Philcon 101:
  Info, Services & Policies

Philcon is a General Science Fiction Convention designed to appeal to a broad base of fandom. While we do have a specific area of focus, we try to cover many different genres and often attempt to cross them over.

WHAT TO DO AT THE CON
Depending on the con, there are many things that may be available to do. When you register, you will usually get a program book, and often a pocket size program. As soon as you are able, review the schedule and look for things that might interest you. Please note that schedules can and do change, even 10 minutes before something is scheduled to start.

Panels:
Most conventions feature panels that are usually made up of talking heads (authors, actors, etc). A brief description of the panel is usually included. Hint: If you see the name of a panelist that you know you like, check out the panel anyway, even if you are not sure of the topic. You can find out some really cool new things that way.

Events:
Special events, such as dances, live concerts, costume masquerades, auctions and others add variety to the con experience.

Con Suite:
It’s the con party! You can stop on by for a breather, socialize and meet new people. We provide the snacks, soda and a place to sit. Most conventions offer a lounge where light snacks, drinks and seats are avail. There is normally no charge for this, however there is often a donation jar. If you can afford it, please donate for what you use. Most fan-run conventions operate on a break even budget, every little bit helps.

Room Parties:
Many groups will often throw parties on convention nights that are open to the public. Look for signs around the hotel. The majority of these are being offered to promote some fan related activity, such as another convention. After eating their food, it is always considered polite to find out about what the party is being held to showcase and if interested, make sure to get some information. To register a party at Philcon 2004, please visit see our Party Registration policy.

Hallways:
Small groups will often form spontaneously in hallways to discuss just about anything. If something happens to catch your ear, it is perfectly acceptable to ask if you can join the conversation. Conversely, if you are told it’s a private conversation, step back and don’t take it personally.

SERVICES and POLICIES

Parking & Transportation:
The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is conveniently located near public transportation and parking. Both local public transit and regional rail have stations connected to the hotel. Amtrak and Greyhound stations are a few blocks away, and rail and shuttle service are available from the Philadelphia International Airport.

Philcon 2004 has arranged a special parking discount with Rosin's Parking, located on 211 North 12th Street (215-563-5421). Easiest access to this parking lot is from the Vine Street (Schuykil Expressway) - going south on 12th street the entrance will be on the left, just before the traffic light at Race Street. You must mention "Philcon" to the parking lot operators. Space is limited and will be first come, first serve. The following are per day rates:

• $10 for cars, regular trucks, SUVs, pickups and vans
• $20 for double axle, Ryder and Uhaul box trucks, and vehicles that have trailers
• $25 for huge trucks (lot manager's discretion)

As last year, there will be overnight parking for Philcon people. Please make sure yours cars are clear (nothing in view). No authorized lot operators are there at night to watch when the booth is "closed". If you park after hours:

• do not pay anyone if the sign in the booth says "closed"
• notify Suzanne Rosin (Philcon Treasurer) to inform the parking lot
• pay/set up parking arrangments in the morning prior to convention startup

For guests of the hotel, valet parking is available for $28 per day. There are many self-parking lots in the area, including a multi-level covered garage, directly across the street from the hotel. For further information regarding available off-street parking in downtown Philadelphia near the convention center, please visit Downtown Parking.

Babysitting:
Babysitting will again be offered this year to all members of the conference. Parents and children must be pre-registered by November 15, 2004. Babysitting is for children ages three months to six years old. The fee is $50 per child, and includes the cost of a regular child’s membership; parent must spend at least two hours per child helping out in Babysitting. Hours are: Friday 3:00 pm till 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm till midnight; Saturday 9:00 am till 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm till midnight; Sunday 9:00 am till 3:00 pm. You must pick up your child for the dinner hour on Friday and Saturday and you must feed your children all other meals. Juice and crackers will be available for snacks. Philcon reserves the right to refuse to provide babysitting services or end services to any child when we feel it is appropriate.

Exhibition & Fan Tables:
A limited number of tables are available for the use of other conventions, fan groups and non-profit organizations to promote their activities. To be added to the exhibition table request list, please contact Jeff Linder at exhibits@philcon.org or via our toll-free number, 877-744-2315.

Party Registration:
If your group intends to run an open party at Philcon, please contact the party czar, Gary Feldbaum, at party@philcon.org prior to Philcon. (Don’t forget to ask about the freebies.) Philcon membership is required to host a party. Please note that alcohol may not be served at open parties. Any party that does serve alcohol must be closed/invitation. The hosts will be responsible for checking the ages of the attendees. You will be notified of your suite assignments. When you contact us, be sure to include the following:

• The name of your group
• The tentative day and time of your party
• Whether you’d like a suite or not
• The name the room will be listed under
• If there will be additional people staying in the room
• If you would like a room near another friend/group

Weapons Policy:
No weapons: no guns, play guns, gun replicas, swords, knives, lasers, model lasers, or anything that could be perceived as a weapon by the public, will be permitted at Philcon. The Philcon committee has the final say as to what constitutes a weapon. Unfortunately, we must reserve the right to revoke the membership of anyone who refuses to comply with this policy. The only exception is for registered participants in the Masquerade, who may wear a weapon, excepting guns and operational lasers, from one-half hour before to one-half hour after the Masquerade. All Masquerade weapons must be affixed to the costume. Participants may use (draw, brandish, gesticulate with or otherwise waggle about) weapons as part of their performance onstage, but at no other time. Participants in the Costumers’ Workshop may also wear weapons, with the same restrictions, while in the workshop.

Volunteer!
Did we mention rewards? We got ’em. Fill out the volunteer portion of the registration form, or go to the volunteer table at Philcon. Any time you can give is great. We have a raffle of special gifts for only you, the volunteers! You can donate time when you like, doing what you like. Those who sign up first will be given the choicest of assignments. Best reward: a free Philcon next year! Just work ten hours total. Double time for work done before the con starts—work Thursday on Art Show load in or Friday on con set-up, then enjoy the rest of the con. Want to work on just Sunday load out? Great! That’s double time, too!

If there is an hour or two on the schedule that looks like there is nothing to catch your interest, you’ve eaten lunch, and been to the dealer’s room already, wander over to the convention’s volunteer table and ask how you can help!

Fan run conventions are staffed entirely by volunteers, from the chair on down. They cannot run without those volunteers. Plus, you often get to see the behind the scenes working of the con, which is always fun, and sometimes volunteers get perks like special T-shirts, a private lounge, and more! For more information, please contact Mr. Shirt at volunteer@philcon.org