Author Topic: Kumoricon...in Washington? (Read 25988 times)

yukimizu · « **on:** October 30, 2006, 12:37:01 am »

My friend pointed out to me that next years Kumoricon(2007), is being held at the Vancouver convention center. In Washington. And that the site says that it's now the Portland-Vancouver Anime Con, instead of Oregons.
I hate to be a snot about this, but I thought Kumoricon was supposed to be for Oregon, and stay in Oregon too. How did it become another Washington con?
Also, prereg just having opened. Shouldn't there be a listing of how much it would cost anyways?

princessfrodo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2006, 01:08:03 am »

Wow, I'm glad I held off on ordering my bus tickets until I officially knew the date of the Con, it would suck to have to end up in Portland for three days with nothing to do. :shock:

Raccon-Faced_Keruri · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2006, 06:53:49 am »

I really don't know how I'm gonna get to the convention next year. It was hard enough convincing my parents to let me go to Portland with my friends, but Washington? I really don't think my chances are that good already.

kylite · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2006, 09:41:16 am »

before everyone panics....

The convention is being held in the vancouver hilton convention center, just across the border. The number 6 bus from downtown portland stops 1 block from the hotel.

if you had trouble getting to the red lion this year, think about this, the new hotel is about 5 miles up the road from there.

Neko_Chan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2006, 10:44:01 am »

I was looking at the site and didn't the main theatre hold 1200 people? Is that enough room for the main events? (I'm just worried about all the people that didn't get into some of the main events because of space this past year). How big was the mainevents this past year?

kylite · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2006, 10:51:25 am »

this year the main events was capacity: 1300

We always had more then enuf room and never had to turn anyone away.

guspasho · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2006, 11:51:11 am »

*sigh* we all expected someone would find reason to complain about this.

We are still Oregon's anime convention. But the best space available to us is in Vancouver. You are aware that this hotel is about a mile away from this year's hotel, right? Here are the directions from this year's hotel to next year's hotel

Those of you stuck on Tri-met, here's how you can get to the hotel: ride the number 6 north to the end of the line. It stops at the 7th Street Transit Center in Vancouver, a block away from the hotel. trimet.org will give you directions but even if you start where the number 6 starts it will advise you to get on the MAX and transfer at Lombard or Albina, which may save you a little time, but probably not.

Main events in 2006 was about 9000 square feet. This year we will have 14,000 square feet to play with. And also, we have the hotel all to ourselves for the whole weekend, including Monday, so there's no chance that the hotel will kick us out of our main events room, requiring us to shut down other events to fit into a space that only seated 600.

Vondan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2006, 11:56:31 am »

and dont forget to bring your oregon ID so you can go tax free while shopping in Washington. When I visit realtives in seattle (When I cant get out of it) I save at least 30 cents a visit with my ID card.

EvilMonkey · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2006, 11:59:34 am »

Quote from: "kylite"

this year the main events was capacity: 1300

We always had more then enuf room and never had to turn anyone away.

Actually the layout of the main room at the Red Lion limited it to around 860, the Hilton's capacity makes more concession for a stage and fire aisles, so the 1200 is more accurate than the Red Lion's stated capacity.

guspasho · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2006, 12:01:54 pm »

Don't expect everyone to honor the tax-free status. It's an optional benefit that some businesses offer but, AFAIK, aren't required to.

And I checked with EvilMonkey, our hotel/facilities liason and he said the Red Lion's capacity chart was wildly inaccurate because it didn't account for fire lanes and the stage, and we were only able to seat about 860 people. The Hilton does account for these in their counting, so I guess we must be getting more like a 50% increase in capacity, which makes more sense when you are comparing the square footage.

Vondan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2006, 12:27:15 pm »

Quote from: "guspasho"

Don't expect everyone to honor the tax-free status. It's an optional benefit that some businesses offer but, AFAIK, aren't required to.

Actualy I have only used it a few times per trip usealy i'm in to much of a hurry to have them get a store manager over to aprove just so I can save 8 cents.

I plan on bringing as much of anything I need so I have the chance to price compare and not stuck with what ever store is in the Hotel area. This year I had to go get stuff at safeway and it was spendy when you get Rolls of duct tape and super glue and they only had one color of tape. And of course I brought 30 cup o noodles

MistressLegato · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2006, 04:15:52 pm »

Sweeeeeeet! I live in Vancouver, so this kicks @$$ for me. Plus, it's right across the river from the Red Lion, so anyone whining about it being too far away should be aware that you can pretty much SEE the Vancouver Con. center from the Red Lion.

Only thing that sucks = There's pretty much not a damned thing to do downtown Vancouver. 'Cept the con. Our only mall is pathetic and a long way away from teh convention center. Plus that part of Vancouver is RAMPANT with crazy homeless people late at night, so I'd advise against wandering alone at dark.

This is pretty exciting! Plus, anyone coming by train, the Amtrak station isn't far from the convention center. That makes things super easy for ya'll!

yukimizu · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2006, 05:49:45 pm »

I'm not complaining about the distance it is. I'm not even really complaining about the hotel, or whatever,. I'm asking, because there are probably plenty of places in Oregon to hold the con, why would it be held in Washington?
Even if it's only a couple miles from the last con, it is not in Oregon anymore, and that says something.

Waffles · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2006, 06:24:32 pm »

Lets just be happy that we have a place to be at.
Also think of Kcon as hermit crab. we have to move to a new place as we get bigger and this hotel is the perfect place for us this year.

I am not saying that we will always be in washington, but atm for this year we will be.

also Its hard to find a place so lets thank the person who got us the spot.

THANK YOU.

Antares · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2006, 07:41:38 pm »

Quote from: "yukimizu"

I'm not complaining about the distance it is. I'm not even really complaining about the hotel, or whatever,. I'm asking, because there are probably plenty of places in Oregon to hold the con, why would it be held in Washington?

I asked that very question at the meeting, and the answer is:

1. This is the only hotel that is big enough to hold our growing attendees in the Portland area (and yes, like it or not we are growing -- not quite large enough for the Portland Convention Center, but too big for most of the Portland hotels) and

2. Available for the amount of time we need it.

I have not been to the hotel, but am assured by the staff that it will suit our needs more than adequately. As a Publicity person, I sigh at the loss of being able to say K-con is "Oregon's only Anime convention" but I think I'll live. It also makes more eager to let my city council people know that Portland is loosing out on a lot by not having space for conventions.

Also, although from a planning standpoint it would be awesome to have the same space year after year (and I do believe the time will come when we will have the convention center - maybe by then it will have a hotel attached), I also understand that we don't want to be tied into something for years on end if it doesn't work out. So ya. As stated, we'll just annex the town for the weekend and we all get dual citizenship!

guspasho · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2006, 08:02:00 pm »

Quote from: "Antares"

Quote from: "yukimizu"
I'm not complaining about the distance it is. I'm not even really complaining about the hotel, or whatever,. I'm asking, because there are probably plenty of places in Oregon to hold the con, why would it be held in Washington?

I asked that very question at the meeting, and the answer is:

1. This is the only hotel that is big enough to hold our growing attendees in the Portland area (and yes, like it or not we are growing -- not quite large enough for the Portland Convention Center, but too big for most of the Portland hotels) and

2. Available for the amount of time we need it.

I have not been to the hotel, but am assured by the staff that it will suit our needs more than adequately. As a Publicity person, I sigh at the loss of being able to say K-con is "Oregon's only Anime convention" but I think I'll live. It also makes more eager to let my city council people know that Portland is loosing out on a lot by not having space for conventions.

Also, although from a planning standpoint it would be awesome to have the same space year after year (and I do believe the time will come when we will have the convention center - maybe by then it will have a hotel attached), I also understand that we don't want to be tied into something for years on end if it doesn't work out. So ya. As stated, we'll just annex the town for the weekend and we all get dual citizenship!

To the United States and Florida?

EcchiSpice · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2006, 08:57:59 pm »

Very good answers, staff! And accurate to boot.

We tried VERY HARD to stay on this side of the river. We tried different dates from July to November. We tried every hotel that was big enough for us to no avail. In the end, it was Washington or no con. Most hotels book a year and a half in advance. For the ones the size we need, it turned out to be more like two to three in advance. This is atypical of hotels, and we'll have to roll with it. (Yes, we are currently considering the hotel for 2008. Doubletree is already booked.)

But let's not view this as a bad thing. The only thing wrong with this hotel is that it is on the wrong side of the river. We will eventually make it back to the Oregon side, but until we have a better hotel than any thing Portland currently has to offer.

I've added a few of the selling points about the hotel to the web page. And we will have meetings there as well, for those of you who would like a preview.

In the end, the thing that really matters is that we are KUMORICON! We still have the staff, we still have the enthusiasm, we still have everything that makes us different from other cons around the country. The state did not make us what we were and are. The people did. And they are still here. (Thank goodness!)

spindrift · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2006, 11:20:57 pm »

It is reasonable to ask the questions about the move to washington like:

OMG?, WTF? , WHY, oh god why *cries*, Dude? What? Why? Do I have to pay sales tax on my Pockey??? My ramune??

There will continue to be questions about the move but the best thing I can say is that we are still KUMROICON!

KURMOICON will still rock and will still be the con to go to!

reppy · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2006, 11:42:55 pm »

Interesting. Kind of sucks in a way, though. I mean, I live just a few miles outside of Vancouver, and it's actually like, 5 miles closer .. but .. I don't wanna pay taxes.

Antares · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2006, 08:40:25 am »

Quote from: "EcchiSpice"

In the end, the thing that really matters is that we are KUMORICON!

..and I hear it is still cloudy in WA.

guspasho · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:00:13 am »

Believe it or not, Washington is just like Oregon. The only noticable differences are sales tax (which doesn't apply to Pocky and Ramune as food items, BTW!) and the lack of smoking in bars.

Sinaj · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:50:07 am »

I can see both sides to this, I guess I'm just bummed that tax money will be going to Washington and not Oregon. And I understand that unprepared food isn't taxed, but everything else in the Dealer's Room will be.

EvilMonkey · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:24:30 am »

As with Sakura-Con, there are a lot of dealers that will just include the tax in their prices, so it's rather transparent. It's less hassle at the point of sale to just deal with whole dollar amounts, so they usually just take the tax out after the convention.

valliegirl · « **Reply #23 on:** October 31, 2006, 01:05:21 pm »

Thanks to everyone for trying to make this as positive as possible.

It's going to take some time for some people to get used to, but I'm sure it'll be ok in the end.

To the people weirded out, you're not alone, obviously, but keep in mind that this was the best possible choice the directors could have made.

Everyone else, please keep patience to the ones still getting used to it. Sometimes change is hard to adjust to.

Let's just try to make the best of it though.

Prince Nori · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2006, 01:43:18 pm »

Looking on the bright side....>_>

yah! More space!! I almost died from hyperventilation this year due to the overly crowded halls 0__0

I'm just glad that we'll have a place for next year ^^ Vancouver still feels like Oregon to me...

LONG LIVE KUMORICON!!!!! OSU~!!

superjaz · « **Reply #25 on:** October 31, 2006, 01:52:25 pm »

as long as it is a (i stress) temp move till were big enough for the portland convetion center i an happy they found a space that will rock our socks

Nyco27 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 31, 2006, 02:28:15 pm »

For those of you who are really unhappy we are in another state, just think of it this way, if you can help us get tons and tons of people at the con this year we can just skip hotels and move right to the convention center and then we won't have any more problems. :wink:

Nyco

spindrift76 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 31, 2006, 02:42:35 pm »

Quote from: "Nyco27"

For those of you who are really unhappy we are in another state, just think of it this way, if you can help us get tons and tons of people at the con this year we can just skip hotels and move right to the convention center and then we won't have any more problems. :wink:

Nyco

YES!! Convention Center here we come!! lets bust out the wall on this hotel!!! No hotel will hold us wahahahaha :-D

RoamingGnome · « **Reply #28 on:** October 31, 2006, 03:29:53 pm »

Quote from: "Nyco27"

For those of you who are really unhappy we are in another state, just think of it this way, if you can help us get tons and tons of people at the con this year we can just skip hotels and move right to the convention center and then we won't have any more problems. :wink:

Nyco

You know though if we did get the convention center the year after next the next complaint would be how they wished it was still small enough to be in a hotel

spindrift · « **Reply #29 on:** October 31, 2006, 04:03:38 pm »

Quote from: "jasonqdavis"

You know though if we did get the convention center the year after next the next complaint would be how they wished it was still small enough to be in a hotel

Yes people will say we have grown too much but hey as long as staff and members want to keep it friendly and family like it will still be a good Con.

And you can't please everyone.

babysugarbear28 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 31, 2006, 07:43:20 pm »

This will be my second year going to Kcon and although I am happy that we HAVE a con and that we have a space large enough to accomidate our growing crowd I still can't help but have it bother me a tad bit that OUR Oregon convention is not in Oregon. Besides I like my money... *pouts*

kylite · « **Reply #31 on:** October 31, 2006, 07:44:56 pm »

As stated, all vendors will be putting the tax into the price so no calculations will be needed. and on nono pre-prepared food items there is no tax so pocky and romane candy are good to go

guspasho · « **Reply #32 on:** October 31, 2006, 07:48:57 pm »

Actually, only some vendors may pay the tax themselves. That's not the case across the board, with all vendors. I paid tax at Sakuracon in the dealers' room. Probably more often than not though I honestly can't remember.

spindrift · « **Reply #33 on:** October 31, 2006, 08:38:41 pm »

I am sort of thinking that this is like the magical year when we go to a far away land and we will return home soon.

princessfrodo · « **Reply #34 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:58:51 pm »

A Kino's Journey Kumori Con? Ooooh, that would be awesome!

Micardyn · « **Reply #35 on:** November 01, 2006, 09:42:35 am »

I live on the Portland/Gresham line on Division. If I can make to Vancouver... there isn't a problem. So can I ride #6 from the downtown transit center that's on Main and 5th? Atleast I think it's fifth... because then I can take #4 downtown... -mumbles quietly- Anyways, anyone that can help me with that. Yay!

So, I wasn't really noticing it was in Washington, I was just amused that I could see it when I looked out the window of the Red Lion. We have space... so what's the big deal?

Anyways, point being... how many people have to attend Kcon for us to get the Convention center?

kylite · « **Reply #36 on:** November 01, 2006, 09:55:16 am »

The convention center holds about 10,000 people roughly.

we would have to gt around 8000 large to really make good use of the convention center.

Micardyn · « **Reply #37 on:** November 01, 2006, 10:00:13 am »

Ha, seriously? I'm not sure we'll ever be that big, but it would be nice. Here's to hoping. -crosses fingers-

Atleast we have a place for Kcon 07. And the slightly larger space might make registration, events and crowd control a bit easier.

kylite · « **Reply #38 on:** November 01, 2006, 10:30:13 am »

plus the layout of the hotel *faints in happiness* no more mile runs from one end of the hotel to the other. its all neatly condensed and stacked

Vondan · « **Reply #39 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:52:55 pm »

Quote from: "kylite"

plus the layout of the hotel *faints in happiness* no more mile runs from one end of the hotel to the other. its all neatly condensed and stacked

Yes I hear you like them stacked..... hotels that is.

the main thing to keep in mind with the Con in Washington...

What ever you do at the con your now crossing state lines to do it

Von "What happens In Vancover stays in Vancover" Dan

princessfrodo · « **Reply #40 on:** November 01, 2006, 01:08:23 pm »

Quote from: "kylite"

plus the layout of the hotel *faints in happiness* no more mile runs from one end of the hotel to the other. its all neatly condensed and stacked

They layout is HUGE!!! It just makes me drool looking at the sheer size of it!

And, with everything be so close, it'll be so much easier to just roll me under a table whever I get too sick and pass out, and not be afraid of losing me. ^.^

Vondan · « **Reply #41 on:** November 01, 2006, 01:13:20 pm »

Quote from: "princessfrodo"

Quote from: "kylite"
plus the layout of the hotel *faints in happiness* no more mile runs from one end of the hotel to the other. its all neatly condensed and stacked

They layout is HUGE!!! It just makes me drool looking at the sheer size of it!

And, with everything be so close, it'll be so much easier to just roll me under a table whever I get too sick and pass out, and not be afraid of losing me. ^.^

so if you want to work the repair station do we need to put it next to the aid station

princessfrodo · « **Reply #42 on:** November 01, 2006, 01:24:55 pm »

Nah, just roll me under the table and make the excuse that I'm repairing the floor.

>.>
<.<

Hey, sometimes floors need to be repaired!

superjaz · « **Reply #43 on:** November 01, 2006, 01:40:37 pm »

this whole disscution makes me think of my friends daughter whos 5 and wants a pink cat, my friends fave color is yellow so in hopes of a cat tried to cut a deal with mom
"we can share a kittie ! it can be half yellow and half pink!"
btw they just got a puppy

kylite · « **Reply #44 on:** November 01, 2006, 02:15:25 pm »

that was so random and off topic my head nearly exploded

corpsic beauty · « **Reply #45 on:** November 01, 2006, 04:26:59 pm »

carful to look where you step. you could step on kylites head!

spindrift · « **Reply #46 on:** November 01, 2006, 04:44:34 pm »

Quote from: "superjaz3p"

this whole disscution makes me think of my friends daughter whos 5 and wants a pink cat, my friends fave color is yellow so in hopes of a cat tried to cut a deal with mom
"we can share a kittie ! it can be half yellow and half pink!"
btw they just got a puppy

AAAAAhhhhhhhhh!

*falls over and sanity leaks from ears*

MistressLegato · « **Reply #47 on:** November 01, 2006, 10:06:08 pm »

It'd be nice if people remembered that we're sister cities . . . this doesn't have to turn into a WA vs. OR kinda thing. Vancouver IS considered in the Portland Metro area, in case you forgot . . .

Radien · « **Reply #48 on:** November 02, 2006, 05:53:46 am »

I agree with the amusing suggestion that this is a "magical journey" to Washington from which we will soon return.

And technically, we ARE still "Oregon's only" anime convention. What we are NOT, as of this year, is an "Oregon-only" anime convention.

Quote from: "guspasho"

Don't expect everyone to honor the tax-free status. It's an optional benefit that some businesses offer but, AFAIK, aren't required to.

Now, this is technically a rumor, but what I heard was that Washington businesses are required by law to refund sales tax to Oregonians, BUT many employees are ignorant of this fact, and will refuse to believe it if you try to waltz in the door and tell them about it.

It makes sense to me: people from other states don't pay OUR sales tax when they drive through Oregon, so why should we pay theirs?...

Well, in any case, I can only think of a small handful of taxable items that I'm likely to buy at the site of the con. I hope that's true of everyone else who dislikes the idea of WA sales tax.

Quote from: "Micardyn"

Ha, seriously? I'm not sure we'll ever be that big, but it would be nice. Here's to hoping. -crosses fingers-

....

Bwaaahaaa... XD *covers face and points in the direction of Seattle* ...We were saying that sort of thing at Sakura Con about 4 years ago. Remember: anime popularity is still on the rise. It's not going to level off just yet.

The upside is that more conventions keep popping up, so if Kumori Con gets too big, you can always search for a more "homey" convention-ish event somewhere else (if you can stand a bit of a drive...)

Neko_Chan · « **Reply #49 on:** November 02, 2006, 09:28:12 am »

Hahaha. I think she was talking that the hotel being in vancoover is a little dissapointing, but the space and the layout is a good thing?

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Author Topic: Kumoricon...in Washington? (Read 25988 times)