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Post by The Chris McKenna on Oct 25, 2015 9:29:26 GMT -5
Edit: Table reservations will begin on Sunday, April 10th, at 8:00 pm (20:00 EST)Full details are now on the Website: www.animenorth.com/live/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=613&Itemid=118Original: At this time we not accepting any tables requests for 2016.We are still working on improving the event and planning how to do it bigger and better next year. If you have any ideas on how we can meet that goal please send me a PM, or post them here. Although we can't implement on every idea we do read all of them. Hopefully, sometime before the end of March 2016, we will have the new rules and information available on the Anime North website. That information will have all the details about when and how to reserve a table. Thanks for your patience, and your interest in the Nominoichi!
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Post by iluvcookiess on Nov 16, 2015 17:40:48 GMT -5
I think that the nominoichi was run perfectly this year and is in my opinion the best run event at the con. Keep up with the separate line/entrance for the sellers and shoppers is I think all I can ask as in previous years that has been an issue ware as a seller I was forced to stand in line until after the event started.
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Post by Dragongoose on Dec 3, 2015 11:02:56 GMT -5
No it isn't, it was still a clusterfrak trying to find the right tables, as the table numbers aren't clearly, there was a suggestion that sellers at each table wear the number with a hello I am sticker, which would be at face level and easier to see, only one table made their number easy to see, having to fight through, and shout over them just to ask what table this was. was annoying and made things take longer than it should have. likely this suggestion will be ignored again next year. they say they are working on improving but have not seen any improvement at all, it seemed to get worse than the year prior.
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Post by The Chris McKenna on Dec 3, 2015 20:53:47 GMT -5
I am sorry if you had a difficult time in finding a specific table. First: We made detailed maps available here on the forum. (This map is from the 2015 event, NOT the 2016 Nominoichi) Second: We had both printed maps and guides available at the staff tables to assist people looking for specific tables. and Third: The letter to sellers included the instructions If you have any more ideas on how to better promote table numbers please let us know. Also, It would really help us to improve the event if you could list any specific details on why you believe the 2015 Nominoichi was worse than the 2014. I understand that you had trouble finding specific tables in 2015. Is that the only reason? If so, what exactly made it easier to do that in 2014?
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Post by Dragongoose on Dec 8, 2015 13:43:48 GMT -5
The Entrance line up made it impossible to know where it ended, since it snaked its way around the parking lot. since there were no clear markings or signs making it very frustrating.
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Post by iluvcookiess on Dec 9, 2015 14:11:40 GMT -5
That is true, it was hard to find the right tables. The map at the entrance was a big help but its unreasonable to keep going back there and sometimes people sit at the wrong table too. Instead of the small white piece of paper ON each table I think the con should provide a colored piece of paper taped securely to the front side of each table, that way it doesnt get covered by stuff and it will be easier to see. OR To have an isle directory at the ends of each isle behind the first table(so it doesnt get pushed over or tripped on). Something like a tall sign saying "this isle is table 20-27" . Signs on tables get covered up, and even the signs in front of the tables, though better would still be blocked by large crowds. With a tall sign people dont have to push through to try and see the signs on the tables, but can simply glance and see which isle they need to go into.
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Post by tweedledee on Dec 14, 2015 10:54:44 GMT -5
The separate line/entrance idea is a good one, but next year it really needs to be more clear where the buyers line is. I asked people working at the con and they had me wandering all over the place until, by chance, I found a group of people that ended up being the line. So yeah, maybe make it more clear where the line is and have a sign set up that's easily seen that ID's it as the line, and make sure the staff know where it is so they can point people in the right direction.
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Post by willyshum on Dec 25, 2015 18:02:14 GMT -5
Can't wait to pick up some figures!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2015 4:12:16 GMT -5
Finding the event was quite the challenge for me as well. I had to walk around to six different doors before I finally found a staff member who could lead me to it, and let me tell you that that is NOT fun when you're physically disabled.
I also support the idea of flags being provided for each table that can easily be seen above the crowds. It ha been suggested in prior years, and the only problems that were brought up against the idea were solved with ease.
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Post by The Chris McKenna on Dec 26, 2015 10:34:08 GMT -5
Just a note about Anime North "staff". Most of the people you may think are on staff are actually volunteers. They wouldn't have any special knowledge of where things are happening at the convention, most just just show up on the day and are told how to do one very specific task; like to stand near a doorway and check badges. Even if you speak to an actual staff member, the overwhelming majority of them only know about their specific part of the convention and don't know anything outside of their area. I am a staff member, and have been one for for a while, but if you were to ask me when someone's autograph session is or when some video is showing, I wouldn't know because it's not part of my department. However, you and I can find out all this information from the same place: The pocket program. It has timetables for everything and maps to show where it all is. Specifically for Nominoichi, in addition to the pocket program everyone gets, I also I do my best to provide detailed instructions in the sellers table letter on exactly where and when to line up. I even put clear and colourful maps on this very forum. So you shouldn't just ask any random staff member "Where do the Nominoichi sellers line up?" because, unless they are specifically Nominoichi staff, they just won't know. At best they won't be able to help you, and at worse they'll make a guess and send you away in a random direction. Instead, if you need to ask a staff member for help you should print out and show them your table letter, show them your pocket program maps, and say "It says in this letter here that sellers are to line up inside the TCC Hall B at this time. Could you show me on this map where I am now, and how I can get from here to there?" Of course this won't guarantee you correct information, but it will significantly increase your odds!
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Yoru
Gotta post them all!
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Post by Yoru on Jan 1, 2016 17:29:28 GMT -5
Is the Nominochi going to be held on Friday this year too? I am planning to pre-reg tomorrow and I am only buying a ne day pass for this event so, do not want to end up buying the wrong day.
Thanks.
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Post by The Chris McKenna on Jan 1, 2016 22:00:34 GMT -5
It will be on Friday.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2016 9:21:20 GMT -5
Just a note about Anime North "staff". Most of the people you may think are on staff are actually volunteers. They wouldn't have any special knowledge of where things are happening at the convention, most just just show up on the day and are told how to do one very specific task; like to stand near a doorway and check badges. Even if you speak to an actual staff member, the overwhelming majority of them only know about their specific part of the convention and don't know anything outside of their area. I am a staff member, and have been one for for a while, but if you were to ask me when someone's autograph session is or when some video is showing, I wouldn't know because it's not part of my department. However, you and I can find out all this information from the same place: The pocket program. It has timetables for everything and maps to show where it all is. Specifically for Nominoichi, in addition to the pocket program everyone gets, I also I do my best to provide detailed instructions in the sellers table letter on exactly where and when to line up. I even put clear and colourful maps on this very forum. So you shouldn't just ask any random staff member "Where do the Nominoichi sellers line up?" because, unless they are specifically Nominoichi staff, they just won't know. At best they won't be able to help you, and at worse they'll make a guess and send you away in a random direction. Instead, if you need to ask a staff member for help you should print out and show them your table letter, show them your pocket program maps, and say "It says in this letter here that sellers are to line up inside the TCC Hall B at this time. Could you show me on this map where I am now, and how I can get from here to there?" Of course this won't guarantee you correct information, but it will significantly increase your odds! To clarify my own point: I didn't have my pocket program handy, having left it in my other cosplay by mistake, but I did write down the door number in my phone. I asked a staff member (their badge said STAFF, so I'm assuming that's what they were) if they knew where the specific door was, and directions on how to get from where I was to there. They said no, but told me to go to another area and ask for help there, as they were more likely to know. I then repeated this process five times in series, until finding a staff member who was able to lead me directly to the correct entrance. By happy accident, I still arrived half an hour early. I am not blaming any staff or volunteer members for this incident, as it is mostly my own fault, but I can't help but feel that it could have been avoided with more signage than was available. However, I also find that this problem was negligible in comparison to my issues navigating the tables once in the Nominoichi itself. The maps weren't very clear to me, and that was when I could catch a glimpse of them at all through the crowds. It is also quite easy to get turned around when milling through large groups of people. I recommend that some sort of flag, easily visible above the crowds, be provided for each table, and that steps be taken to ensure that sellers are seated at the correct tables. All you really need is a big stick and a piece of paper. All in all, the Nominoichi is very well run, and is always an enjoyable experience every year, but there's always room for improvement. Much thanks to you and everyone who helps keep it running.
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Post by The Chris McKenna on Jan 2, 2016 10:19:55 GMT -5
To specifically address the topic of table numbers:
The reason we number the tables is to assist sellers in finding their own table during set-up. To that end we provide a very small number written on each table. Although by the time we open this number is almost always covered by items to be sold, it sill does it's job quite well during set-up as nearly every seller is able to find their own table. Once this task is done then, as far as we are concerned, the table number has served it's purpose and it is no longer needed.
However, as many, but not all, sellers post items for sale lists; and many, but again not all, of them also take holds on those lists, we believe that it is very much the responsibility of the sellers to insure that all interested buyers are also able to find and identify their own table number.
We provided clear advice on this issue in the letter sent to sellers last year: Should any seller choose to ignore this, that is on them. If you can't find a specific seller to complete your hold arrangement because they have not bothered to follow this advice to make their own table number more visible, that is an issue between you and the seller.
While I absolutely agree that flags, signs, pins, anything to better display table numbers would help, the responsibility to actually do that is with the sellers themselves.
If you can think of another way to ask sellers to do this please let me know and I may add that to this years letter.
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Post by Joe on Jan 13, 2016 20:16:48 GMT -5
I have a suggestion regarding table numbers that might resolve this, can you not simply use duct tape or something to write out the numbers at the front feet of the tables? or on the wall behind tables that are near a wall?
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