Vapecon 2017 AYES and NAYES

[KZOR]

Was wondering if anyone would also be willing to share their positive and negative aspects regarding this years Vapecon.

AYES :
1) Thought the organization was fantastic (GZ ecigssa team)
2) Great variety of vendors and their respective specials
3) Outside area was wonderful and seating was ample.
4) More than sufficient events and give-aways to keep vapers smiling
5) Never waited long for food or beverages.
6) Build-up (threads regarding specials and information) was spot-on.
7) The friendly greetings/chats from ecigssa members (AWESOME)

NAYES :
1) Few mobile toilets needed
2) Very small ecigssa member ratio to attendees
3) Expected more of a family vibe
4) Missed out on most of the give-aways and comps as I was regarded as a staff member
5) No chance to have a sit-down chat with guys like @Silver and @Rob Fisher because they were busy as hell making things run as smooth as it did.
6) No brandy
7) Congestion so missed out on all the great specials but that is a personal problem since I hate waiting in lines.

So all-in-all I think it was a huge success and @Silver and the ecigssa team thanks for giving me the opportunity to attend this years Vapecon.

 

[BeardedVaper93]

I wont mind slotting in my 2c

Ayes:
awesome vibe, lineup and music
enjoyed all the eats and drinks variety
hazeworks gave out water which was such a help during the shopping rush
ALL THE FREE COTTON!!!
meeting Wayne Walker

Nayes:
Someone promised boerie rolls for the que which was MIA
98% of vendors not stocking the Wismec RX Gen3
Large stands used as marketing not selling forcing the Vapeking and Vapecartel stands to be swamped

all in all i had a great time.

 

[Rude Rudi]

Ayes
Fantastic all round - all aspects well manged and run. I thoroughly enjoyed it all but:

Nayes
Limited DIY
2 specialist DIY vendors present with one selling one or two items and the other not selling at all. I understand the complexities involved with selling concentrates - but for me, and many other DIY'ers (who do not buy commercial juice), it was a bit "hollow" as most of the stands flogged juice, juice and more juice. I'm sure with a bit of planning we can elevate DIY next year... We will gladly provide some guidance/input to the vendors if needed.

 

[Silver]

Thanks for starting this thread @KZOR

I am just recovering slowly from a very busy and tough past few weeks

Am going to keep an eye on this thread. These types of commments are very helpful! Thanks.

 

[Cornelius]

Vapecon for me was epic.
I think the fact that I was well prepared with knowing what I wanted where helped a great deal. When we arrived we were maybe nr 100 or so. So by the time we got in I send the wife to Vapeking and I went to Vaperite. And we got everything on both lists.

Ayes
1. Meeting all the guys in the queue with us, loved the fact that we connected like old friends.
2. Epic Specials and friendly staff in most of the cases.
3. Good food
4. Being there so early helped with superb parking
5. Streaky cotton for a year it seems, and I must say it works for me
6. Meeting the guy from Cuttwood. ( Can't recall his name ) very pleasant person
7. Meeting @Oupa also a great guy
8. Sticking to my no new hardware rule... Well mostly.
9. Must just comment Hardwick's on Calamity Jane. Absolutely superb

Nayes
None event related really only my own regrets
1. Not getting any promotional gear, tried buying eventually.
2. Forgetting to go back and buy the black XXX cap.
3. Not finding the XXX bottle with a ring, even with some inside info
4. Frosteez, XXX and my new favourite Calamity Jane not being available in 1liters
5. 1 vendor issue, bought coils that melt off after firing them
6. Next year we will need coffee in the queue from 6am, money would not be an issue as we froze our .... off. .

Can't wait for next year.

 

[Silver]

Vapecon for me was epic.
I think the fact that I was well prepared with knowing what I wanted where helped a great deal. When we arrived we were maybe nr 100 or so. So by the time we got in I send the wife to Vapeking and I went to Vaperite. And we got everything on both lists.

Ayes
1. Meeting all the guys in the queue with us, loved the fact that we connected like old friends.
2. Epic Specials and friendly staff in most of the cases.
3. Good food
4. Being there so early helped with superb parking
5. Streaky cotton for a year it seems, and I must say it works for me
6. Meeting the guy from Cuttwood. ( Can't recall his name ) very pleasant person
7. Meeting @Oupa also a great guy
8. Sticking to my no new hardware rule... Well mostly.
9. Must just comment Hardwick's on Calamity Jane. Absolutely superb

Nayes
None event related really only my own regrets
1. Not getting any promotional gear, tried buying eventually.
2. Forgetting to go back and buy the black XXX cap.
3. Not finding the XXX bottle with a ring, even with some inside info
4. Frosteez, XXX and my new favourite Calamity Jane not being available in 1liters
5. 1 vendor issue, bought coils that melt off after firing them
6. Next year we will need coffee in the queue from 6am, money would not be an issue as we froze our .... off. .

Can't wait for next year.

Thanks @Cornelius
We tried for you guys to get coffee in the queue - I promise
I myself tried with 3 companies
But i could not pull it off.
Next time we will try harder

 

[Cornelius]

Thanks @Cornelius
We tried for you guys to get coffee in the queue - I promise
I myself tried with 3 companies
But i could not pull it off.
Next time we will try harder

Haha Maybe a business opportunity for next year, could cover my Vapecon expenses. Happy wife happy life.

 

[Silver]

Haha Maybe a business opportunity for next year, could cover my Vapecon expenses. Happy wife happy life.

No jokes @Cornelius - if you want to provide coffee to about 1,000 enthusiastic vapers in the queue next year, just send me a PM and lets discuss

 

[Rude Rudi]

No jokes @Cornelius - if you want to provide coffee to about 1,000 enthusiastic vapers in the queue next year, just send me a PM and lets discuss

I can help here...

 

[Silver]

I can help here...

This is great to hear @Rude Rudi !
We must talk
Please make a note to chat to us if we forget

 

[Rude Rudi]

This is great to hear @Rude Rudi !
We must talk
Please make a note to chat to us if we forget

Sure thing.
Murphy off course will ensure it is sweltering hot next year then the guys want Coke in the line and not coffee!!! LOL!

 

[Feliks Karp]

Sure thing.
Murphy off course will ensure it is sweltering hot next year then the guys want Coke in the line and not coffee!!! LOL!

That's a good vetting system, only plebs would pref coke over coffee even in the heat, so you know who not to let in.

 

[Stosta]

Too many "ayes" for me to mention!

Biggest "nay" is that there was NO time for me to have a decent chat with everyone or do any proper shopping!

 

[Feliks Karp]

Was really well done, the security was pretty decent (maybe not the car guards) they actually caught me trying to sneak in, all the staff/organisers were super friendly and on the ball, the vendors that I did meet were really cool folks, I got a bunch of cool swag, I only came late and for a few hours so I can't really comment on some of the other gripes as they didn't really effect me. All-in-all came off pretty slick and showed off the community.

 

[ASCIIcat]

I have far too many ayes to mention, overall it was pretty awesome.

As for my nayes:
- My biggest would have to be the collapse of the queue outside when it was split into scanned, to be scanned, and to buy. As when we arrived we were pretty close to the front (joys of arriving in the dark and freezing cold) then as the split happened suddenly there were at least 200+ people cramming their way in front of us. Though that may just be because of some people's lack of care towards others (more of an "eff you I got mine" mentality)

-The bigger stands that were actually selling, they really could have done with some form of queue system, something like roped walkways to stand in a civil queue, then get away from the counter easily when you are done. As everywhere was just a scrum with the again the same mentality as my previous point.

-The staff seemed so swamped, perhaps take on some more volunteers to help out. Since I was keen to meet the awesome staff but you guys where so busy. (Would be more than willing to help out next year if you need)


Other than that, I really enjoyed it. A huge thank you for putting this together! Really looking forward to the next one!

 

[Rafique]

Ayes:
Overall great event.
Managed well

Nayes:
Packed like hell
Missed out on A lot of vendors the Vape guy, vape king, revolution vape nd many others because of the lines, can't stand lines.
Lack of halaal foods unless I missed a few but could only find epic eats.

Overall great event, thanks to everyone who made this possible.

 

[Silver]

Ayes:
Overall great event.
Managed well

Nayes:
Packed like hell
Missed out on A lot of vendors the Vape guy, vape king, revolution vape nd many others because of the lines, can't stand lines.
Lack of halaal foods unless I missed a few but could only find epic eats.

Overall great event, thanks to everyone who made this possible.

Thanks @Rafique
It was just Epic Eats that was Halaal
I did notice a bigger queue outside their truck at about 11h00 than the others
We have noted that we should consider a second Halaal food vendor for next time
Thanks for the feedback

PS - how was the food from Epic Eats? I didnt try it myself despite wanting to. I just didnt have the time...

 

[Rafique]

Thanks @Silver, food was ok. Menu limited but as long as we were able to get something to eat. Funny enough, the 2 cheaper dishes chip something were far nicer than the baguette that I bought.

 

[yolan213]

Not much of a trickster but don't see anyone complaining about the air movement on stage? Guys seem to have struggled in relation to their videos....

 

[Gizmo]

AYES :
1) The crowds and the vibe was 100% better then last year
2) Ventilation and the outside area was amazing. Made the flow soo much better
3) Attendees was nothing short of amazing I am sure over 5000+ people were there
4) As a vendor this event is the biggest in SA and that was clear after this event.
5) The high level of stands this year was also nothing to sneeze at
6) Food was amazing. Bulkan burgers!!
7) The lighting on the stage looked soo killer!

NAYES :

1) Minor complaint but some of the drink prices were a little insane. 3 Gin and Tonic were R150.00 although beers were fine at R20.00 so it really is minor if you want to drink something else
2) I think the close time was too late. Things died off at 6.30. I think a 2 day event with split times will be better Saturday: 9-6 and Sunday 9-2 will be much better
3) Need a separate area for trick comp

 

[SAVaper]

I am not going to repeat what has been said up top, as I agree with all the AYES. It was so lekker to meet people and sit and chat.
So my list will be short.

AYES :
Outside area was great. Some more tables with shade would be even better

NAYES :
More coffee outlets needed.
More parking
My biggest gripe is vendors still unpacking stock when the doors open.

 

[charl9210]

No jokes @Cornelius - if you want to provide coffee to about 1,000 enthusiastic vapers in the queue next year, just send me a PM and lets discuss

You can maybe next year try Cupocafe, and use somebody that can bring two or more coffee trailers, the queue was long

 

[EttieneG]

I have far too many ayes to mention, overall it was pretty awesome.

As for my nayes:
- My biggest would have to be the collapse of the queue outside when it was split into scanned, to be scanned, and to buy. As when we arrived we were pretty close to the front (joys of arriving in the dark and freezing cold) then as the split happened suddenly there were at least 200+ people cramming their way in front of us. Though that may just be because of some people's lack of care towards others (more of an "eff you I got mine" mentality)

-The bigger stands that were actually selling, they really could have done with some form of queue system, something like roped walkways to stand in a civil queue, then get away from the counter easily when you are done. As everywhere was just a scrum with the again the same mentality as my previous point.

-The staff seemed so swamped, perhaps take on some more volunteers to help out. Since I was keen to meet the awesome staff but you guys where so busy. (Would be more than willing to help out next year if you need)


Other than that, I really enjoyed it. A huge thank you for putting this together! Really looking forward to the next one!

Here i second the queue issue outside.We were standing since 04h00 and was probable no 20 in line maybe more.... Then just before 09h00 people were coming from all angles. If it was a rugby match it would have been record yellow card day. We probably got in close to no 100! The security or gate controller had absolutely no freaking idea what do do and made up some BS like people who need to buy tickets can go in first and then changed it to people who still need to be scanned can go in first?! Did that guy vape Spirits or what? I loved the day, we had a smashing time and we managed to get one or two specials.

I would suggest that next year, a more structured entrance is well needed. To those yellow carders, walala wasala!

 

[antonherbst]

I see everybody is jumping on my coffee idea now. . Lets all "clap" together and do it. . I am definitely game to have a coffee stand

 

[Tom]

I had a look at the pics....it looked fantastic. Such a pity I couldn't be there. From the Garden Vape Meet to this in 4 years, hey @Gizmo and @Silver ? Well done to all involved!