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OC RG

Once in a Millenia the  Space Force comes to a Galaxy near you.
Don’t miss the chance of a lifetime to meet with beings from the vast reaches of the InterGalactic Empire.

Featured Speakers

Sheila Finch

Sheila Finch was born in London, England. She has lived in the United States since 1957. Sheila completed her BA in English Literature at Indiana University, followed by an MA in linguistics and medieval history.  Sheila  taught creative writing and science fiction at El Camino College for 30 years.

Sheila is the author of eight science fiction novels, her  story "Reading the Bones" is the 1998 Nebula novella award winner.  She is interest is in communication, first contact and inter-species (especially cephalopods at the moment). 

Ejner Fulsang

Ejner spent ten years as a proposal manager at NASA Ames and SETI helping scientists write proposals for space missions. Twenty years ago on his wife Julie’s suggestion, Ejner Fulsang took up writing. Since then he has since published five novels, a prize-winning short story, and one ‘really stupid essay.’

He is the editor/publisher of Aarhus Publishing where he helps other writers get their work into print.  He is best known for the hard SciFi Galactican Series where he has completed three books of a planned six. Book 1 of that series, SpaceCorp, was the inspiration for the John Butterfield designed board game of the same name. (Ejner was tech support!)



Go to registration Information

Go to Volunteer

Go to Hotel

Go to FAQs

Go to Highlights

Register

 

 The RG

Space Force M is excited to draw visitors not just from this universe but from all over the multiverse. You may see Wookies, Vulcans and Puppeteers all talking together. 

We encourage you to cosplay or wear a T-shirt representing your universe/galaxy/planet  all weekend. Aliens and starship personnel  from all universes are welcome. 

Please don't  wear the same T-shirt (or costume) all weekend (some races are particularly sensitive to odors) change races/planets as often as  you like it will provide a diverse representation of the universe.  To provide some encouragement we’ll be having not one but two costume parties!

FRIDAY

Dinner is at M Weisley's Café.  Please remember that this is a tough crowd. traders, spaceship pilots, mercenaries and low life's hang out here. Terrans are considered easy prey for scams or even muggings.  If you intend to represent Earth, it is advisable to wear a kick a$$ t-shirt. It might be better to put on a set of antennae and pretend you're from Mars.
We will give 2 awards. One for the best cosplay and one for the best t-shirt.

SUNDAY

Dinner is at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (and RG) The deposit and reservation were made millennia ago. You will able to meet with the finest and most powerful people in the galaxy as the universes dies and the RG winds down.
We will give awards for the best cosplay and one for the best t-shirt at the dinner.

We will also give an award for the overall best dressed alien during the RG.

Volunteer

Registration Information for 2022  RG

ORANGE COUNTY MENSA’S 2022 RG — SPACE FORCE M
LABOR DAY WEEKEND 9/2-9/4/2022

Orange County Mensa’s 2022 Regional Gathering (RG) is for Mensa members and their guests only.
For more information on how to join Mensa, see our Join Us page.

Please register online and you will have the option to pay via PayPal or you may mail in a check.

 Register

Entire Weekend (Fri, Sat, and Sun) 

Early Registration thru

5/31/22

$99

Discounted Registration  thru      

7/31/22

$119

Full Registration Thru

8/30/22

$129

On site Full Registration

$149
Discounted  Friday only thru
7/31/22 $25
Friday only full rate $30
Single Day (Sat or Sun) thru 7/31/22 $55

Single Day (Sat or Sun) full rate
$75

All meals, beer and wine are included with your registration

 Register

 

Accommodations 

MainStay Suites Orange County John Wayne Airport
The hotel has changed it's name. If you previously booked at Country Inn and Suites, your reservation is now under the new name.

2701 Hotel Terrace Drive, Santa Ana, California 92705, United States

 +1  (714) 957-9200

OC Mensa RG negotiated rate: 

King           $119/night
Double        $139/night
plus tax

Cancellation policy: Sleeping rooms may be canceled up to 72 hours in advance without penalty.

The Orange County Mensa discounted rates will apply to reservations made through August 15, 2022.
After August 15, rates will be at the hotel’s Best Available Rate.

All rooms may have up to quad occupancy at these rates.

There is a $10.00 charge per additional person. 

For the OC Mensa rate, reserve a room by phone: Reserve directly with the hotel by calling +1 (714) 957-9200.
To receive the discounted rate, request the group rate for “Orange County Mensa.”The OC Mensa discounted rate is not available for online reservations on the hotel’s website or other third party websites.

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Room Types

Accommodations at the MainStay Suites Orange County John Wayne Airport

RG Attendees Not Staying at the Country Inn & Suites
John Wayne Airport

Coupons for free parking will be available at the RG Registration table.

Breakfast coupons may be purchased for $15.00 at the hotel registration desk.

 

 

 

RG Highlights

Our World-Class Hospitality Suite – Relax and visit with friends as you nosh on food and drink

Friday Night 

M Weisley's Café
Friday after dinner Our featured speaker Sheila Finch will talk about inter-species communication.
Saturday after dinner Our featured speaker Ejner Fulsang will talk about the realistic technology that will take us into space. 

Sunday Night

Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Games Room – A variety of board games will be available – some games will be scheduled;
others will form spontaneously.

                              

Speakers and Workshops

For the schedule of events visit http://ocrg22.com/

 

 

 

FAQs About the RG

Q. What is a Regional Gathering?

A.  A Regional Gathering (RG) is the Mensa version of a convention or conference. Compared to many other conferences you may have attended, however, we build more fun into an RG. Of course, we also include a fair share of serious and intellectually stimulating events. Activities range from speakers and workshops to games, trivia, contests, puzzles, arts and crafts, music, food and drink – usually you have a choice of several things going on at any one time. The heart of an RG is the Hospitality Suite, where folks can relax and visit while noshing on a variety of snacks and beverages (included in your registration fee). If you are new and don’t know many people, an RG is an ideal place to get acquainted.

Q.  What  does this year’s theme entail?
A.  Space Force M is all about the promise, excitement and challenges of exploring the Universe.  We will be searching through the galaxies to find great speakers and activities, especially ones focused on science and science fiction. 

Q.  What is included in my Registration Fee?
A. Our Hospitality Suite will serve lunch and dinner throughout the event. In between are snacks, desserts, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Also, all the speakers and the evening entertainment are included in your registration fee.

Q.  Tell me more about the Hospitality Suite.
A. The Hospitality Suite is where you can relax and converse with old friends and meet new ones. You’ll always find a beverage or snack to keep you fueled. 

Q.  What speakers and workshops are planned?
A.  You can get a preview of what is scheduled so far by looking at the RG Highlights.

Q.  What about staying at the hotel?
A.  It’s totally up to you. Many attendees like to take a room and make it a mini-vacation. On the other hand, some who live nearby commute each day to save money.

Q. Do I have to be a Mensa member to attend?
A.  The RG is for members of Mensa and their guests who accompany them.

Q. What about children?
A.  Young Mensans and children of our members are, of course, welcome to attend with their parents. At this date we are unsure if there will be events specifically for them.

Q.  Do I have to register for the entire weekend?
A.  We have really flexible registration pricing. You can register for the entire weekend or just one day. 

Q. I’m coming from out of town. Which airport should I fly into?
The hotel offers a free shuttle  from Orange County airport (SNA).  However you may find lower airfares if you fly into Los Angeles (LAX). 
You can get a SuperShuttle from Los Angeles airport to the hotel.  Uber and Lyft are also available.

Q.  When is the best time to register?
A.  NOW! The Price will never be lower than it is today.  You can take advantage of discounted pricing if you register early.

 

 

 

2022  RG Committee

Our Regional Gathering is planned and implemented entirely by our members who volunteer their time and talents both before and during the eventM was brought to you by:

 

RG Chair                            Judy Unger

Registrar                           Barry Ader

Hospitality Chair                Valerie Spear

Program Chair                   John Olsen

Treasurer                          Brian Sullivan

Publicity                            John Olsen & Judy Unger

Volunteers                         Colleen Merriman Chamberlain Nolan