aia wrote in North Texas Role Playing Game June 6-9 2019:...are we close enough? Is there any update on what will be available?

Mike Cary passed away at his mother's house Tuesday. This was totally unexpected in every way, he was only 48 years old and in good health. The medical examiner is doing an autopsy but they suspect natural causes. As many of you know who attend NTRPG Con, Mike was a huge part of our convention.

A few things after Doug and I had our final walk-through of the con site yesterday:

1. The Front Entrance is entirely closed off, and all traffic is through the back entrance. This means a lot more foot traffic around the con area, which can be good if any impulse buyers happen to stroll by. But it also means that there is the potential for theft from booths with so many people not wearing con badges passing by the area where things are being sold and games are being played. Last year we had a couple of incidents of theft, so it is a possibility. All artists will be asked to pack up their booth at the end of the day and we will store it for you in the main vendor room, which will be locked up at after the last games are played at the tables inside the vendor rooms. We also ask that all attendees watch out for your friend's stuff and make sure you report anything suspicious to us or hotel security. Last year someone witnessed a theft in progress but didn't report what they saw until it was too late to do anything about it. Just be aware of your gaming backpacks, briefcases, phones, tablets, laptops, and anything else of value.

2. The two games in the Library have now been moved to private board rooms on the 9th and 14th floors. This is a MASSIVE upgrade, LOL. You now have your own private room with bathroom, sink, fridge, and lots of room to spread out. The front check in desk is now in the Library, as is the snack center where you can purchase your snacks and drinks like RedBull, etc, The Starbucks booth is set up in the breakfast area.

3. The staff thinks the restaurant/bar area should be finished by the con, but if it isn't, right now it is in the breakfast area, which actually is kind of cool since there is a lot more room to spread out. The new restaurant/bar area looks really nice, it's much more open and inviting and lots more room to hang out, hopefully it will be finished by the con

4. Smokers, bad news. You can no longer smoke outside the back entrance (since it is now the front entrance). There is instead a back exit off one of the hallways towards the Trinity Ballroom that will be left open for smokers; it is also where the food truck will be parked. The hotel is unable to provide benches/chairs for smokers in this area, Doug is going to bring some of our fold up chairs to placed outside the door. The door will be held very slightly ajar with a door jamb to allow people access to the smoking area and the taco truck; please do NOT remove this jamb and let the door shut! It's not a bad set up actually, just take care of the chairs and the door and all will be well.

5. Because there is now only one entrance to the hotel, parking will be an issue...mainly, you may have to walk a long way to get inside if you don't get a spot right up front. There is nothing we can do about this, sorry.

6. The area where they had the printers and computers is now closed off and used for luggage carriers. If you need a copy or printout of something, I would do it beforehand, or else you will have to ask the receptionists up front to do it for you which is a dicey proposition. We might be able to handle making copies for you up front, but otherwise you need to get your stuff sorted beforehand.