Nerdvana2

Phase II
(This is a work in progress. Some descriptions are incomplete.)

Nerdvana Phase II overview
Nerdvana is a 60,000 square foot convention and retail facility to be located in central Pennsylvania close to Interstates 83 & 81, providing easy access from several major metropolitan areas in the east as well as an international airport and a public transportation hub.   It's goal is to generate tourism and provide a unique service to companies, organizations and individuals requiring meeting or event space.

What IS Nerdvana?
Nerdvana is an indoor convention center and retail outlet that creates an environment of fantasy and excitement for its guests. The layout of the retail outlet is that of a small town, complete with storefront facades, overhangs and streetlights along Main Street, USA. It also features a quaint European village layout perfect for fantasy/gothic-themed events or shopping. The purpose is to draw from the millions of people who attend science-fiction, comic book, trading card and other popular culture conventions across the country along with corporations and organizations that want to inject a new energy and festive feel to their training and development programs and holiday parties!   Nerdvana's mission is multifaceted. We want to provide a place for lovers of fantasy to congregate, a place for students to access learning tools and resources to help their studies, promote local artists and authors through the active solicitation and exhibition of their works. Finally, we want to inspire in our guests the spirit of imagination woven into the work of many of the artists and authors we will highlight throughout the facility.

Nerdvana is located in Central PA, which makes it within driving distance to millions of potential guests in cities including Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, Wilmington, and New York.. Local businesses from Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, York and towns in between will find a unique alternative to exisitng convention and meeting options.    For a more detailed look at market potential and nearby attractions the region has to offer, click here.

courtesy the Hershey-Harrisburg Bureau of Tourism

Nerdvana's revenue will be driven by daily retail sales and convention centers rental along with aggressive Internet sales. We will also aggressively pursue and retain guests through exceptional customer service, product knowledge, discounted subscription services and special ordering of products, an ambitious community outreach program to schools and social groups to share our technology and resources for the purpose of supporting primary and secondary education.

What kind of person will come to Nerdvana?
We expect retail traffic to come from all walks of life, from young children looking to live out their dreams of being a great magician, to the computer gamer looking to test his skills with others, to a corporate trainer seeking a fresh new way to drive a lesson home, to people looking for that "special" gift for a friend or loved one.   While we will advertise and cater to any and everyone who walks onto "Main Street" Marketing and Sales will focus our efforts on two important groups.

First, we will support our retail environment with a target market of young, intelligent and imaginative individuals 13-45 through the Internet, local vendors and industry publications. Research shows that a majority in this target market are single, childless and high a high rate of disposable income that is spent on the products and services we will offer.   This target market spend approximately $90 billion* last year nationwide on these products and services.

Second, our sales and marketing departments will actively seek out companies who provide training and development programs off-site, centralize training and meetings for multiple sites and offices, or hold expositions for their own products and services. We will focus on our location, services and our unique enivironment. We will also forge a partnership with one or more nearby hotels to provide overnight accomodations and transportation for guests at competitive rates.

But, why comic books? Aren't they for kids?
While we won't focus exclusively on comics, it is important to point out that, in 2003, Marvel Enterprises - one of the largest publishers of comics - enjoyed revenue of over $350 million thanks to book sales, licensing and other products. Marvel is one of three premier publishers, but only one of hundreds of smaller, profitable companies across the industry. It is estimated that comics, related merchandise and properties will generate of $20 billion in revenue this year - and that's not counting the revenue of recent films based on comics.   This revenue is not generated solely by parents of children who enjoy a good 4-color adventure. It is generated by our target market.

One advantage of focusing the retail section of the business on comics, games and other media is that these products are constantly refreshed by new or updated products. Inventory rotation will ensure repeat customers, especially with active pre-ordering and subscription services. Cross-promotion of services within the facility will help our guests explore all the different programs, projects and services Nerdvana has to offer.

While it is easy to pidgeonhole these industries as low-markup items, we will have the advantage of volume purchasing and single-site retail presentation to generate profitable sales. Our Target Market for retail sales is proven to have a strong interest in two or more of the products we will offer.

Economic Factors
It is the unique advantage of the entertainment industry to see a boost in times of economic downturn or uncertainty. People will turn to businesses that offer them comfort, service and a distraction from the realities of everyday life. Through diversification of products, we can easily manage retail slowdown in much the same manner as shopping malls and department stores; by reducing inventory of one item and increasing inventory of another that is on the rise.

Past poor performance in propretor-owned comics and specialty shops has often been associated with low sales of periodicals and merchandise. However, many such businesses deal in the acquisition and sale of "collectibles" which absorb a large percentage of operational revenue. While there is great financial opporunity in investing in such items, collectibles are slow-turnover items that remain in inventory and are often sold far below fair market volume in order to generate quick cash.   Nerdvana will deal in collectibles, but will market them in online auctions and restrict items for sale on the retail floor to a very small percentage of total inventory value.

Who will run the show?
Given the wide range of services, Nerdvana will follow a Management Structure closely resembling traditional Convention Centers with a branch dedicated to retail sales. A General Manager will be selected to monitor operations and plan for long term objectives with the help of an Assistant GM and Directors in departments dedicated to Sales, Arts & Education, Media, Human Resources, Accounting, Marketing/Advertising, Food Service, Security, Guest Services, and Retail Sales. These directors will be supported by Managers or Supervisors who, in turn, will coach and support a group of coworkers to accomplish medium and short-term goals. Further explanation of these roles will appear in future plans.

The Operational Floor
(Click on Floorplan for PDF CAD layout)

The Main Retail Floor

Second Floor - Convention Site

Convention Center

The Main Convention Floor (70' x 180' x 35')
This large open area is designed to provide space for multiple vendors and hundreds of visitors with access to other sections of the facility. There are two loading docks to provide convenient vendor access as well as quick changeovers for each room. The kitchen and warehouse are located across an access road. The warehouse can roll out changes in carpet, create a dance floor, erect a dias for stage and speaker performances, provide audio/visual services ranging from microphones to wide screen projection. The Main Floor is served by a Projection room on the second floor that overlooks the convention area and is able to project digital video onto a large screen along the east walls of Parlors A, B or C. Smaller A/V units are also available for rental.    For smaller functions, modular walls are employed to divide the room in to two or three sections.

                      dimensions      sq ft    [Rounds of 8   Classroom   Theatre   Conference] capacities
Parlor "A"     : 40' x 70' -     2800         152             130               275        40
Parlor "B"     : 60' x 70' -     4200         152             220             470         100
Parlor "C"     : 80' x 70' -     5600        200               270               575         140
Parlor "A/B" : 100' x 70' -     7000      304               375               745         140
Parlor "B/C" : 140' x 70' -     9800      352               550            1045         250
Entire Floor : 180' x 70' -    12600       504               900            1320         280

Event planners have the option of "Open Floor", "Carpeted" and can specify areas for a dance floor. The Open Floor provides access to electricity, Internet and telephone as requested. (Additional fees apply for Network and Phone activation.)

When you combine the available floor space in the convention center with the two-level interior of the retail area, you have created a viable reservoir/flow combination that will have high product availability and sales opportunity with every convention area function. In combination with t catering and lodging, we can retain a large number of visitors for weekend-long events and maximize purchasing potential by keeping the retail area open to casual, daily shoppers. Both sides operating to capacity creates a formidable retail challenge AND opportunity for collection of revenue.

Other Convention, Meeting and Event Rooms

A Special note on these rooms: Each room is equipped with climate control, electrical outlets, A/V connection to the Broadcast Center and Projection Room, and a choice of background sounds and music. Each room can be set up in round tables of 8, theater style, as a classroom or in various custom configurations. Limitations and unique features of each room are listed below.

Convention services include light menu preparation - breakfast, lunch and snack menus as well as several dinner options. Sodas and snacks can also be provided. Small refrigerators, additional tables and presentation services will be available.

Business services such as small-scale document printing and binding can be arranged with sufficient notice. Coin-operated copiers will be provided close to meeting rooms.

"City Hall" (40' x 40' x 30' - 3200sqft)
A two-story reproduction of a Victorian Mansion complete with detailed rooms, props and complex effects that comprise a supernatural mystery for guests to solve. The room can also be used for a unique meeting, party, or live-action role-playing function.

"The Gazebo" & Garden (20' x 30')
An elegant indoor gazebo is perfect as a bandstand for a small group of musicians or weddings with a beautiful procession up Main Street. Lovingly kept gardens will liven the landscape with colorful blossoms and fresh fragrances.

The Douglas Noel Adams Memorial Center for the Study of Life, the Universe & Everything (Suite 42) (30' x 50' x 15')
A center for technology, science, ecology and education dedicated to the life and interests of author Douglas Adams. The center will provide print and digital resources for students from Primary education to post-graduate studies, access to research assistants and regularly scheduled hands-on presentations. All of this will be presented with a sense of wonder and humor.

The Ray Bradbury Room (30' x 30' x 15' - 900sqft)
Capacity: 56 set for dining, 40 for meetings, 80 for theater seating, 20 conference.
A room dedicated to the work of fantasist Ray Bradbury and his many contemporaries.

The Harlan Jay Ellison Suite (40' x 40' x 20' - 1600sqft)
Capacity: 36 for dining, 20 for casual gathering
Our luxury Suite is perfect for special events and features all the amenities of a luxury hotel suite.
Kitchen with Full-sized Fridge, Electric Stove, Microwave, place settings for 12 (catering will provide for larger functions), large sink with disposal, and dishwasher.
Living Area with comfortable seats and fold-out sofa, computer terminal, laptop connections, entertainment center and more.
The room will also offer a wide selection of books and works that represent a body of imaginative and fantastic fiction as well as curiosities and artifacts to capture the imaginations of guests.
The Ellison suite is designed to create a warm, relaxing and thought-provoking atmosphere for special guests of the facility. It can be used in conjuction with the Lovecraft and/or Bradbury rooms for dining/meeting and reception needs.

The E. Gary Gygax Room (30' x 30'' x 15' - 900sqft)
Capacity: Room is pre-set to accommodate up to 20 players at its main table.
A gaming room honoring one of the primary creators of tabletop Role Playing Games. The central fixture of the room is a large round table and raised Game Master dias equipped with network connection for laptops. The Game Master Station provides privacy for game management and accessibility to players. The main table also comes with a dry-erase board in hexagonal and square formats for miniature play.

The Howard Phillips Lovecraft Room (30' x 30' x 15' - 900sqft)
Capacity: 56 set for dining, 40 for meetings, 80 for theater seating, 20 conference.
A room dedicated to the work of pioneer horror storyteller HP Lovecraft and the many authors of supernatural and horror fiction.

The J. K. Rowling Room (30' x 30' x 15' - 900sqft)
Capacity: 56 set for dining, 40 for meetings, 80 for theater seating, 20 conference.
A "Harry Potter" themed room designed for Hogwarts-style bangquet parties for kids. Decor includes portraits and "museum pieces" from the universe created by JK Rowling.

The Julius Schwartz/Stan Lee Room (30' x 30' x 15' - 900sqft)
Capacity: 56 set for dining, 40 for meetings, 80 for theater seating, 20 conference.
Primarily a gaming and casual meeting room dedicated to the work of pioneers of graphic novels.

The Kevin Smith Theater/Media Suite (30' x 20' x 15 - 600sqft)
Capacity: 60 in a fixed theatre configuration.
A small theater for independent and local filmmakers to exhibit their work or for the presentation of training or educational materials or special presentation of classic or popular films.

The J.R.R. Tolkien Room (40' x 40' x 15' - 1600sqft)
Capacity: 96 set for dining, 75 for meetings, 150 for theater seating, 48 conference.
A large catering and meeting facility in the theme of the Great Hall in the Kingdom of Rohan, though it could be dressed to appear more as a Hobbit Hole in the Shire or other fantasy scene.

The "War Room" (20' x 20' x 15' - 400sqft)
Capacity: 20 seated, 30 total capacity.
A gunmetal gray room with a stainless steel table bolted to the floor with plates etched in hexagons and squares. Perfect for table-top miniature and war games.

Local Artist Gallery Center (30' x 30' x 15' - 900sqft)
The facility will select painters, sculptors and other local artists to displat their works for sale and for public viewing in this small gallery

The Wizard's Workshop (30' x 40' x 15' - 1200sqft)
Capacity: 72 set for dining, 50 for meetings, 100 for theater seating, 36 conference.
Available for vendor rental during Nerdvana-sponsored conventions and available for conferences, parties, meetings or other functions.

Retail Units

Retail Units (as well as lower-level conference rooms) have removable, modular facades to modify the appearance of Main Street in different seasons. These removable storefronts are more important in the west arm, where conventions and parties may require buildings have a specific "look."

"Abakadar's Curiosity Shoppe" (20'x 30' x 15')
A gift shop where visitors can browse and purchase fantasy and magic-related books, collectibles, toys and novelties.

"The Magic Shop" (30' x 20' x 15")
Among the musty tomes and strange artifacts, a shopkeeper peddles strange wares and teaches illusions to customers.

Coin-Op Arcade (30' x 30' x 15')
This multi-unit arcade will have between 10-12 of the newest console games, Skee-Ball with tickets redeemable for prizes and goods at Abakadar's Shoppe and The Magic Shop. These units may be "turned on" for unlimited play for parties and other functions.

"Rental Unit" (20' x 20' x 15')
(3) units: An operational facade that can be rented during conventions. Includes retail counter, power, phone, and network connections.

Role-Playing Game Shop (30' x 30' x 15')
This shop will offer the latest and most popular tabletop RPGs, Collectible Card Games and "Clicks" as well as new games and accessories, miniatures, dice and software. The store will offer discounts to patrons on a member list and sponsor, organize and moderate gaming events in the convention center.

Toys, Hobbies and Games (20' x 30' x 15')
This shop will offer "cool stuff" ranging from electronic gadgets to plastic models, board games, arts and craft supplies. It also doubles as a souvineer and gift shop.

Comic Books & Swag (30' x 30' x 15')
Offers a wide selection of new titles as well as back issues, collected trade books, action figures and comics-related merchandise. This store will maintain a policy that at least one-third of its shelf space will be reserved for small-press and locally published books. The Comic Shop will also sponsor comics-related events like celebrity appearances and book signings, art contests and partcipate in the larger conventions.

Movies & Music (20' x 30' x 15')
A wide selection of genre-related titles and a special-order service.

Bookshop and Newsstand (30' x 30' x 15')
The bookshop will deal in major subjects, but focus on fiction - classic and contemporary speculative fiction. Because of our target markets, Reference, Business, Finance and Management titles will be featured alongside a large collection of important titles. The newsstand will offer genre-related titles as well as more popular manstream periodicals. Rare and OOP books can also be researched for purchase through the bookshop.

LAN/Network Gaming Center (30' x 30' x 15')
This large room is set up for multiple PC use on an isolated Local Area Network that provides communication between workstations for the purpose of online and local network gaming. This system will allow players on-site and on the Internet to compete in tournaments featuring military strategy, first-person shooter or cooperative play MMORG games. Convention tournaments will be held periodically and we will sponsor touring organizations that host such games.

Performance Balcony (30' x 30')
This area overlooks the first floor convention and retail area and serves to provide space for musicians to perform. The performances are also fed to convention rooms through the Media Suite so anyone can "tune in" to hear clearly in different parts of the facility. This raised platform can also be used for speeches, filk, local bands, classical, jazz or even theatrical performances.

Food Service Units

Food Service locations listed here are independent of the larger catering service provided to convention and meeting functions.

Snack Bar (20' x 20' x 15')
This small kiosk resembles a newstand and deals in bagged and boxed snack items - chips, pretzels, popcorn, etc. - and can offer a wide variety of simple foods and drink to guests of the Lounge.

Internet Cafe (30' x 50' x 15')
Tables inside the Cafe and along the balcony feature Internet portals for customer use, activated by a chip recieved with the purchase of gourmet coffee or other products sold in the Cafe. These computers allow unrestricted browsing, but no printing capability. The Cafe will have a wide selection of coffees (which may be require subcontracting to an existing vendor).

Lounge (30' x 50' x 15')
The lounge is a small club that is designed as a relaxing place to have drinks with friends, enjoy access to video game consoles and wireless trivia games. A cycle of programming in the lounge will rotate feature films, themed marathon broadcasts of favorite television shows, animated features or other genre-based attractions, some sporting events and programs of wide interest. Independent and local features may also be simulcast here during exposition in the main theater. The lounge is adjacent to a snack/coffee bar.

Operational Suites

Management Suites (140' x 50')
All the basic operations are directed from this series of suites; training, finance, sales, security, etc. It provides a close working environment for all people on the team. Executive offices overlook the first-floor operations floor.

Guest Artist "Green Room" (20' x 20')
This room is provided for performing artists using the Performance Balcony. Here they may store their supplies and rest, taking advantage of beverages and snacks in a hotel-room setting.

Clock Tower (20' x 20' x 30')
"Let's meet under the clocktower" is a good idea in a place like Nerdvana. This two story chime clock will pleasantly sound on the hour and can be seen from most points on both floors on Main Street. It also serves as an attractive backdrop to the gazebo and gardens. For practical purposes, the lower floor interior houses secondary emergency supplies and communication for security.

Security Office (20' x 40 x 15')
All surveillance and emergency services are centralized here. A Chief of Security will supervise a team of between 2-12 security officers depending on expected volume of retail and convention traffic. An overnight security monitor will also be stationed here. A second security/EMS office is located inside the Clock Tower.

Production Office Suite (30' x 30' x 15')
The production office deals with internal promotions and activities ranging from the annual large convention to weekly sales and marketing promotions. This office arranges and carries out price changes, inventory adjustments and physical changes to the building necessary to carry out its objectives. Its creative function is to develop new and fresh ideas for bringing customers and conventioneers that can be impletmented and used by sales.

Carpentry and Design Workshop (40' x 30' x 15')
The task of touching up the paint, replacing missing fixtures and keeping the retail and convention floor looking new and fresh comes from the carpentry and design team and their workshop. Pieces for redressing the various "buildings" are kept here and new facades or features are crafted.

Internet Sales Office (20' x 40' x 15')
The Nerdvana website will be maintained here alongside the Internet sales and service program. Property for sale will be stored and shipped by a small team designed to photograph, list and complete sales transactions until the customer receives their merchandise and is totally satisfied with their experience. This office will also coordinate with Sales to provide an online booking service and intiate sales contacts made initially by customers visiting the web site.

Coworker Lounge (20' x 30' x 15')
When our team is off-duty, we want them to be able to relax in a comfortable, clean and fun environment. The coroworker lounge will provide free snacks and refreshments provided based on suggestions made by the coworkers themselves. Comfortable sofas and chairs, games and other distractions will help recharge our coworkers so they come back to the second half of their shift recharged and ready to take care of our guests. Latest products and new releases will be offered to Coworkers to increase their product knowledge and sense of "ownership" in the company's inventory. Industry experts will be engaged to supply technical training on hardware and software applications used and sold throughout Nerdvana while various seasonal and quartly meetings will be carried out for the entertainment and education of the staff as well as for special recognition of coworker contributions.

Utility/Network "closet" (20' x 20' x 15')
The hub of our Internet and Intranet services, this "closet" contains replacement parts and supplies, back up servers and a small office for use by the IT staff.

Broadcast/Media Center (30' x 40' x 15')
The Broadcast Booth serves many purposes in the facility. From this booth, each guest room is provided an independent feed of music or other programming, most chosen by computer by the guest inside their room. This digital jukebox draws on a server of thousands of songs, radio programs, sound environments as well as live broadcasts from various locations in and outside the facility. All audio/visual programming is directed from a suite and transmitted to the Internet. At the same time it is made available in each convention room through closed circuit. Other projects to be used for promotional purposes may be edited and digitally "burned" to DVD or copied to VHS. The media center will also house a large collection of unique and interesting films, television programs, audiobooks, dramatic audio productions and a collection of local, fan and amateur films. These will be broadcast or projected upon request or as part of scheduled themed media festivals.

Projection Room (30' x 30' x 15')
The projection room houses a digital projector for large-capacity exhibition of movies and other taped programming to a screen on the eastern wall of either Parlor "A" or "B". A secondary camera can also be suspended from the gantires and projected for guests in Parlor "C" This area also houses supplies to redress and restock Connvention rooms on the second floor.