Interest for skmb convention? (2013)

[blunthead]

Is anybody tossing a ballpark attendance figure around yet? 20? 100? Seems like that would have a lot to do with the planning.

In terms of attendance, all we have so far are lists of members interested in attending in person or Skyping the event. (There are two other lists: "Interested in Attending and Helping" and "Interested in Helping".) We expect these lists to grow. Since the event itself is scheduled for one year from now it's impossible to hazard a guess anytime soon as to how many to plan for. We're in the very early stages, but please keep tuning in. And contact me, blunthead (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/me...9147-blunthead), anytime for updates.

[bobledrew]

Is this still being discussed? I'd be interested...

[Lily Sawyer]

Okay, so it's going to be July 19th (weekend) in Bangor right? Is there a specific hotel this is going to be at or are we not there yet? I'm going to have to start saving ASAP so I'm trying to get an idea of the expenses.

We're going to try to keep this as on the cheap as possible.

-Just my opinion...
Since this isn't an ordinary convention, and because the people attending are a special lot (and I mean that with all sincerity - the SKMBers ARE a special group of people), flying under the radar a bit is probably one of the best ways to preserve what amounts to be a unique intimacy among the people in this group. So that would preclude an "official" conference room booked at a hotel, complete with a crummy convention pre-fab dinner, but at exorbitant hotel convention prices. I imagine we won't be a large enough crowd, to be honest, to even warrant dubbing this gathering a "convention".

Think several official gatherings, hopefully in public places where we won't be either indebted to the city of Bangor or to the local cops. A group picnic; a memorial candle-lighting gathering for those who've passed, with opportunities for all who want to say something about those they loved; a group tour of King Things in Bangor on foot; an organized, ticketed tour of All Things King in Bangor done by the Visitors' Center; possible treks to seasonal festivals in neighboring towns; and some other activities that have yet to be determined. Even the ones I mentioned are not set in stone, because I know there's been a desire expressed to be informal and relaxed, to allow social spontaneity, and to make suggestions for folks but not keep them beholden to any one thing.

...For now, everyone is on their own when it comes to accommodations. If you think you can work out a group rate with folks who are committed to doing so at some hotel, do it, baby! There's no law that says you can't.

[dsurrett]

Thanks Lily, that's what I was thinking. At this stage I'd actually prefer something loosely organized at best. Just getting together with fellow SKMBers to talk about King and his works and to see the King sites around Bangor would be nice, sort of like my high school class reunions where there are a few things planned, but most of it is just hanging out with friends that don't have chances to get together very often.

[CarrieJo]

Thanks, Lily! I appreciate the info.

[Patricia A]

Serious thanks those who think in an organized fashion for the work they are and will be doing in the future toward our hobnob.
So... I'm here to ask more favors of people who do things. Could the people who play musical instruments maybe get together and start One Helluva Band? We won't be able to afford to pay for a band and we will probably want some music out side of a boombox etc. Y'all don't have to be good even, you just have to have heart and soul and love making people dance. You will also have to bring your equipment and we will find volunteers to help set up etc (I'll help). If anyone has a karaoke thing a ma bob that might be fun too.
I am thinking you all could start getting together in the after hours groups and figure it out there. You could practice together on Skype? If not, oh well it was one helluva thought.

OK now I really have to get off of this danged board and do stuff.

[blunthead]

Serious thanks those who think in an organized fashion for the work they are and will be doing in the future toward our hobnob.
So... I'm here to ask more favors of people who do things. Could the people who play musical instruments maybe get together and start One Helluva Band? We won't be able to afford to pay for a band and we will probably want some music out side of a boombox etc. Y'all don't have to be good even, you just have to have heart and soul and love making people dance. You will also have to bring your equipment and we will find volunteers to help set up etc (I'll help). If anyone has a karaoke thing a ma bob that might be fun too.
I am thinking you all could start getting together in the after hours groups and figure it out there. You could practice together on Skype? If not, oh well it was one helluva thought.

OK now I really have to get off of this danged board and do stuff.

I can help in this area due to prior experience. It occurs to me to start being specific in the Interested in Attending and Helping list. Cool.

[Damaris]

(There are two other lists: "Interested in Attending and Helping" and "Interested in Helping".)

If there are official lists for it, can I please be added to the "Interested in Attending and Helping" one? I hope to go but even if it turns out I can't I will help in any way possible.

[Moderator]

I just did a quick search so it's probably there and I just didn't take the time to find it, but I think having a Social Group to organize the various aspects of this where we could direct interested people would be the way to go now that a date and place have been established.

[Patricia A]

Well there you go. We now have an official after hours group in which to discuss the SKMB con 2013. It's an open group so everyone who cares to add their two cents worth can do so. I only opened one discussion group but feel free to add them as needed, ie a Skype thread, One Helluva Band (That doesn't have to be the name of the band I just thought it was kinda cute) thread etc. OK I'm going to bed.
zzzzzzzzzzzz

Here's the link (I almost forgot to add that eek)

http://www.stephenking.com/forums/group.php?groupid=240