It's a challenge because, for Mythcon "regulars", Mythcon takes on a family-reunion kind of quality and you don't get enough time with the people you love to see at Mythcon - which makes it even harder to break away from them to try to get to know first-timers.
I will say that, for myself, I make a concerted effort to meet and talk to folks that I don't recognize - this can be a mixed bag, however, as I can be a rather "strong flavor" for some, if you know what I mean!!
I do know a number of last year's first-timers planned to attend this year and then, about 1-2 months out, had life-situations change making it infeasible to attend MC42 after all. I've checked in with nearly all of them and they're planning to attend MC43 in Berkeley next year, as are quite a few of this year's first-timers.
I can't tell you, Bill, whether your reaction is partly age or partly keeping an eye out for C's needs and reactions or if Mythcon has appreciably changed. I do know that, for myself, it's important to be "in the moment" and enjoying the moment rather than comparing every moment to its early counterparts - too much of life would come up short, were I to do that.
I don't spend a lot of time on LJ these days (I find Fb does a better job *for me* of keeping me in loose contact with a lot of different people from a lot of different parts of my life) but I definitely connect with new Mythies on Fb (in fact, sitting in the hotel lobby Monday afternoon a group of us were 'friending' each other ;D).
Do you have concrete suggestions for how more-regular-attenders and draw in less-often-attenders? Like David, I think of you as a Mythie from 'way back and I'm surprised to find you don't... :(
As for Mythcon dying off, we don't seem to be that yet, not by a long shot. Both guests of honor this year approached me about having Mythcons in their environs (Michael Drout talking about *chairing* one) and we had 169 members - up from last year, up considerably from L.A. (which was problematic, being very $$ and much smaller than it should have been). No, not all first time Mythcon-members decide to return the next year (or, as in David's case and my own, EVERY year, if at all possible) but a significant number do.
Which makes me think it's some of *both* factors going one: old-time Mythies like hanging out with their old-time Mythie friends and, while they are reasonably good at reaching out to newcomers, if the newcomer doesn't engage fairly quickly ("break through the glass wall"), they may well turn back to the familiar conversation or to a different newcomer.
But yes please, concrete suggestions are very welcome. This year we had a "Steward's reception" but it was, imho, problematic in several ways: it was basically RIGHT after dinner, so most folks weren't looking for beverages & nibblies, and a sizable group of folks were taking off to attend Harry Potter 7.5. I wonder if maybe we should have a Steward & an "old-timer" sit at a designated table at every meal and hold spaces for newcomers/folks who don't consider themselves regular? Would that have made a difference to you?
no subject
I will say that, for myself, I make a concerted effort to meet and talk to folks that I don't recognize - this can be a mixed bag, however, as I can be a rather "strong flavor" for some, if you know what I mean!!
I do know a number of last year's first-timers planned to attend this year and then, about 1-2 months out, had life-situations change making it infeasible to attend MC42 after all. I've checked in with nearly all of them and they're planning to attend MC43 in Berkeley next year, as are quite a few of this year's first-timers.
I can't tell you, Bill, whether your reaction is partly age or partly keeping an eye out for C's needs and reactions or if Mythcon has appreciably changed. I do know that, for myself, it's important to be "in the moment" and enjoying the moment rather than comparing every moment to its early counterparts - too much of life would come up short, were I to do that.
I don't spend a lot of time on LJ these days (I find Fb does a better job *for me* of keeping me in loose contact with a lot of different people from a lot of different parts of my life) but I definitely connect with new Mythies on Fb (in fact, sitting in the hotel lobby Monday afternoon a group of us were 'friending' each other ;D).
Do you have concrete suggestions for how more-regular-attenders and draw in less-often-attenders? Like David, I think of you as a Mythie from 'way back and I'm surprised to find you don't... :(
As for Mythcon dying off, we don't seem to be that yet, not by a long shot. Both guests of honor this year approached me about having Mythcons in their environs (Michael Drout talking about *chairing* one) and we had 169 members - up from last year, up considerably from L.A. (which was problematic, being very $$ and much smaller than it should have been). No, not all first time Mythcon-members decide to return the next year (or, as in David's case and my own, EVERY year, if at all possible) but a significant number do.
Which makes me think it's some of *both* factors going one: old-time Mythies like hanging out with their old-time Mythie friends and, while they are reasonably good at reaching out to newcomers, if the newcomer doesn't engage fairly quickly ("break through the glass wall"), they may well turn back to the familiar conversation or to a different newcomer.
But yes please, concrete suggestions are very welcome. This year we had a "Steward's reception" but it was, imho, problematic in several ways: it was basically RIGHT after dinner, so most folks weren't looking for beverages & nibblies, and a sizable group of folks were taking off to attend Harry Potter 7.5. I wonder if maybe we should have a Steward & an "old-timer" sit at a designated table at every meal and hold spaces for newcomers/folks who don't consider themselves regular? Would that have made a difference to you?