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Events, Activities and Programming
- What does "C-ACE" stand for?
- What is the purpose of the convention?
- Is C-ACE a con just for (insert genre here)?
- Why does C-ACE have a rating?
- Is the hotel and function space small?
- What's different about C-ACE's Dealers Room?
- Do you have social events and fun stuff too?
- I have a great idea for a panel and I believe I have the qualifications to teach it. Can I do so at C-ACE?
- Why is this the last C-ACE Convention?
Convention Guidelines
- Do you have to be an artist or writer to attend?
- Do I have to pre-register to attend?
- Are you open to suggestions?
- Will C-ACE continue and grow in the future?
- Is the rating limit for the Art Show and Dealers Room restrictive?
- Can I speak to any member of the convention staff in French?
- How do I sign up to be a volunteer?
- What if I need help or have a question at the Convention, or before?
Travel and Local Information
- How do you get to the convention hotel?
- What facilities are near the convention hotel?
- Is the hotel district safe?
- What airlines fly into Ottawa and from where?
- What do I need to travel to Canada?
- Do I have to know French to get around in Ottawa?
- What is the drinking age in Ontario?
- How and where can I exchange currency?
- What is the weather like in Ottawa during this time of year?
Events, Activities, and Programming
1: What does "C-ACE" stand for?
Due to the immense confusion of what we wanted it to mean and what just about everyone else interpreted it as meaning something different, the acronym stopped standing for any particular words starting with C-ACE 2004. So it's just a name now.
2: What is the purpose of the convention?
C-ACE is a fan-run convention with a focus on creativity and learning. Core programming is about workshops and panels on art, illustration, writing, costuming and anything else we can think of. We also have social and general interest panels. We allow artists to sell their stuff and do commissions in the Dealers Room, and sell their art in the Art Show.
3: Is C-ACE a con just for (insert genre here)?
No. We encourage people from any fandom to come and learn. We want people to discover the strengths found in other fandoms to help everyone learn. We don’t believe creativity to be genre-specific. You will find people from anthro/furry, anime, comics and SF fandom at our convention, all eager to learn. Being a small convention without much space, we unfortunately cannot include certain amenities found at genre-specific conventions.
4: Why does C-ACE have a rating?
C-ACE has a rating of AA-14 on all its premises. This concerns both attendee behavior as well as all material sold. This specifically excludes any R and above material in the art show and dealers room. We understand that creativity knows no bounds, but we must work within the regulations of the City of Ottawa, as well as simple common sense with a crowd which can include underage attendees and people off the street. Some attendees may be used to a different culture found at some genre-specific convention, but we ask everyone to respect this rule.
5: Is the hotel and function space small?
The hotel is not huge, but we do occupy all of its function space spread on three floors. It’s also only 8 stories tall, making it cozy and easy to navigate. We have enough room for our attendence expectations.
6: What's different about C-ACE's Dealers Room?
Our Dealers Room is a combination of the traditional Merchant Den and Artist Alley. It reflects the nature of art sales within art-centered fandoms. Most of the dealers are individual artists who are selling items they created themselves. This makes for a very convivial room which is often the central social point of the convention. Being individuals, dealers may not always be present as they may attend panels or workshops, but are usually back within a reasonable time. The table fees are much lower than other conventions, reflecting the non-commercial needs of most of the dealers.
7: Do you have social events and fun stuff too?
We certainly do! On Friday night we host the Chocolate Social meet-and-greet, a dance on Saturday night following the Masquerade, and a Dead Dog party on Sunday evening following the convention. We also have the popular Iron Artist feature. Look for information on these and other events on our Programming page as the convention draws nearer.
8: I have a great idea for a panel and I believe I have the qualifications to teach it. Can I do so at C-ACE?
9. Why is this the last C-ACE Convention?
Sadly, the current economic and logistical realities make it enormously difficult for smaller conventions to survive. We have been looking hard into any possible growth we might have, and we are forced to accept that any function space where we might fit is now priced far too high for our budget. Many hotels have seen their operating costs soar in the past few years, and places that were affordable in 2002 have now literally doubled in price today. C-ACE was never meant to have really big crowds, and unfortunately any Ottawa con would now need a minimum of 750 registrations to be able to afford proper space. There is also a distinct lack of mid-sized facilities in the city, making growth difficult past the point we are now. Moving the convention to another city would be impossible as the core group able to work on the con and who gave it its identity remains in Ottawa; it would end up being a completely different con, so we have decided to retire the name.
Convention Guidelines
1: Do you have to be an artist or writer to attend?
No, there are plenty of things for fans to do. Enjoy the art show or Dealers Room, watch the video programming, participate in the gaming and video room, meet other fans or creators at our social events, or attend one of the panels that aren't about art/writing techniques.
2: Do I have to pre-register to attend?
No, you can register at the door. Registration will be available on Friday morning before the convention begins, and throughout most of the time the convention is open. However, if you register at the door, you will have to pay the full price of $45 CDN (approximately $38 US).
3: Are you open to suggestions?
Very much so! If there is a programming event or activity you'd like to see, or a convention procedure you can help us improve, please contact us at cacexpo@c-ace.org.
4: Will C-ACE continue and grow in the future?
Alas, due to many circumstances, we have decided to cancel future C-ACE events after 2007. We thank everyone for the wonderful times shared since we started in 2002!
5: Is the rating limit for the Art Show and Dealers Room restrictive?
Our rating is 14A for public spaces like the Art Show and Dealers Room. You can still show tasteful non-explicit nudity in your art if you'd like; feel free to talk to a director if you're unsure. We aren't making a big deal of our rating; it's a regulation, not a feature, and it's so everyone can feel comfortable at our convention. Our rating is in line with that of most other fandom conventions. We respectfully ask that creators not try to consistently push the boundaries of our ratings.
6: Can I speak to members of the convention staff in French?
7: How do I sign up to be a volunteer?
We always welcome volunteers! If you wish to do so, please email operations@c-ace.org
Also, you can stop by Operations when the con starts and talk to someone there, or ask at the Registration table.
8: What if I need help or have a question at the Convention, or before?
Contact any member of the convention Staff, Volunteers, or Directors. They are there to help you, and will be pleased to answer your questions.
Travel and Local Information
1: How do I get to the convention hotel?
2: What facilities are near the convention hotel?
(This will need to change with updated info once we have it.)We are located on the southern end of Downtown Ottawa, near Bank and Elgin streets which feature a large assortment of businesses, shops and restaurants for all budgets. We are near major bus routes (1, 4, 7, 14) and a stone's throw from the intercity bus terminal (Greyhound, Voyageur). We are also right behind the Canadian Museum of Nature. All details can be found on the Local Area page.
3: Is the hotel district safe?
Yes, Ottawa is safer than most American cities of the same size, and the hotel is in a safe part of downtown. It is advisable to be alert when out alone, however, as no urban center is completely free of petty crime.
4: What airlines fly into Ottawa and from where?
Please see http://www.ottawa-airport.ca/flightInformation/airlines-e.php for more information about airlines that fly to the McDonald-Cartier International Airport. Direct flights are available from most major Canadian cities, as well as New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Newark, Atlanta and London U.K.
5: What do I need to travel to Canada?
From the United States, a passport is now mandatory for air travel and heavily recommended for land travel. From the rest of the world, a passport is absolutely required. Some countries may need you to first get a visa. Please check with the Canadian embassy in your home country or contact us and we'll find out.
6: Do I have to know French to get around in Ottawa?
Not at all. Ottawa is in Ontario and is fairly bilingual. Everyone will be able to speak English, although some people may talk to you with a French accent. If you travel to the Quebec side of the River (the city of Gatineau), French is recommended.
7: What is the drinking age in Ontario?
8: How and where can I exchange currency?
Most banks can give you a favorable rate. There is a Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) on Elgin at Waverley, four blocks from the hotel, where you can do this exchange. There is an actual Currency Exchange counter at the Rideau Centre mall, about a 15-20 minute walk from the hotel. You can also exchange money at the airport. Travellers cheques are a nice alternative to carrying foreign currency and are insured for theft too. We don't recommend exchanging money at stores, bars, and restaurants as you don't get a favorable rate. ATMs in Canada use the Most and Plus networks from the US.
9: What is the weather like in Ottawa during this time of year?
Generally warm and sunny, occasionally hot, although you should be prepared for the occasional rainy day. It’s getting to be unpredictable, though; we’ve had a major heat wave before during the con. It will be humid heat though.
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