Since several people expressed interest in more straight forward information pertaining to last year's convention to get a taste of possibilities for this year, well this it the thread for it. Please keep in mind that all of this information, unless otherwise specified, pertains to Botcon 2006. Don't automatically assume this will be the way things work for the 2007 convention, just use this information as a rough estimate at best. And to begin...the timeline: From Then Until Now: A Rough Timeline From the Announcement of Botcon 2006 2-28-06: Botcon 2006 Announcement made - Notice sent out to TCC members, told convention brochures will be made available in the next couple of weeks. This information included hotel and convention center info as well as dates. 4-29-06: Preregistration forms made available at Botcon.com, exclusive set information presented on forms as well as prices for some items 5-25-06: First images from the set are revealed, Primal is shown. Second customizing class added due to the first one filling up. Prior to this you could only do either the class or the tour, not both. The addition of a second class allowed those going to the Wednesday class to attend the Thursday tour. 7-7-06: Convention set boxart is revealed 8-19-06: Art contest entry information provided Week of 9-6-06: Registration confirmation letters begin to arrive, including rough schedules (no panel information provided) 9-16-06: Last day for preregistration 9-27-06: First activity of Botcon 2006 begins with extra customizing class 9-29-06: Dealer room preview for Primus package attendees 9-30-06: Dealer room open to public 10-01-06: Botcon 2006 ends That pretty much sums up some of the most notable events in the Botcon 2006 timeline. Now let us begin the 2007 timeline: 9-30-06: Botcon 2007 announced at 2006 awards dinner, date: weekend prior to the movie launch (7-4-07) location: Providence, RI 12-28-06: Official hotel announced as well as confirmation of official dates. Dates: June 28 - July 1, location: Westin Providence Hotel. Told not to contact hotel yet until word that the Botcon discount code has been added to the system. You can use the timeline for the 2006 convention as a rough guideline for this year, if it makes you feel more comfortable. But things are a little bit different this year. The convention is earlier in the year so everyone has less time, so obviously the dates wont translate perfectly. But going by last year, preregistration forms were available 2 months after the announcement of the location of the convention (including hotel) but approximately 5 months prior to the start of Botcon 2006.
The Preregistration The following is what was found on the preregistration sheet Botcon 2006 Preregistration Information Thursday, September 28th, 2006 Kentucky's Finest Tour 9:30am-5:00pm = $48 Transformers Customizing Class = $30 Active Member Registration Primus Package(attending) (Includes 5 figure deluxe boxed set, and all convention activities - except tour or class) = $249 Mini-Con Package (only available w/purchase of Primus package, limited to 4 Mini-Con per Primus package.) = $75 Additional Mini-Con Packages (must be immediate family member) = $60 Protoform Package (attending, no toys, no Awards Party) = $114 Iacon Package(non-attending) (Includes 5 figure deluxe boxed set) = $249 Additional 5 deluxe figure loose set (no box, figures & weapons only) (only one per Primus or Iacon Package, LE 175 sets) = $129 Non-Member Registration Primus Package (attending) (Includes 5 figure deluxe boxed set) = $299 Mini-Con Package (only available w/purchase of Primus package, limited to 1 Mini-Con per Primus package.) = $75 Protoform Package (attending, no toys, no Awards Party) = $159 Iacon Package (non-attending) (Includes 5 figure deluxe boxed set) = $299 Kentucky Sales Tax: please add 6% forall attending packages (no tax on tours or class) Other: Transformers Collectors Club Yearly Membership (3rd Class U.S. $40, 1st Class U.S. $62, Canada $69, Foreign $89)
The Schedule of Events Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:30 AM Customizing Transformers Class 8:30-9:30 PM Check In/Registration for Thursday Tour people and Wed. or Thurs. Custom Class attendees Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:30 AM Customizing Transformers Class 9:30 AM-5:30 PM Tour: Kentucky’s Finest 6-8 PM Check In/Registration Pick-up: Green Letter Holders (Photo ID Required) 6-10 PM Dealer Package Pickup (Photo ID Required) 8-10 PM Check In/Registration Pick-up: Blue Letter Holders (Photo ID Required) 9 PM Message Board/Room-to-Room Trading Info 10 PM Check In/Registration Closes Bluegrass Ballroom 10 PM-12 AM MSTF - Greg Sepelak, Phil Zeman & Doug Dlin Attendees free; Open to general public for donation to charity Friday, September 29, 2006 7:30-2 PM Dealer Set-Up 8:30-Noon Contest Entries Setup 8:30-5 PM Walk-up and Late Check In/Registration Pick-up 9-9:45 AM Voicing the Beast Wars - Blu Mankuma, Scott McNeil, Richard Newman, Pauline Newstone 10-10:45 AM Transformers Design Decisions - Hasbro 11-11:45 AM Transformers Gameshow: “Faction Feud - the Board Wars” Noon-12:45 Creating History - Simon Furman 12-4 PM Contest Area Closed - Judging in Progress 1-1:45 PM Official TCCNewsletter and Convention Comic - Pete Sinclair 1-5 PM Video/Courtesy Room Open 2-5 PM SALES ROOM OPEN for Private Preview 2-3 PM Autographs: Blu Mankuma, Scott McNeil, Richard Newman, Pauline Newstone Hourly Door Prize Giveaway 4-5 PM Contest Entries Open for viewing 4-5 PM Autographs: Blu Mankuma, Scott McNeil, Richard Newman, Pauline Newstone 5 PM ALL EXHIBITS & SALES ROOM CLOSE 7-10 PM Game Night - This is new this year. This will be an opportunity for you to battle other collectors in the New Transformers Attacktix and other miniature or card based games. Bring your gaming supplies for this evening of fun. 12 PM Advance DVD Screening: TRANSFORMERS The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition Kentucky Theatre 214 E Main St Please note You must have a badge to enter during the special event times. NO ONE will be admitted without a name badge. This includes ANY family member or friend accompanying you to the show. Saturday, September 30, 2006 8:30 AM Walk-up Late Check In/Registration 7:30 AM Dealer Set-up 8:30 AM SALES ROOM OPEN for Private Preview 9 AM Video/Courtesy Room open 9 AM "Early Bird” Admission Hourly Door Prize Giveaway 9-9:45 Cartoon Creation -David McDermott & Aaron Aarcher 9:30-11:00 Autographs: Peter Cullen 9:30-11:00 Autographs: Blu Mankuma, Pauline Newstone 10:00 AM Sales Room & Contest Area Opens to General Public 10:30-11:30 Kids! Learn to Draw Transformers 10-10:45 Transformers Comics: Past, Present and Future - IDW 11-12:30 Autographs: Scott McNeil, Richard Newman 11:00-12:45 Hasbro New Product Unveiling - Hasbro 1:00-1:45 Voicing the Beast Wars -Blu Mankuma, Scott McNeil, Pauline Newstone, Richard Newman 1:00-2:30 Autographs: Peter Cullen 2:00-2:45 Transformers Club Roundtable - Brian Savage 2:30-3:30 Kids! Learn to Draw Transformers 2:30-4:00 Autographs: Blu Mankuma, Pauline Newstone 3:00-3:45 From Drawing Board to Toy - Paul Hitchens 4:00-4:45 Optimus Prime - Peter Cullen 5 PM ALL EXHIBITS & SALES ROOM CLOSE 7-10 PM Awards Party Casino Night and Dinner - Each Primus package holder will receive $200 in gaming coupons. Instead of an auction at the end of the evening, we will be offering prizes to those who are actively playing during the evening. Dealers who make donations will also receive gaming coupons. The evening will also consist of special entertainment from our voice actor guests as well as the presentation of the BotCon Spark Achievement Awards and Contest winners. Sunday, October 1, 2006 9 AM Dealer Set-up 9 AM Video/Courtesy Room opens 9:30 AM SALES ROOM & GENERAL ADMISSION OPENS Turn in evaluation form and get yourentry "2 Trips to 2007 Convention" ticket 9:30-11:00 Autographs: Blu Mankuma, Pauline Newstone 10-10:45 Transformers Gameshow: “Faction Feud - the Board Wars” 11-11:45 Transformers Comics: Past, Present and Future -IDW 11-12:30 Autographs: Scott McNeil, Richard Newman 12:30-2:00 Autographs: Blu Mankuma, Pauline Newstone 12-12:45 Creating History -Simon Furman 1-1:45 Transformers Gameshow: “Faction Feud - the Board Wars” 2:00-3:15 Autographs: Scott McNeil, Richard Newman 3 PM DRAWING: 2 TRIPS TO 2007 Convention, Must Be Present to Win! (2 drawings, for one person each: 1 airfare (limited to $450), hotel 3 nights, & 1 Primus package) 3:30 PM ALL EXHIBITS & SALES ROOM CLOSE
To expand a bit on what activities and souvenirs are included with each package: Primus Package includes: 5 figure deluxe boxed set Bonus 6th figure for attending the convention First chance to purchase the additional exclusives Chance to purchase additional 5 deluxe figure loose set (no box, figures & weapons only) Access to the Dealer's room on the Friday (Pre-Registrants only) First access to all the panels before general public Admittance to the Awards Dinner Saturday night. Free Autographs from all attending guests (general public has to pay). Folder containing convention program, survey, certificate of authenticity, TFTM movie screening ticket and badge. Mini-con Package includes: (MUST be purchased with Primus Package) Access to the Dealer's room on the Friday (Pre-Registrants only) First access to all the panels before general public Admittance to the Awards Dinner Saturday night. Free Autographs from all attending guests (general public has to pay). Protoform Package includes: Access to the Dealer's room on the Friday (Pre-Registrants only) First access to all the panels before general public Free Autographs from all attending guests (general public has to pay). Iacon Package includes: 5 figure deluxe boxed set Chance to purchase 5 deluxe figure loose set (no box, figures & weapons only) convention program and certificate of authenticity.
Thanks for the assist M_M More random information aka FAQ From Convention Program/Comic How does the Casino Night work?" There is not an auction this year because of local gaming laws. You can win a prize by participating in the games or through the tickets you will be given at the door. Make sure you wear your bade as you will not be allowed to enter without it! Each Primus attendee will have $200 worth of gaming coupons in your package. Bring your gaming coupons (green sheets in your folder) to the Patterson Ballroom as there will not be any replacements available. During the evening, a representative will be going from table to table offering a prize ticket to patrons. The representative will decide what has to happen in the next round for a person to win. Once you have won a ticket, you have approximately 30 minutes to redeem it at the prize booth. Additional prizes will be added throughout the evening. Upon arrival, you will receive a numbered ticket. We will also draw from these tickets for prizes. Winning numbers will be posted every 30 minutes and the numbers are only valid for a shot time so check the board often. Bingo is also available. Bingo winners get to pick their prize from the prize table as well. The Awards Ceremony will occur at the end of the evening but you are free to come and go all night. What should I wear to the Awards Party Casino Night Dinner on Saturday night?" Dress is smart casual. This means shirts with collars and no shorts. (note: Please read this one, there were several people who ignored it, and it just pissed off those who actually DID follow this rule) How do I ship my items home? Mail Boxes ETC. is available. Check their booth in the sales room. Are there any other official BotCon souvenirs? Yes. We have two figure packs. The Predacon Leader two pack includes Megatron and Waspinator for $80 (LE 500 sets) and the Decepticon Reformatted two pack includes Laserbeak and Buzzsaw for $40 (LE 500 sets). There are also a limited number of BotCon Messenger Bags, Hats, and T-shirts. Stop by the club store to check out these great items. other info: Door prize info There are two groups of door prizes. One group is for Registered Attendees and one group is for the General Public. You can enter both drawings (pre-registerd people). Make sure you fill out the BLUE ticket (registered guests), included in your packet, and bring it by the Club Store. Orange tickets (general admission) are available as well. Door prizes will be drawn at ten minutes before the hour each hour the sales room is open. You must be present to win and you have 10 minutes to claim your prize at the Transformers Club Store. Winners will be announced in the Panel/Seminar room as well (Deefuzz note: Pretty sure that last part isn't so. I was at pretty much every panel, and the room was quite far from the sales room, and I do not recall ever hearing any winners announced in there.) Voting Ticket This wasn't really mentioned anywhere, just something that was placed in our pre-registration folders. There was a ticket to vote for Best Website Design, Best News Website, and Best Resource Website. No sites were listed, it was all write in votes. On the bottom of the ticket it said: "Winner to be announced during the Awards Party Saturday night. Turn in to club booth by 1PM". I obviously still have this ticket, as I completely had forgotten about it, but this was where we were voted the Best News Website.
Here's a bit of info: If BOTCON is going to be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Downtown Providence then the airport, TF Green State Airport, is about 10 miles away. And Hasbro Headquarters is about 7 miles away from the Convention Center.
That is good info to know especially for anybody who might need to take a taxi. I would also recommend finding taxi services beforehand and requesting a pickup if possible. Considering its an airport there should be enough taxi's but you can never be too careful when it comes to the GREATEST BOTCON EVER
Haven't been to a BotCon yet where the airport didn't have a shuttle service Razer In '05 Fun Publications had printable 50% off coupons for the shuttle service. And in '06 the shuttle service was free
Forogt the general admission info from last year: GENERAL ADMISSION INFORMATION Saturday Sept 30, 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday Oct 1, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM $9 for Adults Children 5-12 yrs. old $5, 4 and under FREE Early Entry 9 AM Saturday - $50