Anyone here going to WorldCon 2005?

[CherylMorgan]

Gollum: or you could vounteer to help the folks bidding to bring Worldcon to Melbourne in 2010.

[Foxbat]

I appreciate the debt problem, Kyektulu. I have one of those now thanks to all the work I've been doing on the convention. But just out of interest, what do you think would be a reasonable price for such an event? And is it the absolute level of price or the value for money that is at issue; that is, would you be happy paying half as much for a convention that was less than half the size and length?

I went along on friday and bought a day pass (which I thought at the time was a bit on the expensive side). Unfortunately due to train times, other stuff I had to do etc. I could only stay for a few hours. Still, I have to say that I enjoyed it and, if I'd been able to stay for the whole day I think my pass would have paid for itself. I suppose it's all a question of financial priorities but my only real regret is that I didn't get myself organised properly and head up there for the four days. All in all I have to say it was actually worth attending (even for the limited time I had)

[CherylMorgan]

Glad you enjoyed it, Foxbat!

Possibly one of the problems Worldcon has, especially in a country it visits once a decade, is that people can't visualise what it is like and therefore can't see the value. I'd still like to find ways to make it cheaper though. It seems so sad that when it finally gets back to the UK only around 1000 - 1500 British fans actually attend.

Of course membership isn't the only cost. A lot of the US people who have come over are in shock at how much more expensive hotels, food and Internet access are over here compared to back home. All the external costs are high here, and there's little we can do about that.

[Foxbat]

Possibly one of the problems Worldcon has, especially in a country it visits once a decade, is that people can't visualise what it is like and therefore can't see the value.

I think that is exactly the problem. Once you realise it is good value, the whole thing has moved on to another country and it's too late. Ah well, there's always the next decade

[Lacedaemonian]

Is it in LA next year? I might try and attend then.

[CherylMorgan]

Yes, LA next year. Details here. Memberships currently $150, but they will go up if you wait. Marriott and Hilton hotel rooms available at $99/night.

[CherylMorgan]

Just in case anyone is interested, the official Hugo Awards results are now available here.

(Two second places and one third here. Am well chuffed.)

[I, Brian]

Thanks for the info, Cheryl - will do.

Actually surprised your emcity didn't win, but I guess scifi.com is hardly a soft opponent...

As for the worth of WorldCon - well, let's put it this way - where on earth else can you casually approach and chat with dozens of best-selling authors, who are happy to be approached and casually chat with you?

I once went to a Terry Pratchett book signing and left because there were hundreds of people in line for him to sign their books. At Worldcon, I've already casually chatted with him twice. Nowhere else - that's the value.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by CherylMorgan

Gollum: or you could vounteer to help the folks bidding to bring Worldcon to Melbourne in 2010.

Rest assured Cheryl I'm on it already....

I was at WordlCon 1999 in Melbourne, my home city and it was awesome!!!

[CherylMorgan]

Brian: you have the value proposition perfectly there. The difficulty is getting people to believe us. I've spoken to people who've been to media cons who can't believe that people like Terry would just be available for a chat. "What about his security guards?" they ask.

Gollum: good on yer, mate. As a former officer of the MSFC I take great pride in Melbourne Worldcons. I already have my QANTAS points saved for 2010.

[lazygun]

Congrats. on your achievements C.M.,and to the others present from this forum as well.

[littlemissattitude]

The approachability factor seems to be about like it is at LosCon. I can only think of one or two authors who've been there the years I've attended who seem to be not very approachable. Most are very accessible.

[Winters_Sorrow]

Well, I'm back after an amazing couple of days.
Just to re-iterate the points littlemiss & Brian have made, most authors are very accessible.
There was a friendly atmosphere generally, with everyone happy to chat about their Con experiences with total strangers!

My personal highlights was meeting GRRM and having the chance to ask him about his career (and finding out he's good friends with another author I like called Walter Jon Williams!! ) and later getting to party hearty with him, his partner Parris and the rest of the Brotherhood without Banners! (It didn't seem the wisest of choices the next morning though - mead & vodka don't mix, people!)

I got loads of photos some of which will hopefully be making on here in some form.
Oh and I got loads of books signed, which is always nice