Fan Expo Canada Apologizes

Fan Expo Canada, a commercial sf convention held in Toronto at the end of August, drew 60,000 fans last year but wasn’t prepared to handle the throngs wanting to get in this year. The con was overwhelmed and its reputation took a beating in the local paper:

Hundreds of gamers, superfans and sci-fi geeks are fuming after a mismanaged weekend at Fan Expo Canada, a popular annual convention celebrating pop culture.

Eventgoers say this year’s three-day convention was marred by hours-long lineups. On Saturday afternoon, crowds became so unmanageable organizers had to shut down door sales and temporarily lock out ticket holders, prompting hordes of frustrated fans to start chanting for refunds.

While the Fan Expo has always seen its share of organizational glitches, loyal attendees say this year’s convention was by far the worst.

Con committees – even profit-motivated ones – are not renowned for making gracious replies to criticism, but Fan Expo has proved to be an exception to the rule. They posted this public apology immediately after the con:

On behalf of the staff of Fan Expo Canada™ I would like to apologize for the lengthy delays and inconvenience experienced by many at Fan Expo Canada™ this past weekend.  We were, quite simply, inadequately prepared for the increased crowds in a venue that was neither familiar to us nor not capable of meeting our collective demands. We recognize and have heard from many of you that this was unacceptable and unfair to our loyal fans. 

Fan Expo Canada is one of three media cons held in Toronto, a different event than Anime North, or Polaris (formerly Toronto Trek).

[Thanks to Taral for the story.]

2 thoughts on “Fan Expo Canada Apologizes

  1. The last time Yvonne and I were at this Fan eXpo, it had been ten years’ previous, the con was called SFX, and we were manning a Toronto in 2003 Worldcon bid table. After the nonsense of Fan eXpo, the nearly getting stuck outside and into the re-entry line because we just wanted a coffee, the broken promises and and the petty wielding of power on the part of junior committee, I think it may be another ten years. However, we were there to particpate in the steampunk fashion show on site. Next time, we arrive just in time to get there, do the show and leave. There really is nothing at Fan eXpo for us, except for some steampunk fun.

  2. Lloyd, perhaps the thing to do next year is to organise a “Steampunk Promenade” OUTSIDE the MTCC…..entertain the rubes and at the same time show them that they don’t have to sell out their subculture to the likes of Hobbystar Marketing Inc.

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