Charles Apple

.

The annual SND workshop begins Oct. 11 — exactly 29 days from now. If you’re going, it’s time to make your arrangements.

This is the first of a series of posts aimed at making your trip to the Boston workshop more productive and, perhaps, a little easier.

First, we’ll share a few basic tips for the workshop itself. Then, we’ll cover a few nuts-and-bolts travel issues that may help you plan your trip.

And away we go…

—

TEN TIPS FOR THE WORKSHOP ITSELF

1. Bring your cards

Don’t even think about coming without business cards. Order some through your newsroom admin folks today.

-

2. Keep your free-lance stuff separate

If you’re hoping to solicit free-lance illustration or design business, then, for Chrissakes, don’t do that with your company business card. Bring separate cards — or, better yet, flyers or brochures or postcards with samples of your work — and hand those out, instead, to your potential clients. Make sure these cards list your home phone number and e-mail address, rather than your work info.

Keep your work stuff and your free-lance stuff separate. You’ll make a better impression that way.

Insider tip: If you need cards or fliers printed, you might check with Doug Jessmer in Tampa. He says his company’s prices are good and the turnaround is pretty quick. Find the site here.

-

3. Leave room for the trip back

Don’t take a stuffed suitcase to Boston. Leave some room for the papers you’ll bring back; for the t-shirts you’ll buy for your kids; for the items you’ll buy from the silent auction.

-

4. Don’t spend too much time planning just yet

Go ahead and study the schedule posted by the SND/Boston folks, but don’t build too many plans around them just yet. Schedules typically shuffle around a bit before the workshop actually begins.

-

5. Sleep when you get home

Yeah, the sessions are terrific. But you’ll learn a lot just by rubbing elbows and chatting with folks between sessions, at lunch and in the evenings.

Those are not just social settings, they’re opportunities for you to pick the brains of industry professionals. So come prepared to stay up late.

Oh, and surely we don’t have to say this. But for the record: Having a beer with David Kordalski is a hoot. Buying him a beer is fabulous. But drinking so much that you puke on his shoes: That’s not so good.

Have fun. But do it in moderation.

Insider tip: I’m way too old to stay up late that many nights in a row. So I always take an extra day off on the Monday following the workshop.

-

6. Don’t be shy.

A complaint I hear from time to time about the Society: The SND crowd tends to be cliquish.

I call bullsh*t on that.

Hey, it seemed that way to me, too, when I attended my first few SND events. But if you can bring yourself to approach them, you’ll find — very quickly — the big names of SND love to meet and chat up new folks.

So why does it appear as if they have little cliques?

It’s because these fine folks enjoy spending time with each other. They see each other only once or twice a year: At the annual workshop and perhaps at the judging in Syracuse or at a quickcourse.

But if you go up to these folks — the Matt Mansfields, the Bonita Burtons, the Denise Reagans, the Matt Ericksons, the Steve Dorseys — you’ll discover they’re delighted to include you in their conversations and activities as well.

Hey, if they’ll accept me into their crowd, then they’ll accept anyone.

So go ahead: Walk up to anyone and say ‘hi.’ And if you’re too bashful to speak to anyone, then don’t let me hear you complain about cliques. Especially with this crowd, one of the least cliquish groups I’ve ever met.

Insider tip #1: I’m told SND president Scott Goldman is hosting a party Thursday night (Oct. 11) for first-time workshop attendees. Keep alert for more info on this.

Insider tip #2: If you want to earn the respect of the SND crowd, then here’s what you do: Find out when and where they’re planning to go karoke. These guys LOVE karaoke. Make sure you go with them. And, when your turn comes, jump up on stage and totally embarrass yourself. If you want to hang with these guys, you have to be able to laugh at yourself.

-

7. Don’t be a time hog

Bring your portfolio, but don’t stuff it with too many samples. If you’re going to ask someone like Matt Mansfield or Bonita Burton to critique your work, you’ll find they’ll be delighted to look it over. But it’s impolite to throw a huge stack of pages at them.

Be reasonable, show only a small handful of pages when you ask for someone’s time.

Insider tip: If you want a really helpful critique, then participate in the portfolio review sessions. All the people mentioned above — plus myself — are among the folks who will be reviewing portfolios. Make sure you sign up when you register.

-

8. Don’t just suck up — suck down, too

A lot of attendees tend to spend their time sucking up to the big names of the Society. And that’s OK.

But I’ve always found it very rewarding to spend just as much time talking to younger, less-experienced folks.

A few years ago, I got a big laugh by calling this “sucking down.” Not a pleasant-sounding term. But you instantly know what I mean, right?

After all, that young woman attending her first workshop may be an AME of a very nice paper one day. She’ll be much more likely to hire you if she remembers how well you treated her in Boston.

It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. And the new folks will benefit greatly from your attention.

-

9. Come prepared to participate

Sure, you’ll sit in some amazing sessions taught by some amazing people. But the annual workshop is also an opportunity for you to get more involved in the Society.

Once you sign in at the registration desk, you’ll see flyers posted with times of various committee meetings.

Go to the publications committee meeting, for example, and get involved with the quarterly magazine, Design, or the monthly Update. Or the SND/Update blog. Or, volunteer to be an assistant at the annual judging in Syracuse. Or attend the quickcourse meeting and voice your opinion on what sessions you’d like to attend.

Don’t just sit on your ass. Get involved. It’s your Society, too.

-

10. Be generous to the Foundation

You’ll see a large table somewhere, laid out with all sorts of interesting items: promotional T-shirts, framed artwork and photos, books and so on, donated by various SND members. It’s the annual silent auction and the proceeds go directly to the SND Foundation, which then uses the money to help college students attend the workshop.

Find something you like and bid on it generously. Please.

—

THE HOTEL

The venue this year is the Park Place Hotel, just two blocks from the famous Boston Common. We’ll be about three-quarters of a mile from historic landmarks such as Faneuil Hall, the site of the Boston Massacre, the site of the Boston Tea Party and so on. More about all that in a moment.

The downside? A room there will set you back $199 a night. As you can see, that’s quite a bit more than we’re accustomed to paying:

Not great. But unfortunately, that’s simply what hotel rooms go for in Boston. I’m told the rooms won’t be much cheaper next year in Vegas, either.

Workshop chairman Dan Zedek of The Boston Globe says:

The rate is higher than previous years, but it’s still a real deal for Boston (or for Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.). I hope that the inclusion of a lot of new extras from hands-on sessions to movie screenings to more generous breakfast and snack options than in the past — all at no additional charge — make the Workshop worth the money.

Dan also points out that, adjusted for inflation, the rates compare to with those of workshops in other large cities, such as D.C. (2003).

If you need a room, you’d better make your reservation now. Rooms are going fast. Reserve yours here.

When you book your room, be aware that some of us received “deluxe” rooms, rather than the standard rooms. Therefore, I was given a rate $20 more per night than necessary.

Check your confirmation e-mail. If this happens to you, contact the hotel right away. They’ll fix it.

If you’re going to look for alternative accommodations, good luck. You’ll be commuting to and from the Park Plaza. The address: 64 Arlington Street, Boston. We’ll be one block south of the Arlington Stop on the MBTA green line.

—

GETTING THERE

I found pretty good fares with Delta Airlines. In fact, my wife suggested I cancel the hotel reservation and simply fly in and out each day from home. We’d save all sorts of money, she says.

And you wonder why I never bring Sharon with me to these workshops.

However, she’s exaggerating only slightly. Perhaps Delta flies to Boston from your city, too. Check ‘em out here.

Dan Zedek says:

US Airways and JetBlue also have major presences. Southwest flies to Providence, about 45 minutes away and has great deals. Finally, there’s the $19 Fung Wah Bus from NewYork, a favorite of students and starving designers in the Northeast.

Most of you will be flying into Boston’s Logan Airport. Find more info here.

Boston cabbies charge flat fees for most downtown hotels. The charge for a ride to the Park Place will be between $20 and $40, depending on traffic, the hotel concierge says.

Dan, again:

The high end sounds high. I pay about $35 and I live 2 miles further out.

The hotel doesn’t have a courtesy shuttle. But several commercial operators provide shuttle service to and from Logan. Find a list here.

The folks at the hotel say you can make shuttle reservations via the concierge. Rosemary, of the concierge staff, says:

We can also arrange private livery service at your convenience. Rates vary depending on the type of service you choose.

For further questions regarding transportation, you may contact us directly at 617-654-1912.

Public transportation will only cost you $2. And it’s cheaper than that, if you buy a “Charlie Card.” They come in denominations of $5, $10 and $20. If you’re planning to venture out on “the T” once or twice while you’re in town, think about buying a “Charlie Card.”

Dan endorses taking subway from the airport:

It’s really not complicated at all (I do it all the time) and it’s an excellent low-cost option. From any terminal, catch the bus marked “MBTA subway station” just outside.

That bus will deposit you at the Airport “T” station. Take the Blue Line inbound to Government Center, which is four stops down the line.

Dan, again:

At Government Center, go upstairs and take any Green Line train going outbound (B,C,D, or E).

Exit with the third stop, at Arlington station.

Rosemary the concierge says, from there:

Take the left exit out of the station and walk straight on Berkeley Street to St. James Avenue. Then, take a left at St. James Avenue. Follow to the end and you will see the hotel directly ahead of you.

It’s no more than a couple of blocks. Piece of cake.

Find more info about the MBTA here.

Find out why they call it a “Charlie Card” here.

We do not recommend you drive or rent a car. The hotel will direct you to the Motor Mart parking garage, next door, where a space will set you back $28 per day.

—

INTERNET ACCESS

Internet service in the guest rooms will cost $9.95 per day plus tax, for a total of about $12.50. That’s a bit less than the $14.95 we paid for a day’s access in Orlando. Which is good. The bad news: That’s just for an ethernet connection. In your room only.

Fear not: SND assures me wifi will be available free to attendees in the meeting levels, first floor and mezzanine — basically, where we’ll be hanging out. That includes the restaurants, the hotel bar and all the meeting rooms.

Details will come later on exactly how that will work — with a password code, perhaps.

—

FOOD

One way I save money when I attend these things is by eating outside the hotel. I fondly recall the Johnny Rocket’s hamburger stand behind the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, for example.

My intern this past summer is from Boston; she tells me there’s a McDonald’s not far from the hotel. You’ll find me there for breakfast, at the very least.

I asked the folks at the Park Plaza to send me a list of area restaurants:

Au Bon Pain - Carryout 617-338-8949
Bonfire - Steak 617-262-3473
Cottonwood - Latin/Casual 617-247-2225
Davios - Italian/Steak 617-357-4810
Finale - Dessert specialties 617-423-3184
Legal Seafood - Seafood 617-426-4444
Maggiano’s - Italian 617-542-3456
McCormick & Schmick’s - Seafood 617-482-3999
MJ O’Connor’s - Irish Pub 617-482-2255
Piatinni - Italian 617-423-2021

Some interesting choices. But nothing that will ease the hurt on my wallet.

Dan says:

Those are actually in the hotel and, except for Au Bon, not that cheap.

There are definitely affordable places to eat in the area and we’re including a restaurant map in our guide.

Finally, we’re serving Continental breakfast for free on Friday and Saturday morning.

In addition, the Park Plaza web site lists a few more dining establishments — and links with which to make reservations — here.

—

WEATHER

It’s Boston in the fall, so don’t expect it to be very warm. If you’re planning to go out at night, bring a sweater or a light jacket. But leave the snow boots at home.

According to The Weather Underground:

OCT. 11
Average high: 63 degrees
Average low: 48 degrees

—

THE AREA

Here’s a map the hotel has posted on its web site:

This next map is admittedly quick-and-crude, but it shows a little more of downtown Boston. Click on the thumbnail for a larger view:

1. Here’s our hotel, the Park Plaza.

2. The famous Beacon Hill historic district.

3. Boston Common is America’s oldest public park.

4. Site of the 1770 Boston Massacre, which is in the middle of a traffic circle near the Old State House. This was one of the first incidents that eventually led to the start of the American Revolution.

5. Site of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The museum here is closed until next year.

6. Native Bostonians will be impressed if you can correctly pronounce the name of Faneuil Hall, built in 1742 and used as a meeting hall by Founding Fathers. It rhymes with “Daniel.”

Faneuil Hall
—

Dan suggests:

The North End is Boston’s vibrant Little Italy section, just past Fanueil Hall.

7. The Celtics and Bruins call The Fleet Center home. (Actually, they don’t. They call it TD BankNorth Garden. But don’t get me started.)

Oh, in case you’re wondering: Fenway Park is a couple of miles west of the hotel. To get there, hop on the “T” Green Line trolleys or the Green B, C, or D subway lines. You’ll want the Kenmore Station, which should be three stops from the station closest to our hotel, Arlington Station.

8. The Hayden Planetarium and the Boston Museum of Science.

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT.

10. You remember the old Longfellow poem about Paul Revere’s Ride:

He said to his friend, “If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,–
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm.”

Well, here’s from where those lanterns hung in 1775: The Old North Church.

Old North Church
—

11. When Faneuil Hall wasn’t large enough, the Founding Fathers moved their meetings to the Old South Meeting House. The Boston Tea Party could be described as a riot that began after a particularly heated meeting here in 1773.

12. The Park Street Church is one of Boston’s most recognizable landmarks.

13. Sure, you might enjoy renting a swan boat at The Public Garden, just across the street from the hotel. But the thing to see here are the bronze duckling statues, honoring the characters from Robert McCloskey’s 1941 children’s book, Make Way For Ducklings.

Ducks at the Public Garden
—

14. Make sure you walk a few blocks to Copley Square to see one of Boston’s more impressive architectural wonders, Trinity Church.

Trinity Church
—
15. The berth of “Old Ironsides,” The USS Constitution.

-

Here are a few shopping centers in the area:

16. Cambridgeside Square Galleria

17. Copley Place

18. Lafayette Place

19. Prudential Center

Prudential Center
—

20. Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Dan says:

For shopping in Boston, Newbury Street is the place and it starts a few blocks from the hotel. The South End is about five blocks away and has lots of funkier shops and restaurants.

Dan also notes I’ve not said much about art galleries:

Don’t forget the Museum of Fine Arts, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Follow the links for more info on each.

Lastly, if you’d like want to see more of Boston while you’re there, Dan suggests:

Fenway, the ICA, and the South End restaurants are part of the “Friday Night Out on the Town” guided trips.

For example, tour Fenway for free with a Globe sports writer, eat at a hot restaurant in the South End with our food editor, or visit the ICA with our arts editor.

You can sign up for all three as well as a ticket to see “Wicked” in the theatre district when you register.

Hungry for more info about Boston? Try the Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau site here.

Here’s a nice tourist-oriented map of Boston.

—

That’s it for now. We’ll post more later.

Don’t just sit there, though. Better register today.

—

My thanks to all the fine folks who helped me compile this information:

* Dan Zedek of The Boston Globe
* Elise Burroughs of SND
* Mary Beth Anslow, Director of Convention Services for the Park Plaza and Rosemary of the hotel’s concierge staff.
*Yahoo maps

Share on Facebook

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 at 6:37 am and is filed under SND/Boston, Workshops, Charles Apple, Visual Editors, VizEds Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.