Conventional Wisdom Location Location Location

[puppetmaker]

It was announced recently that Chi Fi a science fiction convention in Chicago proper (as opposed to a convention in the Chicago area) was cancelling its 2014 convention due to problems with the hotel, which was the venue for the convention. Chi Fi has a pretty strict anti harassment policy that states that it forbids "harassment of any kind, including verbal assault, physical assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwelcome physical attentions.". Apparently the hotel manager was uncertain if his staff could help maintain such a policy and expressed concern about some of the more colorful characters that can attend these kinds of conventions. The manager used the word “freaks” or rather “those costume freaks”. Thus creating a rather uncomfortable atmosphere right off.

The hotels and management who have learned to embrace the fans have had repeat business during sometimes that rather slow to dead for them and help keep the business in the black. Hotels that have hosted certain conventions for years know what to expect and how to accommodate them.

Dragon Con is a good example of this. They took a dead weekend for a lot of the hotel industry (labor day) and made it worth the hotels while. The host hotels know what to expect from Dragon Con. A lot of the employees have been there for years. I know a number of the staff by first name and I know about their families too. They have watched Caroline grow up and have told me that they are impressed as to how polite she is to everyone. Yes, we see each other for a short time every year but they have gone above and beyond to make sure that everyone has a fun and safe time.

Not that there haven’t been bumps or misunderstandings over the years but they have been worked out. The Marriott removes a majority of its furniture so there is more room for people. I do wish they would leave some seating on the second floor but that is their choice. They also put out chairs and tables on the 10 floor making easier for large groups to meet up there. All the host hotels are golden about making sure there is water for everyone. You can decide which hotel to stay in based on how much noise and how much sleep you want to get.

I remember the first time I had to sign an agreement to not destroy the hotel at a convention. It happened the year after someone had taken a battle-axe to the elevator creating 1000s of dollars worth of damages. These have become pretty much de rigueur with science fiction conventions and now seem pretty much a part of checking into any hotel.

I don't think that fans are the only group that can be hard on hotels. I have heard from various hotel employees that the science fiction fans are much more polite than some other groups they have through there every year.

I have been at hotels where there has been a certain amount of point and laugh from the staff and the other guests. Those conventions are uncomfortable outside the convention area. Those hotels tend not to be used in the future by the convention. Also conventions that decide to do major construction work during the convention and not tell the con committee doesn’t get very high marks either.

I think that Chi Fi did the right thing. There were signs that this was not going to go well and that the guests of the hotel that were attending the convention were not going to be treated with the same respect that the hotel would give any other convention that was at that hotel.

And I think that is the bottom line. You want the hotel to treat the science fiction convention the way it would treat a Shriners convention or a religious convention or a group of bankers. The fans are the customers and should be shown the same respect that the hotel shows to all its other customers. They shouldn’t be considered “freaks”.

I am grateful for hotel management that gets it.

Comments

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

As a non-convention-organizing human, if I was attending such a gathering as a new player and was made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcomed by the venue operators or employees, I would not even want to attend another such gathering.
A convention-goer that has attended more than one big event might blame the hotel, but a newcomer is more likely to blame their "bad idea" they had of going in the first place.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Have to agree with you on that one. If the entire convention is in that hotel, the attitude of the staff working at the hotel can color how one feels about their experience.

[purplefrog26.livejournal.com]

I'm involved with body acceptance conventions and we do a lot of prep for our venues. It's absolutely vital that the hotel be a friendly zone for attendees.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Finding a venue for that must be a serious balancing act. Making the hotel a safe space for people to spend time is a must.

[momebie.livejournal.com]

Whenever I explain Dragon*Con's size and the hotel situation to folks I know who don't do conventions they always want to sympathize with the staff. But it's been my personal experience that the staff at the host hotels, as well as the staff in the surrounding bars and restaurants, really kind of like the con goers. Sure, they're dressed funny and can be a source of mild amusement, but they also tip really well and are polite for the most part, because they've had those jobs and because they know what a crazy weekend it is. Which is an incredibly lovely thing coming from a weekend with a truly staggering amount of people with crazy diverse interests.

I am surprised the hotel balked at that policy, though.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I think the hotel didn't want what they thought was a possible legal problem if they agreed to the policy but I have a feeling from the hotel manager's behavior that there were other issues and the policy was the out.

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

How short sighted of them. Their loss will be a much nicer venue's gain.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I really hope so.

[mythandwonder.livejournal.com]

Wow, amazing. I am going to the College Art Association conference in February, which is in Chicago. It will be interesting to see how that pans out. And yes, fans should absolutely be treated well! If nothing else, the hotels should have the wisdom to see they spend money like anyone else.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Well that is a professional meeting so that is a different kettle of fish for the hotel. I didn't talk about the double standard that use to exist until probably the mid 90s when science fiction conventions especially those that had been around 10 years or so proved that there was a consistent revenue stream that made them pay more attention and even court the conventions.

[delle.livejournal.com]

I wonder how that particular hotel likes its sports fans..... as in my experience, rowdy sports fans + alcohol are MUCH harder to manage than a group of fans.

/one of those costumed freaks.

[wherdafux-d-cat.livejournal.com]

Excellent point.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Honestly they like us better. We don't break things or throw up as much.