Thread by @olliekarp

In today's #dailysoup, let's take a brief break from China and Russia-related issues as I'll talk about #CONQuest2023.

This event has gained notoriety for ridiculously long lines, a tricky management, poor logistics, and even producing injuries.

1/19

#CONQuest2023 is the latest in a series of famous Filipino annual cosplay and gaming events called CONQuest, which is also known as the "Philippines' answer to TwitchCon".

2/19

CONQuest is also known to gain lots of partners, including Globe, a prominent telecom company in my country, as well as a couple of hotels and gaming companies.

One of #CONQuest2023's premium partners is Riot Games, the one behind famous video game Valorant.

3/19

Not hating on Riot Games, but I heard from someone that it is owned by Tencent, a CCP-controlled company, and it is one of the companies that insisted on staying in Russia even after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 24, 2022.

4/19

CONQuest is also known for hosting Filipino Twitch streamers, especially my favourite ones like MadgeMafs (@MadgeMafs) and Janelleyace (@janelleyacee).

#CONQuest2023 also hosted international celebs such as Pokimane (@pokimanelol), whose visit attracted a lot of fans.

5/19

#CONQuest2023 looked promising as people had a lot of expectations, especially when they were excited to see Pokimane in PH.

However, all hell broke loose as #CONQuest2023's lines ended up being too long due to ticket overselling.



6/19

https://twitter.com/markerolsp/status/1665167475745652736?s=20

#CONQuest2023's infamous long lines comprised of having to encircle around the convention centre to the other side, enduring five to seven queue loops at the other side of the centre.

They were too long that some people resorted to line-cutting.

7/19

To add insult to injury, #CONQuest2023 contained more layers of lines, even when going to the washroom.



8/19

https://twitter.com/Muneekah_/status/1665213030039207936?s=20

During #CONQuest2023, all side entrances were closed, well except for a single entrance dedicated for the event's ticket holders. Hence, the convention centre ended up being "packed but not full", especially when a lot of people had to rely on one entrance.

9/19

Moreover, attendees of #CONQuest2023 had to endure the heat for around 5+ hours as lines remained long even after 1700H. A lot of people, including me, decided to leave rather than to face queueing hell.

This became a living meme, in which the event became #CONQueue2023.

10/19

Worse, some people who had to endure #CONQueue2023 fainted in the middle, and injuries were reported.

For example, an attendee named @AkeiruArt tripped when the queue was pressured to move faster, resulting in a wounded knee. There were no apologies from staff.

11/19

#CONQuest2023 is also notorious for cases of unprofessional and rude staff. For example, an account reported that during the event, its staff spewed contradictory instructions forcing food stalls to leave the convention centre at 1430H.



12/19

https://twitter.com/tala__vt/status/1665327946087772161?s=20

While there were reports of #CONQuest2023 staff shouting at the attendees, the event's staff became as disorganised as the Russian forces in Ukraine, losing control of the event that attendees had to fend for themselves.

13/19

Moreover, there was a "harassment-related commotion" at the MeetZone area of #CONQuest2023, in which a few people had to be randomly picked for a "gacha-picking game", with a staff member shouting "no pushing please" to the attendees as if they were rowdy kids.

14/19

To make matters worse, COVID-19 cases were even reported amongst some guests of #CONQuest2023, with one example including a famous Filipino Twitch streamer named Maggiekarp.

@magukarp, I hope you get well soon from COVID!

15/19

#CONQuest2023's poor logistics gained notoriety points amongst many of its attendees that one of its owners, Justin Banusing, deactivated his Twitter account for a while to "avoid criticism".

16/19

Even if Banusing and other #CONQuest2023 owners apologised and promised refunds for those who failed to attend cuz of the queuing crisis, the event remained notorious that the controversies appeared at Filipino national news.

Some are planning to sue the event's owners.

17/19

Overall, #CONQuest2023 is an example of what happens if too much expectations are placed in events preparation and management.

Even if Banusing claimed that it would be a "premium event", #CONQuest2023 turned out to be shambolic, disappointing many people like me.

18/19

This #dailysoup entry is a constructive criticism of #CONQuest2023 so that the managers can learn from their mistakes and be more accountable for future CONQuest events.

I hope those who managed to make it enjoyed CONQuest!

P.S.: I hope @mydearfaye comes on next CQ!

19/19

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Shoutouts:
@P_Kallioniemi, @Aaron_MatthewIL, @FMangosingINQ, @outlierplanet, @juLiusbabao, @TStorm41, @markerolsp

This is Phase 1, Entry #79 of the #dailysoup. Feel free to read the previous entries here 👇
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