The New Venue

[Nidonocu]

We've announced our new venue, the Barceló Hinckley Island Hotel! Please take a look at our venue pages and let us know your thoughts and any questions in this thread!

[GreenReaper]

Q: Why are we being forced to discuss this here rather than on LiveJournal?

(It seems like great news, disabling comments on posts is just a pet peeve of mine . . .)

Edit: Link text on these forums is also hard to distinguish from regular text. If we can't have an underline, it would be nice if the colour were more distinct.

[Nidonocu]

Q: Why are we being forced to discuss this here rather than on LiveJournal?

(It seems like great news, disabling comments on posts is just a pet peeve of mine . . .)

Edit: Link text on these forums is also hard to distinguish from regular text. If we can't have an underline, it would be nice if the colour were more distinct.

We're trying to encourage people to use the forums! I'll see though if we can't improve the look of links since they are indeed a bit hard to spot.

[Twll]

I'll see though if we can't improve the look of links since they are indeed a bit hard to spot.

fixed

[lamar]

Hopefully you could prod them to have vegetarian sausages available for the buffet breakfast, since the one thing I do note from current reviews is the lack of them at the moment.

That, and posting people at the 'crossroads' of the two main corridors to keep it clear and avoid getting clogged with people, is all I can think of to make a good hotel choice better.

[Cosmo]

That, and posting people at the 'crossroads' of the two main corridors to keep it clear and avoid getting clogged with people, is all I can think of to make a good hotel choice better.

This would probably be done by the security team, who are constantly patrolling the hotel, though we can't stop people from stopping there at all. It's also important to note that the corridor heading from front to back is much wider than the corridors at the old venue were and so it shouldn't be a huge problem.

Also, the more volunteers we have the easier it will be to keep any possible bottlenecks from clogging up. I'm sure details on how to volunteer will be made available as we get closer to the con so keep an eye out

[lamar]

This would probably be done by the security team, who are constantly patrolling the hotel, though we can't stop people from stopping there at all. It's also important to note that the corridor heading from front to back is much wider than the corridors at the old venue were and so it shouldn't be a huge problem.

Every Con I've been to, and volunteered for, at the Hinckley Island has had this problem. Usually a few minutes before each hour when the indecisive will get to this crossroads, then stop in a huddle with their friends to take out their mini-programs to look to see which event they want to go to and where it is. Then it turns into a narrow roundabout as people go around them... It's worst whenever a big event ends in the Paris Suite, since the majority of people are going to head through the crossroads.

[SFW]

I could always bring along my parking tickets? Anybody standing still too long is removed pending a fee of several cookies.

Just have to see how things go in the first year, it's hard to plan for everything that might happen.

[Cheetah]

I think the new venue looks absolutely fantastic. I can't wait to see it for myself!

[Nidonocu]

Every Con I've been to, and volunteered for, at the Hinckley Island has had this problem. Usually a few minutes before each hour when the indecisive will get to this crossroads, then stop in a huddle with their friends to take out their mini-programs to look to see which event they want to go to and where it is. Then it turns into a narrow roundabout as people go around them... It's worst whenever a big event ends in the Paris Suite, since the majority of people are going to head through the crossroads.

I'm currently researching and looking in to this problem of making sure flow issues don't occur in the crossroads area. Hopefully we might be able to surprise you!

[lamar]

I'm currently researching and looking in to this problem of making sure flow issues don't occur in the crossroads area. Hopefully we might be able to surprise you!

Great, it shouldn't need that much more than someone that monitors the cross roads, and politely asks people to move on if they're standing in a huddle. (Rather not have someone shouting 'Move along there! Move Along!' tho) And asking people not to leave all at once after big events in the Paris Suite.

[Hollso]

As long as venue exclusivity really means exclusivity this time, it'll be awesome We don't want people walking in on the art auction again...

[LevLion]

I think they were more annoyed than we were

[RizzoRattie]

As long as venue exclusivity really means exclusivity this time, it'll be awesome We don't want people walking in on the art auction again...

I had very  harsh words with the management during our feedback session regarding the sale of rooms to outside guests.  This was in breach of contract and also nearly caused a very embaressing moment as they walked into the auction just moments after some adult work had been sold.

My overall impression of my contacts at the Barcelo are of a whole new level of professionalism.  They know what is meant by 'exclusivity' and point of fact, it was a very focused topic of negotiations.  For reasons I will not devulge, I know from the hotel that they wanted to offer us exclusivity as much as we desired it, so it was a happy meeting ground.

The one thing that does need to be taken into consideration is that the bar and restaurant are public facing and as such, can and will contiue to offer trade.  However, agreements are under negotiation regarding the use of our own security team to manage access. The hotel were not objectional to us restricting access, but it needs to be agreed on how to best manage it.  However, this should be transparent to our attendees and we will continue to work on this issue in the background.

Regards,

Rizzo

[GreyLion]

I was as foreigner tourist on CF in 2011 first time and I was very satysified. I liked the venue, and all there... and I was looked forward for come again in 2015.
Now I will not come (prop.90%)
The new venue is bad choice for me as foreigner
- looks to cold with atmosphere - glass, metal (same mistake like EF did), more luxury but less cosy
- it is far from public transport - when I come to con to foreign country I'd like to see also some cities or travel a little (Visit Coventry will be interesting quite a lot eg). I will flight in and in case of this venue without car all tourist activities will be a problem...
- rent a car is a problem (expensive and I refuse drive on left)
- no choice (without own car) for eating - i need stay in hotel and eat there - and do not know, ahead, about menu and prices in restaurant and bar (there is no info on CF web and also no on hotel page) - do not like if  have no choice
- more expensive to stay longer before and after

so I am disappointed and propably will not come...