The American Quilter’s Society annual show is the first event of such magnitude to come to the Lancaster County Convention Center. In many ways, this week serves as a test of the center’s capacity to host such an event, the city’s capacity to handle such an influx of traffic, and the capacity of Downtown Lancaster to welcome visiting conventioneers. This week, NewsLanc spoke with 45 quilt show attendees to see how they would rate their experience.
On a scale of one to five, NewsLanc asked those interviewed to rate various aspects of the convention. The attendees—most of whom appeared to be generally enjoying their time—leaned toward higher numbers on the scale; however, their comments were often more telling than the bare figures.
Most complaints related to transportation. The average rating for parking and shuttling accommodations was 3.92 out of 5, lower than any of the other aspects discussed.
- 4.4% gave it a 1/5
- 4.4% gave it a 2/5
- 15.5% gave it a 3/5
- 26.6% gave it a 4/5
- 40% gave it a 5/5
- 8.8% had arrived on a charter bus for the day and had not encountered general arrangements
In particular, many attendees cited a lack of available shuttles. Since some quilt displays and vendors were hosted at Liberty Place at the far northern end of the city, even those who did not lodge at outside hotels had to rely on these buses. Long lines of conventioneers stretched from the pickup point near the Penn Square Grille’s East King door toward the beginning of the awning at the Marriot’s main entrance.
Many complained of waits as long as 15 minutes. One woman asserted that it was a good thing it hadn’t rained.
60% of those surveyed rated the convention center facility at five out of five, complimenting the aesthetics of the new structure. Some, however, asserted that the organization of displays on multiple floors of the building was often unclear and difficult to navigate.
- 4.4% gave the center a 1/5
- 2.2% gave it a 2/5
- 13.3% gave it a 3/5
- 20% gave it a 4/5
- 60% gave it a 5/5
Several of those interviewed cited overcrowding as an annoyance, and several others said that on the second floor display area, which was housed within a ballroom space, was inadequately lit. The ballroom area on Friday was indeed less bright than the first-floor exhibit hall; however it did not appear excessively dim.
The convention center’s average rating was 4.28 out of 5.
The environment of Downtown Lancaster was largely praised by convention attendees, several of whom described it as “clean” or “beautiful.” The location’s average rating was a 4.4 out of 5. However, 22% of those interviewed had seen so little of downtown that they could not provide any evaluation. In the case of these conventioneers, their experience was limited to a hotel room, a shuttle, and the quilt show facilities.
- 0% gave Downtown Lancaster a 1/5
- 0% gave it a 2/5
- 4.4% gave it a 3/5
- 28.8% gave it a 4/5
- 44.4% gave it a 5/5
- 22.2% were unable to comment.
A few kinks to work out, but all taken into consideration, I’d say it was a success. Well done to the convention center staff.
Thank you for taking time to survey convention attendees. I put far more faith and confidence in your efforts than anything that LNP would fabricate to embellish their ‘crown jewel’ that will be a white elephant for years to come.
It will be very interesting to read the financials involved as years go by….what the center is generating in revenue and what it is costing. I would assume that since this is a publicly funded project, that all financials will be publicly disclosed….if only the same were true (as it should be) for the hotel – weren’t tap dollars used for it as well, and hasn’t it been granted tax exempt status??
Unfortunately, if Lancaster City and County taxpayers are going to get ‘the real facts’, it will only be due to the efforts of Newslanc and similarly independent media.