Conventions: Members Versus Customers

[kevin_standlee]

The post-Eastercon discussions going on in eastercon and elsewhere include the question of those people who attend conventions viewing themselves solely as "paying customers." I suggested we may need to start printing a fine-print contract on membership materials, the way sporting events and concerts do on their tickets, such as:

THIS IS NOT A TICKET. You are a member of this convention. This event is being organized entirely by volunteers who are working without compensation and who had to pay for their own memberships and travel expenses. While the organizers will make a reasonable effort to present this event in the way it is described in its written materials, they cannot guarantee that all things will happen as planned. By purchasing this membership you explicitly acknowledge that all functions are subject to change or cancellation with or without notice for any reason whatsoever.

This is only a rough first effort, but I think you get the idea. It is a little sad that I can say that I'm quite serious that we may really need to do this or face threats of litigation for "false advertising" and "breech of contract" with attendees.

Comments

[redneckotaku.livejournal.com]

That is true. I am a frequent contributor at cons even Science Fiction cons like Balticon. I am going to be a panelist at Balticon this year (they call them Program Participants) and I am honored. I believe they even recognize them at Opening Ceremonies.

I have been a staffer, attendee and Volunteer for different types of conventions. The cons that seem most like shows to me are Comic Book Conventions. Nobody volunteers to help those events and that disappoints me. It leads to be a mostly one panel room and the show floor events. They leave me the least satisfied as a fanac.

The attitude is in today's generation of fans. I am only 28 and I see many younger fans who would volunteer to help events. I actively have to get people to help run the on-site aspect of Registration for the con I head from dragging friends I meet at other cons.

You never know what you miss of the true fun of a convention until you volunteer and spend until 12 AM trying to stuff 3,500 Registration Bags after working an 8 hour day.

One other thing, I may seem unknown to you all I am the one who had all of the questions about WSFS, Worldcon and 2008 Worldcon bids.