PoNYCon 2016

[EVBP 94]

Anybody else planning to be there? Ticket, hotel, and flight are all booked. Would love to meet some of the forum members in person!

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

I went to Ponycon NYC 2016! Here is my post about it here!  http://stitchthebest36.deviantart.com/journal/Ponycon-2016-report-590603021

I got some photos too in case you are interested. See here      

 

(sorry for my crappy cell phone camera)

 

I'm so sorry I missed you at the con! It would have been so fun to meet you!

Edited February 16, 2016 by StitchandMLPlover

[PiratePony 8,475]

I was there too, Saturday and Monday only. Lots of fun. I wasn't very happy earlier Saturday, and I had some qualms about the lack of signage. Plus I feel bad for the actors who had to sign autographs literally overlooking the panel stage. The guests were great though. Yesterday was non-stop, with panels that actually kept for most of the allotted time. 

[Vertigo_95 572]

Here is a blog post about my time there.

 

https://mlpforums.com/blog/2179/entry-19310-ponycon-2016-volunteer-perspective/

[Whirlwind 1,059]

I've always wanted to go to a pony convention. Looks like Ponycon NYC had a great run this year!

[PinkieatHeart 208]

If I had money and my life wasn't full of huge changes right now, I would do everything I could to go. But I just don't have a way to make it work. Not all alone, at least.

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

Ponycon might be ending? :'( See below in italic? Any thoughts? Do you think that is really the end???

 

Dear Friends,

I have had the great pleasure to be the Executive Director of Ponycon with my business partner and best friend Karen Wills. Let me begin by expressing that my heart is overflowing with gratitude to everyone who has touched our event. I am humbled completely by the dedication and effort put in by hundreds of people to make this weekend an unqualified success.

That being said, Karen and I have decided that this will be our last year to produce Ponycon. I know the level of work that went into pulling this production off and I believe that we couldn’t have done better. The significant personal investment, both financially and of our personal energy, time and health was great and we decided to end our effort on the highest of notes. I believe we set a new standard for conventions across the board. Above all, we hope that our entire production has exuded the values taught by the show we all love.
At Ponycon, one of our core values has been gratitude; for the friends we’ve made, the people who supported our vision, the attendees who’ve experienced that vision and the guests and creators who shared their amazing talents with us. Our favorite characters on My Little Pony demonstrate what heights we can attain when we work together. All of us have experienced the magic of friendship. I see jaw-dropping works of art, performances, and conventions from all around the world when we work as a team. When we avoid judgement and move with a mindset of service and thanks to our fellow humans and for the amazing experiences we have had the opportunity to share, we do credit to our amazing culture and values that we have derived from the world of MLP.

Our singular mission as an entertainment company has been to make people happy through the vocation that MLP has given us. As convention runners, we are faced with thousands of impossible choices. We have always tried (and sometimes failed) to make choices that make all of the people who come to Ponycon happy. Balanced on the other side of our choices is practicality… both financial and what is achievable in the limits of our energy and ability.

I have had the great pleasure to hear so many times that Ponycon and our community have changed lives. I know it has changed mine so much for the better. I now have an incredibly close family filled with light and love. We will be continuing with Bronies NYC; our monthly parties, art guild and museum meetups, pool parties, hikes and other family events. The spirit of Ponycon will certainly continue there!

Again, I want to express my sincerest thanks to all of the people that participated in Ponycon this year. The amazing amount of high quality work that was achieved this week by our staff, crew, guests, panelists, artists, performers, vendors, and attendees will leave me in awe for years to come.

Thank you all again,

Keith Butler
Executive Director, Ponycon

P.S. We have the most amazing video and photos coming. Photos will be up next week and video will take a few weeks, but it will be up soon!

[PiratePony 8,475]

 

 

Ponycon might be ending? :'( See below in italic? Any thoughts? Do you think that is really the end???

 

It certainly seems that way. Were you at the closing ceremony? I bounced a few minutes before they announced it live apparently, because I had to drive home in the slushy snow.  

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

It certainly seems that way. Were you at the closing ceremony? I bounced a few minutes before they announced it live apparently, because I had to drive home in the slushy snow.  

 

No I had to leave early because of the snow too. I so wish I had not had to leave early.

[sunstone 17]

This was the last PoNYCon.

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

Thanks! So sad 2016 might be the last. Here's the character development panel I loved from the 2016 con with Lauren Faust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZD23--3fmY

This panel helped me so much with my writing. 

Edited February 21, 2016 by StitchandMLPlover

[PiratePony 8,475]

Thanks! So sad 2016 might be the last. Here's the character development panel I loved from the 2016 con with Lauren Faust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZD23--3fmY

This panel helped me so much with my writing.

 

Thanks for sharing. It's one panel I didn't get to see, because I didn't go Sunday.

[GXPBlast 597]

What I loved about ponycon which truly makes it unique, the sheer casualness, and interactions they allowed you to have with the VA's are amazing and its sad to know this last one may be their last .

 

I sucks because I had to leave early on the last day Monday, for some stupid appointment with my schools post graduation career advisement, I wish I could have cancelled but was pressured into going into it by my parents even though I am an adult lol.

Edited February 23, 2016 by GXPBlast

[GXPBlast 597]

Other cons, that I know of and have access to go to due to finances and distance related dont  have anything near the amount of interactions and personal level that ponycon had to offer, most conventions like bronycon only allow interactions via autographs and photos, and if you are lucky enough see them walking around the convention when traveling to panels and such but are surrounded by security who are very serious and can ruin the experience at times. Its sad to know it may be their last one.

Edited February 23, 2016 by GXPBlast

[PiratePony 8,475]

I enjoyed the casualness of it too, and the special guests were very much like "real people."   It was a great first con experience for me.

 

There was also so much to do, and my schedule was pretty much full except for an hour or so break Saturday. I heard Sunday was amazing, especially with the concert and Lena Hall. 

 

 

I know some of the issues that people were unhappy with were due to the venue and not really the organizers. 

[GXPBlast 597]

I enjoyed the casualness of it too, and the special guests were very much like "real people."   It was a great first con experience for me.

 

There was also so much to do, and my schedule was pretty much full except for an hour or so break Saturday. I heard Sunday was amazing, especially with the concert and Lena Hall. 

 

 

I know some of the issues that people were unhappy with were due to the venue and not really the organizers. 

 

Seriously what was wrong with the venue? What were people saying?

 

The place was freaking beautiful, might has well been in Canterlot, Celestia would be proud lol.

Edited February 23, 2016 by GXPBlast

[PiratePony 8,475]

Seriously what was wrong with the venue? What were people saying?

 

The place was freaking beautiful, might has well been in Canterlot, Celestia would be proud lol.

From what I hear, the big issue was the VIP dinner, which I've heard Grand Prospect Hall has bad catering. Basically for $150, the meal consisted of a chicken and vegetarian option. No beef or fish options. Soft drinks only, not even house wine. And the vegetarian plate literally was ONLY the sides from the chicken fish: potatoes and mixed vegetables as the entree. Also one table had no VIPs seated there, but the organizers sat with Lauren Faust. Again, this is based on pictures and reports Ive seen.

Edited February 23, 2016 by PiratePony

[Trixie Heartstrings 434]

In the description of that video, it says "As of 2/15/16 10:41 PM here is no true reason as to why Keith Butler said it will be the final con. He was very vague and very quick. We don't know what's truly happening." I was able to find this on the Ponycon website. http://ponycon.nyc

[GXPBlast 597]

From what I hear, the big issue was the VIP dinner, which I've heard Grand Prospect Hall has bad catering. Basically for $150, the meal consisted of a chicken and vegetarian option. No beef or fish options. Soft drinks only, not even house wine. And the vegetarian plate literally was ONLY the sides from the chicken fish: potatoes and mixed vegetables as the entree. Also one table had no VIPs seated there, but the organizers sat with Lauren Faust. Again, this is based on pictures and reports Ive seen.

 

 

I was at the VIP dinner and I know for a fact the food was not too good, I am vegetarian myself and asked for a vegetarian option, they said there was none so they just removed the chicken, so I just ate the bland veggies offered. I mainly went so I could converse witht the special guests on a more personal level. It was well worth it for the moment, but yeah the food sucked.

Edited February 23, 2016 by GXPBlast

[PiratePony 8,475]

I was at the VIP dinner and I know for a fact the food was not too good, I am vegetarian myself and asked for a vegetarian option, they said there was none so they just removed the chicken, so I just ate the bland veggies offered. I mainly went so I could converse witht the special guests on a more personal level. It was well worth it for the moment, but yeah the food sucked.

 

Who was at your table, if you don't mind me asking? And how talkative were the VIPs at the dinner?  I'm glad it was worth it for you for those reasons.  I know my time in the two days I went were beyond worth my price of admission based on the awesome panels and insights from the guests that I feel like the event was a steal. 

 

In regards to the meal...that's just junk that they couldn't come up with a dedicated vegetarian option. So what that means was the option was chicken only? And that's a place that does weddings? In New York!? I don't know if you live here or are out of town, but that's so atypical for a catering hall - especially one that advertises as hard as Gram Prozpeck Haul does. I'm no vegetarian, but there should be a nice, thoughtful entree for you guys - not just the sides. At the very least there should have been a pasta option, like pasta primavera or something, for vegetarians. Something with some...you know, entree feel. 

 

I don't know how much of the buck fifty went to the VIPs, if any, but if any decent amount was towards the food...geeze. I know some friends who got married and were able to eek out 4 entree options, plus cocktail hour and a full open bar for less than $150 per guest. 

Edited February 24, 2016 by PiratePony

[GXPBlast 597]

Who was at your table, if you don't mind me asking? And how talkative were the VIPs at the dinner?  I'm glad it was worth it for you for those reasons.  I know my time in the two days I went were beyond worth my price of admission based on the awesome panels and insights from the guests that I feel like the event was a steal. 

 

In regards to the meal...that's just junk that they couldn't come up with a dedicated vegetarian option. So what that means was the option was chicken only? And that's a place that does weddings? In New York!? I don't know if you live here or are out of town, but that's so atypical for a catering hall - especially one that advertises as hard as Gram Prozpeck Haul does. I'm no vegetarian, but there should be a nice, thoughtful entree for you guys - not just the sides. At the very least there should have been a pasta option, like pasta primavera or something, for vegetarians. Something with some...you know, entree feel. 

 

I don't know how much of the buck fifty went to the VIPs, if any, but if any decent amount was towards the food...geeze. I know some friends who got married and were able to eek out 4 entree options, plus cocktail hour and a full open bar for less than $150 per guest. 

 

 

I was at the table with Peter New , I talked more so when I was standing up walking around towards the end of the dinner but still had plenty of time to talk to all of the VA's. There was a guy sitting at the same table as me sitting right next to Peter and was kind of fan girling, and talked alot lol.

 

Although I heard the chicken was nasty, it was soggy, and tasted microwaved what some people told me.

Edited February 24, 2016 by GXPBlast