A Big Thank You
To all the Fans that made it through the heat, the last minute changes, and all the walking. Preliminary numbers are showing us that we had MORE fans at SpoCon 2009 than we did in 2008. This, is a good thing. I do not think there are words to express how much we appreciate everyone that was there. We made a few mistakes here and there, and we'll own up to those - we are not perfect 
But! with all the input that you, the Fans have given us, we can only improve on what we have learned over the past two years. Without you, the Fans, SpoCon would be just an idea, and some people having meetings. When we see the smiles, the frowns, the laughter, and the head shaking, we know that the work is paying off. You have told us what you loved about SpoCon 2009, and you've let us know what you didn't -- hey, we ordered nice weather for you again this year and the extra heat must have been part of a volume discount or something... dang.
I would like to thank our wonderful Guests. You added so much to our Convention and our celebration of Fandom. All of this was complimented by a our attending Professionals. Thank you all for being part of the SpoCon family.
Now that our 2009 event has come to an end, we know that there is not time to sit back and take naps (well, for the next week or so -- I for one got about 8 hours of sleep over 4 days...) as it's time to roll our energy into SpoCon 2010: The Year Fans Make Contact.
Again -- thank you all for being part of the community known as SpoCon.
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When:
08/10 - 08/12/2012
Where:
DoubleTree Hotel
Spokane, Washington
How much:
$30 until June 1st
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SpoCon
PO Box 48790
Spokane, WA 99208
PO Box 48790
Spokane, WA 99208
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Comments
Jessica McComas
Art Auction Manager
Keep me posted! I had lots of fun helping this year!
Obiwanjacoby
Quote: [as it's time to roll our energy into SpoCon 2010: The Year Fans Make Contact.]
Har! *applause* I really hope that's the official theme for next year!
Tim Martin
The Quartermaster
SpoCon 2010: The Year Fans Make Contact.
Look at the back of your 2009 program guide as proof... this IS our 'shtick' / sloagan / promo next year - we aren't into the whole "theme" thing... Although we will have as much fun, if not more fun, with as we did the "Fan Enough"
maninspokane
I thought the Con felt less professional than the previous year and was appalled by the nudity in the art room with no warning signs and sexual innuendos at the opening ceremony.
I will not be back next year.
Tim Martin
The Quartermaster
We do strive to be as professional as possible, and we apologize for any offense that you may have felt. We get art from a number of artists, and it is always hard to know at what point will something be offensive to someone. Personally, and keep in mind that is my opinion NOT SpoCon's is that censorship of art is more offensive than the art itself. We can look into having something posted so Fans can choose to go to a certain section or not. Part of the problem is that we need to keep an artists work together and there are some artists that have such a wide range of work and that are quite popular that we would have a hard time with this.
Do you have any suggestions as to how we can do this?
As for the opening ceremonies, it was a thought to try something different, and obviously it failed. We will own that.
I'm sorry that you won't be back next year, but we would appreciate it if you have more feedback to offer or even some possible idea as to how we can make things better / more appropriate so that you'll be back in future years.
We're only a second year convention, and we made a few mistakes. We admit that. We are also trying to keep SpoCon as full-spectrum as possible. With feedback such as yours, we can further define that spectrum.
Thank you for taking the time to comment -- it will only help make SpoCon better and better.
John Ammon
Web Team Lead
We're hearing a lot of the comments and critique about opening ceremonies, and I can already tell everyone, we've got something awesome cooking for next year, it will truly be one to make it out for
John Ammon
Web Team Lead
Nudity in art shows is quite a common occurrence, any regional convention is likely to have some, and it's no more offensive than anything you'd see in a museum. The opening ceremonies was prepared rather last minute and we take full responsibility for the lack of forethought on that. We really hope you'll reconsider and come back next year, we'd love to have you back and are taking all of the feedback to heart.
maninspokane
More signs.
MUCH more signs.
We were yelled at to stay off the 3rd floor in the gaming room. When I asked if there was a sign we missed, we heard from the man at the table in the lobby (selling SpoCon dice) that "People kept tearing it down so I just gave up."
BE PREPARED. The closing ceremony felt like the entire Con. Unprepared. Handing out prizes people forgot to get? Answering a phone? I didn't drive more than a half hour away to sit and watch a group of people talk. If all those people are a clique, fine, go have a meeting or rename the "ceremony" as "Some loose ends to tie".
Security should be MUCH more professional. Walking around without a shirt on is just not acceptable while in that role.
Less sleaze. I'm sure the Spokane Flirts are a nice bunch of girls and I'm no prude, but the opening ceremony was shameful and felt like you sold out just to get more people to watch.
It was just not a family friendly atmosphere. Yes, there are costumes like that at other Cons, but YOU are in charge of something like the ceremony, YOU have position to either make it friendly or not. You went the wrong way. Yes you owned up to it, but what's done is done.
If the Con straightens itself out with security and being prepared, being MUCH more prepared, then I may come back in 2011, but I think I'll still bow out of next year.
Tim Martin
The Quartermaster
Maninspokane:
Ah yes... more signs. Thank you.
We've addressed the security issue, we've addressed the "sleaze" issue and that horse is quite dead and we're shopping for a new horse that is quite different.
Now, what I ask of you, are you willing to help make it better? You've pointed out where we screwed up, and offered one suggestion. This may seem harsh, but it's who I am -- you have seen something wrong, what can we do about it? The flaws you pointed out are fairly deep wounds on the ConCom and we are looking at ways to heal them We DO NOT have all the answers -- but with Fans like you, I am sure that we can come up with solutions.
Everyone Else:
My inbox in nearly full of feedback at this point -- both good and bad with the good far out weighing the bad. It's the bad that I'm focusing on. The theme I'm getting is where we did good, we did good, and were we didn't, we didn't -- not to review, shift, and improve based on that information. It's not my Con, this is your Con... I only work here (with no pay either... ) but it's totally worth it in the end.
At this point you are probably wondering what kind of jerk I am -- and I am one. All I'm asking is that if anyone posts where we screwed up, offer up a suggestion on how we can improve it. We know were we messed up... trust me on that, you've all let us know and I don't think I can express on how much I personally appreciate it even tho I was not involved in every detail of the Con.
On we go into next year. maninspokane, I hope to meet you in 2011. We'll work the kinks out in 2010 and make SpoCon a better con. 4th year legs should be much more solid. Again, thank you for all your input.
John Ammon
Web Team Lead
This is not an official SpoCon PR post, this is just a guy who's a fan and has put a lot of work into this convention and has spent every available minute for the last 3 years putting two difficult events together under very trying circumstances, basically making Lemonade out of Lemons at every turn. Like Tim, I can be a bit of a jerk
But the bullshit about the Spokane Flirts has to stop, we understand that it wasn't the best, but it was hardly "Sleazy" and no one "sold out" (and as I understand it all the girls were over 18). I'm getting the impression that a number of people, very specific people, are hiding their real reasons for complaining behind some very trivial issues... I feel like I'm only getting half the story.
I'd very much like to hear some more specifics, because I highly doubt that the things people are complaining about are worth "not coming back" quite honestly, shoot me an email and we'll discuss in private if you want. We're the people out here putting ourselves and our integrity on the line working our asses off for a whole year, you can stay anonymous if you want, but we don't have that luxury, we put it all on the line, it's incredibly hard.
One last thing I'd like to add, we basically have a programing team of 1 and for all his faults, Nick has done an amazing job, and despite all the criticism, he has returned and is only looking at ways to make it better, so for the love of all that's decent, if you're not happy with how programming went or anything else, volunteer and help us make it better, it's what we need the most right now.
Thanks for the comments people keep them coming (unless it's about opening/closing ceremonies or the flirts, we get it
)
.f.r.e.a.k.
I understand that you all are owning it and I really appreciate that (even if the whole thing still bothers me). Also I have already gone up to several of the ConCom and said call me and I will be there to help out! David and Chris both have it
I am all for doing more to make SpoCon even better.
Tim Martin
The Quartermaster
Okay the .f.r.e.a.k. -- we are going to have to really work on our stalking schedules then...
.f.r.e.a.k.
You know summer makes it really hard to get stalking done. I mean, it's so hot outside. You can't really wear the trench coat, fedora, and big sunglasses like one would normally.
Jessica McComas
Art Auction Manager
Suggestion: For Art Show -Make a nice little sign mentioning that some of the art in the art show may contain nudity, just like walking through an art museum.
I thought it a little ironic that we could have used more electric air moving fans, at the 'Are you Fan Enough'
Water for volunteers was an issue that was resolved later in the con, by moving the volunteer water to Ops.
It's sad that we had problems with signs again. I think more signs on the road would help LOTS! Large ones with balloons? But on campus signage was great till people/wind tore them down. Maybe next year we have security keep a roll of tape handy to re-attach signs?
I might reccomend having a copier handy.
Over all I had more fun this year, and have already bought our badges for next year! I can't wait to sit back and relax with my new SpoCon glass set and throw back a few. I would also like some input on if making a custom brew/wine (we are home brewers) would be a favorable option? I will be sporting the SpoCon shirt when I can, though now I wish I had bought a 2nd.
I think my biggest challange (besides the heat) was trying to not Geek-Out and scare the pros and guests. I think I did ok since John Piciaco still talked to me on sunday.
I hope Patty Briggs comes back since I never got her to sign my books. I really liked all the panels on writing and publishing. I enjoyed the improv panel as well.
Thanks for a great year!
nathano235
Overall, I was really happy with how well things came together. There were a lot of problems, mistakes, etc. But I know most of the people that messed up, and they were perfectly understandable human mistakes. It's easy to be a harsh critic whenever anything about a con bugs you, but the fact of the matter is that the entire ConCom has been busting their asses to make this con work, and they're all great people, who, like all people, will make mistakes.
So in the end, it was a great con with all the usual missteps to be expected of a young con. Now, more importantly, how's the search for a location for 2011 going?