Entry tags:

DashCon or DashConned?
*So... is there any chance of a write up on DashCon happening? Because I am hearing rumours of it being spectacular, but have been completely unable to find much because Tumblr is terrible.

Thank you FW for coming through:

DashCon is a convention run by... possibly 17 year olds that was supposed to be a celebration of all things Tumblr Fandom. Unfortunately, things got sketchy quickly when con-goers were herded into the convention ballroom and told that they needed to raise $17,000 by 10 PM or the con would be shut down.

Donations poured in, though anons reporting from DashCon appear skeptical.

Questions arose. Skepticism continues to mount despite DashCon "response".

Popcorn continues to be consumed, as ONTD gets in on the action.

There's some positive word on the street from DashCon is a bit of a mixed bag. From the curt to the effusive.

More sources in the comments since I am having trouble keeping up reading and adding them all at the moment.

Edited to add:
A statement from Welcome To Night Vale about why they dropped out.
More on WTF is Wrong with DashCon in list format.

7/14/2014 - DashCon carnage continues (Sorry if I miss something but you guys are still awesome at bringing the links):
* Baker Street Babes (who were initially curt but polite about DashCon) reveal that DashCon did not in fact "take care of" their previously comped room that became a room they had to pay for that was a computer glitch that is now again having to be paid for by the Baker Street Babes.
* The Random Act - Misha Collins' charity has disavowed all knowledge of DashCon fundraising in their name.
* Mark Reads had a pretty good time, and debunks several of the rumours re: DashCon.
* DashCon stories have hit Jezebel and io9, though given current state of Gawker sites, they're basically Tumblr/meme curators by this point, so YMMV on relevance.
* DashCon organizer cries. I guess this is supposed to be guilt-inducing? Are these people too young to remember that we eat our young around here. Not linking because not 100% sure if the rumours that they are underaged are true.
* There was NO PUBLIC MASTURBATION at the BDSM panel. The fact that I even had to say this just tells you everything, doesn't it?
* The WTNV confirm they took in Noelle Stevenson. Dammit fandom_wank, I had to figure out how to direct link to tweets for you.
* Practically nobody believes DashCon's staff saying WTNV "just walked".
* Best "masterpost" of DashCon debacle I've seen on Tumblr. Now with corrections.
* Linkdump by mindset
* DashCon staff ~~AMA~~ just venting on 4Chan

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to collapse.

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	reinhardt 2014-07-14 03:50 am UTC (link)
	I can't believe I actually went to this. (Oh don't look at me like that. I went for the Night Vale stuff. So sue me). I, somehow, managed to miss most of the worst of the batshit but even what I did see was fairly trainwrecky. Seriously, this whole debacle was such a disappointment. (Reply to this)(Thread)

killer_gopher
2014-07-14 05:23 am UTC (link)

Curious as I'd been at this hotel/convention center for a dance seminar. They were amazing to us, went out of their way. I know the contract the higher-ups signed (two levels above my boss, but we had copy at check-in) and we had to pay up front for MOST serviced. However, some of the smaller things would be charged 'as needed.' For example, we paid so much for bottled water at all the directors/assistants chairs. However, if it went over we paid the balance then. I think it was like...730 at the end (extra table/chair set up I think), but my point is EVERYTHING was paid beforehand.

In fact, we had to have it 72 hours (I think, this was 2006 so I know it could've changed) I just can't see how any contract didn't have pre-payment. This is a huge convention center and I keep seeing some people saying how bad the staff was, it's just...We were an established group with a yearly convention (5th year back then) and we had to pay up front. How were the hotel staff that you saw? How many of the smaller rooms did they book too?

Personal opinion: this was a very nice hotel; they would've been better off going to something smaller - there are plenty in that area. Even a 'mid-range' holiday type-place.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

reinhardt
2014-07-14 05:53 am UTC (link)

The staff were absolutely wonderful. I remember I'd lost something on Saturday and was pretty emotional. The staff at the front desk did everything they could to help me find it and all the hotel security that I dealt with were very helpful and accommodating. I don't blame the hotel staff for anything.

Really, it's the con management's fault. It seems like they were totally unprepared for the work even a small con entails. They overreached and in the end, a lot of people got burned.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	reinhardt 2014-07-14 06:00 am UTC (link)
	I remember being in what was supposed to be the Night Vale live reading and literally waiting almost an hour for some sort of explanation and then getting only vagueness before someone finally told us what was happening. I don't blame the WTNV folks for walking. It was just handled so poorly on so many levels. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	seanchaigirl 2014-07-14 03:53 pm UTC (link)
	Yup, I've never worked with that particular hotel, but what you're describing is standard for events like this. I guess it's possible that there's a different model for events that make a sizable portion of their income from walk-ups, but I think that's unlikely especially since this con isn't an established organization. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	annepackrat 2014-07-14 08:14 pm UTC (link)
	They said they booked most of the convention center. They should have effing held this at a Holiday Inn. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	rosehiptea 2014-07-16 04:47 am UTC (link)
	Honestly, if I'd have had the money at the time I might have gone too. And I'm not even caught up with Night Vale at this point. I'm glad I didn't, though, needless to say. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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