Total Convention Newbie - need advice - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

SPACE_MONKEY_UK · 27th October 2003, 07:19 PM

I'm in the UK and have never managed to get myself to a convention although I absolutely adore stargate!!

I would love to go to Gatecon 2004 but before I commit myself to the long trek over to Vancouver could anyone tell me wot to expect?

I would love to take my sister with me on the trip coz I'm sure she'd die of shock if she got to see her favourite characters in person!! (that wud be worth the cost of the flights alone!)

It would just be the two of us so I guess I'm wondering wot the atmosphere is like during the convention. Is it easy to get to know other fans and find others to hang out with?

Is it best to stay in the official hotel? is that where other fans stay?

So enuf of all my questions! Any advice wud be great and much appreciated! I just really want confirmation that its worth the effort of getting myself to Canada. But I'm sure that if I meet some fans who are as fanatical about stargate as me then I'll have a blast!!

p.s anyone know if they'll be operating the SGC and filming locations tour at this Gatecon coz that would be fab!

Rowan · 27th October 2003, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPACE_MONKEY_UK
I'm in the UK and have never managed to get myself to a convention although I absolutely adore stargate!!

I would love to go to Gatecon 2004 but before I commit myself to the long trek over to Vancouver could anyone tell me wot to expect?

I would love to take my sister with me on the trip coz I'm sure she'd die of shock if she got to see her favourite characters in person!! (that wud be worth the cost of the flights alone!)

It would just be the two of us so I guess I'm wondering wot the atmosphere is like during the convention. Is it easy to get to know other fans and find others to hang out with?

I'll try and I know others here will share their experiences.

The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and the fans are just like you: there to enjoy being with others who share their interested in Stargate. And are willing to talk about all sorts of other things too, if you want. We have a cross-section of careers in the folks who come and visit with us: doctors, lawyers, archaeologists, students, housewives, career professionals, compter folks, people in the arts and theater industry, military members - just a bit of everyone. And from everywhere: Australia, Asia, Europr, the UK, Spain, the US, Canada... a great world view. With 600+ people there's always someone to meet and get to know. and if you want to just site back and watch, folks also respect that.

You can pretty much set your own comfort level.

Quote:

Is it best to stay in the official hotel? is that where other fans stay?

Pretty much everyone stays at the hotel. Events tend to start at a reasonable hour [9Am on], but there may be nothing reasonable about the evenings - they can go late. If you're at the hotel, it's an easy stagger to bed. And you *may* be able to catch a nap in the afternoon, but don't count on it - we keep you busy!

Quote:

So enuf of all my questions! Any advice wud be great and much appreciated! I just really want confirmation that its worth the effort of getting myself to Canada. But I'm sure that if I meet some fans who are as fanatical about stargate as me then I'll have a blast!!

I have *no* doubt you will both: meet fans and have a blast!

Quote:

Anyone know if they'll be operating the SGC and filming locations tour at this Gatecon coz that would be fab!

I'm can say a strong 'Probably' about the city/location toru, but I'm pretty sure Richard hasn't had a chance to finialized that yet. The studio tour is gifted us at the discresion of the folks at MGM and Bridge and we won't have information on that until much later - probably next year sometime. Keep checking back to the con's
'website' or back here for new information.

Hope to see you there!

Rowan
On-Site Registration <*Not* pre-registration!
Gatecon2004

sphinx_99 · 27th October 2003, 10:49 PM

Hi......my first time was this past September, and I'd say: yes! it's worth it!

I went with my husband, and we found it very easy to meet other people.......after all, everyone there loves Stargate, just like you! I found people to be really open and friendly. Also, if you are involved on the boards between now and then, you can get to know others who are going, and meet them in person at the con-which is really awesome!

We stayed at the con hotel, like most people. (Some people who stay the week after, move downtown, however). I would personally recommend it, cuz you are right near the action, plus you can run up to your room to grab batteries for your camera (or film) or anything else you forgot, a jacket, or whatever. During one of the auctions my hubby had to run upstairs and go online with my laptop to check our checking account balance to make sure we had enough to cover some rather *pricey* purchases I made! :rolly2: (all for charity).......being in the hotel is also great for impromptu gatherings with fellow con-goers...ie, Sunday eve, I ran into some people who were going across the street to eat.

All in all, it was a BLAST, so much so that I bought tickets for next year while we were still there! I am already counting down the days! If you go, I'll look forward to meeting you!

Heather

pamie · 28th October 2003, 12:05 AM

Also just wanted to point out that there are a few cons in the UK too...so if you wanna try one out before going to Canada then try

www.wolfevents.com

Rowan Green · 28th October 2003, 11:57 AM

Pamie makes a good point about coming to a UK con first!

If you come to Gatecon, I'd say try and not come for JUST the con. A lot of people come for the weeks either side, and the Gategoers list (link on the Gatecon website...) organisers quite a few trips and get togethers for it's members.

In some ways Gatecon is more like a festival than a convention. There's the convention itself (which is longer than the UK cons), but there's all the other things going on too: Sekh's party, the Gategoers trips, the location tour, and hopefully the set trip.

And Vancouver itself is great. The Gategoers trips let you see some of it, but you should also allow some time to do your own thing. This year I did a hike for charity (see the link in my sig, the report will be up within the next few days...) and went whale watching.

It's a shame to do a 9 hour plus flight each way and just see the inside of a hotel!

SPACE_MONKEY_UK · 28th October 2003, 12:10 PM

just wanted to say a huge thanks to every1 who replied to my message!

You've all been great and have totally convined me that the trip is worth it! I'm taking your advice and trying to get tickets to an event in the UK to see Michael Shanks and Chris Judge!

So.....I'm already excited and cant wait to get my tickets sorted! Hopefully I'll meet up with some of you guys at the con coz you've all been fantastic!

thanks!!

Rowan Green · 28th October 2003, 10:27 PM

Just a note: the Shanks and Judge thing isn't really a convention. But it will give you a taster!

pamie · 28th October 2003, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rowan Green
Just a note: the Shanks and Judge thing isn't really a convention. But it will give you a taster!

Yeah its a great way to get into doing cons

I went to my first con about a year ago and I will be going to my fourth one this weekend....I love it...the people and everything is great!

Allura · 1st November 2003, 01:54 PM

As a Gatecon newbie this past September, I will add my 2 cents. I didn't know anyone except one nice woman from Ausgate. I met lots of folks and had a blast. Many of the people I met I will keep in touch with and are new friends.

Everyone is REALLY friendly and welcoming of any Stargate fans. My only comment is not to miss all the stuff happening before the convention starts. There are lots of charity things to do and lots of folks to meet. Plan on getting there early and just have a good time. I will volunteer to say hi and help you in anyway I can.

xscififreakx · 12th November 2003, 12:34 PM

Yeah as well as wolf, Level 3 have to events next year.

Alternate Universe and Stargate Universe

www.L3conventions.co.uk

timdgreat · 13th November 2003, 06:50 PM

I also went to my first GAtecon this last year, i met up with about 15 diffrent people i had been talking to online and had a blast, its a great time, and its easy to meet people, and dont expect to get any sleep if u want to get to everything ontime

:rolly2:

Rowan · 13th November 2003, 10:23 PM

Sleep? What's that?

Oh, you mean that thing that happens the Monday *after* the con...

Rowan

timdgreat · 14th November 2003, 09:32 PM

yeah Rowan i guess that the next time u sleep at a gatecon would be a first wouldnt it

:rolly2:

Rowan · 14th November 2003, 10:36 PM

Feels like it sometimes.

And I know I get more 'downtime' than any of C4...

Rowan

27th October 2003, 07:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
SPACE_MONKEY_UK Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2	Total Convention Newbie - need advice I'm in the UK and have never managed to get myself to a convention although I absolutely adore stargate!! I would love to go to Gatecon 2004 but before I commit myself to the long trek over to Vancouver could anyone tell me wot to expect? I would love to take my sister with me on the trip coz I'm sure she'd die of shock if she got to see her favourite characters in person!! (that wud be worth the cost of the flights alone!) It would just be the two of us so I guess I'm wondering wot the atmosphere is like during the convention. Is it easy to get to know other fans and find others to hang out with? Is it best to stay in the official hotel? is that where other fans stay? So enuf of all my questions! Any advice wud be great and much appreciated! I just really want confirmation that its worth the effort of getting myself to Canada. But I'm sure that if I meet some fans who are as fanatical about stargate as me then I'll have a blast!! p.s anyone know if they'll be operating the SGC and filming locations tour at this Gatecon coz that would be fab!

28th October 2003, 12:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
SPACE_MONKEY_UK Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2	A HUGE THANKYOU just wanted to say a huge thanks to every1 who replied to my message! You've all been great and have totally convined me that the trip is worth it! I'm taking your advice and trying to get tickets to an event in the UK to see Michael Shanks and Chris Judge! So.....I'm already excited and cant wait to get my tickets sorted! Hopefully I'll meet up with some of you guys at the con coz you've all been fantastic! thanks!!

12th November 2003, 12:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
xscififreakx Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 10	UK Cons Yeah as well as wolf, Level 3 have to events next year. Alternate Universe and Stargate Universe www.L3conventions.co.uk

13th November 2003, 06:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
timdgreat For the Emperor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria VA, USA(Washington DC u idiots) Posts: 3,093	I also went to my first GAtecon this last year, i met up with about 15 diffrent people i had been talking to online and had a blast, its a great time, and its easy to meet people, and dont expect to get any sleep if u want to get to everything ontime:rolly2:

13th November 2003, 10:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rowan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In the wilds of Puget Sound. Near Seth and Cascade, WA. Posts: 2,480	Huh? Sleep? What's that? Oh, you mean that thing that happens the Monday after the con... Rowan

27th October 2003, 10:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
sphinx_99 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 7	Hi......my first time was this past September, and I'd say: yes! it's worth it! I went with my husband, and we found it very easy to meet other people.......after all, everyone there loves Stargate, just like you! I found people to be really open and friendly. Also, if you are involved on the boards between now and then, you can get to know others who are going, and meet them in person at the con-which is really awesome! We stayed at the con hotel, like most people. (Some people who stay the week after, move downtown, however). I would personally recommend it, cuz you are right near the action, plus you can run up to your room to grab batteries for your camera (or film) or anything else you forgot, a jacket, or whatever. During one of the auctions my hubby had to run upstairs and go online with my laptop to check our checking account balance to make sure we had enough to cover some rather pricey purchases I made! :rolly2: (all for charity).......being in the hotel is also great for impromptu gatherings with fellow con-goers...ie, Sunday eve, I ran into some people who were going across the street to eat. All in all, it was a BLAST, so much so that I bought tickets for next year while we were still there! I am already counting down the days! If you go, I'll look forward to meeting you! Heather

28th October 2003, 12:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
pamie Space Monkey! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: South coast of the UK Posts: 3,091	Also just wanted to point out that there are a few cons in the UK too...so if you wanna try one out before going to Canada then try www.wolfevents.com

28th October 2003, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rowan Green Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 129	Pamie makes a good point about coming to a UK con first! If you come to Gatecon, I'd say try and not come for JUST the con. A lot of people come for the weeks either side, and the Gategoers list (link on the Gatecon website...) organisers quite a few trips and get togethers for it's members. In some ways Gatecon is more like a festival than a convention. There's the convention itself (which is longer than the UK cons), but there's all the other things going on too: Sekh's party, the Gategoers trips, the location tour, and hopefully the set trip. And Vancouver itself is great. The Gategoers trips let you see some of it, but you should also allow some time to do your own thing. This year I did a hike for charity (see the link in my sig, the report will be up within the next few days...) and went whale watching. It's a shame to do a 9 hour plus flight each way and just see the inside of a hotel!

28th October 2003, 10:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rowan Green Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 129	Just a note: the Shanks and Judge thing isn't really a convention. But it will give you a taster!

1st November 2003, 01:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Allura Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 5	As a Gatecon newbie this past September, I will add my 2 cents. I didn't know anyone except one nice woman from Ausgate. I met lots of folks and had a blast. Many of the people I met I will keep in touch with and are new friends. Everyone is REALLY friendly and welcoming of any Stargate fans. My only comment is not to miss all the stuff happening before the convention starts. There are lots of charity things to do and lots of folks to meet. Plan on getting there early and just have a good time. I will volunteer to say hi and help you in anyway I can.

14th November 2003, 09:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
timdgreat For the Emperor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria VA, USA(Washington DC u idiots) Posts: 3,093	yeah Rowan i guess that the next time u sleep at a gatecon would be a first wouldnt it:rolly2:

14th November 2003, 10:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rowan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In the wilds of Puget Sound. Near Seth and Cascade, WA. Posts: 2,480	Yep... Feels like it sometimes. And I know I get more 'downtime' than any of C4... Rowan

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