UK Ponycon 2012 Feedback

[sosoftbuttons]

I had a fab time and thought the idea of the con being in a hotel was awesome!! no dragging of stuff to the venue, no walking around all day with eighteen bags breaking our shoulders cos we actually had somewhere to dump everything, and the staff were really helpful (ignoring the disaster with the food)

aaaannd I got an alcoholic drink 'on-the-house' for clearing away all those empty glasses abandoned on the tables after our disco, so those of you who ran away without offering to help missed out there

the disco was smashing nowt beats a good old helping of cheesy disco choons, even if the room was resemblant of a sauna. and thankies muchly to everyone for all the nice comments about my outfit, even if I did feel a tad overdressed upon first walking into the room, lol


however, I've got a few grumbles...

1. space between the aisles and the food has already been noted so I'll not go over it again

2. holly blue. I dont collect G4 but I'm also a bit miffed at having to sit and count out multiple ponies, two or three I can cope with, but nine (?!!!?!!?) on one order did seem a little off, especially as people came up asking if any were left over. there should be a cap on the number each person can buy in future.

I can only hope the people who bought them to sell on ebay have some sort of conscience and donate some of the sale profit to the rda... cant see it happening but hey-ho.

3. volunteer acknowledgement. I'm maybe a little sour here, but a mention in the con book would of been nice. sure, a clap at the end was ok, but last year all who volunteered and / or donated stuff got a mention in the back of the conbook, so it would of been nice for those of us who helped out for our names to be in print for all to see - and I know I'm not alone on this. ok, so there were print issues, but its not like we helped out / donated at the last minute, people agreed to help / donate waaay in advance of the con so half a page could of been set aside for this prior to the conbook being printed.

*suggestion*
maybe next year we could have a disco on the friday night, and a group meal on the saturday night, then that should kinda keep everyone happy?

and massive thanks to all who organised another great ponycon

[camtheman]

First off, thanks to all the committee for such an amazing event! I'm so glad I came to the members day this year, it was totally worth it!

Hosting the con at the hotel itself was a brilliant idea and I really hope you guys can arrange that again. Even though I'm not a stall holder I can totally see how that is a whole world easier for them. It was so nice to just sit back in the lounge to get some rest and chat to random attendees, the whole atmosphere just felt far less rushed and I loved it.

The way the staff hosted events to incorporate both oldschool collectors and bronies alike was brilliant, that worked wonders to help bring the two subsets of the MLP fandom together and dispel many of the assumptions. After all, this is a con for all MLP fans! Nopony left out

I can't believe you got Erica Pitt from the show! haha, that was so unexpected and cool. Hope the fans didn't scare her too much

Another great thing I loved about it being at the hotel was the late night panel! I really hope you guys do something like that again, It was hilarious being with several half drunk pony fans watching all those weird vids I had a great laugh.


The main gripes I have were already said, mainly the hotel food service being VERY slow and far too expensive for what it was worth (though the committee had no way of knowing this).

Holly Blue which was amazing that you guys managed to get a unique exclusive pony for our con, it really did kinda suck that some people bought 5 or more when there were only 80. I actually thought it was just 1 per customer. I feel lucky that I saw the thread announcing her only an hour or so after it was posted, or I'd be in the same boat as many others who missed their chance.

Some panels started late but I guess that can't be helped given how manic things can get, though I did miss the customs panel cause of that

Was the Speed art contest winner ever announced? Cause I totally missed it if it was.


Next year:

If you can find a hotel with a larger room for the con itself, then that would be ideal!

More Princess Tuna

[Noasar]

I can't really think of anything else to add apart from what people have already said. But here's my two penneth:

- The venue was too small
- Bring back games on the 'Mane Stage' such as Pony Mastermind! They really get people involved...sometimes people don't go to other rooms because they don't want to miss out on shopping.
- Pleeeaaaase bring back the Pony Scene contest!

- Just like last year, people were shopping as stalls were being set up from 9am. This is SO unfair on people who have paid good money for tickets but don't get to start shopping until 10am. I saw several really HTF and sought after ponies being put to one side at the request of other stall holders. It also seems to be the same few people doing this every year. There will come a point when collectors who are only looking for HTF/rarer ponies will stop attending because they can only find common ponies or ponies they already have! It's so unfair on everyone who buys a ticket to have some of the 'best' ponies reserved before they've even had a chance at them. If the committee have a policy on this they should try and enforce it (I know that's easier said than done because of how busy you guys are).

On a positive note:

- I loved the atmosphere this year!
- Great raffle and contest prizes
- LOVE the guys from the RDA, they really get into things!

[snorkmaiden]

First of all, thanks to everyone for making it a lovely PonyCon! The committee has outdone itself, and everyone involved was so nice and helpful!

A few more good things:

- Venue: Having the Con at a hotel was a splendid idea. It was great that you could go up to your room during the day, drop off bags, get something to drink etc. I also heard from the cosplayers that they were happy they didn't have to wander all over town in their elaborate costumes. Also, I can imagine it must have made things a lot easier for the parents among us.

- The staff at the hotel was really helpful, whether it was with getting the internet going on my laptop or sorting out train times.

- The disco, the Barryoke and the YouTube karaoke all were such fun. As was probably obvious, I love everything to do with singing and dancing, so I really enjoyed those events. I hope we'll have them again next year.

- Holly Blue: I was so happy that we got our own exclusive pony. Thanks to the committee for finding her for us! I do feel bad for the people who didn't get one, though. I didn't realise there were so many people who missed out. Maybe we could order a larger number next year.

Now for some of the things that could be improved:

- I noticed that a lot of the time, people didn't really know which events were taking place in the panel room and the screening room, especially on Saturday. Maybe they had left behind their programmes in their rooms. Some events were announced, but others weren't. It would be helpful to have some large posters with the events and times at strategic points, such as at the front desk, next to the stage etc.

- Would it be possible to print the time of the raffle draw in the programme and / or announce it at the beginning of the Main Day? So many people were asking me about it.

- I know I'm probably pretty alone in saying this, but I think that the entries for Destroy a Fakie were getting a little too gory and graphic this year. I'm overly sensitive about those things (I can't even look at the covers of horror movies without shuddering), but I have to admit that one entry (I think you all know which one I'm referring to) gave me nightmares. While I was looking after the raffle stall, I noticed some of our younger visitors eyeing the entries and looking rather scared. Maybe telling participants to tone it down next year would be cutting into their artistic licence, but perhaps we could have the table with the entries at a less prominent spot in the room, so people who don't want to see them won't have to walk past them fifty times.

- The venue being too small was already mentioned several times, so I won't say anything about it, apart from the fact that I totally agree. I also agree that the venue could have been a little more central. The food wasn't a big problem for me personally (I simply ate loads at breakfast and was fine until dinner), but it must have been difficult for people who had to buy their own food for all meals.

That's pretty much all I can think of at the moment, but I'll probably write some more once I've had some more time to reflect and compare.

[tinrobo]

Oct 9, 2012 5:12:23 GMT snorkmaiden said:

- I know I'm probably pretty alone in saying this, but I think that the entries for Destroy a Fakie were getting a little too gory and graphic this year. I'm overly sensitive about those things (I can't even look at the covers of horror movies without shuddering), but I have to admit that one entry (I think you all know which one I'm referring to) gave me nightmares. While I was looking after the raffle stall, I noticed some of our younger visitors eyeing the entries and looking rather scared. Maybe telling participants to tone it down next year would be cutting into their artistic licence, but perhaps we could have the table with the entries at a less prominent spot in the room, so people who don't want to see them won't have to walk past them fifty times.

I agree with you on this. Having my fakie to look as if it was dipped in chocolate wasn't my first idea but I thought it was the best one to go with because I didn't want to be responsible for giving any little ones nightmares! Ponycon is meant to be a family friendly convention and I'm sure if someone wanted to sell, say, gory art prints along the same theme as that entry they'd have been (rightly) told that it wasn't appropriate.

Not that I have anything against the entry itself - I can appreciate dark humour and it made me laugh (and feel a bit sick, haha)! But people who aren't regulars and children think they've come to a convention for My Little Pony so they probably won't be expecting to see scary or violent things. It would be more responsible to have limitations on the content or have them somewhere out of the way like snork says.

[sweetmagic]

member day was amazing and quiz and disco.

main day was to pack try move around.

there no atm in hotel and out chair was to high.

[ponygirl82]

Ooops, sorry to give you nightmares! I did in fact tone my destroy-a-fakie entry down to be honest, I was mindful there would be children around so it could have been a lot worse. And I wasn't to know where the location of the entries would be, so yeah, maybe there could be a not so central place for that particular competition next year. The way I see it is - children won't have seen the film (The Human Centipede) or certainly shouldn't have!!! So they wouldn't have made the connection (excuse the pun) and henceforth not have found it so gross. I certainly didn't think I was going to offend anyone, I just thought it was funny! I didn't think it was any worse than past years entries, I.e. cut up fakies in a pickle jar, a melted,twisted pony on a turning spitroast. Anywho, it won second place which I was really pleased about - my very own rosette!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Obvs the space and food issue, won't rehash what has already been said.

The shopping before 10:00 once again, which has already been mentioned.

I did love having it in a hotel though, so much easier and lovely to be able to sit and chat to other ponyfolk But I can see how it might have been hard for those who didn't drive. So yeah just to reiterate what's been said already really, hotel was a good idea, bigger place, cash point, shops nearby, job's a good'en!

BEST RAFFLE PRIZES EVER!!! - Ok so I might be slightly biased because I WON DERPY!!!! I was thrilled to bits, having never won a thing in my life and Derpy being the main thing I wanted in the raffle, I was super, super happy! Thank you!!!

You guys did a great job of organising the con once again, so a big thank you to every single one of you, Committee and volunteers, I love you all! Can't wait for next year x x x x x

[waterfire]

Positive:

Loved the fact it was in a hotel, I wasn't staying but I could see it made the weekend so much easier for everyone who was staying over.

Lovely, lovely committee who were so nice to me and helped me out, seeing as it was my first con and I had no idea what was happening!

Lots of things to do, and panels/activities that worked to bring the old school fans and Bronies together. I really appreciated that the divide wasn't being tolerated at ponycon!

Awesome hotel staff, really helpful and totally unruffled by a huge group of be-wigged sparkly pony fans running around!

Negative:

As others have said, there really wasn't a lot of room!

I would also agree that there needs to be a poster with the day's events on it displayed somewhere prominent.

That's all I can think of really. Thank you so much for a great con!

[Sarah-Bee]

I agree that Louise's entry into DaF wasn't intended as anything to offend anyone and don't see it being any different from previous entries, some which she already mentioned, and a couple of others too. I don't think people should be told to tone it down but I do agree that if people aren't too happy to see these entries that they should be elsewhere. Personally it doesn't bother me one bit, I thought it was hilarious and if I see something that I don't like I just don't look at it. But putting them somewhere out of the main view of everyone and maybe on a shelf higher up or something so kids can't directly see them? That could work and keep everyone happy.

[aflame]

maybe the DaF should be at the end of the table so you dont have to go past it I actualy thought the back table would have been better for the comps as there seemed to be more room in that isle to get stuff out and set up ,oh and the pickled ponies were mine and charmers entry the other year !!! xaflamex

[Archer]

Keep the feedback coming guys

And just to sort of address a few things, the comps were put in a central location this year as in the past they have been very much overlooked when they've been to the side of the con hall/at the back etc. Unfortuantly DaF is one of our most popular events so a shelf of other such means to keep them out of view isn't really possible. However, and if we get the volunteers to man the stalls, we will try and tuck that one away next year

As for the food, was it the lack of variety, price or waiting time that people had an issue with? Obviously we can do nothing about any of them, but just to sort of share the other side of the story, I've worked in a place that serves food and where I used to work orders were worked through in the order they came in. So even if you had only ordered a sandwich but eight people ahead of you had all ordered steaks, those would be worked through first. Obviously next year we will try and a find a more central location where there are food places around the hotel, but with Ponycon getting bigger the central locations are becoming harder to find lol.

Also with regards to the shopping before 10am. I'm sorry that this happened but it is something that is very hard to 'police'. All committee members were busy in the run up to the opening of the con and the volunteers hadn't yet arrived so it made watching what people were doing absolutely impossible. It is something we trust in good faith to the stall holders to abide by that rule, but unless we get more volunteers it does make it a bit of a nightmare to watch on the day. I'm really sorry about that guys.

Also just to say that of course next year we will be looking into a bigger venue with a better location. Although for those driving, the location was great lol. Straight off the M1 and no cities to navigate through lol. But all ideas are being looked at ^_^ I'm really glad though at all the positives you guys have mentioned ^_^ It's awesome knowing that the hard work that all the committee did is appreciated and that you all had fun which is of course the absolute main thing Keep the feedback coming

[Deleted]

Only flaw I saw has been mentioned a few times - lack of space between aisles. When I first arrived I had great difficulty trying to push Eloise around to look at all the stuff that I eventually had to leave her with her daddy in the bar area while I looked around.

On the plus side it was an amazing con and I can't wait for next year. Saving up already lol

Mandie x

[barnacle77]

The food was way overpriced if you saw what you got for it. 5 pounds for a simple sandwich and crisps aside.
The cuisine may be international but the portions were french.
When you eat at the restaurant part you won't get any drinks unless you go to the bar.

[Chloépony]

An absolute great con, that I must say! Thanks everyone for your hard work!!! \0/

The extra good
- The enthusiasm of the PonyCon staff. I found that this was very welcoming and making me feel at ease. From the moment I entered the con with my boyfriend we were smiled at, haha. X3 Awesome, seriously!
- Delicious cake and cookies at a charity stall. Who made that lemon flavoured cake? ! It was yummy! *3* And the lady who sold it to us was both kind and humorous which we loved! ^^
- The chairs at the front. I have trouble with my feet and was glad there was somewhere to sit. ^^
- Loved the prizes of the raffle and auction!!

The somewhat less good
- Some panels were at the same time such as the one about pony music and customizing. I was interested in both, but sadly had to choose. Too many good things at once! LOL
- As most people said, a little more room would have been nice. At one point a person in a wheelchair had to squish through the amount of people that were looking and shopping at the stalls and I felt quite bad for that person. It must have been uncomfortable.
- Sometimes it was unclear to my boyfriend and I if something was for sale or not. The entries for the custom ponies contest were right next to a custom ponies stall that were for sale if I remember correctly. This was rather confusing, which was why we asked to buy a pony that didn't turn out to be for sale. ^^;
- No time tables/program to take with you. Or at least, not one that we saw. I'm one of those people that likes to know exact times on what's happening and where.
- No bins to put in trash except outside of the hotel and that one was full. There was an empty plate + glass on the floor which seemed slightly dangerous if someone might have stepped on it. Though I do agree that it's a small effort to bring this back to the hotel bar when one's finished with it.

[persephone]

Oh yes, a program/timetable with which room things were on in would have been good