#tfnation2016

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TFNATION 2017 UPDATE: TICKET PRICES

Dear attendees,

On 21st December 2016 we provided an outline for future important updates. This is the first important piece of information you will need before tickets go on sale on 1st February 2017.

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Pricing for TFNation 2017 tickets will be as follows;

WEEKEND TICKETS Senior (60+) £20.00 Adult (18-59) £60.00 Young Adult (16-17) £30.00 Child (0-15) Weekend: Free, with ticket-holding Adult/Senior.

SATURDAY ONLY Senior (60+) £15.00 Adult (18-59) £35.00 Young Adult (16-17) £20.00 Child (0-15) Saturday: Free, with ticket-holding Adult/Senior.

SUNDAY ONLY Senior (60+) £10.00 Adult (18-59) £30.00 Young Adult (16-17) £15.00 Child (0-15) Sunday: Free, with ticket-holding Adult/Senior.

(All tickets and prices are subject to terms and conditions which will be provided for your agreement prior to purchase)

Those who attended in 2016 will note that prices have been slightly adjusted. This is in response to our running costs, which have been increased noticeably following recent changes to exchange rates.

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MAJOR CHANGES TO PRICING STRUCTURE

1. CHILD TICKETS The age bracket for children has been increased from 0-12, to 0-15, meaning more youngsters can now come for free provided they are with a ticket-holding adult. We hope this will make the convention more affordable for families.

2. SATURDAY TICKETS Following attendee feedback, we have taken the decision to sell Saturday only tickets in 2017, in addition to Sunday only and Weekend tickets.

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YOUR NEXT ANNOUNCEMENTS

18th January 2018 – Hilton pricing details & general hotel advice.

1st February 2017 – Tickets released for general sale (time to be announced)

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WEBSITE UPGRADE

Please note, we have deactivated the TFNation website for important upgrades and maintenance. This includes the implementation of new SSL security certification, and purchase flow testing, to ensure the website is ready for ticket sales day. High demand is anticipated, so extra measures are being taken.

The TFN Techbots will provide further updates shortly… humour them, they love details.

Subscribe to our mailling list at: http://eepurl.com/cw_f45

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Operation: Arbearlus look! It’s a TFNation teddy!

Transmission Initiated Transmission ID: 000058 TFNation_2016 Operation: Arbearlus look! It’s a TFNation teddy! High Command is pleased to introduce the latest addition to the TFNation ranks – Arbearlus! This heroic (-ly sleepy) Autobear is super excited to be attending the first ever TFNation… but is even more excited about having a little snooze afterwards.We’ve attached his full profile to assist with the introduction!

Arbearlus comes with his very own TFNation hoodie & tote (sleeping) bag, featuring official TFNation 2016 artwork. He will be available for purchase at the TFNation registration desk this weekend. Arbearlus will only be released in limited numbers so be sure to grab yours early. All we need now is a little energon… and a lot of cuddles! Further transmissions to follow. TFNation Where All Are One End_transmission

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Operation: Feed the Autotroopers

Transmission Initiated Transmission ID: 000056 TFNation_2016 Operation: Feed the Autotroopers With TFNation 2016 just days away, High Command provides this update to help you in staying fully fueled throughout the weekend. HILTON BREAKFAST BUFFET If you were lucky enough to reserve one of the TFN-rate bedrooms, please remember that they come with free breakfast as standard. The Hilton has increased the diversity of food on offer to give you the best possible start to your weekend mission. STREET FOOD At various times throughout the weekend, the Hilton will deploy its street food booths around the convention halls. These booths sell a great selection of portable meals at more affordable prices than the regular hotel menu. Perfect for taking into panel rooms to munch whilst you take in a presentation. (Just don’t take it near artwork, displays or toys!) TERRACE BAR & BBQ New for 2016 is the Hilton’s “Corona Bar”. This open-air bar, located at the top of the breakfast hall corridor, overlooks Pendigo lake and provides a great atmosphere for chilling out with friends… err, we mean, for discussing Cybertronian battle tactics.With a little energon and a lot of sun, the Hilton will be holding an open-air BBQ here on Saturday lunchtime. Not to be missed! VEGAN OPTIONS Many attendees have told us they would appreciate vegan food options.  We have spoken with the Hilton and they have agreed to accommodate us by adding two to three vegan dishes to their street food menu each day of the convention.  They are also going to add a couple of vegan options to the Saturday BBQ. OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS Being a four star hotel, the Hilton possesses numerous other options to cater for various budgets. The Lounge bar is a relaxed and informal atmosphere for eating bar food. The Boulevard restaurant provides great buffet options, whilst Miller’s Bar provides a more upmarket feel, perfect for special celebrations. (Please note reservations are needed for Millers Bar – please speak to reservations for opening hours) RESORTS WORLD BIRMINGHAM If you plan on popping out to the cinema you will already know there is a large new complex called Resorts World, just across Pendigo lake. Providing great retail and dining options at a variety of price points, Resorts World gives you the flexibility to grab a moment of calm before coming back to the hotel bar in the evening!  https://www.resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk TFNation 2016 is nearing. Look after yourselves. Stay hydrated. Make sure you eat. Give yourselves every chance to have a thoroughly enjoyable and social weekend! Further transmissions to follow. TFNation Where All Are One End_transmission

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TFNation 2016 – travel information part 1 – Getting to Birmingham International Station/NEC

With many people travelling large distances to get to TFNation, and some attending the UK for the first time, we have produced this short guide to take a little of the stress out of your journey. TFNation is being held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel. This is located next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The NEC has strong transport links via Birmingham International Train Station and Birmingham International Airport, which are both linked by on convenient hub. The following guides will assist you in reaching Birmingham International/NEC – from there, you are just a short walk / ride away from the hotel 1) By Air Birmingham international airport receives flights from many major cities across the world. Once you reach arrivals, go up the escalators. At the top of these you will see the entrance to a Monorail. This is important as it is your gateway to the convention. The free monorail runs every 10 mins from 5:00am to 2:00am. The journey itself only takes a couple of minutes and it will drop you off safely at Birmingham International train station. Fear not though, no trains needed – during daytime hours you can simply walk across the overpass that runs between the train station and the NEC. So in a matter of minutes, you will have gotten off your plane, hopped onto a free monorail, and then walked across the overpass to the other side of the NEC. All you have to do now is follow the signs to the Hilton. Please Note – The overpass closes at night. It normally closes at 1:00am but has been known to close earlier. If this happens you can either get a taxi from train station (approx. £8.00 at time of writing) or hope on a free shuttle bus to the hotel – look out for the Subway fast food restaurant as right next door to it, there is a free yellow phone that will connect you to the Hilton. Give the a call and they will tell you when the next shuttle is due. 2) By train. Birmingham International is part of the national rail network and can be reached from most locations. If your journey requires you to change at Birmingham New Street, do not worry as there are regular services between New Street and International. Once you arrive at the station just head for the overpass as explained in the previous section. Trains from New Street to International Thursday 18th: First train 05:29 Last train 23:54 Friday 19th: First train 05:29 Last train 23:54 Saturday 20th: First train 05:50 Last train 23:14 Sunday 21st: First train 08:30 Last train 23:14 Monday 22nd: First train 05:29 Last train 23:54 Trains from International to New Street Thursday 18th: First train 06:05 Last train 01:30 (fri) Friday 19th: First train 06:05 Last train 01:29 (sat) Saturday 20th: First train 06:18 Last train 23:49 Sunday 21st: First train 08:30 Last train 00:09 (mon) Monday 22nd: First train 06:05 Last train 01:24 (tues) 3) By coach Birmingham coach station is located in Mill lane B56DD. It is approx. 15mins walk from there to Birmingham New Street (via the B4100 until you reach the Bullring, then follow signs for New Street) though we would suggest attendees use a taxi as the journey is mostly uphill. 4) By car The Hilton is approximately 200 yards from Junction 6 of the M42. For SatNav users, the NEC postcode is B40 1NT. Road users will be able to reach the Hilton without going via the NEC.

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Operation: Door prizes

Transmission Initiated Transmission ID: 000053 TFNation_2016 Operation: Door prizes During the weekend of TFNation 2016, we will have some special prizes on offer – big prizes – so big that we will let the image do the talking!

These wonderful prizes have been donated by the wonderful folks at Kapow Toys. We cannot thank them enough for their support of TFNation. They will be in attendance at the event, so be sure to stop by their stall! The competition is simple. Pre-book a convention ticket using our website, and attend the event. No further purchase, no tickets… That’s it. We will be drawing the lucky winners for these items across the convention weekend… and we have a few other great gifts up our sleeves too! We look forward to seeing you next weekend! Further transmissions to follow. TFNation Where All Are One End_transmission

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Deadline for The Forge and volunteer applications

If you are considering requesting a table for The Forge, our dedicated art and crafts area, or volunteering to help out at TFNation 2016, then please be aware that the deadline for both sets of forms is 9am BST tomorrow, Friday 29th July.

If you have applied for a stall within The Forge and have not heard from us then please check your emails spam folder in-case our reply has marked as spam. If you have yet to receive any response then please contacts us asap.

We shall be confirming and contacting all applicants for volunteer positions in the coming days so please keep an eye on your inboxes for further updates.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their interest and input into these vital aspects of our event.

The TFNation Team

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Transmission Initiated Transmission ID: 000040 TFNation_2016 Operation: Cosplay Competition Humanised Section We're sure, like us you've seen and marvelled at some of the wonderful cosplayers at Roll Out, Roll Call last weekend. We've previously told you about our own TFNation Cosplay Competition, and now it's time to tell you a little more about it. We're pleased to announce that we'll have two categories for the Cosplay Competition. Robot and Humanised, and if you look above you can see the trophies that could be yours if you are picked as the best entrant in the humanised category. Now we know many of you will be hard at work on your costumes right now,. We, and the rest of our attendees are looking forward to seeing them at the event. If you want to give the audience a sneak peek then if you use twitter or instagram, please tag your progress pictures with #TFNation so everybody can join the creative ride! Further transmissions to follow. TFNation Where All Are One End_transmission

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The current workload of the TFN crew may not always be apparent on social media. By the time we’ve announced a guest, activity or event (and our supporters are sharing, re-posting, commenting and other visible actions) TFN HQ will be quiet, pausing to tie up loose ends before prepping the next task. Conversely, when the updates slow down on social media, it’s not because we have less to say... it’s because we have more elements/organisations/people we are working with, and need to make sure everything is resolved before we make an announcement.

So while the last few weeks have been quiet on the new release front, bar our news on The Forge (more on that, below) we have a lot of announcements to come. For this week, however, we have community news, TFN Team updates and maybe just the start of the next stage...

Meeting greetings

Firstly, the TFN crew wishes to thank the Oilhouse podcast for running a hugely successful London Social meet earlier this month. A good mix of first-timers and old guard took in the sights of the the city before converging on the Shakespeare’s Head in Holborn. With TFNation’s very own Adam Slater holding his pre-leaving/pre-wedding bash during the evening (we won’t say stag night as it was all rather civilised), it was a day for everybody, which really underlined just how much we all missed meeting up together. Not only was the meet’s attendance far more than expected (we lost count after 50) but it was a truly international affair and even included a convention visit on the Sunday. So with the Southern meet finished for another year, we shake the hand of Southern chief Matt Clark and turn to Northern meet boss Grufflock who is finalising his event, due to take place on Saturday 14th May 2016, in Newcastle. Please see the link below for information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1777412859154852/ To reiterate, this is a social meet for all interests and fandoms, for folks new to their particular media, or experienced culture gurus. For all it is a chance to meet new friends, share old jokes and have a good time. It is run by the Oilhouse podcast and we cannot recommend it enough... you may even see some of our team there, so go and say hi! Ding, dong, the bells are gonna chime.... One of the people you may bump into at the Northern meet is our own “King of the Mic” David Wallace, for whom the last few weeks have been extremely memorable as he tied the knot with his lovely bride, Grace. With a few of the TFN crew in attendance (looking almost presentable after their annual bath) it was a fantastic day, and a great opportunity to celebrate with a man who will be firing up the crowds, came August... though hopefully in less awkward-looking attire. The Forge Feedback The last few updates from us have been in regards to a new area we have created to promote arts and crafts: The Forge. The news has prompted a lot of questions and has given us the chance to speak directly to attendees to obtain their feedback, which has been useful. If you do have any questions or comments then please let us know at [email protected]. We cannot monitor all aspects of social media so, unless it’s sent to us, we won’t be able to answer your feedback... and that’s been an aim of the TFNation team from the very start. So please get in touch. Onwards and Upwards As stated at the beginning of this post, things are about to get busier for TFN, both in terms of announcements and the visibility of our name. Some folks are so eager to get involved that sometimes it feels as if the whole planet is chipping in… and we couldn’t be happier! We are just as excited as everybody else and next month is looking to be the most announcement-heavy yet… so prepare yourselves for TFN May-hem! Til all are one! The TFN Crew