Dealer's Den Hours and Printer?
First of all, great convention, once again! I really had a fabulous time and am already 1)missing AC and 2)excited about next year's meeting (especially with that theme!!!!) 
There are two things that I would like to suggest, though...
The hours for the dealer's den are, from this dealer's perspective, a bit long. The hours on Sunday were actually very good. 10 -4pm is a nice chunk of time for folks to walk around, see things, for dealers to take orders and then work on them, either in the den, the zoo, or back in their rooms. But, this would give the dealers a chance to move about and attend sessions and forums that we might like to see...not to mention something to eat ^__^
Also, I'm an artist who does things digitally. So, when I get commissions, I need to print them out. There's an Office Depot right around the corner that I can utilize, but I'm wondering if it would be a good idea if printers could be made available within the convention itself. That way, one doesn't have to race against the clock to get to the store before it closes, particularly on Sunday when their hours are from 12 - 5. If it were reasonable for me to bring my printer, I would, but, between everything I already have to bring from NY, it just wouldn't be possible to bring a printer, too...not to mention Amtrak has limits on the number of, as well as the size of items you can bring on the train.
I don't know if these are plausible ideas or not or if they'd be beneficial to many as a whole, but, hey, they're just my two cents and worth the effort of putting it out there.
I know, but I hate to leave my table unattended during the day, especially when I'm working on projects. I know people like to check in to see how things are going with their commissions and my friends stop by to check up on me, etc. Also, as things are and the way I work, I have to tote around my laptop and scanner and any commissions that I'm working on at the time. So when I have to leave my table, all of those things (things that need to stay under my watchful eye) need to come along with me and it can get a bit cumbersome. But, this was only a request. If it cannot happen, that's fine with me ^_^
...I may just have to make the decision to take your suggestion and arrive at the den a bit later...like 12 - 6 so I can get the necessary things that I need done...done 
My understanding is that many dealers requested longer hours, which is why it was extended to 6 pm. As iSkunk mentioned, dealers can choose when to open their tables.
As for printing services, one of the dealers was doing quite a good job offering lamination, so you could suggest to them that they expand to offer printing as well. But you'd have a similar problem as using Office Depot as far as having your order ready before closing time! The Fedex office on Penn Avenue (within sight of the DLCC) accepts printing orders on the web for pickup (that's how I had some of the Art Show signs done), but they're not open on Sunday.
Do you happen to know which dealer that was? I'd love to ask him/her if they could extend this service.
Lagarto's Lamination & Leatherworks.
http://buylagarto.com/
Looks like they offer printing on their web site, so maybe they're already planning to do it at cons.
Oh dear god, don't make the dealer's hours any shorter! I don't have enough time to get everything done as it is. I'd be perfectly happy to work 10-6 (or even 9-6) every day... but then, working the Dealer's Room is my bliss at the con. I know it's not like that for everyone, and since most of my work is in acrylics, it's harder for me to work elsewhere.
Also, I have a compact photo printer that's the size of a large jar of peanut butter. It's certainly small enough to tuck in a backpack. Might be a good solution for you.
Seems a bit unreasonable to expect the AC staff to pay for printer ink, if you ask me.
I am very certain I saw a Staples just spitting distance from the hotel/convention center. Can anyone confirm this? It ain't on Google Maps, but it's view on Pittsburgh is not very up-to-date.
Fedex Office (Formerly Kinkos) is directly across the street from the Courtyard, half a block from the Convention Center.
I really don't think she meant that the service should be offered for free. If I had time to devote to minding a printer (and a laptop to use as a clearing barrel), I might offer it myself.
I really don't think she meant that the service should be offered for free. If I had time to devote to minding a printer (and a laptop to use as a clearing barrel), I might offer it myself.
I'd always thought there was a dealer or two that focused on providing just these kind of services to other dealers and artists....
Of course I didn't mean that AC should offer it for free. I pay Office Depot, so there really is no reason why I wouldn't pay my fellow furs
And, if somehow you can offer this service, that would be greatly appreciated. Even if you can't, just considering it is enough for me to be grateful. Thank you.
Indeed it does sound unreasonable, especially seeing as how I've already mentioned that I pay for printing services elsewhere. Why would I not continue to pay if the services were offered more conveniently, especially when the money would be going to fellow furs? Obviously, I harbor no compunctions about paying for a service such as this, I'm just wondering if it could be offered. I certainly would not know the outcome of my request if I didn't pose it.
Sorry, not Staples... but there are plenty of other places that will print for you:
Do you happen to know the hours? Remember, this is Pittsburgh, so on the weekends, things seem to close up pretty early...save for the restaurants which, obviously, wouldn't serve to their advantage to close up shop before dinner was actually served. But, at any rate, that's my dilemma with the Office Depot. They close quite early, especially on Sunday.
It's not that it's Pittsburgh, per se, but that it's a business district, and on the weekends, the businesses that use these stores are closed, so the stores close.
I am pondering how I can expand to offer this service, but it's contingent upon finding a table minion who will work for tea and cakes and a dealer's assistant badge. I'm definitely giving it some thought, though.
As far as Dealers' Room hours are concerned... you know, you don't have to be at your table the whole time
-- iSKUNK!