Question for My Con-going Readers

[drpaisley]

The new art show maven for ConQuesT has proposed moving the art auction (currently held at 5p on Saturday) to later in the evening, like after the masquerade (roughly 9p). Have any of you seen this done at other cons, and if so, how did it work for you, whether as consumer or part of the art show workers union?

Comments

Re: if not 1pm Sunday

[tully01.livejournal.com]

From my POV, Saturday changes don't impact Benefit on Sunday much at all. Sunday changes would impact Benefit hard. So anything I say about Saturday changes is just chatter compared to those more directly impacted.

New art head's proposal is IMHO a good idea for exploration, given primary goal of auction in the first place. But should have been offered earlier in planning cycle, when impact on other events and departments would have been much easier to assess, and required system-wide Big Picture logistical adjustments more easily manageable. Late changes means other events/planning already in place by those who did their planning/logistics work early are impacted hardest, which in turn impacts just about everything else. Even minor shifts better done with lots of lead time. Can't just maximize one function/event at the expense of all others, no matter how right dept head may be about maximizing effect on THEIR function. Gotta juggle and try for optimal balance among all functions.

Why con chairs get migraines and wrinkles, balancing good ideas from all directions into functional logistical requirements of overall event, and having to make tough tradeoff decisions.

Combining the art/benefit events IS possible and not a crazy idea at all. Certainly presents its own logistical problems, but in our current layout could be doable. But sure not wild about planning for such this close to showtime.

No perfect solution -- never is. I still think would be good idea to ask pro artists with years of con-selling experience what works best for them -- primary goal of Art auction is to make them money. If that means shifting things around some to improve their take, well, could be pain in the ass this year but much less so for next year. Still be bounded by overall Big Picture.