starfury.co.uk

Appalling Treatment From Staff

I'd attended my first Starfury convention last week - the Red Dragon 7 one. Being new, I didn't have much of an idea as to how this would be organised, though I did expect a minimum of clear signs and directions for picking up tickets, as well as the rooms we were supposed to visit according to the schedule provided. Unfortunately this wasn't really the case.It was difficult to navigate with no clear direction of who was where, and which areas we were supposed to be in. Some members of staff were helpful, most were not, so I would end up having to speak with fellow Hannibal fans about where we were supposed to be. I'm also autistic, so the disorganisation (+no communication for schedule changes) just made everything more stressful than it needed to be.As for the staffing, I have to say that, as guests, the way we were treated was quite shocking? It was probably what prompted me to write this review in the first place.I'd volunteered for a stewarding position myself, and so I'd seen first hand how rude these people were. The experienced/regular stewards tended to speak down to confused guests, always responded in an immediately aggressive tone when questions were asked (sometimes muttering/cussing about the interactions right in front of said guests). You were treated as if you were stupid for not knowing where to line up, or what the photo op/autograph procedures were.Just as a personal example, my sister (like everybody else) had been given an event booklet. Only hers didn't contain her autograph slip, and so she spoke with one of the workers to ask for one. She was answered with condescension. There was no understanding and barely any room for explanations that she hadn't been the one to lose it. It took around 5 minutes of arguing her case for the lady to simply go and grab her a sheet in the end. No kindness or understanding to be seen.Another problem I have is the lack of ability to take pictures and videos. I don't understand this at all. I remember being rudely spoken to for recording the end of the opening ceremony. It just zaps the fun out of everything when you're reprimanded for trying to keep a few virtual mementos.All in all, it was an okay time. The Hannibal fans were super kind and so so helpful. I just wish I could say the same for the staff (staff who claimed to have been working Starfury/Red Dragon conventions for years).I won't outwardly dissuade anyone from attending these events, but I did just want to leave this here to serve as a warning to other newbies who don't know what to expect. I would highly recommend relying on the guests who frequent these events, rather than the stewards on a power trip.Happy to speak further on this privately if any clarifications are needed.

Date of experience: Jul 04, 2025