Changes: The biggest change this year is the elimination of the banquet. Instead, every registrant will receive $20 worth of food certificates* that can be used at the hotel restaurant or for room service. In addition to allowing us to set a better schedule on Sunday, eliminating the banquet has also helped us to drop the registration fee for this year by $5.
In addition to the food certificates that every registrant receives, we are also offering some as bonuses. Volunteers in HQ who work three or more slots will receive $10 worth of food certificates. GMs who run four or more slots will receive $20 worth of food certificates.
Other changes we are making in order to lower the registration fee are the elimination of the door prize and the printed game book. People who prefer a printed book instead of the online version will be able to download a PDF file arranged in a printable format. There will be some printed copies available in HQ as well, for use by people wishing to add or change games on site.
THIS YEAR'S SCHEDULE
Costume Social/LARP: As in previous years, we're going to have a "Crowd's Choice" prize for costumes again - free membership to next year's Con. All paid Con members are welcome to cast one vote at the Costume Social Friday evening. Costumes are also encouraged, but not required, for the LARP, which immediately follows the Costume Social in HQ. James Arnoldi, our excellent GM from last year, will be running the LARP again.
Graphic Design Contest: Back for a fourth year! We had some wonderful submissions last year and hope to get even more this year. "Bloody Bill's" on our front page was done by last year's contest winner, Michael Kucharski. Your entry could be there for Ambercon 2005! We'll also continue last year's "Popular Choice" contest that attendees can vote on during the Con.
Hotel: Room prices will be similar to last year, with increases of only $5-$10 per night. Like last year, we will not be having con-sponsored suites. The Con lost money on these every year, and only a few took advantage of them. If you need a roommate, please post a note online at our message board.
Rides: No shuttle services will be offered this year due to potential liability problems. Instead Jill Pritts will act as ride coordinator. What this means is that if you e-mail your flight information to rides@ambercon.com, Jill will be happy to connect you up with other people arriving within an hour of your flight on the same or nearby airlines. Then it will be solely up to the people involved to arrange their own transportation into the conference. The Ambercon web page will have shuttle and taxi information and rates available on the Transportation page.
Referral Bonus: Once gain, we're offering a bonus for every new Ambercon attendee (or attendee who hasn't been to Ambercon since 2000) that you convince to attend Ambercon 2004. For every new or long-absent attendee who lists you on their registration form, we will reimburse you $10! On your own registration form, you can choose whether you would prefer to receive your reimbursement in the form of a check at the Con, or credit towards next year's Ambercon. Recruit enough people, and you could get in free!
Scheduling Priority: GMs do not get priority for running continuing campaigns that are closed to new players. GMs will receive priority for every non-continuing campaign, or continuing campaign that is open to at least one new player, that they submit.
Volunteers: We need help! We need someone to man HQ, at least one person per slot and between slots, but preferably two, so no one gets too much to handle. Working in HQ can be boring, but it's a good way to meet new people, gives you priority in game scheduling over non-GMs, and can earn you extra food certificates. E-mail Ray Laura at volunteers@ambercon.com to volunteer.
Common Sense: Our convention policy is one of respect. We expect our fellow gamers' sensitivities to be respected. If you smoke please do so in designated smoking areas. Please do not make your fellow players uncomfortable or ill by smoking in rooms where gaming is occurring. Everyone is welcome at Ambercon, but if you are under 18 years of age, and you will not be accompanied to your games by your parent, we need them to sign some important legal documents. Have your parent or legal guardian e-mail Kris Fazzari at conchair@ambercon.com. Thanks.
*Food certificates have no cash value and may be used only during the Ambercon weekend. Refunds will not be given for unused certificates, and late registrants after a certain date (set by the hotel) will not be eligible for certificates.
Maintained by Kris Fazzari