But then, that's not what it takes to run a bag drop for 1300 people.
I perfectly understand that running a bag drop for hundreds of people is out of the scope for EF Security, which is exactly why I've been offering these ideas of compromise.
Moving the pile inside the room (to the entrance, nevertheless, but inside) adds more security without severely burdening EF Security. They can still say we're leaving our stuff at the designated place on our own accord and they have no responsibility if things get lost. At the same time, the items are by default protected from the public, because the public are – by the workings of the Art Show – filtered out. One person inside that assures you get rid of your cameras isn't that much of a hassle — the entry guys could be simply split to be on both sides, there's always like three of them lounging around the Art Show entrance anyway.
Pros: almost a non-issue for Security, better conditions for con-goers.
Cons: still a pile, no promises on getting your stuff back. (but certainly isn't worse than now, so we don't care)
Next level: Get a table to put stuff on it or under it. Don't promise anything more. Has a one-time setup, and gives bigger comfort to people by making it possible to leave your stuff not in a pile but in a more cultured fashion,
Pros: non-issue for Security, significantly better conditions for con-goers.
Cons: still no guarantee on getting stuff back (again, isn't worse than now).
In short, yes, I know I keep repeating myself, but I really don't expect you guys to run a proper bag drop (if I wanted that, I'd go to the reception), but somehow the topic always curls back to that — all I'd like is to be able to move my stuff to the other side of the door, without any more guarantees or services provided by con staff. It would be "good enough" and "better than now" — not perfect, but I personally don't care about that.