Progress Report 5
From the Chairman
Here we are, down to the final days before the launch of Chicon 7!
This web page contains links to all kinds of valuable information about the convention including directions to the hotel and information about registration. There's information about what to do, what to see, where to eat, and possibly even how to take over the world (my folks assure me, it's in there somewhere). Please pore over this information, it will help you make your time at Chicon 7 more productive and fun.
We look forward to seeing you in just a couple of weeks!
Dave McCarty - Chairman
Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention
About PR5
This PR includes a series of links intended to help you make the most of the information on this website, and of your time in Chicago. For a full index to the website, use the main menu at the top of every page, or the alphabetical At A Glance page.
Travel and Accommodation
First things first: you need to get to the convention! Advice for getting to Chicago is on our Getting Here page; more details on local transport can be found on our Getting Around page.
Our main hotel is the
Hyatt Regency Chicago. (Our overflow hotel is the
Sheraton Chicago.) The Hyatt will provide the majority of our accommodation and host the convention program, events, and exhibits. We have provided some
useful maps for orientation.
While You're Here
While a Worldcon can easily occupy every waking hour, we know that members often like to see a bit of the host city. We've gathered a range of
tourism information along with a guide to
eating and drinking in the city. This includes details of
restaurants close to the Hyatt for those with limited time.
We also have a number of special off-site trips planned for members, both before and during the convention.
If you'd like some morning exercise - to keep yourself fresh and to see some of the area around the Hyatt - consider joining
Stroll with the Stars, starting at 9 a.m. each day.
If you have any minor problems that can't be solved on site, or errands you need to run, check our
just in case guide with information on local grocers, doctors, pharmacies, and more.
Worldcon Orientation
The first thing to do on arrival (after checking into your hotel, of course), is to register and collect your badge, which gives you access to the convention. The registration desk is located at the Grand Registration Desk on Gold East of the Hyatt.
Make sure you ALWAYS carry your badge - security will not let you in to convention areas without it - and be careful not to lose it. (Badges are valuable items, and there is a $50 replacement charge).
Registration hours are listed on the main
schedule page along with the opening hours for all of the main convention areas and activities.
Is this your first Worldcon? If so, we recommend you read this introductory article before continuing.
Program, Exhibits, and Events
Chicon 7 has an exciting and diverse range of programming, topped off with some spectacular events and exhibits.
- To plan your convention, start with the program. You can browse day by day, or use the program grid for a quick overview. If you are interested in seeing particular people, start from the participant list. Or, choose from some of our recommended highlights.
- If you're arriving early, consider learning introductory Klingon with the Klingon Language Institute on Wednesday, August 29.
- Major events are planned for each night of the convention. Opening Night (Thursday) will feature a visit to the Adler Planetarium. Friday night has the Chesley Awards and Geek Prom. On Saturday you can attend the Masquerade and, of course, Sunday sees the presentation of the Hugo Awards.
- Look out also for our Guests of Honor and Special Guest, who will be featured throughout the convention. Particular highlights include Mike Resnick's Guest of Honor speech, Peggy Rae Sapienza being interviewed by a Papa Fuzzy puppet, Jane Frank talking about the Haggard Room which are re-creating in Chicago (see below), and Rowena Morrill joining other artists to answering questions about their art and business. Sy Liebergot will be talking about his experiences getting Apollo 13 safely back to Earth, while Story Musgrave discusses the glory of space with Toastmaster John Scalzi.
- Other highlighted events include the Gaiman Theatre, presenting adaptations of two Neil Gaiman short stories, and the Chicon 7 Film Festival, showing over 100 independent and fan films.
- Alongside the scheduled events we have a range of exhibits and attractions. As with every Worldcon, the exhibits area includes a spectacular Art Show, a large Dealers' Room, and standing exhibits on the history of fandom and Worldcon.
- We also have exhibits and attractions unique to Chicon 7. These include the Frank Room (a reconstruction of the Haggard Room from the house of Jane and Howard Frank), and electronic gaming on the Concourse featuring both arcade classics from the 1980s and the latest BattleTech simulators - all free to members.
Services to Members
We provide a number of services to help members get the most from the convention... and to help you to help us.
- We recommend that all members read our Code of Conduct before setting off for Chicon 7. Anyone attending a Chicon 7 event is expected to be aware of and follow this Code for the entire duration of the event.
- If you have special needs, please check out our Disability Services page.
Cori Callicotte and her team are ready to help you with any issues you may have.
- If you are bringing younger children, you may want to consider using the professional childcare service. We also have the ChiKidz children's program for those aged 6-12.
- And if you'd like to help put on "the Greatest Show on Earth" (or at least in fandom), please sign up as a volunteer - we still need help in many areas.
At A
Contact
