"Historicon 2019 at Lancaster Marriott" Topic

Hi all,

First, I would like to thank Bill for taking the time to write such a detailed review of the Lancaster Convention Center and attached Marriott hotel. The Stan Lee reference was great and really made me laugh.

Our official announcement just covered the basic information, so we expected people to have lots of valid questions. So this is just a brief note to say that a lot more information will be forthcoming. Most of our volunteer staff is making final preparations for Cold Wars at this point in the week, so we will definitely catch up at the convention. Once the convention is over, also expect the flow of information to really pick up.

One quick confirmation regarding the parking rates since there seems to be some varying information on websites and forums.

Please let me be clear. HMGS negotiated free overnight parking for any Historicon attendee that is staying at the Marriott. In addition, we negotiated a $7 USD daily rate at ANY Lancaster Parking Authority parking garage in the city. Not just the adjacent one. The information on various websites that state higher rates will not be changed since those are the rates that will apply to everyone else but HMGS.

Finally, HMGS will also be renting the Swan parking lot across the street from the convention center. This lot will be dedicated soley for our vendors with large trucks or other vehicles. There will be no cost to the vendors.

As I stated above, there are a lot more details which will be communicated.
I'll be at Cold Wars, so please feel,free to find me and ask anything that's on your mind. Hope to see you all there !

Respectfully,
John Spiess
Treasurer
HMGS, Inc.

Thanks John,

Hopefully that puts a fork in it for all the parking rates angst.

Glad to see the "non -starter" has once again "started" for some.

What a difference a day [or a few] makes and information too boot!

Thanks for the details, John.

Hope to see you at Cold Wars.

It looks like a nice facility, but as a vendor I'm worried about the loading and unloading arrangements. I remember what an incredible pain this was at the Valley Forge facility and this appears to be a similar arrangement. I read through the PDF link posted earlier which has the information on loading and unloading and there was a little note on one of the drawings saying that cars would be given 'pre-arranged loading and unloading times'. I'm not sure if that means just general time spans for everyone, or if each vendor will be assigned a time and has to be there then or lose out. If it's first come first serve I can see myself endlessly circling the facility waiting for a spot to open up. And at closing time on Sunday, with everyone wanting to get out at once, the wait time will be in the hours. I can see a lot of vendors from distant locations packing up way early to beat the rush. I plan to take a look at the place this weekend at Cold Wars.

John, you say "Please let me be clear. HMGS negotiated free overnight parking for any Historicon attendee that is staying at the Marriott."

So here's my question/example for clarification: I always book a convention room under my name. Three friends then split the fee w/ me, and we all crash there each night. However, as far as the hotel is concerned, they don't exist (other than that they have a key to the room). According to what you say, as long as they're registered for Historicon (as they always do), and they're spending the nights in the room, they should get free parking, despite the room only being under my name. Is this correct?

This may be a lot to hope for, but will there be a reduced cost parking arrangement for the lot that adjoins the Hotel Lancaster?

KPinder read the post three or for ahead.

"KPinder read the post three or for ahead."

Or, yes.

Scott, from what I am seeing at the Host, it will likely be easier to load/unload at the new facility. It is going to be a fun weekend.

Hey everyone, a few things. Had supper at Annie Bailey's last night. It was a nice place. My pulled pork with steak fries and coleslaw was $11. USD Cheaper than the Host and way better.

Some of you are talking about visiting the convention center. I spoke with them earlier. They have a Mary Kay convention Friday and Saturday. Your best chance to get the run of the place is Thursday during setup or Sunday during teardown.

Scott, we'll be taking over the whole facility while there. Some of what you guys are reading online doesn't apply to us because of that. If there's any kind of unloading rules they'll be coming from us not the LCCC. At this point it's more likely that stricter load in will be applied at the Host this year than the LCCC next year as the construction has made a mess of things. We'll see how things go at Cold Wars and if we have to make adjustments we'll keep the exhibitors informed.

T34, I see how the wording of his answer might have led to the question and can answer that question for you. – If the hotel doesn't know people exist how could anyone expect them to qualify for the free parking? So no, just like if you snuck into Historicon you wouldn't get into any area that we were checking badges, if you sneak into the hotel you might not get to enjoy all the amenities, including any guest arrangements HMGS might have made with the facility.

I look forward to seeing you all at Cold Wars and will be able to answer more of your questions there. I plan on staying after the membership meeting to be available to everyone who wishes to discuss the move.

Thanks,
Joby

I already miss F'burg :(

SFC Retired….

I already miss F'burg :(

SFC Retired….

I already miss F'burg :(

That's ok. We don't.

@ history gamer
What I posted on FB was before I had the contract language to look at. I corrected it on FB – $7 USD a day at any city lot – if you are staying in the hotel and attending the con that lot is free.

PS did you get your badge back ? Turned it into reg desk

so another attempt to move the con to another venue yet it always Host. I have never and never will attend a con anywere but the Host

I'll be happy to repost the correct info, or you can. I'm not taking any position on the new con location other than I hope it works out well.

No, I never did find my badge. I asked Dan at the events desk, but he didn't know anything about it. I thought I might have lost it at the restaurant Saturday night. :-( First time I ever lost one. Thanks for turning it in though. :-)

Good con, especially considering the construction stuff.

Frank, why on earth would you only go to a con at the Host? Let's face it, its a dump.

I like the host. its in walking distance to a number of hotels and restarants, and plenty of parking is were I went for my first con and it is were I will go to my last. but do what you want. I'm sure like every other time it will wind up back at the Host

I'm sure like every other time it will wind up back at the Host

Probably not.

Not unless our H'con convention implodes.

The less obvious change is that the vendor hall/tennis barn…whatever they term it today, is being designed to host banquets/receptions.

And that means less floor space for what we are accustomed to. I am told for FI/CW we have fewer vendors sharing that finite space. Historicon, so I am told has many more vendors desiring floor space which isn't available.

SO, unless the Con/BoD considers alternate floor space that may or may not be available, it looks like the Host has modified itself out of hosting H'con?

"And that means less floor space for what we are accustomed to. I am told for FI/CW we have fewer vendors sharing that finite space. Historicon, so I am told has many more vendors desiring floor space which isn't available."

This is correct; as of today, the hall is already sold out.

So basically, whoever bailed out on HMGS after the move to Fredericksburg has stampeded back to the Host, so we're out of room.

And yes, the "tennis barn" is now anything but, it's no longer set up as a convention center but more as a banquet hall as rmcaras has pointed out.

If this trend continues, no sure how much longer The Host will work for HMGS.

I now fully understand the move out of there for Historicon 2019, if there is not enough room, there's not enough room, it's as simple as that.

Also, the "new" Check-In Desk & Lobby are being moved to the now: Lampeteer Room, that's the room where all the Tournaments, Open Gaming, and former Flea Market were located. As mentioned on another thread the elevator leading up to the Theater, where the Flea Market at CW was located is also going into that room.

No info has yet been revealed when all the construction will begin, but when it does it means the loss of a whole space that was filled with games.