DC Vapefest bad, BAD behavior

[Longtom]

I'm a long time lurker, and I've created a new account just for this post. I just got back from the DC Vapefest at Hyatt Dulles and I have SOMETHING TO SAY: There was some BAD behavior at that event.

Before you start flaming, keep in mind that there is serious legislation in the works all over that threatens our culture and past-time, and keep in mind that if we want to be invited back to the Hyatt, we'd best be on our best behavior next time. Keep in mind that you're also affecting the welfare of the vendors who came in from all over the country to support you - the vaper.

There was trash everywhere. I saw wrappers and used drip tips in the hallways, lying in the doorways, outside on the sidewalks, and even in the grass. I saw hotel staff walking around picking up crap that Vapefest attendees had quite literally just thrown on the ground. There were discarded drink containers on every flat surface throughout the area. There were spilled messes on the tables.

Someone had "done their duty" all over the men's toilet seat and the back of the toilet tank didn't even bother to try to clean it up. There was used tissue, toilet paper, and water all over the floor and sink in there. It was disgusting, no, it was revolting.

People had gone to fast food places, eaten in their cars, and then placed the empty food bags and drink cups right outside their car doors on the ground in the parking garage in our parking area. When I saw all the empty food bags in the parking garage, I was FURIOUS. The parking garage is not a trash can, people...

If you want to be invited back to the Hyatt, if you have ANY RESPECT for the National Vaper's Club and the awesome event they put together, if you want to be treated like more than a pack of heathens, and if you want to be taken seriously on a national and state legislative levels, don't act like that again.

If you don't do this kind of crap in your own home, don't do it when we're trying to represent a grown up and educated crowd of adults to the community at large. At the next event, help others to pick up the trash, and police after your friends and family who are doing the wrong thing. I'm sure it wasn't everybody, and I'm sure some of you were trying to help pick up, so I'm not blaming everyone.

As a new member, I'm not allowed to post this anywhere else, but if you enjoyed an awesome event and all the hard work (by TONS of people) that went into putting on for YOU, then YOU need to hear this. I'm hoping someone places this into the general discussion somewhere so others can read it.

Listen, I'm sorry for the rant, but this is important.

 

[Buggainok]

Excellent post. Thank you for saying all this. I've never been to a vape fest, but would have been as appalled as you were by that kind of conduct and behavior.

Long ago in high school, one of the school clubs had a motto: "Remember who you are, and who you represent." It was intended to remind students to conduct themselves responsibly when they were off campus at other functions.

Vapers would do well to follow this motto.

 

[VapieDan]

I'm a long time lurker, and I've created a new account just for this post. I just got back from the DC Vapefest at Hyatt Dulles and I have SOMETHING TO SAY: There was some BAD behavior at that event.

Before you start flaming, keep in mind that there is serious legislation in the works all over that threatens our culture and past-time, and keep in mind that if we want to be invited back to the Hyatt, we'd best be on our best behavior next time. Keep in mind that you're also affecting the welfare of the vendors who came in from all over the country to support you - the vaper.

There was trash everywhere. I saw wrappers and used drip tips in the hallways, lying in the doorways, outside on the sidewalks, and even in the grass. I saw hotel staff walking around picking up crap that Vapefest attendees had quite literally just thrown on the ground. There were discarded drink containers on every flat surface throughout the area. There were spilled messes on the tables.

Someone had "done their duty" all over the men's toilet seat and the back of the toilet tank didn't even bother to try to clean it up. There was used tissue, toilet paper, and water all over the floor and sink in there. It was disgusting, no, it was revolting.

People had gone to fast food places, eaten in their cars, and then placed the empty food bags and drink cups right outside their car doors on the ground in the parking garage in our parking area. When I saw all the empty food bags in the parking garage, I was FURIOUS. The parking garage is not a trash can, people...

If you want to be invited back to the Hyatt, if you have ANY RESPECT for the National Vaper's Club and the awesome event they put together, if you want to be treated like more than a pack of heathens, and if you want to be taken seriously on a national and state legislative levels, don't act like that again.

If you don't do this kind of crap in your own home, don't do it when we're trying to represent a grown up and educated crowd of adults to the community at large. At the next event, help others to pick up the trash, and police after your friends and family who are doing the wrong thing. I'm sure it wasn't everybody, and I'm sure some of you were trying to help pick up, so I'm not blaming everyone.

As a new member, I'm not allowed to post this anywhere else, but if you enjoyed an awesome event and all the hard work (by TONS of people) that went into putting on for YOU, then YOU need to hear this. I'm hoping someone places this into the general discussion somewhere so others can read it.

Listen, I'm sorry for the rant, but this is important.

I am surprised and sorry to hear this. Other vaping meets did not seem to generate this type of behavior. I say surprised because from what I have seen online in forums, videos, and live broadcasts the vaping group in general seems like a wonderful crowd. Perhaps there was a plethora of alcohol around. I know that may be an excuse but I find this hard to explain.

 

[Tempesta]

I was at the event, too, and I really didn't see too much trash, but I was there on Friday, when there were fewer people, and I spent a lot of time in the classes. You are dead right about cleaning up after ourselves; we are looked on by people like the Hyatt staff, and by non-vaping guests at the hotel, as representatives of the whole vapiing community. A little common sense is always in order.

 

[patkin]

I've suffered society's condemnation as a smoker. I sure don't need it as a vaper. There are trashy people everywhere. I sure hope vaping doesn't attract more of them but this doesn't look hopeful. Actually the first signs I saw of this happening were on youtube about a year ago where these types drove my favorite reviewer off. If I were you, I would contact some of the "biggies" there like P. Busardo and Grimgreen and ask them to address this.

 

[klynnn]

I went to the Atlanta vapefest last summer at the Hilton and it was not near as bad as that. One thing I did notice was the lack of trash cans and seating areas. We had to hunt for a place to put the empty plastic cups and ended up putting them in my purse till we left. Excellent post and I hope people pay attention so we can have more of these functions.

 

[chebird]

I cant agree more with the OP, I've also never been to a vaping event,(and probably won't because of where I live, we dont even have a good B&M within 50 miles never mind something like vapefest) however I see many young people in meetings that I attend, blowing clouds and acting like this shouldnt bother other people!! Come on people! I know this isnt a new issue, but THIS IS COMMON SENSE and youre killing the reputation of responsible vapors. I went through a noob phase where I vaped indoors because I could, until I got educated on the issues so I dont scold them, I just try give them another view on what they're doing. And for gods sakes, PICK UP YOUR TRASH!

 

[exnihilo]

Agreed, OP. Just because folks vape, didn't mean they're decent human beings.

Sent from my LG G2, using Smack-a-talk HD.

 

[HDMontana]

Thanks for the post. I am new to vaping and would also be upset if I saw what you have described. I would like to attend one of these functions one day, but if that behavior continues, vapors might not be welcome. I know that any big event has its garbage and people with lack of consideration of others, but like you stated, we vapors are kind of under the radar. Definitely don't need any bad publicity. HD.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[Purplepeeps]

I'm so sad to read of this How disrespectful to the hotel, other vapers and the vendors.

Did the hotel provide adequate trash cans?

I agree with patkin! Call in Busardo and Grim to address this issue.

 

[jsand0101]

Hey all i was a volunteer there for both days and for the whole time and it was not this bad at all, Yea some people probably dropped their trash but come on, thats going to happen at any kind of convention. But over all its was nice and people where very friendly and had a blast. The place was kept pretty clean considering how many people where there. and the Hotel staff kept it clean. I'm sorry someone thought differently but in no way was it like that. Just my look on it.

 

[doots]

I am also surprised to hear this too.. Too bad adults cant be more responsible and care about others perceptions about vapers..

I am afraid this is society in today's world.. We are all trying(or most of us) to give vaping as a positive thing. Action like you saw show just the opposite.. First impressions DO matter.. I think a lot of people going to these bashes seem to think it is Woodstock.

 

[Ravensfan]

I was there last night, and I really didn't see any of this. There was a lot of trash on the tables in the exhibit hall, but I didn't see much in the common areas. Maybe it was a more "unusual" crowd than the Hyatt is used to hosting, but hotels look for revenue generating events like this on weekends. Horror and comic conventions draw a far more unusual crowd. The main thing that the hotel staff may have found unusual was the vapor all over the place.

 

[Buggainok]

Hey all i was a volunteer there for both days and for the whole time and it was not this bad at all, Yea some people probably dropped their trash but come on, thats going to happen at any kind of convention. But over all its was nice and people where very friendly and had a blast. The place was kept pretty clean considering how many people where there. and the Hotel staff kept it clean. I'm sorry someone thought differently but in no way was it like that. Just my look on it.

Good to hear another point of view.

 

[Buggainok]

I was there last night, and I really didn't see any of this. There was a lot of trash on the tables in the exhibit hall, but I didn't see much in the common areas. Maybe it was a more "unusual" crowd than the Hyatt is used to hosting, but hotels look for revenue generating events like this on weekends. Horror and comic conventions draw a far more unusual crowd. The main thing that the hotel staff may have found unusual was the vapor all over the place.

Good to hear. I've been to other types of conventions, and after they are over, there does seem to be lots of "paper trash" everywhere.

 

[canucknnv]

I hope this was isolated but probably wasn't. I really would like to make further comments about this but people will more than likely get offended and it's not worth it

 

[Crazed trucker]

It's sad to see how ppl act and the way they treat property that dnt belong to them. Makes u wonder if they behave like this at home. I'm around it a lot as a truck driver

 

[aikanae1]

Do you know how many did attend - guesstimate?
I've never heard any attendence figures from any of the vape bash's.

Hey all i was a volunteer there for both days and for the whole time and it was not this bad at all, Yea some people probably dropped their trash but come on, thats going to happen at any kind of convention. But over all its was nice and people where very friendly and had a blast. The place was kept pretty clean considering how many people where there. and the Hotel staff kept it clean. I'm sorry someone thought differently but in no way was it like that. Just my look on it.

 

[mostlyclassics]

For future VapeFests, wherever they may be held, it might be a good idea for the organizers to bring a box of white plastic trash bags, then help the hotel staff by periodically (every couple or three hours) picking up after the attendees. I've been involved with various conventions over the years, and most of the organizers have a squad of garbage picker-upper volunteers, unless the union rules of the facility prohibit such non-union activities.

I don't know where the real truth lies in this case, whether it be hordes of Neanderthal vapers strewing garbage all over everything or just normal folks generating a normal amount of detritus. I suspect it's somewhere in between, and probably about normal for a get-together like this.

Folks, in the public mind's eye, smokers (and increasingly vapers) are the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II. We have to be better, or we won't get any respect in the future.

 

[chebird]

Also glad to hear from a few other attendee's, hopefully most others would agree with jsand0101, there will always be some people who cant be bothered to pick up after themselves, but I've seen at other conventions that behavoir become contagious and it can spiral into some bad scenes.