[games_access] GDC Booth

[hinn at uiuc.edu]

Ok...some really, really bad news.

So we've already learned that a "free" booth at an expo only means the physical space and that at the end of the whole thing we were talking around $3000 for the additional costs (they kept building up all week). But the "free" was a $5000 discount to put things into perspective.

Now I hear from the GDC people...a 10x10 booth (note: this is half the size we had at E for All but it was the original space we were supposed to have -- thank you people who did not show up! :) ) runs $5400. And, yes, that means ONLY the physical space. They are estimating a similar number ($3000) in addition to the $5400 for a completed booth (which is required and which is everything from carpet to insurance to electricity ($$ by the voltage).

Whoa. I threw back a question their way about the deadline for saying "yes/no" so we know how much time we are talking about before major $$$ is due.

If we are going to seriously pull this off? We need some people who will seriously work with me to help raise this cash (not to mention working the booth at the actual conference). This doesn't mean just raising questions like "what about Microsoft?" -- this means actively asking any/all contacts you have about major booth $$ sponsorship. So...Not just me doing this. I still have money to raise to retrograde sponsor us for last week and am dealing with a bad pneumonia and teaching all at the same time.

I know the booth sounded like a really good idea but now we need to really think if this is a good enough idea that is worth raising around $8000 for? I think $8000 is possible but we are going to need to work our collective butts off for this.

So much to think about...eee....

Michelle
.......................................
these are mediocre times and people are 
losing hope. it's hard for many people 
to believe that there are extraordinary 
things inside themselves, as well as 
others. i hope you can keep an open 
mind.
 -- "unbreakable"
.......................................