Texas Mer Convention

[Mermaid Meara]

So I'm looking to throw a mer convention here in Texas. The aquatic center I usually swim at is considering hosting it. It would most likely last 2 days and be sometime in August or September. (I realize this is a busy time for some mers but it is the only time that this aquatic center isn't busy.)


I would be looking at having one day for just us mers and another day would have a time for swim with kids.


I would also like if we had some booths if any of you wanted a space.


And if any one would like to teach a class.


Any other ideas would be appreciated.



*I do want to note that I live in a conservative town. One concern that they have had is attire. At first they flat out said no because they thought all mermaids swim topless. They mostly likely will want to enforce some type of dress code when it comes to tops. Please realize that this is completely out of my hands and I personally don't agree. I just wanted to let you know ahead of time.

[Mermaid Momo]

Yay! A convention I can hope to go to and it'll actually be somewhat possible! Driving distance too!

I say include the dress code policy in any convention manuals/ schedules you produce. A lot of conditions have dress codes of what can and cannot be worn just make sure you get them to be very descriptive so that you don't have to send anyone home/back to the hotel to change.

The only thing I can really suggest is checking for badges/ wrist bands since I've heard that from the last few cons thrown there were sometimes random people just walking around who weren't paying for the con. (also, plan ahead and buy extra badges/wristbands for at least an extra 100 people than those who registered online)

Also, get a nice sized committee going to help you out with the con :) would take a lot of weight off of your shoulders and help with brainstorming solutions and new ideas.
I'm currently sick so my brain's not working to full capacity haha, but I'll post more if I remember something :)

[Kishiko]

Ugh please make it August Id adore coming!! I would suggest talking to a local run hotel and see if you can convince them to run a special for Mers staying there for the con.

I second draggersprez on the wristband checking and the committee! I'd be happy to volunteer if this gets off the ground.


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[Mermaid Momo]

Ugh please make it August Id adore coming!! I would suggest talking to a local run hotel and see if you can convince them to run a special for Mers staying there for the con.

I second draggersprez on the wristband checking and the committee! I'd be happy to volunteer if this gets off the ground.


Sent from my shellphone using Mertalk

If it's in August just make sure it's not around the time school starts up, or at least sometime after school starts because I know cons being around school just starting make them a definite no for a few people.

[Kishiko]

What about early September Labor Day weekend?


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[jvry8c]

If its in east Texas I should be able to go. It sounds like alot of fun. :D

[Sherielle]

Midland is a bit far for me

[Mermaid Enora]

I'm in Dallas so midland is not too far away.
I would be interested in possibly coming although I'm taking 3 weeks vacation in August so not sure I'll even be around or be able to get more time off and I work weekends which makes it difficult

[jvry8c]

Just now saw it is in midlands. Will try and go but that might be to far. :(

[JamesGunnels]

I have no idea where that is in regards to Austin...

[Mermaid Meara]

27099

For those who don't know where Midland is.

[JamesGunnels]

Oh, that is quite far.

[Mermaid Momo]

If you plan far enough into the future to go, maybe you could just work out your transportation and sleeping plans before hand. That's what I would do (Since I actually live in AZ) Something close to the planner is a plus so the planner can go and check out the space and see what is possible and what isn't possible for the convention space.

[Spindrift]

Lol silly people, thinking all mermaids swim topless.

I would recommend getting as many vendors there as possible if this is going to be more of a convention deal than a party. A huge part of going to conventions is to be able to get merchandise in person you would normally not be able to get in your immediate area.

I have the ability to travel to Houston/Sugarland/Beaumont, but I would think it would make more sense to have the convention near the gulf coast, no? Depending on how big you want this to be, the closer it is to a major airport the easier it is to get a lot of participants.

[Mermaid Meara]

I just got out of my first meeting with the aquatic center. This meeting was mostly about me answering questions about the community, what goes on at cons, what pools we would prefer, ect. So far I feel we are headed in a good direction for this to happen.


I realize that Midland may not be close to some people or that well know of a city, but we are in the top 15 of fastest growing cities in the US and have the International Air and Space Port, we really aren't that small. This aquatic center is also the one that knows me well and is considering letting me teach mermaid classes, there for is more likely to allow me to throw it. If they end up saying no, down the coast will be my next place to look, but I'd rather eliminate the closest place first before looking at farther places.

One question I do have is that the staff is wanting to learn "how to save a mermaid" basically specialized life guarding for the con and me teaching classes. My question is what would you look for with a mermaid drowning/struggling? What do you do if you start struggling? They want me to teach a class for them and actually practice saving me in tail. I've personally never had an issue swimming in tail or out and haven't really "struggled" since I was a child, doesn't make me immune but I feel like I don't have experience to tell them what a mermaid will do if she's having issues.

[Mermaid Momo]

I think clear sign of a drowning mermaid is one that's trying to tread water, but keeps sinking under and starts to desperately make their way to the nearest wall.

[Mermaid Enora]

Probably the same as any other person struggling in the water

[SweeteSiren]

Drowning would typically look like someone whose head is barely clearing the water, and who is sculling constantly to stay at the surface.

[Mermaid Meara]

Update: so looks like we are going to have to wait until 2016. There is no time on the schedual for this year so we are looking at Labor Day weekend. Sept. 2-4 2016. This gives me more time to get everything together at least. Would anyone be interested in performing? We are going to try to get as many performances as possible. It will be open to the public to buy tickets as a way to introduce the Mermaid community to the city.

[Kishiko]

What do you mean perform? I thought it's a con similar to merfest!


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[Mermaid Meara]

It is a con like merfest. Merfest had Hannah perform, the synchronized swimmers, and the fashion show, we are looking at doing something similar, just looking at getting more of the general community involved for those who may want to. I currently teach mermaid lessons at the aquatic center and they want to have my merlings perform so I though why not give the comunity a chance to be invovled as well. We will also have classes, open swim, vendors, and a kids zone as well. Mermaiding is very new to my city and the aquatic center I'm at. If we are going to try to make this an annual thing we need to make a big splash in order to be welcomed back, performances that show what we can do can accomplish this. We will have plenty of other things to do for those not interested in the performances.

[MermaidBrandie]

I'm interested in going. Depending on my funds at the time, I wouldn't mind having a small booth as well to sell starfish hair clips, seashell pairs etc.

[Mermaid_Katyah]

Oh, this sounds so cool! How about a mini festival of the mermaid instead? Since this would be a first year event, I think it would be easier to manage a two day thing in a small venue. I would love to come out and volunteer as part of staff. I've been working conventions for the last 4 years. I'm still training myself in free diving lessons, but I would love to perform the following year.


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[LauraLWatson]

Well, we're not hosting a convention, per se, but we are having a professional workshop. The Mercademy, a training program for beginners, is hosting a week of workshops August 3-8 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We'll be announcing our final list of guest speakers/teachers coming in from all over the country (and maybe even across the boarder) by June 1. It's focused on training and skill building during the day, with fun fellowship and networking in the evenings. Not a convention with celebrities and panels, just training. www.TheMercademy.com (http://www.TheMercademy.com) I'd love to have a convention, though. I loved the NC MerFest and the Northwest Mountain MerFest earlier this year. I'd love to bring all those folks to Texas!

[theredknight100]

what!? the first Texas Mer Convention! :D sounds like a great idea! the merfest of texas :D I wish I could go thou :(

[Mermaid Enora]

Well, we're not hosting a convention, per se, but we are having a professional workshop. The Mercademy, a training program for beginners, is hosting a week of workshops August 3-8 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We'll be announcing our final list of guest speakers/teachers coming in from all over the country (and maybe even across the boarder) by June 1. It's focused on training and skill building during the day, with fun fellowship and networking in the evenings. Not a convention with celebrities and panels, just training. www.TheMercademy.com (http://www.TheMercademy.com) I'd love to have a convention, though. I loved the NC MerFest and the Northwest Mountain MerFest earlier this year. I'd love to bring all those folks to Texas!
Wish I could come, but I'll be out of town then.

[Gem Stone]

I'm taking a trip in August, and I can't take two mer vacations in one month. Not allowed

[Trade Winds]

I would SO go to a Texas mermaid convention! Even if it's in Midland!

[Mermaid Meara]

Ok, so we have decided on the weekend of September 2-4, 2016. Right now we are working on figuring out who we have performing, classes, guest speakers, and venders.

[Sherielle]

I make wire wrapped jewelry and would be interested in vending.

[LauraLWatson]

Great! Keep us posted!

[Mermaid Isla]

Why Midland? Why not somewhere closer to people like Dallas/Austin/Houston? :0

[SweeteSiren]

That's only about a 2 hour drive from Balmorhea - may need to make this a week long road trip. :)

[LauraLWatson]

I'm in for 2016!

[Trade Winds]

*peeps into old thread*
What ever happened to this idea?
*slips back underwater and lurks*

[Mermaid Meara]

It is still a work in progress. We hit a few snags due to another con that was helping us get started stealing the date we had planned. We are looking for a new date but it has been pushed back until 2017 :(

[Trade Winds]

Glad to hear it didn't die! I'm still willing to give it a go :cthulhu:

[LauraLWatson]

Travel is SUPER cheap in October/EARLY November, if that helps.

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