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New Conventioneers

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If you haven't been to a Discworld Convention before (or perhaps you've never attended any conventions), you might find the following checklist useful.

1. Go Straight To The Hotel

Don't wait for a ticket in the post or anything like that. Travel directly to the hotel. Everything you need for the Convention will be waiting for you there.

2. Hotel Check In

Check-in will be via the normal Hotel Reception near the main entrance to the hotel. If you arrive via the NEC walkway, please refer to the hotel map. Unless you arrive at a particularly strange hour, there will be queues. Possibly even long(ish) queues. Please be patient. The Hotel's own staff will check you in as quickly as possible. While you are waiting, you may wish to indulge in a little character spotting (with bonus points for 'wizzards').

3. Drop Your Bags Off

The last thing you will want to do is wander around a crowded hotel with a load of luggage. So do yourself (and everyone else) a favour and dump your bags first.

4. Go to Registration

Dealers

Please proceed directly to Sator Square to register with Dealer Liason. Full Dealer instructions (PDF 152k).

Regular members

Head for straight for Main Registration. You need to:

  1. Let us know you've arrived
  2. Pick up your membership pack which will be full of goodies such as your membership badge and Programme Book (complete with hotel map)

There will be people at Hotel Reception who will be able to give you directions to Registration and there should be plenty of signs pointing the way.

5. Register!

Registration will be busy but the queue moves quickly, so just join on the end. Please bring at least one form of identification with you. Concessionary Members should also be able to supply some form evidence of their concessionary status.

Please make yourself known to Registration staff immediately if:

When you receive your membership pack, please put on your membership badge immediately. You will need to wear it at all times during the Convention to gain access to events and benefit from the special bar prices.

Whilst at registration you can also apply for Klatches, the Maskerade, Hedgehog races, check the Auction catalogue, participate in the Great People Hunt etc and generally ask any questions. You can also take your pack away, read it through and then return with questions and forms later on.

6. Orientate Yourself

Now would be good time to have a short wander around the hotel and make a note of the important areas/people:

Ops
Identifiable Characteristics: Ability to remain calm in all situations; rarely seen outside of the Ops room; leather kilts may be involved.
'Ops' is the Operations Center for the entire event. If you lose something (such as a small child), Go To Ops. If you find something, Go To Ops. If you need help, Go To Ops. All weapons must be checked in with Ops as soon as possible.
Parents: If possible, try to instill into your small charges that, if they become separated from you, they should Go To Ops immediately.
Committee Members (ConCom)
Identifiable Characteristics: Usually moving very rapidly; may appear to be intermittently talking to themselves; probably wearing dark red Convention shirts.
If you played the "Spot The Character" game at hotel check-in, you may want to award yourself triple points for spotting a ConCom member. Don't worry - they won't bite and are, under normal circumstances, usually quite sane. If you have a question, it's quite safe to stop them and ask it.
The Watch
Identifiable Characteristics: Wearing "Watch" badges; tend to move around with a clear sense of purpose (or so they'd have us believe)
The Watch will spend the Convention asking people to keep crossroads clear, unblocking hallways and generally marshalling events. Please listen to, and abide by, their instructions. They will be working hard to ensure that everyone has a pleasant and safe Convention experience.
Gophers
Identifiable Characteristics: Wearing "Gopher" badges; look very much like you…
Gophers are the Convention's life-blood. If you have a question, they may be able to answer it or point you to someone who does have the answer. They are the volunteers who help keep the show running smoothly in a hundred different ways. Special skills are not required, and people can put in as much or as little time as they like. The Convention always needs more gophers, so if you'd like to join this special band, please ask about volunteering at Registration or Ops.
Silas T. Firefly
Identifiable Characteristics: Looks a bit like Terry Pratchett; extremely shy; very partial to a quiet life.
If you happen see a familiar-looking man in the Bar or walking down the hallway, please check his name tag first. If it's Silas, just smile politely and let him be.

7. Kick Back And Enjoy Yourself!