Three years ago, Bucconeer’s section of the Baltimore Convention Center was so new that it literally was a hole in the ground. A very large hole. Three years ago the National Guard Bureau was planning to use the Convention Center during the 1998 Labor Day Weekend and we adopted a policy of saying "Wednesday, August 5th – Sunday, August 9th" rather than "August 5th – August 9th". Then, the possibilities and the unknown ramifications of Bucconeer’s non-traditional dates seemed like a huge challenge. Now, I’m grateful to the National Guard for securing the Baltimore Convention Center for Labor Day Weekend 1998. I’m also amused. The National Guard won’t be using the Baltimore Convention Center for Labor Day Weekend in 1998 after all.

Time is very strange. I remember waiting for the bus to take us back to our hotel after the 1998 Worldcon site selection voting results were determined at Intersection in Glasgow. Standing still was more than I could manage, so to the surprise of nearly everyone (certainly I was surprised), I started running across the parking lot. I remember the shout going up "Don’t let her get away!!!" Then the committee was chasing me. Was that nearly three years ago? Could it have been such a long time ago? Wasn’t that just a few months ago?

Since then, both the shape of the Convention Center and of Bucconeer have emerged. The elegant Convention Center will serve as the backdrop for much of the Worldcon. The individuals who have created the framework for the 56th World Science Fiction Convention could not be truly called elegant—but they certainly are beautiful and wonderful.

The Worldcon is the science fiction community’s annual Family Reunion, rather than "a show" or "an expo". Despite the increasing numbers of fans working uncounted hours to create Bucconeer (all of it compensated for by no more than a smile, a hug, a thank you, or a new friendship), the 56th World Science Fiction Convention won’t be as good without your active participation.

Look around: Is there someone looking like they would like to be included in a group? Are there abandoned cups on a table? You can make the Worldcon a better experience. If you are having a conversation and someone begins listening, consider stepping back a few inches and including them in the discussion. If you see trash on the floor or on furniture, look to see if there is a trash container on the route to your next activity, and deposit the trash on the way.

Start paying attention to the needs of others and you’ll find that you’ve become part of a wonderful group. But watch out, you may wind up enjoying yourself!

We request your patience and assistance. Take some time to confirm your reservation directly with your hotel, even if the confirmation notice you received from the housing bureau appears correct. It doesn’t hurt to double-check in a situation like this. If your reservation is incorrect or if you are not satisfied in some manner, please send information on your reservation request to our Facilities Division. Include your credit card type and expiration date, but not the number. Try to include details on when and how you made your reservation.

If you didn’t get all the nights you had requested, we recommend calling your hotel directly and requesting that they extend your stay the necessary nights. If you are completely dissatisfied with the housing bureau and are a member of an organization such as AAA that offers hotel discounts, you may wish to use them to reserve your hotel room. But please let our Facilities Division know so they can make sure your name is removed from the housing bureau database to avoid double-booking and to ensure that Bucconeer gets credit for your room nights.