Trouble in Tucson Newsletter
March 5, 2023
Trouble in Tucson Details
Registration
Convention Registration will be in the Turquoise Foyer. Early registration will take place on Wednesday, March 15 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Registration will reopen on Thursday, March 16 at 8:30 AM.
Please wear your Trouble in Tucson Name Badge at all times during the convention. It is your ticket into all LCC panels, interviews, and other events such as the Welcome Reception, breakfasts, and the Lefty Awards Banquet. It also helps us all get to know each other.
New to Left Coast Crime? Stop by the Volunteer Table and Volunteer! It’s a great way to make new friends while helping our all-volunteer-run convention. Come to the Left Coast Crime 101 panel on Thursday for tips about enjoying the convention from experienced LCC attendees, and Talk to Us About Left Coast Crime on Sunday morning to share your ideas.
Don’t be shy! Introduce yourself to those sitting next to you at a panel, standing in line to get a book signed, browsing in the Book Room, or enjoying a beverage in the Hospitality Room. Share your passion for the mystery/thriller genre!
Have questions or need help during the convention? Visit the Registration Table or flag down any of the Trouble in Tucson committee members who are wearing Sheriff Badges. We want to help!
Hotel Convention Area
All Left Coast Crime convention activities take place in the Convention Center on the ground floor.
Author-Reader Connections
It’s not too late to sign up to attend an Author-Reader Connection. Only registered attendees can sign up for Connections; your Trouble in Tucson Name Badge is required to participate. Fans may sign up for a maximum of two Connections, and no more than one per author. A few Connections are FULL, but there are many more to choose from!
Author-Hosted Tables
After picking up your Registration materials, visit the Kiosk to sign-up to sit at an Author-Hosted Table at the Lefty Awards Banquet on Saturday. You will need to wear your Trouble in Tucson Name Badge to sign up. There will also be plenty of open tables at the Banquet if you’d prefer to sit with your friends.
Note to Authors: The final confirmation was emailed to Author Hosts on March 4th. If you think you signed up and didn't get the message, please email Lucinda.LCC@gmail.com ASAP.
Volunteers Needed for Book Staging: We need several more people mid-morning on Tuesday 14th to help move and unpack book boxes. Please email volunteer4LCC@gmail.com if you can help! [Note: the Wednesday Book Packing Project is fully staffed and those volunteers have been notified.]
Thanks so much to everyone who has already volunteered to help at the convention! There are many more opportunities to help out at this all-volunteer run convention. Please email volunteer4LCC@gmail.com or check in at the Volunteer Table near registration if you are willing to volunteer.
Continuing Conversation
On Friday and Saturday a Continuing Conversation will take place in the Joshua Tree room. The room will be set up with four chairs at the head table of three tables arranged in a U-shape. As each new person arrives, someone will rotate off. You can talk about books, pets, food, or whatever you like! Everyone is welcome to join in: authors, bloggers, and readers. There will be open seats at two additional tables on either side of the head table as well as audience seating. Bring a drink and/or snack and enjoy the conversation. To sign up as one of the rotating seats at the head table, visit this Google Sheet to see what slots are open and email Lucinda.LCC@gmail.com with the time you would like. To sit at an open seat or in the audience, just come to Joshua Tree on Friday or Saturday from 9:00-Noon or 1:30-5:00.
Author Photos
Darrell Hoemann, conference photographer, would feel privileged to create author photos for new or established authors at no charge, time permitting. A 40-year veteran of newspapers, you can see some of his work at www.dhoemann.com. Please contact Darrell at hoemannphoto@gmail.com to make arrangements.
Tucson
Tucson is a desert city, and the dry climate takes some getting used to so remember to keep hydrated. Wearing a hat and sunscreen is advisable when outdoors. Don’t forget your swimsuit to enjoy the pools and water slide!
The current forecast for Tucson is showing clear skies for our convention dates, but spring weather is changeable as we all know, so check your preferred weather app as you pack. The extensive outdoor spaces at El Conquistador are well lit at night, but can get a bit chilly.
Inside the hotel our advice is always comfortable shoes and LAYERS, since some rooms will no doubt be over-warm and others too chilly. Left Coast Crime is a casual convention, though some do like to dress up a bit for the Lefty Awards Banquet.
Uninvited Guest
The Covid virus is still lurking so you are encouraged to take personal protective measures. Masks are not required, instead use your own judgment and be safe. LCC will not be verifying vaccination status this year.
Ground Transportation to El Conquistador Hilton from the Tucson Airport
- A1 Town Cars: 520-203-2218
Online Reservation Form
When making your reservation, let them know if you will have extra luggage or passengers and they will send an SUV instead of a sedan. Advance reservation required. Cost $59
- Express Taxi: 520-240-0344
Make your reservation a few days in advance. No shows will be charged. Driver will meet traveler inside terminal with a name sign. About $100
- Tucson Stagecoach: 520-889-1000
Online Reservation Form
This is a shared ride service, driver drops each person off in turn. Advance reservation required. Cost $36
Mobility Scooter Rentals
American Mobility delivers and picks up mobility scooters and other devices to the El Conquistador. Prices and information available by phone (520) 276-4696 or on their website
https://americanmobility.com/rentals.
2280 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Silent Auction Information
Each Left Coast Crime Convention raises money to support a local literacy organization with funds raised through a silent and live auction. The LCC 2023 recipient is Make Way for Books, an early literacy nonprofit that provides programs, services, and resources to more than 18,000 young children, parents, and educators throughout southern Arizona each year. All proceeds from our auctions go to Make Way for Books. Anyone — reader, writer, bookseller, librarian, blogger — may donate items to the silent auction. You can either mail your Silent Auction donations to yourself at the hotel (address below) or bring them with you. We’ll be accepting donations on Wednesday, March 15 from 3:00-5:00 PM, on Thursday morning while setting up the Silent Auction Room, and on Friday morning as well.
El Conquistador Tucson: A Hilton Resort
Hold for Hotel Guest: Your Name
10000 North Oracle Road
Tucson, AZ 85704
Sponsorship at Left Coast Crime
Left Coast Crime encourages organizations to sponsor a variety of events such as the Opening Reception, the Awards Banquet, the Friday “Meet the New Authors” breakfast, the Saturday breakfast, and the Hospitality Room. Other options include sponsoring one of our Guests of Honor or supporting Left Coast Crime by sponsoring products such as the convention book bag or name badge holder.
Our thanks to Sisters in Crime for sponsoring the Meet-the-New Authors Breakfast on Thursday morning. Authors who have a first mystery, crime, thriller, or suspense novel published in 2022 will to present at the breakfast hosted by Mike Befeler and assisted by Les and Leslie Blatt.
Our thanks to Kensington Books for sponsoring Saturday in the Hospitality Room. The schedule of the Kensington authors who will appear in the Hospitality Room on Saturday to sign books and meet fans can be found here.
Left Coast Crime 2024: Seattle Shakedown
in Bellevue, Washington
When: April 11–14, 2024
Where: Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Room Rate: $169 for April 9–14, plus two nights before and after (subject to availability).
More Details: To be announced soon!
Registration Is Now Open: https://leftcoastcrime.org/2024/
