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Post by The Chris McKenna on Jan 29, 2022 21:02:57 GMT -5
At this time we are not accepting any tables requests for 2022.
We are still working on improving the event, planning how to do safer and better. Should 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 in April 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.
We are not going to start accepting table requests in April, that is just when the information will be posted.
Thank you for your patience, and your continuing interest in the Nominoichi!
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Post by StarDustFragments on Feb 3, 2022 16:16:39 GMT -5
After doing some research here are SOME recommendations that I believe can make this year's Nomi #safe for everyone ** As the event is operating in an indoor setting at 50 percent and only half of the tables are available for interested vendors to reserve; I would recommend that the application process for Nominoichi on a "first-come, first-served" basis. ** Event organizer must appoint individuals that will check for proof of vaccination before letting any visitor or staff can enter the indoor venue (if possible/doable). ** Mandate wearing masks for visitors and staff in all indoor public space where 6' social distancing is not possible. ** Increased signage throughout the facility to remind visitors and staff to wash hands/use hand sanitizer and practice social distancing. ** Each booth should have at least a one bottle of hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes or similar, a box of facial tissue on the expense of the seller whenever it's needed by patrons. ** Maintain a safe distance from each vendor (at least 2 meters in all directions). Most tables are 72” long by 30” wide. If you leave one table empty between vendors that will create a good distance between everyone. ** To keep interactions as few and as brief as possible. I suggest to all vendors to promote more "buy/hold now, pick-up later" sale. That being said, vendors have to list most of their items so people can see and create interest and traction. Of course THIS is optional. Keep in mind, things might change in a few months (hopefully for the better) and public health guidelines will be updated the closer we are for the event.
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Post by The Chris McKenna on Feb 7, 2022 2:36:48 GMT -5
Could you please expand on how and why going back to a 'first come...' system would be safer than a random selection?
I can understand that not everyone is pleased with the new random selection system, but in practice it works much better and smoother than the old system. It also saves DAYS of work on our end in creating the sellers list. However, if there is an argument that it's less safe then the old system, then I would like to hear more about that.
These two points touch on the same issue. The Nominoichi is a part of Anime North, and thus all the rules and regulation that apply to the entire convention will also apply to the Nominoichi event as well. At present those rules are being decided and written. We are taking this very seriously and are doing our best to insure that we can run the safest and best convention possible. The rules for masks, vaccine status, social distance, etc... are all being considered.
Facility signage is not under the exclusive responsibility of the Nominoichi, but this is an important concern that I also share, I will pass it along the appropriate channels.
I like this idea and I will happy add this to the list of suggestions that all dealers follow.
We are looking at this, and well as other layout options, to best maintain a good distance between sellers. It will be difficult to find the best balance because the more space we have the less tables there are.
Every year I have included a message in the "You have a table" letter I send that encourages sellers to post a list on the forums. Here is a copy of the relevant section from the last letter:
I encourage you to visit the official Anime North forum, http://teahousemaplemoon.proboards.com/ and read and respond to topics in the Nominoichi section. Although it’s not required, you are certainly welcome to post a list of the items you plan to sell. You must include your table number, N000 with any item list. I will also answer questions, and clarify or expand on rules for the Nominoichi there. I also intend to post a MAP of the Nominoichi tables there soon, so you can better understand where to wait and where your table will be.
I would welcome any re-writes or changes to this part that you think would better entice sellers to participate in the forums.
Thanks for your comments and feedback, I hope to hear more of it!
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Post by StarDustFragments on Feb 7, 2022 16:08:03 GMT -5
Could you please expand on how and why going back to a 'first come...' system would be safer than a random selection? I can understand that not everyone is pleased with the new random selection system, but in practice it works much better and smoother than the old system. It also saves DAYS of work on our end in creating the sellers list. However, if there is an argument that it's less safe then the old system, then I would like to hear more about that. Basically, if you consider the psychological aspect of things as example; individuals that will send their table reservation request in the first hour or two when the slots are open; shows MORE eagerness/motivation to the event and more probability to oblige on the NEW/UPDATED rules taking in consideration allocation on scarce resources and less prone to cancelation. Of course, this means more work for you, the event organizers as it’s been explained previously.
With this argument, having a group of people with somewhat the same mind set will make implementation rules and regulation easier and will help to make the event “safer” mostly everyone will comply.
Regardless of what people preference or opinion to “first come, first served” or lottery system; we can argue that the use of waiting time as a basis for resource allocation is morally relevant/significant, but not warranted. And the FINAL decision will be decided by the event organizers taking in consideration data on previous events.
These two points touch on the same issue. The Nominoichi is a part of Anime North, and thus all the rules and regulation that apply to the entire convention will also apply to the Nominoichi event as well. At present those rules are being decided and written. We are taking this very seriously and are doing our best to insure that we can run the safest and best convention possible. The rules for masks, vaccine status, social distance, etc... are all being considered. Without a doubt that both Nominoichi and all individuals involved organizing Anime North are doing their very best to create an event both entertaining, memorable, and most import safe for all attendees and staff alike. Facility signage is not under the exclusive responsibility of the Nominoichi, but this is an important concern that I also share, I will pass it along the appropriate channels. Noted. I like this idea and I will happy add this to the list of suggestions that all dealers follow. Noted and thank you for the consideration.We are looking at this, and well as other layout options, to best maintain a good distance between sellers. It will be difficult to find the best balance because the more space we have the less tables there are. Approximately, how many tables are there in previous Nominoichi? And will there be half tables on this edition or just full tables?Every year I have included a message in the "You have a table" letter I send that encourages sellers to post a list on the forums. Here is a copy of the relevant section from the last letter: I encourage you to visit the official Anime North forum, http://teahousemaplemoon.proboards.com/ and read and respond to topics in the Nominoichi section. Although it’s not required, you are certainly welcome to post a list of the items you plan to sell. You must include your table number, N000 with any item list. I will also answer questions, and clarify or expand on rules for the Nominoichi there. I also intend to post a MAP of the Nominoichi tables there soon, so you can better understand where to wait and where your table will be.
I would welcome any re-writes or changes to this part that you think would better entice sellers to participate in the forums. Yes, I have seen and read your message through the years. It is great as is, but as I have mentioned previously it's up to every seller to hype and sort of promote the event if they feel like it.
Everyone have their own agenda and we can't force everybody to do something, coz' to be honest it takes dedication and time to create a list of items, sort em' by category, take and post of photos of your item, etc. I know that by experienced.
Thanks for your comments and feedback, I hope to hear more of it! You are most welcome!
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Post by spellhorn on Feb 19, 2022 18:34:08 GMT -5
Hi Chris, glad to see that plans for Nomi are proceeding. I was worried that it would be cancelled since it's always such a crowded hectic event. I had a few thoughts on running the event safely, but I don't know how feasible any of these would be, so please take them with a grain of salt.
As for suggestions, the main one I can think of is not selling half tables. I know this would be unfortunate for people that can't afford a full table or don't have enough to warrant a full table but having 2 strangers in such close contact for such a long time doesn't seem good. In order to ensure that people don't split a table with a stranger by themselves you could potentially limit tables to 2 people instead of 3 and not let them change participants after initial registration. If people knew they wanted to split before registration with someone they already knew that would be their prerogative. This would cut some people out but the people who are willing to pay for a full table would be more likely to get one.
Another thing that I think would be good, would be if we could run the event for longer, maybe on Saturday instead of Friday. Or once on both days. I have no idea how this would affect scheduling but if it ran longer maybe instead of booking a half table or full table, people could book for the full session, or half the session and then the table would switch out half way through. I realize the logistics of this might be too complicated but I'm just throwing things out.
As for reducing the number of people crowded in the venue or in line, maybe you could have people prebook a time slot to come in, at least for the first couple hours that are the craziest. Maybe in half hour slots? You could even start the signup for this before the con so people who reserve things can say when they would be coming in.
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Post by The Chris McKenna on Feb 22, 2022 22:42:10 GMT -5
These are some great points. With regards to....
the 1/2 tables: I've made a separate post and poll about that.
adding sellers after table assignments: I think we can continue to do this. There are many good reasons why a seller would want to add a friend to their table before the event. Also, unlike 1/2 tables, the seller can decide exactly who they want to share their table with.
limiting the sellers to 2 per table: An interesting idea, we will consider this.
longer hours: The Nominoichi isn't the only thing we do at the convention, we are very busy staffers in the hours before the event, so opening earlier might prove difficult. But with crowd and capacity limits we are considering all options at the moment.
moving the day: This seems unlikely, as both the space and the tables are allocated to other events on Saturday and Sunday.
crowd control: We are looking at options for all events and spaces with a crowd and long lines, like the Nominoichi, registration, and dealers room. Assigning time slots is one option, but there are many technical and logistical challenges to be overcome. Whatever is decided it will be the same for the entire convention. The Nominoichi will not have a different way of doing things from other large events.
Thanks again for all the great feedback and ideas, any more are welcome. We strongly urge everyone to share their thoughts and concerns here as well.
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Post by tweedledee on Feb 25, 2022 23:10:06 GMT -5
Would it be possible to allow people with holds to enter before the main event begins to pick them up? It might cut down on the crowds. If entering before the main event isn't possible time-wise, as i'm aware things have to get set up so earlier may be difficult, maybe instead use the first hour or so of the event for holds only? Either letting those with proof of holds (showing their hold confirmation PM) in all at once or in groups staggered within the hour. After the hour is over (or whatever amount time you set aside for this) you could have the buyers leave the building again and then do general admission.
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excelsells
New Member
Anime North attendee since 2002!
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Post by excelsells on Mar 3, 2022 14:12:37 GMT -5
Logically, why would reducing the number of available tables help? The point of Nominoichi is by definition huge crowds of people shuffling between tables. The sellers will have hundreds of people shuffling past them, all that reducing seller tables does is reduce the amount of sellers people can browse. The current variant is also no longer considered a crisis by health officials, so it's about as big a risk at this point as getting any usual 'con flu'.
While I understand the greater convention area reducing admissions, to avoid crowds pressing together, the Nominoichi is only a few hours long, and already in a very open, well ventilated area. Instead of slashing the table count for sellers, wouldn't it make more sense to just reduce the number of buyers allowed in at a time? Sellers being seated adjacently aren't going to make each other sick, since they spend practically the entire time facing the buyers passing by, not each other.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2022 11:43:27 GMT -5
My primary suggestion would be to open table reservations as soon as possible, within days of the information being available if that's feasible, so that people have more time to plan how they're going to make their tables as safe as possible for both themselves and the other attendees at the event. Knowing for sure that you have a table means you can start working on your layout and what you are or are not going to bring, how you want to handle sanitation, sourcing things like hand sanitizer, and especially starting up item reservation boards on the forum so as to minimize the amount of face time needed for each buyer (the more time in between this and the con the better, since it gives more people a chance to reserve more items). The longer we have to work things out, the better, but doing all that planning only to not end up with a table would suck, especially if it involves buying extra materials for things like setup and sanitation.
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Post by samuraizero on Mar 18, 2022 13:24:51 GMT -5
I think the biggest concern here is NOT with the sellers.
The biggest concern is how to keep attendees who are there to buy as safe as possible.
Gonna be tricky.
Less people at a time, mask requirements etc. Are all you can really do.
If you have two strangers rubbing shoulders behind a table(half tables), they're gonna be better off than the 30 customers trying to crowd into a table to shop.
Either way, gonna be a tricky event.
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excelsells
New Member
Anime North attendee since 2002!
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Post by excelsells on Mar 23, 2022 1:49:22 GMT -5
I think the biggest concern here is NOT with the sellers. The biggest concern is how to keep attendees who are there to buy as safe as possible. One could argue that catching some strain of flu or another has been a known risk for the entire history of such events. The current 'strains' one may encounter are at this point about as dangerous as any other flu strain you could have gotten at years prior.
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cece
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Post by cece on Apr 29, 2022 8:58:35 GMT -5
I think the biggest concern here is NOT with the sellers. The biggest concern is how to keep attendees who are there to buy as safe as possible. One could argue that catching some strain of flu or another has been a known risk for the entire history of such events. The current 'strains' one may encounter are at this point about as dangerous as any other flu strain you could have gotten at years prior. Restrictions are easing up in Ontario and I believe it’s important to be open to the information as it comes before making any final decisions. Bottom line is, if you’re feeling sick, stay home 🤷🏻‍♀️ On that note, looking forward to the updates for this year’s event! ✨
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Post by rainbows on Apr 29, 2022 13:42:41 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to the return of Nominoichi, I've got quite a few boxes of things to move on. My first thought was suggesting having it outside this year, but the logistics of that with weather/heat/etc. just involves a lot more variables. I like the idea of it being a lottery system vs. first come/first served as it's less stressful trying to apply without a perceived time crunch. As for half tables, I suppose you could leave it up to people applying? If you`re comfortable being that close to a stranger, all the power to you. Personally, I`m not, so I`ll be applying for a full table again.
As a buyer, I usually try to avoid Nominoichi for the first hour or so as it's a bit too packed/hard to get to some tables. As a seller though, the table would be a bit of a buffer between you and random people. I work in a grocery store and after spending the last two years being swarmed by people buying stuff, a table is more distance than I have on a regular basis, ha ha.
If you're feeling sick, stay home.
Looking forward to hearing more updates on the event!
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Post by minifridge on Apr 29, 2022 13:52:25 GMT -5
I don't know if it is against the rules to talk about other conventions here so I apologize in advance if it is. At Otakuthon in Montreal, there is usually a table specifically reserved for items that individuals want to sell. This table is called the "Garage Sale". The event is run like this: 1. Interest sellers would compile a list of items they want to sell and send it to the organizers of the "Garage Sale" weeks before the event. 2. On the day of the event, sellers would present themselves to the venue with their items and work with the staff to cross-reference their items from the list they sent months earlier. 3. The "Garage Sale" staff would take the items and place them at the selling location for con-goers to browse and purchase. 4. At the end of the "Garage Sale" event, the organizers would tally-up the total sales made for each seller and put the money in an envelope. The event had indicated that a 15% of sales from each seller would be taken as an administration fee. 5. Sellers will go to the "Garage Sale" staff to pick up their earnings and leftover items.
I know there will be many issues with such an event: 1. It would be a logistics nightmare organizing such a method. 2. The "Garage Sale" event ran for the entire length of the convention (minus 1 hour for cleanup and pick-up). 3. Ensuring organization and preventing loss/misplacement of items. 4. Finding more volunteers. 5. Buyers no longer interact with each seller.
Some people on the forum have already asked about increasing the length of Nominoichi into Saturday. But I would also like to suggest maybe moving Nominoichi to a different location on top of increasing the length to account for attendance restrictions. I don't know if Anime North staff has any contacts with Otakuthon staff for tips on how to run such an event.
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Post by Michelle on Apr 29, 2022 16:29:03 GMT -5
Otakuthon’s garage sale is done on consignment. I don’t believe AN has enough staff/resources to run such a thing for the whole weekend. They seem to be happy with the way things are, so it’s unlikely Nominoichi would move to another day/time. I’ve had a blast selling my old stuff for the past several years, but (speaking as a long-time seller) having the flea market only on Friday makes it hard for me to check out other con events happening that night.
Anyway, while I’m here, I’m wondering whether Nominoichi will continue to use the forums or migrate to Discord, as a few other AN departments have done, if people still choose to share what they plan to sell.
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