Pretty much what the title says really... post any questions you like about the convention and one (or more) of the team will try to answer it as honestly as possible!

Reading some posts on here, i think some people are *thinking* of a pool party.....now i'm all for fun but i'm wandering if this will be *child friendly*.......i don't want to be a spoil sport but i'm sure attenddees kids will be wanting to use the pool also including Hannah of cause

I don't know for certain, but from a safety point of view the hotel would probably have to have the pool manned incase of accidents so that should stop things from getting out of hand, and we've got the new age policy and informal 9:00 pm "curfew" in place which should help as well.

I'm hoping to talk to the hotel in the next few days to finalise the room bookings system so that's something that can be put on the list of things to clarify with them, and I can also ask to see the pool itself on my next visit and see if there might be any potential problems there as well.

Rather than it being an actual *party* I get the feeling it's just gonna be people chilling and playing around in the pool. It's difficult to get into "party mode" without music and/or alcohol and I doubt these will be available there.

Of course, the most important thing is that I shall be avoiding the pool at all costs... and you really can't have a party without some Billy

Isn't that more of a reason for people to go then?! lol

Gotta say i will avoid the pool as well, the idea of lots of out male attendees all in swimwear is not something i would like to see

Wimp.

The free bus

is this from the hotel/nec to city centre? so we ca have run in to shops on the friday then back to hotel. do you have a time table for it & where it drops you off ?

No, it's just a free shuttle bus that just runs between the Hilton and Birmingham International station and I presume the airport terminals as well.

If you do want to go into the city centre at any time, there are about six trains running every hour, and a return ticket will only cost around £3.50 and takes about 10 minutes so it will be a much quicker journey than any bus or car anyway.

If you do need to get back to the hotel from Birmingham International Station, there is a freephone in the station with a direct link to the hotel and they'll send the bus over to you.

I need to look into this... Considering I'll be arriving at the Airport...

Sprite, you have a few options if you are arriving at Birmingham Airport. Each option starts at the train station, which is connected to the airport via a FREE monorail. So make sure you get on the monorail and then, take any of these options...

1. If you arrive during daylight hours, you can actually walk right to the hotel via the NEC centre (providing it's open, which is usually is). It's about a 15 minute walk, though you may wish to avoid it if you have heavy bags.

2. You can get a taxi to the hotel.

3. Assuming you are staying at the hotel, there is a yellow phone that you can call - the hotel will then come pick you up in a minibus free of charge.

Simple

Because we are super awesome, we recorded a video guide almost a year ago (!!!) which we will put online closer to the event to guide you through

Now that would be handy. Considering I'm totally hopeless with map directions...

The last two years I took the train to New Street Station so I know about the monorail, yeah.

Heh! The video...

Funny you mention that as I was looking at the footage the other day getting ready to start editing it to upload to the Youtube Channel! The only thing I can't decide is whether or not to edit all my remarks and replace them with a new audio track and trim it a little for time or not, or just keep the whole damn silly thing the way it is! lol

Joking aside though, the video will be about 15 minutes long giving you a complete guide of how to get to the Hilton from Birmingham New Street station, via Birmingham International station (including mentioning the airport) so it will answer most public transport questions!

Is it free parking at the hotel? on booking screen & got £15 parking - or is that a CCTV covered area they have?

Additional Charges

Parking charges: Self parking: 15.00 ; Valet parking: 15.00

i'm going to book hotel on 28/10/11.

Parking at the Hilton is £15 for non-residents or £7 for residents. It's a very secure car park and has been awarded Park Mark accreditation which means that it has been approved by the police for security and quality of parking provision.