If you are unable to attend Dragon Con 2017, or if you are no longer a reporter for you authorized news outlet, please complete this form so that you may be considered for Dragon Con 2018. No shows will need to show good cause for missing Dragon Con 2017 to be considered for next year if they do not complete this form.

Unable to Attend Dragon Con 2017

Contents

• PREVIEW UPDATES AND PODCASTS
• SOME LOGISTICAL NOTES:
• MEDIA RELATIONS TOUR AND PUB CRAWL
• DRAGON CON EXPECTS RECORD 82,000 POP CULTURE FANS TO GEEK OUT IN ATLANTA
• DRAGON CON LAUNCHES DRAGONCONTV LIVE INTERNET STREAMING
• FEATURED FAN TRACK: BRITTRACK

PREVIOUS UPDATES AND PODCASTS

The DCMR updates are digests of announcements and other information. The podcasts allow us to go in depth on topics that are important to reporters. As always, if you have suggests about what you would like to know or hear about, drop us a line.

Updates

• DCMR Update 2017-3
• DCMR Update 2017-2
• DCMR Update 2017-1

Podcasts:

• Podcast Four: Streaming (BONUS: Pub Quiz)
• Podcast Three: Tracks
• Podcast Two: Registration
• Podcast One: Interviews
• Previous Years’ Podcasts

Some Logistical Notes:

Where and When do I get my badge?

Badges may be picked up at Media Relations, located at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Greenbriar Room.

NOTE: All journalists must present photo identification on-site in order to obtain a badge.

Parking:

• Rates and information: https://dailydragon.dragoncon.org/parking-rates-and-info/
• Parking Panda Information: https://www.parkingpanda.com/dragon-con-atlanta-parking?ref=dragoncon

Hotels are still available, but not many:

• Find out more about hotels: https://www.dragoncon.org/?q=hotels_overflow

Reporter Events:

• Pub Crawl: We just wrote a new update on the pub crawl It is the can’t miss event
• Dragon Con Parade: A parade update will be coming soon, but in the meantime, consider joining us at the corner of Peachtree and Baker in the reporters’ corral September 2, at 9:30 AM for the parade. We will walk reports up and down the parade until the parade ends.
• Podcast Opportunity:
  • Request podcast space
  • There is electricity provided, but we are unable to provide internet access
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/request-podcast-space/
• Interview a Dragon Con Spokesperson:
  • The request form will be open until 8/30
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/request-interview-with-dragon-con-director/
• New Reporters Tour:
  • For reporters who are experiencing Dragon Con for the 1^st or 2^nd Time (or returning after an absence)
  • Form stays open until August 30
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/new-reporter-walking-tour-friday-sept-2/
  • Takes place September 1, tentatively scheduled for 11 AM.
  • Starting location will be revealed via email August 31
• Special Press Conferences:
  • First time Cosplayers Talk, including Media Relations Director Dan Carroll talking about costuming for the first time at his 12^th Dragon Con (8/2 7PM, Fairlie Room Hyatt)
  • Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive Press Conference: To talk about the massive success of the Dragon Con Blood Drive and our significant milestone

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Every year at Dragon Con, Dragon Con Media Relations welcomes reporters for a behind the scene tour and pub crawl starting at Twenty-Two Stories in the Hyatt Regency. This year the pub crawl is scheduled for  August 30 at 7:00 PM.

After enjoying a time of camaraderie with fellow journalists and the DCMR volunteers at 22 Stories, we walk down to the Greenbriar Room for some updates on Dragon Con 2017, simple Q/A, and some background. Next we head to another of the hotel bars, while discussing the joy of Dragon Con and getting a behind the scenes peaks at Dragon Con being set up.  Often we run into Dragon Con directors and volunteers who have a unique perspective on the event. Sometimes we even run into a guest or two.  Our course is free and open so that we can explore new and interesting aspects of Dragon Con as they present itself.  The tour itself lasts until roughly 10 PM, but reporters are free to continue to mingle all night.

UPDATE: We now have a Facebook Event for the Reporters Pub Crawl. 

All reporters are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for this event, but reporters are responsible for their own food and drink during the tour.

During a recently podcast, Dragon Con Media Relations Director Dan Carroll erroneously stated that Dragon Con registration has been moved to the Atlanta Hilton.  This is not true: REGISTRATION REMAINS IN THE ATLANTA SHERATON. We believe the error was caused by an alien invasion during a fever dream, as documented by Ray Bradbury.  Please update your databanks with the correct information.

 Dragon Con General 2017 final

DRAGON CON EXPECTS RECORD 82,000 POP CULTURE FANS TO GEEK OUT IN ATLANTA

Cosplayers, Gamers, and Pop Culture Fans Return for Annual Fantasy, Sci Fi, & Gaming Convention

More than 400 Actors, Artists, Authors, and Creators Will Give Talks and Meet Fans.

ATLANTA – August 15, 2017 – More than 82,000 people are expected to pack downtown Atlanta over the Labor Day weekend as Dragon Con, the internationally known pop culture, sci fi, fantasy, and gaming convention, returns for its 31^st year.

Dragon Con, making Labor Day Atlanta’s favorite holiday, is scheduled for the four-day weekend – Sept. 1 – Sept. 4 – with events and activities across AmericasMart Buildings #1 and #2 and five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta.

Dragon Con fans will travel from every state in the nation and several foreign countries to meet their favorite actors, artists, authors, and creators, make new friends, and talk about the stuff they love.

Guests – More than 400 guests, from the worlds of movies, television, comics, literature, and other universes, will lead panel discussions and meet with fans. Some of this year’s top guests include Stan Lee, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Ming-Na Wen, and iconic actor John Cusack, and a pair of fan favorite captains – Firefly’s Nathan Fillion and Star Trek’s William Shatner.

Muppeteer Martin P. Robinson, best known for performing Mr. Snuffleupagus, Telly Monster, and Slimey the Worm on Sesame Street since 1981, and Lisa Henson, chief executive of The Jim Henson Company, lead a strong cast of puppetry guests.

Star Trek fans will be able to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation with several of the show’s main characters including Jonathan Frakes, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, and Marina Sirtis.

“We are delighted to have so many guests from so many of today’s most popular or, in the case of classic science fiction, best loved shows and movies to join us this year,” convention co-chair Rachel Reeves said.

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2017 Podcast 4: Streaming DCTV

Podcast Four: Streaming DCTV
(File: https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/2017Podcasts/DDCMR_podcast_2017_04.mp3)

Media Relations Director Dan Carroll interviews Chris “Crispy” Lloyd, Dragon Con TV’s official interviewer, to discuss the success of DCTV, his role in conducting Dragon Con guest interviews and the announcement that Dragon Con will be providing Streaming Memberships in 2017.  He also confirms the rumor that a official Dragon Con Podcast is being planned for the near future.

The second half of the podcast, Chris takes the Dragon Con Media Relations Team Member Pub Quiz and does quite well. We invite reporters to play along to learn more about our guests, Dragon Con tracks, and even how to navigate around the convention.

Links discussed:

• DCTV Link
  • https://www.dragoncontv.org/
• Press Release announcing DCTV Streaming
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/2017/08/08/dragon-con-launches-dragoncontv-live-internet-streaming/
• Applying for Media Access:
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/dc_media_rel_app.php
• Requesting an interview with a Dragon Con Director or Dragon Con Media Relations Director:
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/request-interview-with-dragon-con-director/
• Requesting an interview with Comic Creator:
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/request-interview-with-comics-guest/
• Requesting and Interview with other Dragon Con Guests (writer/artist/scientist):
  • https://www.dragoncon.org/mediarelations/request-comicliteraryartist-interview/

Press Release (PDF Format): Dragon Awards 2nd annual ballot_final

Dragon Awards Ballot (PDF Format)

DRAGON CON’S DRAGON AWARDS PUBLISHES ITS 2017 BALLOT

 Fans-Focused Awards Recognizes Excellence in Fifteen Categories of Fiction,

Comics, Gaming, and Filmed Entertainment

Second Annual Awards Will Be Announced at Dragon Con over Labor Day Weekend

ATLANTA – August 7, 2017 – Dragon Con’s Dragon Awards, a fan-chosen awards program to recognize outstanding achievement in science fiction and fantasy literature, comics, gaming, and filmed entertainment, has published its 2017 ballot.

The Dragon Awards are decidedly a “fans’ choice” award. All fans – not just Dragon Con members or attendees – are invited to select the Dragon Award winners by voting – for free – on the second annual Dragon Awards ballot. The full ballot can be accessed here: awards.dragoncon.org/2017-ballot/

2016 Dragon Award

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The BritTrack covers all pop culture-related fandom from the United Kingdom; from television shows (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Red Dwarf, Sherlock, Orphan Black,  Monty Python, etc) to music to film (Edgar Wright, Hammer Horror, James Bond, etc) to literature (Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Warren Ellis, Ian Fleming, etc) to travel; if it is created in the UK we talk about it, share it, honor it, celebrate it, or show it.

Running from 10:00 a.m. until the wee hours of the next morning the Brittrack schedule is full of things to do at every hour from guest star panels, to academic discussions, to fan discussion panels, to late night sing-a-long/skits shows, to parties of around 2,500 people, to video viewing, costume pageants, or mini-concerts there’s always something to do at the BritTrack.

For all the anglophiles, the BritTrack has an exciting guest list and special events lined up this year.

BritTrack Guest Line-Up

Doctor Who Guests

	John Barrowman most recently he wowed fans with his role as Malcolm Merlyn in Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. He is also iconically known as Captain Jack Harkness from the Doctor Who series and the spin off Torchwood. John will be appearing at Dragon Con Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only.
	Karen Gillan is a Scottish actress and former model, best known for playing the role of Amy Pond in the hit British sci-fi TV series Doctor Who. Karen will be appearing Saturday and Sunday only.
	Alex Kingston is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the NBC medical drama ER and as River Song in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who.
	Matt Smith is an English actor who shot to fame in the UK at age 26 when he was cast by producer Steven Moffat as the Eleventh Doctor in the BBC’s iconic science-fiction adventure series Doctor Who. Since leaving Doctor Who, Smith has launched himself into a film career.
	Billie Piper’s transition into acting began when she joined the BBC series Doctor Who as companion ‘Rose Tyler’. After, Piper currently stars as ‘Brona Croft’ in the Showtime series Penny Dreadful. She will be appearing at Dragon Con Sunday and Monday Only.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

Michael Eklund is known for disappearing into every role and radically transforming his look for each new character. Television appearances include guest starring or recurring roles on Altered Carbon, Wynona Earp, Gotham, Bates Motel Season 2, Continuum, Almost Human, Alcatraz, Fringe, Intelligence, and Battlestar Galactica.

BritTrack Events

Want to party with your fellow anglophiles and get awesome media coverage at the same time? BritTrack has three events you might want to check out.

On Thursday, to start the Con of strong, there’s the 8th Annual BritTrack Dinner at Haveli’s. RSVP on Facebook if that sounds appealing!

The next day, the BritTrack is hosting a Vogon Poetry Slam. Bust out your worst poems (to human ears) and see if you can impress a Vogon. The planet’s survival might depend on it. No pressure. Submit your poems here if you want to compete or just stop by.

Last, but certainly not least, is the annual Doctor Who Ball. No requirements for the ball, but wearing themed attire is certainly advised. Pull out that TARDIS dress or keep it simple with a bow tie because bow ties are cool.