room parties

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

turtleduck and I were hoping to host one on Friday. We threw our hats in the ring really late, though, and we've never hosted a room party at a con before. If we do manage to get an official party on the list, what exactly does that entail? Do we get some kind of support from the con? Do we have to host in one of our reserved rooms, or could we sort of borrow a room from someone who's having a Saturday night party, or does the con provide a space? I have a lot of questions, so please forgive my ignorance, as I am not wise in the ways of hosting con parties. :-} Any and all insights appreciated!

Comments

[dda.livejournal.com]

I'm not the Party Czar but my understanding is that people who wanted to host open parties had to get a room in the Party Block. The con provides "party seeds," which is basically some chips and soda and ice (or so I've heard); they do not cover the room bill or anything like that. They also provide notification of your party to the party-going masses, mostly by posting it in Clear Ether, the at-con newsletter. There is also a Party Board, where you can advertise it, too.

Talking to the Party Czar is the right thing to do as they know what is what with room parties. It is rather late in the game for this stuff but they'll know what is and isn't possible.

Now, I believe you can just have a "non-con-supported" party anywhere you want but if it isn't in the Party Block, you can expect people to not be happy if it runs all night and makes a lot of noise. :-/

If you're having alcohol, I'd really suggest making it a private party and being careful; I don't think it is strictly-speaking legal to have alcohol you didn't buy from the hotel in your room but, again, I'm not the official person to dispense such knowledge.

[wolfy.livejournal.com]

I'm not the official person to dispense such knowledge

but I am, being the security type :)

Open Vs. closed parties

Open is just that an open door party where anyone can wander in and say hi. They are non alcohol parties.

Closed are behind closed doors. Alcohol can be served as long as someone checks ID's to keep the under age people from drinking. The Hotel does frown upon non hotel alcohol being served, and can take it if they feel like being a PITA. It can not be in plain sight outside of the room at any time. If a supply is coming in just be discrete about it (no walking in with 6 cases on a cart).

**All parties need to register with security. We are friendly about trying to keep the noise under control, the hotel doesn't have to be. So we need to know what party is happening where (for any reason that may come up)

Parties in the non party block are generally more closed door and tend to run into noise complaints later in the night (not the best idea do to)

I am by far not the expert on the parties (that's why there is a parties@arisia) and well I haven't had to think about any of this for a year so some of my details maybe a little fuzzy

[larksdream]

*icon love*

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

I think we stopped providing soda and chips. And it might be too late to get free ice (the hotel had to know a week in advance), after the deadline it's something like $10.

If the hotel finds out you have alcohol in your room that didn't come from them, they can bill for the alcohol, at their rates and then take it away.

If something happens and the police get involved, the hotel can lose their liquor licence. So the hotel is very paranoid about alcohol.

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

I checked. We're providing a bottle or two of soda and a bag of chips to registered parties. These will only be available to parties that registered with the Party Czar.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Thank you...it's something, at least. :) I don't think we'll be having the party unless we get a room on an official party floor, so any party we have will be registered. $10 for ice delivery is fine. I was afraid it was going to be expensive...$10 is nothing. :-}

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

*nod* I've been in touch with the Party Czar and it's looking hopeful that we'll get a space. I don't know yet what kind of space it'll be, but that's okay.

Party Czar had suggested that the room could be cleared at midnight for straightening up, then it could become a private party where people are only let in with invitation and proof of legality. It may be more trouble and expense than we're willing to deal with, but we'll see.