Who is going?

This year, the show is truncated, so there is really only Friday night to hang out unlike years past where we had two nights to get together.

The debate Sal and I are having is whether or not to stay in Providence locally or stay out on a highway on 95 someplace. I don't foresee a need to return to the show on Saturday again so we'd probably start driving back towards NJ late Friday night.

Honestly, it depends on who is coming down. I could care less about the show at this point, it's all about the face to face time we get.


So...who is in besides Scott and Josh?

For this message the author Greg Di has received gratitude :

Scott_W

hmmmmmm.......

Sure... the thread I started wasn't good enough?

As I said, I was given the approval for a solo trip, so barring anything unavoidable I will be there. I haven't decided on what days.

How hard is it to get a room close? I was thinking of staying right there.

Once I book, I will confirm here.

scott

Are you driving or flying, Scott?

Also, if it's your first time, you may want to do the conferences which will make the trip longer.

Greg Di wrote:Are you driving or flying, Scott?

Also, if it's your first time, you may want to do the conferences which will make the trip longer.

I am driving out. I am thinking of at least 2 days. Any recommendations on conferences?

scott

Hope they will have a JLC PNW this year. The last 2 were late in the year, so there's still time to put one together if they're considering it.

I think with the conferences, you either buy the pass or don't. Once you have it, you can take whatever classes you want as long as the schedule works.

My experience is that the business classes are better than the how-to classes. There are tons of how-to classes free on the show floor, but it can be tough to absorb much from them because there are too many distractions.

Realize, if you do the conferences, you will be hemmed up in classrooms most of the time. Not a bad thing, but you don't necessarily have the flexibility of just walking the floor.

What is tending to happen with our "gang" now is that we travel in a herd through the show and commandeer entire booths while we visit which is good because we get attention. We also get some group buying power when 10 of us all walk into a booth and say, "we'll take 10...give us a better price".

Back to travelling, if you are driving, parking can be a PITA in Providence. The expo's center's lot is small and fills up quick with F350s taking two spots. Your best bet is stay in Providence at a hotel with free parking and free shuttles to the expo. The Biltmore charges for parking, but is in a great location so you can walk everywhere. See what they are offering price-wise.

I also stayed at a high-rise hotel (maybe it as a Marriott?) and did the shuttle thing one year.

It all works. You just have to be there and everything will sort itself out.

Likewise, if we are all going, it makes sense to all stay in the same place for logistics. I will call Evan to see what he says. Even though that guy hasn't been on in 10 months, I am damn sure making sure he shows up!

Yeah, where has Evan been? I know he disappeared in the spring due to his golfing addiction, but I haven't seen him around. I guess I could just pick up the phone and call.....

ecooke21 wrote::oops:

were your ears burning? You gonna show us the town?

scott

Wow. Look who decided to grace us with his presence.... We staying at your house this year so we can spend more on tools?

we are gonna light the town up!

jeremy, my garage has plenty of room for everyone,, no heat, but roomy

Evan that sounds great just what these guys deserve. Would they even notice once they are all passed out that they where laying on a cold concrete slab?

Scott - I took Gary K's class several years back in Portland. Some of the material was stuff I already knew and some were things that all of the sudden clicked when I was there - sometimes seeing things makes a huge difference for me. I thought it was worth it; but it will be slow at some times b/c many have no ideas on the basic skills that he is mentioning so there is hand holding.

Otherwise; I agree with Greg, business related classes are better - but most were Power Point read along that make you want to slit your wrists; but I'd probably do it again depending on the offerings.

Katie - I am pretty sure the Seattle / Portland shows are off the table for awhile, b/c of the economy.

I have the flyer for this years show and there are not that many classes, at most 5 per time slot. Last year there were 7 or 8 per and even more the year before. One year there tons of classes and tons of people.
As for the business classes I think there is only 1 guy who still runs a construction co. the rest are professional speakers.
I think it is going to be much much smaller than last year. I think if you could catch one of Gary Katz Roadshow's you would get much more out of it especially in a smaller venue.