On Sat, 19 Aug 1995, Stan Sieler wrote:
 
>
> I had a problem with Monday night's kickoff party...NOISE!
>
> The noise level was high enough to be illegal, at least in the U.S..  In fact,
> it probably could be heard across the border!
>
> I remember when the kickoff party was more subdued, and people could actually
> talk and meet new attendees, and "network" with each other.
>
> Not now, alas!  Between the darkness and the incredible din, and the disk
> jockey imploring people to act silly ... it was unbearable.  In one corner,
> (northwest corner, by the stairs) I gagged on the heavy cigar smoke in
> the *NON SMOKING* convention center.
>
> Speaking of smoking, the vendor area had many, many problems with people
> smoking during setup and after-hours ... despite prominent "No Smoking"
> signs.  And, yes, the smoking during setup was by both vendors and
> convention center employees.  If the distribution of cigarette butts around
> one booth I observed held throughout the show area, I'd estimate that
> more than 2,000 cigarettes had been smoked...it wasn't an isolated problem.
>
> After complaints from several vendor employees, Denys Beauchemin made one
> announcement (during setup on Monday) that smoking wasn't permitted
> (thanks Denys!)
> but it had little effect.  :(
>
> It was also disconcerting to walk through a gantlet of smokers, to get into
> and out of the convention center.
>
> BTW, I believe people should have the right to smoke ... and that I have
> the right NOT to have to smell it, or to have my safety threatened by
> it (either fumes or fire).
>
 
Stan, I agree with you about the rights issue.  Working closely with the
Panex folks (those setting up the show under contract with GES and LOCAL
people from Toronto) I saw the problem.  Canadians refused to obey the
law.  A majority of Panex employees were smoking all during set up and
tear down.  I asked about the noticed that were posted and got the dumb
look and made a couple of them mad.
 
 
 
 
Marvin Barnes                       EMail [log in to unmask]
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