"Lipstick on a pig = The Host" Topic

Packed the van yesterday, no issues.

Drove down today, no issues outside of an accident on the ramp to 30 East towards downtown Lancaster, I was going in the opposite direction, so no issue.

Unloading was a breeze, hall was nice and cool, set up was a snap, no issues.

The dealer parking lot is under construction, so I'll park elsewhere, no big deal.

No food at the Host, no downstairs serving stations, so I'll drink less Coors Lights, no issues.

It looks like CW is at the Host in 2019, Historicon is in downtown Lancaster and FI is back at VF; three cons, three different locations.

So far, everything is fine……………

Those who can do; those who can't complain.

I've had three deaths in my circle of friends/family in the past two weeks.

At the end of the day, life is short, enjoy the ride as there is no refund or do overs.

The more I read threads like this on this forum, the more I realize there are those who simply love to complain, it's sad and pathetic to be honest.

I love the whole "I don't go to HMGS conventions, haven't for years, am never going back"……………gee, you'll be missed, I guess we'll all have to learn to live with the disappointment of not seeing you at them.

That's your loss; I'm a better person for coming to HMGS conventions for over 20 years, I wouldn't trade one second of it for anything, I've had the privilege of meeting gamers and dealers I never would have met under any other circumstance, people like Stan Johansen, Lon Weis, Doug Kline, Jim and Kirk from Atlanta, Dennis from OMM, Rick Carlisle, Terry from Old Glory, Ed, Laverne and Rusty Miller, Mark, Mike Fatovic, Bob Giglio, Mike Cosentino, Joe Kelly, Dave Waxtel, on and on it goes.

These are people I call friends, friends I have thanks to these conventions.

Dynaman8789 snided: "WooHoo! "The Host Sucks" is off to a rip-roaring start this year!"
Au contraire, mon frere! It is cyclical like the good old-fashioned ravaging monsoon floods, like the happy return of the insatiable locust swarms, like the fondly familiar recurring bouts of malarial sweats and chills, like the whimsical gut-wrenching pain and purging of both ends of the GI tract of food poisoning. It merely subsides temporarily to garner its strength to make an even happier encore next time around!

My mistake, I forgot there were three cons at the Host this year. At the other two the complaints are slightly different since Air Conditioning is not in the mix.

I was planning to attend this year but can't make it do to family issues. Still hoping to make FI.

Having a great time getting to see old friends and hanging out with my buds it's a good convention.

We can solve all the problems by upgrading the convention to a Hilton Hotel and have plenty of parking, great rooms, a pool, etc. What? It will cost 3x the cost of the Host?!? Fire the BoD! We want twice the convention for half the price! And it has to be within an 8-block radius of the Host.

Our take on Day 1
Arrived just before noon. Plenty of staff directing us to either the registration or dealers area. Tricky maneuvering, but we mastered registering, driving out the exit from the Host and immediately driving back in. No Problem…we're New Yorkers.
Parking around the dealers hall was also a challenge, but No Problem…we're New Yorkers….
Dealers hall was air conditioned, but it is July, the doors were opening and closing constantly, and it's a bit warm and clammy. But, it's July.
Getting into the hotel through the new entrance, Lampeter room, to the main floor involved a rickety personal elevator. Did I mention rickety??? Six Flags and Disney can hardly hold a flag to this 2 person lift…Oh, did I mention Bob's in a walking cast on his left foot? He claims that it was a dinosaur, but I have it on reliable information that it was an old high school broken ankle, followed by a rebreak, followed by a few years of extra weight (are you listening, all you chubby gamers) that the ankle tendon was…well…challenged. Bob, being a true male, walked through the pain until he couldn't any more.
He's in a ankle cast for 6 weeks, and he won't be doing the 440 until September. So we rode the 'elevator' from the ground floor to the main lobby. From the main lobby, we permitted ourselves the joy of riding the "Handicapped Only" elevator down to the Distilfink. (Are you taking notes? There will be a test…)

The Distilfink lobby is full of games. No food. Distilfink itself had lots of games (for a Thursday afternoon). We enjoyed an introduction to the fine French rule system ADLG. Well thought out, seemed playable (we've been through DMA, WRG Warrior and found them all lacking in one area or the other.) We're new to ADLG, so can't comment on it's worthiness.

HOWEVER, the noble Romans, (Bob, myself and two other novice players) were handed our… It didn't help that our two Roman compatriots lost their generals, and seemed not to be able to roll anything above a 3. The evil Carthaginians players were astounding in their ability to roll ones on a D6 (higher is better). There was a lively trash talking across the table (some of the players knew each other, or their mothers) And much good fellowship flowed across the table.

Day One. A good start. Lots of challenges, but there will always be Carthaginians.

George,

Thanks for your thoughts that put the cons and the value they provide in a very helpful perspective.

Condolences on your several losses.

"George,
Thanks for your thoughts that put the cons and the value they provide in a very helpful perspective.
Condolences on your several losses."

Thanks Scott. Just enjoy the conventions for what they are, having fun with friends and meeting new ones.

At the end of the day, it's all about perspective.

Thanks for the condolences; one was bad, three is too much to deal with, doing the best I can at this point.

Hang in there.

Wow, am I glad I cancelled. The reservation system sucked in my estimation so I went rogue to a reservation company. About a month in I decided that the money was needed elsewhere and knowing the flea market was probably going to have some issues for me, I bailed out. I love being with you guys, but this construction is not just a pig with lipstick, but an overcooked BBQ pig. I'm not out to blame our people for this but the Host situation itself has been crazy from the beginning despite people's efforts to make it happen. I am sure many will have a good time despite the onsite shortcomings so enjoy it guys. You are true adventurers in my book.

Cleo, has a point about "chubby wargamers". I would urge all of you in that category that are medically able to do so, just do it. I had a fight two years ago with my doctor over a statin drug. That galvanized me and with several fits and starts and a leg injury that caused a fall, I have lost 50 lbs. My BP is very close to normal after a very long time. I want to be around longer for my wife, my family, and perhaps my wargaming friends. I have lost quite a few of you over the years.

Really wish I was there Double G :(

"Really wish I was there Double G :("………….

If for nothing else, the comedy factor; it's off the charts this weekend.

Also, come to find out one of my wargaming friends was friends with the sculptor who did all the Confederals………..talk about a small world, it is a great story.

Dying to hear

What did you do for dinner? Mongolian BBQ ?

"Dying to hear"………..

During dinner Friday night, one of the comments that murdered me was "In the 22 years I've been attending these conventions, the Host has gone from a dump with mold issues, to a mess due to construction, soon to be followed by being too expensive for people to stay at"…….IE, no one is ever happy.

Fredericksburg was too far, Historicon in downtown Lancaster with one hotel and upscale restaurants will be too expensive, Fall In at Valley Forge will be a hassle because the gaming will be in one hotel and the dealer hall/flea market will be in the convention center across the complex.

On and on it goes.

We just arrived home from our Saturday day trip.

1) The Host was sheer chaos.

2) it may have been the best 14 hours I've spent at an HMGS con in a long long time.

Heading home after a fun long weekend.
Dealers Hall: Fabilous!
Convention Staff: wonderful, friendly, helpful
Games: lots of great games but there were a lot of cancellations, not sure why
The Host: our room was clean and newly renovated, hallways and many areas closed for renovation. Construction stuff everywhere but never saw any construction/renovation taking place. Hotel food was subpar so got in a lot of walking to local restaurants.

The Historicon staff was outstanding. My personal thanks to you all for a really great job.

I'll second that sentiment on the staff. Especially the ladies behind the registration desk on Friday afternoon – very helpful and friendly.

Great job!

The mystery service elevator worked well this time for porting carts and baggage to/from Wally (upstairs) Basement, courtesy of two very kind Host staff. Very much appeciated.

I thought the convention was well attended, the staff was very nice and helpful and the games were beautiful. The new pre-reg badge system (where you scan a barcode and get your badge) worked flawlessly.

Overall, one of the best conventions I've been to in a while.

Pre-registration badge system was GREAT. Fast, no fuss.

Host, well what I can say, I guess they are trying, no surprise there.

Seemed like more cancellations than usual, naturally my only game on Friday was cancelled, but I was able to leave my comfort zone and find 2 other games so it was all good.

Wallys, looked like the lighting was a little better.

Distlefink wasn't hot like usual; I was pleased with the improved AC system.

Had a cancellation on Friday night, but my entire con was great. Spent less at the flea, there wasnt much I wanted. But i did go WAY WAY WAY over budget in the dealer hall (including ordering mail order at the con to finally start a 28mm ww2 Italian Army). Got the entire impudent mortal terrain package, lots of Test of Honor minis, a new desert mat, and a bunch of other things. Luckily my new job pays considerably more and my wife told me to go crazy.

All in all one of my favorite cons I've attended.

Mini AAR after I started this Lipstick on a pig post… I was VERY -VERY hot about my room cancelation. My attitude about the host has not changed and in fact after the con is even worst. The place is a dump… and should have been torn down. Parking was terrible and I was put out in the "north forty" on Friday…thank you to the secuirity guard who offered his golf cart to haul my game stuff to the Distlefink loading dock (gave him a 5 dollar tip) Food was subpar (and that is being polite) and lacking. Only place to even buy a snack or drink (soda or beer) was up stairs. Signs all over warning you NOT to bring in coolers etc… Lighting was TERRIBLE in flea market…but I was able to move around the tables a lot faster. I was able to secure a much closer parking spot late Friday night and left my truck with all my game stuff there the rest of the weekend. BIG Thanks to a friend who shuttled us back and forth from the Wyndham hotel. Both of the games I GM's (AWI and WWI) went smoothly and I appreciate the gamers and their kind comments…I hope they had fun playing. I so enjoyed GMing them both. The Dealer Hall was great (except for the LONG walk to the other side of the bldg to enter…and I am in good shape for a 59yo)I spend way to much money …as I always do. The HMGS staff and volunteers were all friendly and helpful. It was great seeing old friends and hanging with my game buddies…I will have to think real hard about attending next year? My faith in HMGS in running a successful con is lacking right now? They have a year to change mind mind!

SFC Retired

I didn't have a cooler--I DID have two insulated bags, though. Did those count?

The signs banning outside coolers from being brought in are new, never seen those before. Its especially laughable seeing as how not only do the beer taps never work, but the bar service has always been notoriously slow, and that's being kind. To boot, the ice machines never worked anyways. You wanna sell me booze ? Staff the bar with someone who is willing to hustle a little when it gets busy, not the sourpuss who has been there since the stone age and moves so slow you can time him with a sundial.

Signs all over warning you NOT to bring in coolers etc

I'm not going to bring a cooler. I'm going to bring an entire ice cold case and place it on the table and tell everyone to have some before it gets warm. It's not in a cooler so it must be fine.

Staying at a hotel a mile away wouldn't be so bad, if you could find a place to park at the show.

Better than being 'Hitler with lipstick' as Merv Griffin was once described

"I will have to think real hard about attending next year? My faith in HMGS in running a successful con is lacking right now? They have a year to change mind mind!"

-SFC Retired

Why would you put your faith in an all volunteer organization? It's really a thankless endeavor being a volunteer. If you believe you can do a better job why not volunteer for a few hours?

Not intended to be snarky. I'm sure they would welcome your input and perhaps you will have insights into their struggles.

Fall-in 2018 is actively seeking volunteer help. Please consider reaching out to the Convention Director. they post here regularly.

TRU

"I will have to think real hard about attending next year? My faith in HMGS in running a successful con is lacking right now? They have a year to change mind mind!

-SFC Retired"

Why was it not successful? For the reasons you posted which were all issues that were self inflicted by the Host?

I understand you got bumped and moved to another hotel up the road. That in itself is the worst thing the host did to you. I am curious if they ran a shuttle service for the bumped people? Once I left the host I would have called my cc company and refused the full hotel charge.

I don't really see any issue with the con staff. I can't see how the host removing 2 rooms was their fault. Food – well maybe that changes when they are fully operational again. The walk to the exhibit hall? Can't do anything there. Maybe a shuttle next time? (probably a good idea until the host makes a real permanent walkway.)

Other than the construction and not being in full operation and therefore not having a lot of full time staff, what actually is causing you to say it was a dump?

As I said previously, my room, and most from what I was told, was completely redone and nice. Compared to hotels next to us it was cheaper. The rooms are a million times better than they were in the past.

I did not eat there so can not comment.

It is clear they are running behind on construction. Previously at Cold Wars the plumbing was all new and my room just had a redone bathroom.

The bar situation – closing early and no taps – still defies explanation for an owner that is dumping tons of money into the property and clearly has the intent on making money.