We’ve had a wonderfully busy first day at BrickCon 2011, starting this morning with the usual setup that happens on Thursday (and into Friday). After a round of coffee, we started pulling all our LEGO models out and putting them on tables, but were quickly distracted by the OneLug team as they began erecting their 7-foot LEGO Orthanc before our very eyes.

Over lunch, Josh and I recruited Chris Malloy (again, welcome!).

With most setup out of the way — pending the arrival of more LEGO creations by other builders — we hung out for the rest of the day, catching up with old friends and making new ones. Even though the public exhibition isn’t until Saturday, my favorite day of BrickCon every year is Thursday because it’s the most relaxed. That said, BrickCon has over 500 registered attendees this year, so I’m preemptively disappointed I won’t be able to hang out with everybody. But it’s exciting to know that we’ll have that many builders contributing their amazing creations to the con!

We probably won’t have time to post day-by-day wrap-ups after tonight, but you can follow @AndrewBecraft — I bet you didn’t know I tweeted! — and I’ll be uploading photos from my phone over the course of each day. Of course, you can follow everybody’s additions to the BrickCon pool, too.

For everybody arriving tomorrow, safe travels, and see you all soon!

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!