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Parties - Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about parties and party hosting at Interaction (and the answers). This FAQ has been updated as of 24 July 2005.

Changes from the previous version are in RED.

You can also download the information on this page in PDF format by clicking on the icon below.

Now to the Answers ...

One thing to keep in mind is that there is a 50 foot long bar, with numerous sets of taps, in front of the Ballroom on the 1st floor that will be open in the evenings. This will be operated by the Hilton as a cash bar. We are working with the Hilton to try to get a selection of real ales and ciders for this bar.

Groups hosting parties should keep the fact that this bar will be operating in mind when making their own plans for liquor and drinks. We are advising groups who wish to serve alcohol to concentrate on those that might not normally be stocked at a hotel bar.

Q. Where in Glasgow can we buy food, supplies, etc. for our party?

A. We have assembled a list of places that stock the kinds of things you might need. Most of the stores aren’t in easy walking distance from the Hilton, but taxis are relatively inexpensive in Glasgow.

Q. Why are the parties being held in Hilton function space?

A. Hotels in Glasgow don’t have large multi-room suites in the same style that you find in North America. It would be impractical for bids and other groups to host reasonable parties in such rooms. The function space is the only place that can handle the number of people who will be going to parties.

Q. What does the ‘full corkage waiver’ in the Hilton function space cover?

A. Everything (one-word answers are good!) However it should be noted that party givers may not under any circumstance SELL food or drink as this would breach the Hilton's own license. Party givers may of course sell convention memberships, merchandise, etc. as they normally would.

Q. What restrictions are there on serving alcohol in parties?

A. There are several. The first is that you must verify that the person is 18 or older, using some legal or official identification. Not verifying ages could cause you to run afoul of the law, and that’s not a good thing. The Interaction membership badges will not have any indication of age. The second thing is that alcohol service must end at 0200. This is the time that the Hilton’s license for alcohol service ends, so that’s when we have to stop. The Hilton is working on getting an extension to this time; if this happens, we’ll post that information.

Q. We would like to serve hot food, warmed using various things like microwave ovens, toasters, toaster ovens, crock pots, and the like. Can we use these?

A. The only thing that will be allowed in the rooms to keep things warm will be chafing dishes from the Hilton. See the following question, however, for some good news.

Q. Will we have access to any hotel kitchen areas for food preparation?

A. The Hilton’s Guest Food letter and Interaction’s questionnaire have been sent to all party contacts. We will have access to the Banquet Kitchen and refrigerated storage space in the Kitchen, but we must provide the Hilton with information about the times when we will need to have access, the number of people involved, and the type of items to be prepared and stored. Our use of the Kitchen will be under the supervision of one of the Hilton’s chefs.

The biggest concern that the Hilton Health & Safety people have is with items that are highly perishable that have been repackaged – things like fruits, vegetables, meats, and prepared foods. As long as they are in the original packaging there will very likely be no restriction on their use. However, if they have been repackaged there is a strong possibility that you won’t be allowed to use them.

Q. Will we have access to hotel kitchen refrigeration facilities?

A. Yes, although with significant restrictions with regard to items that have been opened or repackaged.

Q. Will we have access to any hotel storage space on the 1st floor?

A. Yes, there will be secure storage on the 1st floor. Interaction will have the keys to this room, so access will need to be coordinated.

Q. Will we be able to use the Hilton’s utensils (pots, pans, etc.)?

A. Yes, as long as we have given notice that we want to. Questions about this are included in the questionnaire.

Q. Will we be able to use hotel ice machines or purchase ice from the hotel?

A. The Hilton will have their Food &Beverage/Convention Services staff available during the evenings to replenish ice in the rooms. It will be provided by the Hilton; all you’ll have to do is ask for a refresh. They will also provide buckets with ice; these buckets will hold approximately 10 bottles each. All the rooms except the Ballroom have small refrigerators. These refrigerators are small – they probably hold about 24 cans. Remember that we can also use the refrigerated space in the Banquet Kitchen to keep bottles and cans cold.

Q. What kinds of furnishings will the rooms have?

A. The Hilton has the following table sizes and quantities:

• 1’ x 6’ in large quantities
• 6’ round in large quantities
• 5’ round in large quantities
• Cocktail round – small quantity
• 3’ x 3’ – small quantity
• 4’ x 2’ – moderate quantity
• 5’ x 2’ – small quantity
• 6’ x 2’ – small quantity
• Lots of armless banquet chairs

The questionnaire that was sent out included default setups for each size room. Unless we hear from you with changes, that’s what you’ll get. Tables will be individually skirted unless you specifically ask otherwise.

Q. Will there be comfy seating (sofas, armchairs) in the rooms?

A. There are a few (a very few!) of these available from the Hilton. The numbers are so small that we may end up putting them in the foyer, rather than trying to ration them among the parties.

Q. Is there wireless access on the floors where the parties will be held?

A. Yes, but not free.

Q. When will we be able to get into our room to set up for our party?

A. We are going to specify that the rooms should be available at 3PM for setup. This gives the people hosting parties from the previous night time to remove any of their decorations as well as giving the Hilton time to clean and reset the room.

Q. Will we be allowed to tape posters or other items to walls?

A. Anything that doesn’t damage the wall is allowed. We are recommending that anything hung on the walls be done using blue tack tape. This is readily available in Glasgow. We know that this doesn’t leave any marks or do any damage to the walls or wallpaper.

Q. Are there hang points in the rooms for hanging items?

A. All the rooms except the Ballroom and Glengoyne have a ‘tag grab’ running along the wall. This can be used with clips to hang items, such as posters, along those walls.

© UK 2005 Ltd, 2002-2005. All rights to content reserved to UK 2005 Ltd, unless otherwise indicated. This page maintained by webmaster@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.

Page last updated 24^th July 2005