A statement from MCM Comic Con has been issued in relation to having a valid ticket whether you are inside or outside the event hall.
I will let you read you it for yourself.
EXCEL LONDON VENUE MANAGEMENT & MCM COMIC CON LONDON ONSITE POLICY STATEMENT!
For meetings, gatherings or group organised activities for instance photo shoots, meets, picnics but not limited to, over and above those featured as part of the main MCM Comic Con London event, MCM Comic Con need to be made formally aware of the activity itself so that each activity is judged on its own merits and is deemed to be taking place safely with due diligence and to the overall benefit of the event in question.
This is standard practice for all events at the ExCeL London venue.
Anyone taking part in events/gatherings whether organised by MCM Comic Con or not are intrinsically linked to the event, in your case MCM Comic Con London, should be in possession of a valid wristband or ticket for the day that you are on site!
The easiest way of making us aware of an organised activity is to send an email to the organisers of the particular event registering your activity.
A dedicated email address for MCM FRINGE activities has now been set up – mcmfringe@mcmexpo.net This will ensure your event is verified, logged and approved or not approved.
People taking part in any organised activities MUST be have a valid wristband or ticket for the day they are onsite regardless of being inside or outside of the building.
Consequently the activities will have the added benefit of being publicised on the main event web site and identified as a supplementary part of the main MCM Comic Con London weekend and MCM FRINGE that people may like to get involved with.
Excel as a venue and MCM Comic Con as the organisers accept that many impromptu gatherings take place during the event as that is part of the attraction of the MCM Comic Con London weekend and adds to the festival feel, we would still expect that those taking part in them whether registered or not WILL be in receipt of a valid wristband or ticket as this is our entry policy to the show and will also serve to minimise Health & Safety issues and of course offer Due Diligence.
Any further questions on this subject should be directed to mcmfringe@mcmexpo.net
Now what does this mean for the masses that gather outside to show off their costumes. Well if its an organised meet up I guess you need a valid ticket. If, and again I am guessing, you are in a group of more than 5 you will need a wrist band.
I am not sure what MCM hope to achieve, I guess they saw all the people outside not wearing wristbands and decided that they should pay to be in a public place.
Outside means out of the venue not in the walk through. Actually outside the venue in a public space.
After looking at few posts on facebook here is what its all about.
MCM Facebook
“Yes we PAY for the outside area it is not FREE nor is it just public!
The outside area for a number of events at Excel through out the year is completly lock off to everyone except ticket holders, nothing we are doing is unusual to the venue.
Believe me the only people who will be annoyed with the changes as they are brought in over the next 2 events are those who do not support the event and buy a ticket!”
I actually agree with the inside walkway being for ticket only, it was just too packed this time round, and very difficult to walk anywhere, maybe they get it right and have a constant flow of people walking. Guess we wait and see.
The question, as MCM has put is, is People taking part in any organised activities MUST be have a valid wristband or ticket for the day they are onsite regardless of being inside or outside of the building.
So for arguments sake I am a massive Halo fan and want to organise a meet up at a local hotel in the close vicinity for fans, but I don’t actually want to go to MCM, but I am indeed running my own event. There will be consoles with the latest Halo game, plus other things happening. I believe the footfall will increase due to it happening on the same weekend as MCM. So according to MCM anyone coming to my event must be in possession of a valid wrist band.