MediaWest: the Con that Survives In Spite of Itself

[penfold_x]

MediaWest sent out a major announcement today: the con is moving to the Ramada down the street, which is smaller, both in overall number of rooms and, importantly, function space. Those who don't get into the host hotel will be offered a place at the Hampton Inn.

For more than ten years, I've done this con with the same group. For most of that time we were able to block rooms together at the host hotel. Then the con got involved (ostensibly to help), and our room blocks have been split up all over the hotel. I thought that was really the worst it could get, but now our group is half in one hotel and half in the other. Fortunately I don't have a zine to sell at this con, or I'd really be behind the eight ball.

Alas, the Ramada cannot guarantee MWC the full hotel. They have pre-existing reservations as well as standing commitments to the airlines to host flight crew. I certainly understand why the hotel is not going to risk that arrangement for a single convention, but those who attended Eclecticon in New Jersey will probably remember how problematic it was to share the hotel with mundanes. Not scaring pilots with all the slash stuff is just the beginning; I expect that it will take just a few non-fans to end the practice of propping doors open for all-hours visiting. Advertizing will probably be more restricted, meaning room dealing /parties will be more challenging. People stuck in the Hampton Inn are probably going to feel like second-class congoers. And my days of walking around the hotel in bare feet and pyjamas certainly are over.

The website update notes that the Ramada has less function space, so programming will be "scaled accordingly". I'm apprehensive as to what that means for panel discussions.

Comments

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

I just hope I can survive the trek up and down the road.

[penfold-x.livejournal.com]

Well, we're always together, so you won't need to worry about doing it on your own.

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

Some year I hope to be able to go to a con; you're going to have to help me pick one - you know my fandoms... ;)

[penfold-x.livejournal.com]

Happily! As soon as you've got the time, I'll have recommendations. You will be assimilated.

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

Ha! As long as I get to cosplay fighting assimilation, I'm cool with that. ;)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I was wavering about going next spring, but if it's already going to be this sideways? Not so interested. I remember back when MW*C was split and had mundanes, before the new hotel. Can't really find the energy to schlep halfway across the country to be told I'm going to hell and have door decorations destroyed.

[penfold-x.livejournal.com]

If we were still at the Holiday Inn South, I'd encourage you to go, unreservedly. The last two years have been really great, and even folks signing up late have gotten into the HIS. I'm definitely still going, and I'll let you know how it goes. I might be alright.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

It's been my experience that if you arrive early, you could always get into the HIS, regardless of the lottery.

I'm not entirely ruling it out - I've got zines to go through and drop off for the fan fund - but this announcement makes it a lot less attractive. I wonder what the deal is with the hotel? We've been there for *decades*!

[masteralida.livejournal.com]

Come January I will know if I'm going (it depends on whether or not I'm cast for the NJ Ren Faire). If I'm not, I have a room in the host hotel someone in your group could take.