Con questions

[Con_Chair]

I'm not really sure what conventions give badges in exchange for a panel. I've actually never heard of any that do that but I am sure some of the bigger ones could. When you have 20,000 attendees and about 200 of them are running panels you can probably afford to give away a few badges. Sadly, if we had to give away badges in that way we wouldn't be able to pay for the con space..

We don't offer badges to anyone unless they are an invited guest (like industry people and the likes). But we do appreciate anyone who is willing to run a panel. There are some people that show up only to run a panel and then they leave after their panel is done. They are not charged since they are not really attending the convention.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

[Zsinj]

There are some conventions that offer compensation, but as I understand it, it's usually in exchange for some number of panels.

Example: If you run 3 or more hours of panel programming, you will receive a membership badge in compensation. This would only include accepted panels, as if you submit 3 panels but only two get accepted, you will not receive a badge.

[Hug Me!]

So if someone decided to run say 8 panels they would be incredibly awesome and get a badge...
Not in the least bit thinking about it, just someone mentioned it to me and I said probably.

[Con_Chair]

In theory that might be the case but some feedback we recently received from the Anime Conventions Mailing List indicated that you should never let someone run that many panels because seeing that person so much can get old really fast. They suggest most panelists be limted to about 4 panels or less.

Our new programming director is working how we are going to do panels and comps from here on out. Once he gets it figured out I am sure we will see something on the web site.

[Hug Me!]

That is a very good point. Seeing someone that much would get boring. Well thank you and I will pass on the news.

[jusdepomme]

I know I'm posting in a old thread but I just wanted to add few things about the compensation. In Canada, we give those kind of compensation to volunteer and panelist, even with new cons (last one I went had 600 peoples and was offering that compensation). Why are we doing this? First, it's incredibly hard to have a lot of different panelists and you don't want to have your other panelist on burn out because they are doing too much. Some cons offer it after 4 panels and the new ones does this after 6 panels. There is another hidden reason : if a panelist comes, he will probably come with some friends and they might not all be doing panels.

Volunteer gets the same reward. After helping the convention for 8h or more, they are given a free pass. It's just a way to ensure you'll have enough volunteer. On the other side, I agree that you need that money to rent space and I totally understand why you don't give them. But how about a small gift after helping a lot like some home made food, a special thank you picnic in the summer?

[predaking]

Volunteer gets the same reward. After helping the convention for 8h or more, they are given a free pass. It's just a way to ensure you'll have enough volunteer. On the other side, I agree that you need that money to rent space and I totally understand why you don't give them. But how about a small gift after helping a lot like some home made food, a special thank you picnic in the summer?

Volunteers get a refund on their registration fee. The amount depends how many hours you work.

The structure from last year was and these numbers are assuming you paid $30 for registration:

Hours worked Refund amount
9 to 15 hours $5
15 to 18 hours $10
18 to 24 hours $15
24+ hours $15 plus a free T-shirt

[davenfonet]

I know I'm posting in a old thread but I just wanted to add few things about the compensation. In Canada, we give those kind of compensation to volunteer and panelist, even with new cons (last one I went had 600 peoples and was offering that compensation). Why are we doing this? First, it's incredibly hard to have a lot of different panelists and you don't want to have your other panelist on burn out because they are doing too much. Some cons offer it after 4 panels and the new ones does this after 6 panels. There is another hidden reason : if a panelist comes, he will probably come with some friends and they might not all be doing panels.

Volunteer gets the same reward. After helping the convention for 8h or more, they are given a free pass. It's just a way to ensure you'll have enough volunteer. On the other side, I agree that you need that money to rent space and I totally understand why you don't give them. But how about a small gift after helping a lot like some home made food, a special thank you picnic in the summer?

we are working on finding another way to thank panelists and gophers. We have talked about a number of ways but no way has currently been decided.

[jusdepomme]

woah!! thanks for the info!!