Great Event Today

[rockstar6662]

First time for me at this event but by no means my first event as I've been going to various others for 10 years now. Overall had a good day but it wasn't without issues.

Arrived at about 8:50 and it all started well with nice clear signs showing which queue was which and real people to ask who knew what was going on too. Impressed with the way they came down the queue and gave out the wristbands to save time on entry.

Access to toilets while queuing would have been welcome however. I did ask but no-one seemed to know if any were open anywhere.

Anyway, got in smoothly, had a quick nose around the main room to see where the guests were and tried to figure out how the queuing was organised. Joined Robert Picardos first and he was really nice but what I found was that queuing seemed pretty random in the very tight spaces between stalls and with clearly popular guests sitting close to each other it all got a bit chaotic in my view with you not knowing if people were in a queue or just looking at a stall in some cases.

However it all worked out and I got all the autographs I wanted by about 10:50.

One thing I was surprised about was the size of most pf the supplied photos. 10x8 is the standard expected size and if I had known they were going to be smaller I would have sourced my own in advance. Not a major issue but these will look a little odd in my collection and for those who liked to get them framed, it's an added complication.

It was hard to look round the stalls due to the numbers of people and the queues for guests running between but I don't really go for the stalls beyond a brief look around.

Then it was time for Roberts Q&A. Even with a map we struggled to figure out where to go and missed the signs that were up near the relevant entrance. A few more dotted around would have helped. By this time it was nearly 11:15 and I thought we'd miss most of it but it hadn't even started so on the one hand that was good but also was the first sign that the timetable was slipping already.

Robert was funny and interesting and the hall was great with good sound etc. Got an early lunch in the canteen near the Q&A hall which was very good value and then it was getting close to the scheduled photoshoot time with Robert. Turned up to find they were running over an hour late. Luckily had friends to hang out with but the delays got worse and I think by the time it got to the Billy Boyd shoot things were nearly 2 hours late. This meant I missed a Q&A I was interested in even though those were now running an hour late too.

Did manage to get to the Game of Thrones one though which was the other main one I was interested in.

What I did manage to get done was enjoyable but from an organisational POV I'm surprised things go so behind almost straightaway and there didn't seem to be much going on to try and correct it. For example, someone going for the next guest when the last few people were called into the previous shoot so the next one could carry on straightaway. There seemed to be quite a delay between each one.

Anyway, I appreciate this sounds overly negative but despite the faults I had an enjoyable day. The guests were all great to chat to, very relaxed and accommodating, the Q&A's were well run and interesting and going in early I was able to get everything done nice and easily. It was nice not being cooped up in one big hall all day and it was easy to get away from the crush for some fresh air.

I hope they identify what happened with the schedule going so wrong so quickly and correct it for next time as it has the potential for being another really good event on the calendar.

[Ash]

I'd just like to say thank you everybody for the kind words.

The delays with the Q&A panels stemmed from a delay with the photography. The schedules were structured so that instead of going back and two, the guest (and anyone who had a photo op) could just go into the photo op, then to the Q&A straight after without having to go back into the main hall in between.

However due to the delays (1 hour) with the photo shoots, this has a knock on affect to the Q&As.

In terms of the uncollected photographs, we experienced an issue with our printing arrangement so that also took its toll on us trying to find an alternative at the last minute (Next year on site printing is going to be certain).

On behalf of myself and the rest of the crew I would like to say thank you ever so much for supporting our little...or rather not so little anymore, event in Wrexham. I would also like to say thank you for everybody's patience with the queues! We definitely learned from last year and had an action plan in place! However the queues were simply unavoidable in comparison to the actual size of the venue.

The idea of having it more spread out definitely helped, however next year although not 100% certain at this time, I can say it is likely the guests may be separated from the vendors for the reasons people had mentioned.

We are still a young event and as the show is growing (at an insane pace I might add) we are still learning what works, what doesn't etc as most events like ours people are used to everything under one big roof (and so are we really) so as we had learned from last year, we WILL of course learn from this year and bring a better show again to you the supporters of Wales Comic Con! (Oh and very very likely digital tickets in place too, we were sad to hear that some people didn't receive theirs from the postman)

I'd also like to say if anyone does have any major issues from the day, for whatever reason please just email [e-mail] and we'll get back to you as soon as possible ( however please appreciate this week we are still very very busy with the aftermath of the show)

Thank you very much everyone!

- Ash

[angiebaby]

I have to add my pennies worth for the event. Queues organisation this year (giving wristbands in the queue) was a stroke of genius, but I feel the main problem was information, maybe a list of who was signing where would have been a massive help when planning autos. Also moving the vendors is a good idea as it was extremely frustrating thinking you were in a queue when, in fact, it was people just trying to get past! having people to manage queues would also help massively, as people just seemed to pick a spot and queue, there was a gentleman in the Red Dwarf room at the end of the day who seemed to know what he was doing, so he is a good example to hold up for the rest (white hair and glasses that's all I remember) other than that, you're getting there, all be it slowly, but you're getting there.

[jantoconbylover]

I completely understand what Ash is saying. It's not WCC/Jamie's fault that the photographs got delayed, and the event was still amazing. I for one only missed Nicholas Brendon's talk, but I still got his autograph and a hug My main piece of advice to the organisers would just be better communication. Me and my Uncle had to go back to the Red Dwarf hall for their photoshoot three times before we could queue up (We first got told half an hour, then an hour). Perhaps a board in the reception area outside the main hall with updates would be useful? (They did this at Asylum 6 in Birmingham with regards to photo ops and it worked great). Either way, AMAZING event! I will definitely be going again next year!

PS, I was the 11th doctor with the black jacket (As I couldn't get tweed), in case anyone met me

[jantoconbylover]

Small additional. Morning queues were fantastically handled for those with tickets. Arrived at 10.10 and, although it was bitterly cold, got in bang on 11. As a result, I was able to go to the Primeval talk that I was worried about missing, and get Nick Brendon before the queues got massive. Great job guys!

Advice for those without tickets is to get them beforehand. WCC can't guess how many people will turn up on the door and can only let so many people into the main building at a time. Therefore, queueing times are not their fault.

[rosiekins]

Have to say I had an a amazing day! The queues were manageable (poor mick folly's queue was just insane!), was able to get a decent priced cup of coffee and have general good fun.
I think the delays were bad, but.... Handled ok in some respects. My only issue was with q and a's.....
My quick story...
We had got in with early birds (a must) so had everything we wanted by the time our first (nick's) q and a was due.
I decided we should go queue a bit early, fully expecting it to be busy and also a trick I learned from last year.
We queued and queued, then went to go in, only to find out it was actually lord of the rings q and a, so we turned around and started a brand new queue for nicks talk.... We were soooo chuffed! So an hour passed and we were excited to be let in wanting to claim out seats at the front...... What we walked into was a half full auditorium..... I was shocked and slightly annoyed.
Having come to comicon last year, the etiquette was that everyone from the previous talk was told to leave the room, so that those who had queued could gain entry and have a shot at the front. now im aware that this room was much larger, but.... for those who had queued for an hour, it didnt matter and were nowhere near the front. if i had known, i would have gone to the first q and a and never left..... this was poor in my opinion and slightly unfair.

other then that me and my friends had an amazing day! definitely needs the stalls and signings to be separate.
thanks to all the crew!

[diggerkran]

had a thoroughly enjoyable day. The queues were better and wristbands before entry was a brilliant idea. Having learnt from last year how popular some guests are we headed straight for Warwick Davis and then found Red Dwarf no problem . The hall for the Q&A's was brilliant, being bigger and fitting more people in (especially for the crazy Red Dwarf q&a). It was so much better being spread out like that. Better everything this year - well done. Looking forward to the next one

[jantoconbylover]

Apr 28, 2013 19:33:03 GMT metallica said:

4thed! Loved it, great event and was cool meeting 4 Wrestlers, Goldust is a really cool guy!

Btw, I was the dude dressed as Mankind if anyone cares lol.

I saw you a few times. Great costume! May I ask, who was the kid you were with (With the IC Title Belt) supposed to be? I couldn't quite tell. Then again, I haven't watched wrestling in years.

[oh2one2]

Great event guys, much better than last year, everything that needs to be complained about already has (Hi5 RosieKins), definately going to the next one (will be my third in Wrexham) and my apologies out to anybody who got poked in the back with my excessively LARGE Angry Birds head (I would've worn it on my head allday but it was damn hot in that bird), anyways THANK YOU all for a wonderful day <3

[docgirl22]

Okay so here is my nice long love for the WCC this year.

Last year was my first time coming and it was a last minute decision so lined up with general pay on the door people, had a good time but was nervous as I was pretty new to the convention scene, but still enjoyed myself lots even if the people I came with were bored and sat in their car for 2 and a half hours in the afternoon, so that kinda spoilt it for me but I was not put off at all from returning.

THIS YEAR was just so so good surpassed my expectations. Was pleased it was in the same venue which met a nice easy car drive for me. I came on my own this year and met up with an awesome girl and her Uncle who I met last year in the Chris Barrie photo line and we spent the whole day together which was so good.

I was Cosplaying at Rimmer Picture of me is included in this post and thanks to all the people who liked my Cosplay and said it was good, I appreciated that .

The Event itself

Loved the way the lines were organised this year very well done on that one this year I had early bird which was perfect idea for me. Loved how it was spread out a lot more gave the convention a sense of space and It was not so crowded and even the sports hall felt bigger because people were spread around the halls getting different autographs, QandAs etc so that was good.

First met Chaske and Robert Picardo really sweet guys very polite and cool to talk to. Then was camera girl for my friends as she met the game of thrones cast, then we headed over to the Dwarf cast.

Meeting Eoin was great again as Id met him only 8 weeks previously and he remembered me as well which was .

Loved the fact Red Dwarf had their own signing room just for them it gave it a great sense of intimacy and had some great chats with the whole cast Hattie loved my outfit and Chris did as well of course as I was dressed as Rimmer after all , at that moment the lights went out in the room which was funny, they came back on 30 seconds later and Craig had the room in laughter as he announced he had stolen 15 purses whilst the lights were off lol. After that Chris Barrie got the special gold pen out to sign his autograph for me .

Then I went and met Norman and had a nice conversation with him. Then went to Craig who was charm itself, such a funny guy. Then came Danny who could see I was dressed as Rimmer and made a joke about him being my second choice and stuff which then became a running joke through out the day when my friend went to get her autograph from him later, He called use Chris’s girls as we had gone to him first earlier, during the photoshoot I had with the cast Danny told me ‘ oh here she is come on get in here and no Chris Barrie snogging your standing next to me for this one’, Craig took it upon himself to have my sign so they could get a good shoot of my costume which was nice of him and even in the QandA was which made my day, the lights went out on them again then to as I was asking a question weird that lol, anyway all in all it was an amazing day which was mainly spent with the RD cast

My highlights had to be meeting the way the whole cast where really they were so fun and great with all the fans, Danny was just so fun to met he was the one I was really looking forward to met even if I am a Rimmer girl. The Q and A was the best I’ve ever been to which was great.

Meeting Nicholas was just amazing he does give great hugs and is such a sweet guy, I got an extra hug as well as the show Buffy for reason I’m not going to go into here holds a special place for me inside which I told him about and he was very touched.

Only issue of course came from the photoshoots being delayed and the therefore the Q and As being delayed but despite the confusion about where to go. Me and my friend decided to stay in the photo line and just wait really as we didn’t want to lose our spot etc. in the end it was fine we got our Nicholas shoot and then we hung around and got our Red Dwarf one to then we went and got some food in the canteens which was great that they were open. Shame though cause of the mix up my friend gave up her Robert Picardo shoot and got her money back as she didn’t want to miss the Red Dwarf Q and A, which in the end she would have been able to do the Picardo shoot, but we went and saw him toward the end and she got a pic then at the desk.

I had come prepared with wraps to eat rather then buying at the canteen, which eventually got eaten around 3pm lol watching the Star Wars Q and A from sort of the back of the first seated section we then waited for that to finish and they stood on the side near the front and luckily some people went and we got front row seats for the Red Dwarf Q and A which was great, then got my photos had hot chocolate and dounut to finish off the day.

Just got to wait now for uncollected photos to go on the website to get my Nicholas one but all in all

BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO JAMIE AND THE TEAM!!!!

xxx

Attachments:

[baratheon]

Even though I appreciate all the effort these events take and the fact I did enjoy my day in Wrexham I would like to add the following;

I feel that the event was a victim of it's own success. The attendance was definitely too large for the hall provided. There was a distinct lack of guidance and information. The occasional person shouting out along the queue for prepaid tickets was not enough. I saw two people with placards that just shouted they were sorry when they saw the length of the queue and then went away. 3 hours in line was very hard to justify for not a lot of trade stalls and barely any room to move in the main hall.

I feel that more signage, more room, more staff, separation of some of the guests & traders and maybe, given the popularity of the event, it could now be spread over 2 days. I saw a couple of ladies with prams struggling. I offered to help but they declined as they were just making a head way for the exit. I shuddered to think how anyone in a wheelchair got around there.

The guests I managed to get close to where really nice and the few trade stalls that where there looked interesting although by the time I actually got to them there wasn't too much left. Maybe utilise some of the cosplayers to relay messages up and down the queues as they entertain patiently waiting customers or maybe have a separate stand/stall away from the main entrance for people buying wristbands on the day. Please let me know if you need any help with organisation. I've been going to events for nearly 30 years now and have seen a lot of do's and don'ts along the way.

[angelkitty]

This was my third WCC (I think), and I was really, really impressed with how well it handled going from what was a relatively small event, to the monster it is turning into.

After reading all about what happened last year, my friend and I made sure to get Early Bird tickets. We arrived at the venue at about twenty to ten and there was a massive queue :-) It was easy to see which queue we were supposed to be in, and the handing out of wristbands whilst in the queue meant that we were in the warmth of the hall within about 20-30 mins of the doors opening.

We got to have a quick browse round, and then queue for Nick without any issues. Yes, it was a bit of a squish at points, but every event I've been to has the same issues. Nick was wonderful to meet (and hug), then it was off to Andrew Lee Potts.

I had the majority of my autos by 11am, and was able to relax and chat to friends and browse and generally enjoy the day.

As with everyone else (seemingly), I think that a little more communication would be much appreciate. The vast majority of us have smart phones and access to Twitter. Maybe next year have someone updating the WCC Twitter? It would keep people more in the know, and certainly mean that the race from the Q&A (and getting 'Maintain your positions' from Billy Boyd) a thing of the past.

The guy who was dealing with the photos was an absolute star, and deserves a drink (or a medal). He kept everyone who came to see him as informed as he could, and never lost his patience or smile. I tip my hat to him!

All in all, an absolutely wonderful con. Definately my favourite of the one day cons out there, and one that I am happy to support! Can I make a cheeky plea for next year? James Marsters and Ghost of the Robot? *hopeful face*

[markbabbit]

I am commented earlier and it was probably a bit negative. In regards to the ques for the signings it was not much of a problem i thought. I thought it was more a problem for the stalls as it meant they were not really viewable. I had early bird tickets and managed to meet three GOT stars before eleven and my fiance was over the moon with meeting Eion and got all girly in his presence. It was a great day attending a few talks and even the ones i was not particuarly inteteted in were great. E.g. Primevil. The compare in that hall i thought was brilliant. I think the quality of guests is remarkable for the door cost. Each guest i met was lovely all happily posing for pics free of charge.
More GOT , merlin ,misfits and being human guests would be appreciated maybe even spartacus.

Oh did you see the game of thrones cake the lady brought with her? It was an amazing iron throne

[dreampixie]

Apr 29, 2013 13:58:15 GMT docgirl22 said:

that moment the lights went out in the room which was funny, they came back on 30 seconds later and Craig had the room in laughter as he announced he had stolen 15 purses whilst the lights were off lol.

That was a great moment, someone leaned on the light switch and I remember talking to you in the line to get in

[diggerkran]

Loved the fact Red Dwarf had their own signing room just for them it gave it a great sense of intimacy and had some great chats with the whole cast Hattie loved my outfit and Chris did as well of course as I was dressed as Rimmer after all , at that moment the lights went out in the room which was funny, they came back on 30 seconds later and Craig had the room in laughter as he announced he had stolen 15 purses whilst the lights were off lol. After that Chris Barrie got the special gold pen out to sign his autograph for me .


@docsgirl22
was in the room when the lights went out - that was funny and also when the lights went out in the q&a because of that happening earlier