[PS] Fabulous Arisia

[Dan Kimmel]

I had a great time and I think this is one of the best Arisia's I've attended.  A couple of suggestions and an anecdote:

1.  Some of us were a tad overscheduled on panels.  I don't think this was done in error, but because of a philosophical change that needs to be communicated to program participants if it's going to continue.  When filling out the questionnaire, I assume I'm not going to get all the panels I want, so I put down several that I would like to do figuring that if I get some of them I'll be happy.  Apparently this year -- which did have an amazing amount of programming -- people were given virtually everything they asked for.  Had I known that in advance, I might have answered differently.  So whoever runs programming next year should decide which way they're going to go on this, and then let us know in advance.

2.  While I'm happy my small contribution to program planning is appreciated (and entitles me to a staff ribbon!) I don't want the headaches of program ops, and my hat is off to those willing to take on the task.  The one thing I felt was a flaw in this year's administrative process was that when we got our assigned panels it didn't include descriptions or the other panel members.  In an ideal world, I'd like to get the names and e-mail addresses for every one on any panel I'm moderating.  I don't know how feasible that is, but if it's doable (respecting privacy where requested) I think it would be worth it.

3. This was my first real exposure to Fast Track this year, and I think the people there did an outstanding job.  My daughter (age 7) was attending her first con on Sunday.  She was a bit nervous in the Green Room and the Art Show, but after only an hour or so in Fast Track -- when I went to get her for lunch -- the reaction was, "Dad, go away.  I'm busy."  She told me she had a "great" time, and is now looking forward to Noreascon as well as Arisia 2005.  Indeed, she liked it so much that yesterday, for "Share" (what they now call "Show and Tell") she brought in her con badge and told the class about the convention.  Now *that's* an endorsement!

Dan

dan.kimmel at att.net

P.S. I know this falls under Members Services, but please convey to them that Mike Trachtenberg and his team in the Green Room treat the program participants with great care, making Arisia a pleasure to do.  I've been to Worldcons there weren't up to Arisia's standard on this score. For the record, I found that people went in there to get some refreshment or a light meal, catch their breaths, and then go back out into the convention.  Except for the people actually working the Green Room, no one was hiding out there for the course of the weekend.  If keeping the participants happy so that they'll work their tails off at the con is a goal, Mike and the rest of the Green Room staff are doing their jobs.

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