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The kingdom of the socially inept
For those of you who do not know, Dallas plays host to a massive anime convention every year about this time. Now, most of the time I am up for over the top geeky fun, and in the past have thoroughly enjoyed A-kon but this year the con seems to have grown into something... nasty.
The panels were sadly chosen, overcrowded and dissappointing, there were weird 4chan'ers running boomboxes through the crowd and creating spontaneous line dances, the Sheraton hotel bar evaporated for the duration of the con, and we were turned away from the dance because we were not wearing masks. I was especially irked by the irony of the last bit... me, a mask maker, turned away due to lack of a mask.
The truth of the matter is the con is growing, and going through growing pains. The on-site registration line was well staffed and ran notably quickly, and the con events have outgrown the Sheraton convention center and hotel to be hosted in other venues nearby. On the other hand, the published schedule, the staff, and even the official info desk DIDN'T KNOW about the other sites.
So yes, for me, A-kon 2009 was a flop. The organizers need to seriously consider their growth for the coming years. As one of the largest Anime events in the US, they have an outdated, clumsy website, they rely on un-informed, volunteer staff, and their event is so crowded and disorganized that it practically forces people out of the official event to take the spirit of the gathering to other venues.
Done Ranting now... time for bed.
