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FlyerTalk Thread

Middle_Seat

This morning I received an email ad with the Subject "Bonus Event: Chicago Seminars 2023 Variety Show is Back!" Does anyone know if this is from the Holiday Inn or the Delta Hotels event?

SkiAdcock

I received the same email. It's from the Delta Hotels event.

Cheers.

Mrp Alert

I look forward to seeing y�all at the Holiday Inn

dr88

Did you even read the email? It mentions "Delta Hotels" in Willowbrook three times.

ChrisMoss7

Chicago Seminars @ The Holiday Inn - The Original Points & Miles Event is excited to announce the full list of presentations for this year's event. See www.chicagoseminars.org for more information. Exact times of presentations will be released in the near future.

Special Presentations

Up in The Air: A Fireside Chat with Tom Stuker, The World’s Most Frequent Flyer
Interviewer: Chris Moss

Chicago Seminars Then & Now: A Conversation with Rick Ingersoll, Founder of Chicago Seminars and Howie Rappaport, Long-time Organizer of Chicago Seminars
Interviewer: Marty Paz

How to Get 492 Hyatt Elite Nights in One Stay: Million Baht Mindy (Mindy Davids) & One Year in the Hyatt Regency Bangkok
Interviewer: Chris Moss


Panel Discussions

Hardbody, The Plastic Merchant, Dogs with Credit Cards, and other Dumpster Fires: Deals Gone Wrong and Deciding When to Say No

Social Media & Groups: How to Use Them Effectively
Brandon Neth, Jackie Wisniewski, Senitra Horbrook, Shawn Coomer, Spencer Howard
Moderated by Julia Menez

Traveling as a Woman: Advice from Female Globetrotters
Panelists: Angel Trinh, Katie Genter, Senitra Horbrook, Tippe Morlan
Moderated by Ashley McCurdy

Who Planned It Better: Budget, Affordable, or Luxury

Presentations

Airlines

Are They All the Same?: A Comparison of FLIGHT Award Search Tools

Champagne, Caviar & Showers: Premium Cabin Redemptions
Spencer Howard - Straight to the Points

How to Fly Anywhere: The Value of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Ben Nickel-D'Andrea - No Mas Coach!

No Flying? No Problem: How to Succeed with AA Executive Platinum Status Without Really Flying
Ashley McCurdy - In Search of Traveler

Routing Rules: Maximize a Fare's Potential to See More of the World
Ed Sanders - Routing Rule Expert

When to Pay Cash for Flights: Mileage Running Isn’t Dead
Andrew Kunesh - CNN Underscored & Marty Paz - @MrpAlert


Casinos

You CAN Beat the House: How to Make Casinos Work for You
Adam Bauer - @TravelFanboy


Cruises

Cruising on the Big Boats: How It Can Be Free or At Least Less Expensive
Shawn Coomer - Miles to Memories


Earning Points & Miles

Big Picture Thinking: Creating Credit Card and Redemption Strategies
Spencer Howard - Straight to the Points

Not Just SUBs: How to Earn a Plethora of Points Without Opening 20 Cards
Julia Menez - @geobreezetravel


General Travel

Binge Traveling to 86 Countries: How You Can Use the Same Approach for Quick Trips
Tippe Morlan - @tippemorlan

Disney World Hacks: Proven Tips to Save On Your Disney Vacation
Dia Adams - Forbes Advisor

Exotic Destinations: Using Points & Miles to Veer Off the Beaten Path
Ryan Smith - AwardWallet

Insider Information: 10+ Travel Hacker Tips That I Use That I Haven’t Blogged About
Grant Thomas - Travel With Grant

Points or Cash - Why Choose?: Get the Most Bang for Your Buck/Point in Your Travels
Bryan Sklar - TravelWise Advisors

Sensational Solo Travel: Building the Confidence to Travel Alone and Have Fun
Senitra Horbrook - @PointsTravelher

Spending Cash, Points, Miles (or Nothing): Family Travel for (Possibly) Free
Dia Adams - Forbes Advisor assisted by John Ryan


Hotel

Are They All the Same?: A Comparison of HOTEL Award Search Tools

Presidential Suites & Pool Villas: How You Can Procure the Best Rooms Even Without Status
Chris Moss

Sleep Around: Tips for Maximizing Your Hotel Points
Katie Genter - The Points Guy

Small Footprint but Big Benefits: The Ins and Outs of the World of Hyatt Program
Kathy Kass - Will Run for Miles


Manufactured Spend

Amazon FBA, Reselling, and MS: What You Need to Know
Jon Nickel-D'Andrea - No Mas Coach!

Excel Between the Sheets: Organizing Your Gift Card Resale Business
Logan Robinson, Ravi Davuluri, Erik Peterman - Aligned Incentives

Reselling and Buyers Clubs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Shawn Coomer - Miles to Memories


Technology & Travel

Beyond the Guidebook: How AI and Digital Innovations are Changing Travel Planning
Jackie Wisniewski - Award Travel 101

How Not to Catch a Virus While Abroad: Useful Tech Tips During Your Travels
Kevin Song - @kev.song

Mindful Travel Photography: Taking More Wow! Photos Through Classic Composition and Lighting
Paul Borish - Travelers Psychological Services

Plan Like an Expert: Tips and Tools I Use to Travel Around the World
JT Genter - AwardWallet

Mrp Alert

I�m excited to see everyone in 2 weeks. I will not be so online over the next few days for personal reasons. Keep an eye out for updates from ChrisMoss7 in the interim. Or check the FB group.

ChrisMoss7

For Chicago Seminars, one of the panel sessions we are excited to host is titled "Hardbody, The Plastic Merchant, Dogs with Credit Cards, and other Dumpster Fires: Deals Gone Wrong and Deciding When to Say No."

We are looking for people who were involved with Hardbody or TPM at the end. Or any other MS scheme where people lost a ton of money.

Please message me if you were, or know someone who was, as we would like to get your input.

If you want to stay anonymous, you can also email [email protected].

www.chicagoseminars.org

Thank you.

Traveler56789

I�m looking forward to next weekend!

Does anyone know when the agenda (speakers and times) will be finalized and shared?

Mrp Alert

Finalizing this weekend. Stay tuned.

Mrp Alert

Writing this while sheltering in my stairwell�

The situation in Israel is tense after the horrific terrorist attacks, murders, and abductions of this morning. My family and I are safe in Tel Aviv. Unfortunately, many flights to/from TLV have been cancelled.

Last year, a committee was put in place so that the absence of one organizer would not cause irreparable harm to the event. This year, the committee was further enlarged. While many flights have been canceled, my flight is still scheduled as of now. If the current situation continues and I am unable to travel, please know that you are in excellent hands with the other organizers. Thank you to Chris, Jackie, JT, Kevin, and the other volunteers and for their support.

katstarr

My prayers and thoughts are with you, your family and Israel.

SkiAdcock

Same. Stay safe.

SkiAdcock

To quote myself from prior years, a few tips for first time attendees.

"Thoughts & tips for those attending the Chicago Seminar Event for the first time...

* Dress casual or biz casual, whichever you prefer/feel most comfortable in. It's long days/nights.

* Layer or have a lightweight sweater or jacket in case it gets cold or if you're wearing it, can take off if it gets too hot. This applies to both inside & outside temps.

* Realize that you're not the dumbest person in the room when it comes to travel, and also odds are you're not the smartest. The range of knowledge is quite wide in a large group, but sometimes it's easy to feel intimidated. Also know some people exaggerate when they discuss their status, tricks, tips.

* Take a deep breath & also realize you're not going to remember everything. When there is so much information shared in such a short period of time, it can be a bit overwhelming (understatement). If you can get one good tip out of each session you're ahead of the game.

* Take notes, whether it's via paper, laptop, iPad, smartphone, whatever. You won't remember everything if you try to just do it mentally. If you're attending with someone or you meet someone who will be in a different session, make arrangements to swap notes after the event.

* Go to the hotel restaurant/bar in the evenings, even if you don't drink. You're surrounded by a few hundred like-minded individuals so even if you don't know anyone you have something in common, so ask to sit with others & feel free to join in with the others. Don't just head back to your room after the sessions are over, as it's in the hallways, bar & restaurant that good tips/conversations occur/friendships are made. You don't have to close down the bar (although some have been known to do that!), but stop by for a while to meet/chat/eat/drink.

* Even if you're an introvert, do ask if you can join others and chat. I know it can be difficult to do, but you'll benefit by doing so. Some FTers will find this hard to believe because I'm pretty out-going/gregarious, but I am shy & it is hard for me to reach out/ask if I can join a group when I don't know others so I sympathize. But again, the thing to remember is that you all have something in common - travel. You might want to think of a few ice-breaker questions in advance. Or you might want to eavesdrop on conversations & if you find one of interest, just join in.

* And yes, to the veterans, reach out to others & invite them to join you. We were all newbies once.

* Just acknowledge that the chairs are uncomfortable (misery loves company) & with a large number of attendees and a full hotel, the internet might run slow. Meals aren't as bad as everyone makes out - and the fact so many get served in such a short period of time is amazing. Remember, you don't fly for the food/you're not attending the event for the food either.

* Start checking out forums on Flyertalk. You'll get lots of good information at the CSE, but there is a lot more knowledge in the various airline, hotel, manufactured spend forums on Flyertalk & you can access it 24/7/365."

Sorry I can't attend due to schedule. I know some of you will miss me yelling ge-e-t-t-t your charity raffle tickets

I hope everyone has a good time & learns lots!

Cheers.

RememberTheConcord

Where are folks staying this year? The TripAdvisor reviews since COVID for the Holiday Inn itself are�. Pretty awful.