HaloBearerUK Con 101
The OCS Newsletter presents HaloBearerUK Con 101. A collection of helpful information from before and during your trip. Special thank you to @bea_the_badass for taking point on this project.
Trip Prep Table of Contents
Venue
Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
Poyle Rd, Colnbrook, Slough SL3 0FF, United Kingdom
+44 1753 686860 Email
Check-in 3 pm→Check-out 12 pm
Three-miles from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, and the Heathrow Hoppa Service travels from the hotel to Terminal 5 every 30 minutes during peak times.
The Hilton will hold your bags for you if you arrive before check-in time and want to go explore
Passport
Travelers need a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom. The traveler's passport must remain valid throughout the traveler's stay in the United Kingdom.
Banks
American
AAA Currency Exchange
Depending on where you live you can do this in advance if you are a AAA member (Northeast AAA offers this but not Southeast region). Can be done in person ($12 fee) or online ($15 shipping fee). Takes 2-3 business days to get the money so plan ahead.
First Horizon Bank Truist Bank
Less than $300: $10 shipping & $10 bank fee Min of $200: $10 fee
Over $300: $10 bank fee International ATM fee: 3% transaction fee (based on amount)
International ATM fee: 3% transaction fee (based on amount)
Bank of America Capital One
$5 ATM fee No international ATM fee
$7.50 delivery fee for currency exchange Unclear how currency exchange works - as of now not recommended
Revolut (Online Bank)
https://www.recharge.com/blog/en-gb/ie/what-is-revolut
Canadian
Thanks to @DoctorSuperion for all the research and spreadsheet.
**banks might have withdrawal fees in addition to the fee YOUR bank is charging you to withdraw money from another bank! Keep this in mind
**notify your CC/bank of foreign travel.
Travelex (Airport Currency Exchange company)
Customer Services email response
Moral of the story is DO NOT change money at the airport - do it before you leave or at a bank/atm in the UK that is not at the airport
Cell Service
Depending on your carrier you might have international travel plan options
You can also get an esim card from third party apps like Airalo** for very reasonable prices (for example $5USD for 1 GB)
**phone must be CARRIER UNLOCKED to use this option
Cell Phone data in London - do you add an international package for a month with your carrier or are there better options?
Delta has partnered with Breeze to provide international travelers with an affordable eSim service for over 50+ countries. Travelers will get instant connectivity worldwide with just a few clicks and start saving on roaming charges immediately. Breeze eSim also uniquely provides a seamless top-up process and the option to reuse the same eSim for up to 12 months.
https://breezesim.com/products/breeze_gb_u?variant=45342472012070
your phone or device must also be Carrier-Unlocked to use eSIM.
Outlet adapter
The UK uses type G plugs. Here are a few examples:
Packing List
esim
outlet adapter
small backpack
snacks
gum/mints
water bottle
charger
passport
signing items
earbuds/headphones
waterproof boots
rain jacket
winter coat
toiletries
clothes
wallet/credit cards
hand sanitizer
medicines - please see UK guidelines
HaloBearerUK Con Info Table of Contents
General
Photo Session
Meet and Greet
Autograph
Information from HaloBearerUK Emails/DMs
Timings
Friday - 23rd February 2024
10:00am - Registration for VIP
10:30am-6:30pm - staggered registration times to be released later
17:00-20:00 – VIP and Halo Meet and Greets
Saturday - 24th February 2024
8:00 - Badge Pick-up opens
10:00-18:00 - event
Sunday - 25th of February 2024
9:00 - Badge Pick-up opens
10:00-18:00 - event
FAQ from Halo Bearer Con
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Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to register and collect your badge before attending the events.
Remember and bring proof of ID to collect your badge. Other attendees cannot pick up your badge for you.
You do not need to print your tickets as we can scan them at the event.
Is it possible to take part in the Friday evening even if I arrive late?
If you arrive late, then you can show your ticket barcode at the door and register the following day.
Arriving Friday evening around 9pm, can someone collect my badges for me?
Due to health and safety and security only the ticket holder can collect their own badge and extras.
Tickets cannot be transferred to other people by the event staff - If you no longer want or need an extra you purchased, you can collect the ticket at the event and pass the ticket on to someone else.
If you bought just a Saturday ticket, how do you get your badge?
If you purchased a Saturday ticket you would register as normal Saturday morning.
When does the convention end on Sunday?
The last panel will end at 6pm but we may have some games in the evening until 9pm
Giving of gifts – We will have a gifting station where you can leave gifts and letters for the guests. We ask that you do not pass gifts during photos/autos/meet and greets etc as this all adds on to the time limits we have. (Please do not hand any homemade or opened food to the guest please).
Please be advised that there is no video recording permitted at the event. You may of course take photos during panel sessions, but photography is not permitted during photo/autos and meet and greets. We have our own in-house photographer who will take plenty of pictures throughout the weekend to share on social media.
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One ticket per person for photos. So, if you wish to be in a photo with 2 friends you both need a ticket.
A cast photo is a photo taken with you and all the guests in one photo which is then printed out for you. The cast photo will be taken on Saturday only.
At the event you receive a printout of your photo, if you wish a digital version The Photo Co can arrange this for £6 per digital photo.
We will help to manage any clashes you may have if you have multiple photos, we do advise to make things easier for yourself you try and have them split over both days if you can.
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The HALO meet and greet means that all HALO ticket holders are seated at tables and each of the guests go round each table and spend a short time chatting with everyone.
VIP meet and greet is VIP ticket holders and the guests. Same as above but is more intimate as less ticket holders.
Meet and greets for sale – 18 attendees in the room with the guest for 30 minutes where you can chat and ask questions.
VIP meet and greet is VIP ticket holders and the guests. Same as above but is more intimate as less ticket holders.
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Autographs take place in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.
You only see the guests once over the weekend for autographs. You will see half the guests one day and the other half the next day. (Day tickets will see those guests they have purchased autographs with same day)
We split our autograph sessions in this format to try and keep the queues from being too long and it also gives you more time to interact with the guest.
Any auto tickets you bought online you do not need to print the tickets; we can scan your phone and then provide your ticket.
The digital tickets we scan must be in your own name.
VIP and access will go through autographs first and you should make your way to the front of the queue when autographs are called for your badge type. (There will be various flip charts around the convention space advising when it is your time to make your way to the autographs rooms)and updates on X (twitter).
The general autograph times will be on the schedule, and we will notify you when it is time for your badge type to go through autographs.
You can bring your own items to be signed at the autograph session (it is at the discretion of the guest what they may or may not sign)
We will have posters and 10x8’s for sale at our sales desk. Some of the vendors will also have artwork for sale.
Only the attendee who has the auto tick sheet or autograph ticket can though autographs.(aside from carers who need to accompany the ticket holder)
When you arrive to register, we will provide you with an auto ticket sheet which you utilize for all your free autographs included in your convention ticket type. Please do not lose this as we cannot issue a replacement.
As you see each guest the tick sheet will be marked to show you have received your autograph.
You will also hand to the guests PA any extra auto tickets you have purchased.
We do ask that you do not pass any gifts or letters to the guests during the autograph sessions as it can slow down the lines. Please also do not monopolize too much of the guests' time as we have a lot of attendees to get through the session and we don’t want to start rushing fans though if it overruns.
Can we please ask you not kneel down at the guests table as this can create a trip hazard.
Please do not ask for selfies or hugs during this time.
We will have a range of different coloured sharpies for the guests to use, however please feel free to bring your own pens if you prefer a special color or type of pen.
Please do not ask the guest to write anything inappropriate or to sign anything inappropriate such as parts of the body. This could make the guest feel uncomfortable.
Once your item has been signed just keep in mind to handle it carefully as when the ink is wet it is easy to smudge your photo etc and please then leave the room once you have all your autographs.
Once in the autograph room we ask that you keep any mobile phones/cameras/iPad in your bag or pocket. Taking photos or videos of the guests whilst in the auto room is not permitted, anyone caught doing so will be removed from the room.
We will have a crew member in the room where you can leave your bag and collect it once you have your autographs.
Whilst autographs are taking place there are no clashes with anything else.
There will be chairs in the room for those that require them.
VENDOR DETAILS
The vendor stalls will be located outside the main hall of the convention.
Oi Blondie Crafts
1. If you take card and/or cash payments
I can take cash and card payments, plus PayPal if necessary
2. Your opening hours
Friday - TBD approx. 12:00 - 18:00
Saturday - all day
Sunday - all day (attendee dependant)
3. Anything special you may be doing for Halo Bearer merch wise
I will have hanging circular ornaments, water bottles with Warrior Nun themed vinyl, tote bags, t-shirts all of which have been created for Halo Bearer, plus stickers, cards and badges.
Six In A Box
1. If you take card and/or cash payments
Cash for certain, PayPal for certain card ATM no
2. Your opening hours
Should be manned throughout
3. Anything special you may be doing for Halo Bearer UK merch wise
Yes, but it’s a surprise
Hb0m8
1. If you take card and/or cash payments
Cash and/or card are both accepted gratefully!
2. Your opening hours
I’ll be there from Friday afternoon through to Sunday closing.
3. Anything special you may be doing for Halo BearerUK merch wise
I’ll be bringing a bunch of upcycled denim jackets featuring Warrior Nun art on the back - at the moment, these are exclusive to the con, as I haven’t yet put them for sale anywhere else.
Lucy
1. Yes, we will take card and cash and PayPal.
2. TBA
3. We hope to be doing lanyards, tote bags, hoodies, t-shirts, beanies, posters for signing and stickers. I'm attaching a few mock ups of the merchandise designs. We have more variants up in the air but those are some of what we're sure about.
We have all the vendors on our website where you can view some merch and all their socials and contact details, we know you will support them all at the event. https://fanfusionuk.com/index.php/halo-bearer/
Fandom Convention Questions to Halo Bearer Con
The OCS Newsletter has been collecting questions from fans in order to send one message about the event for now.
Will you include panels like: fanfic readings, cosplay discussions, game panels (Warrior Nun trivia?)
We will have guest panels and once we have an idea of the schedule we may consider adding more panels. Please remember that the day is busy with photos/meet and greets and autograph sessions so you do not have a lot of time to attend multiple panels each day.
Will there be some sort of games/entertainment to kill the lull while queuing for autographs/photos?
This is not something we can organize whilst people are queuing unfortunately.
Stay Info Table of Contents
Transport from Terminals 2 and 3 to the Hilton
Most US/European flights go to terminals 2 & 3. Terminal to Hilton by Black Cab: estimated £25.
The cheapest way to get from terminal to hotel is by a bus - takes 30-45 mins. Bus ride will require a card payment. Example route - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z3TVT9v9XoMx1BsYA. Best route is going to Terminal 5, then taking a bus to the Colndale Road stop. It’s then a 4 min walk after the bus to the Hilton.
Click on Images to open it fully
Simplest bus route https://maps.app.goo.gl/i3wjqeCMa1oSGESH8
Does not have transfers, just a few min walks at the start BUT ½ mile walk at finish
Buses are free as long as you get off/on the buses on the perimeter roads of the airport and travel to and from the passenger terminals. Go beyond the perimeter roads and you pay the normal bus fare. From there, you can catch the Heathrow Hoppa bus for £6.80 from the terminal to the hotel. Catch the H57 Hoppa which runs from terminal 4 Bus Stop 12 every 30 minutes from 04:46 to 23:16 and, from terminal 5, the H57 runs from Bus Stops 22 and 23 every 30 minutes from 05:05 to 23:35.
Restaurants Near the Venue
Subway - $, 4 min walk
Fat Boys Cafe - $, 8 min walk
Bong Thai - $, 9 min walk
New Bettola - $$, 12 min walk
The Taj Mahal - $$, 14 min walk
Colnbrook Fish and Chips - 14 min walk
Village Grill - 18 min walk
Grocery Store Near the Venue
London Store - 14 min walk
Premium Food and Wine - 17 min walk
Budgens - 18 min walk
Red Lion Supermarket - 24 min walk
Colnbrook Pharmacy - 22 min walk
The Tube
Contactless pay as you go - this is the easiest option. Takes all kinds of credit card/apple pay kinds of payments
*be sure to tap in AND out or you will be charged the max fare!
Oyster Card - cheaper than single use cards, there is an app and a physical card. Pay as you go fares are cheaper than buying a paper single ticket or Day Travelcard.
Tfl Go app - trip planning app for the Tube
Transport London
Uber 90 pounds from Buckingham to Heathrow about 20-30 minute ride
And daily ticket for sub is 15 pounds
Highly recommend downloading citymapper and trying out the TfL app
Thank you to everyone that shared information for this guide.