SGDQ 2015 dates and venue: July 26 - Aug 1 in Minneapolis MN

2015-01-29 04:00:45 pm

Howdy!

Awesome, this isn't that far from Wisconsin. I might be able to stop up for a few days if (a) I can get entry, and (b) I can get time off of work (and the money to go)

Enkaybee

2015-01-29 04:20:35 pm

twitch.tv/enkaybee

I don't know if this has been brought up before, but the Bloomington hotel is pretty much right at the end of an international airport's runway. It might be loud. Definitely something to check when you tour the place. I know they host other conventions at that location, but I don't think any of them have a 24/7 livestream where sound would be an issue.

kirbymastah

2015-01-29 08:10:24 pm

<(^_^)>

Quote from shotgunninja:

Awesome, this isn't that far from Wisconsin. I might be able to stop up for a few days if (a) I can get entry, and (b) I can get time off of work (and the money to go)

I could always pick you up or drop you off if you're on the way from madison Smiley

Gymfreak739

2015-01-29 09:32:41 pm

Another advantage of the Bloomington hotel (in my opinion) is that we are already have the Midwest Speedfest in the hotel. We could get information about everything there, and the advantages/disadvantages of the area. Even if it turns out that it is a bad hotel, we will be prepared for it. Also, the hotel will already be experienced with hosting a marathon, so they will somewhat know what exactly to help with.

Sir VG

2015-01-30 12:25:18 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote from Enkaybee:

I don't know if this has been brought up before, but the Bloomington hotel is pretty much right at the end of an international airport's runway. It might be loud. Definitely something to check when you tour the place. I know they host other conventions at that location, but I don't think any of them have a 24/7 livestream where sound would be an issue.

Don't worry about noise from the airport. I've stayed at another nearby hotel, the Embassy Suites - Minneapolis Airport which is even CLOSER and I didn't hear a thing. (The Ramada is at exit 2A, the Embassy is at 1B, which is actually the exit to Terminal 2.)

Garadas

2015-01-30 03:24:14 am

I was planning to attend one GDQ event this year, practicing real hard to score good times (DuckTales 1 and 2) and try to submit my application, but since i'm from Italy, Minneapolis is way off the usual (and cheapest) flying routes. Guess i will be trying for next AGDQ in 2016. Too bad..

threedog3

2015-01-30 01:33:27 pm

I will be there, trying to talk a buddy into going too. Never been that far north, but excited to make my first games done quick.

Twinge

2015-01-30 05:03:59 pm

Quote from Garadas:

I was planning to attend one GDQ event this year, practicing real hard to score good times (DuckTales 1 and 2) and try to submit my application, but since i'm from Italy, Minneapolis is way off the usual (and cheapest) flying routes. Guess i will be trying for next AGDQ in 2016. Too bad..

There's probably cheaper flight options I don't know to check so I might be off-base here, but looking quickly I only see Denver being about $50 cheaper to fly to with standard options - about a 5% difference in the total flight cost. More cost is obviously not good, but the change doesn't *seem* significant at first blush.

AlecK47

2015-01-31 01:47:03 pm

Quote from kirbymastah:

Quote from shotgunninja:

Awesome, this isn't that far from Wisconsin. I might be able to stop up for a few days if (a) I can get entry, and (b) I can get time off of work (and the money to go)

I could always pick you up or drop you off if you're on the way from madison Smiley

For that matter, I'd probably drive through Chicago and spend the night with family in the Milwaukee area before going the rest of the way the next day. And Madison is on the way from Milwaukee to MSP. Things to consider if/when a travel thread pops up.

Doorbell

2015-02-01 06:24:40 pm

DoorbellCo

Quote:

NOTE: For room prices, we will be aiming to keep it under $120/night, which can be split between up to 4 people. This is a very reasonable rate for a good hotel in the summer.

Are we assuming all rooms are single bed?

I hope negotiations go well enough to get this number even lower. If the estimate is 600-1000 people roughly, that much guaranteed business would warranty special rates. I'd be happy to make some calls. Even $10 off a night would make a major difference.

I'm impartial to the decision on location. It's just long enough (12 hours) to make it too long to drive, so flying out would be the same for me as Denver. Maybe one day Nashville will be in the hat and I could put some more work in to help.

Omnigamer

2015-02-01 06:40:20 pm

All the things

Rooms are typically 2 beds, which you can split up to 4 ways. Judging from past events, to stay the entire week with a 4-way split your hotel cost will be in the neighborhood of $250. There are usually some single bed rooms as well, but far fewer than double bed rooms. In any case, a lot of it will depend on negotiations with the hotels.

Dangerless

2015-02-01 11:46:22 pm

Excellent!

Considering the price I might only be there for a day unless something might change that. I wonder if going slightly out of the way might be possible to get cheaper prices.

Garadas

2015-02-02 06:49:57 am

Quote from Twinge:

Quote from Garadas:

I was planning to attend one GDQ event this year, practicing real hard to score good times (DuckTales 1 and 2) and try to submit my application, but since i'm from Italy, Minneapolis is way off the usual (and cheapest) flying routes. Guess i will be trying for next AGDQ in 2016. Too bad..

There's probably cheaper flight options I don't know to check so I might be off-base here, but looking quickly I only see Denver being about $50 cheaper to fly to with standard options - about a 5% difference in the total flight cost. More cost is obviously not good, but the change doesn't *seem* significant at first blush.

Yeah..actually i was comparing them to DC, not to Denver..

Marche_Fighter_Paladin

2015-02-02 09:36:49 am

Claimh Happy

Quote from Garadas:

Quote from Twinge:

Quote from Garadas:

I was planning to attend one GDQ event this year, practicing real hard to score good times (DuckTales 1 and 2) and try to submit my application, but since i'm from Italy, Minneapolis is way off the usual (and cheapest) flying routes. Guess i will be trying for next AGDQ in 2016. Too bad..

There's probably cheaper flight options I don't know to check so I might be off-base here, but looking quickly I only see Denver being about $50 cheaper to fly to with standard options - about a 5% difference in the total flight cost. More cost is obviously not good, but the change doesn't *seem* significant at first blush.

Yeah..actually i was comparing them to DC, not to Denver..

SGDQ has previously been in Utah and in Denver, Colorado, so those would be more useful comparisons. AGDQ will almost certainly remain in the DC area so there's little need to worry about that.

Seckswrecks

2015-02-03 04:57:57 am

Just Horsing Around

Quote from Dangerless:

Considering the price I might only be there for a day unless something might change that. I wonder if going slightly out of the way might be possible to get cheaper prices.

if the Ramada is chosen over the Crowne Plaza (as I hope it will be) there's a super 8 not too far away that has a shuttle to the airport you could combine with the ramada shuttle to get between the two.

as for the crowne, it being downtown there aren't really any budget off-site options available close.

ChrisLBC

2015-02-04 07:51:00 am

This is great coming from Canada. Makes this trip much more bearable, I can actually get a direct flight there and back and it's more affordable. Nice!

Cool Matty

2015-02-06 07:31:42 pm

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

Quote from Doorbell:

Quote:

NOTE: For room prices, we will be aiming to keep it under $120/night, which can be split between up to 4 people. This is a very reasonable rate for a good hotel in the summer.

Are we assuming all rooms are single bed?

I hope negotiations go well enough to get this number even lower. If the estimate is 600-1000 people roughly, that much guaranteed business would warranty special rates. I'd be happy to make some calls. Even $10 off a night would make a major difference.

I'm impartial to the decision on location. It's just long enough (12 hours) to make it too long to drive, so flying out would be the same for me as Denver. Maybe one day Nashville will be in the hat and I could put some more work in to help.

We negotiate for as much group rate discounts as is tenable. Generally summer costs more than winter simply because the hotels are in far more demand. They have less trouble selling rooms at their normal higher price, so there's less incentive for them to offer a cheap group rate. This applies just about any populated area in the country.

[quote="Doorbell"][quote]NOTE: For room prices, we will be aiming to keep it under $120/night, which can be split between up to 4 people. This is a very reasonable rate for a good hotel in the summer.[/quote]

Are we assuming all rooms are single bed?

I hope negotiations go well enough to get this number even lower.  If the estimate is 600-1000 people roughly, that much guaranteed business would warranty special rates.  I'd be happy to make some calls.  Even $10 off a night would make a major difference.

I'm impartial to the decision on location.  It's just long enough (12 hours) to make it too long to drive, so flying out would be the same for me as Denver.  Maybe one day Nashville will be in the hat and I could put some more work in to help.[/quote]

We negotiate for as much group rate discounts as is tenable. Generally summer costs more than winter simply because the hotels are in far more demand. They have less trouble selling rooms at their normal higher price, so there's less incentive for them to offer a cheap group rate. This applies just about any populated area in the country.

Straevaras

2015-02-12 07:41:31 am

Space for Rent

Anything new on the hotel decision process?

puwexil

2015-02-12 08:37:39 am

Professional Second Banana

Quote from Straevaras:

Anything new on the hotel decision process?

https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/sgdq_2015_hotel_final_choice_to_be_made_by_friday_feb_13.html

Ryusuta

2015-02-15 02:03:53 pm

I plan on signing up to run a game when signups become open. I'm a bit concerned about how the hotel situation works since I don't really know anyone personally, but I am really looking forward to it and am fully intent on making it work. =)

thadarkman78

2015-02-15 04:15:41 pm

Quote from Ryusuta:

I plan on signing up to run a game when signups become open. I'm a bit concerned about how the hotel situation works since I don't really know anyone personally, but I am really looking forward to it and am fully intent on making it work. =)

There will be a room thread that comes up later that helps with people finding rooms if they don't have anyone to room with. Just keep an eye out for it (probably not for another month or two).

Ryusuta

2015-02-15 05:13:11 pm

Quote from thadarkman78:

There will be a room thread that comes up later that helps with people finding rooms if they don't have anyone to room with. Just keep an eye out for it (probably not for another month or two).

Ah, thanks a bunch! I appreciate it!

eednob

2015-02-19 07:14:50 pm

Apes o[8(|)

Woooooooo SGDQ is only 30 minutes from my house this year! Hopefully I will be able to run Ape Escape at this one. If any local help is needed feel free to shoot me an email anytime Smiley

Ryusuta

2015-02-20 09:46:58 pm

Quote from eednob:

Woooooooo SGDQ is only 30 minutes from my house this year! Hopefully I will be able to run Ape Escape at this one. If any local help is needed feel free to shoot me an email anytime Smiley

I really want to make this, so you might be hearing from me! =)

Power-mad

2015-02-21 03:21:46 pm

As a long time fan of the stream, a Minnesotan, and a convention goer, I hope it's not the Crowne Plaza. They have more room but parking is such a huge issue in the middle of the city like that for a decent sized attendance for anything. It's not a huge issue for me as I have some tricks but last time a convention was there, it ended up being a huge problem for everyone. Ramada however does have the issue of it can be really small for an event of a decent size. The little center courtyard makes for a nice place to chill though.

Ideally the Double Tree is where most of this stuff tends to happen and for good reason, they have everything you could ever need in spades. I'm guessing not an option on short notice though as their schedule tends to fill up real fast if you don't plan ahead.

Anyways, I look forward to the event and love that it's happening right in my home state where I'll get a chance to go. Will try to make a few stuffed animals to donate as prizes for you guys. Cheesy