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Pre-PAX Game Night?
Maybe I keep eyeballing past the thread discussing it, but does anybody know if a pre-PAX game night like last year's at Geekdom is happening? We got to last year's around 8:30 or so, but still had a blast. I think I ended up buying more games as a result of what we played there than everything I actually saw at PAX.
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ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness
ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness
The one next to the drury in about half a mile from the convention center? I'm there to I plan to bring deception murder Hong Kong and house in the hill but I've never seen anyone playing games downstairs the last 2 years.
To accommodate everyone, no. The event center was way too small. I tried to tell them that and work out an overflow space upstairs, but they just kind of did their own thing. People were elbow-to-elbow and mostly standing.
I did a lot of legwork last year trying to find a space. The problem with the hotels is that they want some compensation for hosting such a large group. The first year we crammed into a hotel bar, but I guess not enough people bought drinks because they didn't allow us to come back. I got an offer from another hotel (I think the one across the street from the con?) to reserve their restaurant area, but they needed a guarantee. Basically, I'd personally be on the hook for a certain amount of money (it was over $1k) unless everyone spent that much (or more) during the evening on food and drinks. That's the problem with a free event. If people show up and just want to hang out, the organizers get stuck with a bill.
Ideally, we'd have a space that could comfortably fit 200 or more people, with plenty of table and chairs, within a 10 minute walk of the convention area. But I have a feeling our best bet is smaller meetups at the nearby hotel bars and lobbies.
ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness
Is it this one?: http://www.stjosephshall.com/rental/rental.htm
Because that site says Saturday rentals only, for specific types of events, and only the fee is $1175 (the deposit is $300). I've never personally been, so I'm only going off what I see on the site.
Even if it were $300, who would pay? That's where it gets tricky.
While I thought Geekdom was a rousing success last year, even with the crowds (it wasn't as bad as Saturday at PAX), it stinks to hear that they were frustrating to deal with. Based on the suggestions above, our foursome may head over to Dragon's Lair, which has open boardgaming on the calendar for Thursday or Knight Watch, which has casual magic. They'll be a bit further away than hanging out in a hotel lobby, (were at the Holiday Inn Express that used to be a jail) but I'm wary of the capacity and sympathy of potential host hotels to groups of more than 20-30 folks.
I'm still planning on keeping an eye out on the thread, though, in case a miracle worker shows up.
I'd chip in for the place japester mentions, coming in at just over $5/person (assuming it's filled), but they want rent paid in cash two weeks before the event - and I'm not going to ask someone to front that much money, since I wouldn't do that myself (also, my wife would probably look askance at me pulling $1200 out of the bank). My guess if there was a play-it-safe cover of $10/person the venue wouldn't be happy with the thought of the organizer potentially turning a (in my opinion well earned) profit.
Or in my case with deception murder Hong Kong 6+people so I can use the extra roles
There are nonprofits that we have worked with over the last year who have space, but not in downtown. The Animal Defense League and the Food Bank are both options - however late night events are PROBABLY not going to happen at a space when they would need to keep staff present. That's why Geekdom is ideal. Late night events tend to cost more at halls, as well (I've been down this road a bunch of times). A restaurant or similar space might be doable, Thursdays aren't stupid busy.. but spaces like that in a restaurant, they'd likely want a guarantee.
Steph
If you're talking about the first year I had to pull some serious comms with them. At first they wanted to change me 2 grand for the space. I kept on repeating that this is for the community and other events around do this. They changed their minds and gave us the bar space. Once they found out the turn out they gave us more space.
The second year they didn't even return my calls.
ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness
I'm not a big social media guy, but maybe someone can figure out a nice web/Twitter/etc system where we can fluidly arrange meetups throughout PAX? Something easy to use where someone can say a game they have in hand and want to play with others?
Yup. And only a four hour walk from the convention center! :P
There are several board game groups (and shops) that meet up on Thursdays, but they tend to be far from downtown. That's the rub. With Geekdom bowing out at the last minute, our best bet might be for interested parties to post their hotels so we can arrange individual meetups. I don't mind bringing a few games downtown Thursday night. I'm local, so it's no trouble. But just to be clear, I'm not looking to loan anything out. Whatever I bring I'd like to keep on my table and share with folks.
Keep in mind some of the hotels frown on people using their space that aren't staying there. I had issues last year getting into the homewood without calling someone ahead of time to meet me at the front door (security was asking to see keys)
Good point. Which is why hotel meetups are best planned in advance, even for a small group. I've only had a few hotels restrict access (one or two are positively militaristic about it), and they tend to be the ones that have free food in their lobbies. The closer you get to the convention center, the less uptight the hotels are.
Keep an eye out on this thread or my twitter @s3prototype. I'll update my location if people's are looking for some relaxed gaming
ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness
S
Let me know what I can do for to help. I dropped the ball this year since last year someone took it up. I would like to help make this a pax tradition.
ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness
Will do
If game night didn't end at 10pm, it would be worth considering if steph's secret plans fall through. We're leaving the Houston area at 5-ish and should be fed and checked in in SA around 8:30, only leaving and hour or so of gaming. Can't remember what time we left last year, but that was roughly when we arrived.
Let's make this BIG! Let us know what we can do Steph. We are more than willing to help do this up.
Second! It's not _FINAL_ final yet (like, nothing's actually been paid for), but we're reasonably certain that San Antonio Nerd Night's Pre-PAX Game Night will take place from 7pm to midnight-ish at the Grand Hyatt, which is right next to the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. We'll be in the Travis Rooms, which are on the third floor. We should have right at 200 seats assuming the event planner there doesn't nix my diagrams because I haven't left you all enough room to walk, or we're violating any fire codes.
The Travis rooms are 4 rooms that connect - it's a total of about 2400 sq ft. We should be getting 30-ish 6-ft banquet tables and just a couple of 10-person rounds for those huge games.
I know it would be ideal if we could go a little later or start a little earlier. I'm looking into options and when I post the Facebook event and start pushing publicity (hopefully tomorrow) I'll have final answers on the times.
Now... since this is a San Antonio Nerd Night event, there's a charity component! We will be supporting the Texas Burn Survivor Society, a _fabulous_ nonprofit that works to provide care, comfort, and essential services to the critically burned and their families. Each year they host Camp David, a week-long camp for pediatric burn survivors and their siblings. They also host Camp AX for older kids, work with our wounded warriors, and provide emergency financial assistance to patients in burn units and their families. There are also scar management programs, support groups, and lots of other things they do to support burn survivors. They do this all with I think a full-time staff of two, and a bunch of dedicated volunteers. You can read more about them here.
At this event, we will be collecting items for the Camp David kids backpacks. These backpacks are given to each camper when they arrive at camp. They contain things like snacks, notebooks, pens and pencils, small games, puzzles, toys, etc. Anything small that a kid ages 7-16 might enjoy is fair game! We'll have a representative from TBSS at the Hyatt to take the donations back to their offices, where you'll have played a part in possibly the best thing to ever happen to these children - this camp changes their lives.
Some donation suggestions:
Snack Items (granola bars, sugar free mints/gum, etc.)
Beanie Babies or similar small stuffed animals
Small puzzles, toys, or games
Small journals or notepads
Decals and stickers
It should be possible to donate money as well - we are working on the best way to accept PayPal or debit cards at the event itself - but really item donation is preferred. It's less paperwork and a little easier to keep track of in general.
I'll post a new thread with more details and information when it's final this week, but I know people were wanting an update! It's happening, folks!
Steph
ultness.com | twitter: @ultness | facebook: ultness | instagram: ultness