Super Sponsor
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Last year was my first year to go to Anthrocon and because of that, I decided to make it as good as I could. Which meant getting a Super Sponsor membership. Being a Super Sponsor was absolutely wonderful, but what really sold it for me and my friend wasn't the ability to go the Art Gallery thing at night (I forgot what it was called), or the luncheon with the Guests of Honor (I missed it sadly All the stories both me and my friend heard from the Dorsi, the AC Staff, and the older furs is what made getting the Super Sponsorship worth it. That made it just plain awesome. I know that was probably an unintended side effect, but thanks to the staff for making it happen. :3 |
), or even all the other privileges and gifts. It was the Super Sponsor lounge, but not in the way you would think. 
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Icerocket
Location: New Brighton, MN, USA
Website: [Link]
This will be my third year as SuperSponsor, and I have to agree with you on some points.
Really, for me, it's Anthrocon as a whole that makes SuperSponsorships worth it. I can't say that having a lounge to go to or shaking Rob Paulsen's hand was worth the price. It's everything.
And think of it this way: You're investing money into yourself to have a great time, and everyone else at the convention is thankful for the money that you put into the convention. The ability to gather resources to do things like this make it worth it for everyone.
I think the perks are worth it. Sometimes I feel that I get more than what I paid for.
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
This'll be my first year as a Super Sponsor. Personally, I don't care so much about the perks as just the fact that I'll be able to say, "Oh yeah? Well, I'm a Super Sponsor, WHAT NOW?"
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permalinkLocation: NJ
I think this is either the 5th or 6th year as a Super Sponsor for me. I'm also a volunteer and dealer.
What can I say, I'm a masochistic workaholic. :B
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permalinkLocation: USA; Michigan
Huh, apparently you SuperSponsors there (yes you!) make being a SuperSponsor well worth than what money could ever pay for.
Perhaps I shall upgrade from Sponsor to SuperSponsor. I hope you're satisfied you've converted yet another soul to the dark side.
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
I'll add the fact that the revenue from supersponsor memberships alone pays the rental fee for the Lawrence Convention Center. Without the supersponsors, we'd never have been able to afford to move to Pittsburgh.
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permalinkLocation: In a small little box in your small little mind.
Website: [Link]
Seriously? 0.o
-----------------
The desire to dream is primordial. Some evolutionary process has instilled life on this planet with the ability to dream. It is essential to survival. Even dogs dream.
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permalinkLocation: Chicago, IL
It seems less surprising if you compare fandom cons to "mainstream" cons. Often, a convention being held in a large union-operated convention center has _regular_ membership fees over $100. My friends attended a computer security convention in Las Vegas once that cost $150 each just to get in the door.
We love our Sponsors and Supersponsors! Their generosity goes a long way to help make Anthrocon the fantastic experience that it is each year. <3
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permalinkLocation: Washington DC
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And that's why they put up with a lot more of our BS. I love my Con Staff. You guys are awesome!
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permalinkLocation: 12 scenic miles from Hell
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I've seen such things as high as $2000.00. Aside from fan conventions, I've never seen one cheaper than $150. $500 seems to be mid-range.
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
Just a question Dr. Conway,
Could one register for a Super sponsorship at the door so to speak? The registration page seems to suggest so but the FAQ implies otherwise. If that is possible, I'm curious what exactly would be "missing" from the Super sponsorship as opposed to pre-registration. Just the luncheon, correct?
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Yes. I'll have to look at the wording on the FAQ. You can certainly register as a supersponsor at the door and get all of the nice perks, except for the luncheon. We have to put the catering order in a week ahead of time, and since we would not know if we were going to get one or one hundred supersponsors registering at the door, we can't really offer it at that point.
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
Most excellent. I was not expecting to be part of the luncheon as I doubted the sudden influx of super sponsors would be easy to compensate for.
I was there last year and vaguely recalled a mention of pre-registration required for such an event but could not really remember. Thank you for clarifying.
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permalinkLocation: Mystic, CT
Blog: [Link]
As Kage said, we indeed do offer Supersponsor memberships at On-Site Registration. Furthermore, you get to stand in an expedited line, set up specifically for new Sponsors, Supersponsors, and those upgrading an extant membership to Sponsor or Supersponsor. That means you don't have to stand in the loooooooooong line.
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permalinkjust a follow up on the luncheon. I noticed we had a fruit cup (or as Kage called it "prewine") , water and coffee. I dont know if my bitching made any difference.or just a coincidence,but I have to say I was happy with the whole meal for the most part. (and I even noticed some kid had french fries for their lunch.that was cute )
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permalinkLocation: Laredo, TX
Website: [Link]
I tired getting a Super Sponsor membership, but the money just wasn't in there. $180 is a bit high to ask for when your only making $1500 a month and the fact airfare is costing me $6000. And after thinking about it, its probably a good idea to start slowly into the world of AC rather then taking the leap of god. Until that year comes - well IF it does - when I can get a SS membership, yall better not be hiding in that supersponser lounge all day. The commoners needs some lovin' too ya know.
BTW I did consider the Sponsorship for awhile, But I'm like "$90 and the only things you get is a ribbon and a t-shirt? I expected them to throw in a gift basket for that price."
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Actually, for the $180 Super Sponsorship, you get: A T-Shirt, a special Super Sponsor only gift (has been limited edition art prints in the past), a neat ribbon, a luncheon with the guest of honor, and access to the Super Sponsor lounge. And that's just what's listed on the registration page. I don't know about this year, but in the past Super Sponsors also got preferred seating for certain main stage events.
I've Super Sponsored every year I've attended Anthrocon and it's always given me a benefit larger than the cost.
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permalink$6000 airfare?! I know the cost of fuel is high, but 6 grand?! I'm sure you mean $600, unless you chartered a LearJet or something lol.
What's inside the SuperSponsor lounge anyway?
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Food
Beverages
Other supersponsors
Guests
One weary chairman for about 20 seconds.
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permalinkHave the hours for the SuperSponsor Lounge been set?
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permalinkI'd pay that much for the chance to ride the Concorde if it ever would fly again. *sigh*
Dragons can dream, can't they?
-If someone walks up to you and says they are a pathological liar, would you believe them?
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permalinkA poor (or soon to be poor) fellow who's living in Sydney would have to part with $3049 of his hard earned cash (converted to US dollars of course) to catch a flight to Pittsburgh.
Noy
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permalinkLocation: Harrisonburg, VA 22802
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Blog: [Link]
Yes, but this person lives in Texas
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Remember, the idea behind any sponsorship is that there is a portion that is straight donation. Any perks are just our way of saying thank-you for going above and beyond to help us out.
If the value of the perks equalled the price, then there wouldn't be much reason for us to offer the sponsorship. We would just send you down to the con store.
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permalinkLocation: Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
Well, I think what he's saying (which I agree with) is that the Super Sponsor level "feels" a lot more worthwhile because there's more stuff, whereas the Sponsor level kinda feels like a rip-off, it's almost twice the price, and the only extras are a T-shirt and a ribbon.
You would probably see a lot more Sponsors if you tossed in one more little thing, perhaps something that doesn't cost you much, like a section of reserved seating for Sponsors behind the Super-Sponsors in the big events
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permalinkHeh, last year I forgot to pre-reg, and used the sponsor level to jump the queue ^_^;;;
This year, I've pre-registered for Super Sponsor. Now I have two weeks to learn that evil thing known as "Table Manners" so that I dont upset the others while I'm eating. hehe. OH! On the subject of that, is there any dress code for the Supersponsor luncheon?
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permalinkLocation: East Northport, New York
Most of us just wear whatever makes us comfortable without freaking out the rest of the norms.
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permalinkLocation: Orlando, FL
Oh believe me, the staff members don't "hide" in the sponsor lounge. We're typically running around like crazy from event to event. I myself have an average of 8-11 hours per day of time that's specifically earmarked for convention duties.
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permalinkLocation: Quaker Hill, CT
As someone who has certainly donated alot of time and an otherwise expensive service to many a furry convention, I decieded that this year I should go a little further to show my appretiation to everyone else who volenteers their time and efforts to the convention by becoming a SuperSponsor.
While it's nice that we get perks, and I have always wanted to go to the SuperSponsor Lounge, these are not the things that influenced my impulsive descision. I simply felt that it would be my honor to give a little more, to ease the burden of the overtaxed convention accountant if only by just a little bit.
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permalinkThis will be the 2nd year super sponsoring for me (and 7th year attending). I think it was worth it! (though I wish the luncheon had something else to drink then iced tea ..bleh.. )
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permalinkLocation: Hainesville, IL
Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
While I can't speak for Anthrocon on this matter, I know from having dealt with catering at other hotels in the past that they would probably be very happy to offer sodas with the meal...at a small charge of $4.00 per bottle, plus the requisite 18% gratuity and 7% sales tax, and 20% service charge, bringing the total to $5.40 per bottle. And no, this is not an exaggeration, this is what I was quoted by a Hyatt hotel. Now, multiply that by several hundred
So look at it this way: would you rather your supersponsorship money go towards helping to keep Anthrocon in the black, or buying everyone overpriced sodas?
---
Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
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permalinkI dont need an indivual bottle of soda. I`d settle for some lemonade or fruit punch or cofee or something.
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permalinkLocation: Roseville, CA, USA
I would agree - and I happen to LIKE Iced Tea! But the weakly-flavored, tinted water which they serve with the meal, and which doesn't seem to take or mix well with the sweeteners offered, hardly counts as a "tea". If what they called "Coffee" was made like that, no one at that hotel would order it!
Beverage services are a HUGE portion of income for caterers and hospitality businesses. A "7-11" which can't get a beer sales license won't make enough profit to justify the franchise, selling beer is more than 50% of their business. And it isn't uncommon for passengers on a Cruise to receive the bill on the last day, and be paying _twice_ the cost of the room in bar costs, plus the room cost itself. A $700 per person, 8-day cruise, plus $1200 to $1400 for all the beer and booze charged to your cabin - that's wat keeps the cruise lines afloat!
We don't need bottles of soda - but a choice of _something_ other than the "iced tea", like lemonade, or fruit punch, or something else that they can make 20 gallons of from water and a mix concentrate, would be nice. I understand that MILK might be out of the question, though, due to expense.
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permalinkI'd be okay with water, so long as it doesn't taste like they mixed iron powder with river sediment and drown it all with chlorine. That's what my local water tastes like from the tap, and it forms a sediment layer on the bottom of glasses if you let it sit.
But all the news agencies keep saying that tap water is more pure than bottled water AND is held to higher standards anyway. Yeah, sure, drink some of mine and say that with a straight face.
Er...anyway, the water that is frequently provided in the coolers dotted around the hotel and convention center tasted fine enough.
-Estimated six so far. Let's hope it doesn't go higher!
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permalinkLocation: Youngstown, OH
Finally! Someone else that notices! Yes, I love iced tea but the substance most establishments serve claiming to be such is really foul. I always order lemonade instead or things like raspberry iced tea, which actually tastes like it should.
I wish I could afford a super sponser membership, but I can barely afford the con.
"Furry is a state of mind."
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permalinkThis year is going to be my first time attending anthrocon, second furcon in total I've attended. Since this is my first AC I decided to go the highest lvl that was offered for membership. Plus the free perks helped convince me
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permalinkLocation: Trenton, Florida!
*nods vigorously in complete agreement* Me too! Me too! That's what I did!
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permalinkI have done Supersponsorship ever since I started at AC in 2007 (BTW, my first Con!). For someone who is in a wheelchair, it is possibly the best way to go. I have to commend AC for their thoughtfulness with handcapped attendees. But until YOU are sitting in that chair, you will never know the needs of that person. Last year I managed on a cane. This year, I definitely needed the Chair to get around in the Convention Center. What an eye-opener!!!
Dineegla
The full rack, antleered Alaskan Moose
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