Organizers of #CONQuest2023, dubbed as the country’s biggest event for anime and pop culture fans, have vowed to refund ticketholders who were unable to enter SMX due to overcrowding.
The event from June 2-4 was marred by controversy after fans were forced to line up for hours just to get into the venue owned by the bilyonaryo Sy-blings.
Many chose to go home instead, fearing for their safety in the jampacked conference hall. Days later, event founder Justin Banusing and company announced refunds will be given, alongside an apology.
Overselling of tickets was one of the reasons cited by fans for the gargantuan crowd at the venue.
Refunds for ticket holders who did not get into the venue on days 2 and 3 will get anywhere between P666.65 or P1333.33, coming from the full ticket price of P2,000. Premium passes, which provide priority access and meet-and-greet opportunities, werr sold for P20,000 each.
“One of our critical oversights was the overwhelming response to the event despite the tireless efforts made by the City of Pasay and our venue partners,” it said. “Our objective is to do right by our community and enact sweeping changes and remedies to deliver the convention experience you deserve.”
Questers, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and discomfort that many of you experienced during CONQuest due to the long lines outside the convention.
We recognize that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we will make amends starting with the release… pic.twitter.com/Z6og5lqUed
— CONQuest Festival 2023 ☁️ (@CONQuestPHL) June 7, 2023
Some ticketholders are wary of getting refunds due to the requirement of signing a quitclaim, which absolves the organizers of any liability for the event.
https://twitter.com/firelordtine/status/1666396207873413120/photo/1
I paid 1600 plus 400 transaction fee for two people (+ grab and lunch and umbrella and lots of water) tapos rerefundan niyo kami ng 666.65 per pass lang?! pic.twitter.com/T1zXEIRGo7
— Anjo Ray #GoUSTe (@anjoraydelacruz) June 7, 2023
Another said the refund portal wasn’t working.
LOL PATI DITO MAY PILA PADIN? 😀 what a jokeee pic.twitter.com/aq2seA3YwO
— 𝓚𝓪𝓻𝓵𝔂 🌺 | CONQ D1 & D3 | (@karlyybear) June 7, 2023
What about those premium pass holders who paid 20k but were forced to line up for hours and missed out on all the perks they paid for??? 🤡
— Artci🌺ACX July 15-16 (@Artci_Co) June 7, 2023
