Dragon*Con Membership Newsletter August 30–September 2, 2013
Volume 2, Issue 1 Atlanta, Georgia
Zombie Walk This WayVendor Halls Moving to the AmericasMart One of the features of Dragon*Con that we love is our fabulous vendor halls, where you can find unique, handcrafted, and specialty items all in one place. The vendors cover a wide range of genres and products including artwork, photography, collectibles, costume accessories, tee shirts, apparel, leatherwork, weaponry, books, comics, graphic novels, dvds, music, plush and other toys, crafts, jewelry, and so much more. We are pleased to announce for 2013 our vendor halls will be moving from the Atlanta Marriott Marquis to the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart in Building 1, floors 1 and 2. Why the change? Well, this move is going to allow us to increase our number of vendors, make it easier to browse the vendor halls, and free up additional programming space for our attendees. Buliding 1 of the AmericasMart is located at 240 Peachtree Street NW. You can access it via the walkway from the Westin, on Peachtree Street across from the Peachtree Center entrance, or on John Portman Boulevard (formerly Harris Street) across the street and one block west of the Hyatt. Additionally, we will be adding the AmericasMart to our regular bus route for your convenience. Please swing by to visit your favorite vendors, discover new ones, and pick up those wonderful items you’ve been waiting for all year. DRAGON*TALK Membership Newsletter
Walk towards the awning...wonders await
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Bam! KerPow! Zap! Dragon*Con Redesigns the Website For your ultimate convenience and viewing pleasure, we have completely redesigned our website for our tech savvy and wonderfully imaginative fans. It is designed around three primary questions: Who to See? What to Do? Where to Go? After all, what else do you need to know when checking things out, showing off the convention, or preparing for the convention? You will also notice a much more visual feel of the site, with the goal of giving anyone who visits a mini “con experience” - allowing you to either reminisce about the great times from past conventions or check out all the cool things that are in store for you if you have not yet joined us for the best Labor Day party around. All the content from our old site is there, categorized into simplified groupings to help navigate through the site with ease. Two new features that we have added to the site include a “What’s New in 2013?” section to give our fans an overview of changes they can expect at the next show and a “FAQ” to help pinpoint the answers to your burning Dragon*Con questions. We hope you enjoy and check back often for updates. DRAGON*TALK Membership Newsletter
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Get to Know the Kaleidoscope Track So you’ve been a diehard geek and a longtime fan of Dragon*Con. Now you’re a parent and you’ve been bringing up your kids in the best geek traditions: they’re gamers, computer nerds, read fantasy and science fiction, enjoy costuming with the family, like to build stuff (and blow stuff up), can tell you REAL vampires don’t sparkle and are counting the days until the next Star Wars movie comes out. We want to make a place for you and your kids. Enter the Kaleidoscope Track. It’s like prep school for Dragon*Con! Guests enjoy asking our very knowledgeable attendees for their opinions and suggestions. Kids and adults have had lively discussions during the Geek Parents panel, and a spontaneous and totally fun Phineas and Ferb theme song sing-a-long broke out after being suggested by a young attendee in the audience.
Kaleidoscope is geared towards 9-13 year old geeks and fans of programming from Disney, Disney XD, Nickelodeon, Teen Nick, and Cartoon Network. Here is some of what you can look forward to: Panels featuring shows like Level Up, Shake it Up, A.N.T. Farm, Power Rangers Samurai, Phineas and Ferb, Adventure Time, Regular Show, and The Last Airbender Series. Classics such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Wizards of Waverly Place, Scooby Doo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Just for fun, KT will also spend an hour going back in time to the 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s world of kids programming. Discussions of new shows like Crash & Bernstein, Dog with a Blog, The Incredible Crew, Slugterra, Gravity Falls, and Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja. Recently cancelled but much loved shows like iCarly and Victorious. Popular returning panels from 2012 including Geek Parents, Stage Fighting with Melissa and Leslie, and Read-A-Likes. Enjoy interactions with authors, actors and guests such as Janine Spendlove, Bryan Young, Kelly Hu, Robert Axelrod, and Jason David Frank, with more announcements to come. The Kaleidoscope Track marching in the Dragon Con Parade. Marchers include kids and adults in costumes ranging from Disney Princesses to characters from (what time is it?) Adventure Time!
So what makes the Kaleidoscope Track special? Well, in keeping with the mission of being family friendly and a prep school for Dragon*Con, director Jill Maddox and her team make sure everyone feels welcome, included, and prepped to enjoy the convention to the fullest. The track kicks off with a social hour on Friday and Saturday, where kids, parents, and guardians can meet the volunteer staff, visit with each other, and ask all the questions they may have about how to best enjoy themselves at Dragon*Con. It also eases the kids into the programming so that when they return for panels, they have met some of the other fans and feel more free to interact and get involved. Once the programming starts, the team ensures everyone is considered and included. Equal opportunity is given to quieter kids as well as more energetic ones. Kids who may not want to be involved up front with the group can work on track related activities in the back. Parents and guardians (who need to accompany kids 16 and under) can sit with their kids and be involved in the discussions, or separately in the back. All the while, everyone is enjoying the panel in their own way, yet being respectful of each other. Because Kaleidoscope is geared towards kids, they have influence throughout the track. Future volunteers and KT kids offer suggestions for what programming they would like to see and participate in pre-convention planning on all levels. Kids appear as panelists since they are often experts on their favorite shows.
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One feature that is unique to the KT track is that the programming ends at 8 PM. We want to ensure that kids have time to return to their hotel or home before the late night fun starts. There are a limited number of Activity Packets that kids can take back with them to use in their quiet time or while watching Dragon*Con TV. Fans of all ages are welcome and will have a great time at the Kaleidoscope Track. They get to interact with their favorite authors and actors, enjoy contests, cosplay, sing-a-longs, demonstrations, and other fun activities. Parents get to hear from some of the best geek bloggers and share ideas with other parents and kids. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or girl, young or old; if you’re a fan of the Kaleidoscope programming, then there’s a place for you. Come check it out! Does the KT Track want to know what your kids love? Why, Yes! Yes they do! Have suggestions for the team? Want to learn more? Check out their webpage at http://kaleidoscope.dragoncon.org/ See you in August! 3
Dragon*Con Invades Turner Field
Come Fly With Us
No Way! Oh Yes! The Braves are hosting a special Dragon*Con Night on Thursday, August 29 at Turner Field. Turn out in your most awesome costumes so we can share the joy that is Dragon*Con and knock this event out of the park. Just think, you could be featured on the big screen or be picked to participate in fun in-game activities.
Dragon*Con is happy to again partner
Want to know more?
5%–10% discount on select airfares to the
The game is between the Cleveland Indians and our Atlanta Braves
You can take part in a pregame parade for costumed Dragon*Con attendees around Turner Field
A Dragon*Con celebrity will throw out the first pitch
Live entertainment will be provided in the Fan Plaza
Shuttle buses will be provided to the event by the Braves
And most importantly, a portion of
the ticket prices will go towards the 2013 Dragon*Con Charity!
Ticket Information:
Dragon*Con Night Thursday, August 29 $6 Upper Pavillion Upper Box $12 Outfield Pavillion $18 Terrace Reserved $22 Can’t Make it to Dragon*Con Night? Attend a game August 30–September 2, and proceeds from your ticket purchase will also go to our 2013 charity Upper Pavillion $10 Upper Box $20 Outfield Pavillion $28 Keep an eye out for more details to come: www.dragoncon.org/?q=node/388 www.atlantabraves.mlb.com
with Delta Air Lines to offer attendees a convention. Reservations must be booked for travel between Tuesday, August 27, 2013 and Thursday, September 5, 2013. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, please visit delta.com/ booking and enter meeting/event code NMFJC for domestic travel into Atlanta or NMFJG for international travel. Reservations can also be made over the phone at +1–800–328–1111 Monday thru Friday 7:00 am–7:00 pm CDT, but a direct ticketing fee will apply.
Don’t Miss Out!
Update Your Address Don’t miss out on getting your copy of the 2013 Progress Report. Update your address at the Dragon*Con office today! Mail: Dragon*Con Office Attn: Address Update PO Box 16459 Atlanta, Georgia 30321-0459 Call: 770-669-0773 Email: dragoncon@dragoncon.org
Stay Connected
facebook.com/ pages/DragonCon/ 58381388805
twitter.com/#!/ DragonCon
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Jennifer MacNaughton (Loki), Madelyn Grace (Thor) and Regina Casale (Cap) take a break from crimefighting during the 2012 Night at the Aquarium.
Dragon*Con Night at the Aquarium Whether you are a local or just visiting Atlanta, one of the top area attractions you shouldn’t miss out on is the Georgia Aquarium. We will once again partner with the world’s largest aquarium to provide our members with a unique Dragon*Con themed “after hours” experience Saturday, August 31, from 7:00 pm–11:00 pm. All exhibits, as well as food court, will be open and of course your Dragon*Con costumes are welcome! Tickets are $22 and go on sale starting March 11, 2013. Please visit www.georgiaaquarium.org/dragoncon to take advantage of this offer. Catch more Dragon*Con news and updates: click here to subscribe to our eBlasts!
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