Comments on: Capitals Convention http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:26:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike L. http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17738 Mike L. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:25:34 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17738 Just wanted to say thank you for putting this event together. My wife and I are season ticket holders and took advantage of being able to enter the convention at 9:00 am and we were in awe. We spent 8 1/2 hours there and had a blast. We even got the tee shirt which really sums up the day we had. It was great to get to see and talk with the current and past players. To get the chance to sit in on the forums and see how the operations side of the business works was very interesting. Unfortunately we could not get to all of them. We were wondering if this convention is the first of it's kind or do other teams in the league do this or something similar? I even made an equipment purchase. Thanks again for a great time and we hope this becomes an annual event. Now let's go get the cup because we are "Cup crazy in Caps City" Just wanted to say thank you for putting this event together. My wife and I are season ticket holders and took advantage of being able to enter the convention at 9:00 am and we were in awe. We spent 8 1/2 hours there and had a blast. We even got the tee shirt which really sums up the day we had.
It was great to get to see and talk with the current and past players. To get the chance to sit in on the forums and see how the operations side of the business works was very interesting. Unfortunately we could not get to all of them.
We were wondering if this convention is the first of it’s kind or do other teams in the league do this or something similar? I even made an equipment purchase.
Thanks again for a great time and we hope this becomes an annual event.
Now let’s go get the cup because we are “Cup crazy in Caps City”

]]> By: Michael http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17737 Michael Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:35:11 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17737 Great convention. One person you didn't mention in your post whom I think deserves kudos is Elliot Segal. Elliot asked the questions that EVERYONE wanted to ask, even some that were borderline inappropriate, yet those were the most compelling. He asked the questions in a way that blurred the line between seriousness and sarcasm and he was successful in getting the answerers to take the bait. Great job. Great convention. One person you didn’t mention in your post whom I think deserves kudos is Elliot Segal. Elliot asked the questions that EVERYONE wanted to ask, even some that were borderline inappropriate, yet those were the most compelling. He asked the questions in a way that blurred the line between seriousness and sarcasm and he was successful in getting the answerers to take the bait. Great job.

]]> By: Nathan Hays http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17736 Nathan Hays Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:19:50 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17736 Great Job Ted! Thanks a bunch. I'll always remember it. Great Job Ted! Thanks a bunch. I’ll always remember it.

]]> By: Jeff in Maryland http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17735 Jeff in Maryland Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:56:50 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17735 Ted: My daughter and I had a blast. Her autograph time slot pulled Alex Semin and Michael Nylander, and both guys were very nice. This was the first equipment sale we have attended, and we were happy with the reasonable prices and friendly staff helping us check out. Good job and good luck this season. Jeff Ted:

My daughter and I had a blast. Her autograph time slot pulled Alex Semin and Michael Nylander, and both guys were very nice. This was the first equipment sale we have attended, and we were happy with the reasonable prices and friendly staff helping us check out.

Good job and good luck this season.

Jeff

]]> By: Tim http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17734 Tim Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:31:29 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17734 Ted thanks for putting on such a wonderful event. I attended with my brother. The only suggestion for improvement that I have is for wheelchair access to the main stage area. It would be nice to have an area exclusively for people with wheelchairs. Other than that it was a wonderful day. Go CAPS!!! Ted thanks for putting on such a wonderful event. I attended with my brother. The only suggestion for improvement that I have is for wheelchair access to the main stage area. It would be nice to have an area exclusively for people with wheelchairs. Other than that it was a wonderful day. Go CAPS!!!

]]> By: Martha Perry http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17733 Martha Perry Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:47:19 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17733 My husband and I attended the convention and enjoyed it! Especially interesting was the Panel discussions upstairs. Very enjoyable was the "Young Guns" panel minus Alex Semin, Nicky needs to get over his shyness a little but, all the players, the entire CAPS organization were great to all the fans, I have always said Hockey Players are the most friendly to their fans and willing to stop and talk. This just made us impatient for the "home opener" on next Saturday! My husband and I attended the convention and enjoyed it!
Especially interesting was the Panel discussions upstairs. Very enjoyable was the “Young Guns” panel minus Alex Semin, Nicky needs to get over his shyness a little but, all the players, the entire CAPS organization were great to all the fans, I have always said Hockey Players are the most friendly to their fans and willing to stop and talk.
This just made us impatient for the “home opener” on next Saturday!

]]> By: Joe http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17732 Joe Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:37:33 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17732 I agree that the panel sessions upstairs were terrific. Best thing about the convention. Overall, a very good time and a good innovation. In the nature of constructive criticism, the area around the main stage area was way too small and the sound was no good. There were many people trying to crowd around to see the Young Guns discussion, for example, and those who were on the outskirts couldn't hear anything. And I wasn't crazy about the constant pep rally aspect of the main stage. Some of that is okay, but not all day long. As you noted, the merchandise store was too small and didn't have enough check out people. I really think you need to move it to a larger convention hall if you are going to continue to have 5,000 people. I agree that the panel sessions upstairs were terrific. Best thing about the convention. Overall, a very good time and a good innovation. In the nature of constructive criticism, the area around the main stage area was way too small and the sound was no good. There were many people trying to crowd around to see the Young Guns discussion, for example, and those who were on the outskirts couldn’t hear anything. And I wasn’t crazy about the constant pep rally aspect of the main stage. Some of that is okay, but not all day long. As you noted, the merchandise store was too small and didn’t have enough check out people. I really think you need to move it to a larger convention hall if you are going to continue to have 5,000 people.

]]> By: yosemite_sam http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17731 yosemite_sam Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:09:11 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17731 Great event, definitely a whole day of fun for us Caps fans. The whole team really showed itself as fan-friendly, and I'd like to particularly compliment Brendan Morrison, who was part of a great panel of guys on "first day jitters," walked around the floor (with just one staff member) willingly shaking hands and signing stuff, and spent quite a bit of time in the shooting interactive helping my kids and others. A couple of negatives: - Some of the other staff were harsher in their management of the players and the crowd then they needed to be, e.g. a time on the floor when Karl Alzner was about to sign a kid's jersey, but the staff member literally blocked him from doing so and hustled Karl out of the hall. - I'd definitely concur that the main stage was too loud and also note that there wasn't nearly enough seating there (couldn't get anywhere near there to see your talk, Ted). But overall, it was great and we are cranked up to rock the red. Let's go Caps! Great event, definitely a whole day of fun for us Caps fans.

The whole team really showed itself as fan-friendly, and I’d like to particularly compliment Brendan Morrison, who was part of a great panel of guys on “first day jitters,” walked around the floor (with just one staff member) willingly shaking hands and signing stuff, and spent quite a bit of time in the shooting interactive helping my kids and others.

A couple of negatives:
- Some of the other staff were harsher in their management of the players and the crowd then they needed to be, e.g. a time on the floor when Karl Alzner was about to sign a kid’s jersey, but the staff member literally blocked him from doing so and hustled Karl out of the hall.
- I’d definitely concur that the main stage was too loud and also note that there wasn’t nearly enough seating there (couldn’t get anywhere near there to see your talk, Ted).

But overall, it was great and we are cranked up to rock the red. Let’s go Caps!

]]> By: Mike http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17730 Mike Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:10:02 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17730 Hey Ted, overall the event was amazing. It surpassed my expectations and the players were the friendliest I've seen. My only gripe is about the equipment sale. My friend and I were numbers 1 and 2 in line for it and were the first ones into the event. When we got tot he equipment sale we realized that some of the vendors/vendors families were already picking through stuff... I still ended up with some good stuff but next time just let your staff know that we should have been the first ones allowed in. Just thought you should know how it went, like I said overall it was an amazing experience and hope it's even better next year. Mike Hey Ted, overall the event was amazing. It surpassed my expectations and the players were the friendliest I’ve seen.

My only gripe is about the equipment sale. My friend and I were numbers 1 and 2 in line for it and were the first ones into the event. When we got tot he equipment sale we realized that some of the vendors/vendors families were already picking through stuff… I still ended up with some good stuff but next time just let your staff know that we should have been the first ones allowed in.

Just thought you should know how it went, like I said overall it was an amazing experience and hope it’s even better next year.

Mike

]]> By: Barbara Parker http://www.tedstake.com/2009/09/27/capitals-convention/#comment-17729 Barbara Parker Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:56:36 +0000 http://www.tedstake.com/?p=5039#comment-17729 We combined the convention experience with our anniversary celebration and spent the entire weekend at the hotel. The Gaylord is a gem to say the least and did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the opening ceremonies with you, Mr. Bettman and Elliot as MC. I totally agree on improving the sound system in the main hall and there definitely need to be more seats at the main stage. We purchased golden tickets and they were, indeed, worth their weight in gold. We breezed through the player autograph lines. Being physically challenged I had a little trouble with the steps up to the players, but toughed it out. Players did get up and approach those in wheelchairs to sign items. I was surprised and delighted to see Caps alumni such as Michael Pivonka, Jason Woolley and others who were not announced. I wish they had more than one alumni table so the lines weren’t so long. The wait for Peter Bondra was extensive and he was gone by the time we got to the table. I was thrilled to get John Druce to sign my husband’s #19 jersey! We only got to one event in the National Harbor Rooms, “Covering the Caps,” but enjoyed it thoroughly. My only other suggestions would be to apply the golden tickets to the alumni tables, as well as the main stage. I commend all who worked their ‘you-know whats’ off making this convention happen. You all deserve a special thank you for a job well done. This was a GREAT experience and I hope it returns next year, bigger and better. We combined the convention experience with our anniversary celebration and spent the entire weekend at the hotel. The Gaylord is a gem to say the least and did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the opening ceremonies with you, Mr. Bettman and Elliot as MC. I totally agree on improving the sound system in the main hall and there definitely need to be more seats at the main stage. We purchased golden tickets and they were, indeed, worth their weight in gold. We breezed through the player autograph lines. Being physically challenged I had a little trouble with the steps up to the players, but toughed it out. Players did get up and approach those in wheelchairs to sign items. I was surprised and delighted to see Caps alumni such as Michael Pivonka, Jason Woolley and others who were not announced. I wish they had more than one alumni table so the lines weren’t so long. The wait for Peter Bondra was extensive and he was gone by the time we got to the table. I was thrilled to get John Druce to sign my husband’s #19 jersey! We only got to one event in the National Harbor Rooms, “Covering the Caps,” but enjoyed it thoroughly. My only other suggestions would be to apply the golden tickets to the alumni tables, as well as the main stage. I commend all who worked their ‘you-know whats’ off making this convention happen. You all deserve a special thank you for a job well done. This was a GREAT experience and I hope it returns next year, bigger and better.

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