With just over two weeks to go to until Auto Assembly 2008 - Europe’s biggest Transformers event, we’ve got a lot of major developments taking place so rather than putting everything into one big story we’ve had to split everything into two big updates.
The last one focused on our major goodie bag developments but this time it’s a little more general…
* Postcards *
In a change to our original plans, we are now going to be giving away THREE exclusive postcards this year instead of two and these will be featuring exclusive artwork from Simon Williams and Lee Sullivan. The third postcard was going to be illustrated by Mike Collins but sadly, because of work commitments, Mike was unable to do this for us so Kat Nicholson has stepped in to produce the artwork for our third card which will feature TF Animated Jazz! All three designs will also be adapted and produced as keyrings that will be on sale on the day!!
* The Cybertronian Times Issue 9 *
We are putting the final touches to the convention magazine, The Cybertronian Times, but there is still time to contribute YOUR articles and artwork! We are looking for articles, mini-reviews of the movie or any movie related merchandise or any artwork. Send them to our usual email address for inclusion by no later than Saturday 19th July 2008.
* Volunteering *
We still need more volunteers to come forward for the convention. We need one or two more to help with setting up, primarily giving our dealers a hand with their tables, but mainly now we are looking at getting support now on the day itself with our programme of activities and helping everything run as smoothly as possible. You wil have all had a volunteering form in your confirmation packs so if you want to get invovled, fill it in and send it back to us as soon as possible or download the form from the website and email it back to us!
We can’t pay anyone for helping out but we DO have a little “thankyou” lined up for everyone who does help out but you MUST register in advance as a volunteer as we need to set up a vounteer rota and need to know who will be doing what and when.
* Auction Update *
With the change to the postcards, we are now obviously changing the artwork that is available. We won’t be having postcard artwork from Mike Collins, but instead Mike has sent a couple of pages of artwork from one of the Doctor Who stories that he illustrated that had a cameo appearance from a gladitorial robot that bore a passing resemblance to everyone’s favourite Autobot…!! We will also be getting the original artwork to the TF Animated Jazz postcard from Kat Nicholson so if you’re looking for some great artwork the auction will have plenty on offer! On top of that we will also have some signed photos from Sandy Fox and Lex Lang (T-AI and Towline from RiD)!
* Pre-Registration Deadline Looms! *
There is STILL time to pre-register if you haven’t already done so but you’ll have to hurry! We are now aiming to ship confirmation packs out within 48 hours of receiving your bookings so as long as you pre-register by 23rd July from outside the UK or by around 8:00 pm on 27th July in the UK then we will be able to get your confirmation packs to you in time for the convention and you’ll be entered into all of our pre-registrant prize draws!
* Want To Be On Telly? *
Okay, not quite, but once again Auto Assembly is being filmed to be included on a DVD!! We’re not saying anything else right now but don’t be surprised to find a camera pointing in your direction at some point during the convention! Saying that, there are also going to be people from the BBC there taking photos for the BBC website and you never know, there may even be radio presenters as well…
* Auto Assembly 2009! *
We’re already looking at plans for Auto Assembly 2009 and in your packs on the day you’ll find a questionnaire asking you some basic questions to help us shape our plans for our convention to celebrate 25 years of Transformers, the launch of the second live action movie and OUR 20th anniversary as a science fiction fan organisation!! We want to do something special and we’re looking at the idea of doing a weekend-long event with not one, but TWO voice actors AND a party on the Saturday night but we need YOUR feedback so please fill in the forms on the day!
* Fast-Track Entry *
We have mentioned this idea before about allowing those of you who who have pre-registered and arrive in Birmingham on Friday the chance to check-in early so you’ll be able to enter the convention straight away as soon as the doors open on Saturday without having to queue or check in. We’re just waiting for confirmation from the venue on when we’ll have access on Friday night so we’ll be able to let you all know this for definite about when we can do this on Monday!
* Toy Collection *
Just a reminder about the toy collection that we are running for Help A Local Child. Each year, Help A Local Child - as part of their work - holds a Christmas Tree appeal, collecting toys each year that are then distributed to needy children or those who are living in deprivation or who may be in hospital etc. who may be in a position that they wouldn’t normally be receiving Christmas presents. We would ask that if you have any unwanted BRAND NEW toys that you want to donate, please bring them along and leave them at the registration desk. They MUST have the CE safety mark on them but apart from that they can be anything - action figures, board games, jigsaws, boys or girls toys and don’t have to be limited to Transformers but they MUST be NEW. Last time we collected SIX BOXES full of toys that we handed over to the appeal and we’d like to thank everyone for their generous donations. Let’s see if we can’t make it more this time!!
Well, that’s it for now, but we’ve got more announcements up our sleeves soon so keep your eyes peeled on the net! Auto Assembly 2008 is going to be a great event and we can’t wait to see you all there on 2nd August!
As always, for all the latest information on Auto Assembly 2008, to book online or to download booking forms or for more information on anything in this weekly update, visit the website at www.autoassembly.org.uk
Simon and Sven
Auto Assembly 2008
email: enquiries@autoassembly.org.uk
web: www.autoassembly.org.uk
forum: http://autoassembly.proboards7.com
tel. +44 (0)7860 948296 / +44 (0)7804 951406
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