Balticon 57 AAR
Jun. 9th, 2023 02:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wombat_sochoAfter action report on Balticon 57, sent as feedback to Balticon.
This is the first Balticon in 40+ years where I can honestly say I did not have a good time. Thanks to your mask policy (one which,I will point out, was not mentioned in any of the emails I received, nor was it stipulated in the convention website) I was unable to attend more than one panel (where I was not asked to mask) and was actually asked to leave another, after which I did not attempt to attend any others. I was barred from entering the dealers room and art show. Once you subtract these things, what exactly is there to enjoy at the convention? I could have saved myself much difficulty, $300 in hotel costs, and considerable annoyance by simply visiting friends in the Baltimore-Washington area instead.
I am unable to wear a mask without experiencing difficulty in breathing thanks to asthma incurred during my military service. This, and your intrusive vaccine policy, kept me from attending last year. However, after examining the website and not seeing either a mask requirement or a proof of vaccination requirement, I decided to finally cash in the membership I bought in 2019 and spend the weekend with friends, see some authors I hold in high regard, and enjoy some quality panels.
Alas, it was not to be. I believe I have been subjected to a bait and switch here, and it makes me feel like a pure fool for not only believing your published materials, but buying a couple of swag items to help support a convention that arguably stole my money from me. I doubt I will be returning to Balticon next year for more of the same treatment, and I will be advising other fans to avoid Balticon, because you people have managed to destroy a good reputation that was over 40 years in the making. I used to enjoy Balticon greatly, but I guess that Balticon is old and burnt now. Caitlin Walsh has summarized my experience in the attached cartoon.
I will be cc'ing your incoming chairman, Sam Lubell, in the next disty of N'APA.
