- Directions to the hotel (and the hotel phone number, just in case) - Fannish t-shirts, tote bags, and hats (this is a fashionable crowd!) - Fannish stickers, buttons and pins -- there's a lot of real estate on our badges and badge holders - Fun and outrageous outfits for the Disco Duck -- these don't have to be 70's themed, they can be anything you want - Cos-play gear/costumes -- most of the con comm is playing dress-up on Friday, but the whole weekend is fair game - Your laptop -- the hotel has free wireless internet throughout - A bathing suit -- the hotel has an outdoor pool, and the (current) forecast is for mostly sunny skies and very warm temps - A sweater -- the panel rooms and ConSweet are chilly, especially early in the day (We're not kidding about this -- if you get cold easily, BRING A SWEATER!) - A refillable water bottle -- we will not be offering bottled water this year, but there will be pitchers of filtered water, ice and glasses available
YOU WON'T WANT TO BRING
- VCRs or DVD players -- we aren't allowed to hook them up to the televisions in our rooms. There will be a TV and DVD player at the pimping table in the ConSweet. - Pets -- the only animals allowed in the hotel are service animals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
PARKING: If you arrive by car, you'll need to leave it somewhere. You can unload all your gear and extra passengers at the front of the hotel. Parking in the hotel garage costs $12 a day, with in and out privileges. The county lot (Lot 2) behind the hotel offers free parking Thursday and Friday after 7 pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. During the day, short-term (two- and three-hour) meters cost about 60 cents an hour. The county garage (Garage 2) behind the hotel has long-term meters (nine hours) at 45 cents an hour. You also can take your chances on the street -- but read the signs very carefully.
ATM: There is an ATM in the hotel lobby; the surcharge is $3.50. There are also several bank ATMs south of the hotel on Georgia Ave, including a Bank of America and a Suntrust on the same block.
REGISTRATION: Con registration will be open in (or near) the hotel’s River City Café Thursday evening from 8 pm to 10 pm; walk through the lobby and follow the signs to find the restaurant. We've warned the restaurant staff to expect a crowd, but please be advised wait times for drinks and food orders may be longer than normal -- please be patient!
Because a lot of fans want to arrive on Thursday right around check in time, the lobby may be crowded from 3 until 5 pm, and check-in will be slow. PLEASE BE PATIENT, and prepare to spend some time in the lobby or the bar/restaurant, chatting with other fen waiting to make their way to the Con. We have warned the hotel to expect a crowd at check-in Thursday night and Friday afternoon and asked them to staff the hotel registration desk accordingly. Still, the lobby may be crowded at those times, and check-in could be slow.
Registration will continue upstairs in the 4th floor corridor Friday from 8 am to 11 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm.
IDENTIFICATION: You'll receive a badge holder and name tag that is your pass to all CON.TXT events. It will be checked at all Con events, so please don't lose it or leave it in your room! It is not replaceable, and you must wear it at all times while in the con space. Please note that badges are not shareable or transferable.
Anyone attending the Disco Duck on Friday will be required to wear a wristband -- please note that wristbands are not shareable or transferable. There will be more info about the wristbands at the CON.TXT Context panel on Friday morning.
VOLUNTEERS: At registration, attendees who indicated availability will receive their volunteer schedule. You should double-check the shifts indicated; if there is a problem, please let meri_oddities know as soon as possible, so that we can straighten out any issues. If you find you have time while at the con, and wish to volunteer, please let us know.
PROGRAMMING: At registration, you'll also receive a CON.TXT program describing all of the panels, special events, workshops and services. We suggest you take some time to read through the program as soon as possible after your arrival; in addition to con programming, there will also be information on local restaurants and shopping on a handout in the packet.
GETTING AROUND: The hotel operates a free shuttle within a 3-mile radius of the hotel. You can use the shuttle to get to or from the Metro station, for example, or to get to the movie theater, restaurants, grocery store, etc.
If you need to be picked up from the Metro or elsewhere within the area the shuttle serves, call the main hotel number: 301-589-0800. They will connect you to the shuttle. If you have some idea when you'll need to be picked up (e.g., if you're coming from the airport), it's a good idea to call in advance to reserve the shuttle.
The Silver Spring Metro station is about 1/4 south of the hotel on Georgia Ave, if you're in the mood for a short walk.
THE FORECAST
Wednesday: partly cloudy, with a high of 87° and a low of 73°
Thursday: partly cloudy, with a high of 88° and a low of 73°
Friday: partly cloudy, with a high of 88° and a low of 74°
Saturday: scattered thunderstorms, with a high of 92° and a low of 74°
Sunday: sunny, with a high of 91° and a low of 76°
Monday: sunny, with a high of 90° and a low of 75°