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olympia wrote:Why is it an "accusation" to suggest that a TO might turn a profit (modest perhaps) on an event?

I think it was the tone more than anything ("to make boat payments and what not"). It might've come across in a way other than you intended, but I would think that most TOs would take exception to that (as clearly mikhaila and MVBrandt did above). If there is any surplus after all the costs, prizes, etc., it would usually be put back into the next year's event, as MVB said. Anyone doing this to make money would have to be crazy...

olympia wrote:Why is it an "accusation" to suggest that a TO might turn a profit (modest perhaps) on an event?

The way you said it?) Absolutely an accusation. Although knowing your history of snide remarks in general I guess people might cut you some slack.

MVB- d
Definitely don't mind sharing some notes. Partly what Tony is dealing with at Mechanicon, and what I found when I did research in the last few years, is mostly regional. Hotels and event space are booked solid for weddings and other receptions. Not enough space in this region for the load, and they are making a ton of money. Several that used to rent space for comic book, gaming, or hobby conventions now have a set rule of "no catering = no rental". Didn't help that a couple of the large halls in the area that were used for years got torn down. Which is why Philcon is in NJ after being in downtown Philly for 60 years.(

Getting the door slammed in my face did give me incentive to cut a deal with the mall for a permanent space for our bunker though, so something good came out of it. We can only go to 50-80 people though. So if we want to throw a big yearly event, it's going to be back to looking for space, and any advice on room blocks or negotiation is welcome.

I prefer snideness to hypocrisy and feigned moral indignation.

I would think folks in general would consistently try and improve their failings, not embrace them as "superior" to someone else's.

Thief in prison for 20 years proclaiming "LEAST I AIN'T KILLD NO ONE, SHEEEE."

Let's not piss fest this too much, eh? There was a lot of critique of the $125 price tag for a 40-some person GT ... and Tony did his best to explain why it cost what it did. Honest truth of the matter is the more people you have attending, the cheaper it gets; there's a transition point where it becomes finicky, and they're at it ... cut 'em some slack, and avoid comments that are EASILY misinterpreted (although I suspect you rather intended the biting tone) such as suggesting the money was being pocketed and used to pay for their boats.

MVBrandt wrote:Let's not piss fest this too much, eh?

This is a really good point. The discussion here needs to be somewhat more respectful.

End of the day, I think that the vast majority of people had a good time, the guys hosting worked hard, and it will be an even better show next year.

Yea, I hope there are more players next year to fill up all the tables and perhaps close some of the price gap. As I said earlier, leaner and more useful swag could lower some of that cost as well. I know I did like the venue - even the restaurant was decent inside the hotel (and trust me, I tried the local fare outside and it was pretty lame comparatively).

One thing that was said earlier about the tables being a lot of the cost, I'm sure is true. They made a load of beautiful tables that can be used in subsequent events (Tony and crew can be very proud of that as I'm sure they are).

As for the regional thing, It's really sad that's the case as you and I discussed during our Friday game. I mentioned that if NOVA can be in an expensive area, etc for a lower cost per ticket, then they should compare notes to see if there are places where lessons learned can help negotiate. I'm glad MVBrant's offered that.

The problem is that there are lots of venues available in this area (northern virginia / southern maryland) so it's easier to drive a price down.

I'll most likely be attending this event next year (probably for the blood bowl / odd events on the side, rather than the 40k tournament) for what it's worth!

Not wishing to dig up this thread again, but does anyone have the full results yet?

Cheers.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen them pop up yet. Nothing's been posted on the Mechanicon site since the tournament was over except to say that it was over and some kudos and stuff. They say they'll be posting lots of stuff, but nothing yet.