Kumoricon
Convention Events and Programming => Elections => Elections Archives => Topic started by: modab on September 12, 2008, 09:29:27 pm
-
This thread is for discussion about the Director of Programming position for Kumoricon 2009.
Here is a list of people who have accepted the nomination for Director of Programming:
Jaki Hunt
The most current list of all nominations for all elected positions is here: http://www.kumoricon.org/forums/index.php?topic=7900.0 (http://www.kumoricon.org/forums/index.php?topic=7900.0)
You may ask questions for them to answer in this post, and if you know them please encourage them to reply. Remember to be civil. You may also use this thread to discuss the responsibilities of this position for 2009, especially ones you think should be added, modified, or removed.
Here is the job description of the Director of Programming, as composed by our current director:
· Is in charge of all events, panels, dances, and other entertainment provided at con and at supporting events.
· Coordinates with the Director of Relations in regards to scheduling guest panels
· Using panelist and guest info, creates the schedule and distributes the information to departments as needed.
· Coordinates with the Director of Publicity for publishing con book blurbs and schedule.
· Coordinates with the Facilities Liaison for room layouts and other hotel needs.
· Works with the Treasurer to ensure all expenditures are accounted for in the department budget.
Please note, this is a rough draft of the position description, but I felt it should go out now and be formatted to be compatible with the other positions later.
-
All,
While I know there is going to be some discussion along these lines, I'd like to ask that this thread stay un-contentious to previous year's holders of this or other positions. The main topic that I know is going to come up is Tech. The fate, location, etc of Tech is something that will need to be addressed between those parties who have stakes, and ultimately, the board. So please, no "Tech has been controlled by Programming and Operations in the past, how will you make sure that you are in control of it this year?"
It's just a whole can of worms that's going to lead to nothing but strife. Instead, maybe a question like "How will you try to make sure Tech continues to evolve and make sure it is used most efficiently before and during the con?"
Thanks!
-
To start, I'd like to ask that every accepted candidate introduce themselves, and tell us all a bit about yourself. Previous experience is a plus, but ultimately, we're just trying to get to know the candidates.
Thanks!
-
Hi,
I'm Jaki Hunt, and I was the Programming Director for 2008.
I started with Kumoricon in '04 as a volunteer (mainly watching viewing rooms), and I've been programming staff ever since.
I've been responsible for the viewing rooms since '05, and every year have taken on more responsibility, including working to build up the manga library, and helping to bring Cosplay Chess in as an event.
To me, programming is what makes the con - you can bring in attendees, and guests, and you can have a place and equipment to run it, but if you don't have the programming to keep people interested, you don't have a con.
I love to see a variety in programming... with so many people coming to the con, there are a lot of different interests, it's good to have a little something for everyone. We had new panels this year (the adult content programming, the chibi room) and we had some old events return (art show)... I'm excited to see what new panels and events people want to do next year.
-
What kinds of things canadates would like to see happen next year?
Also, if elected how would they address programing problems that happened this past year?
-
Also, if elected how would they address programing problems that happened this past year?
In this case, I think we need some specifics... because I certainly have no idea what problems you're referring to. =)
-
How you the candidates plan on encouraging and enabling effective recruiting of new Programming staff and keeping those staff engaged and excited about the convention?
-
Also, if elected how would they address programing problems that happened this past year?
In this case, I think we need some specifics... because I certainly have no idea what problems you're referring to. =)
I thought that was part of the question. See what the candidate thought could be improved.
As the President of Pocky Club I have already gathered a lot of data on what pocky our staff prefers. Things change though so Nominees, what is your favorite flavor of Pocky?
How quickly could you adjust your schedule to attend a board meeting? Less to do with Prog, just a general nominee question.
In the past...well... every year the convention has opted to utilize our hotel's largest ballroom by putting up the air wall's at one end and using that space for a different event space. This year it was the Rounds, the year before it was the Rounds and the Workshop. In light of the explosive growth this year do you feel that the convention is better off with a slightly smaller Main Events Hall or fewer total event rooms?
2009 Fact sheet (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/meeting_space.jhtml?ctyhocn=PDXPHHH) and 2008 Fact sheet (http://www.doubletree.com/en/dt/hotels/meeting_space.jhtml?ctyhocn=RLLC-DT#SECOND%20LEVEL)
-
I feel that this is an important question and so I am posting in every staff elected election section:
Who do you plan to appoint as your assistant director and have they accepted the offer for the position?
-
What kinds of things canadates would like to see happen next year?
Also, if elected how would they address programing problems that happened this past year?
I would like to see even more attendee-run panels. Not only does that free some of our staff, it gives the convention the variety in programming that makes it fun. Last year, attendees ran panels on catboys/catgirls, Star Wars, and ball-jointed dolls... quite the range from the typical guest Q&A's and cosplay panels. I can't wait to see what they come up with next year.
As for the problems we ran into in programming.. I think better upfront planning will help that a lot. Some things were not as well organizes as I would have liked, and we were playing catch-up on it, but we know what needs to be improved next year, and we can plan to improve it.
How you the candidates plan on encouraging and enabling effective recruiting of new Programming staff and keeping those staff engaged and excited about the convention?
Recruiting for staff is by the most part word of mouth - staffers and volunteers tell their friends, encourage them to come to a meeting or mini event or even con itself, and they are assimilated ;D. I encourage people who are interested in stuff you can do at con - gaming or karaoke, fanfiction or cosplay - to join programming staff. It's long hours, little sleep, and zero pay, but you get to interact with people who like the same things you do, and that makes it worth it. (I've also been known to bribe staff with food).
As the President of Pocky Club I have already gathered a lot of data on what pocky our staff prefers. Things change though so Nominees, what is your favorite flavor of Pocky?
Men's pocky, or the chocolate mousse.
How quickly could you adjust your schedule to attend a board meeting? Less to do with Prog, just a general nominee question.
My schedule is more fixed than some (a regular 8-5 job), but still flexible... I generally don't have any trouble adjusting it as needs arise. This year, I was able to make all the general and board meetings.
In the past...well... every year the convention has opted to utilize our hotel's largest ballroom by putting up the air wall's at one end and using that space for a different event space. This year it was the Rounds, the year before it was the Rounds and the Workshop. In light of the explosive growth this year do you feel that the convention is better off with a slightly smaller Main Events Hall or fewer total event rooms?
2009 Fact sheet (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/meeting_space.jhtml?ctyhocn=PDXPHHH) and 2008 Fact sheet (http://www.doubletree.com/en/dt/hotels/meeting_space.jhtml?ctyhocn=RLLC-DT#SECOND%20LEVEL)
Smaller Main Events. Yes, it would be great if we could use the entirety of the ballroom, and there are times we can, but we have been filling the rooms we have, so I wouldn't reduce total event rooms. The numbers we would gain by using the Parlour Suites as part of Main Events, and not Rounds, do not outweigh the use we have for Rounds.
I understand that everyone wants the biggest room possible... and it would be ideal if all attendees could fit in Main Events. But we are limited by the space, and I won't favor one room/event over another (otherwise viewing rooms or the manga library would be in much larger rooms ;)). At this stage, with our space limitations, compromise is a necessary evil.
I feel that this is an important question and so I am posting in every staff elected election section:
Who do you plan to appoint as your assistant director and have they accepted the offer for the position?
A couple of my staffers have expressed interest in the position. As I don't have the job yet, I haven't offered the position.
Sorry for the long post... quite few questions piled up before I had a chance to sit down and respond to these :)