Post by: BHMike on July 28, 2010, 11:01:40 AM
If you are attending Friday night, please keep in mind that Friday night is only worthwhile for any of the following:
Registering so you won't have to Saturday morning.
Picking up T-Shirts
Purchasing Convention Comic (a MUST read for this years con set!)
Early admission to the Convention Friday night while dealers are setting up.
If you attend the Early admission portion, then your early fee ($25.00) will include your admission for Saturday and allow you to bypass the registration portion of Saturday morning. This option does not automatically entitle you to a Convention set, but will still allow you to line up early Saturday with everyone else.
SATURDAY INFORMATION
PARKING
When you arrive, park as you normally would and bring in your stub or ticket – whatever the machine gives you. There will be a location inside the convention doors for you to hand your ticket in. This is being run by the hotel, and therefore we have no more information at this time. (Saturday Only)
REGISTRATION
You are required to register for the Convention this year. Upon doing so, you will be entered in a draw for the G.I. Joe Complete Series DVD Footlocker set. ID is required to register. Hand in your registration sheet at the admission tables upon entering the convention. A separate booth will be set up next to the admission tables to pick up convention sets, comics, T-shirts, etc.
CURRENCY
Your admission, and convention sets can only be purchased with cash. We do not have the capabilities to use a debit machine or merchant account to accept credit cards at this time.
American funds will be exchanged at par 1:1.
There is a bank machine on the premises, and banks surrounding the area so you will have an opportunity to get more funds should you need them throughout the weekend.
Assume that the vendors also do not accept Credit Cards/Debit.
Some may, but we won't know that until the day of the event.
We suggest you plan ahead and come fully loaded!
What you don't spend, you can always put back in the bank upon returning home.
CONVENTION BOX SET EXCLUSIVES
As per the Hotel’s request, there will be NO overnight “camping” for the exclusives.
The earliest they would like people to line up is 6am. If the Sheraton staff asks you to leave prior to that time, we ask that you please respect their wishes and do so.
You can line up to the RIGHT of the Sheraton Convention/Conference entrance Doors.
Do NOT line up inside the hotel or the convention halls. You will be asked to leave by Sheraton staff and to wait in the assigned area.
There should be a sign directing you where to line up OUTSIDE of the building.
Wristbands: As per last year, we will be conducting a wristband policy to those in line. This is strictly on a first-come basis, but it will ensure that your dedication to waiting outside the Sheraton Conference section doors will grant you a set. These are limited to 100, but please keep in mind that there will only be about 90 available to those in line. The staff of JoeCanuck will also be guaranteed a set should they want one. If not, then those remaining will go to those in line.
Same applies with the “Early Attendee” exclusive. It is limited to 50, and without a wristband you will be unable to purchase one.
We will be enforcing the "one-per household" rule to try and ensure that our exclusives get out to as many collectors as possible in attendance.
You MUST have a valid (no expired) photo ID in order to purchase a set.
Your ID must have your address on it. No Exceptions.
BOTH of these will be verified upon submitting your registration forms.
When one of the Convention Staff Members arrive, each person in line will receive a wristband. You MUST have a wristband on your wrist, and have your admission tag to be able to purchase a set. Once you have your wristband, you are free to leave the line-up.
All wristband holders must pick up their sets by 10am or they forfeit their “spot”.
Convention doors open at 9am.
Here's how we're hoping this will work:
Let's say 10 people are in line when we arrive. Those 10 get a wristband.
When a staff member comes out for the 2nd time, and there's another 10 people in line, then those 10 new people will also get a wristband.
Now let's say the 3rd time a staff comes out, there's 5 people near the front of the line without wristbands. The first 10 people "let them in". They don't get one. The staff member will move to the newest batch of people at the end of the line and start handing them out there. If those "new" 5 people that are at the front of the line move to the back of the line, then on the 4th time out, they will get one as well, and so on.
Sound simple enough?
This is the easiest and safest way we have come up with to ensure people aren't pushing and that those that have been in line early will get their set.
Any questions, feel free to post them in this thread. But don't expect us to change our mind on this policy. We want the day to go as smoothly as possible, starting with the inevitable line up Saturday morning that we all know will be happening.
Thank You,
The Canadian Joe Con Staff.
Post by: bandonov on July 28, 2010, 11:23:59 AM
Post by: pdaat on July 28, 2010, 11:33:47 AM
There is a spot outside of the hotel. The hotel doesn't want us to be at that spot OUTSIDE until 6am?
Post by: roger dodger on July 28, 2010, 02:35:02 PM
Post by: roshan on July 28, 2010, 03:24:07 PM
Post by: pdaat on July 28, 2010, 05:53:17 PM
Post by: BHMike on July 28, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
Quote from: "pdaat"
Will we be able to get our parking "validated" on Friday as well?
I will inquire, but I'm pretty sure the parking arrangement is for Saturday only.
Post by: joss789 on July 28, 2010, 08:56:58 PM
Post by: 5h4rK on July 28, 2010, 09:40:14 PM
Quote from: "joss789"
I expect a lot of people at the spot at 6AM :o
...Yep!
Post by: bandonov on July 28, 2010, 09:47:19 PM
Quote from: "5h4rK"
Quote from: "joss789"I expect a lot of people at the spot at 6AM :o...Yep!
The Hotel does not want us to wake up their guest who are still sleeping... so if we are quite :-X I'm sure they will not kick us out if we get there a wee bit early...
Post by: roshan on July 28, 2010, 11:35:48 PM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
Quote from: "pdaat"Will we be able to get our parking "validated" on Friday as well?
I will inquire, but I'm pretty sure the parking arrangement is for Saturday only.
If I have the con hotel room though for Friday night, our parking is good for both days right?
Post by: 5h4rK on July 29, 2010, 02:31:59 AM
Quote from: "roshan"
Quote from: "THE Mike™"Quote from: "pdaat"Will we be able to get our parking "validated" on Friday as well?
I will inquire, but I'm pretty sure the parking arrangement is for Saturday only.
If I have the con hotel room though for Friday night, our parking is good for both days right?
Excellent question indeed...
Post by: BHMike on July 29, 2010, 08:12:04 AM
Post by: pdaat on July 29, 2010, 08:51:17 AM
Post by: pdaat on July 29, 2010, 09:14:12 AM
Post by: bandonov on July 29, 2010, 09:31:58 AM
Quote from: "pdaat"
And I just learned the hard way that if you stay Friday night at the hotel, parking is not included either - $15.That sucks... I guess we will have to add another $15 to the amount of cash we need to bring...
Post by: turner on July 29, 2010, 09:47:41 AM
Post by: martin-montreal on July 29, 2010, 04:47:31 PM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
CONVENTION BOX SET EXCLUSIVES
As per the Hotel’s request, there will be NO overnight “camping” for the exclusives.
The earliest they would like people to line up is 6am. If the Sheraton staff asks you to leave prior to that time, we ask that you please respect their wishes and do so.
Do you think people will respect that? If I play the good boy and I plan to be in the line at 6am and there are already 50 people in the line... I will be very mad
So, what can be done to respect that rule without being screwed?
Martin
Post by: BHMike on July 29, 2010, 05:28:07 PM
Quote from: "martin-montreal"
So, what can be done to respect that rule without being screwed?
Nothing. I've laid out a guideline. That's where it ends for me.
If you guys can't behave yourself, then we'll stop the con sets.
Simple as that.
Post by: pdaat on July 30, 2010, 08:10:36 AM
Then, of course, I shall create an official looking false sign (laminated and all) and hire an actor to stand there. When everyone lines up behind him, I shall be ready to assume the first place in line once the real sign gets put in place!!! ; :wink:
Seriously though, it might help keep people closer to being honest.
Post by: BHMike on July 30, 2010, 08:31:06 AM
Quote from: "pdaat"
Hey Mike - how about not putting up the "Line Starts Here" sign until about 05:55 that morning. I think that would keep people away until close to 6am and relieve a lot of anxiety of Con Goers.
And what about those that show up 20 minutes earlier and line up in the wrong spot? How do I handle the anger that they'll have for waiting already - even though I've asked that they don't until 6am?
No. It stays the same as I have plenty more to oversee than the line-up.
Post by: pdaat on July 30, 2010, 08:46:39 AM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
No different than if they showed up early and started milling about anyway. You haven't told them where to go so there should be no line until you tell them where to go. How can they be angry for making up their own spot or going against the rules? No sign, no line.Quote from: "pdaat"Hey Mike - how about not putting up the "Line Starts Here" sign until about 05:55 that morning. I think that would keep people away until close to 6am and relieve a lot of anxiety of Con Goers.
And what about those that show up 20 minutes earlier and line up in the wrong spot? How do I handle the anger that they'll have for waiting already - even though I've asked that they don't until 6am?
No. It stays the same as I have plenty more to oversee than the line-up.
Post by: BHMike on July 30, 2010, 09:21:55 AM
Quote from: "pdaat"
No different than if they showed up early and started milling about anyway. You haven't told them where to go so there should be no line until you tell them where to go. How can they be angry for making up their own spot or going against the rules? No sign, no line.
Already stated where the line will be.
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
CONVENTION BOX SET EXCLUSIVES
You can line up to the RIGHT of the Sheraton Convention/Conference entrance Doors.
Do NOT line up inside the hotel or the convention halls. You will be asked to leave by Sheraton staff and to wait in the assigned area.
There should be a sign directing you where to line up OUTSIDE of the building.
The sign is going up when they put it up.
I'm not Superman, I can't handle every little detail on my own. ;-)
Post by: bandonov on July 30, 2010, 09:43:42 AM
Maybe if we got a bunch of real live Ice Guards or Alley-Vipers for crowd control, we will be in great shape for the CON!
Post by: BHMike on July 30, 2010, 10:53:22 AM
Quote from: "bandonov"
Wow I did not realize that getting a CON set was such a "touchy" subject :lol:
and hey, if anyone wants to show up dressed as a JoeCanuck character, I'm all for it!
Post by: martin-montreal on July 30, 2010, 10:53:50 AM
Martin
Post by: roshan on July 30, 2010, 11:57:54 AM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
I wouldn't say "touchy" subject - it's just that I've gotten a ton of emails about them each year and this thread is the best solution we could come up with.
Are the e-mails getting worse every year on this?
Last year was my first year and my anxiety about getting one and getting there as early as possible made me miss out on half the con due to having to take a nap. The stupid thing about it was that I could have got in line all the way up to the point they gave out the wrist bands and I still would have been fine. Just remember guys similar to what latinjoe said, better to miss out on the first 50 figure than to cut your sleep short and miss out on most of the con or be so tired you walk around like a zombie at it.
Post by: pdaat on July 30, 2010, 12:38:09 PM
Post by: roshan on July 30, 2010, 12:58:22 PM
Quote from: "pdaat"
Anyone want to play a round of GIJoe monopoly in the lobby at 5am? ;)
Looking at the hotel pictures, I don't think there's going to be much room to hang out in the lobby
(http://http://www.starwoodhotels.com/pub/media/3508/she3508lo.78448_md.jpg)
Post by: BHMike on July 30, 2010, 02:10:29 PM
I spent nearly 30 minutes on the phone with my rep from the Sheraton today.
They will have security to ensure no one is in the lobby the convention portion of the hotel from 9pm to 9am.
However, you are now freely permitted to line up WHENEVER YOU WISH outside of the Convention doors - to the right of them, where the sign directs you. Regular rules for obtaining a wristband still apply.
It took some convincing, so please respect the hotel and it's staff. You are only permitted to wait OUTSIDE the hotel.
Should it be raining, I have also arranged for you to all wait inside - ONCE I arrive. We'll have a section secured for you all inside the convention halls. But, we will deal with that should it happen.
Happy now guys? You can now sleep outside instead of that hotel room you paid for. ;-)
ALSO - Anyone that booked AFTER the cut-off date, your parking should be covered as I cleared that today as well. Just mention it at the front desk, they will be notified to waive the parking fee from your bill Friday night.
Post by: pdaat on July 30, 2010, 03:03:01 PM
Now I just hope I have a good view of the line up spot from my room....
Post by: roshan on July 30, 2010, 03:08:01 PM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
Happy now guys? You can now sleep outside instead of that hotel room you paid for. ;-)
Well I still get to use the hotel to sleep, just from 6pm to 1 am now :P
Post by: SID on July 30, 2010, 04:36:27 PM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
and hey, if anyone wants to show up dressed as a JoeCanuck character, I'm all for it!
Howdy strangers :)
I've just found out that I have that day off (barring any emergencies) and will try to stop by, and yes there will be a costume if I do make it (a new one to boot) ;)
Cheers :)
Post by: BHMike on July 30, 2010, 05:38:53 PM
Quote from: "SID"
I've just found out that I have that day off (barring any emergencies) and will try to stop by, and yes there will be a costume if I do make it (a new one to boot) ;)
You'll have some company this time SID.
I know of at least 5 showing up in gear. ;-)
Post by: Darque-Angel on July 30, 2010, 08:55:23 PM
1. Do we need cash for the convention items/entrance, or is there some way a bank card can be used?
2. How are these figures made? I know they are not Hasbro made, but are they cast from a mold or painted over existing figures? If the are just painted over/dyed, how durable are they do being moved when posed?
Thanks!
Post by: pdaat on July 30, 2010, 09:32:56 PM
Quote from: "Darque-Angel"
Hello, I have never been to one of these events, but I'm coming up this year. I do have 2 questions:1. Cash only.
1. Do we need cash for the convention items/entrance, or is there some way a bank card can be used?
2. How are these figures made? I know they are not Hasbro made, but are they cast from a mold or painted over existing figures? If the are just painted over/dyed, how durable are they do being moved when posed?
Thanks!
2. Although not an expert on the process, I know there is some dyeing.
Post by: bandonov on July 30, 2010, 09:42:22 PM
Quote from: "THE Mike™"
CURRENCY
Your admission, and convention sets can only be purchased with cash. We do not have the capabilities to use a debit machine or merchant account to accept credit cards at this time.
American funds will be exchanged at par 1:1.
There is a bank machine on the premises, and banks surrounding the area so you will have an opportunity to get more funds should you need them throughout the weekend.
Assume that the vendors also do not accept Credit Cards/Debit.
Some may, but we won't know that until the day of the event.
We suggest you plan ahead and come fully loaded!
What you don't spend, you can always put back in the bank upon returning home.
and do so.
This is what Mike said officaly about the subject.
Post by: latinjoe22 on July 30, 2010, 11:15:28 PM
Quote
You'll have some company this time SID.
I know of at least 5 showing up in gear. ;-)
Am I one of those 5 by any chance? I'm coming customed as Tunnel Rat. But guys, please don't make fun of me: I put on some extra weight lately... and that's not funny ::)
Post by: pdaat on August 06, 2010, 11:38:02 AM