PLEASE NOTE: NO permission is given to share this ANYWHERE
I.E. - All my tips, tricks and quirks and First Timers Guide to places
PART 0 - Guide to Lake Geneva - My Favorites
4 - Horticutural Hall - Site of the first GenCons
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It is a Tourist attraction with some really good stuff
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PART 1 - Get a room
Ok, the key here is not to panic when the Grand Geneva sells out in 3 hours. You will have lots of opportunities to get a room or find a room mate.
For GaryCon 11, we did not secure a room until a week before, we cancelled the room we had because we got one on site
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Part 1A - STAYING OFF SITE
Ok, no room at the Grand Geneva, No Problem you just have to plan a bit.
As a Player, you can take the shuttle, may have a little wait, but you won't have to worry about Parking, just make sure you get over to the con about 40 minutes before your event in case of a wait on the shuttle.
As a Game Master, I recommend you do not unpack your gaming stuff if you drove in, leave it in the Trunk or the back of the SUV. Organize what you need by day and game. That way it will be quick, I used 2 containers, one for books and one for your adventures. This allows you to get to your car and change out games / Dice / storage during the day
Drive over before 8:00 AM in order to get any Parking in the best lot.
If you are playing in any games that end after Midnight, you will not be able to get a shuttle.
PART 2 - Get a Badge
Once badges go on sale, you have to figure which one you want. In the past I have always gone with Gold and last year was the exception as I registered late. I went as a Silver.
If you want to get a GOLD badge, you have be online on the date and at the exact time they go on sale, they will sell out within 2 hours
There are only 250 Gold badges and 2000+ Silver
The Gold is $215
The Silver is $100
For Perks, see:
https://garycon.com/registration/
In Years past, you were able to choose additional Featured events and unlimited non featured events with the early gold registration. Now percentages of seats are held for each level
Most ANSWERS can be found on the GaryCon Website, take the time to look before posting a question... The Forums there are not always helpful
https://garycon.com/
If you get the 20% (Now only 10% with a cap of 40 dollars off) Gary Con XI merchandise coupon, PRINT it out immediately, I think the email last year was sent with an expiration. I went to look for it before I left for the con and it was no where in my Email, or recover email... I am meticulous about my computer and saving emails, marking them with flags... It was just gone.
I.E. - All my tips, tricks and quirks and First Timers Guide to places
I do recommend arriving early on Wednesday, especially if it your first time, you can check out the area, complete whatever items you need for the con, Check in, and most importantly, NETWORK AND MEET UP WITH PEOPLE
While in Lake Geneva, you can stop by and see the various RPG historical places..
1 - The Brick at the Riveria
2- TSR Hobby Shop Dungeon Museum
3 - 330 Center Street, the location where D&D was created
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Notable places in Lake Geneva that I really Enjoy
Bittners Donuts Lorelei Bittner's Bakery | Facebook
Directly across from Next Door Pub
I highly recommend the Bacon Maple one
Next Door Pub - excellent pizza and cheese curds
Joni's Diner 111 S Wells St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
I try to eat my Wednesday morning meal/snack there. Good Coffee, nice place to relax
Right next to Joni's are lots of Fast Food places in the area if you have never eaten at a Culvers, give it a try, Butter Burgers and Cheese Curds
On you way into Lake Geneva, stop at a Walmart or Target for supplies. Kenosha Walmart is currently open till Midnight (was 24 hours) Also, the IHOP in Kenosha is 24 hours
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Now, if you want to bring home some meats, you have a couple of good choices
Lake Geneva Meats on RT 50 (Excellent Meat Sticks and cold cuts)
Lester's Bison Farm Lester's Bison Farm in Salem, Wisconsin 53168 (lestersbisonfarm.com)
Lester's sells Bison, Venison, Elk, Lamb, Pork and Poultry - High quality meats
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KENOSHA Stuff
If you are passing through Kenosha during the Day, you should stop at Mars Cheese Castle
For an amazing Beakfest - I highly recommend
The Coffee Pot in Kenosha
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If you like hiking and the condition are OK,
BRING ITEMS TO GET SIGNED by the VIPs
I recommend the Art and Arcana book
Purchase on Amazon - $27.49
I have had posters, Prints, Modules, books, and many other things signed at the Con.
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PART 1 - Get a room
Ok, the key here is not to panic when the Grand Geneva sells out in 3 hours. You will have lots of opportunities to get a room or find a room mate.
- After badges go on sale, there is always a group of people who realize that they cannot go
- After Event registration closes, there are always people who decide not to go
- Then there is when badge refund closes...
- Finally, there is the week before when people find that their friend cannot get the time off from work and neglected to tell them
For GaryCon 11, we did not secure a room until a week before, we cancelled the room we had because we got one on site
Grand Geneva is screwing people over, if someone with the GaryCon rate cancels they now charge the full room rate of
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Part 1A - STAYING OFF SITE
Ok, no room at the Grand Geneva, No Problem you just have to plan a bit.
As a Player, you can take the shuttle, may have a little wait, but you won't have to worry about Parking, just make sure you get over to the con about 40 minutes before your event in case of a wait on the shuttle.
As a Game Master, I recommend you do not unpack your gaming stuff if you drove in, leave it in the Trunk or the back of the SUV. Organize what you need by day and game. That way it will be quick, I used 2 containers, one for books and one for your adventures. This allows you to get to your car and change out games / Dice / storage during the day
Drive over before 8:00 AM in order to get any Parking in the best lot.
If you are playing in any games that end after Midnight, you will not be able to get a shuttle.
PART 2 - Get a Badge
Once badges go on sale, you have to figure which one you want. In the past I have always gone with Gold and last year was the exception as I registered late. I went as a Silver.
If you want to get a GOLD badge, you have be online on the date and at the exact time they go on sale, they will sell out within 2 hours
There are only 250 Gold badges and 2000+ Silver
The Gold is $215
The Silver is $100
For Perks, see:
https://garycon.com/registration/
In Years past, you were able to choose additional Featured events and unlimited non featured events with the early gold registration. Now percentages of seats are held for each level
Lets, take the Celebrity game with 8 slots as an example...In the past, no slots would open for any GOLD or SILVER badges
Now....
Premier - 4 seats
Platinum - 1 seat
Gold - 1 Seat
Silver - 2 seats
Premier - 4 seats
Platinum - 1 seat
Gold - 1 Seat
Silver - 2 seats
This is based on Luke Gygax post
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Premier (Diamond Badges) 50%
Platinum (Diamond and Platinum Badges) 65%
Gold (Diamond, Platinum and Gold) 80%
Standard (All) 100%
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Premier (Diamond Badges) 50%
Platinum (Diamond and Platinum Badges) 65%
Gold (Diamond, Platinum and Gold) 80%
Standard (All) 100%
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So, if you are a gold and missed out on a game due to the limit, you just go back on the day that the silver register and try again to get into the game.. Now you have a 2nd chance to take the seat in the game if you do it quick enough
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| GaryCon 8 swagbag |
Note on the gold: You get a Shirt ($25), Cup ($18) and a Swagbag, I was less than impressed with the Swagbag in GC10 and this Book was also included in the bag for GC11
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PART 3 - Registering for games
Again, if you want to get into the most exclusive games you have to be live and ready to go as soon it is time to register. I would pick your top 2 games, add them to the cart and submit as soon as possible. You can go back and add others later.
Figure out which ones you want most and put them in order... you can use multiple browsers tabs to set games and then go one by one and place the order...
Golds: This year if you cannot get into a game and there are open slots, just wait for the date and time for Silvers to register and try again to get into that game... Good Luck
PART 4 - NETWORKING
Find an experienced gamer to introduce you around .
The GaryCon facebook page is a good place to get to know people. Some people blog about their experiences (like me) and some just chat...
I never mind people asking me questions, but reading the same questions over and over can be annoying
Most ANSWERS can be found on the GaryCon Website, take the time to look before posting a question... The Forums there are not always helpful
https://garycon.com/
Either before the Con, or during the Con, network with other gamers. They can provide valuable tips and introductions to people you want to meet and connect you with great people.
I consider myself very lucky, that someone introduced me to lots of people, then I played it forward at the same Con and became instant legend. If you are in my game, I will treat you like a old friend and walk you around, take you to a party where you will meet vendors and artists... need something signed, I will help you.
I like to think that everyone does this.
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| Sandy, Lynn, Colten, Litta, Greg, Tracey - The Greg Barry Drunken Dungeon Master Invitational |
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After the game, we were talking and I said to Lynn "Wanna go meet and hang out with Larry Elmore ? ".. I know where he is, we can just go over... She said "Are you sure?"
I never kid about stuff, I always try to pay it forward and off we went
Found Larry at (Secret Location) and I walked up. "Larry, this is my friend Lynn"
I have to say I enjoy the look on people faces when they meet the legends... Larry is great and takes time to sign everything for everyone. We ended up talking for awhile
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PART 5 - Preplan and Manage Expectations
What I mean is, plan who you want to meet, what you want to have signed, and go in managing your expectations.
My First GaryCon (8) was amazing, up until Saturday, That day really fell apart for me and only one game worked out. I was dreadfully in a subpar mood Saturday night.
My Next GC (10) was amazing, I went in with managed expectations, got into every game I wanted to and it exceeded what I had hoped for. I was the Luckiest guy at GC10
Now I go with a list of things I want to get done and everything else is bonus
My List from GaryCon 11
1 Margaret Weis signature on latest book
2 Steve Jackson to sign my book and vinyl poster
3 Get a Signature for my Foster daughter From Joe Manganiello
4 Elmore print - or Chromatic Kingdom poster print
5 See as many friends as possible
2 Steve Jackson to sign my book and vinyl poster
3 Get a Signature for my Foster daughter From Joe Manganiello
4 Elmore print - or Chromatic Kingdom poster print
5 See as many friends as possible
Lets just say, I completed 1, 2, 3, 4 and lots of 5 by midday Thursday.
PART 6 - Bring Items to have signed
From my first time to this past year, I always bring a few items to have signed... Luckily, I have a diverse collection and if I want something to bring with me, I can pick something up... Everyone is willing to sign stuff for everyone.
And keep your eyes out on deals for books, I picked up Art & Arcana for about 20 Dollars on Amazon before I went to GaryCon
PART 7 - Arrive on Wednesday
Seriously, There is the Welcoming party at the Hotel Wednesday night and a movie. They had Pizza and Beer
You can sit and relax for the day and catch up with friends. or sleep if you drove overnight
There are also Super Secret gatherings that take place.
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I hope this serves you well, along with my Advice for attending Conventions...
Nothing is going to go right all the time, But this will help turn an OK time into a ...
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SPECTACULAR TIME !
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PART 37.5 - Tips For GMS
For those running games and playing games, this section is for you.
ALL others - STOP READING
Most of the Guests of Honor run games during the 12:00(Noon) To 6:00 PM time slots. I try never to schedule what I run during those times. I try to leave a slot open to wander around the Con.
Networking with Other GMs is a great way to get into games
Keep in mind that Mid day Saturday is the Award and Hawaiian Picture in the LOBBY
I actually made it to this event last year
So, here is the secrets I go by when submitting games
- Try never to schedule between Noon and 6:00 PM
- Talk to GM's and find out what time they are running games
- Leave 2 back to back hours Open per day, Try for twice a day
- End your day at 10 every day, you will feel better and can relax before going to sleep.
- If you run 16+ hours, you get a code for a silver badge
- If you Run 18+ hours, you get a shirt and a Cup (good for all privileges)
- Unfortunately, the Greg Barry GM bonus level (28+ hours) was never approved and will not be running that many hours again
If you get the 20% (Now only 10% with a cap of 40 dollars off) Gary Con XI merchandise coupon, PRINT it out immediately, I think the email last year was sent with an expiration. I went to look for it before I left for the con and it was no where in my Email, or recover email... I am meticulous about my computer and saving emails, marking them with flags... It was just gone.
If you have any Questions, please ask... Thank you
Margaret Weis, myself and some stripper movie guy in the background
PLEASE NOTE: NO permission is given to share this ANYWHERE
