This being my first Botcon, I felt it necessary to get the word out on how it all panned out and whether or not you get your money's worth. This report is mainly to benefit those who have never been to Botcon and would like to know what its like and maybe get you to consider attending next years, where ever it may be.
I'll break it down into catagories so you get the full affect.
1.) Location- Cincinnati, OH. Okay, not the worlds best location for a Con but it was set up very nicely. Everything was in walking distance so you didn't have to worry about transportation. Remember, Fun Pub has to consider ALOT when deciding a possible Botcon location. Lodging, food, accessability to the convention site and surrounding amenitites and overall comfort level. I give Cincy a 7 outta 10 on this. Had a Starbucks close by and great chinese, but that was about it.
2.) Primus, Energon, Minicon Packages, General Admission- I got the Primus as a late registration, so I got the 2005 supplementary set, but I tell you, even with that it was still worth it. The shattered glass set is awesome beyond description, and I was still able to buy souvenir figures to boot. I missed out on the bonus fig since I was so late, but hey, you live and you learn. The Energon pack got you into all the events like Casino nite, the panels, and early admission to the dealer room (more on that below), everything you got with Primus but no figures. If you're not looking to buy the figures, this is a good way to go. The Minicon package was kinda like a Primus add on that gave a second person all the access to the events and dealer room, but no figures. This is a great way to get a special someone or a buddy in on a limited budget. And finally, General Admission, the lowest price to get into the dealer room only and it was a PAIN. The line waiting was like watching kids waiting for the High School Musical cast to show up. It was long. It doesn't get you into any of the panels like HASBRO or meeting the voice actors or anything else for that matter. This is a LAST resort for someone looking to buy some TF's in the dealer room.
So after knowing all this, I am glad I got the Primus package and do recommend it since you can sell the figures off anyway if you don't like them and recoup some of your costs. Thats what I did.
3.) The Dealer Room- One word: Heaven. Never in my life have I seen so many TFs in one rooom. Japanese exclusives I didnt even know existed, everything you can never find on ebay or amazon, more G1 figures than you can shake a stick at (and I can shake a mean stick), accessories that you've been looking for to complete a figure or set, add ons, AFA graded, it just keeps going. There were figures there that swept me back in time 20 odd years to a Christmas tree with me and my little bro playing at early dawn Christmas morning. Just walking around and seeing it all was great. I went on a severe budget so I didn't get much of anything, but it was nice. But SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. Don't be that guy (I was that guy this time) that couldn't get that MISB Twincast for only 65 bucks. You're gonna pay for some stuff you want, but some deals will be there that'll make you wanna sing man. Save your money, you WILL be rewarded, this I can promise you.
4.) The Panels- These were great. HASBRO really cares about its customers and fielded ALOT of questions about possible TF's being created, and why certain figs just aren't a possibility. The voice actors were great too. They were very nice and pretty much did whatever attendees asked them to do as far as voices. TFCC was cool too. They really rely on the members to tell them what we want. They recommended being active on the club site, letting your opinions be known, so they can get YOU what you want.
5.) Seibertron.com- I saved the best for last. This site here is more than a TF fan site. This site here, is more that a news resource, more than forum, more than somewhere to show off your creative talents, this site is family. I stayed in a room with 6 other people that I had never met in person before, and it was like we've known each other forever. There was no drama, no discomfort, no hostility, no anger. Everyone was about making sure the person next to them was good and having a good time. I really hope I got to speak to all of you that made it out. If not Im very sorry, I will try better next year. Special thanks to Geekee1 and Counterpunch for giving me a place to stay. To PlasmaEnergyGod for the awesome artwork he gave me. To the News Crew and Admin staff for having me on and making my first Botcon an experience to cherish and remember always. To Seibertron himself, the man, the myth, the legend, for his kind words and welcoming attitude (Next year we sweep the board bossman), and a super special thanks to Fender Bender, your a true friend and a brother to me.
So Botcon was a blast and I do recommend, where ever you are, to make preparations NOW for next year. Hope to see you there and here on the boards.
Gen-
I just got up later then I wanted on Saturday and didn't want to miss the Hasbro panel so no dippidy-do.
"I'm on vacation!" Oh, and Seibertronians cause me to drink...gotta love that liquid courage.
