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archini Veteran user UK 313 Posts |
Hi Stan,
Great to see you on here. I have been to quite a few Conventions in my time while you have been to a whole lot more, as well as now having a reputation for organising one of the best ones yourself. Some of my favorites have been the more unconventional ones, maybe small, or specialised, or approached from a different angle etc. Obviously lots of things contribute to what is deemed a good convention: The shows, lectures, venue, planning, programme and more. My question is do you think that any one thing is of more importance than another when pulling a convention together? What's the first thing you want to get right? Thanks. John |
Stan Allen V.I.P. 75 Posts |
That's a great question, John. Nobody told me this would be tough...
You're right, there are so many things that can affect the outcome. If I had to pick one thing as the "first thing," it would be first impressions. It's the attendees first contact with the city, the hotel, the registration process, the first event, etc. You probably can't do much about "the city." But if there are drawbacks, such as extreme heat (welcome to Las Vegas in August), let your guests know about it. If you've warned them, they are more likely to accept it. Same with the cost of ground transportation. If it's pricey and you can't do anything about that, let them know before they sit in the cab watching a meter go higher than the thermometer. Once they're at "the hotel," hopefully, the property staff will be accommodating. It helps, of course, if when they get to their room, it's a nice room at good value. A couple of Lives ago, we started producing a souvenir room key. It's a small item, but it comes up probably before they've even met anyone from the convention. It should go without saying that "the registration process" should be as efficient and friendly as possible. We have a great team, and they're reminded each year that they ARE the convention at that point. We also invest a few more dollars in our giveaways (bags or pad folios, plus notebooks, etc.), and we hand them out right at Registration. I know some conventions like to have one item per day. That's nice, but I believe in that first-impression philosophy. When I used to work three different acts for the same cruise audience, I always did my best material in the first show; if you win 'em over from the start, the rest is easier. Finally, the first event is critical. So many conventions tend to start off with a lecture or the dealers room opening, almost before things really get started. I've always tried to start MAGIC Live! with a gunshot, if you will. You can register, you can get your photo taken for your name badge, you can visit in the Hospitality Room, but there are no events until the Cover Party the first night. Then it's all happening, music, food, dealers, magic... And speaking of magic at the opening night event... I believe half of the people (maybe more) come to conventions to visit with friends. The other half (maybe less) come to see magic, magic, and more magic. Opening night parties tend to get going on the visiting, then stop all of that for a show. It's tough; you can't make everybody happy. We hire street magicians to work the party... when it's appropriate. The first Live!, it was Bob Sheets and Jim Cellini. They asked how many "shows" I wanted. I told them to just gather a crowd and do a show when it seemed to work. If they only did one show because it only worked once, then so be it. I did not want the party to come to a stop while a show was going on. Both Bob and Jim told me later that the night started slow, maybe only one or two shows in the first couple of hours, but the last couple hours more people were ready to see something. I think we've all been at conventions where the ball gets rolling in the wrong direction and nothing the convention offers can totally turn it around. Well, if you get the ball rolling in the right direction, it tends to build up momentum, then if problems happen (and they will, they will!), your attendees are much more forgiving. Okay, I've rambled on now much to long... You were probably looking for a one- or two-word answer. Unfortunately, we tend to think probably way to much about this stuff... Stan |
TCG438 New user 95 Posts |
Stan Allen, a true gentleman, welcome to the Café'.
You mention in your post that you believe half of the people (maybe more) come to conventions to visit with friends. The other half (maybe less) come to see magic, magic, and more magic. I have been fortunate to not only see you at a number of conventions and other magic - related events, but also to speak with you as a friend at said events. My question to you is, which "half" do you fall into? Certainly you have many friends, old and new, but also I am sure you enjoy seeing magic. Or is it, perhaps, that you are doing top - secret R&D work for the next MAGIC Live? Either way, always a pleasure seeing you and talking with you, and I will be there next August for my fourth. |
Stan Allen V.I.P. 75 Posts |
Dear "TCG438"... Sorry, I don't recognize the name...
I have to admit, your question made me laugh. See, I should be a little more careful about what I say and a lot more careful about what I write! Okay, I should clarify: Obviously, very few people fall 100% into either category. It's probably the same as left-brain or right-brain. Is anyone totally to one side. I hope not. At magic conventions, my percentage changes as the days go by. I start out probably more visiting friends, then I want to see some great magic, then back to the friends. On the opening night, however, I do think more than half want to visit first, then the next day start seeing miracles. Thanks for a great question. Now, who are you? Stan |
robertok New user 1 Post |
Hello Stan:
My birthdate is August 22, and exactly this day a year ago I was in Magic Live 2007 having the best birhtdate in my life. Eventhough I was by myself, I felt like home but better because of this great convention. For you to know, Magic Magazine is highly apreciated in Mexico and, magic itself is growing big in this country. Congratulations and look forward to see you next year, I'm already registered. |
Stan Allen V.I.P. 75 Posts |
Thanks, Robert... See ya in Vegas in '09!
Stan |
Al The Only New user 1 Post |
Hi Stan,
It’s nice to see you at The Café. The accolades for you continue and I second them all. I love the magazine, I love LIVE and over the years you’ve been one of the regular great guys in magic. We’ve actually been in Cafés together around the country, even at a McDonald’s in Lisbon. I’ve been subscribing to MAGIC since volume one of Inside MAGIC and I’ve had the pleasure of attending the first three MAGIC Lives. This brings me to my dismay: why would you schedule a MAGIC Live the same year as a FISM? On a card trick budget, it’ll be near impossible to make it to both conventions. FISM is scheduled every three years. MAGIC Live wasn’t to be repeated after the first one. Fortunately there have been two more. Couldn’t you have picked 2008 or 2010 for the fourth MAGIC Live? I’ll look forward to seeing you down the road Stan. Continued success and best wishes, Al |
Stan Allen V.I.P. 75 Posts |
Thanks, Al...
We really didn't want to put a Live! in the same summer as a FISM. But we wanted to do a 20th Anniversary Live! in 2011. With the last one in 2007, that meant either waiting four years until 2011, or holding our 18th celebration in 2009. I choose 2009. Sorry, Stan |
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