GLBT Travelers - IML 2012 - Chicago

I booked my room at the Grand Hyatt host hotel, but I'm not sure which IML ticket package to purchase. I'm more interested in the dances and the leather market than some of the contestant events. The official web site doesn't mention if the dances have VIP areas, and if the Gold package offers VIP access to those dances. Anyone have more information?

--cantdebug

P.S. If a dance is PACKED, I like having the option of fleeing to the VIP area which isn't normally as crowded.

I hope you mean the Hyatt Regency, not the Grand Hyatt. :)

The premium passes get you preferred seats at pageant events. IIRC, the House of Blues doesn't offer a VIP area, and Excalibur is a large enough club, for the size of the crowd, that it won't matter anyway. The other dances are onsite at the hotel, so no VIP there either.

If you're not interested in the contest, I wouldn't recommend the pass. You can buy the dance tickets separately. They say availability is limited for Victory tickets, because it will draw a larger local crowd, but you might wait to see. They won't sell out of packages, at any rate.

If you want to save some $$$ on the hotel and get up close and personal with more hot guys, the gay porn awards are back at the Hard Rock across the street. Rooms there are only $109/night. Book at http://www.awardshowhotel.com/

Unless you plan on attending most of the events I would skip the pass.

I had bought the pass a couple times and the biggest advantages I found were that you were able to get into the market area without waiting in the long line and the bus pass (which the only way to get the bus pass is to buy the package so know we just take the El if we want to go to boyztown, I used to like the bus pass when the eagle was open but since it has closed I go to either boyztown or crew and crew isn't even one of the bus stops).

I find hanging out at the hotel to be a lot of fun. I used to like the House of blues and excalibur but last couple times I went to house of blues they were being stingy with the pours (used to be generous) on their overpriced drinks and there were a lot more circuit boy and fag hags than leather guys there. I liked excaliburs party but have not been staying until Tues the last couple years so not sure how that is now.