MD-VA-DC Game Day - 10/2/04: Crunch Time Approaches - Volunteers Needed!

[Xath]

Hey Folks,

Talked to the brass at the UMD Gaming Club and so far the news is good. Public opinion among club members also supports such an event. The president of the club suggested transfering some of the funds we were allotted for a tournament towards this event. This would help defray the room cost.

1) Make sure you take parking into consideration. If you wind up with the game in a store along a busy street, try to figure out some good locations nearby to have people park. If it is going to be on a college campus, make sure there are non-restricted parking spaces somewhere nearby so folks don't leave the game day to find their cars ticketed/booted/towed.

There is a public parking lot right next to the student union at Maryland. As long as the event is not on the same day as a football game, there shouldn't be a problem.

2) Think about food. If your event is going all day (and I assume it will) then make sure there are some places to eat close by or that people know they need to brown-bag it. Make sure you are aware of the policy of the venue on food being brought in.

Inside the union itself, there is a McDonalds, Chick Fila, Panda Express, a vegan co-op, a convenience store, and Adele's (a sit down restauraunt). Also, Route 1 holds a plethora of dining options. (Many deliver)

So, if Maryland is the chosen venue, the gaming club wants to know how many people are planning to attend, so that they can snag a room from the SGA before they're all booked. Also, I havn't checked, but August 28 is freshmen orientation weekend. I don't know how many rooms will be available that day. Early september should be doable with enough notice though.

The club would also be interested in running some non-rp games, if anyone is interested. So, if we want UMD, can anyone give me a head count estimate?

 

[Old One]

Sounds promising...

Hey Folks,

Talked to the brass at the UMD Gaming Club and so far the news is good. Public opinion among club members also supports such an event. The president of the club suggested transfering some of the funds we were allotted for a tournament towards this event. This would help defray the room cost.




There is a public parking lot right next to the student union at Maryland. As long as the event is not on the same day as a football game, there shouldn't be a problem.



Inside the union itself, there is a McDonalds, Chick Fila, Panda Express, a vegan co-op, a convenience store, and Adele's (a sit down restauraunt). Also, Route 1 holds a plethora of dining options. (Many deliver)

So, if Maryland is the chosen venue, the gaming club wants to know how many people are planning to attend, so that they can snag a room from the SGA before they're all booked. Also, I havn't checked, but August 28 is freshmen orientation weekend. I don't know how many rooms will be available that day. Early september should be doable with enough notice though.

The club would also be interested in running some non-rp games, if anyone is interested. So, if we want UMD, can anyone give me a head count estimate?

Xath,

Sounds like this could work...good parking...metro access...food nearby. 8/28 is Freshman Orientation? Ugh! No way! The place will be a mob scene !

Checking the Terps Football Schedule, both 9/18 and 9/25 are away games (West Virginia and Duke, respectively)...so one of those would work well. Or, we could shoot for a mid-August Saturday...before school's back in.

Can they check availability of one of the larger rooms - either the Prince George's Room or the Activities Room for the following dates: 8/14, 9/18 and 9/25?

As far as numbers go...just based on the response so far, we could have 50-75 people just from EN World (this assumes that some of those that have replied here will have people from their gaming group attend). Would the 2 rooms listed above be big enough for say 5-7 gaming tables during each gaming slot + what the Guild wants to run (it's hard to tell from the floorplan)?

Also, what is the "drop-dead" time/date they need to have a commitment from us?

Thanks,

~ Old One

PS - If you want to bring my into the loop with the Guild rep...just CC: me on any messages (pdyer "at" pdfinancial "dot" com).

 

[Old One]

Possible Date Change...

Hey Gang,

The University of Maryland (College Park) Stamp Student Union looks like an excellent potential venue:

http://www.union.umd.edu/building/

It is fairly centrally located, with easy Metro and Beltway access, has ample parking and has a variety of on-site food. More importantly, the U of M Gaming Guild seems interested in working with us.

Unfortunately, 8/28 is Freshman Orientation...and will the prospect of lots of Co-eds does Old One's heart good...it will be a zoo ! Therefore, we should look at possible alternative dates, including:

8/14 - This is the weekend prior to GenCon and that may not work for some. There isn't likely to be much else going on, however.

9/18 and 9/25 - Away football games for U of M (critical for parking success)

I am open to suggestions, so let 'em fly!

~ Old One

 

[Tormenet]

Organizing:

Anybody know how to set up a wiki? It's a brilliant organizing tool. I'd volunteer the player that set up ours but his family just had an addition. (Baby number two= end to any thoughts that you can still have a life, Old One.)

For the unititiated: A tiki is essentially a web site that anyone can easily post to and edit. We use it for our campaign (see the link below) and it is not pretty but it is incredibly useful.

Tormenet

 

[Destan]

Great idea, Double O.

(1) I am willing to DM/GM. I would prefer to run D&D 3.5.

(2) I have no preference on morning/afternoon.

(3) I am willing to help organize/schedule/coordinate the game day (but may be unable - Phil, uncertain about the new job and what it will entail).

(4) I think the best location for such an event is near the Beltway. Anywhere, really. I just moved to Leesburg (hi Troll Wizard and Threshel!) so prefer the west side o' DC, but I'm more than willing to bee-bop to any location in order to attend something like this.

The Notorious D

 

[Old One]

Woot!

Great idea, Double O.

(1) I am willing to DM/GM. I would prefer to run D&D 3.5.

(2) I have no preference on morning/afternoon.

(3) I am willing to help organize/schedule/coordinate the game day (but may be unable - Phil, uncertain about the new job and what it will entail).

(4) I think the best location for such an event is near the Beltway. Anywhere, really. I just moved to Leesburg (hi Troll Wizard and Threshel!) so prefer the west side o' DC, but I'm more than willing to bee-bop to any location in order to attend something like this.

The Notorious D

With Notorius D in the house...we can't lose!

~ Double "O"

 

[GM Iago]

Damn...quite a group here in both quality and quantity...wow.

And University of MD would probably serve a lot better then Dreamwizards for several of the reasons mentioned. I'm sure it also had a lot more room for setting out needed supplies and just good ole' fashioned elbow room. As mentioned, I wouldn't mind tossing out a few bucks for the room and perhaps bringing some snacks and such to share. It also has easier public access then DreamWizards (gotta walk a few blocks from the Metro).

Concerning game and potential gamers, I'd be happy to try to organize that aspect. I have fairly good access to the Internet and plenty of free time at work. It would be a challenge that might even be fun.

Concerning a date, anything is good for me.

Rel, Happy Birthday! Hope you didn't drink too much P

 

[Tortoise]

The U of M is a great place to hold an event. Having played in a couple of chess tournaments there, in the days of old, I can tell you that food and parking won't likely be a problem.

I suggest we aim for sometime in September to distance the event from GenCon and from orientation.

Jim

 

[Mr. Lobo]

Hello Old One,

(1) I am willing to DM/GM. I would prefer to run DnD 3.0 mid level adventure lasting max 3 hrs

(2) I would prefer to DM/GM a morning slot.

(3) I am not willing to help organize/schedule/coordinate the game day.

(4) I think the best location for such an event is - I have no clue but somewhere in Bawlmore, Md!

But I can make it to any session in the DC metro corridor or nearby.

Mr. Lobo

 

[Psion]

Um, considering the number of people willing to run D&D, mayhaps I ought to run one of my considered alrentatives.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but occasionally I do hear some people talk about other games here.