laurajones

I went to my 1st con just cos my sister dragged me along, didn't really watch any of the shows or know any of the guests. Now I'm hooked and have been to a few since and watched all the shows. I'd say the fact that you want to go means you probably have the right mentality, as long as you're happy to hang out with obsessive geeks you'll have a great time!

Have eaten in the Pheasant many times, eat there on the Friday and you won't be able to eat again all weekend!

Totally, I thought they were laser cut or something hi-tech like that! Great job!

Big thank you, I had the best time, all the hard work is definitely appreciated! Roll on next year!

This is standard at a lot of hotels unfortunately. Again, no help now but I have a credit card just for this, they don't actually take any money from it just effectively block the amount until you check out. Or like Lynn said, you can ask them to make it a cash paid account. First time it happened to me it really screwed me over, so I feel your pain

The convention was awesomeness, I had the time of my life! A few points, good and bad: Lanyards - think that's been covered Guests - they were all just amazing, Robin is my new smutlord and Stephanie is as mad as a box of frogs! Alan giving out gifts was a really lovely gesture, as a relative con virgin I didn't realise this was not the norm, a thoughtful touch. Guest talks - all very entertaining, good questions and great MCing, pitched just at the right level. Hotel - this was pretty dire, the staff really didn't want to make any effort. The rooms were tiny, if I hadn't been sharing with my sister I think I'd have felt pretty uncomfortable sleeping that close to someone! The bar shutting at midnight was terrible and effectively ended the parties, did nobody warn them a few drinkers were coming? But as it's moving next year I guess these are moot points. Screening/commentary - a genius idea, I really enjoyed that and haven't laughed so hard in ages! Quiz - thoroughly entertaining, I had thought we'd all just sit there with pieces of paper answering questions, so was a very pleasant surprise to see the guests taking part! Guest encounters - the one I attended (Stephanie) was just a wonderful 45 mins, I really felt like I'd had a special experience and totally worth the money. Giles - excellent photographer and totally approachable, I ended up buying 3 pics and they were great value! DJ - again excellent, he played everything that was requested and loads of cheesey con songs, perfect! Other attendees - everyone was so friendly, and nice, and fun! Think that's what made it for me, the only other con I've been to (not an ME one) people seemed a little elitist, this was the total opposite. I came to the event thinking there weren't many guests and I might not come next year, left it determined to upgrade to gold for next year! So thank you guys, I really had a ball