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Post by grahamthomson on Aug 19, 2009 8:38:44 GMT
I didn't go this year, but over the last couple of days I've been looking at the various photo galleries, forums, YouTube videos, reviews, comments, Facebook wall posts and such.
The general consensus certainly is that AA09 was the best Transformers convention experience... ever!
In the entire 10 year history of UK-based TF cons, it looks like AA09 was the most enjoyable event for the people that went. And, in a lot of cases, people are even saying that it was the best weekend of their life.
I have never, ever, in the last 10 years, seen feedback like this. I am really blown away by it all. Seriously.
To get this kind of response means that Simon Plumbe and his team have put in an inordinate amount of time and effort.
So, to them, I say a hu-uge "well done". Well done!
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Aug 19, 2009 8:46:22 GMT
I'll echo that. Well done to all.
This was a landmark, in that UK Transformers events made the leap from collector event to full-blown science fiction convention, which hadn't quite been managed before.
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 19, 2009 9:50:33 GMT
Thirded. Ive only the last two years to go by but this year was better in so many ways, well every way, the location, the guests, the transformers Sky Sports in the bar. everything. Even the set up on Friday afternoon had a buzz about it. I didn't pre register for next year but I'll be doing everything in my power to make it.
Andy
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panderson
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Post by panderson on Aug 19, 2009 10:18:51 GMT
soo sad I missed it now but my lass comes before TFs I'm afraid (does this get me disowned?) - but depending on dates will def come next time.....so wanted to get a Grimlock sig POUT
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Aug 19, 2009 10:53:23 GMT
Next year's dates were announced. I think it must have been 14th-15th August.
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panderson
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Post by panderson on Aug 19, 2009 10:59:58 GMT
HEck - then doubt will ever be able to go again - better half's bday is on the 16th and its a big one next year - mmm I sense some negotiaitons and compromies will need to be made
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 19, 2009 11:24:04 GMT
Simon Plumbe got a standing ovation. Richly deserved.
I agree with Graham's assessment. This will go down as the legendary TF UK fan experience.
-Ralph
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Post by blueshift on Aug 19, 2009 12:11:07 GMT
Hear hear! What a great con!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 12:11:19 GMT
HEck - then doubt will ever be able to go again - better half's bday is on the 16th and its a big one next year - mmm I sense some negotiaitons and compromies will need to be made maybe you take her with you to Birmingham, and spend the evenings together or something? I too applaud Simon again, and look forward to next years convention  lets hope Hasbro decide its worth making it an official convention, and we get freebies from them too |
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Post by blueshift on Aug 19, 2009 12:19:59 GMT
Wait MY birthday is the 16th
OH MY IS IT ME?
16th next year is the day after the Con, I'm sure you can do both
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 18:35:32 GMT
I've only been to the 08 and 09 conventions so far but this years one was so amazing that I am seriously considering going again next year.
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 19, 2009 18:56:29 GMT
I'm going through all the comments here and on the Moonbase 2 as well as checking out the various vids the UK youtubers have done. I've yet to see one negative comment.
-Ralph
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 19:00:55 GMT
I'm going through all the comments here and on the Moonbase 2 as well as checking out the various vids the UK youtubers have done. I've yet to see one negative comment. -Ralph I'll give a negative comment then...um.... It wasn't long enough... yeah...that's all I got |
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Post by legios on Aug 19, 2009 19:40:39 GMT
Simon's standing ovation was richly deserved - as are all the plaudits for the rest of the team. Auto Assembly 2009 was a genuinely exceptional experience. A lot of people worked very hard to make it a roaring success, and their efforts were very much worthwhile.
Karl
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Aug 19, 2009 20:28:20 GMT
Your birthday is the day after the con? I'll have to sort you out with a couple of freebies then  Slightly ill-advised Sunday morning rock concert aside, this con was a blast. I had a great time and 90% of the people I met weren't certifiable nutters, which I think is a record for a TF con! The banter was fantastic, the events were great fun, Cullen got munted and wound up with the complexion and colouring of a cheese slice and I fell asleep in the pub! Ticks all the boxes of a successful Hub meet along with being a tremendous success for everyone involved in planning as well as myself and my pals at Mary's Meals. Simon and friends should be rightly proud and maybe a little intimidated that they're going to try to put something even better together next year! -Nick |
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Post by jonathan85 on Aug 19, 2009 21:17:51 GMT
This was the first TF con I've ever been, and I was blown away by how good it was. Well organised, and really friendly. I didn't even mind the morning concert...
Well done to the organisers, but no idea how they can top it next year!
Jonathan
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 19, 2009 21:19:58 GMT
Um yeah if I had to find , if not a negative, something that could be improved, the Saturday night didn't get off to the best start and the Sunday concert could have done with being less loud. It made talking to the guests on one of my few ventures away from Toy Fu a bit difficult.
Andy
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Post by kayevcee on Aug 19, 2009 21:39:23 GMT
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KoshNaranek
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Post by KoshNaranek on Aug 20, 2009 1:51:56 GMT
I'll add my congrats to the organisers as well, it was the best UK convention I've ever been to and second best over all. That's not a negative comment, BTW, just that nothing really can beat BotCon 2007 for me. A big shout out to dinotron for the large part he played in keeping things entertaining with his MC work, and also to Mr Turnbull for a topper job on sound and video. I agree with Nick and Andy regarding the late Saturday start and the Sunday morning concert, but they were minor niggles and can be forgiven as they were far outweighed by the good stuff. One more thing, and I know I've probably mentioned it before elsewhere, but Nick Davidson, Nigel Mably and Nick Roche, I salute you all!
- Tony
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Post by grahamthomson on Aug 20, 2009 6:40:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2009 7:01:55 GMT
lol the singer wasnt even able to sing on the sunday, i think cos he ripped his vocal cords on the saturday (not surprising) |
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 20, 2009 9:13:49 GMT
Um yeah if I had to find , if not a negative, something that could be improved, the Saturday night didn't get off to the best start and the Sunday concert could have done with being less loud. It made talking to the guests on one of my few ventures away from Toy Fu a bit difficult. Andy The Saturday start happened because everybody piled in before they were meant to. When the band were still setting up/and doing the soundcheck. Coupled with the fact that the halls closed at 6 and people just wouldn't leave. Andy |
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Post by Kingoji on Aug 20, 2009 9:24:27 GMT
Maybe a way around that next year would be to try and have the evening programs in a seperate hall? If it's at the same place, I know that wouldn't really be viable, but if it's at a different venue it might be worth thinking about.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Aug 20, 2009 9:47:14 GMT
I'm going through all the comments here and on the Moonbase 2 as well as checking out the various vids the UK youtubers have done. I've yet to see one negative comment. -Ralph I have one!  I'd prefer to call it constructive criticism. Saturday night had the wrong type of seating. Cabaret seating didn't work with the type of music that Next of Kin were playing. It would have been fine with the disco that was originally planned, but conflicted with the live rock music. Also, as Next of Kin didn't kick off their set with Transformers as everyone expected, it didn't get people on their side and exacerbated that conflict. But, of course, that was something beyond the organisers' control, as was the too-high volume on Sunday morning. Poor Andy was getting flak for that, but it was the band's amps that were the problem. |
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Post by Cullen on Aug 20, 2009 11:46:46 GMT
Yeah I really did not need that music on the Sunday with the giant hangover I had. Otherwise it was a great weekend. I'll definitely stay for the whole weekend next time and not just the Saturday night. |
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 21, 2009 18:37:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2009 19:37:29 GMT
Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I'm really touched and to be honest, we're pretty scared about how we're going to do better next year but we're going to give it a bloody good go!
The Sunday show from Next Of Kin was pretty unplanned but on Saturday night they came up to me and said that rather than pack up their kit straight away they could leave it set up on stage and do a bonus show for us on Sunday morning so we thought why not - two concerts for the price of one... and the karaoke to Dare and The Touch seemed to be a bit of a laugh although typically I missed both!!
We weren't too sure about the hall layout for Saturday night but we were using the biggest hall that the hotel had to offer and it was a tough choice whether to stick with the theatre layout (with the dealers section closed off) or try something different to have the cabaret look and keep it more relaxed. We may re-jig it slightly and have a mix of the two next year with smaller tables and more single seats as well but we've got a year to work it all out!
One thing we will say about moving venue for a bigger hall... there aren't any! There are only three hotels in Birmingham that are big enough to hold Auto Assembly now and to have attendees stay on-site... the Holiday Inn, the Chamberlain (which is about 10-15 mins walk out of the city centre) and one over at the NEC which would cost a bloody fortune! lol
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Post by blueshift on Aug 22, 2009 20:03:55 GMT
Simon! Fantastic! I'd like to think you have only just recovered from the awesomeness that was AA. I'm sure you can top it, and if you need any help there's always heads you can knock on here!
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I'd prefer to call it constructive criticism. Saturday night had the wrong type of seating. Cabaret seating didn't work with the type of music that Next of Kin were playing. It would have been fine with the disco that was originally planned, but conflicted with the live rock music. Also, as Next of Kin didn't kick off their set with Transformers as everyone expected, it didn't get people on their side and exacerbated that conflict. But, of course, that was something beyond the organisers' control, as was the too-high volume on Sunday morning. Poor Andy was getting flak for that, but it was the band's amps that were the problem.
