UlasanAnime.com – It’s peculiar when discussions about convention consumerism resurface, making one feel as though they’ve stepped back in time to 2007. However, the points raised remain pertinent and noteworthy, especially for those who, like me, might be a bit particular about such matters. The original post highlights several key considerations for convention attendees:
-
Attendees should ascertain the organizational structure of an event, specifically whether the organizers are a for-profit entity or a non-profit. While many conventions, such as Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con, operate as non-profits, others like New York Comic Con and Wizard World are commercial ventures. It’s concerning how few attendees are aware of this distinction today, a fact that was common knowledge in the past.
-
Researching the history of an event is crucial. Even if a favorite author, guest of honor, or star is attending a convention in your city, if the event itself has a questionable history or its leadership has a dubious background, it’s advisable to reconsider attendance. Furthermore, attendees are encouraged to voice their concerns to the featured guests via email or social media.
-
Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is encouraged. Many individuals fixate on attending the largest possible events, neglecting to compare conventions or explore other potential experiences. This is a rather absurd approach, given the vast array of Comic, Sci-fi, Gaming, and Anime conventions available, each offering a unique experience. Exploring smaller, local shows can be incredibly rewarding, often including perks like free food.
The author of the original post, however, concedes that ultimately, “None of this really matters.” This sentiment stems from the reality that for many, the choice of convention is dictated by the presence of specific guests or fandom gatherings. If one’s primary interest lies in attending events featuring particular guests who only appear at major conventions like SDCC or NYCC, the options are limited. While some guests do appear at other cons, the dedication required to travel for a single guest, even if geographically feasible, is often lacking. Similarly, for specific cosplay gatherings, choices are restricted unless the franchise has achieved meme status. For those preferring to stay within a day-trip distance, options remain quite limited for the majority. The author aims to address the perceived imbalance between effort and reward, particularly at large conventions. These events suffer from a critical mass of dedicated attendees who will justify any measure to achieve their goals, driving up the opportunity cost of activities due to extensive wait times. This creates a cascade of management challenges for the conventions themselves. Furthermore, large conventions act as powerful magnets, attracting new attendees who are unaware of strategies for optimizing their convention experience, thus exacerbating the issues for everyone.
The second point of contention is the apparent lack of alternatives, which reinforces the idea that individual preferences may not significantly alter the convention landscape. The current consumption model for conventions doesn’t lend itself to the typical consumer approach of writing negative reviews or demanding refunds. Such actions rarely yield results for conventions, unless it’s a genuinely exceptional event, which is seldom the case for mega-conventions. The most effective, though admittedly not trivial, approach is to organize one’s own competing event. Even attempting to influence a large convention from within, whether as staff or an outspoken attendee, is a long shot.
An alternative approach involves embracing the “Highway” option, creating a personal solution by overcoming limitations. This extends to choosing not to attend a convention or incurring the additional expense of traveling to a superior event. Supporting smaller, well-managed conventions that align with personal preferences is a viable strategy. The author cites “Animazement” as a personal example, a convention that, despite the long travel, meets specific criteria. However, these are individual preferences, not universal truths, and the author acknowledges their own significant disposable income spent on conventions since the 90s, distinguishing themselves from the average consumer. To offer more constructive alternatives, the author suggests the following, which may not directly address the initial points but could prove beneficial:
Investigate the nature and tendencies of event organizers. While both AX and Otakon are labeled “non-profits,” the author draws a parallel to organizations like the MPAA and NFL, which are also classified as non-profits (501(c)6 trade organizations). Donations to SPJA, which runs AX, are not tax-deductible. In contrast, Otakon is run by Otacorp, a 501(c)3 educational organization, making donations tax-deductible. The author questions the practical significance of this distinction, noting that even for-profit entities like Reed Expo, a subsidiary of a FTSE100 company, rely on volunteers. The core issue, according to the author, lies in the organizational culture. Otakon and AX exhibit significant differences due to their respective cultures, transparency, and pay structures, all influenced by their history and leadership. These varying visions impact the conventions. While all organizations have strengths and weaknesses, sophisticated convention-goers should be aware of these underlying tendencies. The presence or absence of full-time staff doesn’t necessarily indicate competence, as exemplified by the past controversies surrounding AX. For-profit conventions can offer advantages such as experienced staff and greater consistency due to staff retention. Ultimately, the specifics, competency, and experience of the leadership are paramount.
Indeed, historical research is important, but it’s not sufficient; identifying trends is key. This involves actively engaging with official forums (if available), utilizing search engines effectively, and consulting convention tracking websites. Speaking with past attendees is also invaluable. The author notes that many smaller conventions are poorly documented, especially those lacking more than just a dealer’s hall, and admits to not attending such events. For anime conventions, the caliber of guests serves as a significant indicator of organizer competence. The selection of guests, whether international or domestic, their diversity, and the rationale behind their inclusion all reflect the organizers’ capabilities. While complex, higher-profile, more expensive, and rarer guests often signify a greater likelihood of competent individuals managing the event. Cosplay photography, prevalent at anime conventions, also serves as a form of documentation. The author reiterates that it is perfectly acceptable and even beneficial to remain within one’s comfort zone and attend only the largest conventions, as it doesn’t fundamentally alter the experience.
What truly matters is the capacity for informed decision-making. This requires a clear understanding of what one is paying for and what one receives in return. The benefits derived from a convention are contingent upon knowing what one seeks. However, missed opportunities will not present themselves. The objective is to transcend the “you don’t know what you don’t know” stage, which the author believes characterizes how many people engage with large conventions. For those who have moved beyond this level of engagement, the next step involves attending numerous well-reputed conventions and participating in activities that align with personal interests. Comparing and contrasting experiences, attending both large and small conventions, is encouraged. Many avoid smaller conventions due to a lack of awareness regarding the differences between good and bad smaller events. It is entirely possible to exclusively attend the largest conventions, but by varying activities, social interactions, and timings, one can discover new aspects of even familiar mega-cons. Avoiding excessive time spent in lines, or conversely, trying it at least once, can offer a different perspective. Mega-cons are multifaceted and complex to manage; without understanding these components, one might not even recognize a well-executed convention. It’s possible to discover unexpected interests. The author concludes that thoughtfully considering the expenditure of time, effort, and money on conventions, balanced against the returns, is a rational approach, though whether this constitutes “consumerism” is debatable. Most convention attendees, the author suggests, are far from being astute consumers in this regard, primarily because they are content with their current experiences. The author perceives a dichotomy in engagement: either taking it very lightly or very seriously, with little middle ground.
You might also be interested in : Surrealism in NouCome
