Just a reminder - the TypeCon2005 planning meeting will be held:

Thursday, February 3, 2005 / 6-8pm
Type Directors Club
127 West 25th Street, 8th floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel 212-633-8943

Send email to get more info or to RSVP to the meeting. See you there!

info@typesociety.org / www.typecon.com / www.typesociety.org

I assume you mean February 3?

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Edit: well, it's been updated above, so now we're set.

Thanks for the heads-up, Steve. I just can't get my brains to move past January. At least I've got the year rigth ;)

Tamye,
Any chance I will get my copy of Indie Fonts2 from last year's SOTA membership? I thought it was part of the bennies of joining SOTA. I have sent you a few emails about it since I joined SOTA last year but your email filter must think I am the evil son of SPAM :-)

ChrisL

Tamye et. al,

I assume you have negotiated a lower rate than the $220 a night that the Roosevelt people are quoting me; how do I go about getting that? Seeing as there are several hotels within a few blocks that are MUUUCH less expensive, I'm curious why the "meeting hotel" is one of the more expensive in the neighborhood. No criticism, don't mean to sound accusatory, but the flights, fancy meals I've got planned (who wants to join me at Les Halles, Nobu, Balthazar and Craft? Also, of course, dim sum on Saturday AM at New Green Bo, but that's not fancy), and the $20 to get into MoMA now (!!) might wipe me out...

Joshua, you're truly an early bird. We haven't posted all the hotel details yet, but never fear, we did indeed negotiate a significant discount for TypeCon attendees. The attendee rate is $165 a night for a superior single or double room. Mention TypeCon and SOTA and you should receive that rate. If it doesn't work, please let me know, and I'll get in touch with the hotel right away so they start quoting the right rate.

Our rate of $165 is really great for that time of year at a nice hotel in New York. You can add a 3rd person to a room for $20 a night, and even a fourth for an additional $20 if you enjoy that much togetherness ;) The hotel and service is excellent. Trust me, we checked out tons of hotels to find the one that would give a good rate and be able to house all our attendees. Not to mention that it's in a safe and convenient neighborhood (just a few steps away from Grand Central and a straight shot down to Parsons). I am sure that you'll be happy with the hotel.

In addition to the awesome service and great historical feel, the Roosevelt has an amazing lobby and large bar area that's perfect to hang out in. Nice health club on premises, and high-speed internet access in the rooms.

We'll have a roomie finder service going soon for TypeCon attendees looking to pair up with someone to share a room during the conference.

Thanks Tamye! That is indeed a good deal. Can SoTA negotiate *free* broadband for the rooms?

I'll be booking soon ... I like to make my plans way in advance.

So far, I think I will be in attendance, but, not being a millionaire designer who can afford expensive hotels, will be staying with friends in Manhattan. Since I live in the United States it is easier for me.

I have a request: could you have a "fall-back" hotel that's inexpensive and close to the Roosevelt that you can offer after the quota at the Roosevelt has been met? I think that would accomodate both SoTA's commitments and the circumstances of the less... presidential among us. :-)

hhp

Are most of the events going to be held at Parsons? I'm one of those "less presidential" also -- so I may be looking for less presidential lodgings close by ;-)

Yes, any tips for $ saving on NYC lodgings would be great.

We have this hotel discussion every year, and the same people
(including me) chime in and say "you really benefit from staying at
the same spot with the rest of the attendees." So, to continue
with tradition, here I go again.

Rate per night:
$185 / 3 = $62 per person
$205 / 4 = $51 per person

That's not so bad.

Combine that with a TypeCon supported roommate finder service
and it's really a good idea to stick with the conference hotel.

Oh, forgot to mention: Hoefler's got a guest room in his SoHo
apt. for anyone who can't afford the hotel. Just give him a ring.
Don't tell him I sent you.

Actually, I for one have "adapted": last year I was saying SoTA should provide a cheaper alternative from the get-go, but now that I understand the quota issue* I was careful to emphasize "later" above. :-)

* Even though the massive attendance last year should give SoTA some confidence... ATypI manages to recommend multiple hotels after all.

> it's really a good idea to stick with the conference hotel.

Sure. Unless it means: the high price keeps you away; and/or the money you spend ends up going directly to SoTA, like my $60 at the auction last year. Long live the King George hotel!

If you think it through, it all seems to revolve around the quota issue. With enough confidence on that, we can be both more profitable and inclusive.

hhp

I'll second Stephen's remarks. I realize that some of you are just rebellious and can't help yourself, but please have a little more patience and allow us to get all the information ready for you. The roomie finder--I am sure--will be a great help. Notice the price savings Stephen listed. For that price you will only get a roach motel, at best, in the big apple. Besides that, you *will* miss out on a lot by separating yourself from the group. You *will* wish that you had stayed at the conference hotel.

On top of that after-hours card games are for conference hotel room attendees only. ::wink::

Hrant isn't wrong. The quota is an important consideration. By staying at the conference hotel you *are* supporting SoTA and TypeCon. So again, please do have patience and give the roomie finder a try.

Hey all! By the way, how much does it cost to attend the convention? Do I have to register and if so, how and by when?

$165 per night is a bargain in the NYC hotel world.

As to a cheaper alternative "close by", I guess it depends on what you mean by "close by". A few blocks away from the conference hotel, will not get you room at a cheaper rate.

A suggestion to those who are unable or unwilling to pay the $165 per night is to book your rooms in the New Jersey, Long Island or Connecticut suburbs and take the region's excellent mass transit system into the city everyday.

Ivan, registration is required, and will be available online in about a month. It will remain a great bargain for this kind of conference. I'll post more details as soon as they're available.

Sounds like everyone is very eager. Looks promising.

If you can't afford an expensive hotel why not check out the hostels? There is one on the west side of Manhattan around (108 St. and 7th Ave.). This is what a German couple told me during The Gates Exhibit. Then your just a subway ride away from the conference.

I am also told that Parsons has student and visiting faculty housing that is rented out during breaks and on a space-available basis; AFTER the hotel's block is filled, this might be a good way for students and others who cannot afford the regular room rate to stay close to everything.

I need to book my plane tickets fast because prices are rising
on a daily basis. As there is no program announced yet, can
anyone advise me from past experience if I'll be missing a lot
if I leave at 18:30 on the eve of the last day (July 24th) or if it's
worth sticking around an extra day? Will there be anyone left
the 25th or will I feel very lonesome in New York?

Yves, there is a full day of programming on that Sunday, and then there will be a closing night event of some sort. Last year, we went to Sumner Stone's orchard for the closing party. Can't promise a trip to the country in New York, but we'll do something fun.

Lots of people stick around for a day or three afterward. You definitely won't be lonely if you stay over Sunday night.

It's only March and I'm already getting excited! Oooooo!

I have a few friends that I can stay with in Manhattan, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to stay in the conference hotel anyway. I figure, I'm coming down for it, I should get the whole experience. Besides, it's even less often that I get to see my type buddies, so $51 a night to hang out with them the whole time is a bargain, really. Staying at the conference hotel always guarantees a good time.

You'd better be staying at the conference hotel, Dyana, otherwise I'm without a roomie!! :^D

A note to the New Yorkers: last year, since I was local to the conference, I stayed at home instead of at the hotel, and I'm really sorry I didn't do the hotel. I had a lot of fun at the conference, but I'm sure I would have had even more had I been staying there.

Yeah, you just gotta love that late night party crashing in each
other's rooms! Man, not only am I going to be jetlagged to
the max, but on top of that I won't get any sleep!
I remember ATypI Antwerp where I slept for less than 6 hours
every 30 to 36 hours.

You should be used to that as a dad by now, no?

That sounds familiar. :^P

Six hours per 36? Must have just one child. The tariff for two children is two stints of four per 48 hours; less if they are both boys.

All you people with so-called sleeping problems, you know nothing.
You're just not tired enough ;-)

Hahahahahahahahaha!

Actually, we have three, and we're so very lucky to have sound
sleepers - each of them did uninterrupted 8 to 9 hour nights by
the time they were 3 months old. But let's not stray to much into
parenting trivia.

Gerry,
I have one boy and one girl. Nether slept through the night until they were past 2 years old. Neither napped beyond 1 year old--to sleep was just a dream :-)
Now that they are older, we have other reasons to lose sleep by them. That is why we drink so much coffee?

Which reminds me, did you receive my package yet?

ChrisL

No package arrived. How long ago did you send it?

Another thing: does the USD165 per night at the Roosevelt include the "hey ho look surprise!" tax of 11% or whatever it is?

Gerry

Gerry, sales tax is not usually part of the list price on products in the US. Maybe hotels are the same way?

Gerry

NYC hotel rates are subject to 13.25% hotel tax and an occupancy tax of $1.00 to $1.50 per dormitory bed or $2.00 per room or $4.00 per suite per day.

TB

Thanks!

So, that's $189 per room per night. Times five, $945. Looovely. (Mental Note: send innocent "how are you?"-type email to friends in NY.)

Tamye, Tiffany, and friends: can we have some figures as soon as possible for the registration, extra events, and so on? Transatlantic fares in July are already at c. $1000 from Heathrow -- the sooner those of us further away can make plans the better.

Gerry

Does anyone know if the tax is included? I know that when I've negotiated hotel rates for the PSA meetings (1200 attendees, average 3 night stay) that we always negotiate tax as part of the rate. Can someone from SoTA tell us whether or not this is true? I guess I could always call the hotel again. I know I can negotiate a bit with the hotel but that seems tacky and I don't think they'll give SoTA the room night credit if I negotiate a lower rate on the phone (yes, it's possible, I just tried, but I do not recommend this for the reasons mentioned above).

Somehow I think a safe guess is that tax will not be included, Josh.

By the way, if you go for sushi you had better come and find me. =D

Now if any type types are Jazz buffs Jazz at Lincoln Center is the Jazz capital of the country with 3 new Jazz clubs, also support Jazz au Bar and Blue Note. For just listening pleasure WBGO 88.3 FM (non profit).

Don't forget the Knickerbocker and Sweet Basil. And a whole bunch more:

http://www.allny.com/broadway/alljazz.html

I have great memories of Sweet Basil brunches, but for atmosphere nothing tops the Lennox Lounge. Having said that, last time I was in NY (and Parsons, for that matter) The Bad Plus were on in the Village Vanguard on my last evening in the city. That may be hard to match this time round, but I'm willing to try.
Any volunteers to stay up late for music, count me in.

Sweet Basil has some great bands. There are a bunch of great clubs in that neighborhood. And Tiffany, we'll probably be having the omakase at Nobu Next Door ($75 per person I think?) or maybe nigiri at Sushi of Gari ... and you will be informed of course. Sushi Yasuda is my favorite but last time I was there it was a couple hundred per person and I just can't justify that again.

Pricing has been posted to the TypeCon 2005 site. Watch that space for the official site launch soon!

http://www.typecon.com/

How soon? MUST KNOW SCHEDULE! It is painfull to have to wait. I've emailed sota about it and they never write me back.

Eric. The dates are up on the site. Link just above.

TypeCon2005: Alphabet City
July 20-24, 2005
Parsons School of Design
New York, New York USA

Clarification : Workshop schedule...

Hi, Eric. I did indeed receive an email from you on March 11 and wrote you right back. Sorry you didn't receive my reply - we have had some email problems, but hopefully all is well now!

The exact workshop schedule is not set yet, but the workshops will be held on Wed. and Thurs., July 20-21 (same schedule as last year). A number of interesting half-day and full-day workshops are in the works. Still working on developing a few of the sessions, so please bear with us until we have the workshop schedule and registration details finalized.

Please try sending another email if you have further questions about anything other than the workshop schedule, or feel free to post here again.

See you in New York!?

Tammye, I tried booking at the Roosevelt but the online reservation system does not accept as a promo code either "TypeCon" or "SOTA". Any hints?

Gerry, your best bet is to call the hotel directly to book your room. Sometimes the independents (OK, the big chains, too) have a hard time getting their online booking systems synched with discount codes for events.

I believe their reservations lines are open from 8am-8pm Monday thru Friday (East Coast Time).

I have a call into our rep at the Roosevelt to see what insight he can offer regarding online booking. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.