Dear Members,
As the date for our convention draws ever closer we have information, updates and a question or two.
COVID-19
We know that COVID-19 is on everyone's mind and we recently met with the hotel to understand the plans they have put in place. We have posted the update from that meeting on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/concentric2020/posts/193426601990798/
You can also find the full text of that update at the bottom of this email.
Childcare/Creche
We are looking at what our childcare/creche options are and to that end we need to know who will want to use it and for how many infants/children. We have not yet had any queries about it so we wonder if it is needed. Please email hotel@concentric2020.uk if you plan on using creche facilities.
Parking
Many of you have asked about parking. We have a discounted rate of £9 per day. Those resident in the hotel should arrange with reception on check in (they use ANPR). Those who are day members will get a code that will be good for that day only which they will enter into the machines.
Booking Off-Link reminder
Did you book off-link? No worries! We would very much appreciate it if you would email hotel@concentric2020.uk with your reservation number and booking name. This will allow us to ensure your booking counts towards our room nights. If you have already done this - thank you!!
Volunteer
We are still looking for volunteers for tech, ops, art show - in short all areas! Think you might have an hour or two to spare? Please sign up here:
https://www.concentric2020.uk/get-involved/volunteering
We will have groats! :-)
Forgot to sign up for programme? No worries go here:
https://www.concentric2020.uk/get-involved/programme-participants
If you are available to run a kids' writing workshop as part of the children's programme please email programme@concentric2020.uk
Programme Participants
Are you a programme participant? Will you have a need for tech during your talk/workshop/presentation? If so you need to send an email to tech@concentric2020.uk as soon as possible to let us know what you will need.
Keep an eye out for our second and final PR coming to your inbox very soon!
We look forward to seeing you in April!
The Concentric 2020 Committee
Text of the COVID-19 Update
Message from the Concentric 2020 Committee:
The Eastercon committee met with the Hilton on Friday and discussed with them the concerns of the Eastercon membership. We asked about their policies on refunds for the event and any rooms booked with the potential issues from COVID-19. The Hilton have confirmed to the committee that, as the government's stance at this point is business as usual, they will not be offering any additional or exceptional circumstances towards bookings that have already been made.
We have discussed if there would be any possibility of a change in their stance on this matter. We have been advised that the only time at which there would be a change would be if running the convention would be either impossible or illegal due to requirements put in place either from the Government or from an authorised public body such as Public Health England or the World Health Organisation.
The Committee asked what is being done to resolve any potential issues and we are confident that they are taking all precautions possible at this time regarding the control and spread of the virus. They are carrying out daily briefings on the nature and identification of the virus, and have engaged in a rigorous cleaning and sanitisation programme with increased focus on keeping surfaces disinfected on a regular basis. They are providing hand sanitiser in all their public areas and they have increased the frequency of their cleaning throughout the hotel. In terms of monitoring, the Hilton is receiving daily bulletins from both Public Health England and the World Health Organisation and will be continuing to monitor the situation as it develops.They have agreed to keep us informed of any changes.
The Hilton have advised that if any of the membership have any concerns they wish to address, they will be happy to answer any queries directly.
Best,
Vanessa and John - Co-Chairs
on behalf of the Committee
Concentric 2020
TL:DR - No - this IS important. Please read :-)