I've been getting a steady stream of comments and emails from people asking questions about TequilaCon. Since Jenny appears to still be in recovery, I've done my best to answer them.
How did TequilaCon get started?
Jenny gave a brief overview when she announced TequilaCon 2006. In summary, to quote Admiral Ackbar... "IT'S A TRAP!" Jenny tricked two fellow bloggers into meeting her in Chicago.
How many TequilaCons have there been?
Four... Chicago (September 26th, 2005), New York (May 7th, 2006), Portland (March 10th, 2007), and Philadelphia (May 3rd, 2008).
Who decides where TequilaCon is going to be held?
Co-cofounders Jenny and Brandon make the decision in consultation with the Official TequilaCon Planning Posse.
Where is the next TequilaCon going to be?
If Jenny knows, she's not telling! She usually makes a final decision and posts an announcement three months or so before the event so everybody wanting to attend has time to make plans. The location seems to bounce between the East Coast, Mid-West, and West Coast, so I'm guessing next time won't be in the East (since there was just a TequilaCon in Philadelphia).
Any chance for a TequilaCon outside the USA?
I'm guessing no, but never say never! TequilaCon is mostly attended by US bloggers, so having it outside of the US would make it difficult for past TequilaConners to attend. Maybe Jenny and Brandon will decide to have an international "satellite event" in addition to TequilaCon one year but, so far as I know, there are no plans for it.
Is TequilaCon an invitation-only event?
Nope! Anybody can come. All you need to do is send Jenny an email once she opens registration so she knows how many people are going to be there. Watch her blog over at Run Jen Run for news and TequilaCon happenings.
Can I bring my spouse/lover/friend/significant other?
If you think they won't be bored hanging out with bloggers all night, then sure! Be sure to include your +1 when you send Jenny your registration info.
How much does it cost to attend?
To attend the event itself has been free. But your travel expenses, lodging expenses, and any expenses at the event (food, drinks bowling, whatever) are your responsibility.
If I don't have a blog, can I still attend?
If bloggers you'd like to meet are going to be there, then sure!
If I don't drink alcohol, can I still attend? What if I don't like tequila?
Of course you don't have to drink tequila (or any kind of alcohol at all!) to attend. But please keep in mind that this is TEQUILACON and alcohol will be served. Drunken behavior will ensue. If this bothers you, then you may want to reconsider attending... the last thing anybody wants is for you to be uncomfortable.
Why name badge lanyards?
The first TequilaCon I attended (#3 last year) was held at The Kennedy School in Portland, OR. This was an amazing venue for the event, but it's huge. There was some concern that people showing up wouldn't be able to find fellow TequilaConners amongst the crowd of people, so I decided to make name badge lanyards. Once TequilaCon was over, they made a fun memento of the event, so I decided to make them again this year.
What's with the buttons?
Lanyards themselves are kind of boring, so I bring lots of button "flair" so people can customize their name badges to suit their individual tastes. It's just something fun to do. There are three kinds of buttons, as you can see here being modeled by Jenny as she drops "Blue Steel" on you...
What happens to the lanyards made for people who don't show up?
The lanyards are a take-home souvenir of the event. If somebody didn't show up, their lanyard is destroyed.
And, lastly, a question asked specifically of me...
Are you mad at people who said they were coming to TequilaCon, but didn't show up?
No. Well, maybe. If somebody got sick or had something come up at the last-minute, then of course I'm not mad. That's life, and shit happens. But I will admit to being a little upset with people who know in advance that they are not coming and didn't bother to let Jenny know so she can tell me not to make them a lanyard and buttons. The materials to make this stuff costs money, which I'm happy to donate, but I don't like throwing money away when I don't have to.
And that's all she wrote! More TequilaCon photos have been added to the Flickr Group pool, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about, here's the link.
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Kudos on the lanyards. Very well done. Thanks for all the effort.
After that, if anyone has any questions still, then they need to go drink a fifth of 1800 and chill.
Except for those that don’t drink. Then they need to sit down and bitch slap themselves wondering why they are missing out on the fun each year.
Next year, I will know the fun that is TequilaCon.
Crap, I can’t even drive 45 minutes to Hollywood. Can we have the next one at the bar across the street from me?
Alumni buttons = brilliant. I still have my 2007 lanyard and it is aweeeeeeesome! And I love my Sizzle Says buttons.
Dave is pretty much the most generous guy you’ll ever meet. I say that without any bribe of money or Kates.
😉
It’s so cool that you make that stuff. And it’s really cool stuff. Oh, and you’re hot. Just thought I’d throw that in there.
I definitely plan to attend next year, and I am expecting that you and I will at least make out.
Oh We’ll be there next year–you can go ahead and make our badges now 😉
Wait – there was alcohol consumption? I didn’t even realize!
After all that history we experienced in Philadelphia, it’s like you’ve become a tour guide of sorts. The official TequilaCon Tour Guide!
Location for next year has not been selected… several official planning meetings will need to occur before final selection, but we’re always open to suggestions. 🙂
I have your lanyard and the buttons hanging from my truck window as we speak…it helped an interloper feel very welcome, trust me. Next year, can mine say “Robin with a Y?” 🙂
By the way – I bought some Tastycakes, sat on them, ate them, and thought about you last night….they were yummy.
I think it is so, so cool that Jenny does this and has opened it up to a free for all get together for bloggers. It really is a sign of her awesomeness.
You and the lanyards? Well, that’s just showing off. 😛
new question: are you mad at the people who got super drunk and ended up losing half of their super awesome buttons?
hypothetically, of course.
Q: Should one stop drinking before they either fall on the floor or start crying over something stupid?
A: Of course not…shitfaced is the way to go!
i have a hunch the TC09 destination will be announced in short order, but it will be hard to top TC08: CITY OF BLOGGERLY LOVE based on all the photos and lawsuits I’ve seen so far.
terrific FAQ. you left off one important item: Jenny gets naming rights for any TequilaCon babies born nine months after an event. Really! it’s in the contract!
I suggest Tampa or Atlanta for locations. Or Key West!
The name badge I get to wear around the hospital starting in a couple months will be replaced with the one from TC. You may think that I’m kidding, but that would be foolish of you.
Please tell me you don’t work in a substance abuse recovery hospital!!
I’m with Avitable – ATLANTA would be good!!!!
If I knew there were alumni buttons I’d have made a better effort to come. Pfft! I LOVE the lanyard idea, you rock Dave!!
How many pieces of “flair” are required? Can I just wear the “minimum,” …or am I encouraged to express myself? (like Brian, who wears 37 pieces of flair)
Flair is very zen.
Some people load up on so much flair that you can barely see their lanyard.
Others are minimalists and barely have enough flair to notice.
In any event, there are no rules of flair at TequilaCon. 🙂
Alumni buttons! Really? Oh Yipee! Wait do I have to wait until the next TC for this? Oh no. Please say no please say no. I’m just not that patient.
Philadelphia buttons were available for all attendees… you should have gotten one!
If not, you’ll absolutely get one for Philly next time. 🙂
How much fun I missed. I’m so depressed. Thanks for the high(or low) lights.
Let me put in my two cents now for T-Con 09….San Diego. You can all stay at my place. As soon as I find one.
I vote for Texas and specifically Austin.
That way we can have…
TequilaConQueso.
Thanx, I’ll be here all week!
Ohhh..Places??
West Coast would be nice…California would be great!
(I’m a kinda likin’ Sin City too!)
Great Job pulling this all together.
~ZZ
I still have my TC 2007 lanyard right here by my desk.
And should I just mention that I RSVP’d to Jenny before the deadline that I wouldn’t be able to come, but she left me on the e-mail distro list which I liked so I could read the updates, but I was a little stressed that you made me a lanyard when I wasn’t going to show. I hope that wasn’t the case! And I noticed she took me off the Excel list, so I figured it was ok. But now I’m a little stressed . . . I hope it was clear!?! I should have double-checked!
Man, sounds like fun, but I steer clear of that tequila… because of my grandmother… no really. Nothing turns you off the stuff like seeing pictures of your Granny drunk out of her mind in Mexico and then involuntarily wondering if she ended up topless at some point… My guess is probably.
I wear my lanyard from DaveLA every single day at work. It has my office & file room keys on it, so I don’t lock myself out. They made me take the Penis Salad button off, but are okay with lil nekkid Nirvana Dave.
So … I heard some nimrod pinned a TequilaCon button to an Avitable condom, and then wondered why it leaked. Guys and their bling, sheesh.
Your lanyards were awesome and I particularly liked the flair. Since I did meet you briefly, if I am able to make next years TC, I hope you will make a button for me to give out. I would even pay you for it. You rock Dave.
Going off of what Jenny said…can we start a TequilaCon Museum? Maybe a full sized wax of Mr. Tequila stuffing tots in his mouth? Yes, I think this is an excellent idea.