Time flies when you’re building furiously. BrickCon 2011 starts next Thursday, September 29! Here’s what you need to know before you arrive.
Past attendees will observe that this is *ahem* almost exactly the same as the 2008 and 2009 posts. It’s good info, though, especially if this is your first BrickCon.
Fill out your MOC cards!
MOC cards identify your LEGO creations (“MOCs“) for fellow attendees and the general public. They also help organizers plan for how much space is needed. Only LEGO models that have MOC cards will be eligible for awards.
Fill out your MOC cards on BrickCon.org before the con to ensure that they’re printed on the nice card stock that will help them stand up next to your amazing LEGO creations.
By the way, unless you want to spend the public hours explaining what “SNOT” and “MOC” are to kids and their parents, avoid “AFOL-speak” in your descriptions. Seriously.
Bring stuff for the draft and Dirty Brickster
Drafting a LEGO set allows you to get parts in large quantities that you might otherwise have to buy individually. Read more about how the draft works on SEALUG.org. If you want to participate, the draft sets for BrickCon 2011 are 7326 Rise of the Sphinx and 4182 Cannibal Escape.
Dirty Brickster is a LEGO “white elephant” gift exchange. Bring something that would be worth $10-20 to the recipient, wrapped.
Pack your LEGO creations for travel or shipping
Before you stuff your LEGO into your carry-on luggage, consider reading the LUGNET post by Duane Hess and the Classic-Castle.com article by Lenny Hoffman about packing and shipping LEGO.
Wouldn’t you rather spend your time socializing and integrating your pristine creations into the display instead of rebuilding them?
Get to BrickCon
If you’re flying in, we recommend using public transportation to get to Seattle Center. Handy instructions in Mark Sandlin‘s graphic:
Unload your LEGO at the venue
The convention hall will be opening at 7:00 AM on Thursday. But if you show up before 10:00 AM, plan on helping to set up tables, haul chairs, and otherwise make yourself useful. Please wait until 10:00 to put your models on the tables, since we’ll need to put drop-cloths on them first.
Build!
With a week left, you still have time to build something and bring it (especially if you’re driving) for one of the many collaborative displays.
See you next week!
Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it this year. Hope you guys have a successful convention and lots of fun.
Unfortunately, Step 3 in the instructions is not as easy as it sounds. If you get confused, just walk outside and find 5th Ave. You can follow 5th Ave northwest all the way to Seattle Center. You’ll actually be walking under the monorail tracks. It’s only like 10 blocks.
If you’re standing on 5th Avenue beneath the monorail tracks, it’s even easier. There’s a stairway and elevator that go directly up to the monorail stop.