The Energon Pub

by **Novascream** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:17 pm

I was just wondering if anyone heard about where Botcon 2009 could possibly take place? Since the next Transformer film comes out in 2009 I am assuming that it will take place around June or July and possibly be in Road Island again. Because of where Hasbro is located, which would be cool with me since I didn't get to go on the tour in 2007. Plus I would love to arrive earlier and spend some time in Boston ( it was like 30 minutes away by train and the ticket was like 15 bucks for a round trip). But another part of me would love to see it somewhere else I have never been to or wouldn't mind seeing, like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Texas, Vermont, Maine, or Florida.

Also if the good people responsible for Botcon really want to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Transformers, they could hold the event in Oregon and find a way to make the entrance to the convention look like the Ark has crashed into a dormant volcano. But that would of course be a lot of money and I think they are trying to cut down on costs. Oh and I would definitely try to get one of the actors from the live film to make an appearance, as well as the voice actors from as many incarnations of the show as possible. Since it will be 25 years of Transformers in all it's many forms. Maybe some of teh original Japanese toy design staff as well?

If anyone else has any ideas, thoughts or suggestions please let me know. Also is there a way to make suggestions directly to the Botcon team? I do not post here all that often so I am maybe a bit out of touch. Thanks and see everyone in 2009!

News Credits: 8 · by **Liege Evilmus** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:27 pm

Hey and Welcome, new guy buys the beer.

I'd like to recomend the MeadowLands Convention Center in Seacaucus NJ.

The place is huge, it's just outside of NYC, and well within driving distance of several other overly populated areas, so the turn out would be great. No shortage of hotels, I can count at least 10 with more than 8 floors within a 5 minute drive, and I'm sure I'm leaving a bunch out.

And finaly, I live right there :grin:

For real though, I have no idea why they keep overlooking this area?

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:17 pm

I think they're going to go big City this time around.

Hotel cost is always the limiting factor. So the city needs to have 3 star hotels at about $140 a night.

I'm really thinking it will be either Baltimore/DC or Philly.

Either way I'd be stoked.

by **Novascream** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:11 pm

I have never been to Philadelphia and would love to go so that would be cool. I also have not been to Texas or New York...I like the fact that I get to see a new State each Botcon, or most Botcons. But doesn't anyone think they will have it in Road Island again because of the movie and Hasbro being located there? They will tie in the sequel with the convention like they did with the first film. How soon will we have an idea? Does anyone have any inside info or possible connections to Hotels so we can kind of steer Botcon into a certain area or location? Like if we could get a really good Hotel deal, that could make a huge different. It's just a thought. Oh and let's have the tour not conflict with the classes that are being offered. I would like to take the customization class next summer but it conflicts with the tour.

News Credits: 1 · by **Cascadia** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:51 pm

They had it in Rhode Island last year. Most of the Botcons have been in the Midwest...I wish that it was somewhere else. I would not mind Denver (which I know pretty well)--The Colorado Convention Center or my homestate--Texas.

The Colorado Convention Center's exhibit level offers 584,000 square feet of contiguous space that can be divided into six individual halls; it also provides outdoor terraces accenting extraordinary views of the Rocky Mountains and Denver skyline.

There are 63 meeting rooms, totaling 100,000 square feet, all on one level. A total of 85,000 square feet of hotel quality ballroom space is also available. A 35,000 square foot ballroom that is divisible in half or thirds, and a 50,000 square foot ballroom that is divisible into eighteen individual meeting rooms or literally hundreds of possible configurations.

News Credits: 273 · by **Delicon** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:58 pm

Haha, if you go to a Botcon and dare ask one of the event organizers where next year's will be, or even any crieteria they look for in a city they will snarl, hiss and stare at you.

In fact, I can see Brian Savage's face forming into a evil scowl at the mere thought.

The truth is that a lot goes into it, everyone wants Botcon in their city and more places WON'T work than will based on the budget and what accomodations they feel they need.

As Counterpunch mentioned they do seek out cities with hotels right next to (or in) the convention center, 3 star variety in the low 100's a night.

Philly (the closest big city to me) wouldn't shock me at all but I don't want to get my hopes up.

News Credits: 8 · by **Liege Evilmus** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:05 pm

Counterpunch wrote:I think they're going to go big City this time around.

Hotel cost is always the limiting factor. So the city needs to have 3 star hotels at about $140 a night.

I'm really thinking it will be either Baltimore/DC or Philly.

Either way I'd be stoked.

Philly would be cool, thats only a 40 min drive, DC I can do in a couple hours.

But sorry, Baltimore does not fit in a big city list!?!

I'm still hoping for the NY/NJ Metropolitan area. Hell that general geographic location involves 3 states. Hell I bet the reason why it won't happen is cause Hasbro is to cheap to belt out the number of exclusives they'd need.

Pushing for Jersey isn't me being lazy, it's more so me hating renting cars(I love Ol' Filthy), and not wanting to worry about shipping home a bunch of swag. Also I both know, am, and can provide countless afterhour festivities should it happen :grin:

And as I said in my first statement, in my area, hotel acomodations are far from a problem.

by **darkqueen01** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:35 pm

I had heard a rumor that the convention people were looking at Philly for the next Botcon, but who even knows if that is true. Philadelphia would be a great site due to the rich history that the city has to offer. Though I guess it doesn't matter where it will be since I have no idea if I can even go to Botcon next year.

Personally I like that a big convention like Botcon is in the midwest. More fair for people traveling from the coasts. Still, I can see going to a coastal city every few years, or something like that.

I would love it, tho, if the hotels were less than $100 a night. How do people afford such long stays at those prices?!?!

by **Pyrostrata** » Sat May 03, 2008 11:42 pm

I have a feeling most people are right in saying they are gonna pick a HUGE venue for next year, due to the anniversary stuff...

...which would put Chicago near the top of the list!
That would be great, since I am close enough to make it a weekend road-trip!

I would prefer, mayhaps, ST LOUIS! Now THAT would be HUGE! :lol:

Party at Pyro's!!!! :lol:

by **Defcon!** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:54 am

It seems where ever the con. is it will be pretty close to where we live. Within driving distance anyway or if we fly the tickets will be pretty cheap. The idea of Philly or Chicago for a bigger city is cool but i would think Philly would be cheaper. Either way where ever it is we'll be there!

News Credits: 7 · by **Geekee1** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:20 pm

darkqueen01 wrote:I would love it, tho, if the hotels were less than $100 a night. How do people afford such long stays at those prices?!?!

You stuff 7 people into the room!

But seriously $135 a night isn't all that terrible. I did it last year with just my wife and myself.

by **leader magnus prime** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:22 pm

id like new york city

News Credits: 273 · by **Delicon** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:19 pm

Geekee1 wrote:You stuff 7 people into the room!

But seriously $135 a night isn't all that terrible. I did it last year with just my wife and myself.

There were definitely some overstuffed hotel rooms during that Con, weren't there?

Counterpunch and I were talking during the Con about how in some ways, Botcon and Transformers collecting in general is hard for a lot of budgets. I believe the term he used is the hobby is definitely "pay to play."

However, if the Con is in Philly I heard CP will let the first 35 people stay at his place!

News Credits: 2 · by **Star_ling** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:06 pm

I'd love for it to be in Detroit only cause it would be that more convenient for me.

But I don't know if Cobo Hall would be the right size, I guess it depends on the annual turnout of the previous locations.

News Credits: 8 · by **Liege Evilmus** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:13 pm

So is it safe to say everyones opinion is going to be for their home town!?!

Still, my area can offer countless 5star rooms for under $100 easy

Still we all know when the next Con is anounced we'll get a great big header...

BOTCON 2009, to taking place under a rock near that thing they saw that time!!!
!!!BE THERE!!!

News Credits: 1 · by ***Galvatron*** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:37 pm

I'm going to put my bid in for Seattle, Washington.

There is the convention center

http://www.wsctc.com/default.aspx

or even the meydenbauer convention center

http://www.meydenbauer.com/index.html

but the downtown Seattle convention center is a far better choice, there are plenty of hotels in the area, it's closer to the airport. much more things to see and do like the world famous pike place market http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=false
Also there's the pacific science center where we have our local Imax theater ( Transformers was AWESOME there

) http://www.pacsci.org/ and another part of the science center well sort of is the space needle with two restaurants in it
http://www.spaceneedle.com/

Come here, come here, come here please! :PRAY:

News Credits: 1 · by **Cascadia** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:43 pm

I would love it if it was in Seattle....it is part of my home region...

by **ponycorn** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:13 am

I would also love BotCon to be on the west coast this year. Of course I'd love it to go to San Francisco, but I also think that Las Vegas, Portland or Seattle would be good.

Fun thing in Seattle, the Sci-Fi museum... Seattle, also in my home state.

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:37 am

Bah, sucks to the west coast.

Biggest issue with that kind of convention?

Most of the dealers are east coast dealers. They're...not going to drive all the way out to the west, not with as much as the con costs them as it is.

News Credits: 1 · by ***Galvatron*** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:24 am

ponycorn wrote:I would also love BotCon to be on the west coast this year. Of course I'd love it to go to San Francisco, but I also think that Las Vegas, Portland or Seattle would be good.

Fun thing in Seattle, the Sci-Fi museum... Seattle, also in my home state.

I still have to get there one of these days as well as the EMP or experience music project! and I only live five to ten minutes away.

There are also lots of great places to eat in Seattle too.

by **captain craig** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:57 am

BotCon is likely to be somewhere where it has been before IMO. I also think they asked about "How much would you be willing to spend for a hotel?" on the questionnaire cause they are looking at going big city. To me that means NY, Chicago and LA. Places BotCon has been but not in awhile and also places that can host huge events.

I'm thinking Chicago. Its smack dab as "in the middle of the country" as your going to get in a city that has lots to offer. Cases could be made for Kansas City but its too far west I think. I rule out NY and LA for sheer coast-to-coast cost of getting there for so many. I think the reason that FunPub and 3H chose more mid-west cities was cause by and large it was most affordable for all interested parties.

If they went with a "new" city I think Detroit would make a good tie in as the animated takes place there and the movie filmed scenes there(even if its not identifed as such in the movie itself).

Now I'd love it if it was in Nashville but then I don't think the hotel cost would've been a question.

My guess is I'll be seeing you guys in 14 months in Chicago.

Oh, and can we uniformally not type it Road Island any more people. Its Rhode Island.

News Credits: 5 · by **--B--** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:25 pm

Damn, Philly would be sooo sweet, plus there are lots of filming rumors in the area, so maybe the next movie will have Philly involved?

I don't know, but a 20 minute train ride to Botcon would make my life very happy!!!

by **Novascream** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:25 pm

Wouldn't they have it in "Rhode Island" again? I mean Hasbro is located there, and the new film will come out at the same time as the convention. They will have it in June or July again as well because of the release of the new film as a result I think. I mean it makes sense, also it will be the 25th anniversary celebration and maybe they will have something special in that regard as well.

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:30 pm

Novascream wrote:Wouldn't they have it in "Rhode Island" again? I mean Hasbro is located there, and the new film will come out at the same time as the convention. They will have it in June or July again as well because of the release of the new film as a result I think. I mean it makes sense, also it will be the 25th anniversary celebration and maybe they will have something special in that regard as well.

I friggen hope so...

News Credits: 349 · by **Bed Bugs** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:14 pm

You know, Madison, WI is a really nice city. We have the Monona Terrace Convention Center and Alliant Energy Expo Center. Plus, we have more bars in downtown than any other city. Plus, me have casinoes, amusement parks and strip clubs all at reasonable distances. Our 3 Targets, 4 Walmarts, and 1 Toys R Us are all easy to find too! You know you wanna hit up Madtown.

Seriously though, I could see St. Loius or the Twin Cities. Both are far enough away from Cincy, but still close for most. I wouldn't rule out Atlanta either, GI Joe has been there, and many southeasterners have been waiting for the con to come close to them. Although, the common theory could be correct, Rhode Island, Detroit, or Philly. It would be nice if the con were going on at the same place some of the filming were taking place.