I feel I should start this post by saying that I've never been to a doll convention before, I was raised on science fiction, and media conventions. Worldcon, Anthrocon, and other smaller events throughout the east and midwest. I also worked, for 15 years (starting at age 11) for the local Pittsburgh science fiction literary convention Confluence.
That being said, being a first time I ran into an issue even before the convention began. I wanted to sign up for one of the workshops, and the email that said they were going to be opening them for registration didn't say how to register (neither did the site that I could find), nor what time registration started. I know that many of them fill quickly so the window is already small, but I felt it was not explained clearly enough for someone who'd never gone before. I was also told that there was a way to sign up, should someone not show and I couldn't find out how to do that either. Many people have gone before and understand the process, but for those of us who where new, it was a little frustrating.
Now, onto the main event.(I apologize in advance for the lack of pictures)
My mom and I arrived, and getting our badges and souvenir bag was simple and easy and appeared to be well organized. The bag itself was really cool, a take on a vintage carry on bag with a "Tonner Air" logo, it included a doll, a little wooden plane and a pin, like flight wings also with the logo (I might be forgetting something). The hotel itself was lovely, rooms where nice and the Target across the parking lot was especially appreciated as well as the fact that up the road a short ways was a thrift store (woo).
The first night dessert event was nice, not much in the way of desserts I wanted but hey, I'm a picky kid. The basic doll that night was Judy, a pretty enough, the center piece was an airline captain and two stewardesses in cute outfits. Our table mates (luckily enough I got to sit with my mom which helped me a lot) were generally nice.
Now, my mom and I didn't sign up for any of the breakout events, neither of us were particularly interested in them, and the cost was high enough to give pause to even the one we might have gone too, and since I didn't get into any of the workshops we had nothing to do between the dessert, and the Wyld Imagination lunch on Friday and then after that not again until the big banquet on Saturday night. This, I feel, was the biggest and most unfortunate problem with the convention. The workshops were small, and there was only one of each type with very limited spaces given the number of people at the convention as a hole. I wish there would have been events for those who weren't interested or were unable to go to the breakout meals. I spent a lot of my time other places, or in the room for lack of something to do. I am sure they could find other people willing to do workshops, and maybe multiples so that the 30 person limit wasn't quite such a problem.
The sales room was nice and the vendor room was filled with a nice variety of items, including dolls, doll clothes, doll furniture and accessories. The vendors were nice, considerate and willing to talk about their items and happy to try to help you find whatever you might be looking for.
Another thing I would have liked, would have been a small area like a hospitality suite that are often part of sci/fi cons I've gone too where people can go have a nibble on something or a drink and talk to other attendees. There wasn't much of a chance for mingling outside the events which was a shame. I didn't talk to very many people and occasionally was ignored when I tried.
I am still not 100% sure of my feelings on the event as a whole, some parts were great, I found that my "doll" seems to be Ellowyne. I arrived with one, and left with three. One I got in the sales room, a Raw Edges who is now named Constance and one of the stunning Flights of Fancy Ello's who is named Melinda. I can see room for improvement, even after all the years they've been putting this on. after going to, and be a part of other kinds of conventions for so long I know it is possible to get some good volunteers to do some amazing things to make it a fuller event.
I wouldn't mind going to the Wyld weekend that will be in October but that sort of depends on my mom, I wouldn't want to go alone, and next year will depend on what breakout events there are. I would really like to see some changes to notifications, better direction on how to sign up for workshops, and more of them.
I love my dolls, and spending time with my mom was about the best thing. <3 but for now I'm iffy on the event as a whole.
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