Sponsership, Supersponsership, and Food Coupon Questions

1&3. Sponsors did not recieve any food coupons; only Supersponsors get them. A typical coupon is "$5 discount on any purchase" or "One 6-inch sandwich and a soda". They vary each year, as do the merchants, and while there are typically 3- we evaluate and make decisions each year in partnership with local restaurants, so we can't say yet "There will be 3 coupons."

You'll turn in the coupon, which is only good THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT, when you pay your bill. It is considered good manners to tip on the full price. You may also if you wish give the coupon to a friend; they are transferrable.

2. The Artists & Dealer's Reception tends to be light snacks: a cheese and vegetable platter, cookies and brownies, and the like. It's not a meal. As for the Supersponsor luncheon, I've never attended such (I'm always too busy at Registration at that point).

--Chi

P.S.: Sponsor, not Sponser. *polite spelling nudge*

Greetings, Victor Redtail!

   The meal coupons this past year consisted of one coupon each for FURnando's Cafe (Gourmet Subs), Cory's Subs and Cheesesteaks - both of which were good for a 6" sub & chips & soda - and one for Hanlon's Cafe, which was redeemable for something called the "'Pick A Card, Any Card!' Special", which I suspect was for an item from a Convention-Special menu, most likely a basic-but-tasty combination plate.

   Each of these dining establishments is within a half-block of the hotel, and an additional 50 yards or so to the Convention Center, and had received so much Furry Business that it was probably quite easy to ask them to participate with these coupons, which are unique to AnthroCon and distinctive for each year.  They work by you presenting them at the time that you pay for your meal; the collected coupons are then presented to AnthroCon, and the participating establishment is reimbursed for the cost of the meals.

   I do not know how many coupons were actually redeemed for meals, but I suspect that it was less than the number issued; I didn't use mine (NOT because I have any problem eating at these places!  I bought my very first FURnando's Famous Lasagna Wrap this year, and the cheesesteaks at Cory's are damn good), but they were just too pretty to stick in my wallet (with all tha filthy money), and they make nice souvenirs.

   The Supersponsors' Luncheon is very much like the sort of meal served at a reunion dinner or annual office "retreat" or wedding reception; it's catered by the catering service/provisioner associated with the DLCC, and for the past few years has been in the form of a buffet-style serving line, featuring a selection of salad items, bread rolls, 3 or 4 side dishes, and I believe a choice of 2 entrees, to allow for those who are carnivores and those who graze.  A light dessert and the beverage has (thankfully) been a lemonade drink, or water (sorry, I don't remember if coffee was available).  No Pop.  The quality of the food has been very good - but remember, it has to feed about 215 people or so; it makes a good meal, but do not expect to overload a plate and then go the rest of the day without eating.

   The Artists and Dealers' Reception is held within the confines of the Art Show exhibit space, with Art Show Department Head PeterCat as your host.  It is held later in the evening, and nice dress-up wear is encouraged.  The point of the reception is to give both the Artists and Dealers, who spend the hours when the Art Show is normally open to viewing stuck behind their various tables, an opportunity to view the art and perhaps bid, and to mix with their fellow artists and merchants.  As so many of the Supersponsors are also patrons of the various artists, they are invited as well, as an opportunity to meet and mix in an environment other than across a table of merchandise, and without interrupting creative impulses while the artist is trying to draw something or sell to a customer.

   To add to the atmosphere of a friendly reception, PeterCat arranges for some tables set up with "Nibble Food", like at a cocktail party.  Things like platters of high-end and exotic cheeses, crackers and crisps on which to serve them, fruits such as sliced kiwi and strawberries and table grapes, and cookies and brownies - the sort of stuff that you would snack on from a small plate, as you drift around and mingle, and admire artwork.  Beverages here include canned soft-drinks and coffee.  There is no place to actually perch and eat, and it is just light formal party-type hospitality food, anyway - not a valid substitute for a meal.  The prime attraction of the reception is the mingling with the artists, in an environment where everyone is at leisurely ease - and not the nutrient value.

***********

    There are other benefits to the Sponsor and Supersponsor memberships - the reserved seating for the entertainment events comes to mind.  And while I would certainly not wish to discourage someone from registering at the premium levels (AnthroCon is a much better experience for all, thanks to the generosity of the Sponsors and Supersponsors), I have to point out that if you are concerned about meals - particularly if you are on a tight budget - that if you were to register at the basic "Attending Membership" level, the savings over a Supersponsorship would be enough to let you both buy the convention T-Shirt, and dine well (and with some variety), using any of the off-site dining facilities within walking distance of any of the hotels, during the span of the convention.

Good Luck!

I used all 3 of my coupons  (though I grumble about not being able to use them monday as well ) The food at all 3 places was quite good.I was glad to get them.I missed the artist reception this year because I decided to go to a baseball game instead.But in past years the cookies and fruit served was all quite nice. The supersponsor luncheon is also a very nice buffet .And as people have joked the beverage was lemonade not the dreaded iced tea we had the first year. Its a nice series of benefits and if you can afford it ,I highly recomend supersponsoring.I`ve done it for several years in a row now and I dont regret it.

whats in the iced tea? is it that bad?

Don't worry about it: it's not served anymore.  The... stuff... that we're talking about had only three things in common with iced tea.  It was brown, cold and served in a glass.  I will not even say that it had water as a common ingredient.

As I said, don't worry about it. It has been replaced with lemonade which I find quite good.  Either all the other Supersponsors agree or they haven't felt it bad enough to complain about.