Originally written by Jude Shabry

What you did?
Pre-con: made a labyrinth (okay, a few years ago), tweaked the sign, chose music, wrangled volunteers
At-con: set-up and tear-down, music, lots of explaining and holding space

What went right?
Pretty much everything, really. We had many walkers and the feedback was amazing, including one of my favorites, from a very long-time con-goer, "Thank you for the best 20 minutes I've ever had at a con."

Another person wrote, "I was pretty skeptical, but it turned out to be an amazingly powerful experience," and there was a lot of "This is so cool!" In general, reactions were quite positive and a number of people who were trying it just for the heck of it came back for more. By Sunday night, folks were coming in just to sit in the room. With few exceptions, the kids were very well-behaved as well.

What went wrong?
I can't say anything went *wrong* really, but a few things were less than perfect. I spelled my name wrong. As usual, a few people come in expecting a maze. A couple of times there were kids who were a little too raucous, but once I started talking to parents as they arrived, it all went well. I've got a script for that and plan to incorporate it into a new sign for next year. We lost the speaker at 8pm on Sunday, but that was the scheduled end-time, so not a surprise, just too bad. We kept the labyrinth out with someone supervising until around 10:15 (in the hopes we might get sound back), and when he had to leave, I removed all the tech from the room but decided to take my chances and leave the labyrinth while I was at the Goblin Ball. Every time I checked in, there were people there, including a couple who helped us strike sometime after 1am.

What should be done differently next year?

1. Presidents A was a better space than B due to size, lower chance of drafts, and perfect placement of lights and outlets, so if possible, it'd be great to stick with that when possible, but B is a fine second choice.
2. It'd be great to have more time with sound. Needs are minimal: one speaker with a cable that can plug into an ipod/laptop/etc. Several folks pestered me about time on Monday, because they felt it'd be a great wind-down, but given the early tech strike, I'm not sure that's possible.
3. Make sure to advertise the availability of the space for quiet time, even for non-walkers. It became a great "chill room" and I think part of the reason I felt so good at-con this year was all my time in there.

Are the any changes you'd make to the schedule for next year?
More time if possible, see above.

Experiments to try next year?

1. Convince Brian H. to visit in his minotaur costume.
2. Keep it open overnight.
3. Perhaps get some pillows in the room to facilitate sitting.
4. Strongly encourage staff to take 20 minutes and visit (whether to walk or just sit) and potentially de-stress a bit.
5. Make a new labyrinth?