AT THE CONVENTION
Changes: No real changes to speak of this year. We will be continuing the one-day registration option introduced last year. 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.
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 seventh year! We had some wonderful submissions last year and hope to get even more this year. "Tir-na Nog'th" on our front page was done by last year's juried contest winner, Lar deSouza. Your entry could be there for Ambercon 2008! 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, when it becomes available.
Hotel: Room prices will be similar to last year, with slight increase of $6 per night. 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 ensures we aren't charged for unfilled rooms this year, 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 2002) 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: We're offering a bonus for every new Ambercon attendee (or attendee who hasn't been to Ambercon since 2002) that you convince to attend Ambercon 2007. 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 Ray Laura 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.