Hey folks:

I need your suggestions and comments. This can be anything from how you would like to see AA improve or change, down to things we have done in the past that you really enjoyed/appreciated. Also don't be afraid to mentions things you really disliked about previous years of AA. But please leave your comment in the form of constructive criticism.

I am doing my best right now to think of some freebies to give out to the artist, as well as getting the location/room to look more organized, neat, and well advertised.

I hope to hear from as many of you as possible. If you don't feel comfortable commenting here, feel free to email me at banzaiartistalley@gmail.com


-Kim

Just on the "more organized" note: last year was my first time in the Banzai AA, and while things ran pretty smoothly, it was a little confusing at the beginning to try to find where to check in. I was somewhat late and a lot of the tables were full already, so I didn't know where to go or who to talk to. If that could be made a little more clear for 2012, that would be amazing!

Thanks for noting that. I will be addressing that this year. There will be a table specifically for check in and is located right at the entrance of our location. I will be sending out a layout with assignments so artist know where to check in as well as where their table is located. Tables will also be visibly numbered. When an artist checks in they will be informed of what number they are.

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.

It felt like there were a lot of empty space in the artist alley last year. It felt like you could have had a couple more tables or like a row of tables in the center. Dont cram people in there but use the space efficiently. Also the video game room right there was kind of a bad idea. I was yelling over video games to some of the artists when I wanted to know prices

There was a lot of empty space last year. I was not on staff for 2011 and can't say why there was that void in the center. That will not be an issue this year. We are fortunately being moved to a better location that offers space for more tables with good traffic flow as well as having our own room.

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Feel free to comment again if anything else comes to mind.

Folks keep it coming. =^_^=

ooo where will the artist alley be set up this year?

Looks like my response didn't go through X_x. Sorry. P responded to this the awhile ago honestly. If nothing changes, the same location as the 2nd hand sale last year.

Let me see if I remember where that room was. It was in the side hallway down behind the big event room right? If its the place that think it was be sure to have a sign from the main hallway to it artist alley.

1. If nothing changes
2. and if what I remember our building liaison staff member handing me layout wise matches up with what I am looking at....then I believe we are in A, E, and F. Vendors in B, C, and G.....next to that gaming.

http://davisconferencecenter.com/index.php/buildinglayout

I would have to look at my layout print again to be 100% sure though.
Sign wise our advertising staff member is going to try and take care of that. Though with the doors open and being down that hallway, we should get a decent amount of foot traffic in that hallway anyways.

wow they really are changing up things this year it would seem though honestly I think that's going to be a great spot with plenty of room!

Indeed. I have my layout approved for awhile now and there will be an increased amount of table availability for artist.

hey folks, still wanting to hear from all you lovely individuals. Can't guarantee anymore changes than I have already implemented for this year. Though it's never too early to hear more great ideas, requests, etc to keep on improving the AA starting 2013.

Lets hear those great ideas!

We were kicked out really suddenly on Sunday last year, and in an extremely rude manner. Giving us half an hour after the AA officially closes would be a nice change. Since they didn't stop letting people in until the last second, then kicked us all out at once, I was trying to pack up all my stuff AND finish a transaction at the same time. It was a disaster....

Really? I wasn't in charge of the AA last year, nor did I sell on Sunday. That's horrible to hear honestly. Yes your suppose to be given an hour to clean/close up. If nothing changes from higher ups, On Sunday we close at 4pm. So any transactions at that time will be permitted to be finished, but no new individuals be permitted to come i and purchase. Then Artist will have from 4-5pm to clean up and clear out. I will also be making an effort to walk around to all tables 30mins before closing time approaches each day to remind all artist to start wrapping up soon.

I am sorry to hear this happened to you all and know whats that like. I think it was the last year in the Sheraton, one day we had tables literally closed/collapsed right in front of us as many of us were scrambling to pack up and leave.

I promise to keep all artist informed of any changes and updates as well prior to and during the convention itself.

THhaks for your input. Very much appreciated.

So, I am a parent of a fanatic anime fan. Last year I bought myself a pass and worked on my computer while she did her stuff. This year, I am paying for her to bring a few friends and getting myself a hotel room. The one thing I really enjoy is the local art. We won 2 items in the silent auction last year and I bought some jewlery, but I didn't attend any of the classes or events since it isn't my interest. It would be great of people like me didn't need to pay to come go shopping for the local stuff, or just pay a smaller fee. If you decide to offer that option, let me know, in the end you will make more money from me personally since I am not buying myself a pass. And, I bet many fans of the local artists would come and check out the sales. Please?

Oh, that's kind of like the Exhibit Hall Only passes that they do at Anime Expo (I don't know if they do it at other conventions since I only go to a few). That would be cool because that's really the only way I can see my mom coming by to see me at an Artist Alley. I'm not sure how that would be regulated at AB.

I think is a great idea and I am glad to hear somone voice that this is of interest to them. I have wanted conventions in general to offer such a badge and a helpers badge that only permitted folks into the AA or Vendors. I know many vendors and artist whom have their spouse help and that's all they do. They don't attend anything else.

The reason I believe such a badge has not been implemented as of yet is due to lack of permanent security volunteers. If we have too many images/types of badges it becomes hard for our volunteers to keep track of what all the badges are good for and or if they are legit. Something along those lines is what I have heard in the past, before I was on staff and when I have asked other conventions why they do not have such a badge option.

I do know larger conventions offer such an option though. It's not something I can look into for this year, but it is something I can look into having available for 2013. It would require me speaking with registration, printing, and con heads.

Do you recall about how much such a badge costs at Expo? I know its something we would have to charge if we started offering it. Need to cover printing costs and such.

The Exhibit Hall Only badges for AX 2012 were $20 before the deadline and then $25 during the convention.

Below is a link to their badge prices in general. The Exhibit Hall Only badge is under the 1-Day Attendee section. They are still 2012 prices. I don't think they are going to be updating the website until sometime after the first deadline for 2013 pre-registration has passed.

http://www.anime-expo.org/anime-expo/atten...ge-information/

Thank you so much. I deffinately think it's worth while. I will see what I can do. I have to run it by three committee heads. Will bring it up at our next meeting.