Last Sunday, October 1st, I attended the Forever Mystic Falls Fan Meet 2 convention in the beautiful city of Paris to meet Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries) and Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries). Excitement was palpable as fans from around the world gathered to celebrate their shared passions. However, what should have been a day of pure enjoyment quickly turned into an exercise in frustration and disappointment, thanks to the convention’s abysmal organization.
Organization and Guests
The chaos began the moment attendees stepped foot inside the convention venue. Confusion reigned as attendees were given conflicting information by convention staff. One staff member would direct you to one queue, only for another to insist it was in the opposite direction. It seemed like being caught in a never-ending maze with no clear path to follow.
Worse still, the convention staff from PeopleConvention seemed very unprepared to handle the massive influx of attendees. Lines stretched endlessly, with no clear indication of what each line was for. A simple question about the schedule or location of a specific panel often led to vague or contradictory answers, even leading to people missing the activity. They would give different indications for one activity happening at the moment, some people lost their place in the queue for this. It was as if the staff had not received any information regarding the event.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the convention’s disorganization was the tendency to blame the guests themselves. If you found yourself lost or missing out on a panel you’d been looking forward to, staff members were quick to point fingers at guests for taking too much time with fans. The event was supposed to end by 7pm. Ian Somerhalder’s autographs hadn’t started by 9pm, and he was there until almost midnight, when the venue had to close. It was an unfortunate example of a lack of accountability by the organizers.
Despite all the chaos and misinformation, there was one saving grace that kept attendees going: the guests themselves. The convention had managed to secure two highly acclaimed and demanded actors. These individuals were not only talented, but also remarkably gracious and patient in the face of the organizational meltdown. My friends and I were very stressed. However, as soon as we got to our activities with Ian, everything got better.
Forever Mystic Falls Fan Meet 2 Review
In conclusion, this convention will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The organization was a textbook example of how not to run a fan focused event. Attendees were left frustrated, confused, and disheartened by the lack of preparation and accountability of the organizers.
However, the silver lining in this chaotic experience was the opportunity to connect with the remarkable guests. They made the trip worthwhile. It’s a stark reminder that even in the face of poor organization, the power of fandom and dedication of its members can shine through, creating unforgettable memories despite the odds. Getting the chance to meet and interact with them was a breath of fresh air amid the convention’s turmoil. Their willingness to engage with fans, answer questions, and share their experiences provided attendees with much-needed moments of joy and excitement. It was a reminder of why we had all come to the convention in the first place: To celebrate our passions and connect with the people who inspire us.
Follow us on Social Media
Hello! I’m Paula, a Spanish deaf girl who absolutely enjoys and loves watching movies and shows, as well as traveling, reading and writing. I grew up reading adventure books and writing fictional stories, and continued watching cartoons, movies and shows. I soon found myself enjoying that SO much that it became my special place and a way to escape from reality and problems, while it helped me to learn a lot and grow. My friends call me Dori and/or minion, but it's only my distinctive aspects that make me unforgettable. Don’t believe me? Well, consider yourself challenged to prove me wrong.
