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EF14 - Will there be overflow?

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Fawks Beaumont:
This is something I was pondering, and am slightly concerned about.  EF13 was frankly full to the brim, and getting through the lobby sometimes was quite hecetic at times.  Will EF14 be much larger is the question?  I know the hotel will be able to only hold a limited number of furs, but there will probably end up having some overflow.  And, from the increase of attendees from EF12 to EF13, will there be an increased want to attend EF14.  I know that more furs is always a great thing, but a massive surge can lead to problems.

What is everyone else's input on this?

Cheetah:
Nothing is decided about this yet. If we extend EF14 beyond the attendance of EF13, we will only do so after thinking up a proper concept, because we're very aware how full EF13 was.

There is still potential. The function space use was, to be honest, not optimal. I think it is possible to make much more effective use of the overall space, especially concerning the stage area, fursuit lounge, dealer's den, and the lower foyer area (which was pretty much deserted most of the time). We also never used the club in the basement except for the dead dog party.

After we've got an estimation how much more attendees we could fit in without causing major problems with our infrastructure, we can then negotiate special EF overflow rates with other hotels in Suhl, such as the Mercure.

My personal "gut feeling" is, that we could fit in up to 700 people without running into major problems, if we plan out everything correctly. But please ... don't run around shouting this number, as I said, there is no decision yet, and the concept is not there yet. We're still in the phase of throwing ideas at each other :)

Fawks Beaumont:

--- Quote from: Cheetah on 26.09.2007, 12:08:28 ---My personal "gut feeling" is, that we could fit in up to 700 people without running into major problems, if we plan out everything correctly. But please ... don't run around shouting this number, as I said, there is no decision yet, and the concept is not there yet. We're still in the phase of throwing ideas at each other :)

--- End quote ---

If there is anything I have learned, it's that nothing is completely official until August 27. :P  Just kidding.

The biggest thing I am worried about will be a rush to register when it opens in January, because furs will be worried about it being overbooked, just to find out in the end that they will be unable to attend.  I am not sure how full the waiting list was this year, but it will almost certainly be larger next year, and last minute cancellations would cause serious havoc on the staff.

(I realize this is all hypothetical and is not of concern until next year or later, but EF is almost certain to gain enough attendees that it could exceed that Ringburg's capacity... EF16 - Frankfurt :P)

Cheetah:

--- Quote ---The biggest thing I am worried about will be a rush to register when it opens in January, because furs will be worried about it being overbooked, just to find out in the end that they will be unable to attend.

--- End quote ---

Yes, that's a known problem ... Anthrocon is suffering heavily from this problem. Uncle Kage calls it "attrition". Their main trouble is, that room reservations are fully refundable, resulting in a significant financial setback for their hotel.

However, since EF memberships and hotel reservations have to be paid up front and are not refundable. That means, we don't get any organisational or financial problems. The only real drawbacks are, that we have to turn down other attendees becaus of spaces blocked by others who might not be able to attend, and the extra work for the reg team due to last minute membership transfers.

So far it has been managable, though.


--- Quote ---I am not sure how full the waiting list was this year, but it will almost certainly be larger next year, and last minute cancellations would cause serious havoc on the staff.

--- End quote ---

What bugs me more than that is, that it makes it a matter of good luck and a matter of being able to pay early to attend. I really don't like this. It fragments groups of friends, and it gives EF some "elitist" taste that I really do not want. But then, there is not much we can fdo about it other than to keep a healthy growth ... but it is becoming increasingly hard to find good hosts for our con. We are becoming the victim of our own success.


--- Quote ---(I realize this is all hypothetical and is not of concern until next year or later, but EF is almost certain to gain enough attendees that it could exceed that Ringburg's capacity... EF16 - Frankfurt :P)

--- End quote ---

We're very close to that limit. I don't think EF will be able to return to the ringberg hotel in 2009 ... heck, we might even crack the 1000 in two years.

Fawks Beaumont:
Well, Cheetah, all and all being said, you and your staff do an amazing job, and being able to pull together a con of EF's magnitude almost seems like a earth-moving act.  EF14 will surely be a success, just like EF13 was, and with such a great staff (that is great at rolling with the punches), hopefully EF14 will get off without a hitch (at least not a really big one.)

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