BristolCon 2019

[Plucky Novice]

Hi,

I'm moving over to the west country (well Somerset anyway) during the summer. Thought I might go to BristolCon but I've never been to a convention. Is this a good one to go to? What should I expect?

Thanks,

PN

 

[Serendipity]

Hello PN and welcome to the southwest.
BristolCon is a one day science fiction and fantasy convention, and is known for its friendliness. The choice of panels is selected by members voting on their favourite panels, but subject to the practicalities of finding panelists. We have 3 guests of honour, Gareth L Powell (winner of this year's BSFA novel award for Embers of War), Diane Duane and Andy Bigwood. There will be an art room with exhibitors and a dealers room. This being the 10th anniversary year, we will be having two panel streams and two workshop streams. We are also hoping to have a talk on some science subject, to be determined. Being in a hotel, there are the usual hotel facilities. Does this help?

 

[Plucky Novice]

Hello PN and welcome to the southwest.
BristolCon is a one day science fiction and fantasy convention, and is known for its friendliness. The choice of panels is selected by members voting on their favourite panels, but subject to the practicalities of finding panelists. We have 3 guests of honour, Gareth L Powell (winner of this year's BSFA novel award for Embers of War), Diane Duane and Andy Bigwood. There will be an art room with exhibitors and a dealers room. This being the 10th anniversary year, we will be having two panel streams and two workshop streams. We are also hoping to have a talk on some science subject, to be determined. Being in a hotel, there are the usual hotel facilities. Does this help?

Yes that's helpful thanks. It sounds as though you are part of the organising committee?

I will most likely go along and give it a try.

 

[Abernovo]

@Plucky Novice - this will be my fifth year of going, and it's become like an annual get-together. I know that sounds corny, but it's true.

I've had lunch with a few Chrons members while there, and chatted to others. It's got to the point where I look out for certain people, to make sure I say 'hi'. Also, I've had people who I've only met online (outside of Chrons) recognise me, come up and start talking, then introduce me to authors who I've had to control my inner fanperson around. There are no airs and graces -- it's all very friendly, and you can interact as much, or as little, as you wish.

Basically, it's reasonably small - in the past it's usually been two conference rooms, each with its own schedule (you choose which panels you want to see, and move between the two); there's also a sellers' room, with publishers and others selling their items; and there's an art room.

There's also BarCon - the during, and after convention discussion over a pint, or a cup of tea, and a sandwich at the hotel bar.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

small cons are the best. I keep meaning to get to Bristol but it often clashes with Titancon, my first love. In Ireland we have a tradition if the panellists outnumber the attendees, it’s taken to the bar

 

[Plucky Novice]

Thanks for the advice. Do they sell out? I feel I should be brave and commit!

 

[Abernovo]

I've usually left it until later to buy my tickets, but they go up in June - only by £5. Don't know if this year will be busier, being their 10th anniversary.

 

[Serendipity]

Yes that's helpful thanks. It sounds as though you are part of the organising committee?

I will most likely go along and give it a try.

You'd be most welcome ... I tend to be a general background helper, who knows the movers and shifters...

 

[Serendipity]

This is a heads up - participants forms have been sent to all those who have bought BristolCon memberships and ticked the participants box. If you haven't received a form to fill in from Dan our programme whizz, then you're missing one of these two steps.

Either get your memberships here - BristolCon Membership Portal :: Welcome .
Or ff you're just missing the participant's form (or changed your mind and want to now participate), please contact programme@bristolcon.org .

 

[Serendipity]

The programme for BristolCon 2019 is now up on the BristolCon website for anyone who is interested... 2019 – Programme

 

[Serendipity]

Please be aware online membership registration for BristolCon will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday night. After that you can only buy membership on the Saturday at the registration desk and it will cost an extra £5 for whichever type of membership you want to buy.

 

[Abernovo]

So, at BristolCon, and met up with @Ursa major and @Serendipity.

I know it's a bit late, but @Henke, and @Plucky Novice, are you here? If so, please feel free to introduce yourselves. I'm Pol Dee on my badge. Dressed in brown.

If nothing else, bar con after the actual convention?

 

[Ursa major]

Another fun BristolCon... with intelligent panelists (ones whose senses of humour often sparked off each other).

I'm already looking forward to next year's Con.

 

[Abernovo]

Me too. I stayed to the end and attended BarCon, which was extra special this year, as they had hired a string quartet to play us into the bar, and then entertained us with music* as we enjoyed the evening discussions.

Lovely to meet up again, Ursa. And the panels were really good this year. The only problem being that there were too many I wanted to attend. Definitely looking forward to next year's Con.

*Music which included the Imperial March from Star Wars, and the theme tunes from Game of Thrones and Doctor Who, and finally ended with the quartet playing (and dancing) the Can-Can -- no mean feat!

I also got attended a book launch earlier in the day, and got a copy well-signed by some of the authors, the editors, the cover artist, and the publisher.