amolkold

I have planned a large event, of one with 800+ people, though not one that involved people traveling from outside the city to attend.

$20 to change a name on a ticket, though? I understand you want to protect against people buying tons and selling at a profit, though I doubt that happens with a hobbyist seminar meetup. It's 7 months until the seminars and plans change.

Keep in mind, these aren't refundable, so you're not losing any direct revenue. All you're doing is transferring a ticket.

If I attend enough seminars, do I get seminar status? Can I then book an award ticket to attend a future event? If I have status, can I have free changes/cancellations?

HariBlue108

I think you missed the point about all monies being raised through the transfer fees go to charities and not into the pockets of the volunteers. I think that this a great service they are doing to the community of FF'ers. So yes, $20 is very reasonable. To you it might just appear as a name change, but to keep track of the transfers and ensure that 2 people don't get in on the same ticket does involve some cost, how much, I don't know. But yes, it does involve cost/time/resources. So yes I will say it again, $20 is CHEAP.

And yes, to your point about plans changing, no one said that you have to register now. You can always register till September 30th as listed on the invite if your plans are so fluid. Now whether you get the sessions you want or not that's a different story. So its up to you to decide if $85 + $20 is worth your time and effort or if you would rather miss your sessions.

As I said earlier, you don't take into consideration the cause of the $20 fee and also the "behind-the-scenes" work that is involved when organizing something of this magnitude. And having said that I'm absolutely sure that every single one of us has blown more than $20 at some point or the other in our lives to crib about this.

That is an absurd statement. If you get to/already know the tricks of the trade and complain about $20 transfer fee, why would you want to attend multiple seminars? Just to get status without seeing the benefit? That to me sounds pointless to attend in the first place.

I apologize for my rant, but for newbies like me who are coming in to this hobby/obsession the $20 towards a transfer fee sounds EXTREMELY reasonable.

HariBlue108

I'm pretty excited about this event, especially as I'll be a local by the time the event comes around. Looking forward to learning some great ideas and networking with other like minded folks...this should be a fun event!

Thanks Rick/Howie/Sharon and all the speakers involved who are taking the time and effort to share strategies, tips and tricks to make travel more affordable and HELPING US BEAT THE AIRLINES AND BANKS AT THEIR OWN GAME! That alone to me is priceless!

HMPS

To my knowledge ALL PROCEEDS (Collections less expenses) go to charities.

So as long as you can recoup whatever is that you think is appropriate...attend or not. To those who question or are on fences, Only you can make a decision for yourself.

ingy

last year we donated almost $15,000 to charity. this is a non profit all volunteer event.

satman40

We could have a drawing for 300 $75.00 Gift Cards, at the end of the event...

And send 300 particiapants home happier..

Charity begins at Home...

HMPS

+ 15000

Ye sbut isn't it better that 550 people went home knowing a part of their expense went to worthwhile charities ?

Also there are several sponsor / others donated raffle prizes.

satman40

I went home last year from the event and did not win a darn thing...

But it was a good time, so I'll be back...

eddyatft

Is there a short description about each session?
I am curious about "Managing Family Accounts with Howie" and will like to know a bit more detail about it.

amolkold

Perhaps for you, but not for me. In fact, to me it's just the principle of the matter. Start selling tickets 7 months in advance, have them likely sell out, then charge just to the change the name on the ticket?

Since you weren't here last year, you should know that the 2012 event was sold out in July, not September. It's likely that it will be sold out before last year's date now that it is more popular. The deadline to register is moot.

This is a downside to the ORD seminars compared to FTU, that one can pay for a ticket but not have access to a particular seminar. I've never been to ORD so I don't know the logistics, but it seems crummy to limit certain popular seminars to first comers, then charge a fee if we can't make it and want to give the ticket to someone else.

Did you not read my post? I have organized something of this magnitude. And I didn't institute a charge for giving a ticket to someone else.

So am I or am I not allowed to crib about this?

Your eagerness to rant totally missed the sarcasm in that paragraph.

As a newbie -- a tip for this game -- watch your wallet! Fees and hidden costs add up! "There is no such thing as a free lunch!"

(Of course, certain status can get you free breakfast)

CDKing

Its all about comfort for those attending the seminar. It's pretty much packed to the gills. Its even worse when people decide to sneak into a seminar they are not registered for.

amolkold

Is there a reason why this is a problem for this conference and not the "other" conference?

SkiAdcock

Does it matter? The organizers of this conference have come up with their registration procedures. What other conferences do isn't really relevant to what the organizers of this conference have chosen.

People can choose to attend if they think the conference will be of good value to them & they're ok w/ the registration procedures. If they don't think the conference will be of value to them and/or the registration procedure bothers them that much, then of course they can take a pass.

Cheers.

HMPS

Agree 100 %.

WHat do they say ? " You can't change it from outside...so go inside and change it." Maybe the skeptics can take a very active role in helping th eorganization of this eagerly awaited yearly event so policies and procedures can change.

Until then as you say and as some of us "repeaters" do, register, help, learn, make comtacts, enjoy your travels!

CDKing

I don't know about other FTU events but then i went to the first one in LGA, there was much more conference room space.

I have yet to see scalping an issue w/ ORD DO but here's a recent comment about FTU (bolding mine):