Thanks!

[dpmcalister]

Con Cons - GM lounge: I didn't GM this year, but as part of a group I'd have felt miffed if the others who were went off on their own for a sly cuppa . Sure, support the hard-working GMs, but not at the expense of the little people... Not sure if it was intended to be enforced as GM-only, so apologies if I enforced the name.

The idea behind the GM Lounge (yes, you did get the right name ) was that a GM could head there in order to make some final preparations/alterations to their game. We also put in a hot water urn and some drinks supplies so they could grab a drink while they were there to save time.

I can understand that, if you've come as part of a group and (perhaps) you were the only one not GMing that you may feel a little bit put out, but please understand that wasn't our intention. Certainly the GM Lounge wasn't at the expense of anyone (the rooms would have been unused (as they were last year)) so I'm sorry if you feel slighted.

[AngusA]

Thanks to the whole Con-Quest crew. The Cubicle 7 crew (Neil and myself) had a great time at the show and it was also great catching up with so many people.

Thanks also to everyone that ran the games (both ours and all the others going on). The Laundry was certainly our hit of the show, followed by Victoriana (although there were no Victoriana demos taking place which we'll have to try and remedy next year).

Thanks again to everyone who helped make the show what it was (the organisers, the GMs, the players, etc) and look forward to attending again next year!

[Rev Savage (G2)]

I'm sorry if you feel slighted.

Not in the slightest . It's nice for GMs to have a quiet spot to get into the groove, make final preparations, scribble character sheets, decide on a scenario, wonder what system they're going to use, wish they'd read the rulebook on the train... and all that . If it was solely somewhere to chat, chill and grab coffee, I might have an issue with it as it could 'remove' people from the con. As it was in fact more like its intended use (as a dressing room for the performers to get into their groove) I can applaud that...

/applaud

[thenovalord]

i actually found it quite useful to chat to another PFS GM there and sort out some issues.....as the con are is massive that could have been done anywhere as there where lots quiet spots. If there had been 400 people and a lot more coordinating (say 8 PFS tables) to do it may have been more appropriate to have such an area.
For a con say like conception where there maybe 20 'living' games a slot i think a small meetup area would be very appropriate, IMO

[AndyM]

Thanks also to everyone that ran the games (both ours and all the others going on). The Laundry was certainly our hit of the show, followed by Victoriana (although there were no Victoriana demos taking place which we'll have to try and remedy next year).

On behalf of most of the gamers there (i couldn't see many that hadn't frequented your stall...) I'd just like to say thanks for having the special 'con' prices on. It was great to support the publishers directly and really felt like we'd got a special bargain for turning up.

It's a bit of a gripe of mine that convention sellers often sell for RRP, which makes it all too easy to leave it and turn to cheaper eBay, Amazon or the like later.

[dr_mitch]

I missed Dr Mitch unfortunately and probably lots of others and then I had to go...

Yes, I'm sorry I missed you too. We ought to have arranged something...not to mention getting more Sheffielders. Speaking of which, fortunately I ran into Elaine.

[Darran]

So Con-Quest 2011 was a great success with plenty of great games running and a busy trade hall. Though numbers were down a little on last years’ event due to the double bank holiday, royal wedding and sunny weather; the atmosphere was great and all the attendees were very enthusiastic.
We had a great line-up of varied games delivered by top class GMs, in our humble opinion one of the strongest game programmes we have seen at any con, and a wide selection of traders and exhibition stalls.
I, personally, enjoyed myself even with all the hard work I had to do and it was great to see everyone happy.

First off I would like to thank my co-organiser Dave McAlister, not only for his sterling work in keeping the Con-Quest website and forum ticking over, but for his patience and hard work on the day keeping everything running and covering the Bring & Buy stall for most of the day. His good humour and steadfast demeanour certainly helped me keep working on the day.

We would also like to thank the Con-Quest volunteers for their hard work in making the day a success. Russell, my brother, for his printing of the Con-Quest 2011 Programme Books as well as his help on the day. My Sister, Amy, for helping on the door and Laura for her help on the door and the Bring & Buy stall.

Without all the Game Masters who volunteer their time and creative energy in running some fantastic games for us, Con-Quest couldn’t happen. We would like to thank them all for stepping up to the plate [Gaming Table?] and delivering some magnificent scenarios to the players.
We would especially like to thank the following GMs for the extra effort they went to present and organise their games:
Team 8; John Wilson, Sue Wilson, John Dodd and Ash Elliott for their great organisation and total dominance of one of the gaming rooms.
Paul Lawrence for his Realms of Cthulhu games with great homemade props and game aids.
Simon Bell for his two Traveller games that transported the player to distant realms.
Jez ‘Jonny Gray’s Brother’ Gray for his entertaining Apocalypse World double-slotter game.
All the Pathfinder GMs for all their organised play.
Chris Tregenza and the 6D6 GMs for all their enthusiasm as well as running games for those players who missed the sign ups.


Alessio Cavatore running his Shuuro game.


Paul Lawrence GMing his game.


More of the 6D6 crew with Chris Tregenza.


6D6 Crew


Peter Allan running his Pathfinder game.

We would like to thank all the traders and exhibition stalls/games in making the whole event such a great place to be. We will not name them all here as they were all equally superb.

I would like to thank the Brunswick Inn for hosting our Aftershow party and I would like to thank the Derby LIVE and Kudos Catering staff that were very helpful on the day.


Aftershow Party in the Brunswick Inn.

And finally we would like to thank all the attendees who came to the event and played in all the games and took part in the event. Everyone was happy to be there and created such an abundant party ambience throughout the event. Your feedback on the forms we handed out will be invaluable for our next event and I will publish the results once they are collated.
Here are the feedback results from Con-Quest 2010 for those of you that are interested.
Con-Quest 2010 Feedback Results


See you all we hope in 2012!
Thank You!

Con-Quest Midlands 2012 on Saturday 14th April 2012 at the Derby Assembly Rooms.

[Phil Masters]

Yeah, thanks from this side, too. The Men in Black had a good day, and my scenario seemed to go pretty well.

(I think my dice bag may have gone missing at the event, though. Sniff.)

GM lounge: I didn't GM this year, but as part of a group I'd have felt miffed if the others who were went off on their own for a sly cuppa . Sure, support the hard-working GMs, but not at the expense of the little people...

I'm not sure how you can claim that this was at anybody's "expense". A little room up a small staircase where GMs could grab some instant tea or coffee or (definitely appreciated) chilled water - it was a nice touch for the GMs, but if any non-GM could get seriously worked up about this, well, you're into Get-A-Life territory.

[Phil Masters]

It's a bit of a gripe of mine that convention sellers often sell for RRP, which makes it all too easy to leave it and turn to cheaper eBay, Amazon or the like later.

At the risk of getting into a digression... I think that some publishers try to avoid selling cheap (at cons or direct on line), because that undercuts shops, which (a) causes shops to get all sulky and not bother stocking their stuff, and (b) drives shops out of business, which loses all the promotional benefits that shops should bring to the hobby.

The fact that a lot of shops are going out of business anyway is a bit of a bugger, but at least they can't blame the publishers - just eBay or Amazon.

[zackspacks]

Blondie : Parallel Lines
Thx to Harriet, Tim, Martyn, Gary, Andy (aka 'G2' ) & MC Tony

You'll find its Gary that's G2 - unless Andy is G2 as well for some obscure reason?

DOH - I knew that, just cocked up the typing as per usual. Corrected now, and apologies to Andy C of the Leic posee too

Actually re the GM's lounge, FWIW I intentionally didn't use it, as I didn't want to leave the main area. I can see it's use for last minute prep though, but not as an Officers and Gentlemen's lounge

cheers
Paul

[Rev Savage (G2)]

Forums, don'tcha just love em?

I've just picked up that my use of the word 'expense' came across in financial terms. I'd intended my post to reflect the fact that 'GM Lounge' implied somewhere to relax, taking those GMs away from the rest of the con (as I mentioned here)...

If it was solely somewhere to chat, chill and grab coffee, I might have an issue with it as it could 'remove' people from the con. As it was in fact more like its intended use (as a dressing room for the performers to get into their groove) I can applaud that...

Having GM'd at only one con, my experience is limited, but I wouldn't want to disappear into a VIP room simply for a cuppa. As a quiet room to get my head in gear, I endorse that fully . Within reason, I could care less what the organisers choose to spend my entry fee on. From my own interests, providing a room for my fellow (GMing) gamers to gather their thoughts was a more effective resource than 'The Pit'... but that's just my own interests of course. If I have something to say about a con, I could say it a keyboard or my wallet. I chose the former this time... though maybe I need more practise.

I'm not sure how you can claim that this was at anybody's "expense". A little room up a small staircase where GMs could grab some instant tea or coffee or (definitely appreciated) chilled water - it was a nice touch for the GMs, but if any non-GM could get seriously worked up about this, well, you're into Get-A-Life territory.

I think spending £300 on boardgames at the same Con over two years pushes me into 'Get-A-Life' territory . I was hoping I had simply entered 'Expressing-myself-as-a-paying-punter' territory... my mistake if I hadn't explained myself clearly enough for all.

[Rev Savage (G2)]

Blondie : Parallel Lines
Thx to Harriet, Tim, Martyn, Gary, Andy (aka 'G2' ) & MC Tony

You'll find its Gary that's G2 - unless Andy is G2 as well for some obscure reason?

DOH - I knew that, just cocked up the typing as per usual. Corrected now, and apologies to Andy C of the Leic posee too
cheers
Paul

And guess what the boys are calling me now? I suppose that means I'll have to change all the 'G2' on my con T-shirts...

GAndy2

[paz]

Since other people are doing it, there are a couple of minor issues I wanted to point out:

Firstly, both of my sessions were at table GRS-01 (Reception Suite Annex). With the very warm sun and minimal ventilation, this must've been the warmest table in the whole con! Luckily I don't mind the warmth, but if there was spare room (as suggested by this comment):

Certainly the GM Lounge wasn't at the expense of anyone (the rooms would have been unused (as they were last year)) so I'm sorry if you feel slighted.

then I'd suggest using that, rather than putting a table there again.

Secondly, was it just me, or did the plastic cups from the bar get smaller as the day went on?

[Evilgaz]

I don't mind the warmth, but if there was a spare room

I'll just point out that the GM lounge was a pokey dressing room, nothing salubrious - fine for a sit down out the way, but not really suitable for gaming really. Given the size of the venue though, getting a table somewhere else should be doable without much effort.

[kingpin]

I just appreciated the GM lounge as a service to the GM's to wander in, get a free cuppa and leave with it back for the second half of the slot. I must have had about 6 drinks from there throughout the day and only spend 10 mins in total there. It's a great idea that should be brought back again next year.