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   Arisia'21 is over. Please visit the new convention site: www.arisia.org.

Progress Report 4 Arisia 2021

 
 

Arisia Progress Report #4
December 2020

New England's
Largest, Most Diverse Sci-Fi
& Fantasy Convention
Arisia 2021
January 15-18, 2021
In Cyberspace!
Welcome to Progress Report #4!
Arisia 2021 is coming! In roughly 30 days we will join together on multiple platforms tied together by a fantastic infrastructure being built by the amazing Remote Conference Division. We can't wait to show you, and we can't wait to gather with you in the New Normal.

It does take a village to raise an Arisia. If you would like to volunteer, please visit arisia.org/VolunteersWanted
Registration/Memberships to Arisia 2021
Due to the switch from an in-person to online Convention, memberships to Arisia 2021 will be kept at a set price regardless of when purchased. The rates are $25 or a “sustaining membership” of $75 available to those who choose to pay that much. There are also scholarship memberships available ($0) to anyone who needs them. Go to arisia.org/Registration.

If you purchased Arisia 2021 memberships at the old prices and want to roll your membership to next year or get a refund, please fill out the Rollover/Refund form. The deadline for these requests is 12/31/2020: >arisia.org/Rollover-Refund-Form
 
Volunteer
Arisia runs on volunteers. Want to help out? See out list of open positions at our Help Wanted page here: arisia.org/VolunteersWanted

Want to volunteer but don't see something specific that interests you yet? Fill out ouf Volunteer Sign-Up form and we'll do our best to match your skill sets with current and upcoming positions. You can find the form here: arisia.org/VolunteerSignup

Not a tech person?  More of a people person?  Member services will need folks to act as guides to those new to online convention platforms and help folks get in touch with the tech people who can solve their problems!  If you are comfortable chatting on Discord, even better!  Fill out the form for volunteers above and say that you are interested in Help Desk!
 
Remote Conference Division
The Remote Conference Division is responsible for crafting and running the infrastructure of the all-online Arisia 2021.  There are all sorts of things to do over the next few months, and we could use lots of help!  Among other things, we are looking for:
  • Programmers who are comfortable with high-performance web servers, and integration with systems like Discord and Zoom.
  • Web designers who can help us craft a pretty and fun site for the attendees.
  • UX designers to help us ensure that the whole thing hangs together well and is properly usable.
  • Folks experienced with accessible (WCAG 2.1)website design, to help make sure that everyone can participate properly.
  • IT folks to help build and run the underlying infrastructure.
  • A project manager to help keep this process on-track between now and the convention.
If any of this sounds up your alley, or if you have other relevant skills to bring to bear, please write to remote@arisia.org and let's chat!
 
Access Division
 
The Access Division is committed to ensuring that our 2021 Virtual Convention will be accessible to all Arisians old and new, including those who haven’t been able to attend before. We have released an online survey this month to get feedback on our current plans, and find out if there’s something more we can do to meet everyone’s access needs. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please reach out to the Access Division.

Art Show and Dealers Room
 
rt show is no longer taking applications for the show. We are however accepting names for our wait list.

Dealer and Creators are encouraged to sign up for an online space in the Dealers Room. Spaces are $20 for the weekend. The deadline to apply is December 23rd. More info and sign-up here: www.arisia.org/DealerFAQ

Gaming

Virtual Live Action Role Playing (LARPs) are here! Folks around the world have been working very hard since March to come up with a way to make LARPs happen. We're very excited to have some play-testing opportunities available to help refine some of the tools being developed. We also look forward to exploring new ways of storytelling!!

If you are interested in finding out more, please sign up online at our form.


Remote Watch Parties

This year, we are looking for people to host themed Watch Parties at Arisia 2021. Hosts will pick an SF/F related theme and select online video to fill between 1 to 2.5 hours of a timeslot. In addition to watching videos, there will be a text chat area for discussing the videos (DIY MST3K optional).

We're also looking for people to host Listening Parties for SF/F themed Old Time Radio, new podcasts, and similar audio recordings.

If you are interested in hosting a Watch Party, please contact @email.
 


Annual Arisia Blood Drive

Arisia '21 will be going virtual and so will the Blood Drive!

Heinlein Society Blood Drives, including the successful Arisia Blood Drive we've held since 2004, are reimagined this year, as so much else has been. Please consider donating whole blood, power red cells (double reds), platelets, plasma for transfusion, or COVID-19 antibodies via convalescent plasma any time from now through the end of the con at a place, time, and with an agency convenient for you. Special thanks for those going to our long time partners, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital!

  Please take a selfie with:

  • "I donated today" sticker
  • the institution's name and/or logo
  • something with the con name (T-shirt, badge, water bottle, Souvenir Book, hand drawn sign...).

As long as the photo has the required items, you don't need to be in the photo. Please send the selfie to @emaily.org and include:

  • Type of donation (Whole Blood, Double or Power Red, or other)
  • How you want to be listed on our website (Badge name or "Attendee at [Con Name]" is OK)
  • Do we have permission to publish a thumbnail of your photo? 
  • If you would like a Heinlein Society Blood Drive pin
  • Name and a valid USPS return address so we can send you a thank you card, ribbon for your next in person con, and a pin (if desired).

Selfie thumbnails are on a virtual Blood Drive page under each con on the Heinlein Society Web Page.

For more information, please go to arisia.org/BloodDrive


Advertise With Us

Arisia is the largest fan-run science fiction convention in the Northeastern United States. Even with a virtual Con, activities at Arisia cover all aspects of science fiction, fantasy and related interests, and this year we expect over 3,000 attendees.

Arisia publications will reach an audience with diverse interests in books, arts, gaming, science and technology, films, TV, and other media, as well as related activities such as music and costuming. Ads appear in the Souvenir Book, which will be available online in PDF full-color and black & white format.

For any questions regarding rates and to reserve space, please contact us at @email.

 
Convention Committee Meetings
Convention Committee (ConComm) meetings are open to all members of the Arisia community who would like to be a part of making Arisia 2021 a success. Whether you are interested in hearing more about what's happening behind the scenes, or want to find out where and how you can volunteer or help staff these meetings are for all of us!
 
Meetings take place via Zoom to ensure social distancing. Zoom information is sent out to the staff-announce listserv at least 1 day prior to the meeting. Contact @email for more information.
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7pm
 
Guests of Honor
Suzanne Palmer, Author Twitter | Facebook | Website

Hannibal King, Artist

Kat Tanaka Okopnik, Fan Twitter | Facebook


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