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Dragon Con Membership Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 3August 30–September 2, 2013 Atlanta, Georgia

It’s A Brand New Day

How to Support Our 2013 Charities

� Braves Night (Thursday 7–10pm) Click here for tickets.

� Revenge of the Nerds: A Dragon Con Homecoming (Friday starting at 10pm)

� SGMT Charity Night Event (Friday 8:30pm)

� Charity Auction – Books & Artwork (Saturday 11:30am–2pm)

� Cosplay Charity Auction (Saturday 3pm)

� Charity Auction – Everything Else (Sunday 10am – 2pm)

� Don S. Davis Memorial Charity Auction (Sunday 4pm)

� Art Show Charity Artwork Project – Better Gnomes and Gardens

All the events above are going on to help raise money for our three official charities for 2013:

� Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary � Georgia Conservancy � Marcus Autism

Plus, Dragon Con is matching the first $50,000 raised for charity. Let’s make this another great year for our official charities.

2013 Dragon Con Convention members,In case you have not heard the news, it is a new day in the Dragon Con universe. On July 8, 2103, the company that owns the Dragon Con convention was acquired in a transaction that reduced the ownership group from the original six to five. Our management group will remain unchanged. In fact, everything you love about Dragon Con will remain unchanged or be upgraded and improved. Our venues are the same. Our panels and events will be everything you expect. Our Walk of Fame will be bigger and better than ever. We are confident that the convention will continue to be the same fun event it has been in recent years. One of the reasons that we are so confident is that Dragon Con has never really been about the owners. It is about the members and volunteers who make this insanity possible.Thanks for believing in the show.I look forward to seeing you all in 20 days.Pat HenryPresidentDragon Con Inc.

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Dragon Con Presents: PassionTag

Whether your passion is sci-fi, music, robotics, or a particular charity, the very things you love are being shared through photos across Facebook, Twitter, and the broader web. Imagine finding a photo of a super cool costume at Dragon Con, and when you click on the image, you are presented with a “digital backpack” full of information that makes the event that much better. It might link you to exclusive happenings at the

show or get you in touch with others who share your same passions. It might even be an opportunity for Dragon Con Specials, like merchandise deals or giveaways. Included on Dragon Con’s “digital backpack” will be the opportunity to get your 2014 membership from

your phone! The fabulous team at PassionTag have made all this happen. And because they’re fans of Dragon Con, they chose our convention to take their new app to the next level. We’re so excited to be a part of this big launch, and to give our members something unique that’s going to add even more to the Dragon Con experience.

PassionTag is the first mobile application that lets you promote your passions through the photos you share. With PassionTag, you can bring your photos to life by turning your static images into an interactive photos containing actionable tags that expand the story you want to tell.

What is PassionTag? Start Snapping and Tagging!

Dragon Con Dragon Con CostumesDragon Con Doctor WhoDragon Con Gaming Dragon Con Guests Dragon Con MY CostumeDragon Con Parade Dragon Con Puppetry Dragon Con Star TrekDragon Con Star Wars Dragon Con Stargate Dragon Con SteampunkDragon Con Superheroes

Official Dragon Con PassionTags:

Get more info on the incredible new app and the awesomeness we have in store for you!

*Visit our website for an intro, FAQs, and video tutorials.*Check out the PassionTag Contests to see how you can win a 2014 membership!*Visit the PassionTag website.

Want to know more about the PassionTag Contests?

Join in and participate in the Dragon Con PassionTag contests for a chance to win a four-day membership to next year’s Dragon Con! Here is how it works. There are two contests that members can participate in with PassionTag for a chance to win. The first one is a general contest that will award two 2014 membership. The first award will go to the most followed person at the show and the second membership will go to the person adding the most liked photo at the show. All photos tagged with one of the official Dragon Con PassionTags are eligible for the general contest.The second contest is our first ever technology based costume contest. Anyone who would like to enter their costume into the contest will tag their photo(s) with the official Dragon Con MY Costume PassionTag and will have an opportunity to win one of two 2014 memberships. One membership will be awarded to the most liked costume by PassionTag users. The second membership will go to the best all-around costume as judged by our esteemed panel of judges.

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Hyatt Regency Marriott Marquis Hilton AtlantaAnimeAnimationArt ShowBand ConcourseCharity AuctionsComics AlleyCon SuiteConcertsDrum Circle

Fantasy LiteratureIndependent FilmsMasqueradeRevenge of the Nerds:

A Dragon ConHomecoming

Robot BattlesSci-Fi LiteratureSilk RoadWrestling

AutographsBlood DriveCharity EventsConcertsCostumingDC StoreDr. Who 50th

Anniversary BallFroggy’s PhotosKaleidoscope

Last Party onAlderaan

Photography PuppetryStar Trek World

Record AttemptStar WarsVIP Badge PickupWalk of FameYoung Adult Lit.

Electronic FrontierFoundation

Froggy’s PhotosPodcastingScienceSkeptics TrackSpace

Gaming:Board GamesCCGsLARPsMechcorpsMiniaturesMMORPGsRPGsVideo GamingWar College

Sheraton Atlanta Westin Peachtree Plaza AmericasMart Bldg. 1Brit TrackDC StoreDisability ServicesHeroes and

Villains BallLego First

ChallengeMiss StarTrek

Universe Pageant

ParanormalRainbow FlagPartyRegistrationRobotics & MakersTrek TrackVolunteer Reg.Yule BallZombie Prom

Alternate HistoryApocalypse RisingAvengers Ball Dr. Horrible & Buffy

Horror Picture ShowHorror TrackMechanical

Masquerade Ball

StarGate CharityNight Event

StarGate MultiverseUrban FantasyWhedon Universe

DealersExhibitors

Where’s Dragon Con? No, not like “Where’s Waldo, where did I put my phone, or where did I park the Batmobile?” It’s actually one of the top questions we get at the Dragon Con office. If you’re new to the convention, you may think it’s in a conference center, or in one spot, like a single hotel. And then you show up and your mind explodes.Even if you’re not new, when you fill up 5 hotels and the streets of Downtown Atlanta with 52,000 people, you can really lose your sense of direction. Plus, with the Vendor Halls moving to the AmericasMart for more space, there are a few new locations for some old favorites. So to help you out, we’re providing a dragon’s eye view of where the convention takes place, and some of the key functions in each location.

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Get Your Badge, Secure Your Badge, Show Your Badge First things first…swing by the Sheraton and pick up your badge. Did you preregister? If so, be sure to bring your postcard. We made some awesome upgrades to the registration system in 2011 and the lines move much quicker (we promise; ask someone who came last year). Once you have your badge, you must secure it and show it at all times. You will need your badge to get into the events at the host hotels, as well as the Vendor Halls at the AmericasMart. We will also be requiring a badge or room key at the host hotels during peak hours to cut down on congestion, and to help keep our members safe. So have your badge ready and visible! Lost badges are not replaced; I know it’s a bummer…but you should know…

Plan Your TimeDragon Con is four non-stop days of 24 hour fun! There are almost forty individual programming tracks and even more special events, contests, gaming, and parties than you can imagine. We hate to break it to you, but you can’t do everything you want, so you’ll have to prioritize. The free smart phone app and pocket program are great tools that will tell you where to go, what to do and when to get there. Make a plan and be sure to allow time to wait in line for a big event or popular panel that has your favorite guest. Lines for events in main programming will begin when the group for the previous panel has been seated. An important note, we clear the room after each panel in the larger rooms.

Wear Comfortable ShoesThe convention takes place in five hotels and the AmericasMart. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking! Wearing a costume with special shoes? Bring a pair of plan “B” shoes to wear during your off times in case you can’t stand it any longer…you will thank us later!

Carry a Survival Bag (or enlist someone to carry it for you)Sure, you think you will swing by your room to pick up what you need. In reality, the elevators, the time, the distance and the crowds will make you rethink that trek. We have listed some items you might want to have at easy reach.

Follow the 5/2/1 RuleWe require our staff to adhere to the 5/2/1 rule. Get a minimum of five hours a sleep, two meals, and one shower every day, please. It works for everyone.Sleep: We know you are probably not going to get enough sleep at the convention, but you’ll have a lot more fun if you at least try. Plus, you’ll be a nicer person to be around (just ask your friends). So shoot for 5 hours sleep at a minimum in one stretch.

Dragon Con Survival Guide

Pack a Survival Bag � Camera/and or Phone � Batteries/Charger � First aid supplies (adhesive

bandages, aspirin, and medications) � Business Cards (for those

networking opportunities) � Cash (ATM machines are available

but often run out of cash) � Snacks � Water bottle � Sweater or jacket (it can get cold in

some of the rooms plus it makes an impromptu pillow)

� Hand Sanitizer (con crud is no one’s friend)

� Page protectors or photo sleeves for autographed photos

� Sharpie, pen, highlighter, and paper so you can make notes to your pocket program and get autographs

Whether It’s your first year at Dragon Con or you’re an old pro, we want you to have an awesome time at the show. You may have seen some of these “survival guides” before, and some of you can probably even write them…either way, check out these tips…they could come in handy!

Food: You can usually find a hamburger and hotdog vendor anywhere. Here are some other options:Each of the hotels has somewhere to buy café and deli style food and salads and some are open 24 hours.The Peachtree Center has a food court that is accessible via the skywalks from the Hyatt, Marriott and the Peachtree Center parking garage. You can find a wide variety of quick food options as well as fine dining restaurants nearby.Be sure to carry some snacks with you so you can eat something when you get hungry and don’t have time at that moment to track down food. There is a Publix located approximately one mile north of the host hotels on Piedmont Avenue. And don’t forget about the ConSuite. It’s a sci-fi convention tradition located in the Hyatt where you can get snacks and some soda.

Tip Your Hotel StaffThe hotel staff gets a kick out of the convention and they work pretty hard to take care of us throughout the four days! So be sure to tip the maid service, bartenders and other hotel staff that provide a service to you.So now you’re off to a good start and ready to go. We’ll see you Labor Day Weekend!

Get Ready for Registration � Bring a Valid Government issued ID � Did you pre-register? Bring your

postcard. � Lose your postcard? Bring your ID

(and receipt if you have it). � Purchasing at the door? Print

the QR code and you’ll get through the line even faster.

� Picking up for someone else? You’ll need a copy of their ID, post card if pre-registered, and permission slip.

Tools for Planning � Download the app � App Schmap. I don’t have a smart

phone or tablet. Download the Pocket Program from our website.

� Classic Dragon Con Style. I need it in my hands, on paper. You’ll receive the Pocket Program when you pick up your badge. Bring your highlighters!

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What's your track? J Kip Campbell

From Alternate History to Young Adult Literature, we've cover the gamut with this puzzle.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14

15 16 17

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22 23 24

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ACROSS 41 Concorde was one 21 Xerxes' father1 It binds them all 42 Lancelot's fame 22 Dobby's first family7 King's accessory 45 Original Dracula actor 23 Superman's Kent identity11 Garric or-Reise is lord of these 48 Endor natives 28 He phoned home12 Ms. Driver to Bill 51 Spock's last word with McCoy 30 Lady MacBeth's handwashing,14 "Doc" Smith's ubiquitous initials 54 Gamer weapons? among others15 Time____ 56 Steampunk airliner 31 Alien beds16 Doogie Powers' foster family 57 Python's favorite food 33 2001 Author, initials17 Original Stargate god 34 Famous Mord-Sith18 Vampire confession? DOWN 37 Johnny finally did this20 Famous Sith lord 1 Purity Control substance 39 Judge Dredd's assessment22 Voorhee's favorite tool 2 They watch the Sun 40 Switch position24 Arrival time 3 Fullmetal Alchemist's family 43 Location of 47 Down25 Dr. Beckett's sidekick name 44 Nuclear fuel packaging26 "Who __ the fairest one of all" 4 superfluous crewmember 45 X-Files infection vector27 Alice unit's series, for short 5 Comic editions 46 Nuclear blast effect29 Stark's favorite metal 6 Bill Gate's time? 47 The LHC replaced this32 Pinocchio's problem 7 The Hellbound Heart author, 49 Puzzle author, familiarly34 Blofeld's hairless pet familiarly 50 Original LARP35 "V", for example 8 R in T.A.R.D.I.S. 51 Chronicles of Amber author,36 Sherlock's obsession? 9 Shapechanger prefix initials37 Walter Frey has several of these 10 Operative word in NEO 52 Cato actor, initials38 Ender's Game author, initials 13 __-426 53 MacDonald's repetitive vowels39 Loki to Thor, familiarly 19 3D X-ray scanner 55 Hermione actress, familiarly

What's your track? J Kip Campbell

From Alternate History to Young Adult Literature, we've cover the gamut with this puzzle.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14

15 16 17

18 19 20 21

22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

32 33 34 35

36 37

38 39 40 41

42 43 44

45 46 47 48 49 50

51 52 53 54 55

56 57

ACROSS 41 Concorde was one 21 Xerxes' father1 It binds them all 42 Lancelot's fame 22 Dobby's first family7 King's accessory 45 Original Dracula actor 23 Superman's Kent identity11 Garric or-Reise is lord of these 48 Endor natives 28 He phoned home12 Ms. Driver to Bill 51 Spock's last word with McCoy 30 Lady MacBeth's handwashing,14 "Doc" Smith's ubiquitous initials 54 Gamer weapons? among others15 Time____ 56 Steampunk airliner 31 Alien beds16 Doogie Powers' foster family 57 Python's favorite food 33 2001 Author, initials17 Original Stargate god 34 Famous Mord-Sith18 Vampire confession? DOWN 37 Johnny finally did this20 Famous Sith lord 1 Purity Control substance 39 Judge Dredd's assessment22 Voorhee's favorite tool 2 They watch the Sun 40 Switch position24 Arrival time 3 Fullmetal Alchemist's family 43 Location of 47 Down25 Dr. Beckett's sidekick name 44 Nuclear fuel packaging26 "Who __ the fairest one of all" 4 superfluous crewmember 45 X-Files infection vector27 Alice unit's series, for short 5 Comic editions 46 Nuclear blast effect29 Stark's favorite metal 6 Bill Gate's time? 47 The LHC replaced this32 Pinocchio's problem 7 The Hellbound Heart author, 49 Puzzle author, familiarly34 Blofeld's hairless pet familiarly 50 Original LARP35 "V", for example 8 R in T.A.R.D.I.S. 51 Chronicles of Amber author,36 Sherlock's obsession? 9 Shapechanger prefix initials37 Walter Frey has several of these 10 Operative word in NEO 52 Cato actor, initials38 Ender's Game author, initials 13 __-426 53 MacDonald's repetitive vowels39 Loki to Thor, familiarly 19 3D X-ray scanner 55 Hermione actress, familiarly

J Kip Campbell

Solution to this puzzle will be posted in our next issue.

Dragon Con Pop QuizAny self respecting geek knows their stuff. Brush up on your knowledge before the Con.

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Membership BenefitsDragon Con is expanding its partnerships to include both Enterprise and National Rental Car. Dragon Con members are able to receive a booking discount no matter the date or location for the rental. You can book directly through this link. If you are looking for a car specifically for Dragon Con weekend, be sure to select National if you want to pick it up at the airport.*Note: If you do not use the above link and access either Enterprise or National through their respective websites, you will need the following information:Enterprise: code: XZ03A67 pin: DRANational: code: XZ03A67

Announcement

Don’t forget, there are benefits to being a Member of Dragon Con

� Special “members only” pricing on merchandise and workshops, and special offers throughout the year.

� Special member pricing on Delta airfares, Enterprise and National rental cars.

� Informative publications such as Dragon Talk, the Progress Report, and our convention Program Book.

� And did you know you can buy your next year’s membership at the convention for only $65? It can be purchased at registration, at both Dragon Con stores, and briefly online after the convention. It’s our best price all year long.

Stay in TouchFollow Us on:

You Are Cordially Invited To HAVE FUN the DRAGON CON WAY!

Dragon Con Night at the BravesThursday, August 29, 7:00 PM

atlanta.braves.mlb.comDragon Con Night at the Aquarium

Saturday, August 31, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PMgeorgiaaquarium.org/dragoncon

Reminders

Still need to book your flight? Don’t forget our

5% – 10% discount at Delta on select airfares

for travel from 8/27/13 to 9/5/13. Go to

delta.com/booking. Enter NMFJC for domestic

and NMFJG for international.

We have a brand spanking new website. If you’re

new to Dragon Con, check out the FAQs.

Have questions about your membership or

postcard? Email us at office@dragoncon.org.

We’re here to help.

But most importantly:

IT’S THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. WHO!

E R N E S T U S S S

S E E K E R O F T R U T H

P O G R E O S B A A

E L S E E R S G O K U

R U N N S A M A R E S

M I N I D M I B E

B E A T R I X L I A R

E C Y A F T T D

B R E D T I A R A S

A J A F E L L P L O T

T A R G E T E E G S E

S C R O L L S A L I

K I N D K L I N G O N

Solution to Last Month’s Puzzle: Get to Know a Track