I know, it's too early to talk, but here I need to apply for US visa now in order to have a chance that it will be ready by the end of June, so I wanted to ask you guys who are going to attend this conference about your plans? How and when are you usually meet up on such events? First day or last day (networking)? Or perhaps you have separate day before/after just to hang there together and drink a lot? ________ Maryjane
I plan to go too so I better get started on the visa now! I really want to meet you guys after so many years of knowing you via forums/email
If you have the ability would highly suggest attending as this one is lining up to be the biggest so far. The GDC is fun but very non-targeted whereas Casuality is built for guys like us.
Part of the conference program includes social events in the evening. On Tuesday all conference attendees are invited to a “Casuality Party Hosted by Mumbo Jumbo” from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM. Wednesday is similar with “Social Networking Event hosted by RealNetworks” from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM. See the Schedule for here. The last session ends at 6:30 PM so there is a break from 6:30 until 9:00 when you may want to plan a dinner outing with your associates.
Ok, I've just registered, so you better go register right now! My plan is to arrive on june 26th, one day before the conference, to know Seattle a bit. If other guys are around that monday (or even live in Seattle) we definitely must do something!
I live in Seattle. I can't quite justify spending the money to go to the conference, since my development other than some contract work isn't casual or portal-oriented. But... I would like to meet some of these indie people. So maybe on one of the days, we could have an off-conference meet-up like last year? If Gabriel is rolling in from Uruguay, I wouldn't mind driving 20 minutes to shake his hand and chat a bit. -Erik
Oh, I just realized that Gabriel was sorta trying to set something up like I was talking about on Monday. Yeah, I can meet up Monday. Maybe a dinner at some restaurant in Seatle? -Erik
Guys, check the availability of 'VISA WAIVERS' from your respective countries which will enable you to enter the US without applying for a proper Visa. You simply fill in a form just before boarding or on the plane and hand it to US Homeland security when you arrive on US soil. Be prepared for a few questions, fingerprinting and mugshots......which are all standard these days. Here's a link to countries involved in the scheme:- http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#2 All the best Mark. P.S. Apparently it's mainly Europe involved, but might help those from down under too!
No sweat for little meet ups but please don't try to arrange a "formal" get together just yet until things get closer and people figure out schedules. The GDC indie meet up was huge this year so hopefully can do same at Casuality.
I just signed up for this on Monday. Sounds like a great opportunity to put some faces to some people. I work downtown and would be happy to meet up and talk games with you guys. Lots of great bars around and the best part is that they are "smoke free" in Seattle.
Visa Letter from Casual Games Association If you are traveling from outside the North America/EU, get your travel papers ready now!!!!! Sometimes it takes awhile. Many countries need you to have this: http://seattle.casuality.org/CasualitySeattle2006VisaLetter.pdf If you need a letter of invitation made out to you, please let me know and I will create one for you and either mail you the original if needed or fax one over to you. Jessica
Best days to be at the event??? I suggest you make sure to be there on Tuesday the 27th for the AWESOME keynotes from Bing Gordon, the co-Founder of EA and Rob Glaser, the Founder and CEO of RealNetworks. Tuesday will have a party by Mumbo Jumbo and Wednesday has a party by RealNetworks. If you have been to a Mumbo Jumbo or a RealNetworks party, you know that their parties rock On Thursday the 28th, we have a full day of developer content starting off with a talk from John Vechey a co-Founder of PopCap Games so that is a good day to make sure to be around for. We actually have so much stuff planned for the event, it is hard to tell everyone about it all. But for developers we have lots more content, mentorship sessions with people in the industry and lots of other indie folks as well.
Privet! You definitely need to be there! And apply for interview time right now! Go to the site of American Embassy in Kyiv - they have realyl nice system to sign up for the interview and online paperwork that could speed up your interview day. Let me know if I can help with anything Casuality will definitely rock(it was in Amsterdam, and it's gonnabe even better in the US. It's a good idea to fix meeting, however you'll have a plenty of possibilities to meet people right there on the spot.
folks from Ukraine? I already did, they scheduled me for the interview at time about a month after my request. I already filled nonimmigrant visa application so all I have to do now is to wait for my interview time. As far as I know it is much simplier to apply for visa if you already been to US in the past. Not my case though. Are you getting your visa by simplified procedure or have you filed interview request too? Not sure how can you help me, unless you have some connections in the Embassy PM me if you do I am sure it will. Had no time to attend Amsterdam so decided to skip. Not that I have some serious plans about it, but meeting people in person is definitely a good idea (and hopefully to show off some hot new projects too ) Speaking about Seattle - no way I'm gonna miss it, unless my visa request will be rejected. BTW, how many people from your company are going? Do you know anyone else from Ukraine who will be there too? ________ Volvo xc60 specifications
Yaroslav, they always appoint interview in a month after the request.The guys are fair - no bribes or anything))Well, I've got many visas as well as several to the US, so there was no problem at all to get another multivisa. However, we had interview with 3 other people from our company one of which did not have any visas, but we had all the documents concerning the financial status of our company, our bank account figure as well as invitations. Also during personal interviewing we proved our close ties with the US partners and with family and business in Ukraine. I'll definitely be there, maybe 2-3 other people from the company will be there too. I know that there is only couple of relatively big and stable studios in Ukraine. Except you, I don't know anyone working in casual and being successful. The trip to the US requires a lot of bucks, so I don't think there will be someone else...There was none in Amsterdam too, though it's closer and much cheaper.
from Eastern Europe So far we have three companies from Eastern Europe that I have written visa letters for or who have told me they are coming. I think some people are using the default letter though, so there may be more attending. Best, Jessica
day to meet up Hi Guys -- Now that we are getting closer to the event, I thought I would give you some suggestions. I would suggest you get togeather on Thursday evening. This will give you all a change to meet each other - and find other interesting people - and there are no other planned social events this night. seattle.citysearch.com is a good place to find information about a good venue to meet up. See you all soon, Jessica