Was there for a 3 day Anime convention. The convention location is very popular right by the Olympic Cauldron as well the building is very big inside.
I'll mention that last year for past Anirevo lineup for tickets it was inside and below were we were standing rather than outside in the scorching heat so kinda wish they did the lineup inside. The line up outside for pass pickup there was alot of people who got confused mistakenly lined up In the premium versus the regular pass line there was only one sign at the front and were we were lining up people who came from SkyTrain would arrive thinking that's where the end of the regular line was, which it wasn't it was the premium line were regular pass was on The other side closer to the actual convention building so feel they could use more or better signage for next year convention. They do have water station throughout the convention which is nice and convenient. Tho some technical difficulties with the viewing rooms this year and a live vtuber unable to connect so perhaps they need to further prep there technical equipment as some things were delayed or were unable to happen and cancelled if they couldn't fix them for the next day of the convention. The staff are very helpful guiding you if your not sure where to go.
I like that they keep the bathrooms clean on throughout the 3 day event. The waterfront food court is across the street and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes and fast food places close by to eat at. This year they opened up the level 1 balcony it was nice to sit out there and relax previous years it's sadly locked so It was nice to be able to sit out there this year. Also this year for the first time the convention did bring in a Bistro area so people could get food downstairs for the convention so it was convenient if you wanted to eat at the convention rather than walk across the street to the food court, however the bistro was pricier when comparing to the restaurants cafes and food court across or around outside of the convention.
Not sure if they'll bring back the bistro but it was convenient for those who didn't want to leave the convention. The convention has screens showing events by each door tho prior years there has been more signage showing were To go id feel would make organizing people for lineups to make the convention flow easier would be something the Vancouver Convention Center...
Read moreWe were there twice during the public hours. The first time we were there on a Friday late afternoon and we were told by a gentleman at the entrance that the building was closed for an event. The second time we were there on a Friday early afternoon and we were told by another gentleman at the escalator on the ground floor that the building was closed for an event. Is the building closed for the public during the public hours when there is an event? Would the building be opened for events after 5pm?
We were near the Centre and there were many people who entered the building. We thought the building was opened to the public due to the lack of staff by the entrance. We went in and reached the second floor. A woman by the escalator on the second floor, who was clearly annoyed and sounded irritated, told us that only members of the seminar can proceed and she asked us if we registered and if we have a name tag. However, we saw many others without a name tag who proceeded to the third floor. If there was someone at the entrance who could have informed us of the building closure then we would not have walked in and felt embarrassed.
I visited the Centre's website later and saw that there was no event on that day listed under the "Events" section. Why were we told that the building was closed for an event? And why was the building populated when there was no event listed?
I called the Centre the next day and the receptionist said he would transfer my call to the manager. The manager kept interrupting me. He cut me off the phone when I tried to speak. So we tried to find someone who we could talk to. When I looked at the list of contact info. under "Our Team" on the website, the name of the manager who I had talked to on the phone was not on the list. So who did the receptionist transfer my call to?
I tried to call another manager two days later and my call went to his voicemail which was a Chinese woman speaking Mandarin. I was surprised. Does that mean the contact info. of "Our Team" on the website is incorrect?
Then I emailed to the GM and the CEO but I could not reach them. The fact that I could not reach any of the staff by phone or by email indicates that there is something wrong...
Read moreMy experience at the Vancouver Conversation Centre was truly rewarding and eye-opening. From the moment I walked in, it was clear that this center was dedicated to fostering meaningful interactions and promoting cultural exchange.
The diversity of people and languages present created an atmosphere of inclusivity and curiosity. The center's welcoming environment made it easy to strike up conversations and connect with individuals from all walks of life. Whether you're a language enthusiast, a traveler, or simply someone looking to engage in thought-provoking discussions, this center offers a space for genuine connections.
The staff's passion for languages and cultures was evident in their approach. Their facilitation of conversations and willingness to help bridge language gaps showcased a commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment.
One of the standout features was the variety of topics and activities available. From language exchange sessions to cultural workshops, there was always something engaging and educational happening at the center. This diversity of offerings allowed participants to not only practice languages but also expand their horizons and learn about different parts of the world.
The center's emphasis on creating a respectful and open-minded space was truly commendable. Everyone I interacted with was eager to learn, share, and embrace new perspectives. This created an environment where meaningful connections were made and valuable insights were gained.
Overall, the Vancouver Conversation Centre is a gem for those seeking to connect with others on a deeper level, expand their linguistic and cultural knowledge, and engage in thoughtful conversations. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the city, this center offers a unique and enriching experience that goes beyond language exchange—it's about building bridges and fostering understanding. I highly recommend checking it out and immersing yourself in the world of cross-cultural...
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