Was The BronyCon Security Of Special Guests Too Much/Overprotective?

[GXPBlast 597]

I have been to two conventions since becoming a brony, Ponycon and BronyCon. I had an awesome time at both however, I notice a flaw with bronycon becoming so big, it has become too standardized with other conventions especially when it comes to meeting the VA's. This is understandable to a point as some VA's have had stalkers and threats due to the sheer size of the brony fandom but from what I have gathered, smaller Brony conventions allow you to become more personal with the VA's and they enjoy it. In fact from what I noticed some of the VA's have been uncomfortable in some cases when the security are following them around at every angle and being rude to other bronies. Funny thing, is that many of the "security" at the autograph panel were not even bronies while the other security were mostly bronies

 

For example, I saw Michael Dobsan on line at Starbucks with 3 security guys and when I began to talk to him, his security kind of got in my face like I was going to attack him.  Mr Dobsan then told his security to calm down and began to talk to me for the 10 minutes we were on line waiting for Starbucks. He was really awesome.

 

Another time while I was on line waiting for autographs there was this guy who just finished getting a signature from Andrea Libman and than preceded to walk to Cathy Weseluck to shake her hand. Keep in mind at this point Cathy had nobody on her line and was doing nothing. This guy did not want an autograph but figured was sitting doing nothing for the past 30 minutes and just wanted to introduce himself. Once he got to her area, he extended his hand and introduced himself, Cathy kindly greeted him and began to shake his hand to be interrupted by security who demanded to see his voucher. He explained he did not have any and he would just say hello to her since she way by herself for awhile. Security than told him he needs to buy a voucher to just talk to her. Cathy felt very uncomfortable and had an annoyed look on her face after security did this but could not say anything. I felt horrible for the guy as he did nothing wrong and was embarrassed in front of her.

 

Smaller cons in comparison (at least from my experience), people have had more personable experiences with VA's. For example I was able to hang out with Andrea Libman and Vincent Tong at ponycon for 20 minutes when they were done with autographs and were just sitting in an empty room until signing was over. If I had the money I could have bought the VIP ticket to have an hour with all the spacial guests at Ponycon along with other VIP ticket holders for dinner.

 

I am not at all saying Bronycon was bad, in fact I loved it but with size comes with some negatives. I totally understand the reasoning behind the security, but it can be too much in some way.

 

Anyone else notice this about bronycon or care to share their experiences as well?

Edited August 16, 2015 by GXPBlast

[Chronicleer 31]

Whether you may like it or not, there are security protocols that the target may or may not understand. It is not their job to understand those protocols, only do what they are told. If the target does not actively participate in protection, the security bubble can be broken. With this fandom, and from my experience with it, I would have very stringent security.

[FlootahBabby 265]

I've never been to a convention period. But because of stuff like this I'd be too afraid of talking to anyone anywhere at a convention. I don't really see how a problem like this can be fixed. Unless someone is unashamed of a conversation...

[Silver Letter 1,832]

Sounds like security was quite heavy handed at the convention. How many people showed up?

Edited August 15, 2015 by Silver Letter

[Guest]

Sounds like security was quite heavy handed at the convention. How many people showed up?

They said it was about over 10,000 people at Bronycon this year.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

They said it was about over 10,000 people at Bronycon this year.

I expected at least 10,000 since 2014 was barely shy of it.

[Solid 1,327]

I did notice the heavy security in Bronycon, perhaps it is because of the sheer scale of the convention itself, which has been growing every year. Perhaps at next year's Bronycon 5 year anniversary, there is going to be even heavier security.

 

True, sometimes security staffs do overreact. However, they are overall trying their best to maintain a safe environment for both the VIPs and the attendees, so they deserve at least some respect.

Edited August 15, 2015 by Solid Scorpion

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

There are some crazy people out there and they don't want anyone to get hurt

[GXPBlast 597]

I did notice the heavy security in Bronycon, perhaps it is because of the sheer scale of the convention itself, which has been growing every year. Perhaps at next year's Bronycon 5 year anniversary, there is going to be even heavier security.

 

 

Might not go to bronycon 2016 then lol. But will def be going to Ponycon again.

Edited August 16, 2015 by GXPBlast

[Solid 1,327]

Might not go to bronycon 2015 then lol. But will def be going to Ponycon again.

 

Well as long as you follow instructions most of the time I don't think the security would give you that much of a problem.

[EquestriaGuy 1,074]

Libman, not Lipman lol

 

it sounds like these security guys are inexperienced, and are trying too hard, probably by direction from a heavy handed supervisor.

[GXPBlast 597]

it sounds like these security guys are inexperienced, and are trying too hard, probably by direction from a heavy handed supervisor.

 

I think more the latter lol.

[Guest]

Let's be perfectly honest here: this fandom can come off as creepy to some. So naturally the security is not going to take many chances. Remember Ashleigh Ball herself said she originally thought bronies were perverts when she first encountered them (she has since changed her opinion, but still). A lot of the security guards probably just see older men liking a little girls cartoon and it comes off as very odd to them. They are doing their jobs, with 10,000 people their supervisors will have their heads if they let anything happen to the person they're supposed to be protecting.

 

There's not reason to get bent out of shape about it.

[Zantetsuken 364]

Might not go to bronycon 2016 then lol. But will def be going to Ponycon again.

 

You do understand that the security is just there to make sure everyone has a good time and that everyone follows the rules, right? Security is usually tighter around VIP's because well... their VIP's. I don't really see why something that is good for a con would deter you from going to that con. I went to bronycon and it was a great event. The security dose not ruin my experience in the slightest, meeting VIP's or otherwise. all you have to do is follow the rules, they are there to help, not ruin the con for you.  

[Vertigo_95 572]

I'm not entirely sure about this, but I heard somewhere that a majority of the staff at Bronycon are not even Bronies. If that is true, then they really don't know how excited we get about meeting the people that voice our favorite characters.

 

I didnt see any problems myself while at Bronycon, but I heard about some unjust things. While there, I asked a question to Libman, and she kindly denied my request, without the dude with her having a say, so I guess some react different than others.

[Guest]

I'm not entirely sure about this, but I heard somewhere that a majority of the staff at Bronycon are not even Bronies. If that is true, then they really don't know how excited we get about meeting the people that voice our favorite characters.

 

I didnt see any problems myself while at Bronycon, but I heard about some unjust things. While there, I asked a question to Libman, and she kindly denied my request, without the dude with her having a say, so I guess some react different than others.

Security generally are not fans. The reason is because they do not want people on the job who will be distracted.

[GXPBlast 597]

Security generally are not fans. The reason is because they do not want people on the job who will be distracted.

 

 

Ouside the VIPS, most of the security manging the events and such were nearly all bronies and were much nicer, if not all really nice. Understandable why they were not alloed to be security for VIPs.

[Guest]

Ouside the VIPS, most of the security manging the events and such were nearly all bronies and were much nicer, if not all really nice. Understandable why they were not alloed to be security for VIPs.

That and to be perfectly honest: security is not meant to be nice, they are meant to be intimidating.

[GXPBlast 597]

That and to be perfectly honest: security is not meant to be nice, they are meant to be intimidating.

 

To be honest most of them were not like your typical security, they were more jerks than scary looking.

 

Michael Dobson for example had these three guys all smaller than him wimpy or overweight. Michael Dobson alone reminds me of Bulk Biceps, as he is rather tall and muscular. He looks like he can be a security guard lol. When I began talking to him, his security was rather rude since he was right behind me on the starbucks line. Furthermore, he looked abit annoyed by this to have to tell them to calm down. His security looked rather embarrassed and kind of retreated behind him after that. After that I had an awesome conversation with him as we were on line for about 10 minutes. He was really cool to talk with.

[Guest]

To be honest most of them were not like your typical security, they were more jerks than scary looking.

 

Michael Dobson for example had these three guys all smaller than him wimpy or overweight. Michael Dobson alone reminds me of Bulk Biceps, as he is rather tall and muscular. He looks like he can be a security guard lol. When I began talking to him, his security was rather rude since he was right behind me on the starbucks line. Furthermore, he looked abit annoyed by this to have to tell them to calm down. His security looked rather embarrassed and kind of retreated behind him after that. After that I had an awesome conversation with him as we were on line for about 10 minutes. He was really cool to talk with.

They're just doing their jobs. They are not paid for Mr. Dobson to enjoy their company or to make him smile. They're paid to keep him safe. Chances are he is annoyed that he has to have security, but he probably knows it's necessary. Security kind of has to give off a vibe that you don't want to be around, that's part of their job. I've worked security before: it's the one job where you are not required to be friendly, and you actually can be punished for being too friendly.

 

Naturally we all sort of have an annoyance when we encounter security officers of any kind because the nature of their job usually makes them so they can't get too buddy-buddy with people. And if they do, they are probably bad at their job. When I worked security, I was required to hassle people for things they got annoyed with such as forcing people to show me their IDs, and kicking people out of the building when it was past hours. I definitely got a few people that flipped their lids and outright threatened me, but that's part of it. It's not a glamorous job, but don't get too upset about people doing it right. These guys sounded like they were just trying to keep Mr. Dobson safe, which is their primary goal, regardless if Mr. Dobson is annoyed with them or not. Chances are his management team are the ones who hire them and not him. I wouldn't let it soil your experience though.

[GXPBlast 597]

I expected at least 10,000 since 2014 was barely shy of it.

 

 

Ponycon has basically become what bronycon used to be in NYC. But bronycon was awesome and I hope to go to many more cons.

Edited August 17, 2015 by GXPBlast

[Shanks 10,816]

I can understand the desire to protect the high profile quests of Bronycon and other similar conventions but there does have to be some middle ground between security hassling anyone who even so much as says "hi" to someone and being neglectful. I understand that there are numerous potential threats but there is a fine line between protecting and treating everyone like a criminal. I don't blame the security guards themselves as they have their orders but I wonder if such a heavy hand could in some cases cause more incidents than prevent, if someone is heavy handed and hostile toward people it can sometimes make them more likely to lose their cool.

[GXPBlast 597]

I can understand the desire to protect the high profile quests of Bronycon and other similar conventions but there does have to be some middle ground between security hassling anyone who even so much as says "hi" to someone and being neglectful. I understand that there are numerous potential threats but there is a fine line between protecting and treating everyone like a criminal. I don't blame the security guards themselves as they have their orders but I wonder if such a heavy hand could in some cases cause more incidents than prevent, if someone is heavy handed and hostile toward people it can sometimes make them more likely to lose their cool.

 

This 100%. I mean just trying to talk to a person and shake their hand the security freaked the hell out. Also when I saw the security tell the guy to get a ticket to shake Cathy's hand while he was in the middle of talking to her (after she had nobody on line for close to an hour) was completely uncalled for. In fact Cathy was in the middle of saying nice to "meet you" and the security literally cut him and her off mid sentence. Cathy has such a look of disgust at the security on her face but did not say anything. It was really wrong and I cant imagine how embarrassed that guy must have felt.

Edited August 20, 2015 by GXPBlast

[glitterbomb 162]

I think it makes sense considering the number of people that were there, you know? We want our awesome guests to be safe

[GXPBlast 597]

I think it makes sense considering the number of people that were there, you know? We want our awesome guests to be safe

 

 

Yeah because because saying hello to a VA is a direct threat to them

 

But seriously they were way too much.

Edited August 20, 2015 by GXPBlast