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gblvrYOU MAY WANT TO BRING
- Directions to the hotel (and the hotel phone number, just in case)
- Fannish t-shirts, tote bags, and hats (this is a fashionable crowd!)
- Fannish stickers, buttons and pins -- there's a lot of real estate on our badges and badge holders
- Fun and outrageous outfits for the Disco Duck -- anything goes, as long as it can be worn in public
- Cos-play gear/costumes -- most of the con comm is playing dress-up on Friday, but the whole weekend is fair game; this year's theme is COMICS
- Your laptop -- the hotel has free wireless internet throughout
- A bathing suit -- the hotel has an outdoor pool, and the (current) forecast is for mostly sunny skies and very warm temps
- A sweater -- the panel rooms and ConSweet are chilly, especially early in the day (We're not kidding about this -- if you get cold easily, BRING A SWEATER!)
- A refillable water bottle -- we will not be offering bottled water this year, but there will be pitchers of filtered water, ice and glasses available
YOU WON'T WANT TO BRING
- VCRs or DVD players -- we aren't allowed to hook them up to the televisions in our rooms. There will be a TV and DVD player at the pimping table in the ConSweet.
- Pets -- the only animals allowed in the hotel are service animals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Those who have attended previous CON.TXTs might be surprised by the state of the lobby: it's under construction, and pretty unrecognizable. Where they used to have lobby seating, a coffee shop, an ATM, a restaurant, a bar, and comfy gathering space, now there are only UNFINISHED SPACES full of people making construction noises. While we can keep our eye on the beautiful space it will be for CON.TXT 2014, it's not there yet.
However - our Thursday night reception will go on bravely at location to be announced. You'll be able to register for the con between 7 and 10 pm, and you'll even be able to get a drink. So, come meet, greet, and hang out with your fellow con-goers!
You can also play Find-a-Fan Bingo! Yes, fine, it's a typical icebreaker, but how many of those need you to find someone who cosplays, prefers Android, or has written for a kink meme? Complete your card and get a sparkly sticker for your badge. And even if you don't arrive Thursday, folks will still be playing throughout the weekend.
Also, don't forget that Crafty Ducks are Crafty! Starting Thursday evening, we'll be set up to walk small groups of fans through the steps to make a CON.TXT buttonbadge - and then let you customize the final product for yourself! We'll have all the fixin's, but feel free to bring your icon or a photo that fits in a 2 1/8 circle if you have something particular in mind.
PARKING: If you arrive by car, you'll need to leave it somewhere. You can unload all your gear and extra passengers at the front of the hotel. Parking in the hotel garage costs $14 a day, with in and out privileges. The county lot (Lot 2) behind the hotel offers free parking Thursday and Friday after 7 pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. During the day, short-term (two- and three-hour) meters cost about 60 cents an hour. The county garage (Garage 2) behind the hotel has long-term meters (nine hours) at 45 cents an hour. You also can take your chances on the street -- but read the signs very carefully.
ATM: There is an ATM in the hotel lobby; the surcharge is $3.50. There are also several bank ATMs near the hotel on Georgia Ave, including a Bank of America and a Suntrust.
HOTEL CHECK-IN: Because a lot of fans will be arriving on Thursday right around check-in time, the lobby may be crowded from 3:00 until 5:00 pm, and check-in will be slow. PLEASE BE PATIENT, and prepare to spend some time in the lobby or out in front of the hotel, chatting with other fen waiting to make their way to the Con. We have warned the hotel to expect a crowd at check-in on both Thursday and Friday afternoon, and have asked them to staff the hotel registration desk accordingly. Still, the lobby may be crowded at those times, and check-in could be slow.
REGISTRATION: You can pick up your registration packages on Thursday (see above), or you can wait until the following day: registration will be open in the hallway outside the Con Sweet from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and again outside the LINCOLN BALLROOM from 7:30 to 11:00pm. Saturday registration hours are 8:00am to 6:00pm in front of the Con Sweet; pre-registration for CON.TXT 2014 will be from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Sunday, again, in front of the Con Sweet.
IDENTIFICATION: You'll receive a badge holder and name tag that is your pass to all CON.TXT events. It will be checked at all Con events, so please don't lose it or leave it in your room! It is not replaceable, and you must wear it at all times while in the con space. Please note that badges are not shareable or transferable.
Anyone attending the Disco Duck on Friday will be required to wear a wristband -- please note that wristbands are not shareable or transferable. There will be more info about the wristbands at the CON.TXT Context panel on Friday morning.
VOLUNTEERS: At registration, attendees who indicated availability will receive their volunteer schedule. You should double-check the shifts indicated; if there is a problem, please letmeri_oddities know as soon as possible, so that we can straighten out any issues. If you find you have time while at the con, and wish to volunteer, please let us know.
PROGRAMMING: At registration, you'll also receive a CON.TXT program describing all of the panels, special events, workshops and services. We suggest you take some time to read through the program as soon as possible after your arrival; in addition to con programming, there will also be information on local restaurants and shopping on a handout in the packet.
GETTING AROUND: The hotel operates a free shuttle within a 3-mile radius of the hotel. You can use the shuttle to get to or from the Metro station, for example, or to get to the movie theater, restaurants, grocery store, etc.
If you need to be picked up from the Metro or elsewhere within the area the shuttle serves, call the main hotel number: 301-589-0800. They will connect you to the shuttle. If you have some idea when you'll need to be picked up (e.g., if you're coming from the airport), it's a good idea to call in advance to reserve the shuttle.
The Silver Spring Metro station is about 1/4 mile south of the hotel on Georgia Ave, if you're in the mood for a short walk.
THE FORECAST
Wednesday, June 13: partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain; high of 83° // low of 64°
Thursday, June 14: cloudy, 20% chance of rain; high of 80° // low of 64°
Friday, June 15: mostly sunny, 10% chance of rain; high of 82°F // low of 61°F
Saturday, June 16: partly cloudy, 10% chance of rain; high of 82° // low of 62°
Sunday, June 17: partly cloudy, 10% chance of rain; high of 84° // low of 64°
Monday, June 18: PM thunderstorms, 40% chance of rain; high of 84° // low of 66°
- Directions to the hotel (and the hotel phone number, just in case)
- Fannish t-shirts, tote bags, and hats (this is a fashionable crowd!)
- Fannish stickers, buttons and pins -- there's a lot of real estate on our badges and badge holders
- Fun and outrageous outfits for the Disco Duck -- anything goes, as long as it can be worn in public
- Cos-play gear/costumes -- most of the con comm is playing dress-up on Friday, but the whole weekend is fair game; this year's theme is COMICS
- Your laptop -- the hotel has free wireless internet throughout
- A bathing suit -- the hotel has an outdoor pool, and the (current) forecast is for mostly sunny skies and very warm temps
- A sweater -- the panel rooms and ConSweet are chilly, especially early in the day (We're not kidding about this -- if you get cold easily, BRING A SWEATER!)
- A refillable water bottle -- we will not be offering bottled water this year, but there will be pitchers of filtered water, ice and glasses available
YOU WON'T WANT TO BRING
- VCRs or DVD players -- we aren't allowed to hook them up to the televisions in our rooms. There will be a TV and DVD player at the pimping table in the ConSweet.
- Pets -- the only animals allowed in the hotel are service animals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Those who have attended previous CON.TXTs might be surprised by the state of the lobby: it's under construction, and pretty unrecognizable. Where they used to have lobby seating, a coffee shop, an ATM, a restaurant, a bar, and comfy gathering space, now there are only UNFINISHED SPACES full of people making construction noises. While we can keep our eye on the beautiful space it will be for CON.TXT 2014, it's not there yet.
However - our Thursday night reception will go on bravely at location to be announced. You'll be able to register for the con between 7 and 10 pm, and you'll even be able to get a drink. So, come meet, greet, and hang out with your fellow con-goers!
You can also play Find-a-Fan Bingo! Yes, fine, it's a typical icebreaker, but how many of those need you to find someone who cosplays, prefers Android, or has written for a kink meme? Complete your card and get a sparkly sticker for your badge. And even if you don't arrive Thursday, folks will still be playing throughout the weekend.
Also, don't forget that Crafty Ducks are Crafty! Starting Thursday evening, we'll be set up to walk small groups of fans through the steps to make a CON.TXT buttonbadge - and then let you customize the final product for yourself! We'll have all the fixin's, but feel free to bring your icon or a photo that fits in a 2 1/8 circle if you have something particular in mind.
PARKING: If you arrive by car, you'll need to leave it somewhere. You can unload all your gear and extra passengers at the front of the hotel. Parking in the hotel garage costs $14 a day, with in and out privileges. The county lot (Lot 2) behind the hotel offers free parking Thursday and Friday after 7 pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. During the day, short-term (two- and three-hour) meters cost about 60 cents an hour. The county garage (Garage 2) behind the hotel has long-term meters (nine hours) at 45 cents an hour. You also can take your chances on the street -- but read the signs very carefully.
ATM: There is an ATM in the hotel lobby; the surcharge is $3.50. There are also several bank ATMs near the hotel on Georgia Ave, including a Bank of America and a Suntrust.
HOTEL CHECK-IN: Because a lot of fans will be arriving on Thursday right around check-in time, the lobby may be crowded from 3:00 until 5:00 pm, and check-in will be slow. PLEASE BE PATIENT, and prepare to spend some time in the lobby or out in front of the hotel, chatting with other fen waiting to make their way to the Con. We have warned the hotel to expect a crowd at check-in on both Thursday and Friday afternoon, and have asked them to staff the hotel registration desk accordingly. Still, the lobby may be crowded at those times, and check-in could be slow.
REGISTRATION: You can pick up your registration packages on Thursday (see above), or you can wait until the following day: registration will be open in the hallway outside the Con Sweet from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and again outside the LINCOLN BALLROOM from 7:30 to 11:00pm. Saturday registration hours are 8:00am to 6:00pm in front of the Con Sweet; pre-registration for CON.TXT 2014 will be from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Sunday, again, in front of the Con Sweet.
IDENTIFICATION: You'll receive a badge holder and name tag that is your pass to all CON.TXT events. It will be checked at all Con events, so please don't lose it or leave it in your room! It is not replaceable, and you must wear it at all times while in the con space. Please note that badges are not shareable or transferable.
Anyone attending the Disco Duck on Friday will be required to wear a wristband -- please note that wristbands are not shareable or transferable. There will be more info about the wristbands at the CON.TXT Context panel on Friday morning.
VOLUNTEERS: At registration, attendees who indicated availability will receive their volunteer schedule. You should double-check the shifts indicated; if there is a problem, please let
meri_oddities know as soon as possible, so that we can straighten out any issues. If you find you have time while at the con, and wish to volunteer, please let us know.PROGRAMMING: At registration, you'll also receive a CON.TXT program describing all of the panels, special events, workshops and services. We suggest you take some time to read through the program as soon as possible after your arrival; in addition to con programming, there will also be information on local restaurants and shopping on a handout in the packet.
GETTING AROUND: The hotel operates a free shuttle within a 3-mile radius of the hotel. You can use the shuttle to get to or from the Metro station, for example, or to get to the movie theater, restaurants, grocery store, etc.
If you need to be picked up from the Metro or elsewhere within the area the shuttle serves, call the main hotel number: 301-589-0800. They will connect you to the shuttle. If you have some idea when you'll need to be picked up (e.g., if you're coming from the airport), it's a good idea to call in advance to reserve the shuttle.
The Silver Spring Metro station is about 1/4 mile south of the hotel on Georgia Ave, if you're in the mood for a short walk.
THE FORECAST
Wednesday, June 13: partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain; high of 83° // low of 64°
Thursday, June 14: cloudy, 20% chance of rain; high of 80° // low of 64°
Friday, June 15: mostly sunny, 10% chance of rain; high of 82°F // low of 61°F
Saturday, June 16: partly cloudy, 10% chance of rain; high of 82° // low of 62°
Sunday, June 17: partly cloudy, 10% chance of rain; high of 84° // low of 64°
Monday, June 18: PM thunderstorms, 40% chance of rain; high of 84° // low of 66°
