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Changes for PAX 2010 (and we need your help to spread the word)
Robert Khoo
Registered User, ClubPA staff
Registered User, ClubPA staff
I’ll be the first to say we were surprised at how quick 3-day badges sold out, especially since we got the green-light from the convention center to sell even more for 2010. But the reason we’re able to do that is because of a few changes:
1. Registration is at the Sheraton Hotel. That’s the one kitty-corner from the Cheesecake Factory. Yeah, I know that everyone pre-reg’d so you shouldn’t need to go there, but those that DO need it (international badges, will call, etc.) can find it there on the 2nd Floor.
2. There’s an additional satellite theatre (Pegasus Theatre, Seats 1,200), also at the Sheraton Hotel, right by Registration.
3. Do you remember the Pike Street Annex? They renovated and renamed it to The Conference Center, and we’re taking space there too (Mostly tabletop and a few other exhibitors)! You can access it via either street level or down a brand new escalator in the Expo Hall of the Convention Center.
4. The Expo Hall has expanded into Hall B, which for those of you who have been to PAX know as The Queue Room. The Queue Room has been shifted into Hall A (last year’s main theatre).
5. Now you’re probably thinking, wait – if the old Main Theatre is the new Queue Room, where’s the new Main Theatre? Well – this is the biggest change, which is that the Main Theatre is offsite. It’s a big deal to us, so I’m going to make it’s very own paragraph.
The Main Theatre
It’s not very far (5-6 minute walk – about the same as from Floor 6 to Floor 1), but it’s still offsite. It’s at the Benaroya Hall (where the Seattle Symphony plays!) on 3rd and Union, and besides being not-in-the-convention-center, there are a few things you need to know.
1. Since the Keynote will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, there will actually be TWO areas to lineup. One in the Convention Center by the expo hall, and one inside Benaroya Hall.
2. For those PAX Vets, you should know that each line up area in the morning will distribute 1,000 of the wristbands for the concerts on Friday and Saturday morning. (the wristbands get you into the concert first, after that it’s first-come first serve)
3. In order to avoid you walking down to the main theatre to find there is no more space, we have a special twitter account, just for you. @pax_lines will give up to the minute updates on the line status of the main theatre (e.g.: “There are 270 more spots available in the line.” And “Sorry, there is no more space in the line for the Keynote. Please do not come down here.”). There will be a display on the first floor of the convention center that will also be showing this feed. So again: FOLLOW @PAX_LINES
Supplemental Questions!:
Q: Btw, señor Khoo, any thoughts on bringing back GTA?
A: We have nothing to do with the Gamer Transit Authority. That was all community run.
Q: Am I and other awesome handicapable people allowed to skip the lines still? I foresee a huge issue trying to get to the new main hall. A short walk is not a short wheel.
A: Yup, just send me a note (rkhoo@penny-arcade.com ) and I’ll get you on the track to apply for a medical pass.
Q: Will the theatre be cleared out between events, or will it be (more than likely) mandatory to go to the keynote if you want to see the Gabe and Tycho Q&A?
A: Like previous years, the Keynote will roll directly into the Gabe/Tycho Q&A. There is another event right after that as well, but no worries – there are 15 minute breaks between all “back-to-back” events for people to clear out if they would like to.
Q: I'm only slightly familiar with downtown, but I'm pretty sure that this is NOT a 5-6 minute walk. More like 15-25 at a minimum depending on ability and conditions. Plus the walk back is uphill, not that easy for the handicapped or phisically unfit. I would suggest that somebody walk it though to see how long it takes. Try to go at an easy pace, don't rush it.
A: Nope. It’s 5-6 minutes from 3rd and Union to the entrance by the cheesecake factory. If you end up hitting every crosswalk at a bad time, it will take you 9 minutes. We have timed this no less than twenty times, both uphill and downhill.
Q: It is my assumption that the concerts will be at Benaroya as well. Is that correct?
A: Correct.
Q: Media.
A: Gets no special access to the main theatre.
1. Registration is at the Sheraton Hotel. That’s the one kitty-corner from the Cheesecake Factory. Yeah, I know that everyone pre-reg’d so you shouldn’t need to go there, but those that DO need it (international badges, will call, etc.) can find it there on the 2nd Floor.
2. There’s an additional satellite theatre (Pegasus Theatre, Seats 1,200), also at the Sheraton Hotel, right by Registration.
3. Do you remember the Pike Street Annex? They renovated and renamed it to The Conference Center, and we’re taking space there too (Mostly tabletop and a few other exhibitors)! You can access it via either street level or down a brand new escalator in the Expo Hall of the Convention Center.
4. The Expo Hall has expanded into Hall B, which for those of you who have been to PAX know as The Queue Room. The Queue Room has been shifted into Hall A (last year’s main theatre).
5. Now you’re probably thinking, wait – if the old Main Theatre is the new Queue Room, where’s the new Main Theatre? Well – this is the biggest change, which is that the Main Theatre is offsite. It’s a big deal to us, so I’m going to make it’s very own paragraph.
The Main Theatre
It’s not very far (5-6 minute walk – about the same as from Floor 6 to Floor 1), but it’s still offsite. It’s at the Benaroya Hall (where the Seattle Symphony plays!) on 3rd and Union, and besides being not-in-the-convention-center, there are a few things you need to know.
1. Since the Keynote will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, there will actually be TWO areas to lineup. One in the Convention Center by the expo hall, and one inside Benaroya Hall.
2. For those PAX Vets, you should know that each line up area in the morning will distribute 1,000 of the wristbands for the concerts on Friday and Saturday morning. (the wristbands get you into the concert first, after that it’s first-come first serve)
3. In order to avoid you walking down to the main theatre to find there is no more space, we have a special twitter account, just for you. @pax_lines will give up to the minute updates on the line status of the main theatre (e.g.: “There are 270 more spots available in the line.” And “Sorry, there is no more space in the line for the Keynote. Please do not come down here.”). There will be a display on the first floor of the convention center that will also be showing this feed. So again: FOLLOW @PAX_LINES
Supplemental Questions!:
Q: Btw, señor Khoo, any thoughts on bringing back GTA?
A: We have nothing to do with the Gamer Transit Authority. That was all community run.
Q: Am I and other awesome handicapable people allowed to skip the lines still? I foresee a huge issue trying to get to the new main hall. A short walk is not a short wheel.
A: Yup, just send me a note (rkhoo@penny-arcade.com ) and I’ll get you on the track to apply for a medical pass.
Q: Will the theatre be cleared out between events, or will it be (more than likely) mandatory to go to the keynote if you want to see the Gabe and Tycho Q&A?
A: Like previous years, the Keynote will roll directly into the Gabe/Tycho Q&A. There is another event right after that as well, but no worries – there are 15 minute breaks between all “back-to-back” events for people to clear out if they would like to.
Q: I'm only slightly familiar with downtown, but I'm pretty sure that this is NOT a 5-6 minute walk. More like 15-25 at a minimum depending on ability and conditions. Plus the walk back is uphill, not that easy for the handicapped or phisically unfit. I would suggest that somebody walk it though to see how long it takes. Try to go at an easy pace, don't rush it.
A: Nope. It’s 5-6 minutes from 3rd and Union to the entrance by the cheesecake factory. If you end up hitting every crosswalk at a bad time, it will take you 9 minutes. We have timed this no less than twenty times, both uphill and downhill.
Q: It is my assumption that the concerts will be at Benaroya as well. Is that correct?
A: Correct.
Q: Media.
A: Gets no special access to the main theatre.
Some guy.
Robert Khoo on
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I think he means the queue room is for PAX itself and the line inside of benaroya is for main theater.
edit: Yes, what BigRed said.
Twitter - @papapwnsPAX
...except I'll need to be shielded by fellow PAX attendees on Friday so my boss doesn't see me and try and get me to come back to work on my vacation!
@Khoo - have you got herding dogs with "Enforcer" shirts on to get us all there safely?
By night, a gamer.
PAX Prime 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18
Free to edit by everyone.
I think being in a crowd of 2500 people will help there :P
Bumbershoot may have the Seattle Center, but we're going for the whole damn downtown core. WE SHALL PREVAIL.
And a lot less ability to wander in and out at will.
The larger exhibit floor will be nice, considering I probably will be avoiding the main theater.
Can somebody add the stuff from this google earth file to that map or vice versa?
You can view the map in google maps here
craaaaaazy!
Preferably to Moe's map, it's spiffier. I would, but unfortunately I don't have access to Google Earth.
My RvB Profile
Glib Shark
Hi, I made a couple minor edits to Heleor's map. Seems to me simpler is better. No need to include every single bar, restaurant and hotel nearby since Google Maps always does that for you. Unless people have specific recommendations that PAXers would love.
Unfortunately, I'm thinking there probably isn't much choice. Benaroya hall is probably the only large venue within walking distance of the conference center that is suitable for what PAX needs. I've got a feeling though that I'm not going to be going to too many events in the main theater, I hope they don't have too much that I want to see in there. I wonder if there will be a shuttle back and forth...
EDIT:
I remember a shuttle being used for PAX 06 between the convention center and a nearby hotel where the tabletop was. I doubt it would be very difficult to set up a few shuttles for this.
Ugh. Not what I want to hear. Avoiding the line (if that's still the case, i assume it is) will be a benefit but I suck @ hills. And most of the stuff I went to last year was at the main hall.
I wonder how much thought went into accessibility. There probably wasn't much of a choice, but still this seems like bad news for wheelchairs.
Yeah I went looking around and noticed as well. I can't say I like that fact, but it may work out for the better for my team.
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I think it's about 10-15 if you make the lights. I've done the walk huffing it to meet people in the WSCTC area and to go to luncheons with colleagues at the hotels up there. Even when we have an office group with many of the females in heels it never takes more than 15 minutes (even with half the group missing lights and waiting). There are routes you can take to avoid steep uphill blocks that wouldn't really change the timing. I'd suggest heading north on 3rd and going up Pike/Pine since they're mostly flat to WSCTC. If you go up University or Seneca you're asking for a serious calf workout!
I could possibly do a slow walk up that way and take the bus home from Convention Place Station tonight after work. No promises though, if I get in auto-pilot home I might forget!
hey para, if i'm able to get into the Q&A and stuff, i'll help you get back to the convention center.
I'm sure I'm not alone in being able to offer my pushing services should you need it for the hills
NEW ALBUM OUT, NOW WITH 100% MORE SHEEP!, have a listen will ya
You can take the bus for free! Take the bus from Convention Place station, a few blocks flat from WSCTC and then get off at University Street Station. There are elevators up from the station straight into the lobby of Beneroya!
Map of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel
Note the light rail trains are not free in the tunnel. Not that I've seen anyone check fares, but fair warning.
Wait wait wait wait.
Does the fact that it's an entirely seated theatre also mean that the tradition of No Dancing At PAX Concerts is now going to become a rule of No Dancing At PAX Concerts?
because as one of the 10 PAX-goers who enjoy dancing that would really bum me out.
The ease of having the main theater onsite was great because if I started getting claustrophobic at the concerts, or wasn't into one band, I could go hang out in free play or BYOC for a bit then easily come back. Now that's not looking like a vaible option after being on your feet for hours.
I made a similar walk to the Hostel last year, and when I got there, I was hard pressed to want to come back to the center.
but, I'll guess we'll see how it goes.
NEW ALBUM OUT, NOW WITH 100% MORE SHEEP!, have a listen will ya