Sidhe, welcome to T21

I don't know anyone personally that's going to this event. Most people are spent out this year from other cons or already attending 2 or 3 other functions that weekend.

As I've mentioned before, the unfortunate lack of website information for this doesn't help in finding updates. If it was me I'd try ringing the telephone number for clarification. Depending on the system running for this event there could be a simple reason your tickets haven't arrived yet. With some events you can just arrive with identification to pick up your registration pack on arrival at the hotel for example.

If you can't get hold of the event regarding your hotel you could try telephoning the Thistle Heathrow (0208 7592400) directly as *usually* bookings would be in the attendees names.

Hope you get some feedback soon

(Edited by Pegasus 11/10/2002 01:02)

Thanks Pegasus, but I've tried phoning and the excuse given is that they didn't know how many tickets to print! HSE regulations limit the number of people at a venue so they should have known the maximum right at the start. And that's the number of tickets you print. It's not cost effective to print two separate lots if you sell out the first. You print the maximum right from the start.

Also, the people at the Heathrow also thought it was being sponsored by Sky - it isn't.

And no hotel booking has been made in my name - I've already checked. Apparently I am now told that a block booking has been made for a certain number of rooms - but that doesn't guarantee ME a room. For all other cons, the hotel contacts you direct when the information is passed to them by the organiser. This hasn't happened.

Not happy. BTW I organise conferences and this is not, in my book, a professional way of doing things.

My tickets arrived on Saturday morning (12th Oct). I don't have a room at the Thistle as they were fully booked when I bought my tickets, so I'm in at the Holiday Inn.
I must admit that I found the organisers very helpful when I called them, however having now received my tickets, and details of the day, I am a bit annoyed to find that autographs and photographs of the stars are starting at 9am, and there is no mention of them actually attending the party at all. However in their adverts it states that they will be at the party 7:30 - 3am. I'm travelling a long way to get to this do, and somehow feel cheated as I won't be able to get there early enough now. Anyone else annoyed by this?

So has this become a whole day event then?

I assume you mean 9am Friday morning??

Yes, 9am on the Friday for autographs, photos etc, at £20 for an autograph and £20 for a photo. Followed by question sessions with the stars and more photos. I haven't got the itinerary on me at the mo, but the party itself doesn't start until 9pm now.

*Eek* £20 for a photo and £20 for an autograph?????

Thats daylight robbery - sorry.......

Most conventions only charge £10 per item and for more guests as well *sigh*

As Sidhe says Health & Safety issues can come into the fore as well. When I spoke to the organiser I was told they were looking at having around 1000 people there when its known for a fact that the hall they will be using doesn't hold that many......

Glad I'm saving my money for the Starfury event the next day.

I saw this post on another message board and felt that this should be made more aware:-

"I just phoned up Sky's head office in London - 0207 705 3000 - there the Viewers Relations Department confirmed that Sky is not involved with the November Ball, not even sponsoring, and advised me to take it up with the organiser of same that he is making the false statement claiming Sky's involvement. They also confirmed that I was not the first to enquire.

I then phoned Advertising Standards, who advised me that if I wanted to make a complaint to write to them. This is from their website:

If you feel you have been misled or offended by a non-broadcast advertisement in the UK, please write to us and we will look into your complaint.

The ASA's remit covers print advertisements in newspapers or magazines, outdoor posters; direct mail leaflets and brochures, cinema advertisements, advertisements on the internet, including banner and pop up ads and commercial emails and sales promotions of any kind.

All complaints to us should be made in writing, normally within three months of the advertisement's appearance: this is so that we have a proper record of your complaint and can be sure that there is no misunderstanding about the advertisement you mean or the reasons for your complaint.

You can make a complaint by filling in our online complaints form (www.asa.org.uk/complain/form.asp), or send us a letter to the address below, enclosing a copy of the ad where possible and stating where and when it appeared. Please include your name and address so we can acknowledge your complaint and keep you informed of our progress.

If you are complaining as a private individual, we will not identify you to the company whose advertisement you are complaining about without your permission. However, if a company makes a complaint, we make it a condition that they are identified.

If you would like to contact us for any other reason, you can write to us, phone the number below, or send us a fax.

The Advertising Standards Authority
2 Torrington Place
London
WC1E 7HW
Tel: 020 7580 5555
Fax: 020 7631 3051



I personally feel that the Ball's advert is misleading, 1) in the times it is running - the ads said it was from 7.30pm until 3am, with autograph and photo opportunities during that time, but now they are informing people with two weeks notice that it is running from 9am, when most of us will be at work and after we have made travel plans to get there for the evening, thereby missing the autographs and photos which are happening before 730pm. Also the guest will be there in the daytime and may not attend the evening event, so again, most of us will miss out if this is the case. 2) in using Sky's logo when Sky are not sponsoring the event.

I now feel the Ball has deliberately lied to us all. If, as many of my friends have done, you have booked for it believing Sky's involvement guaranteed a "cast guest" - I am sorry, but Mercedes McNab is not cast and £39 for an evenings themed disco which she probably won't even attend is too much in my opinion. I plan to advise those I know have booked to phone up Glenn Dellamore at Jealous Events and ask for a refund as his event is not as advertised. If he refuses, as I believe he may well do, then I advise you to complain to Sky - they can say its nothing to do with them, but if enough of us complain, then that attitude will have to change, as it is there name that has sold the tickets for the Ball - and to the Advertising Standards Agency.

Please cross-post this to any other boards or lists where you think others may have been mislead by the Ball's false advertising."

Jola,

Just gotta reply as i have done elsewhere about the Halloween Ball.

To clarify for people, I am in no way connected with Jealous Events but I believe that the messages put around about the ball are incorrect (at the very least) and deserve a response.

To the people that are going. Just enjoy it. It's a party. Don't let the party poopers win!

It is a Buffy/Angel THEMED Halloween Party.

If you look at it in the cold harsh of day it is just a glorified party run on a theme. Noone is obliged to do the fancy dress, get a hotel, do the photos/autographs etc. Yes all that can run do a lot of money but you do that in the spirit of the party and only do as much as you want.

If the buffy people are that important then maybe Mercedes' signing tour would have been better.

If you really want a Buffy/Angel event then 'The Harvest', End of Days or the ultimate - the Posting Board Party - is where you want to be.

I only meant to be critical in that I think the spread of some of the posts unanswered is wrong and the arguments themselves are not thought through. I've only ever wished to point that out.

All in all i'm happy to meet everyone on here that's going and have a good time - cos i'm spending enough too!


Anyway, this is an official response from Glenn on some of the issues raised.

1.
'Corporate Intellectual Property' issues of "Jealous Event Productions"
and
"British Sky Broadcasting Limited" are confidential; information
relating to
dealings cannot be disclosed or discussed. However, Jealous and
"British Sky
Broadcasting Limited" have had various business dealings since 1997.

2.
Ticket price is a matter of personal opinion. Just under 2,000 "Event"
attendees seem to think that the related price is fine.

3.
The capacity of a venue is decided upon the the owners and management
of the
building who are familiar with regulations and suitable numbers. In
addition,
people will not be aware that we have hired the entire 'Convention
Centre
Building' which includes 2 floors, all functions rooms, an adjoining
marque
and an out door area.

4.
Conventions are usually 2-3 days and hotel discounts will obviously be
lower
for 2 or 3 day bookings. However, I cannot comment on how hotels
calculate
their tariffs for conventions.

5.
Our advertising has never mentioned 'full' cast members appearing,
which
would be quite impossible during 'filming season'.

6.
The attractions as advertised, remain the same and unchanged, all
advertised
attractions commence at 8pm and we ask attendees to arrive at 7.30pm.
Cast
'Signings and Photos' have been added in addition to the main event and
is
not included within the "Event" ticket/pass, as stated on the event
literature. This is regarded as being forewarned prior to the "Event".

7.
Yes, you are quite right this "Event" is a "Halloween Vampire Ball" and
advertised as such and not a 'convention'.

(personal comments edited out here)

Healthy regards,

Glenn Dellimore
Executive Producer
Jealous Event Productions

---

by ReallyCurious
1.
'Corporate Intellectual Property' issues of "Jealous Event Productions"
and
"British Sky Broadcasting Limited" are confidential; information
relating to
dealings cannot be disclosed or discussed. However, Jealous and
"British Sky
Broadcasting Limited" have had various business dealings since 1997.

---

Im not making any slurs but can he explain why are Sky denieing any involvement then, instead of saying its confidential.

---

3.
The capacity of a venue is decided upon the the owners and management
of the
building who are familiar with regulations and suitable numbers. In
addition,
people will not be aware that we have hired the entire 'Convention
Centre
Building' which includes 2 floors, all functions rooms, an adjoining
marque
and an out door area.

Glenn Dellimore
Executive Producer
Jealous Event Productions

---

Even then is gonna be a squeeze at the Thistle for 2000 people the advertisement says Candlelit thats gotta be a fire hazard

---

by really curious
2.
Ticket price is a matter of personal opinion. Just under 2,000 "Event"
attendees seem to think that the related price is fine.

---

the phrase "there's one born every minute" springs to mind.

How come Sean can get an equal value guest (Mercedes Vs Neil Roberts, cant be much in it) and charge only £6

---

by Cat
the phrase "there's one born every minute" springs to mind.

How come Sean can get an equal value guest (Mercedes Vs Neil Roberts, cant be much in it) and charge only £6

---

Neil Roberts is English, isn't he? I can only imagine he's already in the country, and they don't have to pay for flights. And personally I'd have thought Mercedes would be a bigger attraction, having been a recurring character on Buffy for such a long time...

*takes off her staff hat*

Before I commment on this, PLEASE note that this is my own personal opinion and NOT in anyway an 'official' T21 response to this thread.

In addition to the comments on this thread relating concerns about this event, I've also spoken to some people from other boards - many of which are experienced con attendees/organisers of whom I think a lot and trust a great deal.

I'm not attending this event, basically because it is too far away, however, if I was ever thinking about going, based on the things I've read here and elsewhere, I would seriously think carefully about getting *all* the facts about this event before you send your money. I know of two people now who have been refused a refund and are taking further legal action.

It's not that I don't want T21 to promote this event, it's just that I haven't heard a single positive thing about it.

I wouldn't want anyone to get ripped off by an event that has been listed in our forums. Please be careful and do your honework before paying out not only for tickets (money for which is seemingly not going to be refunded) but also for travel and accommodation.

Trading Standards are aware of these 'misunderstandings' so if you have any complaints, please take them to the appropriate authority.

I hope I'm totally wrong and if you do go, I'll cross my fingers and hope you have fun.

I hope those that go to this event enjoy themselves as well - I only posted the earlier comment as I found it interesting to read and thought others were made aware of the situation.

So ReallyCurious I can understand your post balancing the statements, but please don't feel that they are my personal comments as they are not - it was copied from another message board that you post on so that others are made aware of the situation.

---

by In a State of Dan
(quotes)
Neil Roberts is English, isn't he? I can only imagine he's already in the country, and they don't have to pay for flights. And personally I'd have thought Mercedes would be a bigger attraction, having been a recurring character on Buffy for such a long time...

---

agreed on flight cost, but a £33 difference is a little excesive. expecially when you consider that the heathrow hotel can take hold in excess of a thousand attendees, pages limit is (i believe) 150.

as for the attraction of the guests, Neil was in Charmed just as much as Mercedes has been in Buffy and was a major bad guy, where as mercedes character was, at best, an annoyance. (to the other characters that is)

Not meaning to hijack this thread - but Neil Roberts was extremely funny at Bad Girls, especially joining in the fancy dress as Hugh Grant's police pic

There are different types of event guests - and Neil is the partying kind

So who all went to this event then?

I went and thought that it was ok, if a little pricey.

Met some fab Buffy enthusiasts, and swapped emails. It's good to know that I'm not the only Buffy nut out there!

What did you lot think about it?

i went, and completely enjoyed myself... didn't actually meet any other nuts, though it was quite obvious that almost everyone there was one.

the uh... ghost train was interesting... and became more interesting after a few drinks.

but yeah, i had a great time and danced like a freak. didn't get back to my room til 4am.

(i was the bad willow waving the orange sticks around btw).

Welcome to T21 Sazemoo

---

by sazemoo
but yeah, i had a great time and danced like a freak. didn't get back to my room til 4am.

---

that's the best bit about things - the parties Glad you guys had a great time - anyone got any pics?


(Edited by Pegasus 05/11/2002 01:02)

Went with my mates, had a fabulous time BUT - the camera mangled our film !!!!! So, if anyone has pics, especially of the 3 mad chicks who spent most of the evening in the gents !!! take pity on us. Also, has anyone succeeded in ordering the event video from the ticket hotline ?? I just keep getting an answerphone.

I took two disposable cameras, and get the film back on Friday. I took quite a few piccies of people in their fancy dress, so may have one of you guys in there somewhere.

Does anyone know anything about the official Posting Board Party?

Ps. I did see the mad willow with the glow sticks right at the end of the night.

Pps. I was one of the Buffy's in red leather.