Back to Main Site

Home

RTMC Astronomy Expo

Nightfall

Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show

 PATS FAQ

PATS Vendor List

FREQUENTLY

ASKED

QUESTIONS


With a new event like the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show, there are lots of questions. Not all the details have been worked out. But here are some of the answers to your questions.

If you have corrections, better information, or more questions, please contact clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org.

Check back occasionally for updates. This information was last updated at 11:20 am, August 14, 2008.

General Information

Who, What, Why, When , and Where

TICKETS

What is the ticket price?
Where can I get tickets?
How can I get tickets for my local club to sell?
How do the tickets work?
What is a Weekend Pass?
What is your refund policy?
Do I need to "register" as an attendee?

PRESENTATIONS

What will the presentation schedule look like?
Are we looking for volunteers for presentations?
Are there other presentations going on (in addition to formal speakers)?

CLUB INFORMATION

How can my club participate?
What are the details on the reduced-price club tickets?
What are the details on the club tables/chairs at the event?
May clubs register for a booth?
Can a club or Astro-Organization schedule a meeting or presentation around or during PATS?

VENDOR INFORMATION

What space is available for Vendors?
How do I reserve Vendor Exhibition Space?
Is there space for vendor demonstrations?
What time can we set up and take down?

ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION

Where, specifically, is the conference center?
Where should we stay?
What is parking like?
How about RV's, trailers, and Motor Homes?
How about food arrangements?
Where are the nearest airports?
Public Transportation

Miscellaneous

Will there be a swapmeet?
Who is RTMC and PATS?
Will there still be an RTMC Astronomy Expo?
How do I volunteer for PATS?

GENERAL INFORMATION

Who, What, Why, When, and Where?
RTMC, Inc. will be bringing together dozens of exhibitors, clubs, and presenters to a downtown setting for a weekend of astro-related activities. This is an opportunity to share our hobby and science with each other and to people new to astronomy. This happens on a full moon weekend (September 13 and 14). The exhibit hall will be open from 9:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, and from 9:00 to 3:00 on Sunday. Speakers and presenters from the ranks of space explorers, national astronomy-related organizations, and well-known authors will be sharing their experiences from mid morning until late afternoon both days. Related events, like the Riverside Astro-Imaging Workshop, will take place during the weekend. The facility can hold about a hundred vendor booths, thousands of attendees, and is set in modern buildings at the Pasadena Center (300 E Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101), easily accessible from throughout Southern California, and the country.   

TICKETS

What is the ticket price?
On the day of the event at the box office a ticket will cost $20.00 per day, plus an additional $1.00 for the Pasadena Facilities Restoration Fee. A discount of about 15 per cent is available for early-purchase and for "weekend pass" purchases. Youth (15 and under) accompanied by a paid adult are admitted free without ticket on the day of event.   Ticketmaster fees are added to ticket prices for purchases at those outlets. Clubs may set their own price for tickets if they are participating in the club ticket program. (See Club Information for details on club purchases.)

Where can I get tickets?
Tickets are available from:

How can I get tickets for my local club to sell?
Your club may buy discount tickets and re-sell them to members at the price they choose as a fund raiser, or for other purposes. Participating clubs will be selling tickets at meetings, through their websites and newsletters, or in other ways. See the Club Information section here for more information or clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org to participate.
As of Sept. 2, club discount tickets are no longer available.

How do the tickets work?
Pre purchase your ticket (click here for where to buy tickets)  before coming to the event, or purchase at the door on the day of event. All tickets are identical, allowing admission for either Saturday or Sunday. Bring your ticket to the Pavilion entrance, and exchange it for a hand stamp.  The hand stamp allows admission for that day to all presentations, and to the exhibit hall.

What is a Weekend Pass?
A "Weekend Pass" consists of two tickets, one for Saturday and one for Sunday. Such passes are available only at the Box Office or Ticketmaster. Club tickets can be used either Saturday or Sunday. So, if you are purchasing for both days from a club, you simply purchase two tickets.

What is your refund policy?
Refund policies are set by the organization (Ticketmaster, Pasadena Center Box Office, or club) where you purchase your ticket.

Do I need to "register" as an attendee?
No. As an attendee, simply purchase a ticket and exchange it for a hand stamp at the door. We do not need your name or other "registration." Registration is required only for clubs or vendors requesting space in the exhibition hall (In which case see Vendor/Club Registration   ).

PRESENTATIONS

What will the presentation schedule look like?
Across the quad from the exhibition hall we have reserved a set of rooms for large and small presentations. The following link is to a PDF file with the speaker schedule.

Are we looking for volunteers for presentations?
In general, we are not looking for presenters at this point. This will not be like RTMC Astronomy Expo where we solicit volunteers throughout the astronomical community to make the presentations.   Nevertheless, if you would like to make a presentation, or your astro group or astronomical point of interest would like to schedule an additional meeting or event surrounding PATS, please contact Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org  ). Note that we are still open to product demonstrations from interested vendors.

Are there other presentations going on (in addition to formal speakers)?
The Riverside Astroimaging Workshop, with Tony Hallas and Dan Goldman, will take place on Friday, September 12, and requires a separate registration. (See Riverside AstroImaging Workshop   )  In addition, we will have solar telescopes on display outside the exhibition hall. A few of the vendors have expressed an interest in product demonstrations in a more formal setting than their booths. We will set aside meeting rooms and schedule such events. If your astro group or astronomical point of interest would like to schedule an additional event surrounding PATS, please contact Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org  )

CLUB INFORMATION

How can my club participate?
We encourage your club to participate in several ways. We invite your club to take advantage of a free table and chairs to advertise yourself and your activities. Secondly, you may raise funds for your programs by purchasing tickets at a reduced price and then reselling them to your members (and keep the profit with no further obligation to RTMC or PATS). We are soliciting the few volunteers we need through the clubs. And we may be able to send a speaker to your club meeting to talk about PATS. For information on club participation, contact Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org  )

What are the details on the reduced-price club tickets?
Contact Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org  ). In general, your astro organization (club, school, etc.) will name one representative, who will communicate with Alex. The organization's representative will purchase the tickets, and then resell them to members and others. The organization may return unused tickets (timelines apply), and owes no further accounting or obligation to RTMC or PATS for their sales. This program is meant to be a source of revenue for the organization's outreach or other programs.
As of Sept. 2, club discount tickets are no longer available.

What are the details on the club tables/chairs at the event?
We have set aside various areas where we will provide a table and two chairs to recognized clubs, academic groups, and other non-profit astro organizations.  See Vendor/Club Registration for registration materials. Tables may be available at this time, but but we cannot make guarantees. Please register immediately if you would like to be considered. Note that admission tickets for those who will staff the table would be the responsibility of the club or individual and is not included in this free offer. Your group may conduct some activities involving money (registration for your activities or membership, for instance) but may not sell anything (including goods, software, souvenirs, or services). We do expect that the table will be staffed in general, and not just left as an unattended display. There is no electricity/cart service, or such, at these tables. Two members of your organization may enter the hall one hour before general opening to set up materials. This is open to non-commercial entities only. Commercial vendors must register for a booth, whether they plan to sell items or not.

May clubs register for a booth?
Certainly they may. They would be required to do so if they plan to sell items or services. When they register for a booth, they would receive all the benefits of being a vendor.

Can a club or Astro-Organization schedule a meeting or presentation around or during PATS?
Yes, and you are encouraged to do so. It is an excellent way to expand your reach, and provide a common ground for a meeting. If everybody is coming to PATS anyway, why not put on a show and tell others what you do? Please contact Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org ) and tell him what you want. If you can be accommodated, we will make arrangements. Note that time is running short.

VENDOR INFORMATION

What space is available for Vendors?
The floor plan at the Pasadena Center provides for about 100 booths. Many of these are already reserved, but some are still available. Prices range from $325 to $375 (NOTE AFTER AUGUST 1, THESE PRICES INCREASED TO $400/475) and more per booth. These 10 x10 and larger booths come with pipe and drapes, and tables and chairs. For an extra fee, electrical power, high speed internet, and cart service can be made available. Detailed information is available at Vendor/Club Registration and by contacting Allan Guthmiller (vendors@rtmcastronomyexpo.org) 

How do I reserve Vendor Exhibition space?
Detailed information is available at Vendor/Club Registration  and by contacting Allan Guthmiller (vendors@rtmcastronomyexpo.org).  Note that much of the space has already been reserved, and prices go up after August 1.

Is there space for vendor demonstrations?
We have room available (in addition to vendor booths) for special presentations by vendors, manufacturers, and others who wish to demonstrate new products or techniques featuring their products. Space for these "Infomercials" must be arranged with Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org) in advance. 

What time can we set up/take down?
Details are available from Allan Guthmiller (vendors@rtmcastronomyexpo.org). In general, paid vendors (not free club tables) may set up starting Friday, and may be on the exhibit floor from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION

Where, specifically, is the conference center?
The center is located at 300 E Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101.  There is a map, here.

Where should we stay?
There are many hotels in the area. The following have agreed to offer special discounts or arrangements. However, there are limitations and restrictions regarding deadlines and the number of rooms. So, act sooner rather than later. Be sure to tell these establishments that you are with the PATS event to get the special rates. (Note that sometimes not everybody in the chain gets the memo! You may need to do some work getting them to recognize the PATS event and the appropriate discount. It might help to use the term RTMC Astronomy Expo.)

More information regarding hotel accommodations in the area is available from http://www.pasadenacal.com/visitors.htm

You are making individual arrangements with these hotels. RTMC/PATS is not responsible for any arrangements.

What is parking like?
Parking is available for autos and similar sized vehicles downstairs from the meeting hall for $7 a day, with no in and out privileges. Parking is also available in several parking structures within a block or two of the facility. If you are staying in a nearby hotel, special parking arrangements apply. There is no nearby parking for larger vehicles. VENDORS NOTE: If you have a larger delivery vehicle, contact Allan Guthmiller (vendors@rtmcastronomyexpo.org) as soon as possible so that loading, temporary parking, and remote parking can be worked out for the vehicle.

How about Camping, RV's, trailers, and Motor Homes?
There is no nearby parking or facilities for large vehicles. The nearest camping appears to be in Pomona, some 29 miles away at a KOA. This is at 2200 N White Ave, Pomona, CA, 91768. 909 593 8915.

How about food arrangements?
We will have a snack bar serving at the event. In addition, you will be within walking distance of hundreds (if not millions!) of restaurants in downtown and Old Town Pasadena. You will not go hungry.

Where are the nearest airports?
Burbank is the closest, followed by LA International and Ontario. Shuttles connect most Pasadena hotels to LAX and Burbank (for a fee). In addition to hotel airport shuttles public transportation can get you back and forth with a bit more time and a lot less money.

Public Transportation
Contrary to the song, people do walk in LA. And they use public transit. The Del Mar station on the Metro Gold line is about four blocks from the Conference Center. Connections can be made (through transfers, including bus and Metrolink trains) to LAX and  Burbank airports, and much of the LA basin. Buses and the Metrolink can also be utilized. Activities, lodging, restaurants, shopping, and all will be fairly concentrated in the convention center area.  So, one can use public transportation and forego the rental car. Details on public transportation are available using the trip planner at http://metro.net/default.asp

Miscellaneous

Will there be a swapmeet?
No, sorry. The physical setup is not conducive to such an effort at the Pasadena Center. You'll have to wait until Memorial Day Weekend at RTMC Astronomy Expo to feed that hunger.

Who is RTMC and PATS?
RTMC is an organization of about a dozen board members, with a few dozen other volunteers. It is dedicated to bringing astronomy to amateurs already in the hobby, and extending it to others not yet part of it. The group meets periodically throughout the year to plan and produce three events. The RTMC Astronomy Expo is held late May in Big Bear, California, and has become one of the largest star parties in the country, if not the world. Nightfall, held in October, in Borrego Springs, California, is a star party with a difference--a luxury hotel/RV Resort. PATS, the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show, being held for the first time in September, 2008, is a new production, bringing the spirit of RTMC to a downtown, indoor venue. In addition, RTMC, Inc. funds Holmes grants to further outreach efforts among astronomical groups. RTMC, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization and corporation under the laws of the state of California.

Will there still be an RTMC Astronomy Expo?
Yes, we will continue to produce the spring event. PATS is not a replacement.

How do I volunteer for PATS?

Generally, you can volunteer through your club representative to PATS. He or she is the person selling the tickets at your club meeting. If your club is not participating in discount ticket sales, you can volunteer by contacting Alex McConahay (clubs@rtmcastronomyexpo.org ). It should be noted that PATS will not require as many volunteers as the RTMC Astronomy Expo, since the venue itself does not require many volunteers.