Bricks by the Bay

Convention Registration is now open!

For the serious LEGO® builder we again will offer a LEGO fan convention! The event will be held Friday-Sunday, March 16-18. Benefits of attending the convention include:

• Custom engraved name badge made out of LEGO bricks
• Access to speeches, presentations, and discussion sessions
• Show your models in the Grand Ballroom for convention attendees and the public
• Become a vendor (additional fee applies) to sell LEGO and related products at the convention and public show
• Exclusive discounts at the LEGO store (TBD)
• Chance to receive free LEGO sets in Prize drawings and contests

The event theme this year is “Green.” It is inspired by the fact that St. Patrick’s Day takes place that weekend, but we’re not limiting it to that: any creative use of the color green, subjects relating to the environment, and of course Ireland or St. Patrick’s Day themed models are suitable. In 2010 our theme was “The Brick Artistic” and in 2011 it was “Creative Combinations.”

If you’re interested in attending the whole convention, read all about the Convention, Hotel, Registration, and Schedule, along with more information about the weekend’s events.

Not sure if you want to come to the convention or just the public day? Read our FAQ to find out more.

How to Register:

1. Go to the hotel site and reserve your room if you’re staying at the hotel – $10 discount per room on convention fees.
2. Go to our convention registration form and register for the con.

Participation Options:

• If you’re bringing anything to display, we are using a wiki workspace to plan space for each theme. Request a wiki account and add what you are bringing to the appropriate wiki page(s). (Click the Edit tab at the top of the page you want to edit to get started).
• If you want to volunteer to help behind the scenes, subscribe to our planning mailing list.
• If you wish to be a vendor, first register for the convention, and then fill out out Vendor Registration form (everyone working your booth must be a registered attendee).

Live-blogging from Bricks by the Bay 2011… when we first opened we had hundreds of people waiting in line with their pre-paid PayPal receipts in hand, and only a comparative handful of cash customers. But after the first half hour or so, we got everyone in, and since then the lines have been quite reasonable. Thanks to the great staff at the Hyatt Regency and Convention Center for accommodating us, and we’re so glad to have a nice spacious area. As long as the current trends continue, if you get here by 3pm, you should be able to get in without much wait.

The public day has begun! We had 1,671 people pre-registered before our cutoff deadline last night, and the cash line is already forming. Come on down and enjoy the show!

If you’ve been waiting until the last minute to decide whether to reserve a hotel room or not, this is it.  Today’s the day the hotel releases our block of set-aside rooms.  You may or may not be able to get the $105/night rate after today, too – it’s up to their discretion.  So book now if you are going to!

Do you operate a business related to LEGO? Would you like to sell your wares at the Bricks by the Bay convention? Sign up to be a vendor!

All attendees are strongly urged to consider staying at the hotel at least one night. Not only do you get $10 off your convention fees, you won’t have to leave the premises in the evening when people are still hanging around and spending social time together after the scheduled events are over. It also helps the convention, because we are contractually required to fill at least 200 room-nights at the hotel and we would be charged a penalty for those rooms if they are not used.

Coming for the public day and need a place to stay? We’ll give you one free public day ticket (or an $8 discount if you are coming as a group) if you stay at the hotel. If you’re driving from a great distance, spending the night in a quality hotel room and being onsite to get in early Sunday when we open will greatly enhance your experience.

If you’ve already registered and later reserve a hotel room, let us know and we can refund you the discount that you missed on.

Reminder: The cut-off date for hotel rooms at the convention is March 3, 2011. After that date, our special rates and guaranteed availability of rooms may be no longer available. If you haven’t reserved a room yet, please do so by March 3rd.

Go to the hotel’s Bricks by the Bay reservations page to start the registration process, or call the hotel at +1 800 633 7313 and ask for “Bricks by the Bay” or “clarabbay2011″ group rates.

For those with economic hardships (unemployed, etc.) please contact us privately if you need a place to stay. The hotel will give us a small number of free rooms based on how many room-nights we fill, and we plan to make those available for people who can’t afford a room. (Proof of economic hardship will be required.)

Have you been eager to register for Bricks by the Bay 2011? Your wait is over! You can now sign up online for the convention using our new registration form. Register by February 25 for the early bird discount (save $5)!

There is a limit of 400 attendees, of which no more than 100 Deluxe packages will be sold. So hurry up and register today!

You can see who’s signed up so far on our Roster page.

The PayPal link for online pre-sales for the Public Expo is now active. Go to the Public Expo page now to order your tickets. Cost is $8 per person; children under are 2 free.