The Ohayocon 2009 Saga...

[ghostfire]

...or, how to abuse your position in a non-profit organization for maximum personal gain.The first convention I ever went to was Katsucon 2003. In six years of attending conventions, almost always in the artist alley, never once have I been told I was breaking the rules. No stickers at your convention? They get left at home. No adult work at your

Comments

[wiredclover]

All I can do is reiterate what everyone else has said: what the hell? Especially since all of your work was approved beforehand, this sort of behavior, with the flimsy reasons and excuses is unacceptable. I'm amazed they were allowed booths as heads of the Alley.

[ghostfire]

It was pretty funny that three weeks later, at Katsucon, "Sleepy Zelda" went to auction from the art show. There were also a handful of shirtless guys in the stuff that sold. All of that was displayed without a problem.

*shakes head* They had the power, and were determined to take full advantage of it. I'm sure their sales *did* pick up after they kicked me out, because even if not everyone will buy something from an artist alley, a lot of people will take a little bit of whatever's there.

[crion_dm459]

After reading all of that. . .I am in shock. I've seen one of your displays (Setsucon), and really enjoyed it. Why those people were so. . .

Honestly, I don't think there is one word in the English language that can sum up that situation.

I'm sorry to hear that it turned out like that, and I'm hoping the next con won't even come near that level of annoyance.

[ghostfire]

The next con I'm at is a little one day college con, so the likelihood of anything happening is low. Generally, the smaller the convention, the better guests, artists, and dealers get treated... until they grow up to a point, and then it flips. :/

[windbourne]

That's some serious asshattery.
Thank you so much for being able to write about this. Other artists need to know what cons to boycott.

[ghostfire]

Between here and deviantart, I definitely think it's getting the word out. Thank you. :(

[nobara]

I don't have experience with other anime cons so I can't exactly compare, but I definitely know that Ohayocon is a big steaming pile of shit. I had a few acquaintances who have something or other to do with the organizing of that con and they always offered me free badges to get in. Even with it being 1) free and 2) a 10 minute WALK away, I never went. Because... ugh.

Columbus itself is a good city. It's a huge hipster mecca mixed in with the biggest university in the country so at least there's diversity and lots of niche places -- something for everyone!

PS - I suck at keeping in touch but I can't believe you finally go to Ohio less than a month after I move to Illinois. Haha. XD

[ghostfire]

It really is a shame that the con has so many problems. I heard the AMVs (one of the few things I always look forward to at a convention) didn't even run this year. I was willing to give it a try and I got burned, bad, so I guess that helps to warn others. :P

*heh* I can't believe how long it's been since I first met you anyway. I will be coming out the Illinois way, but not until May.

[digitalis]

Sounds like a bunch of unprofessional jerks. >:{

[ghostfire]

I've never dealt with any artist alley staff as bad as these. :/