Davideo7 : That site looks very good. $150 for an entire day is fantastically cheap. We have the option of going outside or staying indoors (rainy weather) and it is right by the river which is always a plus if people were to go swimming. That could definitely be the place to have the convention.

I did some research and a good alternative I found was Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Cottage Grove, MN. It's a good hotel that is less than 10 miles from Great River Road park and has a decent-sized conference room, big enough for at least 20 people. I didn't bother calling about the rates because this I want to know if it is indeed a top choice to go with.



The hotel has wi-fi and we could rent equipment such as a projector if needed. For those who would be staying overnight it's only $76. They also have a swimming pool. This hotel could be a backup if we decide to go with something else.



Edit- Eh, apparently the rate are around $100 a night. But I checked dates for August next year so the prices may be different with earlier summer dates.

posting on vizzed are most important

Cyro Xero :  Both those deals look absolutely phenomenal... especially if it's only going to be a dozen to two dozen adults we can convince to attend.  I actually wouldn't mind paying for the whole reservation myself, if that's all it was.

I'd like to set two dates aside for this, for anyone that wants to do an all-nighter kinda thing or rest before they head back home.

Let's shoot for the summer, more specifically between the months of June and July, if possible?

Are there any dates during those months which need to be prohibited?

Summoning everyone who expressed interest:
Cyro Xero :
Davideo7 :
Eniitan :
Barathemos :
Mr. Zed :
mrfe :
play4fun :

I just need to know if you would seriously consider joining us in Wisconsin, and if any dates are off limits in June and July, that you currently know of. ^.^

I'm free for both of those months so...I don't mind. ^-^

Singelli :

If its in Wisconsenn then I am not gonna make it . 

I won't be able to make a date that isn't the end of June and beyond. I have the Army for two weeks that month. Anytime after that should will be great.

As I have talked to you about this before threw pm sing.. I still would love to go and sense we live near we could probably all ride together us that live in Alabama at least .. I would be willing to help pay with gas and such sense I will have a little money after the first of the year, from my last job. The summer sounds pretty cool also! The time doesn't really matter to me as of 2014 I will be pretty much completely free especially in the summer. I would like you to talk to my mom also if you didn't mind. She gave me a positive response when I told her about it so I'm sure if you talked with her it would be even a bigger plus. I have talked with her about you a lot and she approves so far. I am 18 so I can pretty much go if I wanted to with no problems. I just like knowing my mom approves which so far she has .





Bintsy<33

Cyro Xero : Renting a conference room at a hotel is a possibility.

I'm wondering what all we'd do at the event. Would we just talk? Would be set up some video games to play?

Singelli : The date would ultimately come down to when Cyro can meet up.

Davideo7 : August is a month where I have nothing going on. Summer classes end and I don't have anything to do with the National Guard, short of a disaster if one were to happen.

I've been thinking of a few things to do for this convention that I have planned out:

- As you just mentioned, video games are something we should have. But in addition to free-play we should have contests. One such contest I think would be great is to have multiple people playing the same game, but on different consoles, to see who can beat it first, with a prize for doing so. I've watched something like this on YouTube where up to 6 guys were competing to finish Battletoads (SNES) first. While that's not the game I would personally go with, it looked fun and humourous. Something simple like the NES Mario Bros. would work well for that. Maybe even some other games on other systems. We could also have people bring in their laptops and/or actual consoles to play on. For instance, I have one of those dual NES/SNES machines I could bring, as well as a Wii to play Smash Bros. Brawl. Hell, even a Smash Bros. tournament would work just as well.

- Members can bring any of their gaming stuff for others to buy, sell or trade.

- Depending on the weather and if there is water nearby (outside or a hotel)members could go swimming.

- If someone were willing to do so, Vizzed shirts could be designed, made and then handed out to whoever showed up to the convention (maybe for a price)

- This would be the perfect opportunity to set aside a block of time for people to sit down to voice their opinions about Vizzed to you and what ideas they have. You could also use that opportunity to announce any upcoming additions or improvements being made to the site.

- I don't know if anyone else had this idea, but I plan to bring refreshments. Juice, crackers/cheese/meat tray, shrimp platter, etc.

- For alcohol, if whatever venue we choose has a bar then we can use that. Otherwise, we could bring our own. We will of course have to prevent underage drinking.

I came up with another idea early today, but I forgot what it was.

I don't know about you guys, but I think there should be a sign. Or maybe a big banner and hang it somewhere around the room. Probably should have Vizzed's logo on it. Just to make the room feel more festive, I guess.

Mistress : Things like that would of course be done. Having a small sign outside for members to see and know they're at the right place is something I would do as well. It would also bring some of those name tag sticker things (Hello my name is..) or something similar for members to write their names on and identify other members. In addition, I would also be bringing a notebook for people to sign their names upon arriving and to write messages for David. The purpose of this is for David to keep the notebook as a memento to look back on in the future.

Cyro Xero :
Davideo7 :

Who's going to officially set this up?  One of you, or me?
I know about three people that would come with me, and I'd be giving a ride to all three, with a possibility of two more.

I'm pretty sure the list of people that would make sure to come, is around ten, at least. Is that worth it to you guys?  If so, we need to officially plan this, set a date, make reservations, and start advertising officially here on vizzed. Heck, even a few promotions and cheap giveaways at the event might encourage more to come.

I was kind of worried this is might not go on....I still doubt that I'll be able to come now. As I am thinking of what to do..

Singelli : Big sis....

Singelli : Would the middle to the end of August work for everyone? We could choose a date in that time frame. I'm confident that most people would be out of school/college by then. Plus, despite being up north, Minnesota/Wisconsin can be very warm that time of the year.

10 members is a good start, but to make it effective I think 15 would really make it work. The fact is, the more members we have going, the more enticing it will be to others since they'll see it as a big event. That being said, as far as the advertising goes we need to start that immediately. Let everyone know; make it a big thing here. Definitely create another newsletter and send it out to all members. I know there are plenty of people our age on Vizzed who have the means to go to this. They just have to be informed. The idea of this needs to spread out from this thread and reach the entire site.

Doing it far enough in advance will also give members time to prepare and save up money for the trip. Assuming we have a date set, it will also allow me to call the venue and reserve a spot. If we wait to late there may be none left and the difficulty of finding an alternative may grow.

Cyro Xero :  Your concerns are also my own. However, I do know I would not be able to do August. School starts for me early August. I think the last week of July would be better.

I mean, if I can't go, then four other people can't go either.

I would like to go to one (because being a staff and what not) but the only problem is that if it's in David's hometown, I won't be able to make it if it's during this summer, mostly because I just got a job and I won't be able to get any vacation time until this time next year, so sadly, on how much I would like to attend, but trying to get free time, that won't happen.

I am totally down for this I work a lot but me and my friends discussed it and want make a road trip out of it and meet all the great minds behind the vizzed scene

Davideo7 :
CyroXero:
Can we set a definite time and make a reservation so that we can get this rolling and finalize our plans?

Chances are, I will not be able to go. If this does happen, can one of you FaceTime me or something? So I can feel like I am there?

Singelli : so what about us younger kids who still can't drive how are we supposed to get there.and it's coming up pretty soon. and have we decided a place to meet. so i can figure out a way to get there