Welcome back to the Sheraton Chicago Northwest Arena, where our mighty contest of Gods vs. Monsters shall play out this year. We have more and better space than ever before, and will be using it to the fullest to provide you with the most enjoyable Arena experience possible.
Please, make your hotel reservation RIGHT NOW, so that you are more likely to get the room type you desire. The hotel has sold out for the last three years. For each of those years, (including the one where I wasn't even on the concom), I have had Fen grousing at me because they didn't get a (king/double/smoking/non-smoking/low floor/high floor/room near the parties/room away from the parties/etc.). This year, unless you can show me a letter (must include verifiable contact info) from the aliens/kidnappers that held you incommunicado for the better part of the year since Capricon XXII, your complaints of that nature will be met with the question "when did you make your reservation?" and if the answer is not "Over 6 months ago, Guido, just like you told me to do last year!" then I will drown you out with hoots of laughter filled with derision and scorn. Make that reservation NOW, and you won't have to listen to my maniacal laughter outside the door of your broom closet at the con. I am happy to assist you in getting special requests met or your room of choice reserved - but the closer we get to January, (our room blocking powers expire in January, not the day of the convention), the less I will be able to do for you.
As the Keeper of the Arena, I have a few tidbits of information that will make your stay more pleasant, and less expensive.
Tidbit the First-
Destroy not the Arena! Capricon LIKES this arena, and would like to stay here many years. Damages to your quarters will be billed to you. Damages to public areas wind up getting us kicked out of our space, or coming out of the Capricon coffers, which means fewer gold pieces to spend on our attendees. Anyone CAUGHT damaging hotel property will be billed for it, and/or criminally charged, and / or locked into a room with our (100 lbs., Soaking wet) Treasurer, who will “make what happens to baby seals look like a cotillion dance compared to what I’ll do to them…” but we digress. Play nice, please, and don’t break the big expensive building.
Tidbit the Second-
Please read the Maps! A few key elements of the convention have been moved around, but we have made a God (and Monster)-like effort to provide signage and other clues to lead you to your destinations safely. A big ball of string never hurts though….
All of the changes have been designed to give more space to those that needed it, (like Gaming), easier access to stuff that everyone uses (like Consuite), reduce elevator traffic, and make getting around just a whole bunch easier.
Tidbit the Third-
New Smoking Policy! As a smoker of (too) many years, your friendly Hotel Liaison has tried to be accommodating to those who share his addiction, but a few bad butts have spoiled the whole ashtray. Capricon can no longer provide a smoking suite for its members because of the massive room damage done by some convention members in previous years. There is no smoking permitted in ANY of the public or function spaces in the hotel during our convention. There is no smoking permitted in any of the hospitality suites. If you want to smoke indoors, you should reserve your room early and ask for one of the (few available) smoking rooms. You may also smoke in the hotel Bar. Otherwise, it’s Outside For You, Mate. Fortunately, the front door entrance has outdoor heaters, benches and ashtrays.
NOTE: Anyone who violates this policy is subject to having their convention badge revoked and possible removal from the hotel. Members who smoke in sleeping rooms not designated as smoking rooms are subject to cleaning charges which may exceed $500.
Got a problem with the new policy? Feel free to send me an e-mail hotel@capricon.org or look for me at the con, and I’ll explain it to you in depth.
Tidbit the Fourth-
It’s all about the fun! Hotel renovations are complete, the elevators all work, we’ve reorganized to make the best use of the space and limit the amount of time required to get to all the cool stuff we have waiting for you! We’re working with the restaurant managers to get better service and food choices than ever before, and to eliminate reservation confusion. The entire property is now handicapped accessible – everyone can have fun everywhere!
If you have a hotel issue during the convention, have Ops get a hold of me, and/or attend the feedback session on Sunday.
Keep your claws sharp, and your wits sharper – I’ll see you in the Arena!
