Jason, we've had attendance limits for three years, set by the Fire Marshal. So, there has been *no* increase in attendance in that time, which is why the badges sell out. We were about 130ish last year, were were 130ish this year, we'll be 130ish next year. Mind you, it may certainly seem like more, since the rude factor has increased dramatically, but there are not more physical bodies. We did grow at a rate of about 10-15% each year during the early 2000s, but since 2006/7 that has halted. And it won't "continue" until we a) get more space or b) move. I believe there is a year-by-year summary of attendance in this year's Program book.

Hammy, no problem, I didn't take it as complaining. It was a larger leap than we've taken in the past, we knew there would be issues. People just seem to think that we get all this support from the city for free, and it's just not the case. There was even an article in the UT a week or so prior to the con talking about how the city's tourist industry makes up for a sucky year on us...that they charge as much as they can to make up for months of nothing. It blows.

The line-cutting issue we addressed with rerouting the lines (especially the Ballroom 20 line, which had been a nightmare, and the front of 6A), putting up color-coded siderail or stanchions, having the outside tents set up for the lines, etc. We also hired a buttload of security for the lines, so there's more than just five people trying to do that job. That's made a huge difference. We still have some areas that need help...I think we need a better way to let people know that they're stopped because we're moving a line, for example. But for the most part, it's much better. I'm glad you saw it, we've really been working on that problem.

No, the rudeness I'm seeing is all the entitlement....people basically killing each other over stupid things, like an action figure, an autograph, getting into a panel. People are so crazed that they're hurting other people in their attempts...especially smaller people/kids. I saw adults yelling at kids, like somehow the kid didn't deserve to win the toy. Our staff is taking major abuse...I lost one of my assistants this year because she just got tired of being yelled at and called a (word that won't get posted here) by people who felt they shouldn't have to stand in line. We even had some jerk come into the programming office and physically hurt one of our staff because he was mad he didn't get into a panel. I've worked on this show for thirty years and I've never seen behavior like I saw this year. It's depressing. I must say, though, that I'm glad that it wasn't as apparent to everyone, we do try to get those people away from their audience as soon as possible.

I'm hoping the madness this year was because of the heat or something, that it's an aberration. I'd hate to think that will be standard behavior from now on :/

Well, there's only twelve other people as informed as I am, and they don't post here But yeah, people presume a lot of information they really shouldn't. I can't tell you how many times I get told that people know for a FACT that CCI is moving to (insert city here) next year because so-and-so told them. Uh, sorry, don't recall that person being at the BOD meeting where we made that decision, so why is their info more reliable? Tis a mystery.

I'm sorry that you think your con experience may not improve. I like to think all the things we spend money on are of value to our attendees, even if they do increase in price to us. We make a definite attempt to improve things each year, so since you've only been to one, perhaps you might change your opinion next year.