.jpg)
|
|
A bid for the 2010 NASFiC
|
|
Home | FAQ | Support | Facilities | Committee |
Q. What in the name of Great Caesar's Ghost is a NASFiC?
A. The NASFiC is the North American Science Fiction Convention, is held when the Worldcon goes to a site outside of North America. Q. Whoa, slow down, man. What's a Worldcon?
A. Worldcon is the World Science Fiction Convention, held annually since 1939, with a break for World War II. Thousands of fans from around the world come together to keep the traditions of fandom going, give out the Hugo Awards, and run one of the biggest Masquerades anywhere. Every year, it goes to a different site. The next two will be Anticipation, in Montreal, Canada, and Aussiecon IV, in Melbourne, Australia. Q. I am interested in the Worldcon, are there any websites were I can find more information?
A. As a matter of fact there are. The website for Anticipation(2009) is at http://www.anticipationsf.ca/, and the website for Aussiecon IV(2010) is at http://www.aussiecon4.org.au/. For information about Worldcon, including information about previous Worldcons and NASFiCs, visit http://www.worldcon.org/. Q. So, why do you want to bring a NASFiC to Raleigh?
A. A group of fans from around the South decided it is time to bring traveling fandom back into the South. When we looked at possible sites, Raleigh had a lot to offer in terms of facilities and charm. Plus, a lot of us live here already. Q. This one is for Sir Walter R. So did you and the Queen, ever, well you know ... ?
A. A gentleman doth not speak of such things. Q. How do you plan to get the NASFiC and just what is all this talk about bidding?
A. The NASFiC location for 2010 will be voted on by the members of the 2009 Worldcon, Anticipation, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In order to vote for the 2010 NASFiC site you must be a member of the 2009 Worldcon. You will also be required to pay a small voting fee, to be determined by all the bids and Anticipation. Anyone who votes will automatically receive a supporting membership in the NASFiC, regardless of which site is chosen. Voters will also have 90 days to convert their membership to 'Attending' for an additional fee of no more then double the voting fee. This is almost always the least expensive way to attend a NASFiC or Worldcon. Q. Slow down buddy. Supporting membership? Attending membership? What sort of shenanigans are you pulling here?
A. An attending membership is the sort of membership you are used to from other conventions. It gains you admittance into all of the events at that year's NASFiC and copies of all publications (progress reports, program book, etc.). A supporting membership allows you to support the convention even if you are unable to attend. It gets you all of the publications and may be converted into an attending membership for the difference in price between the two Q. That sounds great! What can I do to help?
A. The biggest thing you can do is support our bid. We have three different levels of financial support to choose from, just head on over to our support page. We accept personal checks by mail, and most major credit cards through PayPal. Q. Sir Walter,
My history teacher said that you were granted a monopoly on playing cards by the Crown. I mean, haven't you ever heard of free market capitalism? Shouldn't the invisible hand of the market place decide the price of playing cards instead of Royal fiat? - L.B. A. Shouldn't your history teacher, no doubt a graduate of a prestigious University, have pointed out the fact that the noted economist Adam Smith, was born more then two hundred years after I was handsomely rewarded with the lucrative trade deal by Her Majesty. Q. You mentioned that this is a new convention center. My concern is this: Has it even been built yet?
A. Construction is complete and the official grand opening is scheduled for September, 2008. We are down to the last few details. Q. So, Raleigh, that's the 'Big City' from the Andy Griffith Show? This convention center must be in the middle of a tobacco field, right?
A. Raleigh is among the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, by population. We are also part of the Research Triangle, home to three major universities (NC State, UNC, and Duke), as well as several of the world's leading information- and bio-technology companies. Raleigh is accessible by Amtrak, Greyhound and a major international airport. Raleigh is also accessible via I-40, I-85, US 1, US 64 and I-95. Oh, and our hockey team won the Stanley Cup in 2006. Q. People live there and it's easy to get to, so what? Why will that matter if there is no where to eat and nothing to do once I get there
A. There are around 40 restaurants within a quarter mile of the convention center, and over 100 within half a mile. You'll also be within a short walk of the State Capital Building and three of our great museums. Q. That's just swell. I'm thinking about driving up to Raleigh, how much is parking going to cost me?
A. The Marriott offers valet parking, and charges $18/night. The Sheraton has a convenient parking garage, and charges $12/night. The City of Raleigh has several convenient parking garages, which charge a maximum of $10/day, and are mostly free between the hours of 7 PM and 7 AM, and on weekends. More information on those, and their locations, can be found here. A little foresite and a block or two of walking, as shown on the map, should be able to result in less expensive rates for less convenient parking.
Q. So, uh, Sir Walter, could you give me some advice with the ladies?
A. PASSIONS are liken'd best to floods and streams
: The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb ; So, when affection yields discourse, it seems The bottom is but shallow whence they come. They that are rich in words, in words discover That they are poor in that which makes a lover.
|
|
This is bid is brought to you by SAFE and bears the Sir Walter Seal of Approval. |