Botcon 2015: More Non-Attending Packages; Frank Welker Passes Opened For Mini-Con / Protoform Packages

Looks like they are underperforming this year... prepare for CA next year, then

I think three factors are at play.

First, the registration fiasco must be playing havok with their numbers. Going live less than a month to go before the event doesn't give you anytime to mull over attending, and represents an immediate financial hit so very close to the event itself. And there are still a lot of people who book the event before making other arrangement, given that there is at least one GIJoe convention in the past which had to change dates very last minute. Who wants to be stuck holding the bill for a flight that is no longer the right date?

Second, the price is probably giving some people sticker shock. $409 (plus $7 "processing" charge) is a lot to swallow. I'm sure it is impacting Canadians whose dollar is no longer at par - for us, the Primus package is more than CDN$500. And the non-figure alterative is close to $200 on its own.

Third, the location is giving people grief. Shuttle service to the resort seems to be particularly awkward and it's not like there are any hotel rooms left to be had anyway. Because of the resort's isolation, folks are looking at a longish commute from alternate accomodations, driving up costs and making logistics harder.

Let me put it like this. You're a fan. You've been waiting for months for this Con. You were initially excited about Chicago but the excitement waned a bit when you realized how far from Chicago it was. Your enthusiasm perked again when you saw two words - FRANK WELKER - and increased as you saw at least one or two reveals that really wowed you. But then you saw the price for Welker and looked underwhelming at some of the other offerings, and went back to being on the fence. Hotel rooms are booked solid but maybe you have an option to bunk with 2 or 3 or 4 other fans, so you are just waiting on registration. And waiting. And, oh my god it is up and you are excited... and then it crashes... and does so again... and again...

And maybe you just shrug your shoulders after that rollercoaster and figure you'll go to TFCon who's registration for a Fall event is already up and ready to go.

fairplaythings wrote:And maybe you just shrug your shoulders after that rollercoaster and figure you'll go to TFCon who's registration for a Fall event is already up and ready to go.

Several of my friends have followed this scenario right here to the tee, seriously.

The Cybertron's Most Wanted set if for preorder at TFsourse.
http://tfsource.com/botcon2015/boxed-set/

Va'al wrote:With one day left to register for BotCon 2015, we want to make sure that all interested parties are fully aware of what awaits at the St Charles event this July! We have rounded up some further pieces from official BotCon information that may have slipped the net below, plus a small showcase of the Artist Alley present at the convention. Once you've feasted you eyes, head here to register!

July?! Was there a delay?

Fellow Seibertronian and podcaster xRotorstormx has been keeping her optics on BotCon 2015 updates - and has notified us the Facebook update from BotCon HQ, concerning the Saturday evening festivities, which are now to include the Hall of Fame announcements along with the Awards Dinner and Auction. Read on below for more, and head here to register until 5pm Central today!

Also included below is an email from the organisers, concerning the Welker and Non-Attending packages, attempting to smooth out some further wrinkles in the online system.

We are excited to announce that at the BotCon 2015 Saturday Night Awards Dinner and Auction, the Transformers 2015 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will also be included in the nights festivities. Fans at BotCon will be first to see which character, combiner and musical act will be added to the Transformers Hall of Fame. And as a VERY special treat, Hasbro will also be inducting a human to the Hall of Fame for 2015. This legendary actor has been part of the Transformers brand since the very start. You will NOT want to miss this event! To register for BotCon 2015, please be sure to do that here: http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2015/bc15register.cfm

Today is the last day for BotCon registration for ATTENDING packages.

Registration closes at 5 pm Central Time.

If you need an ATTENDING package and you are still getting non-member pricing (limited number of accounts), go ahead and process your package and send us an email so we know to process a credit. The credits won't be processed until next week.

Some of our NON-ATTENDING members are also having an issue getting the member pricing. For you, after we close ATTENDING registration today, we will move the NON-ATTENDING packages to the club store. If you are getting non-member pricing and need a NON-ATTENDING package, check the Club store tomorrow and you can order the NON-ATTENDING sets there.

PLEASE note that the store has no way to limit the loose sets to a 1:1 (must purchase box set to get loose set), but every order will be reviewed by admin for compliance.

All remaining T-shirts, assembled unpainted class figures and hats will go to the show. If there are any left, we will put them in the store after BotCon.

Thank you for all of your support and patience as we have worked through these issues.

See you in St. Charles!

If you are still in need of a room for BotCon this year, you might still have some luck. BotCon tweeted that the convention hotel which is the Pheasant Run Resort has added a limited number of room nights. Hurry up to book your room and remember that registration ends today at 5 pm Central time.

Transformers: BotCon ‏@BotCon 1h1 hour ago

Still need a room? Pheasant Run has just opened up a limited number of room nights. Book now! #botCon2015 http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2015/bc15hotel.cfm …

MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:AKA: People are canceling their reservations

I don't blame them. The yelp reviews are pretty bad. XD

Actually. No. We were able to release a few rooms we had for staff and licensing partners as we don't always need as many as we put aside.

Pete@BotCon wrote:Actually. No. We were able to release a few rooms we had for staff and licensing partners as we don't always need as many as we put aside.

Pete, do you know when we could see the rest of the exclusives?