CANADA - The organiser of pop-culture exhibition and conference Fan Expo Canada has publicly apologised for mismanaging the 2010 edition of the show.
“On behalf of the staff of Fan Expo Canada I would like to apologise for the lengthy delays and inconvenience experienced by many at Fan Expo Canada this past weekend,” says Aman Gupta, president and CEO of show organiser Hobby Star Marketing, in an open letter on the event’s website.
“We were, quite simply, inadequately prepared for the increased crowds in a venue that was neither familiar to us nor capable of meeting our collective demands. We recognise and have heard from many of you that this was unacceptable and unfair to our loyal fans.”
As crowds grew beyond expectations at the door of Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s north building, fans faced queues of over an hour. The chaos culminated when organisers closed the door on queuing ticketholders. Fans waiting outside, many dressed as superheroes, began chanting for ticket refunds.
Gupta says next year’s show will take place at the South Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the largest area ever used for the show.
