Star Trek Vegas Convention 2011

[ArcherFan501]

Yep, I'm going again this year.....

 

[Kytee]

I've got my tickets already ) this will be my first convention and Im really excited I'll be attending the whole four days and a few buddies will be joining for the weekend. I've got tickets for a few DS9 related photo ops as well. I figure I might as well since who knows when Ill ever attend one of these again.

For those of you who have attended before, do you have any tips for a first timer?

Thank you,
Kytee

 

[Shatnertage]

I'll be there.

Not many ST tips, but for a Vegas tip, I'll say this: DON'T walk to the Strip from the Rio. Take a cab. Please.

 

[datalogan]

I just got back from the convention in Vancouver last night. Had a great time with 4 Klingons, all in full costume and make-up: Lursa, Betor, Martok, Gowron. J G Hertzler and Robert O'Reilly had some real fun on stage doing some "Blues Brothers" rock-and-roll in sun glasses and more than hinted that the Vegas Convention, especially the (sold out) Klingon lunch, would be legendary/exceptional.

 

[pajamahead]

Wow can not believe there is not more activity in this thread. I am arriving Fri morning, will be there till Sunday,plus bonus Vegas day on Monday with my friend. Any tips from Trek Vegas veterans?

 

[JiNX-01]

Wow can not believe there is not more activity in this thread. I am arriving Fri morning, will be there till Sunday,plus bonus Vegas day on Monday with my friend. Any tips from Trek Vegas veterans?

1: Wear comfortable shoes.

2: Find a buffet and load up on breakfast. Creation's schedule tends to be really crammed and depending on how many tickets you have for autographs, photo ops and special events, it's not easy to squeeze in lunch. In fact, stick to the buffet for supper because restaurants are expensive. Especially VooDoo, which I think is the venue for the gold and captain dinners are going to be held.
2a: If you have a gold or captain's ticket and plan to attend the dinners, get there really early if you want a seat because Creation always oversells the venue. Ladies, if you're dressing up, I recommend flats. After spending the day in lines for autographs and photo ops you are not going to want to be wearing heels if there's a chance you're not going to get a chair.

4. When Creation posts the schedule, you might want to prioritize what you really want to do and who you really want to see.

5. Also if you have gold tickets, make sure you take along the card with the names of the actors who will autographing for free. They need those tickets to see how many the actors sign for purposes of payment. And for autographs you have to bring something to sign. The actors don't supply photos or anything.

 

[pajamahead]

JiNX-01, Thx for the awesome info. Ummmm, buffet. Of course no cheap food near where the convention is at. Wonder if I could have a pizza delivered? I was thinking the same about when they post the schedule. How are the preferred seats, are they any good? Thx again for the great info.

 

[JiNX-01]

JiNX-01, Thx for the awesome info. Ummmm, buffet. Of course no cheap food near where the convention is at. Wonder if I could have a pizza delivered? I was thinking the same about when they post the schedule. How are the preferred seats, are they any good? Thx again for the great info.

Preferred seats are kind of far back.
Gold tickets take up the best seats. Captain's are next best. I was in the front row of the Captain's section last year and my seat sucked.

Preferred are behind the Captains' section. You'll still be able to see and hear everything but you'll need a really good zoom or a long lens on your camera to get decent pictures. Also, you're not allowed to take video. And even if you see empty seats in the gold or captains' sections, if the organizers catch you they'll send you back to your own seat.

Food: I checked the Rio's web site:
http://www.riolasvegas.com/casinos/rio/restaurants-dining/index.html
Best bets moneywise: $ = $5-$15
American Bar and Grill
Carnival World Buffet
Sports Deli
Starbucks
Whopper Bar

 

[cblmc1296]

Haven't been to a con in 15 years but I couldn't resist this one. I'll be bringing my 13 year old son along (he's almost the Trek fan I am!). We'll also be attending Fri-Sun.

I haven't been to Creation ST Las Vegas before but did plenty of Creation cons in NYC in the late 80's and early 90's. Two (non-convention related) tips about Vegas for anyone who hasn't been there before:

1. On the strip, you pretty much have to walk through a casino to get to everything - monorail, restaurants, shops, etc. Be prepared.

2. The hotel (The Rio) is on the opposite side of the freeway from the strip and it's typically about 110 degrees during the day in Vegas in August. Stay hydrated and take a cab if you're staying elsewhere.

Looking forward to meeting a whole lotta' fellow fans!

 

[pajamahead]

Jinx, thx again for the info. Food sounds surprisingly reasonable at Rios. Luckily my good friend who I am meeting in Vegas is a Vegas pro. Haha, but I have not discussed food at Rios with him yet. But neither of us have been to a big Trek con before. So all the advice and info is very appreciated. cblmc1296, thx for the info.

 

[Shatnertage]

pajamahead--Vegas local here, so here's a question: will you have a car?

If you do, that totally changes the food picture.

Ate at the Whopper Bar yesterday--not too impressed. Airport prices and lousy service, but it's better than McDonald's. Prices at the coffee shop that's closest to the convention area are pretty high, but I can't speak to the quality of the food.

Here's a photo I took yesterday at Pablo McFadden's:




Glanced at the menu of that place--seems to be $12 burgers and bar food. But it might be a place to meet up with people. Seeing as they've got the banner up already, they seem pretty excited about us coming.

I'm going to be writing a piece for a local weekly about the convention, and I'd really like to talk to as many fans as I can. Are there going to be any TBBS meetups?

 

[cblmc1296]

^^^We'd love to meet up with you. The best thing about cons is meeting the other fans. I'm also planing on doing an extensive blog on the Vegas convention. Perhaps we could get some insights from you - as a reporter covering the activity, I am sure you'd have a unique perspective.

 

[pajamahead]

No car, so we will probably be eating at Rios during the convention. Too bad about the Whopper bar.

 

[cblmc1296]

No car, so we will probably be eating at Rios during the convention. Too bad about the Whopper bar.

If memory serves, there is a Denny's and a McDonald's on the strip, not terribly far from the Rio. Although walking there during dog days of August wouldn't be advisable, you might be able to at least grab a big breakfast and then catch a cab.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ For your own health and safety, please don't walk to the Strip from the Rio. If worse comes to worse, there's a shuttle that drops you at the Strip.

But the better plan is to head across the street to the Palms, which has a food court that caters to local slot players and is reasonably priced. They've got a McDonald's (if you like that stuff), Nathan's, pizza place, and Panda Express.

I'd love to meet up with you guys. We'll figure out where/when as we get closer. I'm juggling work, teaching, and family with the convention stuff, so I've got to figure out when I'll be there.

 

[cblmc1296]

^^Sound medical advice. :-)

OK, cool. My 13 year old will be thrilled too. He's at that age where discovering other people who accept his "sci-fi obsession" is a major boost. (kinda' like I was in the 70's).

\\//_ LLAP

 

[Kytee]

So many good tips so far, very helpful for us first timers. I do have a couple of questions regarding meeting the stars,

things to sign
Would you guys suggest trying to find some photos to bring with me or will there be things to purchase on site?

what to wear
For the photo ops, I was planning to wear some nice street clothes, do fans tend to dress up in Star Trek costumes for these photos? I think normal clothes will be ok but I'd hate to be 'that guy' who didnt even know he should be dressed up

Thanks to everyone with experience for helping us first timers make the most of our trip ,

Cheers,
Kytee

 

[JiNX-01]

So many good tips so far, very helpful for us first timers. I do have a couple of questions regarding meeting the stars,

things to sign
Would you guys suggest trying to find some photos to bring with me or will there be things to purchase on site?

what to wear
For the photo ops, I was planning to wear some nice street clothes, do fans tend to dress up in Star Trek costumes for these photos? I think normal clothes will be ok but I'd hate to be 'that guy' who didnt even know he should be dressed up

Thanks to everyone with experience for helping us first timers make the most of our trip ,

Cheers,
Kytee

If you have a good quality printer (or know someone who does) just pick out screencaps from trekcore.com and print them off a computer. That's what I always do.

You can also buy photos in the dealers' room, but that just adds to your expenses. Some actors will be in the dealers' room signing autographs. And some of them are in the dealers' room to autograph and sell music CDs (three actors that I know have done this are Brent Spiner, Chase Masterson and Suzie Plakson).

Nice street clothes are fine. Most of the actors dress casually, so you might not want to be too dressy. I don't recall seeing anyone in costume for photo ops.

 

[Kytee]

So many good tips so far, very helpful for us first timers. I do have a couple of questions regarding meeting the stars,

things to sign
Would you guys suggest trying to find some photos to bring with me or will there be things to purchase on site?

what to wear
For the photo ops, I was planning to wear some nice street clothes, do fans tend to dress up in Star Trek costumes for these photos? I think normal clothes will be ok but I'd hate to be 'that guy' who didnt even know he should be dressed up

Thanks to everyone with experience for helping us first timers make the most of our trip ,

Cheers,
Kytee

If you have a good quality printer (or know someone who does) just pick out screencaps from trekcore.com and print them off a computer. That's what I always do.

You can also buy photos in the dealers' room, but that just adds to your expenses. Some actors will be in the dealers' room signing autographs. And some of them are in the dealers' room to autograph and sell music CDs (three actors that I know have done this are Brent Spiner, Chase Masterson and Suzie Plakson).

Nice street clothes are fine. Most of the actors dress casually, so you might not want to be too dressy. I don't recall seeing anyone in costume for photo ops.

I hadn't considered printing off some good pictures, I'll check that site and pick some good ones.

I didnt think I had seen many fans in costume in photos with the cast, just an idea someone had planted in my head glad to know I don't have to worry about getting a costume together this close to the convention.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Kytee

 

[cblmc1296]

^^^Since you mention costumes though, anyone reading the thread who does have access to a costume and is going to the con should be aware: they're going for another world record this year with most people in one place in Star Trek costumes.