enough away from Austin and Waco that it justifies being in a small town--it's the anime convention we've got. Plus, being a military kid, having it so close to an Army base is huge to me. For one, it signifies that Killeen is not a wasteland of culture (though Leesville, LA is far worse) and it helps me meet local people. Our goal as an anime convention shouldn't be to be the biggest or most special or different -- just to provide a great convention experience for whoever can come. In that regard, it's done a great job here in Killeen. Just seeing the growth from this year to the next makes me think that the distances from bigger cities like Austin and Waco doesn't seem to stop them from coming here.

I don't know if I would be able to come to AniMix next year, no matter where it will be. But I'm proud of AniMix for being pretty successful in this small town. I would be more likely to try to return for the con if it stayed in Killeen than if it moved to Austin. I like the flavor it gives as compared to one in a big city.

A new website would do great things for the con as a whole, I definitely agree--someone should make sure Keita reads this thread! It's amazingly kind of you to offer that for free, Rissa, bonus props to you for sure.

To other people: If other things have been mentioned before that you liked and didn't talk about in your post, could you list them? That way we know which ideas/suggestions are the most popular even if you don't have anything else to add.