March 2012 BitCon in San Antonio, Texas - News Thread

[edd]

I'll be there!!!

Great! List of attendees updated.

[1714846807]

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[btcontilt]

We will most likely be attending

[edd]

We will most likely be attending

I'll add you to the list.

Will you have an exhibit table as well?

[btcontilt]

We will most likely be attending

I'll add you to the list.

Will you have an exhibit table as well?

Yep definitely will be going the exhibit table route.  Our team is spread across Dallas and Houston so this will be a close drive for us. 

[crawdaddy]

I finally have some substantial news regarding the convention to announce.

First, I'd like to thank Seals With Clubs for becoming an official sponsor. Please go play some poker and encourage Freemoney to try to attend the conference in person.


Now, the really big news! You can now check availability and make your reservations with our discounted rate (which includes free in-room internet) at the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency by using the following links:

Grand Hyatt San Antonio

Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk

Is there a min amount of rooms that need to be reserved? And if so how many do you have so far?

[edd]

I finally have some substantial news regarding the convention to announce.

First, I'd like to thank Seals With Clubs for becoming an official sponsor. Please go play some poker and encourage Freemoney to try to attend the conference in person.


Now, the really big news! You can now check availability and make your reservations with our discounted rate (which includes free in-room internet) at the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency by using the following links:

Grand Hyatt San Antonio

Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk

Is there a min amount of rooms that need to be reserved? And if so how many do you have so far?

80% of the rooms I have on hold need to be filled. The last day our discounted rate will be available is February 24th. On that day, I have two choices if we still have unsold rooms: I can ask the hotels to extend our cut-off day, or I can release the rooms and hope that they are filled by travellers willing to pay the regular rate.

I'm at work right now, but the last time I checked, no one had made a reservation yet.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Add me to the list of attendees and exhibitors (Bitcoin Leather by Martin Basurto http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0813_hbkp_hand_tooled_leather_seats/viewall.html)

Is it mandatory to stay at the Hyatt while attending the conference? Also, I can plan on arriving a few days early to lend a hand for setting up or anything else that needs addressing. I can also act as one of your volunteers/liaisons during the convention to make sure the event goes smoothly. I even know how to use a microphone, for I've emceed shows in Nashville for several years. Let me know how I can be of service to help make this a great convention.

Bruno

[edd]

Add me to the list of attendees and exhibitors (Bitcoin Leather by Martin Basurto http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0813_hbkp_hand_tooled_leather_seats/viewall.html)

Is it mandatory to stay at the Hyatt while attending the conference? Also, I can plan on arriving a few days early to lend a hand for setting up or anything else that needs addressing. I can also act as one of your volunteers/liaisons during the convention to make sure the event goes smoothly. I even know how to use a microphone, for I've emceed shows in Nashville for several years. Let me know how I can be of service to help make this a great convention.

Bruno

I added you to the list of attendees above. Reserve your exhibit table and I'll add you to the "official" list of exhibitors.

Staying at one of the Hyatt's isn't mandatory but the block of rooms I have on hold are at a discounted rate and include in-room internet.

There will be plenty to do in the days immediately preceding the event, so I will take you up on your offer to help. Setting up the venue will be taken care of by their staff and each exhibitor will be responsible for their own space; the biggest hassle will be supervising and making sure everyone knows what they can and cannot do and where they can and cannot do it.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Add me to the list of attendees and exhibitors (Bitcoin Leather by Martin Basurto http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0813_hbkp_hand_tooled_leather_seats/viewall.html)

Is it mandatory to stay at the Hyatt while attending the conference? Also, I can plan on arriving a few days early to lend a hand for setting up or anything else that needs addressing. I can also act as one of your volunteers/liaisons during the convention to make sure the event goes smoothly. I even know how to use a microphone, for I've emceed shows in Nashville for several years. Let me know how I can be of service to help make this a great convention.

Bruno

I added you to the list of attendees above. Reserve your exhibit table and I'll add you to the "official" list of exhibitors.

Staying at one of the Hyatt's isn't mandatory but the block of rooms I have on hold are at a discounted rate and include in-room internet.

There will be plenty to do in the days immediately preceding the event, so I will take you up on your offer to help. Setting up the venue will be taken care of by their staff and each exhibitor will be responsible for their own space; the biggest hassle will be supervising and making sure everyone knows what they can and cannot do and where they can and cannot do it.

Just want to confirm that the exhibit table spot is only 12 BTC. I'm toying with bringing my own table. Also, what is the discount rate of the rooms? Plus, I'll do whatever you need me to do to help out before, during and after the convention. Just name it, and I'll probably do it.

[edd]

Just want to confirm that the exhibit table spot is only 12 BTC. I'm toying with bringing my own table. Also, what is the discount rate of the rooms? Plus, I'll do whatever you need me to do to help out before, during and after the convention. Just name it, and I'll probably do it.

Yep, exhibit table is still only 12 BTC. Don't worry about bringing your own table unless it's really necessary for your display. The Convention Center has plenty and they're included in the price, along with table linen and skirting.

Our room rate at the Grand is $199/night and at the Regency, it's $195/night. If you search online for rooms at these or comparable hotels, you'll find different rates depending on what kind of specials that are floating around out there, but I seriously doubt you'll find anything better. If anyone does find better rates at these or other hotels during that weekend that are available to the general public, please let me know. It has been known to happen and I will be able to re-negotiate the contract armed with that information.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Just want to confirm that the exhibit table spot is only 12 BTC. I'm toying with bringing my own table. Also, what is the discount rate of the rooms? Plus, I'll do whatever you need me to do to help out before, during and after the convention. Just name it, and I'll probably do it.

Yep, exhibit table is still only 12 BTC. Don't worry about bringing your own table unless it's really necessary for your display. The Convention Center has plenty and they're included in the price, along with table linen and skirting.

Our room rate at the Grand is $199/night and at the Regency, it's $195/night. If you search online for rooms at these or comparable hotels, you'll find different rates depending on what kind of specials that are floating around out there, but I seriously doubt you'll find anything better. If anyone does find better rates at these or other hotels during that weekend that are available to the general public, please let me know. It has been known to happen and I will be able to re-negotiate the contract armed with that information.

I just sent 12 BTC to reserve a table spot. Please confirm that received the funds.

I have stayed at Microtels many times, and yet to have a bad experience. Here is a link: https://reservation.magnusonhotels.com/bbe/page2.aspx?checkin=03%2F17%2F2012&nights=2&rooms=1&adults=1&children=0&promo=&corp=&group=&IATA=&Search=Check+Availability&propertyID=8982

Senior and AAA rates are $53.10. I sure do hate taking away $ from Hyatt after they've been so kind to provide a convention venue. I'm sure they won't take it personal, though.

I'm sure that I can get a package deal from them. My dad used to own the original Super 8 in Brookings, SD. Well, at least the building(s) where the first franchise was established, that is. I sure do miss the fishing in South Dakota.

[worldly]

Thanks for sponsoring our event guys.

I was curious how you are going to pay for the convention room with payments of 12 btc for a table.  How many tables do you need to sell to pay for the room?
This was a problem we ran into that nobody paid until the last fortnight but we had to pay the room a month in advance, we had no idea how many people would turn up.

The photo of the convention centre looks like many thousands of dollars a day, how many bitcoin businesses are there?

Hopefully you have all this under control, good luck with your event.

[edd]

I just sent 12 BTC to reserve a table spot. Please confirm that received the funds.

I have stayed at Microtels many times, and yet to have a bad experience. Here is a link: https://reservation.magnusonhotels.com/bbe/page2.aspx?checkin=03%2F17%2F2012&nights=2&rooms=1&adults=1&children=0&promo=&corp=&group=&IATA=&Search=Check+Availability&propertyID=8982

Senior and AAA rates are $53.10. I sure do hate taking away $ from Hyatt after they've been so kind to provide a convention venue. I'm sure they won't take it personal, though.

Your BTC has been received and I've added you to the list of exhibitors at the top of the thread.

I'm sure Microtels are nice, but they're classified as "two star hotels" and I can't ask a four star hotel to match their prices. Everyone is free to stay wherever they like - my goal is to provide the best possible experience for every budget.

Thanks for sponsoring our event guys.

I was curious how you are going to pay for the convention room with payments of 12 btc for a table.  How many tables do you need to sell to pay for the room?
This was a problem we ran into that nobody paid until the last fortnight but we had to pay the room a month in advance, we had no idea how many people would turn up.

The photo of the convention centre looks like many thousands of dollars a day, how many bitcoin businesses are there?

Hopefully you have all this under control, good luck with your event.

Thanks, worldly! I really wish I had been able to make it to Prague. It sounds like it was a great event.

I've decided to go with a smaller room at the convention center than the one pictured above. The convention center has been kind enough to agree to charge us only for the space actually used during the convention, but there is a non-refundable minimum amount required up front and it is quite a bit for the large exhibit hall. The smaller exhibit area is still 16,600 square feet and I have a sponsor lined up who has agreed to help me pay for the deposit/minimum.

12 BTC at the current exchange rate is almost exactly enough to cover the cost of the space each exhibitor will occupy. Sponsors and a stronger exchange rate are what I'm counting on to pay for additional expenses like audio/visual, advertising, administrative costs, food, etc.

So, to answer your question, once I get that minimum payment submitted to the convention center, then even if it's only Atlas, Phinnaeus, and myself sitting in a huge empty hall, my losses won't be insurmountable.

[worldly]

Thanks, worldly! I really wish I had been able to make it to Prague. It sounds like it was a great event.

I've decided to go with a smaller room at the convention center than the one pictured above. The convention center has been kind enough to agree to charge us only for the space actually used during the convention, but there is a non-refundable minimum amount required up front and it is quite a bit for the large exhibit hall. The smaller exhibit area is still 16,600 square feet and I have a sponsor lined up who has agreed to help me pay for the deposit/minimum.

12 BTC at the current exchange rate is almost exactly enough to cover the cost of the space each exhibitor will occupy. Sponsors and a stronger exchange rate are what I'm counting on to pay for additional expenses like audio/visual, advertising, administrative costs, food, etc.

So, to answer your question, once I get that minimum payment submitted to the convention center, then even if it's only Atlas, Phinnaeus, and myself sitting in a huge empty hall, my losses won't be insurmountable.

Sure, well my head is still hurting from the conference organising.
Let me know if you need any help, we learnt a lot this time.

[edd]

You will certainly be getting some PM's from me! 

[Mousepotato]

I might be there, if I can get time off of work and scrape together some gas money.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Thanks, worldly! I really wish I had been able to make it to Prague. It sounds like it was a great event.

I've decided to go with a smaller room at the convention center than the one pictured above. The convention center has been kind enough to agree to charge us only for the space actually used during the convention, but there is a non-refundable minimum amount required up front and it is quite a bit for the large exhibit hall. The smaller exhibit area is still 16,600 square feet and I have a sponsor lined up who has agreed to help me pay for the deposit/minimum.

12 BTC at the current exchange rate is almost exactly enough to cover the cost of the space each exhibitor will occupy. Sponsors and a stronger exchange rate are what I'm counting on to pay for additional expenses like audio/visual, advertising, administrative costs, food, etc.

So, to answer your question, once I get that minimum payment submitted to the convention center, then even if it's only Atlas, Phinnaeus, and myself sitting in a huge empty hall, my losses won't be insurmountable.

Sure, well my head is still hurting from the conference organising.
Let me know if you need any help, we learnt a lot this time.

I'm sure, edd, worldly will have a wealth of information to provide you to make sure the SA convention goes smoothly.

I just sent 12 BTC to reserve a table spot. Please confirm that received the funds.

I have stayed at Microtels many times, and yet to have a bad experience. Here is a link: https://reservation.magnusonhotels.com/bbe/page2.aspx?checkin=03%2F17%2F2012&nights=2&rooms=1&adults=1&children=0&promo=&corp=&group=&IATA=&Search=Check+Availability&propertyID=8982

Senior and AAA rates are $53.10. I sure do hate taking away $ from Hyatt after they've been so kind to provide a convention venue. I'm sure they won't take it personal, though.

Your BTC has been received and I've added you to the list of exhibitors at the top of the thread.

I'm sure Microtels are nice, but they're classified as "two star hotels" and I can't ask a four star hotel to match their prices. Everyone is free to stay wherever they like - my goal is to provide the best possible experience for every budget.

Thanks for sponsoring our event guys.

I was curious how you are going to pay for the convention room with payments of 12 btc for a table.  How many tables do you need to sell to pay for the room?
This was a problem we ran into that nobody paid until the last fortnight but we had to pay the room a month in advance, we had no idea how many people would turn up.

The photo of the convention centre looks like many thousands of dollars a day, how many bitcoin businesses are there?

Hopefully you have all this under control, good luck with your event.

Thanks, worldly! I really wish I had been able to make it to Prague. It sounds like it was a great event.

I've decided to go with a smaller room at the convention center than the one pictured above. The convention center has been kind enough to agree to charge us only for the space actually used during the convention, but there is a non-refundable minimum amount required up front and it is quite a bit for the large exhibit hall. The smaller exhibit area is still 16,600 square feet and I have a sponsor lined up who has agreed to help me pay for the deposit/minimum.

12 BTC at the current exchange rate is almost exactly enough to cover the cost of the space each exhibitor will occupy. Sponsors and a stronger exchange rate are what I'm counting on to pay for additional expenses like audio/visual, advertising, administrative costs, food, etc.

So, to answer your question, once I get that minimum payment submitted to the convention center, then even if it's only Atlas, Phinnaeus, and myself sitting in a huge empty hall, my losses won't be insurmountable.

So true, in re. not asking a 4* to compete with a 2* chain. I just realized that the link I provided above was for Micro Inn and not Microtel. I'm already in the process of getting a group rate from, them. During the course of the conversation, I was able to secure a $100 off-type-coupon good for my next Microtel stay. If anyone else wants the same deal, all they have to go is stand on top of Rassah's coffee table donning evoorhees's costume and ask me nicely. I may be inclined to forego two of those steps, but you decide.

Also, edd, I went and sent 2.5 BTC to be a sponsor. Please verify that you received those funds, as well. I'll forego the link to Bitcoin Leather at this time.

Bruno

[edd]

Bruno/Phinnaeus, the funds have been received and I went ahead and linked your user name to your profile here on the Credits Page. Just give me the word and I will link it to wherever you like or leave it link free.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Bruno/Phinnaeus, the funds have been received and I went ahead and linked your user name to your profile here on the Credits Page. Just give me the word and I will link it to wherever you like or leave it link free.

You, and everyone else, can call me Bruno.

Thank you for the confirmation.

Like I've already stated, I'm planning on being in San Antonio days leading up to the convention and one or two days afterwards. I'll follow up with that Microtel info when it comes available. I look forward to receiving a call from them tomorrow.

Don't sweat the turnout. I'm confident that we'll have at least 100 people in attendance. It won't be just you, me and Atlas playing Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iapcKVn7DdY

[Inaba]

I am tentatively planning on attending.