Number of Guests:

[stigmund.livejournal.com]

Out of sheer curiosity, does anybody know what has been the maximum number of guests to ever visit Dragon*Con in a single year? This year is starting to look epic.

On a related note, earlier in the year--if anybody remembers--I brought up a discussion on whether the Con this year might be considerably smaller due to the economic conditions. Wow... Sold out dealer's room; more hotel space; seemingly high attendance rates. Clearly, I am no economist.

Comments

[alexdelarge78.livejournal.com]

I work for a major international theme park resort. I ask myself the same question when I see the hordes of people spilling through the gates.

As far as the dealers go, not to sound depressing but perhaps for some it is a last ditch effort to pull in some income.

It's not long now. . that reminds me- I have to pull out my costume tonight or tomorrow.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

The cons I've done this year have been decidedly smaller (like 10-30%) than last. But the recession has been running for about 2 years in our part of the country.

I think a lot of people are making DragonCon their One Big Con instead of doing two or three smaller ones. Especially since the Nimoy/Stewart/Gilliam announcements

I know people are carpooling (I have 3 riders myself) and tripling and quadding the rooms. We're already discussing what to put in the coolers.

I don't know how many are going to have any amount of money for that dealer's room. And yes, as alexdelarge79 says, a lot of us see this as a last-ditch effort. (I'm a writer) Grumblings about getting out of the gig have been running through every dealer's room I worked this year.

These are just my observations. Take them for what they're worth.

[alexdelarge78.livejournal.com]

And they are fair observations, no more or less than my own.
At least, in a way people have something to look forward to. It may be rough for many, but at least during very hard times people have Dcon.

[ladytalker13.livejournal.com]

We've always made DC our "big hurrah" coz here in Mi we only have one other small con... but I tell ya, if I had the money, I'd do one a month and travel all over for them... LOL

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

Michigan? I thought you had both PenguiCon and MediaWest Con. Been to MWC a few times but never PenguCon.

Wouldn't we all travel? Seriously, I've done 2 cons this year, with DC and one more planned and this is a VERY heavy year.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

The question of the economy - I think the fact we had so many early sales of memberships for this year says something.
I do think we will have a lot more day or weekend, sold on site, memberships.

[dizzydame.livejournal.com]

Dragon*Con is the only con I'm doing this year (and my only vacation), plus I'm carpooling with two other people and we're splitting the room with others. I also foresee more food court meals, and less buying in the dealer's room (well, none, for me, since money is really tight) and 'extras' like autographs and photo ops.

[alexdelarge78.livejournal.com]

Not to back track over the countless postings where this is concerned, space in a car being limited. Have you considered a cooler and food not purchased at the convention? You can get a disposable cooler or even a cheap one at a local store in Atlanta. You ultimately save a lot of money when you consider the cost of a meal and what you have to go through to get that food, especially in the food court.

[dizzydame.livejournal.com]

Actually, we had talked about that, but in respect to drinks - bottled water, things like that. Adding food is a pretty good idea, especially since the car we're taking is fairly roomy - assuming my friends don't pack five bags each, lol. Thanks for pointing that out! I'm trying to figure out every way possible to save a few pennies.

[wereleopard.livejournal.com]

We always take food - stuff to make sandwiches, lots of gatorade, trail mix, energy bars, stuff like that. It makes a LOT of sense. Especially since the food also closes long before we go to bed.