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Thanks @bengood921!
I wasn’t trying to call you out; I know you have had a lot going on with your dad. I just wanted to see if anyone else had begun to make an arrangement (If no one had, I was going to reluctantly take a stab at it)
The table arrangement looks good to me, but as you said, I won’t get too attached until we hear from Todd.
Thanks for working on this, Ben! I was going to work on this for you but got pulled away from my computer before I could attempt it. I think the Display looks good personally and I do like the flexibility of being able to add an inside table if we wanted to!
@bengood921, that looks good. Two full tables is probably a little bit more than I would actually need but (i) I can bring more to fill the space or (ii) cede any extra to @jrbookworm for his HP buildings.
Is there a deadline for MOC registration?
A hard deadline I dont believe so, they do typically have a date listed on the site where if you register after, MOC cards wont be printed for you. You need to use their computer set up on site and make them there
Regarding Brickfair MOC’S: for those displaying with the LUG, how do we handle the “theme” to avoid having the theme leader make space for a MOC that’s going to be in the LUG display?
Regarding Brickfair MOC’S: for those displaying with the LUG, how do we handle the “theme” to avoid having the theme leader make space for a MOC that’s going to be in the LUG display?
I could be wrong with this, but I believe when you register yourself and your MOCs, as long as you specify Steel City LUG where it asks, it takes it out of the “theme” sections and automatically allocates space for it in the space for that respective LUG. I could be wrong but that’s how I’ve always interpreted the system
>> I wasn’t trying to call you out;
No worries, I didn’t feel called out. March was an unusual month. I did, in fact, get the table request submitted to Todd before the end of March (by less than two hours), but I couldn’t put in an attachment, so that was sent more recently, after he sent an email reply, and so I’m waiting for Todd to approve the specific plan.
In the meantime, we are on the website. Will is correct about how to register your MOC. That means when you register, after you fill out the card and advance, there is a page that says Where Will You Display? You can pick a theme, -OR- (emphasis in original) you can pick a LUG/Collab. We appear on the drop-down menu for LUG/Collab, and that’s what you want to pick (unless you’re registering something that you’ve built that won’t appear in our area). As explicitly stated on the page, what you choose is for map planning purposes, and doesn’t affect trophy considerations.
As far as I know, Will is also correct that there’s no deadline for MOC registration, other than the cards. I can say from experience that printing your own MOC card on site can be a hassle, in part because of unforeseen problems (such as the printer failing to print properly), so I’d strongly recommend finalizing it before the deadline. I did print my own card on site last August without issue though.
Hopefully Todd approves our plan as is, in which case we just sit back and relax (and build) until the event. If more LUG members decide they want to join us, we’ll worry about it then. Once Todd fixes our footprint on the map, we will not be able to add more tables, but that’s unlikely to happen before mid-June.
Also, when I go to my account tab for this event, towards the top is says “The Steel City LUG collab: [green checkmark] You are in charge” [followed by table information waiting to be confirmed].
I am definitely not in charge. We can get into the hall at noon that Wednesday, and as previously mentioned, at noon I will be going straight to the GBC area and won’t be in the LUG area until I’m done setting up my GBC, which will probably 2-3 hours. I can still advise and whatnot, but I’m really hoping that somebody else will volunteer to take over.
I had thought it was gonna be smooth sailing this year. I was wrong. Todd emailed me back, and he doesn’t like our submission. Below is his response in its entirety. There’s multiple directions we can go with this, so I’m going to post it and let people reply here as they wish.
For now, my only commentary is that when I made the layout, I mostly was just happy that I got it to come out in a nice neat rectangle. But it does create a large interior space that is a luxury the event doesn’t have. I don’t know when I will have a chance to look at it (sometime after 11th Hour), but if anybody has any suggestions on rearranging the tables, feel free to post it here. Even if it’s just a sketch on paper that you photographed to post here, I can convert that to a presentation drawing easily enough.
“Hi Ben,
I’ve added Steel City LUG to the website.
I’ve also uploaded Map #1b to http://www.BrickFair.com/file/ – make sure you’re viewing the correct event. Note that your island grew from 515 sq ft last year to 581 sq ft in your Version #1 drawing. With a 30” standard entry gap + 8’ “inner” tables you are enjoying a 10.5’ wide interior (which opens to 13’ in the middle). 8’ is standard maximum width with several island having only 5.5’ interior width.
Back in February I sent an email out to the largest LUGs/collabs. It read:
This message goes out to the LUGs: NOVA-LUG (Charlie), GardenSLUG (Rick), EmpireLUG Fallen Kingdoms (Blaine), Charm City LUG (Nathan), HARDLUG (James), L-Gauge Modular Standard (Monty), WamaLTC (Randy), RVA LUG (Dennis), and the Great Ball Contraption theme (Scott).
BF/VA is officially bursting at the seams. I want to return at least 1 bounce house back into this show. And (at least one of) either the Derby or Stay & Play. The public is noticing the shrinkage of hands-on features. Also I’d like more freedom when mapping.
I am asking you each to reduce your LUG footprint from last year by at least 20%. Attached is a mid-res map of last year’s show for reference.
If I magically inherit a billion dollars I promise the only thing I will do is buy/build a venue big enough for all of us, with lights that go completely dark for World of Lights, and all new, never-stapled, perfectly level tables. But until then we must grow in different ways.
Please see if you can squeeze some air out of your island, at least not grow beyond last year’s size.
Thank you,
Todd”
I came up with something already. The v1 area is 592 square feet. The v2 area is 448.5 square feet, without anybody having to give up any table space. It looks like it might be a little cozy on the inside, although I’m not sure it’s that much worse than last year’s. It should still be better than 2023, when we were really crowded and with other people. We should definitely give up on any thought of having an interior table at this one though, it’s clear from Todd’s last reply that those days are over.
I’m feeling (maybe over-)confident that this will be enough to make Todd happy. I’d encourage everybody to read over his message and re-evaluate what they’re bringing. But my thinking is that it’s actually unlikely that people are gonna be able to cut enough for us to remove an entire or table or two, which means it’s unlikely that we’re going to be able to further reduce our footprint.
The overall space shortage is a real problem with no obvious or easy solution, and it’s one that isn’t going to go away. Nonetheless, I will point out that Todd’s suggestion that we not grow beyond last year feels like an arbitrary reference point. We have four more people registered than last year, with only two leaving the display area (and one of them is me, which means I’m still taking up space elsewhere), so I don’t see how we were not gonna grow.
I’m posting the layout here for now, I want to hear feedback on it before I send it to Todd. My gut feeling though is that its gonna be the best solution we have.
Reminder that because of a potential shortage of space, BrickFair is discouraging outright repeats from last year. MOCs should be new or a significant upgrade or revision of a previous one.
Well, you did warn us.
I may be able to downsize to an 8-foot table, especially provided someone is willing to cede a little space. I’ve been considering not bringing one of my buildings even though I have buildings on either side now. 12 feet was always a bit of a generous estimate, I can try to get a more exact measure this evening.
I suppose my only concern is that my fiancée has suddenly decided she may want to bring mosaics. I figured I would give her some of my space for that.
I could also downsize if it became necessary. I haven’t finalized my MOC yet so I could probably adjust it to space allocated to me (maybe not less than 1/2 a 8’ table). This is my first time at brickfair so I’m not sure what I’m getting into. My husband is coming but not displaying anything.
Am I correct in noting that the tables are 2.5’ feet in depth?
@bengood921 Thanks for all your work on this. I’m willing to work whatever we have available. I don’t mind being a little cosy. We can plan accordingly.
I know it’s disheartening to have to fit within this arbitrary limit, especially as we continue to grow and some themes with repeated builds don’t seem to be reducing in footprint. As a planner, I know it’s a hard balancing act and I don’t envy Todd for having to figure all this out. We’ll just work with what we can and keep pushing for more space.
This is what bothers me. Will Star Wars have to downsize? Do we really need 100 feet of gray buildings with clones around them?
Gripes aside, I can probably make do with ten feet. I’ll have a couple of repeated builds as I’ve built things around them. If push comes to shove I can probably do an eight foot table provided I’ve either got some space on one side, the corner, or both.
I can probably just go down to 1 8-foot and not bring the snow field and just focus on Endor instead of Hoth too. Echoing JR, I was wondering how much the “themed” areas actually change from year to year.
Are we able to send what you have to Todd before we all downsize? I feel like I speak for most that downsizing isn’t preferable, but can be done if this current set up isn’t acceptable.
I feel like themed areas should be first come first serve… or at least have some
Filter system to avoid repeats of the same thingsThis is what bothers me. Will Star Wars have to downsize? Do we really need 100 feet of gray buildings with clones around them?
Echoing JR, I was wondering how much the “themed” areas actually change from year to year.
I have had similar thoughts to this as well. I noticed last year several tables that contained sets or modified sets. I always struggle with things like that at these conventions where space is a premium. I understand and support anyone in this hobby, but there needs to be a point that we stop allowing strictly set displayers. I also find it very interesting him saying space is at a premium but he is adding a 2nd putt putt course, bounce houses, and some more play areas. I know it is a family show and one has to balance that happy medium, but it does come across as a slap in the face to LUGs. I also cant help but wonder if he plans on limiting the influencers as well.
All that aside, I am planning on just bringing trucks to this event, and my World Trade Center. I can more than likely condense some if we need more room.
@bengood921 I am presuming @jrbookworm is planning to bring his Harry Potter Diagon Alley buildings. If so, he and I should be together (with my Hogwarts Great Hall). I can certainly squeeze additional HP builds on my two tables (probably many if not most of JR’s HP stuff if he is willing).
No problem with asking big to begin with. I presumed Todd would want to shrink us down (especially the middle non-display space).
My current hope is to drive down Tuesday evening and be there for set up on Wednesday, July 30. If that pans out, I am happy to help with set up that afternoon.
This is fine with me. I also have Star Wars buildings now, for what it’s worth.
I can coordinate with Tim separately for spacing if that’s what it comes to.
@Tim, did you still want to maybe collaborate a little bit and I build a boathouse?
did you still want to maybe collaborate a little bit and I build a boathouse?
@jrbookworm Yes, I think you adding a Boathouse would be awesome. Are you going to be at the Q2 meeting? I could bring the base of the Great Hall just so you can get an idea of the dimensions. And if you can let me know the exact dimensions of the Boathouse, I can build in a flat space in the rockwork (not yet built – that is the next few months’ project, if I can find time for it) for it to sit.
I probably will not be at the Q2 meeting since it’s a bit away for me. When and where is it?
I can look at ideas for the boathouse in a couple of weeks. I can probably do a staircase up if you want to leave a spot on the corner, similar to the recent sets.
Can I text you to discuss further, or is there another form of communication you’d prefer? Don’t want to blow up the forum as questions arise haha.
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