You’re coming to Big Bad Con! Awesome. Here are some important Con 101 reminders:
Before you head out
Bring non-perishable food for donation. Big Bad Con will have a food barrel for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County at the registration desk. Please bring a can of something tasty for all the hungry folks in the Bay and we’ll give you a pin! Here is a list of food they are looking for.
Getting to the Hotel
Driving: The Marriott in downtown Walnut Creek is off Interstate 680. Here are driving directions.
Flying: Both the Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are attached to BART (our subway system), so you can hop on a train and go to the Walnut Creek Station.
Public Transportation: We recommend taking BART to get to the Hotel. The Walnut Creek Station is a 12-minute walk, or you can call the hotel shuttle service (at 925-934-2000) for a pickup.
At the con
Hungry? The hotel resturant and bar are quite good, but there are also plenty of good eats nearby. See the map.
Where to go? The convention registration desk is downstairs at level B2. You can take an an elevator from the main lobby or walk down the steps near the bar. There is a map of the building on the hotel page.
Parking. Parking is valet only. The normal rate is $23/day but we have it reduced to $10/day for convention guests. Make sure the let the valet know that you’re with the con when you arrive.
Internet. There are two WiFi Networks available (one works better in the hotel lobby and guest rooms, another is stronger in the convention area), both of which are free to use.
Registration: If you signed up before Oct 5 your badge will be ready for you at the door. If not weekend passes are $50 and one day passes are $25. Teen weekend passes are $30 and $15 respectively. You can purchase these at the con registration desk.
Games
Sign-ups: Online game sign-ups are closed. To get into any games at the con, check out the game sheet at the registration desk (Under the “Wolf Den” Banner) and put your name down in an open slot. Like we did it on the website, all open games will be first come, first served. The current day’s games will be posted on the wall, and updated for the next day at 8PM.
Games on Demand: Stop by California Ballroom Salon B and play in any of the Games on Demand Games as they open up. The organizers will post available game times, systems, and GMs inside the boardroom. Start times are here, but remember to show up about 10 minutes early to get in a game.
Open Gaming: All the game slots full and nothing to? Head over to Open Gaming, where we’ll have awesome pick-up games available all weekend!
Community Standards
Policy: Everyone at the con (attendees, volunteers, vendors, staff, and GMs) must adhere to the Community Standards policy.
Age Policy: The con is open to all attendees 13 and older. Guests 13-17 will need waiver signed by a parent or guardian when they pick up their badge. More information here.
Surviving at the Con
3-2-1. In the excitement of gaming it is easy to forget some of the basics. The 3-2-1 con rule is a reminder to get a minimum of 3 hours of sleep, 2 meals, and 1 shower each day.
Up for little exercise? The Wolf Chase 2016 is open to all who can stumble out of bed by 7AM. It’s our opportunity to not only get in some exercise, but also bring a little more aid to Doctors Without Boarders, via the Crowdrise fundraiser!
Contact Us
In a bind and need to contact us? You can tweet @bigbadcon, call (510) 646-0073, or send an email to info@bigbadcon.com. Once you’re on site there will be staff members and volunteers in the registration area and open gaming. Just stop by and we’ll be happy to help.
Thanks for the tip Danielle.
Around the corner on San Juan Avenue, there is usually ample street parking with a 2 block walk to the hotel, for those that might find $10 a day a hardship.