Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 37

Thread: Suggestions for the next Classic Gaming Expo (CGE)

  1. #1
    Cherry (Level 1) vectrexer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Pacifica, CA, USA
    Posts
    238
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default Suggestions for the next Classic Gaming Expo (CGE)

    While at CGE, and being a part of CGE, I noticed a few things I would like to see improved. This is not a complaint thread. Only things you want to see improved.

    * Signage (with arrows) pointing to the Speakers / Auction room. There were three other conferences in the hotel at the time Both were big and two of them used rooms in the same hallways as our room. Signage would help the CGE attendees get to where they need to go, and get there on time.

    * Signage pointing to the Swap Meet room for trading tables. When the door was open the room more obvious. But a lot of the time the door was closed an there was not sign for room's purpose. I heard more than a few asking where the room was too.

    * Signage in the Speakers / Auction room with a list of times. Even if it is a whiteboard with hand written list. Having the list posted elsewhere was OK. But having the list inside the room would have been great too. That way the people attending the talks/movies/auction/etc can plan their time. The people giving the talks can also be reminded of their start/end times as well.

    * A permanently available projector for the room. I brought my projector for use at CGE. But having to tear it down between talks was a little annoying. I appreciate CGE not wanting to have to replace a missing projector. Next time a Kensington lock needs to be there to keep the honest crowd, honest; and also keep CGE from sweating about equipment loss.

    * A permanently available computer for various speaker / auction room uses. I brought out my laptop for the Ralph H. Baer video conference. Everything went okay considering the last minute setup of the system and the connectivity. But having a system in place for the whole show would be better. And yes, another Kensington lock needs to be on the computer to keep the honest crowd, honest. BTW,, we used a Dell D820 with Windows 7, a Microsoft USB camera and Life Cam driver, Skype software, AT&T Mercury USB Modem (Sierra Wireless Compass 885), and AT&T service to do the video conference with Ralph.

    * A unbalanced audio miniature plug going to the mixer for the room audio. For the last server CGE's we have needed a miniature plug audio connection for the computer or for a DVD player and it was the same for CGE 2K10. Out makeshift solution on site was to use external speakers with a mic pointed at them. Not exactly the best solution and it really sucked for the playing of the "Joysticks" DVD. Next time let's ask for better.

    * At least one unbalanced audio miniature plug coming from the speaker's room mixer. This would great for getting better audio recording of the speaker's talks. One output would be good. If we had more than one output then a couple of people (who attend the talks an share them) could get a quality recording. A balanced output might also be nice to have as well.

    * An audio check of all the microphones in the Speaker's room. While stealing a mic for use with the computer we found one of the microphones on the table was not connected. By that time at least a couple of panels had give their talks. It 's no wonder that one of the ends of the table on Saturday could not be heard. The left side (facing the speakers) was not connected to the mixer when we looked. This was a Tropicana mistake that could have been found sooner if CGE staff had done an audio check.

    * Every year the museum and the main floor ends up wondering if we can attach items to the conference facility walls. Even when we find out if we can we still end up wondering how to do it. Next time let's ask BEFORE the show instead of right at the show. As an alternative for the museum maybe we could get some music stands and easels so we don't have to worry about asking about the wall at all.

    * A check of covered parking for the hotel. Due to the fact the Tropicana had other event going parking sucked a little. About 3/4 of the bottom floor for the Trop's parking garage was reserved for motorcycles of the Buffalo Soldiers convention. The rest was full all of the time unless you also had clairvoyance for empty parking spaces. The bottom floor was really on the only floor I wanted to park a truck full of old electronics so they were out of the baking sun. Don't get me wrong,,, I also am a daily rider and appreciated the fact the Trop saved some parking for the bikes. May by the next show they will have built parking on the other side of the hotel since it's undergoing a remodel.


    Don't let any of the comments above be misunderstood as complaining. They're not. Just reminders to check out next! Or at least to get on Joe's, John's, and Sean's butt to assign to someone to perform the task. Maybe some of them for me.

    I still think CGE 2K10 was great and look forward to the next show!
    Last edited by vectrexer; 08-05-2010 at 01:29 AM.
    - v


  2. #2
    Pear (Level 6) Oldskool's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,262
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Those are all great ideas, mostly just technical things. The signs would be a good idea too so people know where they are going.

    I think a few more TV's for the Game Station area would be nice. I could not represent all the major consoles because of lack of TV's. Yes, there was quite a bit, but quite a bit got left out too like the Coleco, Intellivision, and others. So I basically had to figure out what it was that people would like to play on the most and hook those up. Maybe next time I can locate a handful of cheap TV's since I live here locally. I can't complain much about that though, really there was a good handful of consoles for people to play on, any more and it might have got too crouded.

    I honestly can't think of much that could be improved on. More vendors, more live music, and more attendees would be nice, but that comes with time I suppose. I guess there was a 3 year break there.

    Oh and it was nice meeting ya Vectrexer. Your collection was quite amazing, and I thank you for donating a Vectrex for Game Station duty. It was actually quite popular.

  3. #3
    Pac-Man (Level 10) Custom rank graphic
    MachineGex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    2,600
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    My only advice is to leave the wife and kids at home.

  4. #4
    ServBot (Level 11) GarrettCRW's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    3,700
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    GarrettCRW
    PSN
    GarrettCRW

    Default

    I heartily agree with the signing and swap meet room suggestions. I was a bit confused as to where the conference room was at first, so I missed a chunk of the Ralph Baer keynote. Unlike the setup at the Riv, where the rooms were clustered in one area, it was a bit messy for everything but the museum and the main room.

    Also, and hopefully this may be remedied when the Trop finishes its renovations, but the food was lacking. When a lot of people are trucking it over to New York New York or some of the other nearby casinos for food, something's not right. I smuggled in my own caffeine and was pretty restricted in my arrival and departure times by my ride situation, so it wasn't a major issue for me, but some solid foods to go along with the drink stand would have been nice.

    As mentioned by Sothy, the DP afterparty needs to be assigned to someone (not Joe, who obviously had much on his plate). I went in pretty much unplanned in '07 and was readily aware of the party, but everything was in doubt pretty much until I was forced to leave for the night. Furthermore, the conflict against the Pinball Hall of Fame party wasn't the greatest of ideas, and the lack of regular shuttles to the Hall was also disappointing.

    Otherwise, the show was great, and hopefully the logistical issues can be smoothed out with the Trop next year.
    Webmaster of the Cartoon Review Website!
    http://www.cartoonreviewsite.com

    My sale thread

  5. #5
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Redwood City, CA
    Posts
    71
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    * Map of the hotel/expo, on the website, including vendor loading area. We drove around for half an hour trying to find an entrance which turned out to be just one unlabeled loading ramp. I eventually found some unlocked "no entry" doors to get inside

    * It is probably a Tropicana problem, but better audio inside the expo hall. The music was very loud (interviews at the Tetris table on the other side of the hall had to be stopped) but the announcements were unintelligible.

  6. #6
    Strawberry (Level 2)
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    401
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Thanks guys for all the suggestions to make CGE 2k11 even bigger, badder and better! I have been speaking with Joe about the show and we're gonna be staying in touch through out the year to make CGE 2K11 an outstanding experience for all our team members and attendees. And we have definitely talked about the after party This year's show was fantastic and had a nice turn out and tons of fun events. Please keep posting us with your comments and concerns and we will start taking note now! Thanks everyone, it was so great seeing all of you at the show.

    Digitpress Jim
    I love ALL Video Games with all my heart and soul

  7. #7
    classicus carnivorous
    digitalpress's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Circling about overhead
    Posts
    26,331
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Digital Press
    PSN
    digitalpress

    Default

    I DID have a sign up sheet for the DP party the whole day at the DP booth. There were over 60 names on the list, so if you didn't know there was a DP after-party then you're in the minority... we did the same thing in 2K7 :P

    But it was badly organized. Turned out just fine in my opinion, we had Medieval Mayhem 2600 and 30 arcade machines to play as well as tequila, vodka, beer and pizza if you waited out the first half hour... but this clearly WASN'T the usual love-fest. The good news is that when something like this happens, I tend to overcompensate next time. I have a feeling that the CGE2K11 DP party will be the best one ever. And it's less than a year away now!

  8. #8
    Pac-Man (Level 10) Custom rank graphic
    buzz_n64's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    2,378
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    PSN
    buzz_retro64

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by digitalpress View Post
    I DID have a sign up sheet for the DP party the whole day at the DP booth. There were over 60 names on the list, so if you didn't know there was a DP after-party then you're in the minority... we did the same thing in 2K7 :P

    But it was badly organized. Turned out just fine in my opinion, we had Medieval Mayhem 2600 and 30 arcade machines to play as well as tequila, vodka, beer and pizza if you waited out the first half hour... but this clearly WASN'T the usual love-fest. The good news is that when something like this happens, I tend to overcompensate next time. I have a feeling that the CGE2K11 DP party will be the best one ever. And it's less than a year away now!
    Damn, I guess I should have asked about the after party because I was wondering how people were going to get together. Oh well, next year I'll be doing it. Glad to meet a few of you at least.

  9. #9
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    79
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by digitalpress View Post
    I DID have a sign up sheet for the DP party the whole day at the DP booth. There were over 60 names on the list, so if you didn't know there was a DP after-party then you're in the minority... we did the same thing in 2K7 :P

    But it was badly organized. Turned out just fine in my opinion, we had Medieval Mayhem 2600 and 30 arcade machines to play as well as tequila, vodka, beer and pizza if you waited out the first half hour... but this clearly WASN'T the usual love-fest. The good news is that when something like this happens, I tend to overcompensate next time. I have a feeling that the CGE2K11 DP party will be the best one ever. And it's less than a year away now!
    So Joe, CGE2K11 is less than a year away? Is that official?

    Yeah, most of the unpreparedness of the after party was my fault for not getting the liquor ready for all the thirsty mouths. I take responsibility for that. I guess I'm just not good of a party organizer... it was my first party as an organizer. Ever... I agree with Joe wholeheartedly. I still think it was the best after party ever just BECAUSE it was in the show hall.

    I really do hope there is a 2011 show, even if it's smaller and at the Plaza... That would rock. - D
    Last edited by 4ever2600; 08-04-2010 at 11:21 PM.

  10. #10
    ServBot (Level 11) swlovinist's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Gamers Paradise
    Posts
    3,607
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    swlovinist

    Default

    First of all I want to say that this year was one of my favorite years. While it probably had to do alot with doing a full week road trip with my friends, the show itself had alot of great things. Just a couple of things that I did notice:

    -not all museum pieces were lableled(the ones I was asked to bring were not,or maybe there were labels but not put out?) I brought things for the museum only to find that there were duplicates. If I would have known that, I would not have items ride in an RV for 2500 miles. I think that having the museum planned more in advance would have made it better. The museum to me is one of the best parts of the show, and this year it just seemed like it was thrown together. While I still loved it, I know that I could have benifited from more communication in advance. The show could also have benifted from having other collectors bring their stuff to share. I heard people in the museum that wanted to know more about the museum pieces, but there was not a description about the item.
    Would you like to know more about collecting video games? Check out my extensive Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/swlovinist

  11. #11
    Kirby (Level 13) SegaAges's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    5,295
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Somebody mentioned the after party to me so I knew about it. Had I stuck around longer, I would have just asked about it as somebody near the DP booth (it might have been JOe himself) said something about making sure the youngin's weren't sneaking into it.

    The after-party did seem like it was mentioned, but it was a word-of-mouth type deal unless you looked at the signup sheet. I knew about it and did not see the sheet, but then again, I was not really looking for it, hehehe.

    My only personal suggestion would be the announcements in the main area. Honestly, I could not hear a thing that anybody was announcing in there the entire time unless I was close to the DP booth.

    Maybe somehow get the speakers for the people announcing stuff on the far side of the xpo as well (I was playing alot of Genesis most of the time, and I could make out muffles of talk, but that was it).

  12. #12
    Strawberry (Level 2)
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    401
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I agree with Joe, the after party turned out great! Holy cow, playing Medieval Mayhem drunk was a blast! Especially with fellow drunk DPers lol. Good times. I also found myself wasted playing some Galaxian, Donkey Kong Jr. and Crystal Castles. So, let's get an honest opinion here, who preferes to have the DP after party in a hotel room like we have become accustomed to and who would rather see it right on the expo floor? What are your likes and dislikes to both options? Thanks guys.

    Digitpress Jim
    I love ALL Video Games with all my heart and soul

  13. #13
    Kirby (Level 13) SegaAges's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    5,295
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by digitpress Jim View Post
    I agree with Joe, the after party turned out great! Holy cow, playing Medieval Mayhem drunk was a blast! Especially with fellow drunk DPers lol. Good times. I also found myself wasted playing some Galaxian, Donkey Kong Jr. and Crystal Castles. So, let's get an honest opinion here, who preferes to have the DP after party in a hotel room like we have become accustomed to and who would rather see it right on the expo floor? What are your likes and dislikes to both options? Thanks guys.

    Digitpress Jim
    I missed it, but I plan on making it next year.

    My opinion would probably depend on how many people plan on showing up to it. Joe mentioned 60 people were signed up, which would mean one cluttered hotel room.

    I think it would be awesome to see one on the expo floor in my opinion. Much more room to jack around in

  14. #14
    Strawberry (Level 2)
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    401
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Let me rephrase that, we have a suite that we use to host the DP parties when it comes to doing it in a room so it can be spacious as well.
    I love ALL Video Games with all my heart and soul

  15. #15
    Cherry (Level 1) vectrexer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Pacifica, CA, USA
    Posts
    238
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    After all the time we have had CGE in LV we never have a custom poker chip as part of the swag bags. Maybe a custom chip the next time that can be tied to a CGE event or post CGE web site activity? Tied to a game of course.
    - v


  16. #16
    Cherry (Level 1) vectrexer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Pacifica, CA, USA
    Posts
    238
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 4ever2600 View Post
    Yeah, most of the unpreparedness of the after party was my fault for not getting the liquor ready for all the thirsty mouths. I take responsibility for that. I guess I'm just not good of a party organizer... it was my first party as an organizer. Ever... I agree with Joe wholeheartedly. I still think it was the best after party ever just BECAUSE it was in the show hall.
    I have to shoulder some of that load as well. The pizza could have been there at a better time. My party planning is not tops in anyone's book. I definitely need some time under Maneesh Goyal's wing.

    On flip side of that pizza thing, the karma came back and bit me right away in the form of forgetting to pick up the Aluminum cased special edition Vectrex controller and light pen set from my auction winnings earlier that night. (it was gone by 11AM the next day when i remembered)


    Leave me to round up the Corona for the last auction item. I'll get that detail to event on time!
    Last edited by vectrexer; 08-06-2010 at 03:14 AM.
    - v


  17. #17
    Pear (Level 6) Oldskool's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,262
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Partly the reason why it took a while for us to get the alcohol was because we had to go off strip to get a case. The hotel didn't have cases, we would have had to buy single beers and that would have got expensive REAL quick. Down Trop a bit we found a place, and it was not TOO far away.

    The Fridge was an excellent idea, and I think we need to have one every year. I honestly think we should have saved it for the next EXPO.

    As far as the after party is concerned, I think we need to get the beer BEFORE the Auction. One reason why the beer didn't arrive until later is because everyone was wrapped up participating/watching the auction. Also another concern is, if we get it too early where will we put it to keep it cool until the after party?

    Joe and I discussed doing a Rock Band setup, but I didn't have one at home to bring down to the show. Maybe if we can plan that for next year that would be pretty fun too. Drunken Rock Band is the best haha.

    Really, it's too hard to micro manage everything, there are just TOO many details. My advice would be to assign certain things to certain people or groups of people and count on them to get it done. That way there is not too large of a load on anyone's backs.

  18. #18
    Peach (Level 3)
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    westchester,IL
    Posts
    632
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    overall the show was great.
    I missed a few keynotes but that was due on my part.
    the only problem I had was that the hotel was overbooked and they
    messed up the room. ended up getting a suite on the old part of the hotel that
    was due to be knocked down fri-sun and then moved to the pairdice tower on sun-tues.
    I miss not having a program this year.
    I went to a JS-II after party at gameworks so I didn't know about the Dp one
    (I knew about the one at pinball hall of fame)
    there were restaurants at the Excalibur like mickey d's and crispy creams.....
    plus for 29.00 you could had a 24hr pass to the round table buffet there(breakfast,lunch and dinner)

  19. #19
    Avoiding OT Vectorman0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    CT - USA
    Posts
    4,398
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Vectorman0
    PSN
    Vectorman0

    Default

    Lets decide on a regular group photo time that will be the same every year. That way it always happens and we all know when to expect it. I think 5:00 at show close (before the auction) would be best.


  20. #20
    Pac-Man (Level 10) NoahsMyBro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    3,144
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    *** NUMBER ONE TIP ***

    To repeat something mentioned above:
    If your significant other isn't into things, don't bring her/him. Just like talking your wife into the car you think she should buy, this is probably something everyone must learn for themselves, but try to believe me and take my advice. I spent a lot of time both at CGE and at wife-things feeling uneasy because I needed/wanted to be elsewhere.


    Suggesstions:
    * Re: After-party -- Due to the wife issue I left early and returned late, but the time I hung out at the party was terrific. I also thought the whole thing was based on word-of-mouth, but I did find the party and will know to look for the sign-up next year. Also, if there was any sort of money collection for the party I didn't contribute and was never hit up. Chris, OldSkool, I'm happy to PayPal somebody if I should - let me know.

    * Signage and info dissemination - I had trouble finding out what time the show BEGAN. I don't recall if that was posted on the signs in the hall near the show, but I could not find it anywhere on the CGE website. I wanted to get to the show immediately at open on Saturday morning in order to pick up a boxed copy of Failsafe (7800). AA had said there would be 10 copies and I didn't want to miss out, but I had to guess what time the doors opened. I wandered down to the show thinking I'd be a little early and might help with finishing touches before the doors opened and got there right at opening. I did get the Failsafe, but maybe next year the time can be posted on the website.

    * I second the idea for more description-cards in the Museum, but that seems like an awful lot of work. I don't know who produced the cards that were there but they looked great.

    * Bags and the museum - The guards were very strict about not letting folks bring any sort of bags into the museum, including purses. I believe this caused a lot of people to either not check out the museum, or else to feel anxiety when leaving valuables on the floor by the door. I don't know what we can do to improve that situation but something surely can be done. I wonder if maybe bags could be left with the DP booth and numbered tags given to people to match the bag to the person? (Sort of like a coat check.) I'm not eager to add more pressure to the DP table staffers, but I don't know how we could get an addl person to work the bag-check continuously. And of course I'm open to other ideas as well.

    * Personally I was disappointed I didn't meet more DP folks. This is clearly nobody's fault but my own, but I still wonder what could be done to improve that. I met Sothy, Vectrexer and RetroYoungen, but I think that's it. Above a couple of you mentioned a Group Photo. That would be great, and would help with this, I think.

    * Regarding the Group Photo - Assuming we do have a group photo, I'd like it labelled with names and handles after-the-fact to help learn everybody's names. Not helpful for the show, but certainly helpful after-the-fact.

    * Keynotes - Not only was it very hard to hear most of the speakers near the back of the room, but there was no way to know their names after the introductions. Next year there should be name-plaques on the table in front of each speaker.

    Finally, I know you guys want to establish a routine for the show and avoid constant year-to-year changes. In keeping with that I assume you want to stay at the Trop. Personally I didn't like the Trop for many reasons that had nothing to do with the show, so I'd vote for a change of venue if that was up for consideration. Of course I've never stayed at any other Vegas hotel and don't know how the prices compare either so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

    Looking forward to (the 10th Anniversary show - right John?) next year!
    "A 'Radical Centrist' ??? Isn't that like being a Take-No-Prisoners Pussy? " - Stephen Colbert
    My Resume
    My Blog


Similar Threads

  1. My big job for Classic Gaming Expo... help me out!
    By Janice in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 89
    Last Post: 08-19-2004, 12:01 AM
  2. VIRTUAL Classic Gaming Expo
    By digitalpress in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 08-12-2003, 02:09 PM
  3. Classic Gaming Expo- Here I Come!
    By Janice in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 51
    Last Post: 08-07-2003, 12:42 AM
  4. Classic Gaming Expo on G4
    By digitalpress in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-12-2002, 05:50 AM
  5. Classic Gaming Expo Pics
    By digitalpress in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 08-17-2002, 04:08 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •