News from Norwescon November 2023

Announcing our New Guests of Honor!

We are pleased to announce two additional guests of honor for Norwescon 46: Dr. Raychelle Burks for science guest of honor and Kate Alice Marshall for special guest.

Dr. Raychelle Burks has worked in a crime lab and now teaches and does forensic research, when she isn’t writing her science-meets-true crime column “Trace Analysis,” podcasting, or appearing on television or cons. She is the 2020 recipient of American Chemical Society’s Grady-Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public.

Kate Alice Marshall is an author of horror and thrillers for all ages. She has been nominated for the Washington State Book Award and the Bram Stoker Award, and her thriller What Lies in the Woods was an editor’s choice in the New York Times Book Review.

For more information about both these guests, visit our Guest of Honor page!

Hotel News

Roll Away or Not to Rollway? The SeaTac Fire Department recently revised its safety regulations related to double queen rooms. According to the rules, rollaway beds will no longer be allowed in rooms that come with two beds. This will not affect king rooms or suites. While you can still have up to five individuals in a double queen room, the hotel will not provide that comfortable rollaway that you love.

Did you know? The five-person occupancy limit also applies to king rooms, but there is no occupancy restriction in a suite. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our hotel liaison, Pat, at hotels@norwescon.org.

Cookies For All!

Our chair spotted some great news from the hotel on the hotel reader board at the last convention committee meeting:

Our DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie is a symbol of our brand's commitment to providing guests with a kind welcome and memorable stay. For over 30 years, it has set us apart from the competition and brought comfort and joy to millions of guests. However, we recognize that there are over 32 million people in the U.S. alone with food allergies who are missing out on this experience.

To ensure we greet all our guests with the same positive check-in experience, we’re pleased to announce that we are partnering with Partake, a minority-woman-owned business, to create a top nine allergen-free option. The new Allergy-Friendly Cookie is free of peanuts, eggs, dairy, soy, tree nuts, sesame, fish, wheat and shellfish, and is certified vegan, gluten-free and Kosher and will be individually wrapped with no need for freezing, baking, or warming. The alternative cookie offer will be a brand standard [106.06.A] across all U.S. properties beginning on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, August 4, 2023. Offering guests the choice of our Original Cookie or allergy-friendly helps makes sure no guest misses out on our cookie welcome.

The Norwescon Shire

The Norwescon Shire is an initiative to engage teens and tweens at Norwescon in empowering new adventures. We need adults to volunteer to lead this program, and are soliciting donations of craft and decoration supplies. Please join us! Visit our new page in the Youth and Teens section under Welcome to Norwescon! on our website for more information and for a list of items needed.

Programming/Special Events Corner

Suggest a Panel

Panel selections will begin soon, so please submit your ideas using the panel suggestion webform.

Suggest a Meetup

Want to talk about your fandom with like-minded fen? Want to play Pokémon GO? Have a meeting with your club? Visit our meetups page on our website to apply to have your meetup at Norwescon 46.

Send Ideas to Special Events

Know a local geeky band? Talent who deserves the spotlight? Have crafty decorations to contribute to a swap exchange? Send in your ideas at specialevents@norwescon.org

Host Wanted for In Memoriam

Programming is looking for a host for In Memoriam panel on Sunday of the con. Contact programming@norwescon.org for details.

Art Show, Club Tables and Dealers' Room Applications Are Open

Please visit our artist registration page at Artist Registration – Norwescon to register for the Norwescon 46 Art Show, our club tables page at Club Tables – Norwescon to register a club table, or our dealer’s room page at Dealers’ Room – Norwescon to fill out your application.

Don't Forget to Register Before Prices Increase!

Registration for Norwescon 46 is currently $85 for adults and $60 for youth aged 13-17. The price will go up, so register now to take advantage of the current rate. Visit our Membership page to register today.