NC Mermania 2017

[Mermaid Coralia]

I can't wait to get to see these new tails in person!

I would love to own one (I love that pink one!) and i think people being able to see them in person will make a lot of mers want one!

So excited!

[AniaR]

Yes I agree. Heck I can't wait

[AniaR]

I made a video to remind us all how awesome 2016 was and for something to look forward to

[PearlieMae]

Nice! Who else is on this expert panel and what's the subject?

Bumped...

[AniaR]

It's all on the site you know and was posted a few posts up

Special Guests! We are excited to have awesome special guests who will also be speaking on our expert panel. Our current lineup includes Finfolk (tail makers), Rescue Sirens (authors/animators/illustrators), Marla S (Weeki Wachee), Mermaid LInda Stephanie (Aquariums), Joseph McGarry (Author/Accountant), Merman Christian (International Merman) WITH MORE TO COME

[MermaidBonnie]

I'm just excited to swim with old friends and meet new ones. Still deciding on a ball gown for me and Esther and a tail for her lol....she is growing so fast!

[AniaR]

Tickets and description for the ball will be launched TONIGHT. For now while we set it all up we wanted to let you know we have local celebrity Captain Jim the pirate magician entertaining us for the ball. He will be our DJ and also provide some magical entertainment. The Fathom's Below Ball will be held Saturday night and start with a FORMAL dinner and then dancing. The theme suggests the abyss! So think of all the creatures from way down deep and grab some glow sticks or black light paint MOE DETAILS AND TICKETS COMING SHORTLY.

[AniaR]

TICKETS FOR THE BALL ARE NOW LIVE. Our Fathoms Below ball is inspired by the deep abyss! You will have the ticket options to attend the dinner and ball, or either one.
We start with a plated dinner at 6:30pm, in the beautiful Four Season's Ballroom. Our meal will be set up in a buffet style and you can choose from multiple proteins, veggie dishes, pasta dishes, bread, and more. Our exact choices will be determined a little closer to the event once we have a better idea of our exact numbers, but the catering is specifically through the hotel and everyone will get enough to eat. (Please contact if you have celiac or anaphylactic allergies)
Then we'll dance the night away in the beautiful ballroom with music and magic entertainment by Pirate Jim! We encourage you to dress however you'd like. Semi formal, formal, costume... theme or no theme! We will have light up decorations and a black light.
There will be a cash bar so we advise parents bring young ones at their discretion, understanding adults may be drinking alcoholic beverages.
Tickets for the convention and the ball will close a few days before in order to ensure the proper amounts for catering and fire regulations. So be sure to budget
Everything can be found on the website including the tickets.
http://ncmermania.com/ball/

[AniaR]

Day passes are available through the ticketing for just Saturday or just Sunday for the few people who requested. Thanks!

[MermaidBonnie]

So I just got my hotel room. I had to call bc King size beds were not offered through the website offered on this thread. I just wanted to share that if you require something larger than a double bed, that there are options if you call. Squeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

[Merman Chatfish]

This can be put in its own thread but I am interested in sharing rooms!

[AniaR]

Yeah we may need to start a thread here or on facebook, quite a few people are interested in sharing rooms!

[MermaidBonnie]

This can be put in its own thread but I am interested in sharing rooms!

My photographer is Ziggy is interested in sharing a room. Do you have an email address I may pass along to him?

[AniaR]

Hey folks there's been a lot of requests for room sharing so we started a thread in the group, you'll need to join as a member but we figure most people have FB and the group is members only, whereas most people dont have mernetwork and the info ends up public. So join the group, the thread has been started, and post away!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1651933308385534/

[EdenSirene]

Just as Bonnie said we also are so excited to be swimming with everyone again.. Honestly I think I swan a total of 10 mins at the last event so I am so looking forward to swimming and meeting so many new Mers and just chilling with the crowd!! I can't wait to see little Merbaby Ester swim as well..I have a feeling that's going to be quite a site !! I feel like 3 days to just swim with friends doesn't seem real I cannot wait!!!!

[AniaR]

Hey folks due to popular request, we have started a ride sharing thread on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1651...8748507370679/

[AniaR]

We'd also like to draw your attention to the GAC rules. There are a few they made exceptions for us (such as use of floaties, and running a lesson, and using the tails) I've copied it right from their website but left some notes in blue.

http://www.greensboroaquaticcenter.com/pool-policies

Rules of the Swimming Pool
*Greensboro Aquatic Center staff reserve the right to dismiss, suspend, or prohibit from the facility any person endangering the health, safety, or pleasure of the facility patrons. Guests must acknowledge and abide by facility age guidelines upon entry to the facility.



AGE GUIDELINES:
*Children age 5 and under must be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian (age 18 or older).

*Children that cannot walk across the deepest part of the pool (4 feet) without assistance will need to be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian (age 18 or older).
*All swimmers must wear a swim suit. T-shirts, cut offs, sweat pants, basketball shorts, gym shorts, etc. are not permitted. Individuals who are not potty-trained must wear swim diapers in addition to swimming suit.

*Children age 12 and under require adult supervision.

1. Swimming is only allowed when there is a lifeguard on duty
2. All swimmers must shower before entering the pool
3. All swimmers must wear a swim suit. T-shirts, cut offs, sweat pants, basketball shorts, gym shorts, etc. are not permitted. Individuals who are not potty-trained must wear swim diapers in addition to swimming suit.
4. Lap lanes are for lap swimming only - Mermania does not have access to the Lap lanes, it's being used for a private training
5. No running on the pool deck
6. No diving in recreation pool
7. No floatation devices are allowed in the pool. NO EXCEPTIONS.- Mermania is allowed in the divewell and during the kid's lessons
8. No horseplay, hanging on lane lines, inappropriate behavior or excessive splashing is allowed.
9. Diving blocks are to be used ONLY by authorized teams and instructors for instructional purposes.
10. The competition pool is for lap swimming and training purposes only Mermania does not have access to the Lap lanes, it's being used for a private training
    
11. Lap lanes are intended to accommodate multiple swimmers simultaneously and guests are encouraged to abide by this rule. GAC staff may ask patrons to share lanes when pool accommodations are limited. Mermania does not have access to the Lap lanes, it's being used for a perpetrate private training
    
12. Patrons must be able to pass a swim test in order to enter the competition pool. Swim test is conducted as follows: Jump in the water from the side, recover to the surface, swim 25 yards with a competent stroke (front crawl or breaststroke), tread water for 1 minute, then exit the water. As requested by GAC, children will need to do a swimtest to be in the dive well.
13. All diving boards and diving platforms are closed to the public. Only GAC authorized swim organizations have access to diving boards and platforms. Our photographers will have access to the diving boards for photos
14. Lifeguard stands are off-limits to everyone, except the Lifeguards. Do not stand under, on, or in front of lifeguard stand.
15. Only swim team and swim lessons are allowed to use GAC swim equipment. Only life jackets are allowed to be given out to those who need them.
16. Only GAC authorized swim lessons are allowed in the facility.
17. Profanity or any offensive language is prohibited.
18. No pets, except for qualified service animals for the disabled are permitted in the pool area. Pets are not allowed in the pool.
19. Greensboro Coliseum property prohibits the use of any alcohol or tobacco products.
20. Guests with open sores, cuts, bandages or communicable diseases are not permitted in the pool
    
21. No food/drink or chewing gum allowed on the pool deck. (Exception: water, sports drinks and power bars are allowed during non-meet times)
22. Glass containers are prohibited within the facility
23. Use lockers in locker room at your own risk. Locks are available at the front desk for $1.00 rental with collateral exchange. Customer bags and/or belongings may be kept on pool deck. Mermania can't accept any liability on anything lost, so use a locker!
24. The facility welcomes families and guests of all ages and therefore locker room decency is required. Wear a towel or outer garment at all times, especially when moving from the showers to the locker room and vice versa.
25. Cell phones, cameras or other electronic devices may not be used or visible in the locker rooms. This especially applies to cell phones. Step into public area to use your phone. NO EXCEPTIONS.
26. Guests over five years of age are not permitted to enter the opposite gender restroom/locker room. Please use the family changing rooms located on the recreation pool deck in between the male and female locker room entrances. They have made available an additional bathroom for us that is gender neutral.
27. Interpreter services are available at no cost in accordance with Title VI.
28. For the comfort and inclusion of all individuals, the Greensboro Aquatic Center offers women's, men's and family/gender neutral dressing rooms. In addition, the GAC also offers women's, men's and family/gender neutral public restroom facilities.

*It shall be a violation for any patron to not comply with any written or oral rules, regulations, or requirements imposed by Greensboro Aquatic Center personnel. Personal conduct in and around the aquatic facilities must be such that the safety of self and others is not jeopardized. Any such violation may result in immediate removal from the facility.


PLEASE REMEMBER: Mermania has no control over GAC enforcing their rules, and as we've written on the Mermania website they may subject kids under 13 to a swimtest to use the Divewell. This is at the lifeguard's discretion, and we have no say. Mermania has no power if the GAC decides to remove someone for breaking their rules. So please be sure to give them a read and make sure we're all in compliance so we have an awesome time!

[AniaR]

Here are the applicable rules for the Sheraton Hotel:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sherat...language=en_US

Age Requirement Policy

Guests must be 21 years or older to reserve a room. Persons under the age of 21 are not allowed to check into the hotel without a parent or guardian.
We suggest if you are under the age of 21 and do not have anyone in your group who is over the age, that you get in contact with the hotel ASAP.


Extra Bedding Policy

Rollaway beds are only permitted in rooms with one king bed.

Alcohol Policy

Alcoholic beverage service is restricted to those 21 years or older (with valid identification).

Package Handling Policy

There is a package handling fee for all incoming and outbound packages. Please contact (1)(336)292-9161 extension 4106 for exact fees.


Smoking Policy

All guest rooms and public spaces are 100% non-smoking. A 200 USD cleaning fee will be charged to any guest who violates the smoking policy.





Check Cashing Policy

Check cashing services are available to guests who present a valid, major credit card photo identification. There is a limit of $50 a guest, per day.


Credit/Debit Card Policy

Debit and Credit cards will be authorized at check-in for the amount of your stay, plus an amount to cover incidentals. The authorization will hold the funds until check out, at which time the amount actually incurred during the stay will be charged. Authorized amounts may take up to 30 days after departure to be released by your bank or financial institution and the hotel will not be responsible for any resulting fees or charges.


Check in: 3:00 PM Check out: 12:00 PM

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

Wait? There's going to be a gender neutral changing room? With access to the pool and all that? -bows down and praise jesus-

[AniaR]

Wait? There's going to be a gender neutral changing room? With access to the pool and all that? -bows down and praise jesus-

that's what they tell us! I am not in NC to confirm personally, but it is now being advertised on their website too! When we get there on Saturday Sean or Dan and I will make sure to have them show us.

If anyone experiences any issues from the general public (I don't anticipate any from the mer community) over bathroom use, please find one of the staff or a GAC staff. I mean really I'll just send muscly-armed paper boy Sean over to chat with anyone who causes problems hahaha but, GAC specifically says they will remove anyone who harasses or causes problems