Indylander Con

[Barney]

Hey guys - Those of us who were not present at the con this weekend are waiting with bated breath for news. Tell us about your wonderful time and don't leave anything out. Don't be shy, we really want to hear from you!

[Matthew MacLeod]

Sleep is good.... Sleep is my friend.. LOL I go back to sleep.. ;)

[appeace]

Bwwwaaaaa! When you come out of hibernation, please tell us all the juicy details:D:cool:

[pukkie]

That is not nice from you, go too sleep:);)
and let us waiting LOL
Sleep well and dream sweet:)

[Matthew MacLeod]

Yep sleep is a good thing lol. i think i need some more..

Indylander was great.. But very tiring.

[Bethie]

I found this! Pictures and everything!!

http://valoise.livejournal.com/

[Matthew MacLeod]

So what would you like to know? LOL I am somewhat more awake now.
The whole weekend is still somewhat a blur too.

I know a couple questions people are asking all around. Which I'll try to answer.

How many people showed up? I've heard alot. I've heard a little.
Yes there are conflicting reports.

We had 8 of the celebrities come. Brandon had last minute business to attend too with a project they told him about and Richard was already not able to make it as he got a TV show he couldn't pass up.

We still had 8 GOH though. Stan, Peter, Elizabeth, Lisa, Marcus, James, David and F Braun. All who had fun. They were able to relax as most had been working constantly before this. It gave them a break too. We arranged the schedule so they had plenty of time to relax and not feel worn out from doing too much. Elizabeth didn't hold her class as she pulled a muscle in her back before coming.

As far as attendees. We had at last count 68 people total. With the last minute emergencies. I was shocked when we tallied that many. It did look a little bare at times. But it made the expirience that much better for those that came and stayed the 3 days. Not everyone was able to attend all 3 days too. The parade blocking the streets didn't help those coming into town. Several locals did come for just a day and had to go back to work. It was surprizing those that did make it. We did have a stack of tags for people that didn't make it. We should of had 85. But hey its all good.


How is the money situation is the next biggest question going around?

I'm fine on money. Don't worry.. Everything was paid for. We had a couple very nice sponsors too. All the stars were paid in full too. The hotel was paid for even their last minute screw up. Just make sure you do all business before the banks close early and then don't tell you they are doing that! I have come to hate international wire transfers too. The only thing I am paying for now is the hotel rooms. Which those are on my credit card which is coming. It wasn't a big huge con. So the appearence fees are lower than what people would think.

I had been saving for a long while too. Plus I didn't win the Source set visit a couple years ago. Which thinking on that now. I'd say it was better off not being involve with that. :D

I'm extremely happy with how things turned out considering everthing.
Yes there were problems LOL. Good greif there were problems. And with some no amount of planning can prepare you for somethings.

Yes things definately didn't go as planned. That last minute emergency of someone going to the ER just 4 hours before they were to be at the hotel didn't help things at all. They couldn't make it at all on doctors orders. All their hard work they did throughout and they couldn't even enjoy it. It re-arranged plans very quickly for alot of others. All the planning and organization we had worked on for so many months went pretty much out the window when that happened. Some already had their schedules and were not able to be contacted to step up at that last moment. All I could do was apologize and take care of what I could. It definitely wasn't how I wanted it.

We all had to deal with it to the best of our abilities at the last moment. Which we did as best we could considering the circumstances. You just don't expect someone to have a life threatening emergency hours before the event you've planned months for. It doubled my already busy workload. I handled it as professionally as I know I could. Which everyone understood even the stars. I think I pushed my own limits on what is humanly possible with everything at that point. We basically did the impossible though.

Who was the person that forced me sit down to take time to eat? Thanks whoever that was.

And one of the missing security guys surfaced. The other we are still checking side ditches/dumpsters for. We still can't find him. We might need to go check the Indy Canal before long. LOL :eek: Because he was supposedly on his way.

I am extremely happy with it all now. Especially considering everything that has went on over the planning. And it was alot. Don't kid yourself. I'm not allowed to talk about everything either so most will never know somethings. And despite un-imaginable odds we didn't cancel like jumpcon either. I promised it would happen no matter what and I delivered on it. Those that missed it. Missed a very fun time.

Alot loved the bags they got which included photos on the side. Everyone seems to have had a great time. Several newbies who came had the expirience of a lifetime and others left saying it was the best HL event ever. Smaller is better too everyone knows that. The auction was longer than expected, the silent auction didn't get to happen. No extra time to divide stuff. So we might be doing an online one later on with some extra stuff we have.

Everyone was dragging that last day from the late night of partying. I think Peter and Stan beat me staying up till 4am to my 3am but the Chinese food was good LOL. That 6 am came quickly though.

It was a great start to everything we wanted to start with this.. Alot are wanting to keep things going and are forming a new group. To which I hope we'll be able to help do alot of good things for people. Which we are really looking into and know is possible. We did donate some money to a local charity. So everything was good.

And the other big question people are asking.
Will there be another Indylander?

ARE YOU INSANE!?!?! LOL j/k
Give me a few months then i'll decide where I sit on it. Let me talk to my agent too. LOL I think I'll include hazard pay the next time.

If we do one it will be a while off though. But we aren't ruling it out completely. I know a few things to avoid too. That weekend and that hotel. I have alot going on with my career now too. So we'll see. Never say never. Because you never know what I'll do.

I know alot want us too. So we just might be willing to consider it.

I'm still working on the photos.

Have fun everyone.
Matthew