Minicon is a bit startled but, on reflection, pleased to announce that we are moving to the downtown Minneapolis Hilton and Towers Hotel, beginning with Minicon 34 in 1999.
When we said "Minicon 34 will be different," we didn't know how different. We'd planned to stay at the Radisson Hotel South for 1999, where we've been for fourteen happy years, and to negotiate a new contract for 2000 and beyond. We were, as usual, checking alternate venues.
However, the Radisson was sold in May of this year. At that time, the new owners decided not to honor our existing contract, and proposed to renegotiate its terms.
Ten weeks of negotiations with both the Radisson and the downtown Hilton followed. In the end, the Hilton offered Minicon the better combination of service, facilities, rates, and convention arrangements. We thoroughly reviewed the contract to ensure that the terms are appealing to Minicon and our membership. Then Minn-stf Board gave its approval and we signed on the dotted line. It's formal. It's legal. It's real. Ergo, we're moving. Now.
Room rates for 1999 will be $72 (plus tax) single-quad. The Hilton has about the same number of rooms as the Radisson and Sofitel combined, so there's the possibility of Minicon fitting into a single hotel. We will monitor reservations and make overflow arrangements at hotels within walking distance if necessary.
The Hilton's function and hospitality spaces are well-suited to Minicon's plans. Several program rooms, the art show, the hucksters room, and a hospitality area are centrally located around a large foyer with ample space (and comfy chairs) to hang out and talk while watching for friends. There are loads of executive king suites ideal for room parties, and several two-bedroom parlor suites, too. The hotel has six elevators for getting to and from room parties and the upstairs consuite. Yes, there's also a swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
Look for further details about the hotel, as well as Minicon registration and Hilton room reservation information, in Progress Report 1, which will be mailed first class at the beginning of August. (We apologize for its delay; we obviously couldn't go to print until the hotel situation was resolved.) At that time, the PR will also be posted on the Minicon web site: http://www.mnstf.org/minicon/.
Minicon thanks the employees of the Radisson South for fourteen lovely years and also thanks the many Minicon hotel liaisons who helped make that relationship work so well. We're already working to build a good relationship with the staff at the Minneapolis Hilton -- to hear them talk, they're looking forward to next Easter weekend as much as we are. We invite science fiction fans from near and far to come and help us settle into our new home!
-- Geri Sullivan and David Dyer-Bennet for Minicon