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Ring*Con 2010: Greeting from the program booklet

Every year, the MC of Ring*Con writes a greeting for those who are attending Ring*Con. And with Mark being the MC in 2010, it was his task this year. Read what he wrote:

When Alice took a deep breath and decided to follow that white rabbit down the hole she had no idea what would be waiting for her. The same thing happened to me in 2002, at the first RingCon. Excitement, fear, surprise, amazement...all mixed to create an unforgettable experience. Since then RingCon has grown and evolved but those feelings have not diminished. What makes RingCon so different is that it is an adventure for those on the stage as much as those watching. A true coming together of those involved with creating Fantasy Worlds and those who enjoy visiting them. The lines blur, the fans become the stars ... the "stars" look on in awe ... let's face it RingCon Rocks!

RingCon 2010 will be bigger and more exciting than ever as we continue to mix the familiar with new. Harry Potter fans will be spellbound by the behind the scenes anecdotes of the Phelps Twins. Vampire lovers will get to sink their teeth into the stories of the stars of Twilight and Blood Ties and Rings Fans will continue their quest to prove to the world that this Fellowship parties harder than an Eleventy - First Birthday!

To be truly engaging an event needs to touch the mind, heart and spirit and RingCon certainly does that ... it also hammers your funny bone and liver (only if you are over 18, of course).
Stretch those brain cells at one of the lectures or workshops then kill them off at one of the parties. Get that body moving at a dance workshop or slam yours against someone else at a stunt workshop. But most of all let the RingCon spirit enter you and for once I don't mean vodka ... or whiskey ... or even schnapps. I'm talking about a place that is accepting, exciting and most of all fun.

Yes, there is too much to see and do, we like it that way! Go ahead, plan every second and you will still miss stuff you really wish you'd seen. Or don't plan anything and go with the flow ... either way just be open to the experience and you will find surprise at every turn.

At RingCon the Fantasy Tribes come together and there are many things on offer for each of them. Don't be afraid of mixing things up, however. We have had Rings fans admit they quite liked seeing a Potter star's panel...a few TwiHards got lost and found themselves in the wrong panel and now they are part of Team Craig (a team I've been trying to get out of for years!) There are some great themes that unite the films and books and great Rincon moments when the fans unite, like the Costume Contest, the Ball, the Auction ... etc, etc.

One of the best things about RingCon is the opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Pretty much every sort of relationship has started here, we've even had and onstage marriage proposal! It's amazing what can happen when you bring together thousands of like-minded passionate people. I know many RingCon goers who have travelled the world visiting friends they have made right here. So don't be shy. Meet, ask, share, learn, hug ... (it's true what you've heard, people who go to RingCon are better huggers ... I don't know why, they just are)

There will be some time where your patience will be greatly appreciated. The staff at the hotel and the RingCon crew will be working as hard as they can to make sure everything runs smoothly but sometimes a LOT of people will all want to do the same thing at the same time and this can lead to some delays...breath, relax, ask for help and all will be good.

My own little Kiwi Fellowship: actors like myself, Craig, Lori, Jed, Weta crew like Daniel...the stunties such as Dayna and Allen LOOOOVE coming to RingCon. We love the passion, the sense of humor, the incredible skill and creativity of the fans and the chance to meet and hang out with the much more famous other guests. Also we feel honored to bring a little of New Zealand to Germany and hopefully give you a sense of why the Hobbits chose to live there.

I've experienced my own highs and lows through-out my RingCon journey...from the lows of losing my passport, getting thrown off a train at the German border, seeing Craig Parker in a skintight pair of Lederhosen, to the highs of working with great guests, all the crew, meeting and getting to know the crazy fans...and, of course, seeing Craig Parker in a skintight pair of Lederhosen. RingCon is about unforgettable memories. Many you will want to relive over and over again, some, like seeing Craig Parker in a skin-tight pair of lederhosen will cost you thousands in therapy.

My role has changed this year but not my approach. As MC I'll be looking to find as many ways as I can to involve you, to keep you informed, get the gossip from those guests, celebrate great achievements...and just maybe find some time for some mindless fun.

It's your convention, go crazy, get involved, get exhausted and LET THE FANTASY BEGIN!

Yours Ringfully,

Mark