Just a general comment, for folks participating in both these efforts, or anything else similar-ish:
If someone looks lost, or confused, or there seems to be a disagreement going on, sometimes just asking them, "Need any help?" goes a long way toward helping people feel less isolated. Which can help stop little potential disagreements from blowing up into great big ones.
It doesn't require any security training, or even specialized knowledge of the convention or the area - just a willingness to help answer questions someone may have, or to be someone's "backup" if they're starting to feel like they're being pressured into a situation they don't want. No ribbons or tee-shirts, no hours or schedules, just...look around for anyone looking lost, and ask if you can help. (I've defused situations at concerts, where one party was physically...er...impinging on the other person (threatening wasn't the word just yet, but it could have gone in that direction) just by stepping to within a foot or two and asking, "Hello, is there a problem?" or "Hi, did you need some assistance?")
no subject
If someone looks lost, or confused, or there seems to be a disagreement going on, sometimes just asking them, "Need any help?" goes a long way toward helping people feel less isolated. Which can help stop little potential disagreements from blowing up into great big ones.
It doesn't require any security training, or even specialized knowledge of the convention or the area - just a willingness to help answer questions someone may have, or to be someone's "backup" if they're starting to feel like they're being pressured into a situation they don't want. No ribbons or tee-shirts, no hours or schedules, just...look around for anyone looking lost, and ask if you can help. (I've defused situations at concerts, where one party was physically...er...impinging on the other person (threatening wasn't the word just yet, but it could have gone in that direction) just by stepping to within a foot or two and asking, "Hello, is there a problem?" or "Hi, did you need some assistance?")