Thanks for the reply,
Those do seem to be bad instances you encountered, this will be my first time at this event, I have been to a few other game events like this though, I have never bothered to book slots I have just asked if a booth was free if it is empty and usually have said that I can have a quick go, but if I cannot and have been told no, then it doesn't bother me really, it is just less likely that I will get the game, not that I buy many now, I just usually like to chat to the people there and see what is coming and also watch players get beat by the pros.
One event I went to they had the Frag Girls there, they were playing four games, I was there very early as I am not that far away so did not have to queue so I played one at Gran Turismo and another at Street Fighter II, these were each woman's speciality, you had one warm up lap and one fight round and then you played them proper and of course I lost to them, which was to be expected, but later on when I went past I just stood and watched as male after male walking away from any of the four areas looking more than upset after getting beat, they some how didn't seem to grasp that each of the women were professional players who toured the world and were paid to play games.
The developers I have previously spoken to there have been fine, one thing I like to talk to them about is DLC and retailer specific locked DLC, I have not had a bad experience really, but like you there is a first time, I will post back here or of there is a specific thread set-up.
If anyone else is going I am going on the Friday, if anyone wants to have a ERA meet-up.