Atlanta, GA BJD Convention Nov. 20-22 2015

Well folks, it's happening! The Atlanta BJD Convention will be held on November 20-22 this year!

 

 

We actually met the woman putting this together at Animazement and she said she was close to getting everything figured out. Now that she has, she's got her Facebook page going and has listed out some things happening at the con as well as the hotel it's happening at.

 

Here's the Facebook page for the con: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaBallJointedDollConvention She will keep updating the FB page as she gets more info so keep an eye on that.

 

And here's the webpage for the hotel the con is being held at:

 

http://www.cpravinia.com/

 

The hotel looks really nice and has quite a few cool areas for doll photos!

 

 

And in other news a bit closer to home.....

 

Becca and I are going to be running a panel at the con about vinyl dolls! We're super excited to be doing this and we've already started getting ideas together. Since the DD girls were such a hit at Animazement and almost everyone told us that they'd never seen a DD before, we decided to do a starter course/introduction panel so people could get a brief history of ALL types of vinyl dolls. We plan to bring examples of a bunch of different ones including DD's, Azones, Obitsu's and Smartdoll. If we get the time slot we want, we plan to do about 2 hours with the first hour being the history and info part and the second half being a Q&A along with a "meet and greet" of various dolls we'll be bringing along. We do plan to have a TON of dolls there.... basically one of each body type for the DD's as well as some Obitsu's, Azones and hybrids. We think this will be a lot of fun with plenty of info for people who haven't seen or dealt with vinyl dolls before as well as people who've been in the vinyl side for years. Plus there should be lots of people to meet and put faces to online names!

 

I'll keep updating here once we get more info on the con schedule and such. I hope we get to see a bunch of you guys there! We can't wait for this to happen! Soooo excited!

 

 

Billy

Ahhh finally an large event where I don't have to travel too far to get to. It'll be nice to see all the dolies there

It would be really nice to go to this con this year. I'd love to meet more collectors and see other doll brands in person.

I had posted a little update in the Momocon thread but I'm not sure you saw it, still it's great you were able to meet the host. I also talked to her for a bit at Momocon Saturday.

Ahhh finally an large event where I don't have to travel too far to get to. It'll be nice to see all the dolies there

 

Well, from what I gather from talking to people who have gone before, it's not really LARGE per se..... pretty small in fact. But they're doing what they can to make this a bigger event. That's one reason why my GF was told she and I could do this panel, to get more people there and make more contacts and friends. It's not going to be like an Animazement or DragonCon by any means but it should still be a lot of fun! I do hope you come!

 

It would be really nice to go to this con this year. I'd love to meet more collectors and see other doll brands in person.

I had posted a little update in the Momocon thread but I'm not sure you saw it, still it's great you were able to meet the host. I also talked to her for a bit at Momocon Saturday.

 

I really hope you can come since you're so close! It would be great to meet you in person after all the talking we've done here. I'm really looking forward to going and doing the panel. We did get the go ahead for a 2 hour block so it should be a lot of fun with lots of info available.

 

That's great you were able to meet the host! I haven't checked that Momocon thread but I will.

 

 

 

Billy

Now I need to make plans to go. A tiny group of us Atlanta owners met up at Momocon and when my friend and I took our girls to the Aquarium everyone loved them. I’d love to come to the panel and let Saber and Nel meet everyone.

I'm planning to be in the Atlanta area during this timeframe, and would be up for attending / contributing. Glad you posted about it here!

 

While I'm thinking about it, has an attendee-based swap hall been made part of the plans for this convention? Just wondering if I should bring anything to sell and/or make room for picking up anything new-to-me from other attendees.

Now I need to make plans to go. A tiny group of us Atlanta owners met up at Momocon and when my friend and I took our girls to the Aquarium everyone loved them. I’d love to come to the panel and let Saber and Nel meet everyone.

 

That's really cool that you had a good time at the aquarium! I bet that place is amazing for photo ops! And please, PLEASE come to the panel and bring your dolls! That's actually something I wanted to have printed in the info about the panel. We want people to bring their girls along so we can meet them and so that others can meet up and make new friends! I'm not sure if we'll have a table available for placing your girls on when you come in but I'm definitely working on it. Thank you for asking about it and bringing it up, I'll do my best to make it easy for people to share their girls with everyone!

 

I'm planning to be in the Atlanta area during this timeframe, and would be up for attending / contributing. Glad you posted about it here!

 

Oh man, that would be awesome if you could come! I'd love to finally meet you in person since we've talked a bit online and done some deals too. I do hope we can see you there!

 

While I'm thinking about it, has an attendee-based swap hall been made part of the plans for this convention? Just wondering if I should bring anything to sell and/or make room for picking up anything new-to-me from other attendees.

 

As far as I know there hasn't been "official" word on it but I'm glad you asked about it because I was also wondering about that. I'll be sure to ask about it and see if we're allowed to do that. If we can't, I'd be all for doing something like a swap meet in our hotel room or adjacent common area. Whatever works! I'd say definitely bring any buy/sell/trade items along to this. As I get info on that and other things, I'll be posting here so make sure to check back!

 

 

 

Billy

I really hope you can come since you're so close! It would be great to meet you in person after all the talking we've done here. I'm really looking forward to going and doing the panel. We did get the go ahead for a 2 hour block so it should be a lot of fun with lots of info available.

 

That's great you were able to meet the host! I haven't checked that Momocon thread but I will.

 

Billy

 

I know it would be super fun to meet up since we've been chatting here for years. Looks like there is some more interest in starting up doll/figure panels at other local GA cons. I'm to shy to host something like that myself, but I think it's a great initiative to get more people involved in the hobby and to help others understand it.

Hooray! Dates are set!

 

I'll probably go - my friends are into resin dolls and we always talked about going. XD

Congrats Billy! I hope you have a great time. I'm sure you'll be an awesome "ambassador" to others who don't know about BJD's.

I know it would be super fun to meet up since we've been chatting here for years. Looks like there is some more interest in starting up doll/figure panels at other local GA cons. I'm to shy to host something like that myself, but I think it's a great initiative to get more people involved in the hobby and to help others understand it.

 

I'm really hoping to meet lots of doll collectors, whether they own DD's or resins. I'm all about meeting more people and getting the word out about vinyl dolls to everyone I can. Not everyone will be into them but I think that if more information is given to people about them then they can make better judgements of their own instead of going on rumors and conjecture. I've met lots of people who have never seen a DD that tell me crazy things about them like how all of them cost $2000 or more and that they are just sex dolls. Info like that drives me crazy! That's one big reason I want to do this panel with Becca.... so we can give people actual facts about these dolls and show people what they look like and how much fun they can be.

 

Hooray! Dates are set! I'll probably go - my friends are into resin dolls and we always talked about going. XD

 

Yay! It would be great to meet you and your friends! I'm looking forward to seeing and meeting new people and their dolls no matter what kinds they have. I find it extremely interesting seeing new types of dolls and how people dress and customize them.

 

Congrats Billy! I hope you have a great time. I'm sure you'll be an awesome "ambassador" to others who don't know about BJD's.

 

Thanks so much! Becca and I will do our very best to do a good job and present the vinyls in a positive and interesting way for everyone. I think by giving people better info and letting them see these dolls first hand will give them a better idea of what you can do with them and to see how cool they really are.

 

 

 

Billy

Oh my gosh Billy you don't know how badly I want to attend this event Not to mention that the 1st day is my birthday I'd only be able to go for that weekend and return home right after. Price of plane tickets and a room are the hard part... I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I can swing the cost~ I would be so sad if I couldn't go since so many people from the forums are going to attend! Plus seeing you & Becca run a doll panel would be a ton of fun

Oh my gosh Billy you don't know how badly I want to attend this event Not to mention that the 1st day is my birthday I'd only be able to go for that weekend and return home right after. Price of plane tickets and a room are the hard part... I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I can swing the cost~ I would be so sad if I couldn't go since so many people from the forums are going to attend! Plus seeing you & Becca run a doll panel would be a ton of fun

 

I really do hope you can swing it! The cost of the con is pretty cheap from what I hear and the room rates are $89 per night so not horrible, especially when you get all those cool photo op places within the hotel itself. And since the con is all inclusive in that one hotel, it makes things so much easier to do!

 

I know plane tickets probably won't be cheap but maybe you'll find something affordable for that weekend. I didn't expect you to come down to Charleston right afterwards anyways so no worries. You need to save THAT trip for next year like we talked about. Becca and I would love to have you guys here to play tour guides to.

 

I really do hope a lot of people from the forums can make it there, it would be great to finally meet people who I talk to on here in person. A big turnout would be so cool!

 

Becca and I are really looking forward to doing the panel. It should be about 2 hours with the last hour being more of a meet and greet and Q&A session. We're trying to have space for people to bring their dolls to put with ours so everyone attending can see a wide range of DD styles and girls. I think it will work out pretty nicely.

 

 

 

Billy

I have a small update to this! I got in touch with Danny Choo about this convention and after some negotiating he's agreed to lend me a full Mirai Frame for display at the con! I think it will be super cool to have a complete Mirai standing next to her inner frame so that people who aren't familiar with how dolls with skeletons work can see and touch one like this. He said he would send it to me unassembled so *I* get to build it. I also might have some random Smartdoll vinyl parts to show too.... like leg or arm parts that are just the vinyl shells so people can see those as well.

 

Danny also told me that he might send along some business cards and flyers to hand out to people too but he wasn't clear on those details. But whenever he does get back to me with more details, I'll definitely share them here with you guys!

 

Becca and I are working on the panel outline now and should have everything ready to build a neat presentation for everyone soon. I do hope we get a lot of people attending so that we can spread the good word of vinyl to as many people as possible! The panel is officially set for 2 hours.... we plan to do a brief history of vinyl dolls with lots of info and pictures of customs and such from many manufacturers for the first half of the panel and then we'll do a Q&A session followed by a meet and greet at the end where people can come see the DD/VMF/Obistus up close and talk to people about them.

 

So if you plan to attend, be sure to bring along your DD's to share too!

 

 

 

Billy

I have a small update to this! I got in touch with Danny Choo about this convention and after some negotiating he's agreed to lend me a full Mirai Frame for display at the con! I think it will be super cool to have a complete Mirai standing next to her inner frame so that people who aren't familiar with how dolls with skeletons work can see and touch one like this. He said he would send it to me unassembled so *I* get to build it. I also might have some random Smartdoll vinyl parts to show too.... like leg or arm parts that are just the vinyl shells so people can see those as well.

 

Danny also told me that he might send along some business cards and flyers to hand out to people too but he wasn't clear on those details. But whenever he does get back to me with more details, I'll definitely share them here with you guys!

 

Becca and I are working on the panel outline now and should have everything ready to build a neat presentation for everyone soon. I do hope we get a lot of people attending so that we can spread the good word of vinyl to as many people as possible! The panel is officially set for 2 hours.... we plan to do a brief history of vinyl dolls with lots of info and pictures of customs and such from many manufacturers for the first half of the panel and then we'll do a Q&A session followed by a meet and greet at the end where people can come see the DD/VMF/Obistus up close and talk to people about them.

 

So if you plan to attend, be sure to bring along your DD's to share too!

 

 

 

Billy

 

Sounds awesome, I think this year's con will be one to remember. Still not sure if I can go but I'm to try to make at least one day.

If possible I would love for someone to record the panel since I won't be able to attend. It would be cool to see this up on YouTube Sounds like it's going to be a fun dolly panel/meet

If possible I would love for someone to record the panel since I won't be able to attend. It would be cool to see this up on YouTube Sounds like it's going to be a fun dolly panel/meet

 

I'm not sure if anyone was planning on doing that but I'll check and see if it's possible.

 

And now for more news! They posted up the first "Panels, Workshops and Events" list on their Facebook page! Here's the link:

 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/atlanta-ball-jointed-doll-convention/panels-workshops-and-events-for-2015/863710680410428

 

The panel I'm doing with my GF is listed as such:

 

 

Vinyl bjds: an introduction

 

Panelist Rebecca Mitchum

 

An overview of vinyl ball jointed dolls, including but not limited to the brands of Volks, Parabox/obitsu, azone, and smart doll.

 

We will be taking a look at Volks' creation of the Dollfie dream and the history of the line, as well as speculating the future.

 

Please join us and learn about the lighter side of dolls!

 

 

As more things are added, they'll update the page and I'll update here as well.

 

 

 

Billy

I am so tempted.

There's a slim chance I may be attending the event . I'm crossing my fingers. Its been a few years since I've been to any doll gatherings.

I'll be going! I'm hosting a panel Saturday so I'll be there at least for that day.

I am so tempted.

 

Please do! I'd love to meet as many people from these forums as possible! I hope you can make it.

 

There's a slim chance I may be attending the event . I'm crossing my fingers. Its been a few years since I've been to any doll gatherings.

 

It would be great to meet you so I hope things work out and you can make it!

 

I'll be going! I'm hosting a panel Saturday so I'll be there at least for that day.

 

Oh nice! Which panel are you hosting? If you can make it to the vinyl panel, please bring along a girl or two if you have any! We're doing a "Meet and Greet" at the end of it so feel free to come and share!

 

 

 

Billy

I am so tempted.

 

Please do! I'd love to meet as many people from these forums as possible! I hope you can make it.

 

There's a slim chance I may be attending the event . I'm crossing my fingers. Its been a few years since I've been to any doll gatherings.

 

It would be great to meet you so I hope things work out and you can make it!

 

I'll be going! I'm hosting a panel Saturday so I'll be there at least for that day.

 

Oh nice! Which panel are you hosting? If you can make it to the vinyl panel, please bring along a girl or two if you have any! We're doing a "Meet and Greet" at the end of it so feel free to come and share!

 

 

 

 

Billy

 

I'm hosting the "animal/anthro" panel! I'm planning on bringing Mirai and Akira at least, so we'll be sure to swing by and see everyone! In really excited for this year.

I'm hosting the "animal/anthro" panel! I'm planning on bringing Mirai and Akira at least, so we'll be sure to swing by and see everyone! In really excited for this year.

 

Ahh cool! Please do come by as we'd love to meet you and your girls!

 

 

 

Billy

I am so tempted.

 

Please do! I'd love to meet as many people from these forums as possible! I hope you can make it.

Do you know which day you will be running your Vinyl panel? I might be able to do a one day surgical strike ($$$$) and I'd like to meet you and yours too.

Do you know which day you will be running your Vinyl panel? I might be able to do a one day surgical strike ($$$$) and I'd like to meet you and yours too.

 

 

We will be doing our panel on Saturday. I don't know which room or what time we'll be doing it tho as they haven't given us that info yet. I do know that we'll have the room/panel for a 2 hour period and we plan to do the panel for about an hour, then do a Q&A for about 30 minutes and then a "meet and greet" at the end so people can come up and see and handle the DD's as well as meet and chat. Of course we'll also set something up later in the day or evening for DD owners to come and hang out again without any time restrictions but I'll do more info on that once we get closer to the con time.

 

 

 

Billy