Star Wars Celebration III Thread

Wanted to make sure this popped back up to the top. How is everyone's C3 plans going?

I'm ready! Is it April yet? This is as bad as waiting on Christmas as a kid (who am I kidding, I still have a hard time waiting on Christmas).

Dal, thanks again for booking the room.

10 months and a couple of days and counting

I wonder if we could get a counter (something that would count down the time to C3) at the top of our FanForce area?

Any thoughts on how this could be done? I'm not that great with computers, I know I'd have to get it approved by Beautiful and talented RSA-Minacia.

Kevin

 

Jedi_Master_Kel

Check the CR boards. You'll see that there is a thread regarding getting rooms at a connected hotel to the convention center. Room rates and sizes are in that thread as well as alot more info.
even if you already have a reservation for another hotel, you might want to consider this since the rates are very competitive to the "outside" hotels. Plus the added benefit of being connected to the convention center is great. no need to worry about weather going to and from your hotel. less walking (since we know there will be alot of that anyway at C3), etc.

I'm the guy that's in charge of negotiating a deal with GenCon for the cheaper rates as well as the possibility of pre-booking rooms at the connected hotels. Right now if your were to call they would say they are all taken. That's because genCon has reserved nearly all of the rooms. Those rooms will be made available to the general public in the fall and I'm trying to get first crack or at least a huge block of rooms reserved for all of FanForce.

So far we have 15 different Chapters on board, from all over the U.S., some in Canada and even three from Europe.

Take a look think about it, but I'd need a response by July 1st as I need to make my proposal to GenCon the first week of July.

In no way is your group obligated to participate and DO NOT cancel your pre-exhisting reservations. if and when a deal can be made with GenCon and you get a room that way, then feel free to cancel your other reservation.

PM if you have any questions (check that thread on the CR boards first though)

-Sal

 

This may be something else cool to look into Kev. I know we're holding out for fan club rates, but I'd think Sal could beat our current rate with some negotiating. Since we're not obligated, it may be worth it to sign on and at least see what the rate and the hotel ends up being and then if it's not worth the move, we've still got our current reservation. Whattaya think?

 

This sounds like a good plan. Ask Tommy and Christian if they are interested and I'll let JMSal know.

JMK

 

This was posted on the Celebration III forums. I don't know if it's the same thing Sal posted in the CR forums, but I figured I'd share it here too.

****************************************************

I am authorized to negotiate a group rate for all of Fanforce. It is my hope to secure a full hotel connected to the convention center (by skywalk) for all of Fanforce before the general public is able to book rooms. I am fairly confident that this is possible.

What I need from you all is a tally of FIRM numbers of interested people from your respective Fanforce chapters. (Also, if you have some "possibles," you may give me a count for those as well.)

Please format your numbers as such:
Pittsburgh FF: 14 Firm, 6 Possibles

I will need your final tally no later than July 1st, so that I may compile the list and start negotiating with GenCon (the promoters of CIII).

The 501st already has a deal through them for 250 rooms, but I am confident that with the combined presence of Fanforce we will be able to have many more rooms requested, and could then present a valid case for special consideration in regards to discount rates and "pre-booking".

The room rates quoted to me so far (this was by one specific hotel so rates may differ slightly)
were as such:

$134 per night for a single (1 person) 1 double bed
$144 per night for a single (2 person) 1 king bed
$154 per night for a single (3 person) 1 king bed, 1 roll out bed
$164 per night for a single (4 person) 2 doubles

These numbers HAVE NOT been guaranteed. The price quotes and room sizes where only an initial quote and that by submitting a request it does NOT guarantee that a chapter will have rooms reserved for them.

A deal first has to be made with GenCon. Once that deal is made and we know GenCon is holding those rooms can we count on it being a guarantee.

The submission of requests is to show to GenCon proof of what FanForce is proposing. BTW, chapters CAN submit requests after the July 1st deadline, but I need to get the proposal into GenCon on that date. If other chapters want to sign up after and the deal can be made, that can only serves to bolster our numbers and position. They are welcome to join. It should be noted though that if a deal is made for the room numbers I submit on July1st that GenCon may only be able to honor THAT amount of rooms, so urgency is needed.

Should the actual rates be different (whether higher or lower) you will be notified immediately after I receive that information.

The bed size may vary by hotel. You will also be notified of that should it differ than what is quoted here.

The information contained in the replies I receive will figure prominently in the negotiating process and, as a result, will need to be as accurate as humanly possible since a contract will most likely need to be drawn up.

Do not "pad" your numbers. Only firm numbers, please. (The "possibles" may be taken into account, but I suspect that unlikely.) We, as Fanforce, can not be responsible for extra rooms not filled, so once again I urge you to be absolutely confident with your figures before you submit them to me.

Since this is just the beginning of the negotiation phase, I do not yet have any answers regarding who, how, and when you will be able to pay for rooms. Rest assured that I will post this information immediately after finding out, so as to give you and your respective members as much time as possible to make whatever decisions you need to make regarding payment.

If there are any questions regarding CIII room booking, please PM me for now and I will ensure that a special thread be made for this, which will include a FAQ.



Let's show our "force,"
jedi_master_sal

*******************************************************

Kev - I know we've got our "4 firm" and that $164 a night is definitely better than what we've got reserved now. If we can get closer, with a skywalk, for that rate, I'd say give it a shot. Tommy and Christian are cool with trying to get in on this also - the cheap

 

I took care of this early yesterday with Jedi Master Sal. We have "our 4" confirmed for a room.

Your humble servant, and Jedi Master,

Kevin

 

yeah I've had so many setbacks I am probably not gonna be able to make it to C3. I may as well face the reality that its too expensive for me to save up for, cause almost every penny I bust my ass for goes to bills. I am still saving for TK armor but C3 is probabaly out. Hopefully there will be a C4 in a couple of years and I can make that.

 

C3 Registration Begins September 27th! Time to get those Republic Credits out!

Click Here for Details!!!

 

JMK - In reference to your question about still being an Insider subscriber without joining Hyperspace, I found this on the HS site -

Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my access code or membership to the new Fan Club?

General customer service questions will be handled by our fulfillment partners at CDS. Send an email to swicustserv@cdsfulfillment.com or call (866) 205-0034.

It's been busy when I've called, but you may wanna try it too. If I don't get a real person today, I'm gonna send an email. I can't believe we're no longer fan clubs members just because we haven't re-upped with HS. That would be pretty brutal.

 

I'm trying to call right now. I'll let you know what I find out.

JMK

 

Well I finally got through the site and managed to purchase my badge around 11:30pm last night. I didn't see much in terms of room availability that made me want to change our reservation. I am gonna try to modify it and use the convention code to see if they'll lower our rate though. I sent our crew an email about what's going on. As far as being in the fan club, I registered as a member and that was the last I heard about it. I guess we'll find out if we get our lanyard sometime next spring when they ship the badges.

 

I've been poking around a few sites and ironically, it's cheaper to fly out of Greenville than Raleigh for once. It's anywhere from $50-$100 cheaper depending on when we leave. My only fear is that US Air will be bankrupt by the time C3 rolls around.

 

As some of you remember, we were trying to determine if we had to be in Hyperspace to get our lanyard for C3, even if we still have current Insider subscriptions. Given the dozen different answers we were given by a half dozen different people, I finally got a response from Mary Franklin, Fan Event Specialist from LucasFilm, someone I finally believe. Here's what she said . . .

******************************************************
Yes, you'll need to be a member of Hyperspace for benefits, but please
read below for the timeline in which you need to join. You can hold off
renewing until early 2005 and still receive the lanyard.
See you there!

Hyperspace: Official Star Wars Fan Club members, here's how to take
advantage of the great Celebration III benefits that have been announced
to date:

1) Register as a member to receive your Fan Club lanyard.
When you register for admission at www.starwarscelebration.com be sure
to indicate that you are a Fan Club member. Fan Club members will
receive a free, special lanyard with their badge purchase. The lanyards
will be shipped with the badges, or will be available for members at the
Will Call desk at the show. Wear your lanyard at Celebration III to
receive your benefits.

2) Make sure your Hyperspace: Official Star Wars Fan Club membership is
current in early 2005.
Badges and lanyards for Celebration III will be shipped a short time
before the show, in early 2005. We will not cross-check membership
status until right before the badges and lanyards ship. To make sure you
receive a Fan Club lanyard, double-check your Hyperspace membership by
February of 2005 and make sure it is current through April of 2005.
Members of Official Star Wars Fan Clubs in Germany, France, Mexico,
Spain, and the United Kingdom should also make sure their memberships
are current in that time period.

3) Check starwars.com and starwarscelebration.com for the Fan Club
entrance location.
In early 2005 we will announce the location of the special Celebration
III Fan Club entrance at the Indiana Convention Center. Only members
with Fan Club lanyards will be able to enter through those doors when
the show opens one hour early each day. The Exhibit Hall, Celebration
Store, and select exhibits and programming will be open one hour early
specifically for Fan Club members.

4) Enjoy the Fan Club Lounge
The Fan Club Lounge will offer a unique area for members from all over
the world to meet and socialize. We'll also plan special events in the
Lounge just for members, to be announced as Celebration III draws
closer.

5) Use your "Friends & Family" passes.
Official Star Wars Fan Club members who purchase 4-day badges for
Celebration III during the pre-registration period online will receive 4
Friends & Family passes that they can use to share some member benefits
with non-members. To have full Fan Club benefits at all times during
Celebration III, individuals will need to be members of the Fan Club,
but the Friends & Family passes will help many, especially families,
share benefits.

For complete details on Celebration III Friends & Family passes go to
the Quick Facts section of the starwarscelebration.com website
(http://www.starwarscelebration.com/displayswc.aspx?file=swc-friends-fam
ily).

6) Watch starwars.com and starwarscelebration.com for news on Fan Club
benefits.
We plan to add even more great reasons to be a member of Hyperspace: The
Official Star Wars Fan Club, especially while you're at Celebration III.
Keep checking for updates from now until the show opens!

Mary Franklin
Fan Event Specialist
Lucasfilm, Ltd.
******************************************************

All the extra junk she listed is pretty standard stuff, but it does appear an HS membership is needed. Currently there is nothing going on to make me want to update my subscription. Getting in an hour earlier is not going to matter because of the line length anyway. Unless you camp out the night before, it's gonna take at least an hour to get to the door. They've still got

 

Thanks for posting this info Dal. Put me down for two HS memberships if there is going to be a Natalie Portman kissing booth! hahaha

Have a great weekend.

JMK

 

The best part about a Natalie Portman kissing booth is that it'd probably really make it easy to get the exclusive figure and autographs and you'd probably be able to get through everything at the show with no problem.

Wait, on second thought, those would probably be the second best things about a Natalie Portman kissing booth.

 

I'd have to fly in on Tuesday to get in line for the Natalie Portman kissing booth. This way I'd be the first one before the crowds and spend all my hard earned cash before anyone else could. This way I could run around saying "She kissed me first, she kissed me first, she kissed me first..."

Sad life isn't it.

JMK

 

Kevin........... you never know just what is waiting for you right around the corner ! ! !

 

Jerri, did you get my PM?

 

Yes Kevin & I PM'd you back ! ! !

 

I know we have our resident costumers in the area. Looks like some details about the costume contests are now available.

Star Wars Costumes -- Now Two Great Shows at Celebration III

 

Here is a link to the force.net's C3 board with info about a party the Indy Chapter is throwing. Thought you guys might be interested.

http://boards.theforce.net/FanForce_Celebration_III/b10611/17757636/?60

 

Yeah, I was gonna ask you guys if you were interested in this party. It's $20 a head. Tommy, Christian, and I attended it at C2 and it was a pretty decent time. This one sounds a bit more organized than the first one as they did not have enough food to last the whole party last time. Still, Tommy has some hilarious video of us harassing a slightly intoxicated Michael Sheard. I owed him a beer from an earlier discussion we had in the day, so when I asked him what he was drinking, he held up his Heineken and said, "Just a spot of tea old chap!" It is definitely a more relaxed atmosphere and you can get some opportunities to chat with the celebs that attend, as they tended to just wander around the party.

 

Dalton,

Hello from sunny Orlando!!!! Ive already got a room at the courtyard marriott. Also plan on attending this party on Friday night. Would love to meet up with you guys and hang out some while up there. Ill be bringing 3 of my costumes, woiuld love to have a fourth by then, but its not looking too good. Talk to you later.

Dale

 

I probabaly can't go. I cant really take that much time off work and even if I could, I have too many higher priorities like paying off my debt, getting my car on the road, getting back into school. etc...

 

The C3 exclusive figure has been revealed! Another Darth Vader, but with some super cool features, including all new James Earl Jones voiced phrases!

C3 Figure Revealed