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How are the Chicago seminars different from FTUs?
My question says it all. These two series of weekend events seem to be similar and competing with each other somewhat, but what are the key differences? Answers from newbie and experienced participants as well as organizers/speakers would be welcome.
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Run by different people. Otherwise mostly the same IMO, at least from an attendee/speaker perspective.
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For the participants themselves they are quite similar. Both have some speaker overlap, both have multiple sessions to choose from, both have some sponsors, both are priced similarly, both raise money for charities, both have lunch provided. As Seth said, they are just run by different folks in slightly different ways.
For anyone interested in attending one, I would just pick whichever is more convenient for you and/or has sessions that sound more interesting (though they are similar in content as well). |
It seems like these events sell out before the specific speakers and sessions are announced, no?
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On Behalf of the Chicago Seminars Gang
The event is all volunteer, non profit with all excess proceeds going to charity.
There are no industry executives invited so if you want to hob nob with Smisek, Horton, Robinson.etc, Chicago is not for you. Those in attendance are all travel hackers or newbies and everybody gets to chip in and volunteer. The hotel is not as fancy as FTU's but the hotel staff is as friendly and accommodating as anywhere I've ever been. In short, Chicago is all just us, put-on by us and only us hackers are in the crowd. Blue jeans and t-shirts always welcome |
i think chicago feels "less corporate" and less clique-y. though the presentations and speakers will overlap
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Originally Posted by Frugal Travel Guy
(Post 20799597)
The event is all volunteer, non profit with all excess proceeds going to charity.
There are no industry executives invited so if you want to hob nob with Smisek, Horton, Robinson.etc, Chicago is not for you. Those in attendance are all travel hackers or newbies and everybody gets to chip in and volunteer. The hotel is not as fancy as FTU's but the hotel staff is as friendly and accommodating as anywhere I've ever been. In short, Chicago is all just us, put-on by us and only us hackers are in the crowd. Blue jeans and t-shirts always welcome |
Originally Posted by freeloader
(Post 20799825)
i think chicago feels "less corporate" and less clique-y. though the presentations and speakers will overlap
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Originally Posted by sbm12
(Post 20801375)
Which of these characterizations do you feel are different from FTUs? Other than the occasional industry exec invite (and this past time they no-showed), do you believe the other bits are different?
Hotel: Holiday Inn (Chicago) vs. Hilton (FTU) Food: hot breakfast & hot lunch (Chicago) vs. no breakfast, cold lunch (FTU) Location: Elk Grove (Chicago) boonies vs Tyson's Corner (FTU) boonies Speakers: pretty much the same Sponsors: First2Board & Flyertalk (Internet Brands) (Chicago) vs. BoardingArea & Milepoint (FTU) |
Originally Posted by jammanxc
(Post 20808136)
honestly it's going to be the same, but some differences..
Hotel: Holiday Inn (Chicago) vs. Hilton (FTU) Food: hot breakfast & hot lunch (Chicago) vs. no breakfast, cold lunch (FTU) Location: Elk Grove (Chicago) boonies vs Tyson's Corner (FTU) boonies Speakers: pretty much the same Sponsors: First2Board & Flyertalk (Internet Brands) (Chicago) vs. BoardingArea & Milepoint (FTU) I guess I'm looking for an example of anything which is different between the two which has a material impact on attendees or the speakers (or the dress code). |
Correction
Flyertalk, Milepoint and Industry Executives are not invited nor sponsors of the Chicago Seminars.
Its just us hackers and smaller sponsors who help us all with the games we play. Bloggers, Expert Flyer, ITASoftware etc. No airlines, hotels or car rental firms. |
Originally Posted by Frugal Travel Guy
(Post 20811091)
Flyertalk, Milepoint and Industry Executives are not invited nor sponsors of the Chicago Seminars.
Its just us hackers and smaller sponsors who help us all with the games we play. Bloggers, Expert Flyer, ITASoftware etc. No airlines, hotels or car rental firms. And then in the next sentence an acknowledgment of ITA Software, described in post #1 of the main Chicago Seminar thread as Cara Kretz ITASoftware by Google ITA Software provides the backend of several online reservation systems and even has its own passenger service system that it sells to airlines. Cara Kretz would seem to constitute 'industry' and a division of Google doesn't seem to qualift as 'small'. What am I missing? It just seems like you're trying to create some sort of differentiation/contrast where the lines don't appear to me as clear as they seem to appear to you? |
Originally Posted by FlyFasterFlyFarther
(Post 20812067)
Industry execs not invited.. 'smaller sponsors'...
And then in the next sentence an acknowledgment of ITA Software, described in post #1 of the main Chicago Seminar thread as .. being a speaker. ITA Software provides the backend of several online reservation systems and even has its own passenger service system that it sells to airlines. Cara Kretz would seem to constitute 'industry' and a division of Google doesn't seem to qualift as 'small'. What am I missing? It just seems like you're trying to create some sort of differentiation/contrast where the lines don't appear to me as clear as they seem to appear to you? ExpertFlyer is a small sponsor company and only a limited market. |
Why not try them both?
Originally Posted by FlyFasterFlyFarther
(Post 20812067)
Industry execs not invited.. 'smaller sponsors'...
And then in the next sentence an acknowledgment of ITA Software, described in post #1 of the main Chicago Seminar thread as .. being a speaker. ITA Software provides the backend of several online reservation systems and even has its own passenger service system that it sells to airlines. Cara Kretz would seem to constitute 'industry' and a division of Google doesn't seem to qualift as 'small'. What am I missing? It just seems like you're trying to create some sort of differentiation/contrast where the lines don't appear to me as clear as they seem to appear to you? Personally, I don't need to hob nob with them or believe for one moment that my opinion means a thing to them. I'd like to spend my weekend with like minded people. (and this comment is neither endorsed nor approved by IB) |
Originally Posted by Frugal Travel Guy
(Post 20812896)
Do Hyatt, United help us play the game
Maybe you try to "play the game" with RyanAir and Motel 6 I'll stick with Star Alliance premium classes and Park Hyatt's :D |
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