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Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy Arlington, VA 22202
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January 15, 2019: Year 10; Edition 2
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Hello, again, NOVA Open Attendees ~
TEN YEARS!! We keep saying it, but it's still hard to believe. We could not be more excited. The NOVA Open has grown far beyond what 32 people in a park could ever have imagined - on the strength, commitment and faith of volunteers alone. We've added games, ideas and activities every year and the feedback we've had from our attendees has always been overwhelmingly positive. It is this encouragement which keeps us going.
When I think back across all those years, one memory which really stands out involved a player who collapsed from a seizure during a game. The care and concern from the entire community was inspirational - strangers who had never met him, new acquaintances, staff, volunteers, hotel employees, and the friends he came with. All of these people rallied around him as he was rushed to the hospital. He could never have known how many of you asked about him and prayed for him while waiting news of his return, but when he did get back, he knew something had changed. He returned to several NOVA Opens over the years, and it would not be the only time he ended up in an ambulance. As he was facing his final battle, his one request was to make it to NOVA Open one last time - which he did. Never once, in all the time we've spent making this convention happen, did any of us ever expect such an incredible demonstration of true kinship. I am ever proud to be one of you.
Without our volunteers and YOU, there is no convention ~ and there are no stories. For this reason, I am asking all of you for a favor: Would you please share your favorite memory or story from a NOVA Open in your past? Any topic, any way you care to share: inspirational, funny, left of goofy, powerful or silly, no matter. What happens at NOVA Open shouldn't stay at NOVA Open - we think the world should know!
Send your stories to newsletter@novaopen.com . . . and Thank You!
Very best,
Mike Brandt, NOVA Open CEO
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WHO'S EXCITED ABOUT NOVA OPEN 2019?
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Everyone on the NOVA Open staff is super excited about the Tenth Anniversary. It's caused us to do some pretty crazy things, and take video while we do. Don't ask us why, we're just excited for the anniversary!
Key Exec Board member, CJ Kinder, thought she'd celebrate the impending anniversary by going airborne!
How are you getting ready? Watch for more as we prep for launch ~ or send us your own to share!
Would you like NOVA Open to organize a pre-con road trip to IFLY (as seen in this video) to include a local brewery tour? If you think you'd be up for an adventure like this, email:
customerservice@novaopen.com
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80% SOLD OUT
2019 Room Block Open ~ Book Today
Block Sold Out Quickly in 2018
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The NOVA Open room rate is available for ten (10) nights this year. Book your trip to Washington D.C., as early as the Saturday before, and stay in town until the Tuesday after NOVA Open.
Turn your trip into a vacation - bring the family to this friendly convention. The room quality/rate being extended to our guests by the Hyatt is the best deal in the Metro DC area at that time of year. We encourage you to extend your stay. Visit the monuments on the Capitol Mall and tour the Smithsonian's museums. Hyatt shuttles and the Metro make it easy. Thanks for your interest in the NOVA Open, and we look forward to seeing you this year!
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LOOK WHAT THE HYATT'S DOING FOR THE NOVA OPEN:
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- Entire Hyatt Event Space Reserved for the NOVA Open
- Room Rates at $98 (single occupancy)
- More double rooms available in the NOVA Open Block
- Cell Reception Available in All Areas of Hotel
- 50% off In-Room Wi-Fi
- Free In-Room Wi-Fi for Gold Passport Members - Sign Up Today
- 50% off Valet Parking
- 20% off Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant, Cinnabar - Show Your Convention Badge!
- $4 Hyatt-Selected Beer for NOVA Open Guests THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE EVENT
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The Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA, 22202
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IMPORTANT ATTENDEE INFORMATION
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Attending NOVA Open requires a Convention Access Pass (Wed-Sun) or Day Pass/es ($20 each). The Convention Access Pass "Early Bird" pricing is $50 through April 15; at that time, the cost will be $60. A pass is required before anyone can purchase a ticket into any planned tournament or event.
Use of board games from the NOVA Open library and/or participation in side events scheduled in that hall are free to those with a Pass; however, Board Game tournaments which confer prizes will require a nominal fee. If Board Game activities are planned in the Foundation Lounge, two drink tokens will be exchanged for a required $10 registration fee, as the Lounge is a fundraising venue for NOCF.
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The SuperNOVA is the NOVA Open's answer to the Best Swag Bag Idea in tabletop wargaming. For past attendees, the SuperNOVA needs no introduction. If you've never seen or heard of a SuperNOVA, we think the most important piece of information we can give you is that these
150 bags sell out in seconds! One of the main reasons for its success is NOVA Open's partnership with
KR Multicase - since this "Swag Bag" is actually a CASE!
The First Fifty SuperNOVA bags will be offered on February 15, 2019, to an exclusive list of past attendees. If you were a SuperNOVA at NOVA Open 2016, 2017, or 2018, you will be receiving an email from Marti Seraphin confirming your email address for this Early Bird option. If you don't receive an email from her by January 21, contact
customerservice@novaopen.com.
Click the
updated image below to learn more about why you want to be hovering the keyboard at
8:00pm EST on Thursday, March 1, 2019.
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WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOARD GAMES?
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Thanks to all those who sent in board game recommendations after the Jan 1 newsletter request. It's not too late! We're the People's Con and your input matters to us. What's your favorite board game? Tell us now!
At NOVA Open, we like our
Due Outs. These are lists of little tasks we need to complete each month. The NOVA Open's Board Game Team needs your help with the following Due Out:
NOVA Open would like to expand space and offer more board game events this year. In the past, the team planned a very limited schedule of events; for 2019, we hope to enter the March 1 launch with a large variety of games and tournaments that will spark broad interest by gamers in attending Board Game events. We're also thinking about building a NOVA Open Board Game Library with 100s of titles.
WE NEED YOUR HELP - EVERY ONE OF YOU!
What Board Games would YOU like to play at NOVA Open 2019?
Please take 5 minutes to send us a list of the board games you would like to see in the library - and board games you would like to play in full tournament style at NOVA Open 2019.
Click
HERE and keyboard your favorites into a speedy email sent right to our inbox.
Your help is Super Appreciated.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
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NOVA Open extends its sincere appreciation to all those who volunteer in support of NOVA Open and the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation. These two organizations are looking for year-round volunteers with any interest in supporting their missions.
INTERNSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT POSITIONS FOR COLLEGE AND WORK APPLICATIONS!
If you enjoy the NOVA Open and being a part of the charitable work of NOCF - and you have the time and energy to put into year-round volunteering - please send us an email telling us a little about yourself and your experience with NOVA Open:
customerservice@novaopen.com
This is also a great opportunity for high school and college students and graduates. NOVA Open has a long history of providing internships to enhance college and job applications. Internships in the convention and event planning arena are hard to come by, and those with non-profits are very difficult to attain. If you have a son or daughter, family member or friend, who may be in need of an internship, send them our way using the customer service email above.
Everything you need to know about volunteering at the NOVA Open can be found on our website by clicking the button below.
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ATTENTION VENDORS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
NOVA OPEN 2019
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NOVA Open is excited to announce that the following vendors have already locked in their booth space and will be returning for NOVA Open 2019:
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SUPPORT THE GAMERS' CHARITY, NOCF:
Switch to AmazonSmile - Too Easy
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The NOCF received hundreds of dollars this year from Amazon - with only a handful of tabletop wargamers identifying it as their charity of choice. Join today and it could be thousands!
** PLEASE JOIN OUR SUPPORTERS **
AmazonSmile has made it easy. By choosing the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation as your preferred charity, a percentage of every purchase made goes straight to the NOCF!
Remember, only purchases at AmazonSmile, (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app,) support charity.
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FORGE THE NARRATIVE PODCAST #269
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Mike Brandt was on the most recent
Forge the Narrative's podcast episode 269, as part of the Road to LVO series.
You can listen to the podcast titled, Is Matched Play The Ultimate Way To Play 40k?
HERE.
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NOVA OPEN 2019 SEMINAR SCHEDULE UNDER WAY
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NOVA Open is honored to announce the return of many renowned artists and instructors to its 10
th
Anniversary Seminar Schedule. We are also pleased to introduce artists and instructors who will be joining NOVA Open for the first time on this special year. The list is long and growing, classes are diverse, and the choices extensive.
When www.novaopenstore.com goes live (on or about Feb 1), spend some study time reviewing the classes offered and course descriptions from:
Joe Kopena, a NOVA Open Lead skilled in 3D Modeling & Printing
We expect this list to grow; watch here in future NOVA Open newsletters for updates!
CHECK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDARS:
- Roman Lappat will be returning with his 3-Day JAR’s Beginner Workshop. Plan to attend/space will be limited: Sunday-Tuesday, August 25-27
- NOVA Open is working on adding a couple of very special 2-Day Workshops ahead of the convention. Watch here for the news.
- Games Workshop’s Community Team is, once again, planning a Big Reveal for the evening of Wednesday, August 28!
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INTERESTED IN TEACHING AT THE NOVA OPEN?
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The NOVA Open 2019 Seminar Team will be finalizing classes and schedules for NOVA Open in January. This would be a good time for you to share your thoughts, ideas or recommendations for seminars you would see offered this year. Send email to
seminars@novaopen.com.
If you are interested in teaching seminar/s at NOVA Open (or a multi-day workshop?), read through the information below and reach out to us with your course descriptions at the email address above.
For Profit vs. For Non-Profit
NOVA Open, LLC is a U.S. company in the business of funding its sister organization, a non-profit,
NOVA Open Charitable Foundation (NOCF). As such, 100% of the people involved in the running of the two organizations are VOLUNTEERS. These are exceptional leaders and hobbyists (and their supportive friends and families) who have helped create this experience in order to grow the gaming community while directing financial support to global charities.
NOVA Open’s support of, and expense coverage to, NOCF is one significant reason over $210,000 has been donated by the Foundation to charities (including
DWB,
BCRF,
Fisher House) since its inception in 2013. The primary reason for this success can be traced to artistic donations, generosity of time-talent-treasure, parent company support and other hobby related outlets. The exclusive membership of these fundraising efforts is the world-wide tabletop wargaming community.
For this reason, the structure of its instructor packages may be somewhat different from other opportunities.
Why Teach at NOVA Open?
Beyond the charitable focus of NOVA Open, the convention extends compelling additional support to its instructors. NOVA Open offers significant transparent and traceable marketing power for instructors and their classes via a bi-weekly newsletter reaching thousands of unique hobbyists, as well as through its extensive social media outreach. As the premiere East Coast tabletop wargaming convention, instructors also have access to this geographical base along with a substantial European presence.
NOVA Open provides each instructor with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which will outline the specific terms of their package to prevent any misunderstanding or failure of delivery. Instructor interviews are routinely requested by the marketing groups, as well. The MOA will be signed and executed by both parties.
NOVA Open's comfortable, carpeted seminar rooms are fully outfitted with a locker full of basic hobby supplies, and 55" mobile TV units with Hovercam Ultra 8 cameras. The instructor MOA also provides an addendum which lists each additional supply as requested and agreed to.
We always hope that, beyond the satisfaction an instructor experiences having brought a new group of NOVA Open attendees a great learning opportunity, he or she will also enjoy knowing that their time and talent supports the charitable efforts of the NOVA Open. In so doing, we all help NOCF on its mission to increase the visibility of tabletop wargamers worldwide through the donations made in the community’s name.
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Atlantis Games and Comics
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