Wow.... That bites severely. I'm terribly sorry this had to befall you...

*hugs* Thanks. I am kinda bummed too, with all the prep I did for this con, but it appears that A-Kon was just not meant to be for me this year. I'll have to look into an alternate con, I think, perhaps AnimeFEST or something similar. Maybe Ikkicon.

Shame, I think Akon is getting a bit too big for its own good.
I think I am less upset about not being able to go this year. That's probably one of my worse nightmares incarnate.

A-Kon has been too big for its own good for awhile now. 15k+ people is difficult to handle, but then again? Phoenix Entertainment is a for-profit company. The more people they bring in, the more money they make (and the more the hotel makes). If they hit 25k, they'll make $1m dollars in memberships alone.

I look at it this way: I can go and be miserable/sick, or I can stay home and get stuff done while staying cool and less sick.

Due to some angst last year, I have no great love for Phoenix Entertainment.

Seriously? Wonder what the hell there problem is? That is a very nice convention space to have issues with cooling. I bet  dook is not going to have fun today there either then.

I'm not sure--perhaps they are trying to save money, or perhaps they have ventilation problems? I'm sure they have turned their thermostats down a little, perhaps, but with all those massive rooms and vaulted ceilings, no A/C in the world could help them (unless it was powered by dry ice!). Honestly, they have too many people in that hotel with not enough ventilation.

I talked with Dook this morning, actually, and warned him of the heat. He said he still might go for a little bit, if nothing else for the TFF room party. I might go back tomorrow, but it will be in casual clothes if I go--no cosplay for me, I'm afraid, because it's going to be 102 on Sunday and I don't want to overheat again.

After going to a small con like Furry Fiesta, A-Kon is a bit much...particularly given my growing issues with crowds and the resulting panic. Ah well, I suppose it was doomed to happen to A-Kon given there are already so few conventions in Texas.

I think it's more than A-Kon has had a long time to grow (21 years) and it's the "premier" anime convention of the south/southeast region. People go because of the big-name status, the "see-what-it's-all-about" syndrome. Which is fine and good, but because it's so big, sometimes people feel obligated to go.

I will likely go next year, but I will probably either get a hotel room or spend less time there.

Very true. Personally I probably will only go one day next year. I think that will be all I can take before that panicing issue kicks in.

I planned on going but my plans changed at the last minute.. :C but I'll go next year for sure!