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Dragon Con Membership Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 4August 29–September 1, 2014 Atlanta, Georgia

In this Issue: Tools to Prepare for Dragon Con!

The Dragon Con Survival Guide

Where’s Dragon Con?

Picking up Your Membership Badge

Brand New Member Benefit

Enhancements to the Vendor Halls and other

info you need

We are pleased to announce that in support of our 2014 Charity, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, we will also be hosting a food drive during the convention. We will have collection bins located in the Sheraton near registration. If you would like to donate non perishable goods, the ACFB would be much appreciative and we can even better assist them in doing good for our community. Some of the most needed food items are:

2014 Food Drive at Registration

� Whole grain foods � Whole wheat pasta � Brown rice � Whole grain cereal � Whole wheat flour � Whole grain crackers � Plain oatmeal � Shelf stable milk (cow, soy, rice, etc.)

� Fruit, dried or canned in light syrup or juice

� Low-sodium, no salt added vegetables

� Low-sodium pasta sauce in plastic container

� Foods high in protein

� Natural peanut butter (no hydrogenated oil)

� Dried beans � Dried peas � Dried lentils � Canned tuna - canned in water, not oil

� Canned salmon - canned in water, not oil

� Canned chicken - canned in water, not oil

� Unsalted nuts � 100% fruit and/or vegetable juice � Cooking oil � Olive oil � Canola oil

Families and individuals who struggle to put food on the table also have a tough time with the household essentials. In addition to food, these non-food items are greatly needed and appreciated:

� Paper products � Diapers � Toiletries

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Follow the 5/2/1 RuleWe encourage our volunteers to adhere to the 5/2/1 rule. Get a minimum of five hours of sleep, two meals, and one shower every day, please. It works for everyone.Sleep: We know you are probably not going to get enough sleep at the convention, but you’ll have a lot more fun if you at least try. Plus, you’ll be a nicer person to be around (just ask your friends). So shoot for 5 hours sleep at a minimum in one stretch.

Dragon Con Survival Guide

Dragon Con App now available!

Revised edition

Handy tips for when you find yourself heading to Atlanta for an awesome convention over Labor Day weekend.

Get Your Badge, Secure Your Badge, Show Your Badge First things first…swing by the Sheraton and pick up your badge. Did you pre-purchase your membership? If so, be sure to bring your postcard. We made some awesome upgrades to the registration system in 2011 and the lines move much quicker than they used to.Once you have your badge, you must secure it and show it at all times. You will need your badge to get into the events at the host hotels, as well as the Vendor Halls at the AmericasMart. We will also be requiring a badge or room key at the host hotels during peak hours to cut down on congestion, and to help keep our members safe. Lost badges are not replaced. So have your badge ready, secure, and visible!

Plan Your TimeDragon Con is four non-stop days of 24 hour fun! There are almost forty individual programming tracks and even more special events, contests, gaming, and parties. We hate to break it to you, but you can’t do everything you want, so you’ll have to prioritize. The free app and pocket program will tell you where all the activities and guests are and when.Make a plan and allow time to wait in line for a big event or popular panel. Lines for events in main programming will begin when the group for the previous panel has been seated. An important note, we clear the room after each panel in the larger rooms. But if your plan falls through, try to go with the flow. There’s lots to do and you’ll have fun if you don’t stress too much.

Carry a Survival Bag Sure, you think you will swing by your room or the store to pick up what you need. In reality, the elevators, the time, the distance and the crowds will make you rethink that trek. We have listed some items below you might want to have at easy reach.

Wear Comfortable ShoesThe convention takes place in five hotels and the AmericasMart. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking! Wearing a costume with special shoes? Bring a pair of plan “B” shoes to wear during your off times in case you can’t stand it any longer…you will thank us later!Pro tip: Start walking more before you get to the show to build up your stamina.

Tip Your Hotel StaffThe hotel staff gets a kick out of the convention and they work pretty hard to take care of us throughout the four days! So be sure to tip the maid service, bartenders and other hotel staff that provide a service to you.

Get Ready for Registration � Bring a Valid Government issued ID

� Did you pre-pay your membership? Bring your blue postcard.

� Lose your postcard? Bring your ID (and receipt if you have it).

� Picking up for someone else? You’ll need a copy of their ID, post card if pre-paid, and permission slip.

Tools for Planning � Download the app. Now there’s

also a web based version of the app that you can access via a web browser on your phone, tablet or computer—so everyone can benefit from it.

� Classic Dragon Con Style. I need it on paper. You’ll receive the Pocket Program when you pick up your badge. Bring your highlighters!

Pack a Survival Bag

� Camera/and or Phone

� Batteries/Charger

� First aid supplies (adhesive bandages, aspirin, and medications)

� Business Cards (for networking)

� Cash (There are ATMs, but it’s best to be prepared)

� Snacks

� Water bottle

� Sweater or jacket (it can get cold in the rooms, plus it makes an impromptu pillow)

� Hand Sanitizer (con crud is no one’s friend)

� Page protectors or photo sleeves for autographed photos

� Sharpie, pen, highlighter, and paper.

Food: You can usually find a hamburger and hotdog vendor anywhere. Here are some other options:Each of the hotels has somewhere to buy café and deli style food and salads with some open 24 hours.The Peachtree Center has a food court and mall that is accessible via the skywalks from the Hyatt, Marriott and the Peachtree Center parking garage. You can find a wide variety of quick food options as well as fine dining restaurants nearby.Carry some snacks with you so you can eat something when you get hungry and don’t have time at that moment to track down food. There is a Publix located approximately one mile north of the host hotels on Piedmont Avenue. And don’t forget about the ConSuite. It’s a sci-fi convention tradition located in the Hyatt where you can get snacks and some soda.

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Where is Dragon Con?

Hyatt RegencyAnime-Manga

AnimationArmory

Art ShowCharity Auctions

Comics AlleyCon Suite

Concourse StageDrum Circle

Evening in BreeFantasy Literature

FilkIndependent Films

Masquerade ContestRobot Battles

Sci-Fi LiteratureSilk Road

StarGate Charity EventWrestlingWriters

Marriott MarquisAmerican Sci-Fi MediaAmerican Sci-Fi Classics

AutographsBlood Drive

ConcertsCospitality Lounge

CostumingDragon Con Store

Costuming ContestFroggy’s Photos

KaleidoscopeLast Party on Alderaan

PuppetryTolkien

Security: M102Star Wars

VIP Badge PickupWalk of Fame

Young Adult LiteratureX-Track

Hilton AtlantaConcourse Stage

Electronic Frontier ForumGaming:

Campaign RPGsCollectible Card Games

LAN GamingLARPs

MechcorpsMiniatures

Non-Campaign RPGsNSDMG/War CollegeRole-playing GamesTable Top Gaming

Video Gaming Track

PodcastingScience

Skeptics TrackSpace

AmericasMart Building #1

DealersExhibitors

Dragon Con Store

Westin Peachtree Plaza

Alternate HistoryApocalypse Rising

Avengers Ball Dr. Horrible

Horror TrackMechanical Masquerade

BallRainbow Flag PartyStarGate Multiverse

Urban FantasyWhedon Universe

Ah young one, so you want to know where Dragon Con is. It’s not in one place, you know. Why, it’s everywhere. It’s in your head the entire year. It’s in the joy of finding so many people who get you and don’t think your hobbies are weird. It’s the alternate zone where you can forget about the stress of the mundane world and just have fun for four solid days. It’s in so many places.Oh, you mean where is it physically! Well, Dragon Con is held in the following host hotels in Downtown Atlanta: the Hilton Atlanta, the Hyatt Regency, the Marriott Marquis, the Sheraton Atlanta, and the Westin Peachtree Plaza. We also occupy the first two floors of Building 1 in the AmericasMart. Want to know where some of your favorite things are located within Dragon Con ? Check this out.

Sheraton AtlantaACFB Food Drive

Brit TrackDragon Con StoreDisability Services

Heroes and Villains BallLego First Challenge

Miss StarTrek Universe Pageant

ParanormalRegistration

Robotics & MakersTrek Track

Volunteer RegistrationYule Ball

Zombie Prom

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Your Badge Awaits You—At the Sheraton

Okay, the overwhelming majority of badges are picked up in the Sheraton. VIP Badges and Eternal Badges are picked up in the Marriott

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25% off merchandise purchases at the Dragon Con Stores at the show, and the online store year round.

tDiscounted prices on workshops given by award winning performers, writers, and artists.

tFun events to attend like Dragon Con Night at Turner Field, the GA Aquarium, and Medieval Times.

t15% off all e-books from Event Horizon Publishing with coupon code DCebook15. Plus, free shipping on trade paperbacks or hardbacks using coupon code DCFREESHIP.

tDiscounted rental car rates with Enterprise and National Rental Car. Click here, or use Enterprise code: XZ03A67, pin: DRA or National code: XZ03A67 if not using the link.

t10% off Olympus Worldwide Chauffeured Services. Show up to Dragon Con in style! Call 1-877-OLYMPUS, and mention the discount code “Dragon Con”.

tDiscounted Scootaround rentals during Dragon Con. Rent the full five days and receive a $30 discount. Book your scooter online or call 888-441-7575 and use the code Dragon14

tDiscounted* airfares with Delta Airlines. If originating within United States/Canada, please click here and enter NMJ7M under Meeting Event Code. For ALL other, please click here and enter NMJ7F under Meeting Event Code. *(some restrictions apply)

tInformative publications such as Dragon Talk, the Progress Report, and our convention Program Book.

tTeam work, fun, and community service through involvement with the Dragon Con Superheroes!

More membership benefits for you...

New Membership Benefit: Discounted Tickets with

Dragon Con has partnered with Six Flags to bring you substantial savings off the main gate price as well as discounted season passes. You will also be able to "print and go" so you have your ticket in hand when you get to the park with no waiting in the line to purchase tickets. Click here, then log into the site with the username and password below:

� Username: dragonconog

� Password: SixFlags10

Note:

� Children two years and younger are free.

� Main Gate Prices include sales tax.

� Season Passes are also available through the discounted ticket site.

� Prices include tax. Main Gate and Online Ticket Prices are subject to change without notice. A Value Book will be provided to Season Pass Holders on their first visit in the spring, while supplies last.

� Processing/shipping fees ($9.53) apply to online orders.*

� Some concerts and special events require an upcharge.*Here's a tip: there is a $9.53 processing fee for each order. So that means that if you buy one ticket the processing fee is $9.53, or if you buy ten tickets the processing fee is still $9.53. So, if you have a bunch of friends and family who are planning on utilizing this discount, it would benefit you to just place one order and pay only $9.53! This also applies to discounted season pass purchases.

Six Flags Over Georgia & Hurricane Harbor

Main Gate Price Discounted Price Your Savings

One Day General Admission $63.59 $38.15 $25.44Six Flags White Water Main Gate Price Discounted Price Your SavingsOne Day General Admission $42.39 $34.97 $7.42Six Flags Over Georgia w/Hurricane Harbor & Six Flags White Water

Main Gate Price Discounted Price Your Savings

Combo Season Pass $79.49 & up $63.59 $15.90 & up

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Glossary Terms: Filk � Filk is music by fans about any aspect of fandom. Legend has it that it was a misspelling of the word “folk” and it’s been used to mean non-acoustic music about sci-fi, fantasy, and other fandoms ever since.

� Cheeri-ose -- Songs of dark events sung in a lighthearted fashion (also spelled “Cheery-ose”)

� Found Filk - music that was not intended as filk but is recognized by the filk community as being filk (e.g. Rocket Man by Elton John, or any of the songs making reference to Major Tom by David Bowie).

� Instafilk - any form of filk that is created “instantly”, on the spot.

� Open Filk - this is a filk session that follows no structured format (other than respecting those who are performing) and allows anyone to volunteer to perform.

� Ose (from morose)-- Songs of dark events; death, doom, gloom

� TTTO - this is an acronym used in the filk community and it stands for, “to the tune of”.

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NOT TO SCALE

REVISION DATE:

OR USAGE OF AN EXHIBIT, IT IS THE SOLERESPONSIBILITY OF THE EXHIBITOR TO

IF THE LOCATION OF BUILDING COLUMNS,

A CONSIDERATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION

MADE WITH RESPECT TO THIS FLOORPLAN.EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED ARE

VERIFY ALL DIMENSIONS AND LOCATIONS.

COMPONENTS OF THE FACILITY IS

COPYRIGHT 2007, FREEMAN CO.C

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

DISCLAIMER

PHYSICALLY INSPECT THE FACILITY TO

UTILITIES OR OTHER ARCHITECTURAL

FLOORPLAN. HOWEVER NO WARRANTIES,INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS

ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF ALLEVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO

BOOTH COUNT

BLDG. LEGEND:

11/19/2013 SERDC/Martha De Matiz

HALL NAME:

SHOW DATE:

JOB NUMBER:

ACCT. EXEC.:

TARA BRASHEAR

AMERICASMART/

DRAWING NAME:

AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

DRAGON CON14

292260

DRAWING STARTED:

FILE PATH:

11/19/2013 SERDC/Martha De Matiz

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NOT TO SCALE

REVISION DATE:

OR USAGE OF AN EXHIBIT, IT IS THE SOLERESPONSIBILITY OF THE EXHIBITOR TO

IF THE LOCATION OF BUILDING COLUMNS,

A CONSIDERATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION

MADE WITH RESPECT TO THIS FLOORPLAN.EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED ARE

VERIFY ALL DIMENSIONS AND LOCATIONS.

COMPONENTS OF THE FACILITY IS

COPYRIGHT 2007, FREEMAN CO.C

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

DISCLAIMER

PHYSICALLY INSPECT THE FACILITY TO

UTILITIES OR OTHER ARCHITECTURAL

FLOORPLAN. HOWEVER NO WARRANTIES,INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS

ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF ALLEVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO

BLDG. LEGEND:

4/30/2014 SERDC/Martha De Matiz

HALL NAME:

SHOW DATE:

JOB NUMBER:

ACCT. EXEC.:

TARA BRASHEAR

AMERICASMART/

DRAWING NAME:

AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

DRAGON CON 2014

292260

DRAWING STARTED:

FILE PATH:

4/30/2014 SERDC/Martha De Matiz

O:\Design\Shows\Shows_2014\08-Aug\DragonCon\Floor Plans

BUILDING 1-FLOOR 2

We have exciting plans to improve our vendor hall experience this year. What may you ask?

� Improved and increased signage that will help you find your favorite vendors and meet some new ones.

� An onsite information desk that will be located right outside the entrance to floor 1. Our volunteers will be ready to help should you have any questions.

� The Exhibit Booths will be in color coded zones on floor 1 and 2. Exhibit Booths will be located in BLUE or RED ZONES (floor 1) or YELLOW ZONE (floor 2). Maps will be available on the app and at the Exhibit Hall information desk.

� The halls have been renumbered in a format that will make it easier for you to find where you are going.

� We will be doing real time “pushes” on the Dragon Con app to notify attendees of waiting times and lines.

� Disability accessibility has been improved with a dedicated elevator. � The Dragon Con Courtesy Shuttle stop has been changed to the corner of Peachtree St. to facilitate pedestrian traffic flow.

Enhancements to the Vendor Halls

AmericasMart Bldg 1 Floor 1 AmericasMart Bldg 1 Floor 2

Dragon Con News and Miscellany

We are excited to announce the addition of a Cospitality Lounge (courtesy of Riot Games’ League of Legends) on the Skyline 10th Floor of the Marriott. Feel free to stop by to make repairs on costumes, grab a water to keep you hydrated, or simply relax and chat. No cameras will be allowed so it’s also an excellent escape from the chaos of the convention floors. If you are a Dragon Con member who enjoys hanging out on the 10th Floor, don’t worry. You will still be welcome to enjoy the remaining space when not in use for convention events.

Don’t Miss Out! Follow Us On:

Cospitality Lounge