I should check into this board more often, will likely be prototyping with AppGameKit soon, so hey ho!
Just booked my two day tickets for the Play Expo event, so for those attending, see you there! [ I literally only found out on Wednesday morning
] I was meant to be in London on the weekend for business lol
For those still lost about booking a hotel and planning after event drinks, I would suggest Manchester City Centre for both as travelling around after 8-9PM from the Intu Trafford Centre area is not as flexible as the city centre... there are also Hostels in the city if that is your thing...
Bus information from City Centre to Intu Trafford Centre [StagecoachBuses] both ways: routes X50 - 250 - 251
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/getTimetable.ashx?code=XJAX050&dir=INBOUND&date=10%2f10%2f2015 PDF 531kb
There is a bus stop right outside Barton Square [A building right next to the venue entrance]
http://www.playexpo.net/travel/ more info there...
For people wondering about buying food on the day, head over early, there is a 24 hour ASDA on the other side of Barton Square, a good choice for picking up cheaper sandwiches/drinks etc.! food in the venue is abysmal and over priced... and oftentimes queues are longer than an indie game stall
but I think there is usually 1 hot food stall if you really need some hot food... or if you are up for the time trek, the Intu Trafford Centre has many food outlets from Nandos [always queues] to a curry or your usual fast foods or Subway too... the trek is roughly 10 minutes plus 5-15 minutes depending on where you choose to eat, places like Yo Sushi will take longer as will Nandos and other restaurants...
A quote from the organisation website:
http://www.playexpo.net/faq/
Quote: "Is there a bar and somewhere to get food?
There will be a food court for the full duration of the show that will provide hot, cold and alcoholic drinks and hot or cold food. The Trafford Centre is also within easy walking distance and has a large food court of fast food and restaurant dining.
Following feedback from last years attendees we will be working with the venue to ensure that there are adequate outlets available to avoid lengthy queue.
You are not permitted to bring your own food and drink into the venue.
"
Quote: "You are not permitted to bring your own food and drink into the venue."
Excuse me while I bring my own water thank you...
[Stupid organisers make me annoyed sometimes...] I carry my own water supply wherever I go...
Anyway see you there!
EDIT
I have Just been informed by my business partner of events occurring across hotels through Europe of high security risks, people entering hotel rooms and stealing your valuables, wallets and such... Locks on the inside are useless, place a chair against the door to block unwanted entry and as always never leave anything of value in your hotel room when out... this occurred at a hotel used by us recently in Manchester, I used to work in hotels, and key cards are very easy to obtain, they don't even chase you up for their return... most hotels do not bother renewing the master key lock codes on a regular basis [These are the cards Room Service and Cleaners have to use] so even old cards still work sometimes..., so be warned!, I deal with the technical side of things so logistically I was unaware of this until now... and recently in a 5 star hotel in Paris there was an attempted kidnapping/mugging of a traveller during the night as the hotel reception was vacant during the night which enabled people to use the telephones to call unwitting residents... to resolve this, find out if the hotel has a night receptionist and get that receptionists name, if you get a call during the night, ask the receptionist their name, or just stay in your room until the morning...
Stay safe, and I shared this because I would hate for anybody to be caught out by such an issue while coming to have fun!
See you on the weekend!
