Chicago Creation Con - verdicts?

[Nyssa]

Hi y'all.
Well, since the Chicago convention was practically in my backyard (15 mi. away) I had to join the fun. This was my first Stargate Con and my first Creation Con. There has been much chatter, pro and con - pardon the pun, about Creation, so I thought I would give a rundown of one person's experience.

This will be more "How the Con Went, not "What the Actors Said." (I will do that later, but I am afraid I will forget the impression of the Con logistics if I don't get them down.)

I bought my tickets at the door, Sat and Sun only, so I can't comment on the pre-sale stuff. Well, other than to say that one person in line with Weekend Preffered seats didn't get her Photo Op e-mail sent to her. However, she did have her ticket receipt from Creation and they rememdied it for her w/o incident.

Tony Amendola was scheduled to appear on Fri and about 10 days out there was a notice posted on Creation's site that Tony would appear on Sunday instead. It was said that Tony had to film for Stargate this weekend. (It was a big notice in red, which I thought was good.) However, on Friday at the Con it was announced that Tony had an emergency and could make it at all. Autographed B&W 8x10s were handed out to those due autographs.

I wasn't there Fri, but heard good things about Tom McBeath's time.

On Friday there was to be either a showing of a SG-1 or Atlantis ep or some slideshow which included scenes form the shows. Apparently there was some issue because the eps hadn't yet aired. (The Congoer as asked wasn't very clear about the details.)

Saturday I arrived and got in smoothly. Cash only at the door, BTW. There were very, very few vendors. Most stuff was reasonably priced, e.g. $25 for a shirt, $20 for a hat. Not a great selection. For example, I was looking for a Tauri symbol necklace but saw no jewelery. (I know, I can just buy online.)

Sat opened with a Trivia contest. They asked for volunteers for a 3 person panel of experts. If the experts correctly answered 5 questions from the auduence they received prizes. They won.

Then we watched the SG-1 ep Covenant which aired on Sci-Fi the night before. Many Congoers appreciated this due to the fact that the Radisson Rosemont does NOT have Sci-Fi in their hotel rooms.

For the Shippers, next came a 3 minute montage of Sam/Jack clips to a country song about "When You're in Love." (Or something close to that.) It was pretty well done (not super snazzy, but good enough) and we all got a good laugh.

Next came Michael Shanks. Michael was adorable. In terms of content, it was much as you have all likely read on-line about other Cons. (More details later.) Regarding photos, still for personal use was allowed and you could leave your seat, take your shot in the aisle or on the side and return to your seat. It was all VERY, VERY easy going. In terms of asking questions, you just lined up and waited. Actually, the wait was not very long. Most just wanted to listen. I have a funny story about the question I asked Michael, but will save that for later.

The autograph session for Michael and Don came next and ran WAY late. However, they got everyone in. They kept while the Atlantis ep Underground ran. Michael and Don were suppose to be in the bar for Happy Hour, but they just stayed and got through the end of the line.

While the autograph session was going, there was an auction. (BTW, if I haven't mentioned it, most of the activities happened in the Grand Ballroom. So, while people were in line for autographs, they could still see what was happening.

So, there was an auction, some SG-1 stuff, WAY cool huge con posters which went from around $300 to $650. A LOT of Star Trek and other Sci-Fi stuff.

From what I could tell, most of the auction was for profit. A few small things were said to be auctioned off for charity - like shirt/photo combos which went for around $40. There were two charities mentioned - one I missed because they only said it a couple times and another which was Hummingbird Relief (or Rescue or something). (People mumbled they didn't know Hummingbirds needed relief.) If I search on Google and find out that charity is about birds then for me the $1000 or $1500 they raised would have totally been "for the birds"

Apparently, not quite Gatecon's committment to Make-A-Wish, is all I am saying here...

Then there was a session with William Christensen of Avatar Press about Stargate Comics. (I think I nodded off.)

Then there was a "raise your hand and scream" chance to give Creation ideas for new merchandise. From trivia games, computer games to voicemail away messages from cast members - folks said it all. Mainly, I kept thinking, next year hopefully there will BE MORE VENDORS. Bring stuff.

Creation, you need merchandising ideas? Ask this board...we can give ya all the ides you need.

Since Michael and Don ran late signing, they finished and then went to the Happy Hour to honor that committment. The rest of the Congoers then had an unscheduled break of 40 minutes or so.

The Happy Hour was easy going and was pretty much a photo session. Michael and Don were very friendly. I was watching from a respecful out-of-earshot distance. (I wasn't a gold pass holder and there were no brutes checking at the door.)

Don's session was last. He was a hoot! Just a hoot! What a gracious and kind person. Questions were same as with Michael - just line up.

In sum, the Con ran late, but it seemed everyone got their stuff and more. (There wasn't supposed to be personalized photos, but at least Michael did them. Not sure about Don. Imagine he did, too.) While Creation tried to keep on schedule, they realized there were WAY TOO many photos for the 1 hour and 25 minutes they allotted. Rather than rushing everyone it looked as thought the folks at the end got the same time with Michael and Don as the folks with Gold Passes who were first in line.

Some small things: Music started late, so if you were prompt you walked into a quiet ballroom. The large display just had a "Welcome" message. They could have had clips running or something.

I am glad I went. I am looking forward to tomorrow. (Rumor is Amanda will need to leave earlier and her sessions have been moved to first thing in the morning...nothing official had been said.) If she does get moved up to Tony's slot now that he isn't attending, I hope folks won't miss her sessions due to no notice. But again, that was just a hallway rumor. We will see how it plays out.

I hope Creation sells a DVD of the con like Gatecon does. (I have the 2003 Gatecon DVD and highly recommend the Gatecon 2004 DVD when it goes on sale.)

All in all, it felt like a small-time enterprise of patient people put together a convention. I expected more glam. More slideshows, clips, music, more energy. MORE VENDORS. I mean, this is the company running the Official North American Stargate Conventions, from what I understand. They have been running Cons for something like 25 years. I did kinda feel like they planned it in someone's basement. But, except for the missing glam, cool props and energy, I did get what I came for. The actors were great.

They were selling passes already for next year - Mark your calendars. Chicago, Aug 26-28, 2005. Next year I'll likely a buy a Gold Pass for 3 days at $350...or somesuch.

Hope that heps someone. I have to head to bed. Amanada in the am. Chris in the pm.

Nys.

 

[philoSCIFI]

Thanks Nys

:wave: Hey Nyssa! Thanks so much for that review/update. Hope today goes well.

 

[JacksLover]

Your expereince sounds very similar to the one I had in Burbank.

It was my very first convention so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Overall I think it went well. Of course al the stars were absolutely fabulous and so gracious. The Shanks photo op really ran long and the line was very long. I don't know maybe if they break it down into two sessions it might make it better. Because when that was going on I think it was Jonathan Glassner was speaking. So I missed part of his. He was very interesting and stayed while the others gave their talks and answered questions. They often deffered to him if thye didn't know an answer.

The charity auction was for The Make A Wish Foundation and they made alot of money. I am not sure of the exact amount.

I was also quite surprised by the lack of vendors at the convention. I expected a lot more.

The line for autographs was long too. It didn't matter too much for me since I was a Gold Pass but for the others they had to wait a considerable amount of time. Maybe they could break it up so the stars are at different tables that way the fans can be divided and they can get through the autographing faster. Not sure how feasible that really is.


For me the best things were a hug and kiss on the cheek from Peter Williams which was unexpected. This happened as we were leaving the dessert/cocktail party. He was out in the lobby and I went to shake his hand and say thanks again when he pulled me in and gave me a hug and kiss. Chris Judge loved the shirt I was wearing which was an Oregon football jersey. I had him sign it during the autograph session. (he went to the University of Oregon)

Micael Shanks I was so overwhelmed I didn't ask him a question. But I have a picture of him holding up the t-shirt I gave him.

 

[Gary Berman]

Just wanted to comment on the above two messages as it concerns merchandising at the first Official Stargate SG-1 Convention Tour....

As the official convention we are only allowed to have licensed merchandise on sale, either by us or by other vendors. We are making an effort to carry as much as is available, and of course produce as much as we can under our particular license agreement.

It does take time to design, get approval from the studio and actors, and then go to manufacture. So, in this area and in terms of Creation produced goods, we are really just getting started. That's one of the reasons we are actively asking our audiences at the conventions what they want to see (especially what we are allowed to do under our deal).

To answer why there aren't that many other vendors at the conventions so far I think fans that have been around for a while know that "sci-fi media" vendors have had a rough go of it in the last few years and many have gone out of business.

Additionally many that carry diverse product lines feel that a Stargate SG-1 specific convention would not make sense for them financially. Finally, and in particular for the Chicago weekend, there were many other choices for the small vendor pool to choose from: there was a major Buffy event in Oakland, big Star Trek conventions in Los Angeles and Toronto, and our other event in Sacramento.

Hope this information is helpful and I'm glad you both enjoyed your convention visits.

 

[JacksLover]

Thanks Gary!!!

Can you tell us how many people have attended each event and how much money was raised from the Charity Auctions?

I am just curious

 

[Nyssa]

Hi Gary,
Glad you responded. Actually, I was going to send you a link to find it. I figured you could address any questions we had.

I did read the schedule a bit more carefully on Sunday morning and I believe there was a Charity Breakfast. Bet that was nice! I'll have to catch it next year.

Did it raise a lot? Hope so!

Kudos to (I think his name was) Adam who worked hard to find the line trying not to rush people through Amanda's signatures but still getting her out to her other commitment on time. It looked like everyone got their time.

Since you have been actively seeeking out ideas for merchadising, can we offer suggestions? To whom do we send them? There are items I would like to buy...and of course, I would prefer to buy them from licensed vendors.

If I may offer a suggestion. Since, as you mentioned, there is currently a small vendor pool and they are spread through the nation appearing at different conventions on any given week, is there something else you could offer for the downtime?

For example, when the Happy Hour ran late we had an unexpected time on our hands. Also, when the Amanda line ran long, we had down time. If folks didn't but an autograph, or if you had a gold ticket and were done quickly, again there was wait time. Once you are fed, watered, had a bathroom break, and have seen the handful of vendors, it would be nice to just have something else offered.

Would it be possible to maybe have a separate video room running a couple of eps on loop or something? Or some Stargate Trivia going on a screen (maybe in the main room) like they do in movie theatres. Nothing that requires a person with a mic. Just automated, looping.

But, all in all, things ran very close to schedule, most actors made it in, and folks got their photos taken and items autographed if they bought em.

 

[suebsg1]

i was at the breakfast that morning to which we had amanda and cj there walking around to all the tables and they raised $650 for make a wish

 

[Gary Berman]

CREATION RESPONSES

Just a note that we don't release attendance figures but all three Official Stargate SG-1 conventions went great and we'll be returning to all three cities next year (along with many others). Thanks to all who made the trip!

We've raised approximately $15,000 so far for Make-A-Wish.

Also, I was really taken aback by Nyssa's comment re: Creation and Gatecon and charity donations. I think both groups have been great with raising money for charity and it's not a competition. After running over 2,300 fan conventions we know how difficult it is to organize events and keep them going!

I imagine that most Stargate SG-1 fans are not aware of our work in this area over the last few years.

We're really proud to have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for our major charities as below:

- THE JAMES ELLIS FOUNDATION helps students affected by cancer go to college. Well over 100 students have made it through college with our help and this is our major charity. We selected this because 100% of the money we donate goes directly to the kids and we personally know the person who run the charity.

- THE KEVIN SMITH FOUNDATION helps the late Xena actor's family (Kevin was a good friend of ours) after his passing.

- STARSHIP is the local New Zealand Hospital for kids that Lucy Lawless is on the board of.

and finally,
THE WILLIAM SHATNER HOLLYWOOD HORSE SHOW CHARITY: we've worked for several years assisting this fun and fantastic event occur in Burbank which assists disadvantaged and disabled kids.

We're thinking of creating a new part of our website about our charity work, so look for that soon.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support of the Stargate SG-1 conventions and merchandise,
Gary

 

[suebsg1]

so all the auctions thru out the weekend goes to those charities

wow very nicely done gary you guys should be proud to be giving to such fine charities!

thanks for posting where the money goes to also!

sue