"Guns of August debrief, and apology" Topic

The convention ended earlier today. The gamers, game masters, terrain, tournaments, boardgaming, RPGs, vendors and everything else about the convention were fantastic. I (personally) played in several games, ran a few medieval battles, and helped out with the other staff with several parts of the convention.

What was (unfortunately) unacceptable was the hotel. This was a new venue for us, and it turned out to be a very large disappointment. The staff of Guns of August met today after the convention closed, and have determined to do something about the venue, before Williamsburg Muster in February. Our whole point in the organizing and hosting the conventions is to provide gamers with a place to play, see some great merchandise, and spend a weekend with other gamers. Doing that in an undesirable venue really keeps the fun from happening. We apologize for the situation, and are determined to fix it.

Shouldn't this be a thread about the Host and HMGS and have like a gazillion replies? Oh, wait, no. Sounds like your convention is run by people who want to do a good job. Good luck getting it sorted out. (And, no, that last is NOT a dig at the people who run conventions at the host.)

Could you elaborate on what the problems were with the hotel? I was on the fence about coming, and ultimately decided to pass a week before. My only contact with the hotel was making, then canceling my reservation, but based only on those 2 encounters I had, as was oft said in Star Wars, "a bad feeling about this."

My brother and I attended GoA. The hotel definitely left us feeling down on the event. There were two big issues I would call out for the hotel: lack of AC and lack of maintenance.

Friday morning, the AC was cranking and everything was nice. As the day went, the rooms heated and the AC just didn't keep up. Some of the units just weren't blowing at all, as if the maint crews had left them off. Even the hotel rooms were hot in the overnight.

The hotel, both inside and out, looked like the staff had stopped caring. Overflowing trash cans outside, few available trash cans inside, little to no support from the hotel staff for the hospitality suite, bathrooms running out of TP.

The whole thing left me thinking that the event was a dud.

Except, that it wasn't. Looking back on it my brother and I both realized that we played more games on Friday and Saturday than we played at Historicon. The board game room is genius, offering a great way to fill the time between the big games. The Saga room on Friday was fun and the people there jumped right in to help a couple of new players figure the game out.

I had a blast. Looking forward to next time around. May even try my hand at GMing a game or three. The venue was the only drawback. Good job, all.

I attended on Sunday; couldn't make Saturday. I appreciate the time and effort Chuck and the other organizers put into the convention. Thanks very much to all of you.

I attended with my kid. Its a good convention for him to go to. He plays the whole time he is there. We did not stay at the hotel. We were told the were no rooms when we called. I really didn't believe it though.
Unfortunately as far as the hotel is concerned I don't think they will be willing to go out of there way to correct problems. Trash cans never emptied and over flowing onto the floor. AC problems as mentioned. Never saw any staff doing anything.
But it was enjoyable and fun.

Without getting into specifics, the hotel has major structural and service problems, and does not have the means to repair. We were told it was in better shape than it was, during our visits and meetings. Also, as pointed out, the staff was not responsive (at all) to the normal things you expect as an event in a conference center (trash, room reservations, basic customer service, filling water stations, etc).

Several members of the staff surveyed attendees (people in the tournaments, people playing historical miniatures games, people playing board games and RPGs, GMs, players, kids, wives, etc) and although the surveys were non-scientific, the general response was "fun convention, horrible hotel". So we know what we have to do.

Chuck

Without having attended at all, I think this is typically thoughtful and responsible action by Chuck and his fellows.
Caring about the attendee's experience outside of the gaming alone is a large part of that "extra something" that proves Gentlemen/Ladies are running the show, and what constitutes the best possible convention experience.

Good on you, Sir!

TVAG

Patrick – thanks so much for your comments! We are trying (sometimes, very trying).

Chuck

Although I didn't attend this year, I have in years prior. I thought the old hotel was pretty good. Why did the con move?

Our main reason for moving was for more space for games.

I look at it like this: We are not Microsoft. We are not going to have a five star hotel, with pristine conditions, marble floors, and free breakfast. We simply can't afford it. No gaming convention can.

That said, the hotel did a terrible job at keeping things they could control running properly. As mentioned above, the trash, parking lot, toilet paper, etc. That's unacceptable.

I brought my youngest Friday and Saturday and he had a great time. Played the Alamo with me, Gnome Wars, Godzilla, and whatever else he could find. Pretty awesome considering he's only eight. My oldest couldn't make it because he went to a lock-in at church Friday night and was wiped out all day Saturday.

Chuck, you guys have done a great job over the years and we'll keep coming no matter where it is.

"As the day went, the rooms heated and the AC just didn't keep up."

To be fair, it IS August in Virginia. :)

When I attended the show some years back, the organisers were hard working folk. They have my continued confidence and thanks for doing the work.

thanks

martin

Chuck,
You guys did awesome with the Con. I will be back! But yeah, I echo the statements about the hotel. That place made the Host look good by comparison. And that is difficult. Or, as I said to a freind "This place is Faulty Towers with a Southern accent, and no John Cleese to save it."

Chuck,

Kudos to you and your group for taking the bull by horns in this matter. Not everyone would.

Or, as I said to a freind "This place is Faulty Towers with a Southern accent, and no John Cleese to save it."

Damn you! Ya made me spit coffee all over my keyboard! LOL!

Nicely said Chuck.

Just to elaborate a bit on what Chuck has covered above.

This was our first time at Williamsburg Ramada. When we were searching for a larger venue, as we had for all intents and purposes outgrown the Patriot Inn, we had very specific wants in mind, as this wasn't our first time in the pool so to speak! We toured the facility a number of times, and spoke with the Sales Staff about what we did and what we expected from the facility.

They promised in all respects to deliver, and meet our needs. Unfortunately they failed in far more categories then succeeded! We will take our experience from this past weekend as lessons learned, so that in the future the experience will not be repeated.

As I told my Staff at our Post Event Meeting if those who attended our convention had a bad experience it's more a reflection on us as an organization even if much of what contributed to that experience was out of our control! So those who come to our shows in the future may rest assured we will fix this, and make our shows a Great time for all once again! Because WE are gamers too, and sub-standard is not acceptable to us at anytime!

My thanks to the Vendors, attendees, and guests that have supported us over these past eight years. We look forward to making your time spent with us in the future time well spent in fun and camaraderie as always!

Paul Crouch
Convention Director

Does this mean you will be moving the Con closer to Canada? (Just kidding, but I can still hope.)

Bowman, we might have to start an Ontario franchise.

Gentlemen,
As much as I went after the hotel, and deservedly so, I just sent a PM to Mr. Crouch. He and ODMS, IMHO, should not take responsibility for the hotel, that was not their doing, it was the doing of a venue that frankly, ripped them off.

I am not sure what the options of ODMS are in this case, but as much as they should find a new venue (and I look forward to gaming there in Feb.), they need to let Ramada Corporate just how deplorable the state of the hotel truly was, and how at least in my case, I stuck every piece of clothing I had at the con and immediately put it in the dryer to kill any visitors I might have picked up. Then I washed them!

ODMS ran a GREAT show. I will be back, and am looking forward to Feb with Williamsburg Muster (Not like the Deadskins have a chance this year, or any other year in the near future).

Paul, you and the rest of ODMS need to take a bow! A fine effort under very trying circumstances.

I was able to attend on Saturday and ran my game three times. I enjoyed the show. I thought the space was the right size and as always enjoyed the host room. I will continue to attend. It is a great regional show and I am sure Chuck and crew will find a venue that will better support the show. My thanks to all of those who hosted the event.

Thanks for the kind words of support, as well as the support of those who attended the show.

When we started the two shows eight years ago our only goal was to provide a place where folks could gather and play games much like they were invited into our own homes. So when the facility we rent fails to produce results as expected we don't want to hear about excuses we would just like to have favorable results. That's just how we look at it!

So we'll see you all at "Muster" where ever it will be!

I couldn't get a confirmation at the hotel other than verbally, so I called a total of 3 times to verify. I never did find out about the time or place breakfast was served.
I'm so glad the rooms had AC or we wouldn't have stayed. On a positive note the convention room was huge. Could have used a couple more aisles to manuever but a really good room for a con like GOA.
So overall, I had a real good time with my spouse and my friends, which is what it's all about. Kudos to the convention staff. The hotel staff not so much, but their hands were pretty well tied it looks like.
If things were run right the hotel would have been a big hit in my opinion. Good space, very good location.

I have been attending both Williamsburg conventions and running games at them for several years. I really enjoy the feel of our local conventions and agree that the convention has outgrown its previous venue. I was surprised when I learned it was moving to the Ramada because I thought that hotel was mostly closed. Having been there now I think it should be. I am glad that your are considering other venues and I assure you I will still attend even if the price most be increased to allow for the better place.

Can you go for one of the marriott hotels? I know we stay there near bush gardens every September. The prices seem good.

We are looking into it.

As already related above all the troubles could be attributed to the venue and its staff – or lack thereof. (I too felt a moment of consternation when my wife and I walked in and saw the 'Rusty Musket' eatery closed and when we asked at the main desk where the vendor room was we were sent up to the 2nd floor – it was on the first – and the desk lady never looked up from her work in responding..) Whoa!
I have been attending the winter Muster since the beginning and have all faith that Paul, Chuck, Justin, James, and all the other members of ODMS will rectify this hotel situation most Ricky Tic. They are a truly dedicated crew to hosting an enjoyable wargaming weekend.
Toby Barrett
Thoroughbred Figures

Paul,Chuck and Justin,

Don't be too hard on yourselves. I still thought it was a great event and will be back!
Platoonforward.blogspot.com

Joe

Not being too hard on ourselves really just profoundly disappointed by the complete lack of support from the hotel and it's staff! Especially when we did our homework on the place, and they assured us numerous times they could offer the services we contracted for with them!

We had decided to wait on signing a contract for "Muster" in February just to see how well everything went for "Guns". As it turned out we made a wise choice in that decision. Though as things have turned out it has left us short on time trying to relocate our conventions program to another more satisfying location in the future!

Our former location at the Patriot has been sold, and as of a phone call last week they are scheduled for some major repair and restoration work starting in the Fall. So they currently are not accepting any events for scheduling until late Spring at the earliest! Some of the other locations we looked into prior to the Ramada were already booked with events in February. So now we're back to looking for a new location, especially one that can deliver what we want considering we're paying for the use of the place!!