Main con information post 2016!
BP 2016: THE FINAL CON-DOWN
Here is the ginormous, one-stop-shopping con information post, including registration, hotel, con schedule, travel, tourist, and concomm contact information, to be updated as we go. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter or Tumblr for quick links to updates!
General Information:
When is Pacificon 2016?
April 2 and 3, 2016, with some unofficial activities on the evening of April 1. (NO, this is not an April Fool's joke.)
Where will it take place?
At the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn near Seattle, Washington.
How do I sign up?
The registration post-including detailed registration and payment information-is here. Membership is $85, and is limited to 100 attendees. You must be at least 18 years old to attend. The current list of attendees is here.
"Bitchin' Party"? Seriously?
"Bitchin' Party" became the unofficial name of the con after some of the concomm had the misfortune of watching a gloriously bad TV show called Dante's Cove. Don't worry, we're not using it unironically.*
*except that some of us totally are
Hotel Information:
The hotel is the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1800 Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, WA (here on Google Maps). The front desk number is 1-425-837-3600, and the fax number is 1-425-837-3635.
How much does it cost?
The con rate is $119/night for a single king bed, and $139 for up to four people (two queen beds), plus tax (currently about 12.4%). A small number of cots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis upon check-in.
How do I reserve a room?
You must reserve your room by March 3, 2016 in order to receive the con rate and be in the room block with all the other cool kids con attendees. If you're looking for a roommate, check out the thread here.
To reserve a room online:
1. Go here.
2. Select your arrival/departure dates, your number of rooms/guests, your preferred bed configuration, and then provide your information. (Note that you can only add ONE additional person's name to your reservation, so give some thought to who is likely to arrive first. I'm sure it can also be changed later if necessary.) A credit card is required to hold the reservation, but no deposit is required. (They do have a disclaimer that they can place a hold on your card for the full amount of your stay, but FWIW, I've never seen that happen.)
NOTE: If you have ANY question or problem with the reservation process (for example, if you did not get the correct rate quoted to you, or it says it doesn't have your preferred bed configuration available), PLEASE call the toll-free number at 1-877-STAY-HGI and talk to a real person (tell them you're reserving for the Pacific Writers' Conference). If for some reason that still doesn't resolve things, contact me (Brynn) at brynnmck [at] gmail [dot] com and I will contact the hotel myself. (If you are outside the US and can't contact the hotel without being charged long-distance rates, I'd also be happy to contact the hotel for you and save you the money.)
To reserve over the phone:
Call the main reservation line at 1-877-STAY-HGI and tell them you're reserving for the Pacific Writers' Conference (that is our sekkrit spy codename to civilians!). Make sure you specify whether you'd like a king room or two queens. Again, if you have any trouble-if they tell you our block is full or that the con rate isn't available-contact me at brynnmck [at] gmail and I will contact the hotel myself.
Hotel Amenities
Room amenities include:
- mini fridge
- microwave
- 42-inch HDTV
- FREE wireless high-speed internet throughout the hotel
Hotel amenities include:
- on-site restaurant (including a bar)
- room service
- pool and hot tub
- fitness center
- free parking
- complimentary shuttle available for transport within a five-mile radius of the hotel
Check-in starts at 3 p.m., check-out is at noon. The con will be providing hors d’ouvres and a cash bar on Saturday night, a full breakfast on Sunday morning, and some snacks and beverages throughout both days. We'll post a complete menu a couple of weeks prior to the con. NOTE: We are NOT allowed to bring our own outside snacks into the meeting room. You are, however, welcome to eat or drink whatever you like in your own room.
Area Amenities
Within walking distance of the hotel, you'll find several fast food options, a couple of restaurants, a grocery store, a Starbucks (of course), and a liquor store.
Within easy driving distance and within the range of the complimentary hotel shuttle, you'll find practically anything else you might need, including lots of food options, Costco, drugstores, Target, various banks, an organic grocery store, etc.
Maps will be included with your welcome packet when you arrive. If you want to check out the lay of the land before then, Google Maps is your friend (see the hotel link above).
Con events
The con will officially run from 9 a.m. on April 2nd until 5 p.m. on April 3rd, which some unofficial activities to get the ball rolling on the evening of April 1st.
Panels
Panels are being organized by the lovely me_maneuver. Check out the panels tag for the latest info!
Vidshow
There will be a vidshow on Saturday night, coordinated by the most excellent
fiercynn and
scribe. Check out the vidshow tag for the latest info!
Room parties
Room parties are totally encouraged (as long as noise is kept to a respectful level that won't get us in trouble with other guests/the hotel)! Please note, however: NO alcohol is allowed in the main con ballroom (except via the cash bar on Saturday night). Feel free to drink/eat whatever you want in your sleeping rooms.
A list of things we will not have, because we are all casual and stuff:
No celebrity guests (y'all are rockstars enough for us)
No art show
No dealers
No free meals besides hors d’ouvres on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday
What we do have is LOVE, people. SO MUCH LOVE. And bacon!
Getting to the con: By air
Airport
You'll probably want to fly into Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport.
Getting from the airport to the hotel
The hotel is about 20 miles from Sea-Tac. The most affordable option is to take the light rail and connect to a bus; the light rail will get you from the airport to downtown Seattle for $2.50, and from downtown, there are several buses to Issaquah (average $2.50 fare) that will drop you off at the Issaquah Transit Center on 17th Ave NW, less than half a mile from the hotel (see the Metro Online Site for more info). Otherwise:
- Taxi (in the vicinity of $55-$65 plus tip), Uber, or Lyft
- Shuttle service ($27 each way for one person in a shared van, $125 for exclusive van service for up to 10 people, $99 for an SUV for up to 5 passengers, etc.)
- When the con gets closer, we'll open up a thread for anyone who wants to try to coordinate cab/shuttle-sharing with other attendees.
- Rent a car (see below for driving directions)
Getting to the con: Not by air
The thread for roadtrip coordination (NOT including transportation from the airport) is here.
By train or bus
Amtrak and Greyhound both have stations in downtown Seattle. From there, you're about a 20-minute drive away from Issaquah. See below for driving directions. Local bus service is, as I said, not all that comprehensive, but it is pretty easy from downtown--the Metro Online site is here if you'd like to check out your options.
By car: driving directions
- As long as you are not east of Issaquah (including from Sea-Tac airport), take (as applicable) I-5 N, I-5 S, I-405 N, or I-405 S to I-90 E (toward Spokane). If you're east of Issaquah, take I-90 W.
- From I-90, take exit 15 (WA-900 / 17th Ave NW).
- Turn right at the light onto 17th Ave NW.
- About a block down, turn right onto Gilman Blvd (by the Burger King).
- The hotel will be about a block ahead of you on your right, behind the John L. Scott building.
The hotel is here on Google Maps.
Getting to the con: Other
Travel by War Rig, Bifrost, tour bus, dog sled, Goat Van, stargate, wormhole, battlestar, firefly, TARDIS, Leviathan, Chevy Impala, or similar to be arranged by individual attendees.
Roommates, rideshares, and airport transportation coordination
Roommate thread is here.
Rideshare thread is here.
The thread to coordinate cab/shuttle-share from the airport is here.
Weather
It does not, in fact, rain ALL the time in Seattle. However, in the springtime, it tends to rain quite a bit. Bring a waterproof jacket if you have one, and maybe an umbrella if you plan to be out and about (though the hotel also has a few umbrellas you can borrow). Temperatures will probably be in the 50s/low 60s. Basically, layers are highly recommended-not only is Seattle weather changeable (it snowed at our first BP; WHAAAT), but so are hotel temperatures (especially in meeting spaces, where they tend to crank the air conditioning), so being able to take off/add clothes as necessary is your best bet.
Tourist information
Downtown Seattle is about a 20-minute drive from Issaquah (up to about 45 minutes with traffic). For information about tourist activities available in the area, you can visit this site.
Who's flying this thing?
General questions/concerns/etc. should go to brynnmck at either pacificon08 [at] gmail or brynnmck [at] gmail (or via LJ PM). These shenanigans were my idea, so I am totally here for you if you need anything.
Questions about registration should go to brynnmck, as well.
Questions about panels should go to me_maneuver.
Questions about the vidshow should go to
fiercynn or
scribe.
We're trying to tag posts as much as possible for ease of navigation. To view all the tags for the community, go here.
See you in April!
Here is the ginormous, one-stop-shopping con information post, including registration, hotel, con schedule, travel, tourist, and concomm contact information, to be updated as we go. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter or Tumblr for quick links to updates!
General Information:
When is Pacificon 2016?
April 2 and 3, 2016, with some unofficial activities on the evening of April 1. (NO, this is not an April Fool's joke.)
Where will it take place?
At the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn near Seattle, Washington.
How do I sign up?
The registration post-including detailed registration and payment information-is here. Membership is $85, and is limited to 100 attendees. You must be at least 18 years old to attend. The current list of attendees is here.
"Bitchin' Party"? Seriously?
"Bitchin' Party" became the unofficial name of the con after some of the concomm had the misfortune of watching a gloriously bad TV show called Dante's Cove. Don't worry, we're not using it unironically.*
*except that some of us totally are
Hotel Information:
The hotel is the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1800 Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, WA (here on Google Maps). The front desk number is 1-425-837-3600, and the fax number is 1-425-837-3635.
How much does it cost?
The con rate is $119/night for a single king bed, and $139 for up to four people (two queen beds), plus tax (currently about 12.4%). A small number of cots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis upon check-in.
How do I reserve a room?
You must reserve your room by March 3, 2016 in order to receive the con rate and be in the room block with all the other cool kids con attendees. If you're looking for a roommate, check out the thread here.
To reserve a room online:
1. Go here.
2. Select your arrival/departure dates, your number of rooms/guests, your preferred bed configuration, and then provide your information. (Note that you can only add ONE additional person's name to your reservation, so give some thought to who is likely to arrive first. I'm sure it can also be changed later if necessary.) A credit card is required to hold the reservation, but no deposit is required. (They do have a disclaimer that they can place a hold on your card for the full amount of your stay, but FWIW, I've never seen that happen.)
NOTE: If you have ANY question or problem with the reservation process (for example, if you did not get the correct rate quoted to you, or it says it doesn't have your preferred bed configuration available), PLEASE call the toll-free number at 1-877-STAY-HGI and talk to a real person (tell them you're reserving for the Pacific Writers' Conference). If for some reason that still doesn't resolve things, contact me (Brynn) at brynnmck [at] gmail [dot] com and I will contact the hotel myself. (If you are outside the US and can't contact the hotel without being charged long-distance rates, I'd also be happy to contact the hotel for you and save you the money.)
To reserve over the phone:
Call the main reservation line at 1-877-STAY-HGI and tell them you're reserving for the Pacific Writers' Conference (that is our sekkrit spy codename to civilians!). Make sure you specify whether you'd like a king room or two queens. Again, if you have any trouble-if they tell you our block is full or that the con rate isn't available-contact me at brynnmck [at] gmail and I will contact the hotel myself.
Hotel Amenities
Room amenities include:
- mini fridge
- microwave
- 42-inch HDTV
- FREE wireless high-speed internet throughout the hotel
Hotel amenities include:
- on-site restaurant (including a bar)
- room service
- pool and hot tub
- fitness center
- free parking
- complimentary shuttle available for transport within a five-mile radius of the hotel
Check-in starts at 3 p.m., check-out is at noon. The con will be providing hors d’ouvres and a cash bar on Saturday night, a full breakfast on Sunday morning, and some snacks and beverages throughout both days. We'll post a complete menu a couple of weeks prior to the con. NOTE: We are NOT allowed to bring our own outside snacks into the meeting room. You are, however, welcome to eat or drink whatever you like in your own room.
Area Amenities
Within walking distance of the hotel, you'll find several fast food options, a couple of restaurants, a grocery store, a Starbucks (of course), and a liquor store.
Within easy driving distance and within the range of the complimentary hotel shuttle, you'll find practically anything else you might need, including lots of food options, Costco, drugstores, Target, various banks, an organic grocery store, etc.
Maps will be included with your welcome packet when you arrive. If you want to check out the lay of the land before then, Google Maps is your friend (see the hotel link above).
Con events
The con will officially run from 9 a.m. on April 2nd until 5 p.m. on April 3rd, which some unofficial activities to get the ball rolling on the evening of April 1st.
Panels
Panels are being organized by the lovely me_maneuver. Check out the panels tag for the latest info!
Vidshow
There will be a vidshow on Saturday night, coordinated by the most excellent
fiercynn and
scribe. Check out the vidshow tag for the latest info!
Room parties
Room parties are totally encouraged (as long as noise is kept to a respectful level that won't get us in trouble with other guests/the hotel)! Please note, however: NO alcohol is allowed in the main con ballroom (except via the cash bar on Saturday night). Feel free to drink/eat whatever you want in your sleeping rooms.
A list of things we will not have, because we are all casual and stuff:
No celebrity guests (y'all are rockstars enough for us)
No art show
No dealers
No free meals besides hors d’ouvres on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday
What we do have is LOVE, people. SO MUCH LOVE. And bacon!
Getting to the con: By air
Airport
You'll probably want to fly into Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport.
Getting from the airport to the hotel
The hotel is about 20 miles from Sea-Tac. The most affordable option is to take the light rail and connect to a bus; the light rail will get you from the airport to downtown Seattle for $2.50, and from downtown, there are several buses to Issaquah (average $2.50 fare) that will drop you off at the Issaquah Transit Center on 17th Ave NW, less than half a mile from the hotel (see the Metro Online Site for more info). Otherwise:
- Taxi (in the vicinity of $55-$65 plus tip), Uber, or Lyft
- Shuttle service ($27 each way for one person in a shared van, $125 for exclusive van service for up to 10 people, $99 for an SUV for up to 5 passengers, etc.)
- When the con gets closer, we'll open up a thread for anyone who wants to try to coordinate cab/shuttle-sharing with other attendees.
- Rent a car (see below for driving directions)
Getting to the con: Not by air
The thread for roadtrip coordination (NOT including transportation from the airport) is here.
By train or bus
Amtrak and Greyhound both have stations in downtown Seattle. From there, you're about a 20-minute drive away from Issaquah. See below for driving directions. Local bus service is, as I said, not all that comprehensive, but it is pretty easy from downtown--the Metro Online site is here if you'd like to check out your options.
By car: driving directions
- As long as you are not east of Issaquah (including from Sea-Tac airport), take (as applicable) I-5 N, I-5 S, I-405 N, or I-405 S to I-90 E (toward Spokane). If you're east of Issaquah, take I-90 W.
- From I-90, take exit 15 (WA-900 / 17th Ave NW).
- Turn right at the light onto 17th Ave NW.
- About a block down, turn right onto Gilman Blvd (by the Burger King).
- The hotel will be about a block ahead of you on your right, behind the John L. Scott building.
The hotel is here on Google Maps.
Getting to the con: Other
Travel by War Rig, Bifrost, tour bus, dog sled, Goat Van, stargate, wormhole, battlestar, firefly, TARDIS, Leviathan, Chevy Impala, or similar to be arranged by individual attendees.
Roommates, rideshares, and airport transportation coordination
Roommate thread is here.
Rideshare thread is here.
The thread to coordinate cab/shuttle-share from the airport is here.
Weather
It does not, in fact, rain ALL the time in Seattle. However, in the springtime, it tends to rain quite a bit. Bring a waterproof jacket if you have one, and maybe an umbrella if you plan to be out and about (though the hotel also has a few umbrellas you can borrow). Temperatures will probably be in the 50s/low 60s. Basically, layers are highly recommended-not only is Seattle weather changeable (it snowed at our first BP; WHAAAT), but so are hotel temperatures (especially in meeting spaces, where they tend to crank the air conditioning), so being able to take off/add clothes as necessary is your best bet.
Tourist information
Downtown Seattle is about a 20-minute drive from Issaquah (up to about 45 minutes with traffic). For information about tourist activities available in the area, you can visit this site.
Who's flying this thing?
General questions/concerns/etc. should go to brynnmck at either pacificon08 [at] gmail or brynnmck [at] gmail (or via LJ PM). These shenanigans were my idea, so I am totally here for you if you need anything.
Questions about registration should go to brynnmck, as well.
Questions about panels should go to me_maneuver.
Questions about the vidshow should go to
fiercynn or
scribe.
We're trying to tag posts as much as possible for ease of navigation. To view all the tags for the community, go here.
See you in April!