Come for the fun. Stay for the creations.
1 5 6 7 8 9 12

2018 Theme for Brickworld Chicago

We are happy to announce “Seasons” as the theme for Brickworld Chicago 2018.

The coordinators believe that this theme lends itself to many opportunities for building.  When the theme was finally selected, Bryan commented that “It feels sentimental.  Brickworld has felt like it has gone through seasons over the years just like people do in life.  It seems like next June will be the summer of Brickworld”

We can’t wait to see what people do with this in their builds next year!

Brickworld Chicago 2018 will be held June 13 – 17, 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL

Brickworld Chicago Walk Through

Beyond the Brick has once again published a walk-through of the display hall at Brickworld Chicago.  With 100,000 square feet in the hall, it was a long process.  So, if you have 2 hours and 40 minutes, kick back and enjoy the video!  If you weren’t at the show, you missed a lot of very cool builds that you can see in this video.  Enjoy!

2017 Brickworld Awards

World of Lights photo of Picnic in the Park. Photo Credit: Evan Bordessa

Congratulations to all of the award winning MOCs at Brickworld 2017.

You can see them all here if you missed them at the event.  As always, we are amazed by the creativity and building skills of all of the builders at Brickworld events.

Brickworld 2017 GBC Workshop Module Parts List

We are happy to announce that all 80 of the GBC workshop slots have been filled.  Normally there are only 30 slots.  So, we were pushing it this year.  Since all 80 are filled, that means if you still want to participate in the workshop, you will need to kit up your own parts and just show up.  So, we are posting the parts list for you.

If you aren’t coming to Brickworld, instructions will be made available via the great ball contraption web site at a later date.  If you are in the workshop, you will get instructions.

Brickworld 2017 Convention Important Information

We hope that everyone is ready.  This coming week will be busy, crazy fun for everyone!

Here is some information that we hope you find helpful:

  • Official check-in times are shown below.  These are the hours when the registration desk will definitely be open.  Please plan to check in (and get your badges) during these times.

Wednesday, June 14, 1 – 7 PM
Thursday, June 15, 8 AM – 7:30 PM
Friday, June 16, 8 AM – 8 PM

  • A photo ID will be required to check in.  Only one person in your group will need to show their ID, and they will need to be 18 or older.
  • Minors (those under 18) will ONLY be allowed to check in with their registered parent/guardian.
  • You will receive your badge and goody bag (Full Registrants) at the Registration Desk, located outside the Exploration Hall.  If you have MOC Cards or a merchandise order, you will receive those also.
  • You are required to wear your printed Brickworld badge during all Brickworld activities…including Thursday & Friday.  An engraved brick badge is not an acceptable form of ID for entrance to Brickworld activities.  With nearly 1,000 convention attendees, the security personnel at the door can’t be expected to recognize all of your faces.
  • The event schedule will be posted near the check in area, and it will be in your program.  You can also see in on-line here and in visual form here.
  • Hotel check-in is 4 PM if you are staying at the Renaissance.
  • Wi-Fi is free in the hotel lobby.
  • More hotel information is available here.
  • Donation items for the fundraiser may be dropped off at the registration desk. Please print and complete the auction form.  We appreciate all of your support for the charity fundraiser.
  • Goody bags will be assembled in the foyer in front of Discovery/Exploration Hall Wednesday starting at 10 AM.  We will also be putting table cloths on tables at the same time.  Feel free to stop in and help or just say hello.  The more, the merrier!!
  • Thank you to everyone that has signed up to volunteer at the event online (there are still a few slots available here).  We really appreciate your help!  It is important that you show up for your volunteer spots and we trust that you will.  So, you will receive your volunteer gifts when you check in for the show (kind of an honor system).  This is simply a lot easier to do logistically.
  • Awards judging begins at noon on Friday.  So, if you want to make sure your creation is seen by the judges, be ready by noon Friday.  If you are later, it might get missed.  The judges do their best to look at everything.

If you missed the Logistics post last week, you can find it here.  Anyone vending or displaying should definitely read the post.  And, it wouldn’t hurt to read it even if you aren’t doing either of these things.

It is difficult to add this part:  In today’s world, there is always the potential for bad things to happen in good places.  We are all carrying in a lot of boxes, backpacks, etc.  If you see someone that looks out of place, seek out Brickworld staff or hotel staff and inform them.  And, remember our policy on theft.  If you are caught pilfering at a vendor booth or anywhere else, you will be removed from the event immediately, banned from future Brickworld events, and possibly have the authorities contacted.  Theft is not a huge issue.  But it is a larger problem during non-public hours than during public hours.  Please help watch over displays for any odd behavior.

We are looking forward to a wonderful event!  We will see you next week!

2017 Load In/Load Out Logistics

Brickworld Chicago is only a couple weeks away!  We just want to take a couple minutes of your time and walk through the logistics of how load-in will work.  Trust us, it’s okay, put the bricks down and take a short break, maybe get a drink, grab a few seconds of sunshine, and commit this info to memory so you’re prepped when you get to the convention center.  Some of this information will be obvious, we know.  But we want you to have everything in one place in case you have questions. So, without further ado…

Where
Adventure, Discovery & Exploration Halls
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173
847.303.4100

When
Main load-in for displays will be on Wednesday afternoon, June 14th from 1 PM – 5 PM and Thursday morning, June 15th from 8 AM through 12 PM (noon) CDT.

How to Load In (and more when)
Large Displays:  If you are part of a LUG or LTC, or if you have a large display requiring a flatbed cart or hand truck, you will need to make sure you are at the convention hall to unload during the times above, as these are the only hours that the large 20ft wide/tall “elephant” doors will be accessible (since a dock warden must be present). If you are unable to be at the hall and unloaded during the times listed above, please contact us immediately so that we can make other arrangements. Weather permitting, you will be able to drive your vehicles into the display hall to drop off tables/displays. Access will be permitted on a first come, first served basis and requires explicit approval from Bryan Bonahoom or Brian Elzer. The ramps to drive-in to the hall are at the back of the convention hall.  We don’t know which ramps will be available at this point.  Please line up in an orderly fashion, taking care not to block the roadway or parking areas.  It will be up to our discretion whether or not your vehicle will be able to drive in, based on how many other vehicles are already in the hall, the size of the vehicle you have, what you need to unload, and whether or not you’ve been off-roading recently.  So, ask BEFORE you wait in line.  The dock warden has final say on anything regarding vehicles.  Please adhere to what they tell you to do.

Small Displays:  Individuals with smaller displays will be allowed to hand-carry their displays in through the front doors of the halls anytime after 1 PM Wednesday afternoon. You do not need to be in before 5 PM unless your display will not fit through a standard 36 inch doorway.

Vendors:  You may load in through the front doors of the halls anytime after 1 PM Wednesday afternoon. You do not need to be in before 5 PM unless your display will not fit through a standard 36 inch doorway.  If you feel you need to drive in to unload, you need to follow the rules of Large Displays above.  This includes getting approval from Bryan or Brian.

Individual & Group display spaces will be marked off on a poster which will be on display at the front of the hall.  Once you have arrived, please consult the map before bringing in your displays. This will help you determine where to go without the struggle of a handful of displays. If you or your club have opted to bring your own tables, there will be chalk marking off the corners of your area on the floor.  If you do not see your name/club listed on the poster, please contact Bryan for assistance.

Bryan will be available on Wednesday 1 PM and 5 PM and as much as possible Thursday to answer questions and direct folks to their locations.  For any questions prior to Wednesday, you can also reach out to us by email at layout at brickworld.com.

Friday:  If you are not scheduled to arrive until Friday, you will be able to hand-carry your displays through the front doors of the display hall during the day and evening.

How to Load Out on Sunday:  We will open the large doors on Sunday starting at 3:30 PM.  The dock master controls how many cars are allowed in the room at once.  Because of the number of people (especially kids) in the room, we require that any vehicle entering the room be escorted by 2 people walking with the vehicle.  Do not bring your vehicle into the room until you are fully ready to put stuff in the vehicle and then exit the room.  While your vehicle is in the room, there are other vehicles that will not be allowed to enter.  Please follow direction given to you by a Brickworld coordinator, Brickworld staff, or the dock master.  They are probably taking factors into consideration that you might not be aware of and it will just help keep things running smoothly.  Remember that by Sunday afternoon we are all tired.  Do not plan to drive in Sunday unless it is absolutely necessary.  It just makes life simpler because there are so many people packing and leaving at the same time.

Other Info
Display Requirement: All displays are required to be set up by 10 AM Saturday morning, prior to beginning of public day hours, and must remain up until 3 PM Sunday afternoon at the close of public hours.

Viewable Sides: You may not have all sides viewable that you requested.  There are simply too many displays and special requests each year to accomodate them all. At least one major side of each display is directly viewable from an aisle. Please be flexible and remember that attendees will have plenty of opportunity to see your display up close from any side.

Trailer Parking: Trailer parking is located on the East side of the South parking lot.  Please do not put trailers in the parking spots closest to the building.

Power: Power drops for displays will go to the general area of your tables, but are shared with multiple displayers. You may need to bring your own extension cords and/or power strips.  Please plan accordingly.  Brickworld does have extension cords and outlet splitters that you can use.  Please see Bryan, Brian, or the check in desk to use one.  We simply ask that you return what you use to the front of the hall at the end of the show.

Table Cloths: If you requested table cloths and they are not at your tables upon arrival, please stop by the registration desk to get some.  The front edge of your table cloth should be 10 inches (32 studs) from the floor.  If you rearrange any table cloths please maintain this consistency.

Barriers: Posts/crossbars for the crowd barriers will be delivered to your tables.  Any help putting these up around your displays is very much appreciated.

A word of caution – while we make every attempt to keep the event space secure, the event hall is generally open for the entire day and well into the evening and early morning hours each night. Besides the attendees, hotel/convention staff and others may have access to the event space. It is unfortunate to mention, but we all need to be aware of the possibility of theft.  Please do not leave valuables like purses, wallets, cameras, phones, notebook computers and the like out in the open and unattended. When you leave the hall, take them with you, or at the very least hide them.  If you have pieces or minifigs on your displays that you cannot bear to lose, our suggestion is that you place them towards the center of your displays or towards the back of the tables, and take them with you when you leave, otherwise, you may find it better to simply leave them at home.  If you spot anyone taking anything from another person’s display, please notify one of the coordinators immediately.  We have a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY when it comes to stealing.  You will forfeit the rest of your event privileges, and will not be allowed to attend future Brickworld events anywhere they may be held.

—-

Finally, we just want to say that as always we are excited to see all of you and the amazing things you’ve built!  One of the best parts of the event is seeing old friends and making new ones.  Make sure to step out from behind your display during the event to walk around and check out everyone else’s work, and spend some time talking with your fellow builders. Above all, have fun!  Safe travels, and we’ll see you soon!

Draft & Build Challenge

Another new, fun activity is making its debut at Brickworld this year.  It is called the Draft & Build Challenge.  And, it is exactly that, you will draft parts and then have the remainder of the time to build a MOC in one of 3 scales that you will declare during the competition.  A winner will be awarded at each scale.  There are only 20 slots available.  And, since you will be walking away with $40 of parts, the cost is $40 to enter.  Signup will open along with all of the other workshops, challenges and games that require sign up on May 20th.

Meanwhile, you can see the complete Draft & Build rule set here.

Build On!!

Brickworld Tshirts

Brickworld is taking a new approach to tshirts this year and we don’t want anyone to be caught off-guard. The 2017 tshirt featuring the annual artwork is available as a pre-order item only this year. There will be other Brickworld tshirts available at the show. But, the artwork tshirt has always been a special print job to get it to look right. So, we wanted to make it something that only the registrants could get. The other Brickworld tshirts will be awesome too and you might want one of those. They will only be available at the show though, not through preorder.

The 2017 tshirt with artwork is shown here.  So, don’t miss  out if you want one.  Preorder it before May 16th.

Deadlines Approaching

May is the month of many deadlines in preparation for Brickworld Chicago!!

  • May 1 – last day to request table/floor space for your display
  • May 15 – last day for normal registration (after this, you can only be a Late Registrant)
  • May 15 – last day to preorder merchandise.  NOTE:  Tshirts printed with this year’s artwork can only be purchased via preorder. 
  • May 22 – last day to register your MOCs and get MOC cards (required to be eligible for awards)
  • May 31 – last day to submit an entry to the film festival

Don’t miss out by missing deadlines!  We appreciate your help on this as “I forgot” requests after deadlines cause a lot of extra work.

You can see all the dates and deadlines here.

1 5 6 7 8 9 12