MY RULES FOR RUNNING CONS...
by David Stinson
(posted April 4, 1995 to rec.arts.sf.fandom, with the words "distribute
freely")
After some of my recent postings about problems I have seen from inside
of working Cons, people have asked me for some of my working opinions and
answers. From experiences in working cons, here's a few of my rules I live
by for them. Feel free to distribute them to those who are interested in
running Cons.
My rules for doing these things (use those that are applicable to you):
- Make sure you have the film room straightened out (especially with
the projectionist).
- Make sure that your displays are properly protected from prying hands
(full time security when open, locked when closed and quite often FULL-TIME
security even then).
- Pay for the important things (hotel, facilities, guests) with as much
of the payment as possible up front, as much as possible. It makes working
with them MUCH easier. (And they'll forgive a lot under those circumstances).
- Make sure that your people can think on their feet AND ARE RESPONSIBLE.
If they can't do the job, they're wasting everybody's money and your time.
And are endangering the success of your Convention. Another helpful aspect
is wherever possible, assign your people to areas of their own interest.
It keeps everybody happy because they don't tend to get as bored in that
circumstance - and can help attendees in that area who have questions).
- Remember that the first responsibility of the Con committee is to
make the Convention successful for the ATTENDEES, then to make a profit.
It's them you're doing the Con for, not you.
- Have fun while doing it (if at all possible) - that's one reason why
you become a con staffer). AND NOT JUST TO GET IN FREE. (Let's face it,
it IS the truth).
- Keep your convention staffers and special businesses distinct from
each other. Otherwise MAJOR problems can and often will occur.