Apr 29, 2016, 12:36 pm
Last edit by: thehowieee
Dates for 2017 event are: Oct 20-22, 2017 -- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/external-miles-points-resources/1825965-8th-annual-chicago-seminars-october-20-22-2017-a-2.html
* Event Registration: http://chicagoseminars2016.eventbrite.com - lunch and daily snacks are included in registration (breakfast is NOT included in registration ... see below)
* Hotel registration is live in post # 2. Breakfast for 1 is included in room rate if booked using seminar code.
* Schedule of weekend events is in post #3.
* Current event sponsors in post #4 (and email provided if someone is interested in sponsoring)
* Some info re: charity raffle is in post #5.
* Request for volunteers is in post #6. (volunteers get a thanks & handshake - and an apple).
* A full list of the current speakers is in post #7
* Event Registration: http://chicagoseminars2016.eventbrite.com - lunch and daily snacks are included in registration (breakfast is NOT included in registration ... see below)
* Hotel registration is live in post # 2. Breakfast for 1 is included in room rate if booked using seminar code.
* Schedule of weekend events is in post #3.
* Current event sponsors in post #4 (and email provided if someone is interested in sponsoring)
* Some info re: charity raffle is in post #5.
* Request for volunteers is in post #6. (volunteers get a thanks & handshake - and an apple).
* A full list of the current speakers is in post #7
Chicago Seminars October 14-16th, 2016
Oct 13, 2016, 2:58 pm
#271
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA flyer, Hilton, SPG, Hyatt stayer
Posts: 64
Watching all of the goings on on #chicagoseminars. Next year, I'm totally coming in Thursday night.
Oct 14, 2016, 1:39 am
#272
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
It's oh-dawn-hundred (3:30am) & I'm packing/gathering charity raffle prizes before my way-too-early Amtrak to Chicago's Union Station. Then to the blue line & then to the hotel shuttle. Should get to hotel btwn 11:30-noon.
For those who want to get together for lunch, 12:30pm in Shelby Campbell's bar area. We'll get a table towards the back. I'll be the one yawning
Cheers.
For those who want to get together for lunch, 12:30pm in Shelby Campbell's bar area. We'll get a table towards the back. I'll be the one yawning
Cheers.
Oct 14, 2016, 2:25 am
#273
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
I'm moderating the Marriott break-out session on Sunday. With the merger it should be interesting!
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oct 14, 2016, 6:01 am
#274
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
On the train & checking email. Howie's up early! Just got an update to all the attendees.
Evidently Amtrak has to blow its horn at intersections/access roads. I think there are a million of them on this 3-hour route. So much for any sleep!
See you all in a few hours.
Cheers.
Evidently Amtrak has to blow its horn at intersections/access roads. I think there are a million of them on this 3-hour route. So much for any sleep!
See you all in a few hours.
Cheers.
Oct 14, 2016, 6:02 am
#275
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: ??????????
Posts: 963
On the train & checking email. Howie's up early! Just got an update to all the attendees.
Evidently Amtrak has to blow its horn at intersections/access roads. I think there are a million of them on this 3-hour route. So much for any sleep!
See you all in a few hours.
Cheers.
Evidently Amtrak has to blow its horn at intersections/access roads. I think there are a million of them on this 3-hour route. So much for any sleep!
See you all in a few hours.
Cheers.
^^
Oct 14, 2016, 11:07 am
#276
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Chicago Seminar attendees on the hotel shuttle. Walk into hotel lobby & see some familiar faces, as well as meet some new folk. Howie due to arrive to hotel soon.
Some of us are meeting in the hotel bar/restaurant (bar side) for lunch at 12:30. If you're here, join us!
Cheers.
Some of us are meeting in the hotel bar/restaurant (bar side) for lunch at 12:30. If you're here, join us!
Cheers.
Oct 14, 2016, 2:06 pm
#277
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Programs: UA, KLM
Posts: 17
Sunday drinks/dinner, me too!
Oct 15, 2016, 5:35 am
#278
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Great start to the seminars yesterday! Lot of good sessions; heard great things. 3/4 of the attendees already checked in by end of registration Friday night. Registration is open today from 8am-noon.
Thanks so much to all those who bought charity raffle tickets already - you rock! For those who said they'd buy tickets "tomorrow", well - it's tomorrow! Get those credit cards (or cash) out & buy some tickets. We've got some great prizes & it's supporting 3 great charities. Buy early & buy often!
For those who said they have items to donate, please drop them off at the registration desk today if possible & tell them the items are for the charity raffle. We have a lot of items for the charity raffle & if I can get them organized tonight/early morning vs. at the last minute before the charity raffle it would be helpful.
For those who have sent PMs saying you're willing to help out w/ raffle ticket sales, please find me (I'm wearing a pink Alta ski resort baseball cap & will be yellling get your raffle tickets). Alternatively I'll be outside the seminar rooms selling tickets inbetween sessions. I could use some help in counting/splitting tickets while I run the credit cards during those times. I will also need some "Vannas" to help distribute prizes/verify ticket #s during the raffle tomorrow.
Don't forget - in the hallway, lobby, restaurant & bar are great times to meet/continue to chat w/ other like-minded traveler or points people & learn more. Take the opportunity during the day & after the reception tonight to keep those conversations & learning opportunities going & make some new friends. You can always sleep when you get old.
See you all soon & here's to a great 2nd day of the seminars!
Cheers.
Thanks so much to all those who bought charity raffle tickets already - you rock! For those who said they'd buy tickets "tomorrow", well - it's tomorrow! Get those credit cards (or cash) out & buy some tickets. We've got some great prizes & it's supporting 3 great charities. Buy early & buy often!
For those who said they have items to donate, please drop them off at the registration desk today if possible & tell them the items are for the charity raffle. We have a lot of items for the charity raffle & if I can get them organized tonight/early morning vs. at the last minute before the charity raffle it would be helpful.
For those who have sent PMs saying you're willing to help out w/ raffle ticket sales, please find me (I'm wearing a pink Alta ski resort baseball cap & will be yellling get your raffle tickets). Alternatively I'll be outside the seminar rooms selling tickets inbetween sessions. I could use some help in counting/splitting tickets while I run the credit cards during those times. I will also need some "Vannas" to help distribute prizes/verify ticket #s during the raffle tomorrow.
Don't forget - in the hallway, lobby, restaurant & bar are great times to meet/continue to chat w/ other like-minded traveler or points people & learn more. Take the opportunity during the day & after the reception tonight to keep those conversations & learning opportunities going & make some new friends. You can always sleep when you get old.
See you all soon & here's to a great 2nd day of the seminars!
Cheers.
Oct 16, 2016, 4:58 am
#279
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Next year I think we should start the seminars at noon - this oh-dawn-hundred stuff is tiring
Yesterday was a really busy day, with multiple seminars & of course charity raffle ticket sales. It was fun watching 400 people chat miles & points - and thanks to the many who purchased charity raffle tickets. We even have a very exciting tale to tell at the prize drawing today (although it about gave me a heart attack last night!).
Today's schedule is also very full. I think there's a slight change in that the credit card opening session might get extended a bit longer (yeah, like that will bother anyone based on how many cards attendees were flipping through to figure out which one to provide when buying raffle tickets).
I will be selling tickets this morning before the prize drawing. Also need a few volunteers to be my "Vannas" as we have quite a few prizes to give away!
PS - How cool was it that the Cubs won last night!
Cheers.
Yesterday was a really busy day, with multiple seminars & of course charity raffle ticket sales. It was fun watching 400 people chat miles & points - and thanks to the many who purchased charity raffle tickets. We even have a very exciting tale to tell at the prize drawing today (although it about gave me a heart attack last night!).
Today's schedule is also very full. I think there's a slight change in that the credit card opening session might get extended a bit longer (yeah, like that will bother anyone based on how many cards attendees were flipping through to figure out which one to provide when buying raffle tickets
).I will be selling tickets this morning before the prize drawing. Also need a few volunteers to be my "Vannas" as we have quite a few prizes to give away!
PS - How cool was it that the Cubs won last night!
Cheers.
Oct 16, 2016, 4:45 pm
#280
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Another great Chicago Seminar event - lots of folk talking miles/points & making new or continuing friendships. MANY THANKS to Howie & his team of volunteers for pulling this off each year & it gets better each time.
MANY THANKS to all those who contributed to the charity raffle. We raised several thousand $$ for 3 great charities & we couldn't have done it w/o you. YOU TOTALLY ROCK!
Am currently at Amtrak waiting for train home. Half of my car on the blue line from ORD to Union Station were wearing Cubs shirts/headed to the game.
Safe travels to everyone - see you next year the weekend of October 20th!
Cheers.
MANY THANKS to all those who contributed to the charity raffle. We raised several thousand $$ for 3 great charities & we couldn't have done it w/o you. YOU TOTALLY ROCK!
Am currently at Amtrak waiting for train home. Half of my car on the blue line from ORD to Union Station were wearing Cubs shirts/headed to the game.
Safe travels to everyone - see you next year the weekend of October 20th!
Cheers.
Last edited by SkiAdcock; Oct 17, 2016 at 6:52 am
Oct 16, 2016, 8:37 pm
#281
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PIA, MLI
Programs: DL DM, Hilton DIA, Wyndham DIA, IHG Spire AMB
Posts: 29
Thank you for all of your hard work, Sharon! You do it so well!
CarolK
CarolK
Oct 17, 2016, 8:02 am
#282
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Plat 100, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 99
Many thanks to the volunteers that made this happen! I look forward to seeing you all next October!
Oct 17, 2016, 10:55 am
#283
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
Great event! I'll definitely be coming back for more. Thanks for everything you folks do!
Oct 17, 2016, 2:13 pm
#284
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA EXP, AS MVP75K GOLD, HHonors Diamond, BW Diamond, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 382
I had an amazing time at my FIRST Chicago Seminars event! I feel blessed to have met so many wonderful folks with similar interests as well as the many new ideas and strategies shared.
Leading the Hyatt and The Delta Air Lines breakout sessions I want to thank everyone for their participation, shared strategies and tips.
Definitely going to make it an annual thing...
Thank you to Howie & Sharon and all the leadership & contributors as well as sponsors to the event!
Mahalo
@laptoptravel
Leading the Hyatt and The Delta Air Lines breakout sessions I want to thank everyone for their participation, shared strategies and tips.
Definitely going to make it an annual thing...
Thank you to Howie & Sharon and all the leadership & contributors as well as sponsors to the event!
Mahalo
@laptoptravel
Oct 17, 2016, 2:31 pm
#285
Join Date: May 2005
Location: montreal canada
Programs: AA lifetime gold, BA, AC, CX, AS, DL, AF(gold), IHG(plt), SPG(gold), HHONORS, .
Posts: 358
Thanks Howie and Sharon for your great work.
See you again next year (my 6th)
Michael
See you again next year (my 6th)
Michael