NOW DISCUSS :: Frequently Asked Questions?
Well, we’re seeing some good discussions break out on the blog here, and I have to assume that will only grow, as you guys notice this new vector of hours and start chiming in. And if there’s any way we can put our customers to work for us, we’re always on the lookout.
To that end: I’m in the middle of totally revamping our website, which will feature all sorts of new hotness, as well as some of the old coolness you’re used to. One of the newer features will be a long-demanded (by Shelton) Frequently Asked Questions page for the convention. Now, while it’ll probably be another month or so before this new website actually sees the light of day, I thought I’d go ahead and start gathering some Questions which may or may not be Frequently Asked right away, for when the time comes.
So: What is it you’re always Frequently Asking? Remember, we do have brains, so we’ll probably be able to figure out most of the obvious ones. What I’m looking for are the weird ones. For instance, “Does HeroesCon have a costume contest?” is one we get a lot. Another might be “Can I get a half-priced parents pass as an advance ticket?” (the answer is No). Et cetera. Lay it on me. And if you’re thinking of asking a “funny” question, no one ever asks those, so don’t bother. I’m talking to you, Daniel.
Now Discuss! (Frequently Asked Questions, not young Daniel.)
I get a lot of questions about parking, like the price and where is the best place to park. Also, I also get questions about where people are located. Some times there are last minute changes in location that aren’t in the program book. We should have those changes available somewhere (like the info booth).
This may seem silly to us but the more I think about it, the more I think this is pertinent to the convention goers that are from out of town; where are places to eat around the convention center?
Oh, good questions! Parking is a hot question that we always forget about until Friday morning. Ditto for places to eat (not to mention places of interest in general around uptown). Keep em coming!
Are you, or have you ever been, a Skrull?
What color is Shelton’s eyes?
Why does Wheatley get private lunch breaks?
and last, but certainly not least-
WHERE CAN I SIGN UP FOR THE ART AUCTION?
oh, and when he is an attending guest…
WHERE IS PAUL JENKINS?
Doug does have a point about art auction questions. We could put up general info about it. Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, we could have info about the Quick Draw contest. Like where to sign up and where to pick up your art work.
Yeah, the Art Auction is a big question sink. We’ll probably change the format of the auction some this year, as it’s grown to such leviathan proportions that we need to streamline it some so that it stays fun for those of us who don’t actually have any money. I’m speaking specifically of Shelton’s staff–excepting of course, Shawn, who will pay any price for love.
This didn’t seem to be asked quite as much this year as last year, and we probably will point it out, but we should make sure to mention that only three-day passes are sold in advance, not single-day passes.
Oh, and I thought of another…which comic creator will Doug Merkle develop a man-crush on this year?
Where’s Paul Jenkins?
An important question I want to know an answer to is where does Rusty get those economy sized jars of Laudnaum?! Cause I um, know “a guy” who might be in the market for one of those.
On the serious side a question that I think is a pertinent one; where is the atm in the convention center and when the money runs out of said ATM, where are convienent ATM locations downtown ?
Right on, Dan–this ties into the “where is there real food near the convention center”. Besides the whole FAQ thing, I have plans to put a pretty comprehensive map of uptown Charlotte in the program book this year, which will have any points of interest (hotels, restaurants, atm’s, charming hoboes) listed.
I think that would be a good idea. Maybe we could also put that kind of information on the website as well? For me it seemed that a lot of people who attended the convention this year appeared to rely on information from the website. Would having a downloadable pdf file of some of that info in the booklet be a doable thing?
Well, the whole point of this discussion is wrapped around the FAQ page I’m planning, so…yes! Although that map would be in the far-flung future, next spring at the earliest.
And this map should have directions to the store! Cause we get that question a lot.
Here’s another question that I’m sure doesn’t get asked much but we might want to address anyways; what can and can’t I as a convention goer bring onto the floor with me? (i.e. digital cameras, camcorders, audio recording devices, flame throwers, outside food, etc.)
The inside front cover of the program book is almost always a store ad, and always has a carefully designed map that nobody looks at.
Good question, Dan–we don’t restrict anything legal coming into the center. So all AV stuff is fine. The convention center strictly restricts any food or beverages–I’ll see if I can find out exactly what their list of no-no’s is and post it. Good one.
Here are some questions I remember dealers dealers and artists asking me on the phone last year;
– What’s the earliest I can set up my booth?
– If I have special needs for my booth that pop up at the last minute, like say I need a booth near an outlet to plug in my laptop so I can get work done, can I change booths at the last minute?
– Can I request that my booth be near a fellow artist?
– A day of the show type question; Say I am scheduled to be at table 234 got there late and now someone else is there for whatever reason, who do I talk to and what can I do about this situation?
Another one that is entirely unrelated to dealers; When is the last day to buy advanced tickets?
And a personal favorite of mine and the folks who do registration; Can I take off my wristband so I can take a shower?
can we submit answers too? cus i know some pretty good places to eat and everything round here, i mean i didnt get this big eating apples and exercising.
also, is there anything saying i cant put up a big banner somewhere with the name of my webcomic? namely if its name especially obscene (like penis fencing), even if the content is not?
also, let me put the disclaimer that i did not think up the name for the comics, my friend, the artist did, and before i knew it, she had got the domain and everything
most often asked question:
WHERE’S DUSTIN??????????????
Oh, sorry Mark–I just noticed your comment; I’m getting ready to start work on my FAQ page, so I was checking back.
Two things: feel free to comment on places to eat, but we’re pretty good on that, too. You can just send that stuff to me, if you like, but I feel like I’ve got a handle on the map stuff.
Second thing: no lewd anything, sorry. Especially anything with “penis” in it. I hear you on the it’s-not-dirty thing, but we’re too into the whole family friendly thing. Believe me, there are always a ton of people trying to get around our standards on this kind of thing–don’t be one of them, Mark!
Andy, you know very well that the REAL question is “Where’s Shelton?”
i think weve got a different kinda campaign goin on now anyway, thanks though. and you’ve got to make sure u have the penguin on there, its close, and its great
Absolutely the Penguin. I suspect my map will extend about a mile out from downtown in most directions, so not only the Penguin would be listed, but Dish, Thomas Street, Common Market, etc.