Swancon 2009 - Absolutely my favourite con yet.

[sarren]

I didn't realise until I filled in the questionnaire that this was my 9th Swancon. Wow!!! I've come a long way from that first year when I timidly turned up to that dingy little hotel and got a day membership and everything was so new and strange and I didn't know anything. I mostly remember accidentally sitting next to Robin Hobb at dinner and having to make small talk about Perth because I hadn't read any of her books.

It was a whole new world. The next year I went for the full membership, and have only missed one Swancon since. I've come a long way since then. And so has Swancon - it's bigger and more shiny and most of all - more accessible.

Stuffs about Swancon 2009:



- The most outstanding thing as far as I'm concerned was the amount of new people who showed up, the diversity of ages (where DID all those well behaved teenagers come from) and the welcoming atmosphere. I can only say, the committee outdid themselves promoting Swancon. (I hear it was advertised in City of Stirling libraries for the first time?).

- No doubt the diversity of interests represented in the programming contributed to the greater community interest in Swancon as well, so yay. For me, it meant fewer panels that I was interested in going to. But because Swancon has become something I feel a part of now, it wasn't an issue for me - it meant I had time to chat to new people, man the registration desk a little bit (less than I meant to) spend time with friends I only see once a year, be on a few panels and Kiddycon related activities, abscond with other people's children, and still have time to retreat to my room for downtime occasionally. I would have liked more spec fic panels, but I also figure if I'm going to bring that up, I should probably put my money where my mouth is, so I'm thinking I might put up an idea for a panel next year which may or may not involve me talking intelligently about fangirling Naomi Novik's Temeraire series.

- I cannot emphasise enough how awesome the committee and everyone who volunteered were - everything ran super smoothly as far as I could see. I heard hardly any complaining or grumpiness this year.

- The guests were interesting and friendly, even though I haven't read their books. This is pretty much par for the course though, except for the year Lynn Flewelling came and I fawned embarrassingly over her. Slash has RUINED me, I say. RUINED ME. However I did score a Trudi Canavan novel at the closing ceremony though, when kremmen won a pile of books and gave it to me on the grounds it was too big to pack *g*. Then he urged me to go and get it signed, so I did and Trudi was lovely and chatted to me a lot about how I should come to Worldcon next year which is in Melbourne. Which, I do like Melbourne a lot...but I find the thought of a con with several thousand people VERY intimidating...

- Kiddycon was the culmination of years of parents talking about how we should get organised to take turns looking after the kids and having the committee go well okay, here's some people to organise that, go for it. (The last few committees broke new ground with allocating child space, with growing acceptance of children's place at Swancon, last year it was even in (a tiny room) in the main drag, which meant a whole new lease of Swancon life for us parents). This year really marked a whole new era though. Just, wow!

- I've heard glowing reports of the gaming stream - dragonfly8 pretty much disappeared in there on the Friday and didn't stagger out until Monday, as far as I can tell. I brought her food occasionally. I'm not sure she noticed.

- One thing I've discussed with a few people at Swancon is the lack of an AV stream this year. I was aware of the issue of acquiring permission to show media and it has since been pointed out to me that it's also a huge hassle for the committee in terms of manpower, first in programming the stream and acquiring the media, and then in having to have someone stationed there at all times. I feel having the AV room is important not necessarily for the actual shows, but as a place that people can go to chill out, to get away from it all. I have used the video room for alone time often in the past. I find being with a crowd of people non stop from 8am in the morning to midnight somewhat overwhelming, and had I not had my hotel room to retreat to for at least an hour or two each day, I would have had to go home for a break. Maybe manning the video room could be yet another thing volunteers could be helpful with - I'm putting my hand up. It's not like it would be a hardship, being forced to watch telly *g*


So, to recap, MADE OF AWESOME!!!!

Comments

[angriest.livejournal.com]

I'm planning on going to Melbourne for Worldcon, and would be happy to spend a bunch of it hanging with you cause you're awesome.

[mynxii.livejournal.com]

Also yes - there are several of us going to Melbourne, including forming a contingent to do child caring and stuff, so if you'd like to join in and share coping you'd be more than welcome :) *hugs*

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Sure, I'll take a shift or two.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

*nonchalant* Sure, whatever.

*clings to your legs*

[donaldtwain.livejournal.com]

Sarren, you doofus head. You can't promise to go to Worldcon. We've discussed this already.

Maybe a certain roadtrip is happening in April 2010. Is that ringing any bells for you? Quite possibly your idea. Yours and Cricket's and Zebra's? Trille and I are just going for the ride...

And then I said: What about Worldcon.
And everyone said: Hmmm...
And Zebra said: Whale sharks!
And everyone said: I'm not going to Worldcon.

Prompting any memories? No definite dates yet and not totally confirmed, but you should just ask if we're still doing that.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Isn't Worldcon in September? I can't do both? *iz sad*

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

You can definitely do both. Whale sharks are only from April to June.

had I not had my hotel room to retreat to for at least an hour or two each day, I would have had to go home for a break

You can go OUTSIDE! You know, for a walk or a run. That is what I did Fri & Sun mornings.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Yes, I could have. Except on Saturday when I had that hideous headache and fred_mouse massaged my locked up shoulder and then I went and lay down in the airconditioning for a couple of hours until I felt ready to face the world again.

Also, you remember how hot it was until the weather broke on Monday, right? You and I like the heat, but other fans have low tolerance to the heat, and/or health issues which makes going out in those temperatures a trial.

Plus, what if I want three hours to myself because that's how much time I need. I could sit in a cafe I guess, but that's still not the peace and quiet I want, and I can't have a nap.

What if I want to have a nap, which I did one evening, before going on to more panels.

What if you're a fan who doesn't know many people, or is shy, or just doesn't really like spending much time with people and there's not many panels you're interested in? Do you just sit in the lobby for half the day?

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

No, you're right, more quiet space would be good if they have room. I spent some time in the chairs at the front with a book.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

The whale shark trip has to be from April to June, so it doesn't clash - unless you just mean it isn't feasible to do both from a leave or financial perspective!

[mynxii.livejournal.com]

*loves* Thank you :) You raise some awesome points - we'd plans for media, but they didn't come through early enough which is entirely my fault for not getting it to the distributor earlier. The idea was legitimate stuff so that we could advertise the hell out of it - except it didn't happen.

Next year's committee are awesome and have taken on heaps from what we found really worked for us - like the cheap day, the childrens programming and stream (they might be looking for someone to coordinate?)

The problem with the AV stream is a couple of things, partly legitimacy which in the past we've ignored - but can never advertise it, and in part dedicating a room to it - given that space is an absolute premium this is a big one, as well as the volunteers factor :)

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Yep, the space issue is another factor, but given that whenever I've visited the room in the past there's always been people using it, it's not wasted.

You guys did a ROCKING job.

[mynxii.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[cricketk.livejournal.com]

This would have been my ninth con too. :)

Also, I am 100% going to WorldCon in Melbourne. We can share a room if you like!

[sarren.livejournal.com]

DONE.

I am so easy, omg.

[mr-booboo.livejournal.com]

Please read post I sent to Sarren. Is the roadtrip still on? I think I was the only one interested in going at the time but you guys were all mad keen on Whalesharks.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

I'M SO CONFUSED.

[cricketk.livejournal.com]

Um. Where is the clash?

[catundra.livejournal.com]

I have spoken to next year's committee about keeping and improving Kiddycon and they are happy for me to do so but would love to have someone to tackle the task with...:)

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Sure, sounds like a plan.

[victorian-tweed.livejournal.com]

Great report, Sarren. I so enjoy reading con reports! Did you come away with any new fandoms?

Feel free to come and stay with us before/during/after if you do decide to go to WorldCon.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

As IF there was a reality where I would come to Melbourne and not INSIST on spending a week with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No new fandoms, which is a GOOD thing. I have THREE Charity fics to write in the next couple of months *quails*

[victorian-tweed.livejournal.com]

As IF there was a reality where I would come to Melbourne and not INSIST on spending a week with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Correct answer. A+

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

Wow, was your first con the last one @ the Ascot Inn too?

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Yes. I remember it as being very dark and dingey, but I'm probably being melodramatic.

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

No, that's how I remember it as well. Although I have other memories of it as well, including a nice grassy patch out the back with picnic tables.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Did you go for the whole con? Just being there for the day I probably didn't venture outside.

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

I ended up being there for most of it. Friday & Saturday, Sunday although not Monday I don't think.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Wow, you were brave - did you have friends there?

How did you find the experience?

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

I didn't know anyone there when I turned up, but whilst in the queue to buy my first Swancon day-pass, I stumbled into a bunch of guys from uni that I hadn't seen in months, so then knew some people there. I'm pretty sure that akire_yta must have been there too.