So Confucius is know for the "Five Classics" and I decided to, well, er, um, that is "borrow" the idea. After an intense several weeks of attending various conventions, I came away with some thoughts. I don't really have a con report in mind, but as a) it's been a while since I attended some conventions, I've noticed some things about conventions. In some cases, yep, it's my issue to deal with. Yep, times change and conventions change with those times. Sometimes it the focus of the con, the age of the attendees. Other times it's that rather annoying "but we've always done it this way" belief that something is a big deal tradition when, in fact, it's not any kind of tradition. That latter tendency bugs me. You're not required to cite chapter and verse of the history of any genre convention, but if you're going to complain about "tradition" be sure you know what "tradition" is, yes?

Conventions of course should change, get creative, be different. Sometimes. Other times, round wheels really suit the situation, and reinventing what works is a nuisance. I had asked around a few weeks ago about writing this blog post, as I was concerned about perception; an opinion is not necessarily a put-down, but I am the Queen of "taking things personally" so I know how that works. So I sat down in recent days and came up with five items that I really believe should be taken seriously by convention runners. Things that make a convention a damn sight better. I believe that two of them are critical to a good convention. The other three? Important to a lesser degree but they can be done and they should be done. Kay? All this is, folks, is One Woman's Opinion. It's the opinion of an informed woman, but this is not a slam against conventions. I've attended probably 100 or so cons so far in my life, and I've worked on maybe a third or more of those.

1) I believe that there should be a hosted, stocked Green Room for program participants at a convention. Exceptions to this are if you're running a small con, but Green Rooms exist for a reason. We don't all know each other and program participants should meet prior to their program item. It's courtesy. I was once one of the guests of honor at a con and I was never introduced to the other GoH. I felt awkward around them the entire weekend, wondering if I should explain who I was. There might be something to discuss prior to the program item. In my rather annoyng and specific case, the details of who sits where need to be looked at since (looking at this year for example) none of the program items I was on were set up properly for someone who used a wheelchair. That I was the moderator in at least one of those cases mattered.

As a program participant who finds hotel air really and I mean REALLY dry, I rely on beverages to get me through the weekend and I find that I have to rely on hot tea, often, to get through any panel discussion. (It's why I request programs before Saturday, when all that's left is a squeak!) At recent conventions, the Green Room was a naked room with a couple tables and a bunch of chairs. There was a host/wasn't a host. There was evidence of beverage service/there were no cups, urns, teabags. In at least one case, there were no white boards, bulletin boards showing the day's schedule. There were no maps, nor anyone to check with about the room's set-up. There was no one to ask/no one who might know about the wheelchair access to the dais.

The "name tents" were often waiting in the room for us - which is fine, of course. But the hassle of furniture moving, microphone management, and a moderator/panelist with a major squeak (and who was to some folks probably invisible), was an issue. In one case, equipment had not been tested/checked and it was simply too late. I had reminded program folks of this issue on more than one occasion and assume someone knew about the issues of access. Yes we coped. Of course we coped, but I prefer a touch of professionalism when I do program at a con. I wish we'd had it together.

2) I believe that "hospitality" reflects on the con-runners and con committee and that hospitality should be hospitable. Over the years, I've been in hospitality suites that offered nothing more than an empty room with a metal bowl of chips and a styrofoam cooler of canned soda. I've been in others which were catered to the max. I've been in hospitality suites which offered program items and others where you could just sit.

I believe hospitality should be hosted. I believe that attendees at a convention need a "down time" area. Newcomers need to sit and catch their breathe. Checking the program, the signing schedule, the list of dealers, what goodies you got in your registration packet take time. Meeting before you go out for lunch. Sitting down and having a cup of tea. (aha!) And there should be someone, or someoneS who greet you gently and suggest that if you need something, you might ask.

Hospitality should never been where greedheads hang out for three meals a day. I'm sorry to snark but I find that tacky bordering on offensive. Yes, many of us are on a budget when we attend a convention. But the purpose of "Hospitality" is not to act as the personal caterer to attendees. Attendees on budgets should be afforded the opportunity to find inexpensive food. One reason we attend conventions is to visit a city we don't know. Hanging around and demanding to know when the next items will be put out on the tables is not polite. And speaking as someone who's been on a budget for years you think I don't get it? Have some juice, a bagel, read the program descriptions for a while and then leave the room*.

If the convention committee cannot find folks to host this room, they should reach out to local groups or clubs. Even personal friends who might not care about attending the event, or who can put in a couple hours. Sponsorship by a club, a publisher, a society, an upcoming convention can bring out the enthusiastic help without making people feel like they're missing the entire weekend. Shut the room down during meals or set your own hours. It's not set in stone that you have to be open 24/7 or even 12/7.

*And in the next blog post, we'll talk about finding that food on a budget. But I'm done for now. Let's talk.