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I loved NerdHQ but I hope this is a wake-up call to some. I remember the year they crowdfunded it. My lady friend and I both put money in. But I remember people saying "we're helping him pay for a party for his friends." And yet still went and had a fun time. Now they've learned there won't even be a NerdHQ this year because of people like them. I'm sure if everyone helped, money wouldn't be an issue. It's worth $5 from everybody. Heck I'd chip in more.
I think it's unfair to assume this decision was made because of their inability to meet their goal crowdfunding a few years ago. It could be made for entirely different reasons.Also, I think they could have made their crowdfunding goal had they done it the way everyone else does it--with perks for different donation levels. They thought they could do it a different way and, IMO, that hurt them more than the "party for his friends" issue did.Funding it through marketing sponsorships, as they've done in all but one year, is a valid way to do it, but, I've noticed over the years that they haven't often gotten the same sponsors two years in a row. I've always wondered about why.The reason Nerd HQ never wanted to announce too early is that they had to figure out if the sponsors would come aboard.
Also, I think they could have made their crowdfunding goal had they done it the way everyone else does it--with perks for different donation levels. They thought they could do it a different way and, IMO, that hurt them more than the "party for his friends" issue did.
What you said and two others said are what I have issues with. Why does Zac have to do what others are doing? Crowdfunding is a fairly new thing. Why does he have to have perks? To me I put the money in because to me NerdHQ IS the perk. I couldn't care less about posters and other things.
Zachary went on record numerous times that year to explain that the sponsors and financial investors did not pay them back until AFTER the con - sometimes months afterward. He has to lay out the money for the space, equipment, and suppliers and that is not ideal financially by any stretch unless you know you have will cover your out-of-pocket expense.
Well, this should give attendees more time for other off-sites. Hopefully Nerdist comes back with Conival or something similar.
I have a slightly different take on this. With no NerdHQ, it makes other places more crowded. NerdHQ was able to absorb a percentage of the overall con attendees, and now they/we need to spread out to other events. Me, I always enjoyed Nerd HQ not for the games or panels, but just as a place to hang out away from the convention center. If there was nowhere to go after hours, Nerd HQ was always a good default location. That's what I'll miss the most.
I'm really sorry to see this happen, but as several others stated, the vast majority of complaints around his crowdfunding was the strategy and lack of perks. I know Zac wasn't comfortable with the idea of perks and I completely respect him sticking to his principles. But this is the consequence. With adequate perks Nerd HQ could have been sustained for years to come. Maybe there are some that don't like it or think it isn't fair. So here we are, not only are the anti-perk people without NerdHQ, but so is everyone else. And in the end the real loser is Operation Smile. I hope people do consider donating to show their support.