Dragon Con Membership Newsletter, Vol 2 Iss 3

Dragon Con Membership Newsletter August 30–September 2, 2013

Volume 2, Issue 3 Atlanta, Georgia

It’s A Brand New Day 2013 Dragon Con Convention members, In case you have not heard the news, it is a new day in the Dragon Con universe. On July 8, 2103, the company that owns the Dragon Con convention was acquired in a transaction that reduced the ownership group from the original six to five.

Our management group will remain unchanged. In fact, everything you love about Dragon Con will remain unchanged or be upgraded and improved.

Our venues are the same. Our panels and events will be everything you expect. Our Walk of Fame will be bigger and better than ever.

We are confident that the convention will continue to be the same fun event it has been in recent years. One of the reasons that we are so confident is that Dragon Con has never really been about the owners. It is about the members and volunteers who make this insanity possible.

Thanks for believing in the show.

I look forward to seeing you all in 20 days.

Pat Henry President Dragon Con Inc.

How to Support Our 2013 Charities Braves Night (Thursday 7–10pm)

Click here for tickets.

Revenge of the Nerds: A Dragon Con Homecoming (Friday starting at 10pm) SGMT Charity Night Event (Friday 8:30pm) Charity Auction – Books & Artwork (Saturday 11:30am–2pm) Cosplay Charity Auction (Saturday 3pm) Charity Auction – Everything Else (Sunday 10am – 2pm) Don S. Davis Memorial Charity Auction (Sunday 4pm) Art Show Charity Artwork Project – Better Gnomes and Gardens All the events above are going on to help raise money for our three official charities for 2013: Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary Georgia Conservancy Marcus Autism Plus, Dragon Con is matching the first $50,000 raised for charity. Let’s make this another great year for our official charities.

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Dragon Con Presents: PassionTag Whether your passion is sci-fi, music, robotics, or a particular charity, the very things you love are being shared through photos across Facebook, Twitter, and the broader web. Imagine finding a photo of a super cool costume at Dragon Con, and when you click on the image, you are presented with a “digital backpack” full of information that makes the event that much better. It might link you to exclusive happenings at the

show or get you in touch with others who share your same passions.

It might even be an opportunity for Dragon Con Specials, like merchandise deals or giveaways.

Included on Dragon Con’s “digital backpack” will be the opportunity to get your 2014 membership from

What is PassionTag? PassionTag is the first mobile application that lets you promote your passions through the photos you share. With PassionTag, you can bring your photos to life by turning your static images into an interactive photos containing actionable tags that expand the story you want to tell.

your phone! The fabulous team at PassionTag have made all this happen. And because they’re fans of Dragon Con, they chose our convention to take their new app to the next level.

We’re so excited to be a part of this big launch, and to give our members something unique that’s going to add even more to the Dragon Con experience.

Start Snapping and Tagging!

Want to know more about the PassionTag Contests?

Join in and participate in the Dragon Con PassionTag contests for a chance to win a four-day membership to next year’s Dragon Con! Here is how it works. There are two contests that members can participate in with PassionTag for a chance to win. The first one is a general contest that will award two 2014 membership. The first award will go to the most followed person at the show and the second membership will go to the person adding the most liked photo at the show. All photos tagged with one of the official Dragon Con PassionTags are eligible for the general contest.

The second contest is our first ever technology based costume contest. Anyone who would like to enter their costume into the contest will tag their photo(s) with the official Dragon Con MY Costume PassionTag and will have an opportunity to win one of two 2014 memberships. One membership will be awarded to the most liked costume by PassionTag users. The second membership will go to the best all-around costume as judged by our esteemed panel of judges.

DRAGON TALK Membership Newsletter

Get more info on the incredible new app and the awesomeness we have in store for you! *Visit our website for an intro, FAQs, and video tutorials. *Check out the PassionTag Contests to see how you can win a 2014 membership! *Visit the PassionTag website.

Official Dragon Con PassionTags: Dragon Con Dragon Con Costumes Dragon Con Doctor Who Dragon Con Gaming Dragon Con Guests Dragon Con MY Costume Dragon Con Parade Dragon Con Puppetry Dragon Con Star Trek Dragon Con Star Wars Dragon Con Stargate Dragon Con Steampunk Dragon Con Superheroes

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Where’s Dragon Con? No, not like “Where’s Waldo, where did I put my phone, or where did I park the Batmobile?” It’s actually one of the top questions we get at the Dragon Con office. If you’re new to the convention, you may think it’s in a conference center, or in one spot, like a single hotel. And then you show up and your mind explodes.

Even if you’re not new, when you fill up 5 hotels and the streets of Downtown Atlanta with 52,000 people, you can really lose your sense of direction. Plus, with the Vendor Halls moving to the AmericasMart for more space, there are a few new locations for some old favorites.

So to help you out, we’re providing a dragon’s eye view of where the convention takes place, and some of the key functions in each location.

Hyatt Regency Anime Animation Art Show Band Concourse Charity Auctions Comics Alley Con Suite Concerts Drum Circle

Fantasy Literature Independent Films Masquerade Revenge of the Nerds: A Dragon Con Homecoming Robot Battles Sci-Fi Literature Silk Road Wrestling

Sheraton Atlanta Brit Track DC Store Disability Services Heroes and Villains Ball Lego First Challenge Miss StarTrek Universe Pageant

Paranormal Rainbow Flag Party Registration Robotics & Makers Trek Track Volunteer Reg. Yule Ball Zombie Prom

DRAGON TALK Membership Newsletter

Marriott Marquis Autographs Blood Drive Charity Events Concerts Costuming DC Store Dr. Who 50th Anniversary Ball Froggy’s Photos Kaleidoscope

Last Party on Alderaan Photography Puppetry Star Trek World Record Attempt Star Wars VIP Badge Pickup Walk of Fame Young Adult Lit.

Westin Peachtree Plaza Alternate History Apocalypse Rising Avengers Ball Dr. Horrible & Buffy Horror Picture Show Horror Track Mechanical Masquerade Ball

StarGate Charity Night Event StarGate Multiverse Urban Fantasy Whedon Universe

Hilton Atlanta Electronic Frontier Foundation Froggy’s Photos Podcasting Science Skeptics Track Space

Gaming: Board Games CCGs LARPs Mechcorps Miniatures MMORPGs RPGs Video Gaming War College

AmericasMart Bldg. 1 Dealers Exhibitors

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Dragon Con Survival Guide Whether It’s your first year at Dragon Con or you’re an old pro, we want you to have an awesome time at the show. You may have seen some of these “survival guides” before, and some of you can probably even write them…either way, check out these tips…they could come in handy!

Get Ready for Registration

Bring a Valid Government issued ID Did you pre-register? Bring your postcard.

Lose your postcard? Bring your ID (and receipt if you have it).

Purchasing at the door? Print the QR code and you’ll get through the line even faster.

Picking up for someone else? You’ll need a copy of their ID, post card if pre-registered, and permission slip.

Get Your Badge, Secure Your Badge, Show Your Badge First things first…swing by the Sheraton and pick up your badge. Did you preregister? If so, be sure to bring your postcard. We made some awesome upgrades to the registration system in 2011 and the lines move much quicker (we promise; ask someone who came last year).

Once you have your badge, you must secure it and show it at all times. You will need your badge to get into the events at the host hotels, as well as the Vendor Halls at the AmericasMart. We will also be requiring a badge or room key at the host hotels during peak hours to cut down on congestion, and to help keep our members safe. So have your badge ready and visible! Lost badges are not replaced; I know it’s a bummer…but you should know…

Plan Your Time

Dragon Con is four non-stop days of 24 hour fun!

There are almost forty individual programming tracks and even more special events, contests, gaming, and parties than you can imagine.

We hate to break it to you, but you can’t do everything you want, so you’ll have to prioritize.

The free smart phone app and pocket program are great tools that will tell you where to go, what to do and when to get there.

Make a plan and be sure to allow time to wait in line for a big event or popular panel that has your favorite guest. Lines for events in main programming will begin when the group for the previous panel has been seated. An important note, we clear the room after each panel in the larger rooms.

DRAGON TALK Membership Newsletter

Tools for Planning

Download the app App Schmap. I don’t have a smart phone or tablet. Download the Pocket Program from our website.

Classic Dragon Con Style. I need it in my hands, on paper. You’ll receive the Pocket Program when you pick up your badge. Bring your highlighters!

Wear Comfortable Shoes

The convention takes place in five hotels and the AmericasMart. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking! Wearing a costume with special shoes? Bring a pair of plan “B” shoes to wear during your off times in case you can’t stand it any longer…you will thank us later!

Carry a Survival Bag

(or enlist someone to carry it for you) Sure, you think you will swing by your room to pick up what you need. In reality, the elevators, the time, the distance and the crowds will make you rethink that trek. We have listed some items you might want to have at easy reach.

Follow the 5/2/1 Rule

We require our staff to adhere to the 5/2/1 rule. Get a minimum of five hours a sleep, two meals, and one shower every day, please. It works for everyone.

Sleep: We know you are probably not going to get enough sleep at the convention, but you’ll have a lot more fun if you at least try.

Plus, you’ll be a nicer person to be around (just ask your friends). So shoot for 5 hours sleep at a minimum in one stretch.

Pack a Survival Bag

Camera/and or Phone Batteries/Charger First aid supplies (adhesive bandages, aspirin, and medications) Business Cards (for those networking opportunities) Cash (ATM machines are available but often run out of cash) Snacks Water bottle Sweater or jacket (it can get cold in some of the rooms plus it makes an impromptu pillow) Hand Sanitizer (con crud is no one’s friend) Page protectors or photo sleeves for autographed photos Sharpie, pen, highlighter, and paper so you can make notes to your pocket program and get autographs

Food: You can usually find a hamburger and hotdog vendor anywhere. Here are some other options: Each of the hotels has somewhere to buy café and deli style food and salads and some are open 24 hours.

The Peachtree Center has a food court that is accessible via the skywalks from the Hyatt, Marriott and the Peachtree Center parking garage. You can find a wide variety of quick food options as well as fine dining restaurants nearby.

Be sure to carry some snacks with you so you can eat something when you get hungry and don’t have time at that moment to track down food.

There is a Publix located approximately one mile north of the host hotels on Piedmont Avenue.

And don’t forget about the ConSuite. It’s a sci-fi convention tradition located in the Hyatt where you can get snacks and some soda.

Tip Your Hotel Staff

The hotel staff gets a kick out of the convention and they work pretty hard to take care of us throughout the four days! So be sure to tip the maid service, bartenders and other hotel staff that provide a service to you.

So now you’re off to a good start and ready to go.

We’ll see you Labor Day Weekend!

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What's your track?

Dragon Con Pop Quiz

J Kip CampbellJ Kip Campbell

From Alternate History to Young Adult Literature, we've cover the gamut with this puzzle.

Any self respecting geek knows their stuff. Brush up on your knowledge before the Con. 1

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51 Chronicles of Amber author, 35 "V", for example 8 R in T.A.R.D.I.S. DRAGON TALK Membership Newsletter Catch more Dragon Con news and updates: click here to subscribe to our eBlasts!

5 36 Sherlock's obsession?

9 Shapechanger prefix initials 37 Walter Frey has several of these 10 Operative word in NEO 52 Cato actor, initials

Announcement

Membership Benefits

Dragon Con is expanding its partnerships to include both Enterprise and National Rental Car. Dragon Con members are able to receive a booking discount no matter the date or location for the rental.

You can book directly through this link. If you are looking for a car specifically for Dragon Con weekend, be sure to select National if you want to pick it up at the airport. *Note: If you do not use the above link and access either Enterprise or National through their respective websites, you will need the following information: Enterprise: code: XZ03A67 pin: DRA National: code: XZ03A67 E

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Solution to Last Month’s Puzzle: Get to Know a Track

You Are Cordially Invited To

HAVE FUN the DRAGON CON WAY!

Dragon Con Night at the Braves Thursday, August 29, 7:00 PM atlanta.braves.mlb.com Dragon Con Night at the Aquarium Saturday, August 31, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM georgiaaquarium.org/dragoncon

DRAGON TALK Membership Newsletter

Don’t forget, there are benefits to being a Member of Dragon Con Special “members only” pricing on merchandise and workshops, and special offers throughout the year.

Special member pricing on Delta airfares, Enterprise and National rental cars.

Informative publications such as Dragon Talk, the Progress Report, and our convention Program Book.

And did you know you can buy your next year’s membership at the convention for only $65? It can be purchased at registration, at both Dragon Con stores, and briefly online after the convention. It’s our best price all year long.

ers

Remind

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