How Disorganization Almost Got Me Evicted - My Second Year At Youmacon:

I've attended youmacon once in the past. It was not a stellar experience (very disorganized, tables were the wrong size, alley opened late etc). Between that and the poor sales, it was bad enough that I decided not to come back. But I've had friends encourage me to give it a second chance, so this year we decided to drive from boston to try again.

To start with, the lack of an alley map was pretty stressful. The fact that artists had to beg for access was frustrating and it also meant I didn't find out I was not placed near my travel buddy (as requested) until about a week before the con. We decided to reach out to another artist to see if they would switch spots so we could sit together. Luckily, someone was happy to do so, and since there wasn't an official con map anyway, we didn't see how there would be any issue. Obviously since we were both registered attendees, no money was exchanged.

We left for the con and after a very long 11hr drive, we arrived. The unloading directions (only available on Facebook and never actually sent out to us) were not very helpful. The local signs for parking were listed for the COBO Center instead of the new name we were given. The parking lot was difficult to find, and it also cost $15 to park in (also not mentioned). After trekking all our stuff across the lot, down an elevator, and then across the building we found out we could have saved ourselves the $15 and weightlifting and just…dropped off in front of the building. Needless to say, it was pretty annoying.

Sweaty and exhausted, we made our way inside to set up. None of the tables were labeled and they did not have badges to give out.

We found our tables through process of elimination and asking a few other artists what aisle they were in. We were later given badges by a staff member who messed up our names and were told there were no lanyards available. Once again, another artist came through and offered up some of the ones she was selling to us.

We left for the day with our tables set up and relieved that the worst was now over.

… and then the next day they tried to evict me

We arrived around 11am, over an hour before opening. My friend went to chat with another artist and I went over to get us ready to go; only to find my table in complete disarray.

My display had been knocked off the table, some of the prints pulled down, and much of my stuff tossed behind on the chairs. A staff member stood nearby and I asked what had happened. She replied to me (in an aggressively chipper tone) "you're being evicted! All of your things are being removed onto a pallet in the loading dock"

Thus began one of the most surreal conversations I've ever had.

To set the tone here, I have never had a confrontation with staff before. Anywhere. Ever. After over 10 years of tabling. So I was horrified.

When I asked why I was being evicted, she said it was because I had STOLEN my table. I told her that was completely incorrect. At this point I had started to get angry, because I had started to see how roughly my things had been treated.

I asked her why they had not contacted me if there had been a problem with my table, instead of just ripping things down. She said they had sent me an email (they did not- they sent it to my friend next to me. And they sent it at 10:45am). Keep in mind, they could have done so by contacting either of us directly by using the various methods on our business cards which we know they saw, since they threw them across onto my friends table.

I told her I had not received an email or any other method of contact. She said that I had gotten my table through an illegal sublet. I repeated to her that I had not, and asked why they had not CALLED ME to figure out what was going on. She said they did not have my phone number (which we give at registration??)

She then asked who the business card on my table was. I said it was mine, and she told me that (my studio name) was not even REGISTERED FOR THE CONVENTION.

I told her that was ridiculous and asked if they had even bothered to look at their own list, because I was on it YESTERDAY when I checked in.

She made a disbelieving face and I explained to her that maybe this was because I had switched places with another artist- but even if that was the case, they still should have contacted either of us to find out more info before just tearing down my booth. Not to mention-- ACTUALLY CHECK THE ATTENDEE LIST.

After about 2 minutes of investigation, she conceded that this was most likely what prompted the issue.

The staff member told me, "sorry to give you a heart attack!" (Again in a super casual bouncy tone) and walked away.

Later, I was visited by the con head and another staff member who had been nearby during the event. Both were extremely nice and apologetic. However, it did not go beyond my notice that none of the artist alley staff (AKA the ones responsible) ever did. One staff member did express regret on BEHALF of the alley head, but as of now, 7pm Friday, she has not made an appearance herself.

I won't pretend that all of the smaller issues I listed above did not put me in a mood to begin with, but this situation was a shit show.

What kind of staff deals with situations by tearing down a booth first AND THEN asking questions?? Even the email they sent (pic below) was extremely, needlessly aggressive and mailed TO THE WRONG RECIPIENT.

Not to mention, maybe you wouldn't have to watch out for people stealing booths if you CHECKED ID, or I don't know, actually had badges available.

I just don't understand how a convention that has been running for this long in the same location can be so badly organized.

(Email below- names removed to avoid SP)