AT THE CONVENTION
Changes: The biggest change this year is the creation of a one-day registration option. Attendees selecting this one-day option will only be able to sign up for games on the day they select during registration, and will not receive food certificates. Our hope is that this will make it easier for people to attend who only play in one ongoing game, or for new people to sample the Con.
We are also offering the opportunity to rent one of the two Presidential Suites reserved by the Con for $170/night (plus tax). That's a $30 discount from the rate the Con pays the hotel. The Presidential Suites are large rooms with a king-sized bed in the bedroom section, along with a huge bathroom that includes a Jacuzzi. The living area has a long table and chairs, a bar, a coffee table, lounge chair and sleeper sofa. Both areas have TVs and there is a stereo in the living area. The price for staying in one of these rooms is that they will be used by the Con to run the larger games (last year this meant games were run in these rooms in almost every slot), and some of these games may run late. If you are interested in reserving one of these rooms, please contact conchair@ambercon.com.
Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors, we were forced to raise our registration prices $5 this year. Leaving our prices the same would have resulted in the Con incurring a deficit that it cannot afford. We still think our prices our reasonable (they're actually the same as they were in 2003), especially once you factor in the food certificates included with the three and four-day registrations.
We will also no longer be offering the option of mailing out a printed game book. The number of people requesting this option has decreased to the point that it is simply not cost-effective for us to continue to offer it.
Finally, due to a lack of interest, there will be no Costume Social/LARP this year. This isn't to say that GMs can't choose to run a LARP if they wish, but there will no longer be an official Con one on Friday night. Our thanks to all the people who have kept this going over the years.
THIS YEAR'S SCHEDULE
Food certificates: We will be continuing the food certificate system this year. Every four-day registrant will receive $20 worth of food certificates* that can be used at the hotel restaurant or for room service. Every three-day registrant will receive $15 worth. In addition to allowing us to set a better schedule on Sunday, using food certificates in lieu of a banquet helps us keep the registration fee lower.
In addition to the food certificates that every registrant receives, we also offer some as bonuses. Volunteers in HQ receive $5 worth of food certificates for each slot they work. GMs who run games in four or more slots receive $20 worth of food certificates.
Graphic Design Contest: Back for a sixth year! We had some wonderful submissions last year and hope to get even more this year. "Before the Beginning" on our front page was done by last year's juried contest winner, Todd Lyles. Your entry could be there for Ambercon 2007! We'll also continue the "Popular Choice" contest that attendees can vote on during the Con. See the Graphic Design Contest flyer for more details.
Hotel: Room prices will be similar to last year, with a decrease of $5 per night for King rooms. If you need a roommate, please post a note online at our message board. Don't forget to use our group code (AMB), when making your reservations. This helps us negotiate next year's rate and determines how many rooms will be set aside.
New Attendee Discount: New attendees (or attendees who haven't been to Ambercon since 2001) will receive a $10 discount on their 3 or 4-day registration. So if you know anyone who's been thinking about trying out Ambercon, now's the time to do it!
Referral Bonus: Once again, we're offering a bonus for every new Ambercon attendee (or attendee who hasn't been to Ambercon since 2001) that you convince to attend Ambercon 2006. 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!
Rides: Jill Pritts is acting as our ride coordinator again this year. 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 or so of your flight on the same or nearby airlines. Then it will be 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.
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 at least one person per slot and between slots to man HQ, but preferably two, so no one gets too much to handle. Working in HQ is 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 Liz Trumitch at volunteers@ambercon.com to volunteer.
Wrap Party: Like last year, we are going to be holding a wrap party in HQ on Sunday after slot 7. We will provide some appetizers, and people are encouraged to come by, chat with other attendees, and use up whatever food certificates they may have left at the bar or restaurant. We will be announcing the Graphic Design contest winners during the party, before the beginning of slot 8.
Other activities: Nothing yet. If you're planning an activity you'd like to share with the convention, let us know. Past activities have included roundtable discussions with Guardians of Order, a baptism, geocaching trips, and a slide show with some breathtaking pictures from Canada's newest territory, Nunavut.
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.