From: Michael Walsh <walshmichaelj at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:29:58 -0400
Subject: [WSFA] Fwd: [Info] Balticon Update:
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

For those driving to Balticon done parking news.

mjw
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Dale Arnold <dale at bsfs.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2022 at 10:13 AM
Subject: [WSFA] [Info] Balticon Update:
To: info <info at balticon.org>

Balticon the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention that we run is
May 27-30, 2022. General Balticon info at www.balticon.org

Parking Discount for Balticon Hotel garage:

This year we have a very nice discount for folks who wish to park in the
garage under the Balticon hotel the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
. Only a short elevator ride up to the con and no wind or rain risk. Both
people staying in the hotel overnight and day trippers can use the discount
to save. Depending on how long you stay this discount using our code can be
as much as a 58% cut in price from the rack rate or as low as $15.00 per 24
hours. The parking garage uses a new automated gate-less system which gives
everyone in-and-out privileges for the period of time you buy. A license
plate camera checks to confirm you are authorized to be in the garage as
you go in and out. It is actually a lot less expensive to buy parking with
our discount code before or right after you park than to put the parking on
your hotel bill. The system works best with a smart phone, but you can use
a computer, or flip phone as well (you have to call operator to use flip
phone as I did a few weeks ago when suddenly confronted by the new system,
since then I used a computer browser to buy my Balticon parking)  Check out
details at https://www.balticon.org/wp56/parking/

Discount Parking At Alternate Garage:

We have a verbal agreement to have $10.00 for 24 hour parking at a garage
east on Lombard Street a little over 1/3 of a mile from the Balticon Hotel.
Once this deal is finalized in writing we will add code and details to the
parking page noted above. A bit of a walk, but does save a few more dollars
if you are willing to walk a bit.

Balticon Room Block Contracted Closing Date Approaches:

I have already asked the Hotel to extend the closing date of the hotel
sleeping room block beyond May 6, 2022 at 5:00 PM, but they are under no
obligation to do so. (Time to remember and/or decide folks.) Some years the
hotel staff does extend, some years they decline, and even when they keep
open we never know how long and often they don=E2=80=99t tell me as multipl=
e folks
at their end are involved and I find out by checking to see each day
myself. We are exactly at the make the block point (as of this morning we
made the block by 0.02%) which is good, but given past experience we still
need to run up the numbers of folks staying in the hotel to ensure last
minute cancellations don=E2=80=99t drag us below that critical =E2=80=9Cmad=
e the block=E2=80=9D
number. In a normal year we always have drop outs due to car troubles, or
sick pets, or life getting in the way at the last minute, and this year
such life in the way items are likely to be more common rather than less.
So, if you have forgotten to book your room and you want one do so before
May 6, 2022 and if you suddenly remember after the 6th that you did not
book then still check https://www.balticon.org/wp56/hotel/ and try the
reservation link as if they give you a reservation even after that date
then you are good.