WorldCon 09 MR Contingent

[pshrynk]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Terry is a supremely nice guy as well as a splendid author.

But the key fact is that most pros who attend SF cons are nice people, and quite approachable. I know a number, and my first order of business at any Worldcon is sussing out which will be the default bar for the con, because that's where I'll find everyone I know.

(Torcon III was the Horrible Example: every time I thought I should leave the bar to actually see the con, someone I knew would come in saying "Oh, Dennis! You're here! Let's have a drink!" If you took a blood sample at the end it would have had a proof content...)


That was Jordan Kare. He's also an active filker. His wife Marykaye is a prominent con runner.
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Dennis

Thanks! I was trying to remember his name. He always has a fascinating presentation every year and I have missed seeing what he's up to since I have not been for a few years.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

But the key fact is that most pros who attend SF cons are nice people, and quite approachable. I know a number, and my first order of business at any Worldcon is sussing out which will be the default bar for the con, because that's where I'll find everyone I know.

One default bar? It seems to me that in US Worldcons there is a couple of different default bars. One for business were all authors tend to be and one for people liking good beer and so on... The Glasgow Worldcon recently was very good because there was the real ale bar that was the bar.

[JSWolf]

Of course, we could do meetups at Arisia 2009 or Boskone 2009. But I think Boskone 2009 has better guests overall.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by tompe

One default bar? It seems to me that in US Worldcons there is a couple of different default bars. One for business were all authors tend to be and one for people liking good beer and so on... The Glasgow Worldcon recently was very good because there was the real ale bar that was the bar.

One default bar. There may well be others that people visit for particular purposes, like single malt scotch, but mostly, people will want a common place to meet and find each other. The authors doing business also like good beer...
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Dennis

[tompe]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

One default bar. There may well be others that paople visit for particular purposes, like single malt scotch, but mostly, people will want a common place to meet and find each other. The authors doing business also like good beer...

I do not believe that one exists for most Worldcons. Which one was it in Boston for example? Or in Toronto?

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by tompe

I do not believe that one exists for most Worldcons.

Perhaps not in Europe, but certianly here.

Which one was it in Boston for example? Or in Toronto?

In both cases, the main bar in the main con hotel.

In cases where the con uses a convention center (just about all lately save Chicago in 2000), and all of the hotels are a distance from the convention center, it may be the closest bar to the CC with the appropriate amenities and ambience.

I use "default" meaning "the first place you look for people you know".
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Dennis

[RickyMaveety]

What the hey .... count me in.

[Nate the great]

I think this is a great idea. I'll try to be there.

[pshrynk]

All right! We got an armadillo, an ogre, and a space bunny! We might be considered too mundane for the con, so let's keep the sign up drive going!

[tompe]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Perhaps not in Europe, but certianly here.
In both cases, the main bar in the main con hotel.

In Boston I am pretty sure that most of the authors stayed at one hotel and that bar was full of people. The bar in the main hotell was not so nice with respect to what kind of beer they sold.

And often a Worldcon has two main hotels. That is the hotel nearest the convention center and the party hotel (the situation in Denver).

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by tompe

In Boston I am pretty sure that most of the authors stayed at one hotel and that bar was full of people. The bar in the main hotell was not so nice with respect to what kind of beer they sold.

That was the Sheraton Boston, adjacent the Hynes Convention Center the con used for major functions. Most folks booked there if they could.

The critical characteristic of the default bar is convenience to everything. Beer selection is nice, but not a deciding factor. You go there to find the folks you want to see, but you don't necessarily stay there once you have.

And often a Worldcon has two main hotels. That is the hotel nearest the convention center and the party hotel (the situation in Denver).

And was the situation in San Jose. The ConJose party hotel was a Fairmount, and farthest from the convention center of any used by the con. The default bar for that one tended to be in the Hilton adjacent to the Moscone Center.
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Dennis

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

I'm putting it on my calendar. And considering the lead time, maybe I'll have time to whip up some advertising or promotional material by then, too!

[JSWolf]

So where is Worldcon 2009 going to be held? I figure by then, it'll take our life savings just on travel. That's why I recommend the cons in or near Boston. As for Boskone 2009, I can easily take public transport or drive to and from and save the hotel cost.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So where is Worldcon 2009 going to be held? I figure by then, it'll take our life savings just on travel. That's why I recommend the cons in or near Boston. As for Boskone 2009, I can easily take public transport or drive to and from and save the hotel cost.

from the OP:

Originally Posted by pshrynk

Next year in Montreal (http://www.anticipationsf.ca/) is Anticipation, WorldCon # 67. Too late for Denvention, 6 Aug 08, but let's start planning on a Contingent of MR-ers to have the:

Or perhaps you could Google WorldCon 2009.

[JSWolf]

I'm too lazy at the moment to look it up. Sides, Montreal is just too far away to go. Plane fairs are too expensive, gas too high to drive, and trains take too long. So for me, it's a no go.