World Mermaid Awards relocated from Mirage Hotel to Silverton Hotel

[malinghi]

For those who don't know, the venue of the World Mermaid Awards and Convention was just changed from the Mirage to the Silverton.

I just think we should talk about this stuff here because the title of the other thread, "WMA not happening...?", has a title that could confuse people.

[MermaidSaku]

and yet i still can't go ;-;

[Mermaid Sirena]

I know! They also just added a pagent for mermaids which would be so much fun! Everything keeps looking better and better, why do they have to be so far away and it cost so much?

[courtneymermaid]

I am pretty concerned about this last minute location change. I would really like some kind of serious conformation/proof that Hannah Fraser, MeduSirena and the other performers will still be attending... This just seems so last minute... Plus the Silverton has no information up on their website and the Mirage (when I contacted them) had absolutely no idea what I was even talking about.

[AniaR]

I think Sita is trying to make the best of a bad situation where the mirage decided after all these months not to allow the main attractions. I think this is better too because of the dolphin issue. But I know Sita talks to people like Hannah regularly. Just watch their pages and you'll see them posting advertising for it. A few people called Mirage so it's def not there anymore. And the silverton change JUST happened.

[courtneymermaid]

Thank-you for trying to clarify this for me. I still find this whole thing a bit unsettling... I am trying my best to keep my cool and go with the flow, but I still have a hard time understanding how the Mirage just "decides" ten days before a major event that things simply aren't going to work out... I do agree about the dolphin issues, but we knew about the dolphins a long while in advance and no one (though many of us thought about it) said anything. It is something that should have been taken into consideration right then and there.

Don't misunderstand me, I am grateful to Sita for all the hard work and time she has been putting in (and I have told her so through many an email communication). I just wish that things were a little more concrete and not so up in the air.

Edit: Let me just add that it isn't with Sita that I was upset, it is with the hotel for tossing us out at the very last minute.

[MermaidCalliope]

I can't imagine how much work it must take. I've only been to a couple conventions (anime cons and dog shows), but when I stop and think about ALL the things that go on during a convention, it boggles me that ONE PERSON would take it upon themselves to do it all. Kudos to her for finding a new venue... one without poor little dolphin slaves :(

[courtneymermaid]

OK! I'm feeling a little better since I've just received an email conformation from Hannah Fraser that the event it still the same, just at a different location and she is still scheduled to be there! So it looks like everything is going to work out! I've also fired off an email to Sita to get a bit more of a detailed update and I will let you know what's up when she replies.

[AniaR]

I agree with everything you're saying courtney *hugs*

[courtneymermaid]

Aw thanks Raina! Hugs right back at you! :)

[Winged Mermaid]

I hate to be a downer, but this location change is looking bleak. I know at the Mirage they had a GIGANTIC pool, which is probably why Sita chose it in the first place. The Silverton...

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/MerNetwork/ishot-38.jpg
(Image source (http://www.silvertoncasino.com/services/las-vegas-pool.aspx))

Another [customer] image HERE (http://jimmyhoofa-lv.blogspot.com/2010/06/pool-review-silverton.html).

That is a TINY pool. The FB event pages says over 200 people are attending- and those are just the ones who are on FB. It seems to me there will only be enough room for the performers (mainly MeduSirena and Hannah) and the rest of us.. what? Are we supposed to pay $98.37 to get in so we can sit around and watch and after their done maybe sit on the side of the pool while we try and fit limited numbers of mers at at time in the pool? Merfolk take up a lot more room in a pool than the average person considering their flukes and that they need to be swimming and cant' really "stand". It doesn't look like the pool is deep enough to "hover" in the water vertically either.

I was excited to hear about the Pageant.. until I learned that the entry fee is $79 for every category, except for guys which it's about $10 less. They're making it out to be a big thing, but with that entry fee (on top of ticket prices to get in to the event) I don't think we'll see many in it.

I know Sita is doing her best, and that this was probably the only place she could move the place to 2 weeks before hand (venues in LV book up to a year in advance on a regular basis) but.. I just don't see how this is going to work out well, if at all. I know they have a huge tank at the Silverton (117,000 gallons actually), but my guess is this it will be for performers only.

I feel like I'm reality checking on this whole thing and it's not pretty.

[courtneymermaid]

@Wingéd Mermaid: I know how you feel. The more research I do and calls I make, the more upsetting this gets. I will still be really happy to see the performers, but I agree with you that the pool is definitely not big enough to comfortably swim in with a tail... Can you imagine the damage that will be done to our flukes!? Eek.

I'm trying really hard to stay positive about the whole situation, but I really feel like we should be compensated in some way for this...

[Merfae]

It must be so hard for Sita, I think she's done amazingly well to find a suitable new location so late in the day.

[mikamer]

For an event that was supposed to be essentially a big mermaid pool party, I'm not sure "suitable" would be the right word :/ What a let down.

[Mermaid Star]

I wonder if they will open up the aquarium to the mers for the "VIP pool party" instead, since they seem to mention it as one of the highlights.

[Winged Mermaid]

The VIP pool party is happening at a house Sita is renting. You have to have paid for all three events tickets (at full price- which not many people paid) and then pay an extra $75 more. Otherwise it's $350 for a ticket and you have to be "approved". More info at the tickets page here Maui Mermaids Pool Party (http://mauimermaidspoolparty.eventbrite.com/).

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

I am so disappointed about the pool party. That was the part I am looking forward to the most, and yes, that pool is simply too small for it. Is anyone else going to take the plunge and go to the VIP pool party? It is so expensive, and I did not buy a ticket to the awards show AND I have someone else going with me. So that's a $700 pool party, and I already stretched my finances to go to this thing. BUT Thom Shouse is going to be there, which I think is pretty awesome. I want to know if it's worth it for me to try to find a way to get to this pool party.

[Lorelei]

Wait, so there's only a V.I.P pool party now? :( That's depressing, my family is so low on money, I'm surprised I'm even able to go still and my two family members and I just saved up enough gas money to drive there. No way that I can afford another $75 for the V.I.P pool party... That's disappointing...Oh well :/

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

There is a regular pool party, but I don't think the pool will be big enough.

[Lorelei]

I just now saw the posts that the pool party is still on, but yes I agree, it looks like it will be in no way big enough for about 200 mers to swim around comfortably :/

[Winged Mermaid]

I posted the pics of the pool with on the WMAs page saying that I was concerned about the size, and with a question about the performances (will Medusirena and Hannah be the only ones in the pool during the performances). I was given the reply that that that pic makes the pool look small because it was taken with a fish eye lense to make everything fit in the picture, and there will be plenty of room. So I posted the customer picture in the comments. With it I said that people, including the planners, need to realize realistically we're going to have to take turns swimming since merfolk need more room in a pool, and plan for that so there's not chaos. A few people chimed in saying they basically agreed (it was too small, there will be a lot of people waiting to get in the pool, maybe she should offer kiddie pools for us to splash around in, ect). My whole post was deleted.

I know Sita may be doing the best she can with all this but she needs a reality check here. If she doesn't plan for a way to deal with the pool size issue in advance, there is going to be chaos and a bunch of pissed off people sitting in the pool area. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just trying to be realistic.

[Presence]

The regular pool party is on Friday, right? Like, same time as Friday's convention/vendor area?

And this is *not* the special VIP expensive one on Saturday? The regular-folk pool party, that required specific tickets too, yah? I don't know *what* pool party tickets I have.

[Kanti]

Oh wow O:
That seems like such a small little pool for such a large gathering. It almost seems like they're trolling.
And if that's true, it looks like only a few people will be able to fit in the pool at a time. What is everyone else supposed to do?
I've never been to a mermaid convention before, I assume it's a giant pool party lol.
But wow I didn't imagine it would be so expensive either- I don't know if I could afford something like that anytime soon.

I'd love to just organize some random mermaid gathering for free at a beach somewhere xD

[New York Mermaid]

heres a photo of the actual pool and hottub:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Sk5hxaatHP4/TAck6V_8F9I/AAAAAAAAAKI/Ja2RvHinlts/s1600/IMG_9110a.JPG

[Lorelei]

The size still is a bit concerning :/ Not to meantion, it doesn't look too deep either...

[RêveD'eau]

Where is everyone staying? I booked the Mirage before I knew about the dolphins and all this crazy stuff but I am stuck there now, obviously. Is anyone else staying there? Maybe we could have a mini party when the other stuff isn't happening? :)

[Winged Mermaid]

People were saying today that they were still able to cancel reservations at the Mirage and that the people at the Mirage were very nice about it.

As much as the Mirage is my dream pool, I can't afford to stay there for this :( I'm going to try and book a night at the Flamingo since in my research I've found it's 2nd best to the Mirage pool. I'll have to stay somewhere cheaper for the other nights though- prices go up like CRAZY for weekend nights in Vegas. Unleeesss I can meet up and we can say we're in the same room so we can go in the pool together? I'm normally "such a goodie goodie" as my friends say, but.. It's the Mirage pool! :drool: Sneaky mermaid party? lol

I'm heading up on Thursday and planning on leaving on Monday. Maybe Sunday if there is nothing happening but how is there ever a bored moment in Vegas?

[Winged Mermaid]

Okay sooo things have changed again. The con is no longer a 2 day event, as the Silverton is already booked on Saturday for a sailor convention. Here's what's going on:

Friday 12th- MerCon from 8am-6pm, Pageant from 2pm-6pm, and the Pool Party/Awards from 6pm-11pm.
Saturday 13th- VIP Pool Party (at a private location) from 4pm-early Sunday morning

There's also a meet up going on on Thursday at 7pm at Barnes and Noble. This includes author signings and a "mermaid ball". See Carolyn Turgeon's post HERE (http://iamamermaid.com/2011/08/03/amazing-pre-mercon-event-in-las-vegas/) and Barnes and Nobles Event Page HERE (http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3101232).

[Spindrift]

Well. I haven't bought tickets to mercon yet, but it looks like I will be in Vegas on August 10-12 for a different event. Possibly longer, if others plans follow through. I'm not bringing a tail though, since my friend (the other half of this account) isn't going.

I would totally volunteer to make the next convention a MerNetwork thing, and I'm sure I know how to secure funds and all that, but I doubt anyone would take me seriously. The convention just seems a little poorly planned even though back up options are being made available.

[Spindrift]

Also, I don't understand the deleting posts thing. Its a legitimate concern that needs to be addressed. I mean, I can understand if it's a post that could be deemed derogatory or just spam, but not an issue that addresses a key component (and selling point!) of the event.

Is she receiving any help in planning this? I know that at other conventions there are usually other volunteers to help run things, both at the event itself and for the planning stages.

[courtneymermaid]

@Star: Their aquarium will not be available for us to swim in. We are limited to their outdoor pool.

@Spindrift: As far as receiving help, I have been helping her out with her blog and have just completed a new website with updated information on it that I will hopefully be showing her today. She has expressly forbidden me to help her with anything else despite my many offers and concerns. I'm trying hard to keep an open mind, but so much has been left to the last minute and so little has been told to those of us coming to the event... With about a week to go I'm pretty concerned about this.

[AniaR]

wow this is so crazy.

Try not to judge sita too hard, I dont agree with things happening but, a con is something that needs a years worth of planning, this started getting planned in January. That's not enough time. I felt strongly from the start that we were seeing a lot of ideas being presented as in stone plans and facts. This is the first year and it's basically 1 person doing it all by herself and while everyone's offering to help right now she's probably terrified of more screw ups so it seems easier to keep it all under her thumb. She's also invested a lot of her own money and I'll bet she isnt getting anything back from the Mirage. Ticket sales were lower than expected so I'll be surprised if they break even.

I know everyone's complaining about the cost but there's no effort here to make a profit as far as I can see from reading everything, I think she's doing everything in the world to just break even! And, I think it's still pretty standard costs from what I see of other cons (it would be about the same if you all flew to Halifax for "Hal-con Sci fi convention!)"

I think at this rate, all we can do is offer to help, make the best of it, and recognize this is a learning situation for all. We all want so badly to see each other and have our own real life niche community and that puts a lot of stress on Sita I think. To make this perfect and live up to your dreams when it's been falling apart for so long is just an unthinkable task.

You have every right to be weary and concerned though. I am not trying to belittle that. I made no effort to attend the con at all. In hingsight I couldn't afford it this year anyway but I didnt know that back when it was announced. It all seemed a bit too off for my taste and I figured I'd wait and see how it goes and perhaps attend another year.

[AniaR]

I would totally volunteer to make the next convention a MerNetwork thing, and I'm sure I know how to secure funds and all that, but I doubt anyone would take me seriously. The convention just seems a little poorly planned even though back up options are being made available.

I think that would be a great idea and now is the time to start planning for a year ahead. Why not open up a thread to see what people think? We could at least throw some ideas around and maybe 3-6 months from now START firming up details...

[Spindrift]

Sure, totally doable. But I'll do that after the WMAs to not overwhelm the community. And to not make it look like we're spitting in the WMA's face.

[AniaR]

yep, for sure :)

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

People were saying today that they were still able to cancel reservations at the Mirage and that the people at the Mirage were very nice about it.

As much as the Mirage is my dream pool, I can't afford to stay there for this :( I'm going to try and book a night at the Flamingo since in my research I've found it's 2nd best to the Mirage pool. I'll have to stay somewhere cheaper for the other nights though- prices go up like CRAZY for weekend nights in Vegas. Unleeesss I can meet up and we can say we're in the same room so we can go in the pool together? I'm normally "such a goodie goodie" as my friends say, but.. It's the Mirage pool! :drool: Sneaky mermaid party? lol

I'm heading up on Thursday and planning on leaving on Monday. Maybe Sunday if there is nothing happening but how is there ever a bored moment in Vegas?
My mom and I are staying at the Mirage still. She's really only going to swim in that pool. I really want to swim with other mers in that giant pool, so girl I will totally sneak you in.

[New York Mermaid]

@SpinDrift Hey Im all for it,I'd Love to help you out with the future convention - which is so much like a wedding, you got your big plans and then the little details *biggest part of it is, location and date(s) and is the place Mer-friendly. This seems like a wonderful idea!

[AniaR]

I dont think the mirage will let you swim in there with your tail, I think that's the point.

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Im getting more knots n my stomach th closer to this we get... all these changes and plus my art auctio isnt listed on the website! Im so afraid that no one will even know its supposed to be happeing... Im still waiting for sita to confirm it is with the venue change.. I really need the funds from the art sales to pay rent for next month..

[AniaR]

Sita said the website hadnt been updated all the way yet- but I thought your art sales was going to charity??

[Winged Mermaid]

I dont think the mirage will let you swim in there with your tail, I think that's the point.

It wasn't a tail thing, it was a night time thing. They don't allow people to swim at night there at all. The pool closes at 8, which seems to be the trend for all pools around Las Vegas besides the "club pools".

As for the auction, I was told that 50% goes to charity.

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Yep.. 50% goes to charity.. IfI was working I would donate allof it.. butIm on unemployment and Im a college student.. Ihad budgeted my student loan money out to make it through til september but my car broke down and Ihad already purchased plane tickets which are non refundable.. :(

So I am going to make the best of it..

Theres on Painting I am selling that 100% goes to charity for the ocean.. you might remember seeing it on facebook..its the one with the hands holding the world with the ocean animals around it...

[malinghi]

You wanna see something funny? On the list of nominees for the awards, here's the description for the MerPrince:

"Sean Brown the MerPrince. Disneys Performing Prince on stage and is also a Merman who has his own star on the Hollywood walk of fame."

Heh, I think Sita got confused by a picture on the MerPrince's myspace account made with an online walk of fame star generator. Someone might want to let her know.

http://a1.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/20/2acc8e90346a03a40bcb3317a2e538c8/l.jpghttp://www.redkid.net/generator/star/newsign.php?line1=your+name+here&Celebrity=Celebrity

[AniaR]

lol. Oh my. I hope you all have a good time that are going :)

In regards to all the Eric drama, even though we had screencaps of everything he said he flat out denied saying any of it on his wall and then deleted all associated comments. *head desk* I had sent Sita a message about it, I guess there's no need to drag it out on here but man he pulled a bunch of shady stuff not just those messages.

Remember when Ben Stiller's zoolander merman was going to be a guest? ;)

EVERYONE BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN less than a week to go!

[Spindrift]

Lol I still haven't been able to get tickets because of the recent changes. I guess I'll try buying at the door.

[AniaR]

717

I just read, no scarlett, no Traci, and no Fire eating mermaid. :(

[OrcaMatt]

Marina is going, according to a Facebook post this morning (https://www.facebook.com/MeduSirena/posts/10150327654122223)

[AniaR]

thats great! :)

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

What is going on? "It'll be at the Mirage...no the Silverton. There's a mermaid tank...but we can't get in it. Scarlott Harlott, Marina and Traci Hines will be there...No they won't. Wait, Marina will be there..." This is crazy! It's in like 3 days!

...I'm not slamming anyone, lord knows I wouldn't wanna be the one organizing it, but I am frustrated.

[RêveD'eau]

Well I'm just excited that it is all still happening. Whoever's there, awesome! I'm excited to meet you. Whoever's not, well that's no good but hopefully we can meet in the future!

[Sheila]

I'm at the Silverton watching the pageant and I'm speechless. I can't believe how unorganized it is. I just found out how much the entries cost and I feel so bad for those that paid so much to participate. We've travelled far for this and so far I have to say I'm disappointed. I hope tonight has more to offer.

[Spindrift]

Meh the pageant wasn't organized by Sita and was an independent production so I'm not too worried about it. The chance to meet other mer enthusiasts was enough to make it worthwhile for me, even if organization was a little shoddy. The Silverton mermaid show was during the same time as the pageant anyway, so there were still alternative avenues of entertainment.

[Presence]

I just posted a couple of the photos I took this evening of the World Mermaid Awards. It was fun, quite an experience seeing so many flukes fwapping the water.

http://presence.irev.net/v/people/mercon2011
http://presence.irev.net/photos/d/11320-2/20110812+World+Mermaid+Awards+-+Presence+_9_.JPG (http://presence.irev.net/v/people/mercon2011)

[MermaidSaku]

Love the pictures!!! : D

[jukumerboii]

Great pix!

[AniaR]

OMG thanks for posting photos! So crazy to see these people together! How did everyone flop over there? lol Just put their tails on there? looks so great

[MermanJesse]

http://www.lvrj.com/multimedia/First-Mermaid-Convention-at-Silverton-Casino-in-Las-Vegas-127644508.html

Everyone kind of just put their tails on right there.

It was a great event. I really enjoyed myself.

The highlight of my day was Thom Shouse taking a sample of my scales saying he knew people that would be interested in my design!

I will be uploading some of the pics when I get back to Cincinnati.

[New York Mermaid]

ohh jesse :) youll be as big and famous as MVD before we know it !

[AniaR]

congrats Jesse!

[merboy78xy]

WOW! Jesse that is AWESOME!!! Congrats! As much as it sounds that this first event was a bit of a flop (no pun intended)... I am so proud that people actually took the initiative to get it up, go there and meet other like-minded mers!
I am jealous that I couldn't be there... but I HOPE there'll be another one in the future that I can attend, and hopefully it'll be even bigger and better!!! I'm workin on a tail, so that I can join in the fun! But I say bravo to those who helped put it together, and those who attended. It's not an easy thing to organize worldwide, and I'm sure a lot was learned! Congrats to the mer-community. IT's starting to really make it's presence known! :D

[Little_Orca]

Well crap, now I can't afford a Jesse Tail.... rofl. Good luck Jesse! :)

[AniaR]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/13/first-mermaid-convention-goes-swimmingly-silverton/ here's another article with lots of photos

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

I am in the process of going through my pics, photoshopping them to make the colors better, and posting them here in an album for those who haven't noticed yet. I didn't take as many pics as I should have, because I got distracted by all the beautiful tails and forgot.

[Faerydae]

I sooo wanted to go! I would love to see pictures so I can live vicariously through you all that got to go! Hoping to make it next year!

[AniaR]

Taylor I'm loving your pics, you my dear are cute as a button :)

[AniaR]

HEY GUYS AND GALS. Id love to have a folder at www.deviantartmermaids.deviantart.com for WMA photos. Are any of you on DA willing to upload some?

[RêveD'eau]

As a whole I don't think it was much of a flop. Considering change of venue at the last second and all the changes that had to be made, it was a very successful first convention. They really should have done a dress rehearsal, though. I think it would have been a bit smoother. :) Everything seemed to liven up as time went on and more people started to come. It had to have been a vacation for a lot of mers (it was for me, showed up an hour late to like every event lol). I had an amazing time meeting everyone and have made future plans to hang with some of you! It truely was a great weekend.

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

Flop or no flop, I had a blast. The whole day I was flitting around like a hummingbird and felt like someone needed to pinch me because I had to have been dreaming. My biggest complaint was the pageant. It was the most disorganized thing of its kind I have EVER seen. I feel bad for the contestants, because they paid a whole lot of money for an event that was a big hot mess. It was still fun to watch because there were lots of beautiful mermaids and adorable merbabies, but it really needed a dress rehearsal.
I think the next convention really needs workshops, which goes back to the whole community's problem of "I can't share anything because I am going to sell this and make loads of money." Jesse was great about giving lots of info; I know my mom was fascinated when he told her all about how he made his tail, which was so cool to see in person. I would love to see future conventions share tips and behind-the-scenes info on how tails, tops and accessories are made. I'm thinking things like a demonstration of how to paint a latex or silicone tail, how they mix and apply dragonskin, make the ALEX tails, etc. Some of this could be in video form if it was impractical to do there. Also, info on how fabric tails are made too would be cool: demonstrations of painting them, tips on how to measure yourself properly and make your pattern well, what stitches work, etc. There also needs to be more variety of vendors. There were a lot of hair extensions there but few realistic accessories and, as far as I know, no tops for sale. I also wish more of the realistic tail makers had come out. Don't stone me for saying this, but I wish Eric could have come as well as Mike van Daal and some of the others. Maybe next year we will have some of this.

[AniaR]

In my opinion, Eric's too anti-community (and has now burned too many bridges especially when he threw Sita under the bus) and Mike is too darn busy!

I hope you all had a wonderful time I felt like a lurker on FB searching through everyone's stuff. Thanks to everyone who took photos. I cant wait to hear what everyone has to say! <3

[AniaR]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/photos-mermaid-convention-and-awards-silverton-cas/

Jesse found another link with pics!

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

Taylor I'm loving your pics, you my dear are cute as a button :)
*hugs* I was the biggest mermaid there, so I appreciate your compliments. They mean a lot to me.

[MermanJesse]

I don't think it was a flop. First times are always the roughest. Everyone had a good time. I can NOT wait until next year!

[MermaidNerenia]

I will be uploading some of the pics when I get back to Cincinnati.

Jesse! I am from Columbus! We should get together and swim sometime!

[ErinBooher]

I was Sita's first customer - I bought tickets for the event far in advance. I was excited to go there all the way from Miami and celebrate my birthday (Aug.12)

From the beginning, my experience was miserable. Sita never was able to remember who I was, how many tickets she
was supposed to send, etc. I begged her repeatedly for more specific details about the weekend - even a week or two
before the event she was unable to tell me any agenda or organized schedule. When the venue changed, what was
already growing apprehension in my stomach became worse. It became very clear just 3 days or so before the event that there was NO schedule, NO seafood buffet as originally
promised, and all of a sudden only one-day event, not two

I expressed to Sita that I was disappointed as I was not going to be receiving what was
originally promised. Sita told me "no problem, I am offering refunds within 45 days.." I
immediately put my name on her refund list.

It is now mid-November and I have yet to see any refund.

I believe that it was very irresponsible for Sita Lange to take on an event planning
project of this size without hiring any experts, without training, education, expertise. She
claims that Mirage imposed some sort of last-minute change, but
that is highly unlikely. More likely is that she didn't carefully read the contract and didn't have an attorney look at it.

I am now filing a lawsuit in small claims court against Sita Lange to get my money back.

[Spindrift]

I was Sita's first customer - I bought tickets for the event far in advance. I was excited to go there all the way from Miami and celebrate my birthday (Aug.12)

From the beginning, my experience was miserable. Sita never was able to remember who I was, how many tickets she
was supposed to send, etc. I begged her repeatedly for more specific details about the weekend - even a week or two
before the event she was unable to tell me any agenda or organized schedule. When the venue changed, what was
already growing apprehension in my stomach became worse. It became very clear just 3 days or so before the event that there was NO schedule, NO seafood buffet as originally
promised, and all of a sudden only one-day event, not two

I expressed to Sita that I was disappointed as I was not going to be receiving what was
originally promised. Sita told me "no problem, I am offering refunds within 45 days.." I
immediately put my name on her refund list.

It is now mid-November and I have yet to see any refund.

I believe that it was very irresponsible for Sita Lange to take on an event planning
project of this size without hiring any experts, without training, education, expertise. She
claims that Mirage imposed some sort of last-minute change, but
that is highly unlikely. More likely is that she didn't carefully read the contract and didn't have an attorney look at it.

I am now filing a lawsuit in small claims court against Sita Lange to get my money back.

Please let us know what happens! And I have no idea if there is going to be a WMA's next year. I brought it up before that it could be a MerNetwork thing - which I would be in for helping organize, but it is a lot of work.

[CynthiaMermaid]

Here are my MerCon pictures, note that there are 4 pages.
http://www.goldmermaid.com/WMA2011

[Gem Stone]

i have no clue how this will get all the way to Sita Lange, and I'm not even sure she can help but if you know someone who knows Sita, please pass this message on.
Sita,
I am one of the ones who can't go to Las Vegas. i was wondering if it's possible to set up the MerCon or another MerCon in another town? something not gambling related? I realize this is much to ask, but if it's at all possible, would you look into it? If we could have two MerCon's during the year, i think you might have more people show up because those who can't make it at one place and time could make it at another. agian, a lot to ask of you even though you've just done one MerCon, but could you think about it?

[AniaR]

Sita isnt putting on another mercon this year, but there are other merevents happening all over. Anyone can organize a merevent.

[AniaR]

p.s. sita is on FB, posting a reply to someone pictures thread wont get seen by her, l;)

[malinghi]

i have no clue how this will get all the way to Sita Lange, and I'm not even sure she can help but if you know someone who knows Sita, please pass this message on.
Sita,
I am one of the ones who can't go to Las Vegas. i was wondering if it's possible to set up the MerCon or another MerCon in another town?



Sita isnt putting on another mercon this year, but there are other merevents happening all over. Anyone can organize a merevent.

Alexandrea, Raina's right. Anyone can organize an event. One option would be to select an existing convention that will have cosplayers and arrange for other people in Texas to meet you there. A google search indicates that the Anime Matsuri convention will be held just north of Houston, April 6th to 8th, at the Woodlands Waterway Mariott. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool.

There's another anime/cosplay convention that you and your local mers could arrange to go swimming at called A-kon, which is held June 1st in Dallas.

Or you and some other Texan mers can arrange to meet up on your own, rather than at an existing event. You can contact other mers in Texas by posting in the pod of texas forum here (http://mernetwork.com/index/forumdisplay.php?54-Pod-of-Texas), and by using the pod of texas facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/311471195561315/).

[Gem Stone]

thanks guys! i will definately try to get a froup of texas mers together! im thinking Austin or galveston...

[SweeteSiren]

The nice thing about Austin is that we wouldn't attract attention. "Oh look, more people dressed up in costumes in broad daylight. Pass the ketchup."

[malinghi]

Austin's too cool to use ketchup. They probably use some kind of delicious organic free trade condiment that has existed in Sweden for centuries.

[Mermaid Sirena]

Wait.... no mercon? But I was hoping it would happen again this year now that there was a years experience behind her tail things should be easier. + I might of been able to afford to go :(

[michellerobison]

Jesse! I am from Columbus! We should get together and swim sometime!
I'm from Napoleon, NW Ohio. Might have to have a mid west meet up of mers.

[AniaR]

it keeps telling me this thread is being posted in by other people and updating as a "posts today" thread. But I dont see anything from anyone else after Malinghi's post on the 2nd. Anyone else having that happen?

[SweeteSiren]

Raina, I've been having the same problem off & on since the admins announced they were starting "spring cleaning", so it may just be a result of the shuffle. If I leave & come back later the thread always returns to normal.

[AniaR]

yeah Now I see there's been quite a few number of posts that I couldnt see here earlier.

[AniaR]

geesh. Gary, I see you clearly have taken issue with the WMA stuff, but I dont think it's fair after almost a YEAR to start posting trash about it on every old thread about it, then substitute your own plan as better. :/ you all ready have a thread about mer-palooza, so no need to hijack these old ones. If you really do have so many things to say about the WMA I suggest starting a thread for just that!

[Florida GlamourPageant]

This year, Pageant is in Orlando. Pool party also.... Pm me for pageant info!!!