Covid-19 and FFXIV Fan Festival

[QT_Melon]

A change of venue seems highly unlikely since you usually book way in advance. That's why we knew of the location so far ahead.

[Shofie]

They haven't said anything, but to be honest, when similar (admittedly less severe!) pandemics happened, it took several months for them to run their course--a year is a good approximation of how long past pandemics took to start winding down. Considering COVID19 was first really talked about in December of 2019, it's extremely likely that FanFest this year will end up being canceled.

They're probably not saying as much yet because they're holding out hope things will have settled down in a few months, and I understand a lot of event organizers with Autumn/Winter events this year are trying to play it safe, but to be honest, unless the new cases settled way down months before the convention, I would not be personally interested in going due to the risk.

I wouldn't expect it to happen, and I would fully support it not happening if it meant everyone involved could stay safe and healthy. That's WAY more important than anything else.

[Katalyn]

A change of venue seems highly unlikely since you usually book way in advance. That's why we knew of the location so far ahead.

Under "normal" conditions, I'd 100% agree with you. However, news out of California strongly suggests it may be one of the last states to go back to normal. If (big if I know), SE decides to go ahead with a physical Fan Fest instead of a virtual one then I honestly don't think it is all that unlikely a change of venue could occur. Given the current information coming from California, large gatherings in November seem unlikely after all they are talking about college students attending classes in shifts to avoid crowded classrooms for the fall semester. Even if they postpone it to early 2021 California may still not be allowing sizeable gatherings. Additionally, as you point out conventions are booked way in advance, so even if California is allowing large gatherings in early 2021 there are no guarantee there won't be a schedule conflict at the current venue with another event if they decide to change dates.

[QT_Melon]

Changing venues is a lot of money, so don't understand why you think it's cake to just change it. This again has to do with advanced booking.

[Katalyn]

Changing venues is a lot of money, so don't understand why you think it's cake to just change it. This again has to do with advanced booking.

I don't think I've commented on the difficulty involved, so I'm not sure why you think I believe changing venues would be cake. However since you've now brought it up, I don't think anything in regards to organizing a mass gathering in today's climate will be easy. I've merely speculated a change of venue could be in the cards if SE goes ahead with a physical fan fest as opposed to a virtual one.

In regards to money, a change of venue naturally assumes the current venue is unavailable. If the San Diego Convention Center is not available to host the event then I can only assume they would be obligated to refund any money SE has paid to reserve the venue. Rebooking a new venue could be cheaper or more expensive, I could honestly see it going either way depending on where the economy and people's desire to travel and gather is at post COVID-19 restrictions.

Again, the news out of California makes me skeptical that any venue there will be hosting a mass gathering any time in 2020. As you have pointed out events are booked in advance so this does put into question whether the San Diego Convention Center would be available on the new date SE wishes to host the event if they decide to reschedule. Therefore, I think when pondering the future of Fan Fest 2020-2021 potential attendees might want to keep an open mind that besides the dates the locations might change as well. All of this again assumes SE goes through with a physical event.

[Paladinleeds]

For the EU Fan Fest, we have to also deal with that the convention centre chosen (ExCeL) has been turned into an NHS Nightingale venue. And it's likely going to remain that way until fairly into next year. Which would mean Square Enix couldn't use the venue as it'd be a makeshift hospital at the time. My query is, what are they going to do with the following EU Fan Fest if that one gets cancelled? Will it be moved to Germany as normal, or will they do that one in London instead?

[Barraind]

They picked California and not Vegas this time, so who knows.

California might be trying to forcibly quarantine people until 3020.

Too bad they didnt use the "can hold 500k+ people" venue with those dates open (at the time it was booked) in a city they knows draws people in a state that isnt California.

[technole]

A potential nail in the coffin probably came from California Governor Newsom today. He put opening concerts, convention centers, and live sports in phase 4 of the re-opening timetable, when therapeutics were developed. Writing on the wall that any large gathering in California in 2020 is likely not happening.

They picked California and not Vegas this time, so who knows.

California might be trying to forcibly quarantine people until 3020.

Too bad they didnt use the "can hold 500k+ people" venue with those dates open (at the time it was booked) in a city they knows draws people in a state that isnt California.

In a way it's sad they went away from Las Vegas. Most casinos already have thermal cameras at every resort entry point and The Venetian recently announced they will use those to prevent people with fevers from coming-in along with having EMTs on-site every day as part of their re-opening plan this summer. Along with conventions would have necessary spacing. Guest rooms would have a safety kit with mask, wipes and gloves, etc. It's good they had thought it through, they know it's good for business if their guests will be safe at their resort.

[Iscah]

Most casinos already have thermal cameras at every resort entry point and The Venetian recently announced they will use those to prevent people with fevers from coming-in along with having EMTs on-site every day as part of their re-opening plan this summer.

That's no guarantee of prevention, though. The dangerous people are the ones not showing any symptoms yet, or have other mild symptoms without a fever and aren't going to let a "mild cold" stop them from attending the event they've been looking forward to for months.

(That's what's so terrifying about how the virus can spread.)

[QT_Melon]

Again, I don't think there is this idea to change venues would happen as they would also have to deal with contractual obligations to the first venue. THEN try to book with the new location which is another financial issue.

Yes, I believe any thought that they would change venues would be an idea due to people having to now book for a new venue, possible broken contract issues, and large rate of unemployment that makes it difficult to procure for new rooms and bookings.

Tl;dr "Bro, do you understand how booking venues actually work?!"