A belated announcement and a question

[naomikritzer]

Soooooooo, I'm going to be the Author Guest of Honor at MarsCon next year. I love MarsCon because, unlike most of the other local cons, it's held when the weather is consistently awful, and therefore I don't feel the least bit wistful about spending my entire weekend inside a hotel.

Marscon 2008 will be from February 29th through March 2nd. The Actor Guest of Honor is Erick Avari. I just looked him up, since I wasn't sure who he was. He plays a recurrent character on "Heroes" (Chandra Suresh) (FYI, I've never seen this show, even though all my friends seem to love it), but appears to be distinctive in part for having been a guest on practically every SF TV series ever filmed. The one that actually made me say "oooh, neat!" was seeing that he played the Rabbi in that one Babylon 5 episode.

So, anyway, here is my question. I have never been a Guest of Honor anywhere. What all am I supposed to do, beyond doing a lot of programming and being friendly? Or really, I suppose a better question, for the people here who've done actual con-running type stuff -- what are the things that no one on the concom will specifically tell me I need to do but that they'll be really happy if I happen to be planning to do?

I've attended many conventions, but I have never actually attended opening ceremonies. (I generally skip off to dinner.) I have attended closing ceremonies only once. I do know that as GoH I need to come to those, but since I've never done so in the past...I have no idea what I'm supposed to do there. Advice (particularly from Marscon groupies) is welcomed.

Comments

Coolness

[romsfuulynn.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I have no idea what the answer is to your question. Is it a large con?

Heroes is cool, and I think you might like it. I believe it will be out on dvd shortly.

I believe you are supposed to be amusing in some way at opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies, although that seems to vary, and fairly available in various sorts of social ways in between.

[ericcoleman]

Be available to folks during the weekend, show up at both opening and closing ... the rest is simple. Really, it's nothing to worry about. At some point you may have to speak a little ... I wrote a very silly speech for my GOH spot at Archon, mostly about how I had never had a room to myself at a con before.

You'll do fine ... and congrats ... very cool.

[squigsoup.livejournal.com]

I think you're supposed to be super demanding. Insist on large bowls of M&Ms with all the yellow ones removed. Tell them that in no way are any flowers other than Gardenias allowed in your dressing room. That sort of thing.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

From my vast experience of being a GoH three times.

You have to go to Opening and Closing ceremonies. Usually, you just have to smile, but sometimes they expect you to make a speech saying how pleased you are to be there. Either ask them if this is expected, or think of something in advance in case, I got caught by surprise at Duckon and blithered.

They'll probably want to either have you make a speech or interview you. Interviews are easier.

They'll probably listen very attentively to any program suggestions you have. You are not me, and so suppressing the silly ones will not be a problem. They'll probably also want to do some program specifically around you. If you've written a play or anything like that, and you'd like them to, they'll probably do a reading.

The most important thing is "be available". Do what they ask you to do, and don't hide the rest of the time, hang out somewhere where random people can chat to you.

[allochthon.livejournal.com]

Hey, cool! GOH!
(I have no idea what a GOH is supposed to do, sorry...)

Obviously I don't know him in person, but I bet you'll like Erick Avari. He's a pretty popular character actor, playing a mix of Jewish/Arab/Middle Eastern characters in any number of things. I'd love to spend time talking to him about the politics of that. He was a regular (as an alien Egyption, basically) on Stargate SG1.

[pennski.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! Sounds brilliant! I think everyone else has covered your official and unofficial duties. Do decide what is the maximum you can do in one day and make that clear to the con committee so they don't over-schedule you!

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

I believe one is required to radiate majesty, not unlike Queen Victoria.

[swords-and-pens.livejournal.com]

I think I know where I could get a crown for the weekend....

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

I believe one is required to radiate magisty, not unlike Queen Victoria.