Gdc sf 2012

Community
1

Hey all,

I am starting to plan my first trip to GDC SF 2012. As this is my first time I am going to GDC SF, I was hoping for some information from those who already have been there.

  • What hotels can you recommend?
  • Can someone recommend me an airline between San Francisco and UK ?
  • How hard is it to get a visa for attending GDC in USA ?
  • Are there things I have to be aware of? Any tips?

Thanks!

Robbert

2

Hey Robbert,

Here are a couple of things off the top of my head.

What hotels can you recommend?

Well it all depends how much you want to layout or how close you want to be. The GDC website does have a list of places you can stay with a GDC discount.

http://www.gdconf.com/attend/travel.html#section1

There are a stack of hotels to choice from, for the past 2 years I have been staying at the Marriott Marquis (Cheers Work), it’s the hub for most attendees but it’s a little more pricey.
I’m sure that someone can recommend some places nearby that are a little more value but not miles away.

Can someone recommend me an airline between San Francisco and UK ?

Not that I know of, but I would recommend if you can get a direct flight to SF and not through LA.

How hard is it to get a visa for attending GDC in USA ?

To get into the US you will need to get a visa waiver:
[INDENT]http://www.visitusa.org.uk/ESTA/130
That is all I needed to have to get in, it also helps to have some business cards on you too when going through border control.[/INDENT]

Are there things I have to be aware of? Any tips?

[ul]
[li]Tips, you need to tip in the US I think it’s about 15-20% depending on the service.
[/li][li]See if you can get Transport to/from the airport included with your hotel/flight booking.
[/li][/ul]

Hope this helps :slight_smile:

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Thanks Robert. I appreciate the help :slight_smile:

Nice name btw!

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You can also request a letter of invitation from the registration office, which is a good piece of proof that you’re going to a legit conference. It wouldn’t hurt to have it on you when you enter the US in case they ask for some evidence that you are here to do what you claim. They probably won’t ask for it, but I’d take it just in case.

5

Ha, I was about to ask this stuff too. :smiley:

Are there talks/events that are recommended aside from the TA roundtable?

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[QUOTE=DrBob;13604]
Are there things I have to be aware of? Any tips?

[ul]
[li]Tips, you need to tip in the US I think it’s about 15-20% depending on the service.
[/li][li]See if you can get Transport to/from the airport included with your hotel/flight booking.
[/li][/ul]

[/QUOTE]

Hehe speaking of tipping…just wanted to share that apparently, SFers are the worst tippers of the country:
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2011/09/21/why-are-san-franciscans-the-country’s-worst-tippers/

7

Was there recently, I’d say give airbnb.com a try for lodging if you’re on a budget, its pretty popular in SF so theres no shortage of reviewed places.

http://screencast.com/t/y73DmKeK

the square area (tenderloin) of where you probably don’t want to stay, pretty much everything north and east of the blue square was friendly to walk with a large camera (If you’re smart about it, and have some legs!)

maybe a local would chime in further :slight_smile:

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Thanks everybody for the info

@Bronwen : I am not 100% sure what you mean with a letter of invitation and the registration office. Does this have something to do with the visa waiver or when buying a GDC ticket?

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@Nysutro: Afaik, that’s to do with getting the visa/entering the US. They pretty much just want to be sure that you’re going to be where you say you’ll be, and leave when you say you will, so it can help to have proof of that, e.g. a GDC ticket/letter of invitation to show you’re going to GDC, or a letter from your employer to say you’re employed elsewhere, so that it’s unlikely you’ll just try and sneak a job while in the US or something.

10

Hello everyone,

I’m also planning to assist to GDC next March in SF, I’m so excited! I would love to attend but I’m travelling as a freelancer and is quite expensive the whole package (flight from Europe + entrance + accomodation). I’m a 29 years-old art director and game developer from Barcelona, any locale interested in hosting me or any other long-distance traveller interested in share an appartment rented for days or something cheaper than hotels?

I’m thinking about the chance also to meet new interested people besides the event, exchange thoughts and even establish future networks and partnerships in indie game development (who knows!).

Just for the record, I’m straight!

Cheers,

Inaki :slight_smile:

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if you’re a EU citizen or fall under the visa waiver program then visit this site: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

The info on there should allow you to:

  • check if you have the right passport
  • if yes, make sure you have a credit card at hand
    then register your ESTA and dole out some cash :frowning:
    write down the number for reference (even though the site claims you don’t need it)

The airline agent at checkin will ask you if you registered with ESTA. If not they may not let you board, or if they do, expect some special treatment in the US, or they could even send you back.
Other than that you don’t need to bring anything special. Just answer truthfully if the border agent asks you why you’re coming to the US.

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Thanks for all the help. I just got the arrange my travel pasport because otherwise I can not request the ESTA. It looks like it does not work with my current electronical identitycard.

What kind of pass do you take for gdc? If I understand correctly I need the all acces pass for the ta bootcamp + lectures.

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I finally got everything sorted out. I see you all at GDC!

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