Tag: dinner

Registration for Vendors Tables and Dinner is Officially Open for CoCoFEST 31

Posted on | by Grant Leighty

Now that the holidays are behind us, and the start of 2023 is here, it’s time to start thinking about the 2023 CoCoFEST. I am happy to announce that vendor registration has officially opened, and it is time to get your tables. This year we will be at a new venue which has changed a few things. The big change is that we have two tables sizes, the blue tables are the 8 foot ($40 each), and the pink tables are 6 foot ($30 each). We have also put a two-table limit, but if you need more than two tables, please send an email to Grant Leighty at cocofest@glensideccc.com. Please book your tables now as they are expected to go fast this year.

We have also had the menu finalized for the Saturday night dinner. The dinner will be held at the hotel and the cost is $43 per a person.

Saturday Night Dinner Menu:

  • Garden Salad with two dressings
  • Homestyle Meatloaf
  • Herb Roasted Chicken
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
  • Sweet Buttery Corn
  • Apple Pie


You can register for both, to reserve a table, and the dinner at www.tandylist.com. Please click on the 2023 CoCoFEST! logo at the top right of the page. Fill out the form and pick up to two tables. You can also purchase the dinner. Review your order and then pay via PayPal or send a check to the treasurer. It is important that payment is received no later than April 1st to make sure that your table(s) are reserved. If you want to send your payment later, you can send it to our PayPal account at treasurer@glensideccc.com. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Grant Leighty at cocofest@glensideccc.com.

Also don’t forget to book your hotel rooms for CoCoFEST. We have moved to a very nice new location this year. We also get the group discount for ALL four days, Thursday – Sunday. To book a room at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream, you can book your room online by clicking here. You must book before the cutoff date of Midnight Chicago time, March 30, 2023, for the special CoCoFEST! rate of $119 a night plus fees and taxes for two queen beds, or a one king bed. There is an option for a two rooms suite with a king bed for $134 a night plus taxes. They also have a two rooms suite with two queen beds upon request. Please reach out to Grant Leighty if you are interested in this room. To get this rate, you must select any days between and including April 20th to 23rd and enter the CoCoFEST! group rate of GCT. You may alternatively call the Front Desk to book your room at 630-665-3000 and provide them the Group Code of GCT. The Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream will continue to accept reservations after March 31, 2023 but are subject to availability and at the regular prices.

  • Book your room my midnight
    March 30, 2023.
  • Use group rate GCT.
  • Attend the show!
    Show dates are April 22, 23
    Vendor setup available the day before.
Holiday Inn - Carol Stream (Wheaton)
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CoCoFEST! 2022 Update, Time is Running Out

Posted on | by Grant Leighty

I hope everyone is having a great start to Spring this year. It’s nice to enjoy longer days and warmer weather. This also means that CoCoFEST! is getting closer. 2022 marks our 30th anniversary for the Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST! If you have not made your travel plans or booked your vendor/exhibitor table, time is running out.

FREE ADMISSION

This is the first year that admission to CoCoFEST! will be FREE to attend. We’re hopeful this will both encourage more local folks to visit our event and potentially join Glenside. As always, if you would like to become a member of the Glenside Color Computer Club, we will be collecting membership dues at the Fest. Vendors and Exhibitors, note that your fees include a 2022 club membership. If you have any questions, or you would like to pay for the membership before CoCoFEST!, please contact Glenside Treasurer Eric Canales for assistance.

HOTEL

CoCoFEST! Will be held at the same location as last year. This is a larger venue from year’s past and it will provide us plenty of room to grow. If you have not booked your room yet, please do so as soon as possible. The cutoff date for the special rate of $99 a night plus tax will end at midnight (CDT) on April 29th. Please remember to use the group code “COF” when making your reservation.

COVID-19 Update

I have received a few emails about the vaccine and masks mandates in order to attend the event. I am happy to announce that there are NO masks or vaccine mandates at the hotel or to attend CoCoFEST!. Cook county lifted the health orders back on February 28th. If anything changes, I will post an update on the Glenside website and I will send an email to all registered vendors and attendees. I do NOT see this changing in the near future.

Dinners

There is still time to register for dinner on Saturday night. The dinner will be catered by the hotel and it will be served as a buffet. There will be plenty of food for everyone to enjoy, but you MUST pre-register to ensure we have an accurate head count.  The dinner is only $20 a person, and dinner for kids 12 or younger is free. I must provide the head count to the hotel on May 6th, so we will end preregistration for the dinner on May 5th.

The Preliminary Menu

  • Two options from the following list:
    • Meatloaf
    • Chicken
    • Pork Loin
    • London Broil
    • Broiled Tilapia
  • One side from the following list:
    • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Wild Rice
  • Seasonal Vegetables
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Dessert
  • Freshly brewed Coffee and Tea

Like last year, I will be sending an email to everyone who has preregistered for the dinner to provide feedback for which items that we want to be served. We need to choose two items for the main entrees. Also, if you need to request vegetarian/vegan meals, please contact Grant Leighty.

Speakers

This year we had no problems finding people who wanted to give a presentation. I actually had to turn people down and offer them a spot in next year’s CoCoFEST!  This is a great problem to have, and I will be looking for ways to accommodate more speakers at future Fests. This year we will have seven speakers that will provide new products, new games, technical presentations, and podcasts. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.  Please check out the speakers bio and information.

2022 Speakers

  • CoCoCrew Podcast
  • D. Bruce Moore (New Game Announcement)
  • John Linville (De Re CoCo)
  • John Strong (New Product Announcements)
  • Ken Waters and L. Curtis Boyle (BASIC09 and GFX2 enhancements in NitrOS-9/EOU)
  • Kevin Phillipson (Turbo9 Project)
  • Paul Thayer (Developing Retro Games in the Modern Era)

Vendors/Exhibitors

Our new venue offers space for 62 sales or exhibit tables, and 34 vendors/exhibitors have reserved all but NINE (9) tables currently. If you’re considering showing off a project or offer items for sale, do not delay in visiting TandyList for your table(s) today. The first table is $20, and each additional table is $15.

Auction

We will have an auction again this year. Since we just had a CoCoFEST! just a few months ago, we are looking for donations. Please look around your house and see if you have any items that you may want to donate to the auction. If you are not able to attend this year’s CoCoFEST!, but you have items that you want to donate, please contact Grant Leighty. We are willing to pay for reasonable shipping fees.

We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s 30th Anniversary of the “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST! We would still like to have everyone preregister at TandyList so we can keep the lines short at the registration tables. If you have any questions about CoCoFEST!, please contact Grant Leighty, CoCoFEST! Coordinator.  

 

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