Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my photos that I took during Minecon 2013 this weekend. Had an awesome opportunity to volunteer as an agent and got a lot of behind the scenes action along the way! I ended up working more than the info booth as well. Got to set up a bunch of Alienware PCs and laptops for the gaming/tournament area and then tested out FyreUK's Parkour Map on Friday before the show even started, on Saturday for the opening ceremony I was in the front by the right side of the stage and got to help get some extra chairs for the Mojang staff last minute because they didn't setup enough then ushered in the huge crowd when they opened up curtains to reveal the main exhibit hall.
Worked at the info booth both Saturday and Sunday helping lots of people with questions about various things, sadly there were some people that actually showed up wanting to buy tickets and we had to turn them away! One couple drove down from Canada taking a chance to see if someone would be willing to sell their tickets last minute! Then they had a few parents of kids that came by that also didn't have tickets and felt so bad after we told them tickets were sold out and the look on the kid's faces made my heart sank. We did however offered them an alternative and told everyone who didn't have a ticket that couldn't enter the Main Hall and panel rooms that they could walk up and down the hallways and scope out for YouTube celebs and try to get an autograph and pictures. People who didn't have tickets were able to walk freely along the hallways since they were considered public areas.
Sunday was the best day(had a couple of disappointing moments though) for me since I got to do a lot and felt really good about the community! Lots of people had turned in lost and found items to the info booth and we reunited lots of those items to their rightful owners. People turned in lost wallets, goody bags, tickets, credit cards, autographs, cellphones and even an expensive Alienware laptop! One kid came up to the table and said he was looking for his foam pickaxe he lost with a bunch of autographs on it and while he was trying to explain what happened he started to get very emotional and then when we finally gave him back his pickaxe he started crying and was so excited to see it again. That was one of the best feelings in the world to see a little kid get back something he really treasured.
The Youtube celebrity autograph lines were insane today. It first started with Antvenom and Sky Does Minecraft and a huge mob of people stormed down the stairs/escalators down to the first level and everyone was running and jumping so we had to tell everyone to calm down and don't run since we didn't want to see anyone get trampled or fall. This was the worst part of the day for me. Some jerk guy came up to me with an angry face and told me to "let them be" and that I shouldn't be telling them what to do. I was one of the many Agents and other security trying to tell everyone to calm down and walk but I had the loudest voice so he singled me out. After politely telling him the reason why we wanted everyone to walk he comes back a few mins late with his obnoxious angry attitude and tells me it wasn't my job to control the crowds. I swear I was about to deck him in the face but I kept my cool and ignored him. He was the only a hole I encountered out of my entire weekend at Minecon. Other than that every attendee I came across was very nice and polite. After Antvenom and Sky it was Mindcrack's turn to sign autographs...15 of them! Had to help setup extra tables and chairs and then returned back to the other end of the hall. Once back at the info booth all of a sudden I hear loud pitch screaming come from the stairs/escalators from several attendees I turn my head to look and it was ihascupquake coming down to sign autographs and by the time she reached the last step at the bottom a gigantic mob surround her and I had to rush over and help her. We didn't have enough room downstairs at first to accommodate her so I had to go find a place to get her setup. I left her alone with her husband?for less than a minute to go find out where she should go and I come back to her and shes stuck in a little corner by a food vendor because this crowd is swarming around her. A security guard and one other production staff member is with me and we get to ihascupquake and we escort her a little further down the hall and get her situated to sign autographs.
All the agents got a wrap up meeting after the closing ceremonies and were treated to a private meet and greet with the Mojang crew. Sadly Notch didn't stay and I ran across him while he was leaving with a few people. Supposedly he was heading to one of his infamous parties. In all Minecon started off a bit rough for me and there were some trying moments but towards the end it felt good to be part of an amazing community that shared the same interests. I'm very grateful and humble to have given up my time towards a wonderful opportunity to serve the Minecon community. I hope I can do it all again next year! For anyone wondering if it's worth it to volunteer as an Agent, I would tell them not to take a second thought! It will greatly enhance the whole Minecon experience for you as long as you put in a good effort. I chose to go above and beyond my hours required when I signed up as a volunteer. I would have just wandered around aimlessly for most of the time. Oh I forgot I did end up going to a few panels on Saturday. qCraft was the best one out of the ones I went to , they had a real quantum physicist, a developer, a rep from Google and one other person that gave a very informative look into qCraft and quantum physics. I see amazing things ahead for the qCraft mod! On the other end of the spectrum I was VERY disappointed in the "Building" panel. I came to the Building panel to get tips from the pros on how to build but instead they showed two videos showing off their work and then went straight to a Q&A session! It was obvious they were just there to advertise their servers or show off their builds so I left early.
Below you will find a link to my Photobucket album of Minecon 2013. I didn't get to take a lot of pictures on Friday and Saturday like I wanted to because I was busy helping out and having fun.
Thanks for the recap. I thought about volunteering, but this was basically supposed to be a major trip for my gf and I, and I wanted to be able to spend the time with her instead. I found it odd at first that after paying to be an attendee, they would then ask if I wanted to work. But I guess that's how it's done.
I highly doubt I will get the chance again anytime soon. It's going to become more and more impractical to get to these events as the community grows, and I'm not flying to Japan, or whatever new country they're having it in another year.
Thanks for the recap. I thought about volunteering, but this was basically supposed to be a major trip for my gf and I, and I wanted to be able to spend the time with her instead. I found it odd at first that after paying to be an attendee, they would then ask if I wanted to work. But I guess that's how it's done.
I highly doubt I will get the chance again anytime soon. It's going to become more and more impractical to get to these events as the community grows, and I'm not flying to Japan, or whatever new country they're having it in another year.
I don't blame you for not being able to volunteer. If I had gone with significant other or a friend I wouldn't have ditched them to volunteer. Yes, normally other gaming conventions let their volunteers get in free but we were told that the way the convention was setup this year they couldn't offer it. My speculation is, is that Islands of Adventure had something to do with, but again that's just speculating.
Happy to read you had a good time, Viet Hopefully we can work side by side again next year!
Your help was greatly appreciated and the fact that you stayed longer to help out when others didn't show up for their shift makes me consider you a perfect candidate for next year
Thanks Jimmy! Again, I am very happy and grateful for the opportunity to have worked along side so many awesome people. If you guys need my assistance next year don't hesitate on asking. I would love to do it all over again! Already feeling the post MineCon blues
Haha thanks for the recap and for the pictures! I took a lot of pictures and accidentally deleted the album of which they were in.
Happy to share my experiences from MineCon Aw man that sucks that you lost your pictures! Sorry for the lost, but at least you had a good time at MineCon?
The Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything.
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Ann Arbor
Join Date:
9/24/2011
Posts:
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Minecraft:
tmad40blue
Member Details
Thanks for sharing your experience. I was at the convention with the family who wore the Wither Boss costume for the contest. They brought it through security and on the plane all the way from New Hampshire!
Would you happen to know how to get in contact with the man in the final photo of your album? I believe I remember his name as Jack. He was so incredibly helpful and on top of everything he was doing, and personally made sure that us and the other costume contest participants were in the right place at the right time, even when other staff and Agents obviously did not want to help.
Oh wow, just took a look through the album.
Your final photo, the moment Vu and Lydia tell me some great news!
That was an awesome moment!
But yeah, MINECON. What A brilliant weekend it was!
@tmad40blue - I'm the Jack you are looking for!
Thank you for your kind words about me, I'm glad I made an impact on your weekend and made it as enjoyable as I could for you
Which costume contest entrant were you?
Feel free to get in-touch with me or have a chat with me on TeamSpeak sometime!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I was at the convention with the family who wore the Wither Boss costume for the contest. They brought it through security and on the plane all the way from New Hampshire!
Would you happen to know how to get in contact with the man in the final photo of your album? I believe I remember his name as Jack. He was so incredibly helpful and on top of everything he was doing, and personally made sure that us and the other costume contest participants were in the right place at the right time, even when other staff and Agents obviously did not want to help.
As you can see, hooked you up with Jack If there anything else we can help you with just let us know
Worked at the info booth both Saturday and Sunday helping lots of people with questions about various things, sadly there were some people that actually showed up wanting to buy tickets and we had to turn them away! One couple drove down from Canada taking a chance to see if someone would be willing to sell their tickets last minute! Then they had a few parents of kids that came by that also didn't have tickets and felt so bad after we told them tickets were sold out and the look on the kid's faces made my heart sank. We did however offered them an alternative and told everyone who didn't have a ticket that couldn't enter the Main Hall and panel rooms that they could walk up and down the hallways and scope out for YouTube celebs and try to get an autograph and pictures. People who didn't have tickets were able to walk freely along the hallways since they were considered public areas.
Sunday was the best day(had a couple of disappointing moments though) for me since I got to do a lot and felt really good about the community! Lots of people had turned in lost and found items to the info booth and we reunited lots of those items to their rightful owners. People turned in lost wallets, goody bags, tickets, credit cards, autographs, cellphones and even an expensive Alienware laptop! One kid came up to the table and said he was looking for his foam pickaxe he lost with a bunch of autographs on it and while he was trying to explain what happened he started to get very emotional and then when we finally gave him back his pickaxe he started crying and was so excited to see it again. That was one of the best feelings in the world to see a little kid get back something he really treasured.
The Youtube celebrity autograph lines were insane today. It first started with Antvenom and Sky Does Minecraft and a huge mob of people stormed down the stairs/escalators down to the first level and everyone was running and jumping so we had to tell everyone to calm down and don't run since we didn't want to see anyone get trampled or fall. This was the worst part of the day for me. Some jerk guy came up to me with an angry face and told me to "let them be" and that I shouldn't be telling them what to do. I was one of the many Agents and other security trying to tell everyone to calm down and walk but I had the loudest voice so he singled me out. After politely telling him the reason why we wanted everyone to walk he comes back a few mins late with his obnoxious angry attitude and tells me it wasn't my job to control the crowds. I swear I was about to deck him in the face but I kept my cool and ignored him. He was the only a hole I encountered out of my entire weekend at Minecon. Other than that every attendee I came across was very nice and polite. After Antvenom and Sky it was Mindcrack's turn to sign autographs...15 of them! Had to help setup extra tables and chairs and then returned back to the other end of the hall. Once back at the info booth all of a sudden I hear loud pitch screaming come from the stairs/escalators from several attendees I turn my head to look and it was ihascupquake coming down to sign autographs and by the time she reached the last step at the bottom a gigantic mob surround her and I had to rush over and help her. We didn't have enough room downstairs at first to accommodate her so I had to go find a place to get her setup. I left her alone with her husband?for less than a minute to go find out where she should go and I come back to her and shes stuck in a little corner by a food vendor because this crowd is swarming around her. A security guard and one other production staff member is with me and we get to ihascupquake and we escort her a little further down the hall and get her situated to sign autographs.
All the agents got a wrap up meeting after the closing ceremonies and were treated to a private meet and greet with the Mojang crew. Sadly Notch didn't stay and I ran across him while he was leaving with a few people. Supposedly he was heading to one of his infamous parties. In all Minecon started off a bit rough for me and there were some trying moments but towards the end it felt good to be part of an amazing community that shared the same interests. I'm very grateful and humble to have given up my time towards a wonderful opportunity to serve the Minecon community. I hope I can do it all again next year! For anyone wondering if it's worth it to volunteer as an Agent, I would tell them not to take a second thought! It will greatly enhance the whole Minecon experience for you as long as you put in a good effort. I chose to go above and beyond my hours required when I signed up as a volunteer. I would have just wandered around aimlessly for most of the time. Oh I forgot I did end up going to a few panels on Saturday. qCraft was the best one out of the ones I went to , they had a real quantum physicist, a developer, a rep from Google and one other person that gave a very informative look into qCraft and quantum physics. I see amazing things ahead for the qCraft mod! On the other end of the spectrum I was VERY disappointed in the "Building" panel. I came to the Building panel to get tips from the pros on how to build but instead they showed two videos showing off their work and then went straight to a Q&A session! It was obvious they were just there to advertise their servers or show off their builds so I left early.
Below you will find a link to my Photobucket album of Minecon 2013. I didn't get to take a lot of pictures on Friday and Saturday like I wanted to because I was busy helping out and having fun.
http://s236.photobuc...ow/Minecon 2013
I highly doubt I will get the chance again anytime soon. It's going to become more and more impractical to get to these events as the community grows, and I'm not flying to Japan, or whatever new country they're having it in another year.
I don't blame you for not being able to volunteer. If I had gone with significant other or a friend I wouldn't have ditched them to volunteer. Yes, normally other gaming conventions let their volunteers get in free but we were told that the way the convention was setup this year they couldn't offer it. My speculation is, is that Islands of Adventure had something to do with, but again that's just speculating.
Thanks Jimmy! Again, I am very happy and grateful for the opportunity to have worked along side so many awesome people. If you guys need my assistance next year don't hesitate on asking. I would love to do it all over again! Already feeling the post MineCon blues
Happy to share my experiences from MineCon Aw man that sucks that you lost your pictures! Sorry for the lost, but at least you had a good time at MineCon?
Would you happen to know how to get in contact with the man in the final photo of your album? I believe I remember his name as Jack. He was so incredibly helpful and on top of everything he was doing, and personally made sure that us and the other costume contest participants were in the right place at the right time, even when other staff and Agents obviously did not want to help.
Your final photo, the moment Vu and Lydia tell me some great news!
That was an awesome moment!
But yeah, MINECON. What A brilliant weekend it was!
@tmad40blue - I'm the Jack you are looking for!
Thank you for your kind words about me, I'm glad I made an impact on your weekend and made it as enjoyable as I could for you
Which costume contest entrant were you?
Feel free to get in-touch with me or have a chat with me on TeamSpeak sometime!
Slap Gaming Minecraft
• Survival | Creative | PvP | Minigames •
mc.slapgaming.com
As you can see, hooked you up with Jack If there anything else we can help you with just let us know
Here's my photo album, as promised: https://plus.google.com/photos/110923460164703617387/albums/5944296840042590897