|
Post by shadowlycan on Jun 4, 2024 13:15:08 GMT -5
Once again another great year of nominoichi. As a veteran buyer, not too much too complain about on my end...save for some things. While it may be something that can happen in the future but most likely not next year,as others have said it would be nice if Nominoichi can be expanded to include more tables. With more and more new attendees being introduced to an event where you can sell your anime related merch for one night, Along with the veterans who hope to snag a table every year the applications for this year i'm told doubled from last year. And with the lottery system in place, would make the chances of getting a table that much harder.
Also noticed some empty tables around the hall, and as others pointed out, it is very unfair that those tables remained empty the whole night while, there were many others who could've got in. needs to be planned on how to implement it, but perhaps a last-min notification on any available tables. Some people stated that they were so close on the waiting list that they brought stuff in off the chance a table was available the day of.
The next point is for sellers: If you know you are not going to have any helpers at your table and you are doing holds, then I suggest you get at least one other person to help you, offer a longer period of time for pickup (not the standard 1hr) or don't offer holds. While I love placing holds for things on this forum, picking them up is a whole other beast entirely. I found that this year, quite a few of the wheter they were full or half tables I had holds with, i was waiting at least 5-10 mins just to pick up my items. Once nomi opens, Hall C fills up quite fast, especially if the staff are letting in everyone at once, plus those who are coming in from the artists alley and dealers hall. The main constant I found is that these tables only had one person manning them. As a buyer, I am trying to fufill my obligations to not only you, to pick up my holds in a timely manner but to other sellers as well. As a buyer, it is not fair if I come to your table, but then have to wait 10 mins to pick up my items when I have 10 other tables i have to get to within 45min.
It was great to see many tables with signs however. easier to navigate.
I also noticed that when i was lining up, people that did not have badges were entering the nomi as "helpers." They were not going through the main seller's door but the door manned by TCC security who was letting them in. Not sure how this was allowed to happen, but perhaps the TCC security should be told that there is only one way to get in and not have a second entrance to prevent non registered "helpers" from entering.
Other then that, there's not much else. If there is anything i'll be sure to add it.
|
|
|
Post by The Chris McKenna on Jun 4, 2024 20:58:26 GMT -5
Just to clarify a few points:
Last year 2/3 people who applied for a table were able to get one. This year we had more applications, so that reduced the ratio to closer to 1/2 of the applications getting a table. That's only an increase of 1/6 (not double) the number from last year. Additionally, with the Stand-by list being fully used and other non-selected sellers joining friends who have tables, the final ratio was likely much closer to 2/3 in the end.
We are looking at ways to include a few more tables next year. Demand is up, it hasn't exploded.
We advised the last sellers who were on the Stand-by list to bring their stuff, as it was likely (but not assured) that there would be a few tables left.
We do not allow everyone to enter all at once. When we open at 19:00 the ONLY way into the Nominoichi is via the exterior doors to the ally behind the TCC, where the long line is. The exit to Halls D+E (Artist Ally) is only for traffic OUT of the Nominoichi. However, once the line outside is gone (close to 20:00) THEN we open those doors to two way traffic. When the others halls close at 22:00 we change again and those doors become ENTRY only into the Nominoichi for the final hour.
Everyone in the Nominoichi did have a badge of one type or another. (Staff or attendee) Additionally sellers received a "Nominoichi" ribbon once they had signed-in and paid. 'Helpers' are allowed only IF they are listed as sellers, and only people with that ribbon were permitted to exit and enter Hall C before 19:00 to bring in more stuff. Some sellers had tables that were much closer to the main doors, so they used those instead of the ones in the Courtyard room and this was permitted.
We did check for both a proper convention badge AND that Nominoichi ribbons were attached before anyone was allowed to enter, from any of the doors.
|
|
excelsells
New Member
Anime North attendee since 2002!
Posts: 16
|
Post by excelsells on Jun 5, 2024 22:02:29 GMT -5
Very very minor grievance from an overall great experience. My Uber dropped me off at the wrong building (North) and for some reason data just stopped working at the time so was nigh impossible to navigate to the sellers entrance and every single volunteer that I asked for directions not only didn't know where the Nomi was, they didn't even know what the Nomi is. I was lucky to find the con aid desk which once again, most of the staff didn't know what the Nomi was so they had to guidebook it. This has been an issue at both AN, and Fan Expo downtown. They plant people in a spot to guard doors or with one specific task, and if it's not info they were given by organizers, they just don't know. At minimum I think staff should be required to read the itinerary and con schedule book so they know where the most basic things are. Especially when they put the con registration table in a building that has never been used like that before, and is quite a walk from the main road.
There really needs to be better signage, preferably with arrows and bold font, affixed to various spots around the outside of the Congress Center. And con programming/layout should be positioned to try and reduce long treks to entrances/exits. Staff not letting people leave through side doors because there is "only one designated exit" is also kind of infuriating. The less people have to trek around, the more energy they will have to participate in the event.
There were large sections of the Congress Center which sat completely empty and unused, despite this the con's events were spread out more than ever. I'm sure there are logistical/financial reasons for one thing or another, but consolidation of the con to just the Congress Center and Delta sure would be nice. I literally don't have the energy anymore to slog across the bridge to the Sheraton's events.
|
|
excelsells
New Member
Anime North attendee since 2002!
Posts: 16
|
Post by excelsells on Jun 5, 2024 22:04:22 GMT -5
My only issue this year was overcrowding at the tables themselves, which unfortunately is inevitable when tables are directly next to one another. Being seated next to a table that had more popular items lead to a large amount of people standing in front of my table trying to get a look at theirs, which I feel reduced my own sales rather significantly. I don't know that there's really any good way to fix this without drastically reducing available tables, but I wanted to make it known as a problem that came up. They could have easily spaced out everybody's tables... the amount of open, unused floor space at AN is crazy. Things are packed close together, yet are often surrounded by open floor, that isn't filled even when the crowds are thick.
|
|
|
Post by The Chris McKenna on Jun 6, 2024 6:35:57 GMT -5
Just a note:
There were no programming events at the Sheraton this year. Most of those events were incorporated into the TCC North Building this year.
Everything scheduled for Anime north took place in either the North TCC Building, the South TCC Building, or the Delta Hotel. Unless your hotel was across the bridge there was no reason to cross it anymore.
It's too early to be sure, but I believe that is also the plan for next year too.
|
|