The Amsterdam 2010 BC Convention - a report

I arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday, April 15, just a few hours before Schiphol Airport was closed. Sadly, the volcanic ash and concomitant shutdowns meant that a lot of BCers who had planned to come to the convention were not able to make it. But those of us who did get there had a lot of fun.

The festivities started on Friday evening, with a "meet and greet". A "Bookcrossing Bingo" questionnaire had been prepared, and everyone had to go around the room finding people who had been to more than two Anniversary Conventions, kept rodents as pets, rode motorcycles, etc. Unfortunately, anyone present with more than a few gray hairs found themselves continually accosted by folks saying, "May I ask you a rude question? Do you have any grandchildren?" I made myself a tag that said, "No, I don't have any grandchildren" and pinned it on my shirt.

Of course, many people were just doing what you'd expect from Bookcrossers:


Saturday saw the bulk of the program. I missed the morning session on e-readers, as I was sitting at the registration table. After quite a nice lunch (an incredible variety of sandwiches, including chocolate sprinkle sandwiches - don't believe me? See here!), we had an amazing afternoon. It began with story-telling, poetry and music, all rolled up together. Phoenix-Flight tells more about it on the BC forums here, and you can see it on YouTube here. I think it was one of the best programs I've seen at a BC Convention! We then heard info about what the new site, currently being tested, will look/act like - I think it will be fantastic!

We then heard from the Dutch writer of young adult fiction, Rob Ruggenberg, who talked about his latest book, Manhatan. (That's not a mis-, but an older, spelling.) Unfortunately, the book isn't translated into English.

Following a dinner break, we had a very special guest!

Sinterklaas and friends gave out special awards to some people, and then drew the first several lottery prizes.

The bid for the 2012 convention was, not surprisingly, won by Dublin. (Not surprising because they had no competition!). It was a real pity, though, that the Irish bookcrossers were unable to present the bid themselves, but they were casualties of the volcanic ash cloud. Then crrcookie and Melydia talked about next year's Convention in D.C., with great success. Many people commented that they hadn't thought about making the trip over the water, but were now considering it. After that, everyone went "shopping" at the book buffet. I mostly picked up books for the next day's release walk. I wonder if anyone took this one?


The release walk on Sunday was great fun. Some people started at the Convention site, but many of us who were staying in the city met them at a hotel near the Central Station. We split up into two groups, and began to shower Amsterdam with books, while at the same time seeing and learning about the city. My favorite of my releases almost didn't happen, as I was quite tempted to keep this book for myself. But even paperback art books are heavy, and so I spared my luggage and sent it into the wild:
.
The finder was disappointed, but plans to re-release it. The release walk ended with a flash mob at Westermarkt, which you can also see on YouTube!

I had a really good time. I was at the same hotel as skyring and his lovely wife, Kerri, as well as thecrrcookie and Melydia, so we accompanied one another back and forth to the venue. Of course, it was great to meet BCers whom I'd known by name only, and others whom I hadn't even known by name. I hope I'll see some of them again next year in D.C., or the year after that in Dublin!

The Amsterdam 2010 BC Convention - a report

I arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday, April 15, just a few hours before Schiphol Airport was closed. Sadly, the volcanic ash and concomitant shutdowns meant that a lot of BCers who had planned to come to the convention were not able to make it. But those of us who did get there had a lot of fun.

The festivities started on Friday evening, with a "meet and greet". A "Bookcrossing Bingo" questionnaire had been prepared, and everyone had to go around the room finding people who had been to more than two Anniversary Conventions, kept rodents as pets, rode motorcycles, etc. Unfortunately, anyone present with more than a few gray hairs found themselves continually accosted by folks saying, "May I ask you a rude question? Do you have any grandchildren?" I made myself a tag that said, "No, I don't have any grandchildren" and pinned it on my shirt.

Of course, many people were just doing what you'd expect from Bookcrossers:


Saturday saw the bulk of the program. I missed the morning session on e-readers, as I was sitting at the registration table. After quite a nice lunch (an incredible variety of sandwiches, including chocolate sprinkle sandwiches - don't believe me? See here!), we had an amazing afternoon. It began with story-telling, poetry and music, all rolled up together. Phoenix-Flight tells more about it on the BC forums here, and you can see it on YouTube here. I think it was one of the best programs I've seen at a BC Convention! We then heard info about what the new site, currently being tested, will look/act like - I think it will be fantastic!

We then heard from the Dutch writer of young adult fiction, Rob Ruggenberg, who talked about his latest book, Manhatan. (That's not a mis-, but an older, spelling.) Unfortunately, the book isn't translated into English.

Following a dinner break, we had a very special guest!

Sinterklaas and friends gave out special awards to some people, and then drew the first several lottery prizes.

The bid for the 2012 convention was, not surprisingly, won by Dublin. (Not surprising because they had no competition!). It was a real pity, though, that the Irish bookcrossers were unable to present the bid themselves, but they were casualties of the volcanic ash cloud. Then crrcookie and Melydia talked about next year's Convention in D.C., with great success. Many people commented that they hadn't thought about making the trip over the water, but were now considering it. After that, everyone went "shopping" at the book buffet. I mostly picked up books for the next day's release walk. I wonder if anyone took this one?


The release walk on Sunday was great fun. Some people started at the Convention site, but many of us who were staying in the city met them at a hotel near the Central Station. We split up into two groups, and began to shower Amsterdam with books, while at the same time seeing and learning about the city. My favorite of my releases almost didn't happen, as I was quite tempted to keep this book for myself. But even paperback art books are heavy, and so I spared my luggage and sent it into the wild:
.
The finder was disappointed, but plans to re-release it. The release walk ended with a flash mob at Westermarkt, which you can also see on YouTube!

I had a really good time. I was at the same hotel as skyring and his lovely wife, Kerri, as well as thecrrcookie and Melydia, so we accompanied one another back and forth to the venue. Of course, it was great to meet BCers whom I'd known by name only, and others whom I hadn't even known by name. I hope I'll see some of them again next year in D.C., or the year after that in Dublin!