Majuki

I think you are a candidate for the best FlyerTalk posting debut after registering on the site 12 years ago.

Mrp Alert

welcome to FlyerTalk PiratePharmD !

The Forward Cabin

Hi everyone. Due to some potential scheduling conflicts, I've withdrawn as a speaker at this time. If that changes, I'll be sure to let you know! Marty/JT/Chris are aware. Hoping for a great event!

cova

FF Seminars are not what they used to be. Airlines have changed the rules and there are few games to play. The main value I find is to communicate offline with other attendees - not the presenters. I have a conflict and will not be attending either.

But the big bloggers no longer participte - they have their own very successful businesses.
The original has been held in Elk Grove for years and as I understand it - they have commitment to the hotel. So I hope many attend.

The Willow Grove one is really an FTU event - with employees of FTU hosting it. I wish they had chosen a different date and just called it FTU Seminar - and I would have likely atttended. These dates don't work for me.

Willowgrove will likely require a rental car. Holiday Inn Elk Grove has a shuttle.

cova

To add: My take on this - Ben and Gary should volunteer their time and make a guest presentation at this original Chicago Seminars in Elk Grove.

They hosted their blogs from boardingarea (Randy P and FlyerTalk) and became famous by presenting and advertising their blogs at Chicago Seminars (and later other seminars). Without these events they may not have been as successful as they are now.

dr88

Interesting take on things, IMO. The seminars didn't make or break them, plus Gary is in Reno that weekend at Zorkfest.

SPN Lifer

Here is the FT thread on the hotel venue.

Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village IL

skywalkerLAX

I wouldn't bet on that. I'd guess those interested in attending CS are quite capable of identifying the "real" event from one that got scrambled together. I'm pretty baffled by how this whole thing spiraled out of control and how there is now a spin-off of the original version of the event.

If you compare the list of speakers, then it's clear the original, as posted here in this thread, has a very large edge. I frankly don't see why anyone would sign up for the alternative, but that's just me. My prediction is that the spin-off will end up with maybe ~20-25% participants. If the original speakers withdraw from said event, I can also foresee cancellations, refund requests, or chargebacks.

Additionally, there is also Zorkfest on identical dates in Reno, but I don't think these two events on the same dates are hurting each other too much, as ZF has a gaming focus with a bonus/twist on travel.

Anyway, going back to the two events in Chicago, I can't see how the two could come together again. There are now two hotels involved, and from an outside look, it doesn't appear that there is a sufficient basis for working together after so many bridges have been burnt since late last year. Let it play out, and see how it goes.

katstarr

So, what topics would you like to see covered at Chicago Seminars this year?

dr88

Basic communication skills and conflict resolution.

katstarr

That goes without saying. I was actually a mediator for years. Add in Civility to the list.

But, turning to the vast array of points and miles topics, what topics you'd like to see covered for the first time, or revisited in more detail?

Herb687

1) Why loyalty is for chumps
2) 101 fun things to do on an October weekend in Chicagoland that don't involve sitting in a meeting room listening to credit card shills

dr88

My original answer stands, and I'll even add the topics of negotiations and "how to be resourceful and find answers to your own questions" as well.

All of those topics give people a leg up in the points and miles world, especially with more and more companies are putting the screws to travelers by not abiding by their loyalty terms and conditions or failing to follow their own CoC, etc.

tommy777

Hi cova. Hope all is well with you.

For the record, the FTU does not have any employees, nor have we ever had any, we also have no affiliation with either of these events. Stefan has been speaker coordinator for FTU for a long time and also a close friend, just like Mrp Alert has been a volunteer for FTUs and a friend as well.

The FTU, however, has proudly partnered with ZorkFest which will coincidentally be hosted the same weekend as these two events, but ZorkFest is more of an upscale event with parties and also has casino content in addition to miles and points, FTU is helping with the latter.

I wish both of these events all the best of luck. I do find it sad, unfortunate that the parties couldn't agree and that there are two events, especially as this is all non profit events for the community.

But hey, at least Oliver and the FT peanut gallery gets to amuse themselves.

Adam1222

But hey, at least folks get to pat themselves on the back with self-congratulations as to their altruism while making their livelihoods/careers/whatever you want to call it off of selling the image of free travel with miles and points to others.

When Marriott sponsors or participates in a Pride event, for example, we aren't fools enough to think they are doing it out of the goodness of their heart. When the owner of a company that sells online courses about miles and points "proudly partners" with an event, we shouldn't think so either. I'm not sure how you define the "community" you are working to help here, but that an event is "non profit" does not mean that the sponsors acts are not based on financial self-interest. (It's also funny to claim you are working for "the community" when your business has a class action waiver.) As has been repeatedly said, this doesn't make it bad! It is the pretending that this isnt a business/financially motivated enterprise that makes it bad.