2010- San Francisco Bid!
I'd like to let the membership know that the proposed Chair, Rae Helmsworth has an astounding powerpoint presentation but blogger and powerpoint? a bit beyond me so below you will find the text and I can send people a download, just e-mail me at ruth at crimspreemag dot com.
Hello,
Bouchercon by the Bay is pleased to invite you to consider San Francisco as your 2010 conference location.
Our preferred hotel, the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, is ideally located on the San Francisco waterfront, with a cable car stop just outside the front door. The hotel is a short walk away from historic North Beach, Chinatown and the Financial District. Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square are nearby, as are ferry services to Alcatraz and Sausalito.
There are many restaurants and shops located in the Embarcadero Center, just across the street from the Hyatt Regency.
The hotel itself is one of Hyatt’s premier properties. Recently refurbished, the rooms are comfortable, and include amenities such as coffee makers, safes, and robes.
Conference facilities are conveniently located within the hotel, and will provide excellent opportunities for Bouchercon members to mix and mingle between panels, as well as providing ample space for booksellers.
The following pages provide information about the hotel, as well as our current programming plans. The programming is, of course, flexible and will be finalized in early 2010.
We appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to email me with any questions.
Regards,
Rae Helmsworth, Chair
rae@bcon2010.com
Registration- $175 prior to December 31st, 2009, and $195 thereafter.
Hyatt Regency, San Francisco
5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, California 94111
Dates - Oct.14 to 17
Roomrates- $269 a night
September and October are San Francisco’s busiest time of year. The Hyatt Regency’s rate is typically around $470 per night, so they’ve given us a great discount.
Even with a deep discount, $269 is a higher room rate than Bouchercon usually pays. There are many smaller hotels within easy walking distance or a short cab ride away from the Hyatt, whose rates will be somewhat lower. We will work with Bouchercon attendees to help find alternative accommodations, if they’re desired.
Hotel Amenities
Concierge level available
Smoking rooms available
Each room contains
SCHEDULE OUTLINE
WED.
Casual Evening Event
Movie Night
Bay Cruise
THUR.
Afternoon Panels
Welcome Ceremony
Special Event For First Timers
FRI.
Full Day of Panels
High Tea
Free Night
SAT.
Full Day of Panels
Banquet
SUN.
Morning Panels
Brunch
Panel Schedule
10:30-11:30
1:00- 2:00
2:30 - 3:30
4:00 - 5:00
***** the 4:00 panel block may be eliminated depending upon interest
***** we expect to offer 1/2 hour spotlights for those who would like to discuss special topics or have not been assigned panels; again this programming depends upon interest.
BOOK ROOM Daily, beginning at 10:00 am.
*** there will be a gift shop and cafe area
*** location is central to panel areas
Additional Programming and Special Events
The Bouchercon Bar Daily at 1:00 p.m.- reserved area in hotel atrium- bar snacks-
music (tentative)
High Tea Friday Afternoon in the Hotel Atrium- Will be ticketed- Free if Budget allows
Movie Night Wed and or Saturday -at hotel or local theater- fee will probably be required
San Francisco Mystery Walk Lots of material-e.g. Sam Spade's Office
Hospitality Suite - daily 9 to 5 - light snacks- staffed with volunteers
Committee Structure
We expect to complete our committee membership later this year, after acceptance of our bid.
Chair : Rae Helmsworth
Advisors : Ruth and Jon Jordan
Program Board: tbd
Treasurer / Registration tbd
Book room tbd
Banquet and awards tbd
Book bags tbd
Hospitality suite tbd
Guests of Honor
We are in contact with several potential honorees and will publicize names later this year::
posted by Jon The Crime Spree Guy at 10:39 PM
10 Comments:
Ooo! Maybe Michael Douglas and Karl Malden can attend in trenchcoats...Unless one of them is dead already.
$269 is a bit steep, and I don't know San Fran at all. Is it a walking city?
"The City," as the natives like to call it, is a total walking city. If you have a strong pair of legs, you could actually do the whole area on foot. The bus system is good and so is BART, the light rail. Parking is a real serious hassle. I don't know how much it will cost to park at the hotel, but sometimes it's as much as the rate for a flea-bag hotel room.
Hi,
Naomi is absolutely right, San Francisco is a great walking city.
$269 is a higher room rate than is typical, however, San Francisco is also a great hotel city, and there are many smaller hotels relatively close to the Hyatt, where attendees should be able to get lower rates and still be close to all the conference action.
I am more than willing to pay more for a nice hotel. Over the years we've stayed in a couple losers and paying a bit more to be in the heart of san fran is fine by me. We'll be staying extra days to enjoy the city too.
A cheaper room rate isn't always a good thing.
If it's a really nice hotel, I don't mind paying it. Besides, there are always cheaper options if people would rather spend less. There's probably a dozen hotels within a stone's throw.
I would LOVE to attend B'con in San Francisco. So this looks very exciting.
San Francisco would make an excellent Bouchercon destination (far better than Tempe). San Francisco is a terrific walking, eating, and book-browsing city (visiting Kayo Books is a must-see if you love vintage paperbacks). But the city wasn't really made for cars...parking can be pricey and difficult.
I would love to have Bouchercon 2010 in San Francisco. That is right in my back yard. The hotel is a little steep, but you have to pay that in large cities. There is so much to do and see in SF.
As it happens I just returned (yesterday) from a holiday in California. We stayed in two hotels in SF, both in exactly the same one as you mention here. We are a family of four and we paid $100 per room (for 4) a night (in August). So yes, you can get cheaper. The two hotels we stayed in were fine, if basic (Holiday Inn and Radisson). There are also other chains in same area, eg Shereaton and others whose names I forget.
By the way, if anyone wants to actually go to Alcatraz island you have to book ages in advance, we could not get tickets about 3 weeks in advance. There are plenty of boat tours round the island, though.
Apologies, I think a line got deleted from my comment above. The hotels we stayed in are in exactly the same "area" as the Hyatt, within a few blocks (and the blocks are small).
Bouchercon is our vacation destination every year. San Francisco is just too expensive for us. Add tax and parking fees to the room rate and the cost is astronomical.
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