L.A.con IV

Bobbyw · Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

I can't wait. I have attended numerous conventions and I have'nt been to one that I was bored with. Most are pretty exciting most of the time. I had to go back to my hotel a time or to just to get away from the convention for a spell. When the convention is finished at the end of the day, you know you were at one. That much is for sure.

micheled · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

A couple of questions from a newb who is attending alone:

How do you find out about room parties, and what are they like? Put on by publishers, or individuals?

I'm not planning to wear costumes. Will I need to bring something dressy to wear (I'm female)? Which events are dressy and how dressy?

Thanks.

Bobbyw · Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

Most of the room parties that I have attended are just from word of mouth. One friend telling another. The dress has always been casual. But most are alot of fun. Depending on the party, just make sure that your room is in the same hotel. Some of the parties, you will be lucky to find your room in the hotel you are staying in.

tkunsman · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Cleveland, Ohio

micheled · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks. Still more questions, as I have only been to the World Fantasy Con, which is small and very different:

I'm planning to arrive on Wednesday, staying through Sunday. After signing in, what else should I be sure to do right away, given my early arrival? Sign-ups? Free stuff? How/where?

At the WFCon there was a registration table where they handed out bookbags full of free books right when signing in. The mention of Freebie tables makes me wonder how the free books (?) distributed at WorldCons? A separate location? What kind of freebies are at the freebie tables? Are they near the registration usually?

I've read newbie guides, but I've never read about what to do in the first couple of hours after arriving. Thanks so much.

Sieglinde · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 48

I have received freebies even at huge cons. I think even books. I remember wandering around and getting a free hardbound copy of Years of Rice and Salt.
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Science over Superstition

PhilOsborn · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:16 am Post subject: Are Cons Dying?

I've been going to cons regularly since WesterCon 1980, and I've organized panels and served on many panels and put together things like Virtual Reality rooms at cons. If I had my druthers, I would live at a con, as I usually find more interesting people and conversations at an sf con than during the whole rest of the year.

That said, if you have the time for a long read, here's the current state of my blog on cons:

http://loscon05.blogspot.com/2006/07/note-to-reader-ive-been-working-on.html

I've recently heard that WorldCon is really strapped for cash this time, as well, which only reinforces what I'm saying in the article above.

Bottom line, this may be your best shot for some time to come, if things keep on the way they have been of late.

VanessaVanWagner · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:22 pm Post subject:

Sieglinde · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 48

That blog entry would have been very interesting if he had kept on the subject of LASFS and LOSCON.

The aging of fandom is an interesting discussion. Loscon was the smallest I have ever seen it last year.

But back to Worldcon.
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Science over Superstition

sbarsky · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:52 pm Post subject:

Since the Worldcon is longer and with more people than WFC, things like kaffeeklatch signups and freebies happen a bit differently.

The Kaffeeklatch signup sheets will be available 24 hours before the KK. i.e if Joe Author has his kaffeeklatch on Friday at 2 PM, the signup sheet will be available on Thursday at 2 PM. This is to make it easier for to give everyone a chance even if you aren't there first thing in the morning or on Wednesday.

Likewise, freebie books will be distributed at random times (and maybe random places) during the convention. Worldcon don't get enough to for everyone to get one of each and we want to make sure that everyone has a chance to get some of what is available. There will be some freebies that aren't limited and members can help themselves as they like.

But as others have said, one of the first things you will want to do is to look over the pocket program to get an idea of what is being planned and where to find the panels, events, functions, echibits you are interested in seeing.
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Sieglinde · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 48

One problem I had at a con was I found out that something I wanted to go to ended half-way through a Koffeeklatsch so I tried to get out of it so that if there was a waiting list someone else could get in. I found no way to do that. It ended up working out OK, I got to the Klatsch half-way through and there had been enough room for all who wanted to attend. I still think there should be a way to back out and have a waiting list.

Also the last few cons I have attended where I attended a Koffeklatsch there was no coffee. Someone bought a caraf at the last one I attended so there was coffee for those who wanted it. I hope the ones at Worldcon are in a bar or a coffee shop so that drinkables can be purchased.
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Science over Superstition

sbarsky · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:44 pm Post subject:

If people discover that they can't make a Kaffeklatch that they signed up for, they should return to Information and take their name off of the list. There usually isn't a waiting list, but if it is for a really popular author, there might be.

I don't know where the Kaffeklatches will be held, so I don't know if there will be consumables nearby. The name is really for the function (a chance for an informal get together with an author) not for the availability of coffee.
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L.A.con IV Member Services

micheled · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks for the good info. Very Happy