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The 13th Annual Chicago Seminars @The Holiday Inn - October 13-15, 2023: The Original
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The 13th Annual Chicago Seminars @ The Holiday Inn - The Original Points & Miles Event
Chicago Seminars - Learn to Earn & Burn https://chicagoseminars.org Since 2010, Chicago Seminars - The Original Points & Miles Event has hosted some of the best and brightest in the travel community. Through the years, thousands of attendees of all skill levels and from across the globe have convened at the Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove to learn how to earn millions of points, public and secret tricks of the trade, and to travel like a jetsetter. Although not the fanciest of venues, the Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove is a wonderful place to congregate and treats us well every year. We are excited to continue to call the Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove home of Chicago Seminars for another year. While there are similar points and miles events, Chicago Seminars is unique in that its organizers and volunteers are unpaid and all profits generated are donated to charity. To learn more about Chicago Seminars, go to either this FlyerTalk thread or join our FaceBook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/284563387436997 Never attended an event like this? Make sure to read SkiAdcock's Thoughts & Tips to learn how to make the most of your weekend. You can also find the same information on our website. For more than a decade, Chicago Seminars has created in-person connections which turned into meaningful friendships across the globe. We hope you will attend and learn from this worthwhile and charitable event. Date: Friday, October 13 – Sunday, October 15, 2023 Location:Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove 1000 Busse Rd. Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Chicago O’Hare (ORD) is the closest airport to the event venue. The hotel runs a shuttle from ORD every half hour. Chicago’s Midway Airport (MDW) is extremely far but is accessible via public transportation with an expected travel time of 2 hours. Presenters: The following are scheduled to present:
Cost: Please remember prices of goods and services have increased tremendously in the past years. Tickets for the first 50 people who register are $160. After that, the price will increase to $175 until August 18, 2023, at which time all remaining tickets will cost $190. Additional discounts may be offered by speakers and sponsors of the event. Attendance is limited to 350. Please remember all organizers and volunteers are unpaid and all profits generated will be donated to charity. There is a similar event occurring the same weekend which is not affiliated with Chicago Seminars - The Original Points & Miles Event, a non-profit. Tickets: Event tickets can be purchased via this ticketing link and include the following:
Although registration is nonrefundable, registration is transferable for a $25 charitable donation and must be completed by Monday, October 9, 2023. Email [email protected] if you would like to transfer a ticket. |
Important Policies
Important Policies:
Since the first Chicago Seminars, we have had the following polices, and by attending, you agree to such:
In past years, Chicago Seminars has been near capacity limits with standing room only in some sessions. Attendance may be limited for some sessions due to room size and attendees will be asked to select which sessions they prefer to attend. Priority will be based on ticket purchase date with earliest ticket holders receiving the highest priority. If needed, this process will be detailed and implemented at least one month prior to the event. If a registration is transferred, the ticket purchase date will reflect the most recent issue date. Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule and subject to change: Friday, October 13, 2023 4:00 PM: Registration Opens 5:30 PM: Opening Remarks 6:00 PM: Friday Night Sessions 8:30 PM: Reception (Two drinks included) Saturday, October 14, 2023 7:30 AM: Registration Opens 8:00 AM: Saturday Morning Sessions 12:00 PM: Saturday Lunch (Included) 1:00 PM: Saturday Afternoon Sessions 6:30 PM: Happy Hour 8:00 PM: Dinner (Not included) Sunday, October 15, 2023 8:00 AM: Sunday Morning Sessions 12:00 PM: Sunday Lunch (Included) 1:00 PM: Sunday Afternoon Sessions 4:00 PM: Closing Remarks 5:00 PM Late Night Flight Hang – at Airline Lounges or Hotel Bar (Not included) Hotel Booking Information: There are a limited number of rooms available at the host hotel, Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove, for $129, which includes a continental breakfast. Once your ticket is purchased, the hotel booking link will be shared with you in the ticket confirmation email. Only ticketed attendees are allowed to reserve through this link or in the hotel room block. Each ticket holder can only reserve one room. If for some reason a person who has not registered for the event books within the hotel room block, the reservation will be canceled. Hotel rooms are on a first come, first served availability. The Hotel Booking Link will not work on the IHG app. Please use a desktop or mobile browsing app such as chrome. Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorship packages start at $500 and can be personalized to suit any needs. Potential benefits include:
Charity Raffle: Chicago Seminars raises thousands of dollars for charitable organizations through its Charity Raffle each year. 100% of these proceeds go to charity. In 2023, the selected charities are: Miles4Migrants – Mile4Migrants’ mission is to uphold human rights by removing transportation barriers that impact the most vulnerable forced migrants Airline Ambassadors International – Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service Both travel- and non-travel-related items are being sought for the Charity Raffle. If you have items to donate, please email [email protected] and bring the item(s) with you to the event. No value is too small. Raffle tickets can be purchased via credit card and you do not have to be present to win. Volunteer Opportunities: It takes a village to run an event such as this, and your help is still needed, especially during the event. If you would like to assist, please email [email protected]. Volunteering does not provide a complimentary registration, but is what allows the event to occur. Volunteers are needed in the following areas: During Event:
Recording any presentation in any way is not allowed without advance explicit permission from both the event organizer and presenter. Violators will be immediately dismissed without refund. This policy respects the speakers’ content and allows open discussion of topics, some of which are intended to not be made public. The purchase of a ticket requires acceptance to all terms and conditions stated during the ticketing process including, but not limited to, liability of any kind. Closing Remarks Please remember this event is organized by volunteers and complaining takes a toll on the mental capacity of both organizers and volunteers. Even though you paid for the event, please keep negative comments to yourself. If you have a serious and immediate concern, ask to speak to one of the main organizers rather than explaining the situation to a volunteer or another attendee. The following addresses in advance some prior issues: Registration cost increased? This is a two-and-a-half-day event compared to some one-day events which are much more expensive. Plus, you’ve paid much more for annual fees. Also remember this is a charity event. Nametag misprinted? We will print you a new nametag. Maybe not as fast as you prefer, but it will be faster than an airline will get you replacement elite bag tags. Have to wait in a lengthy line for lunch? The lines for the Centurion Lounge and Delta SkyClubs are often longer. Don’t like the food? You’ve had worse in Priority Pass lounges. Meeting room is hot? You willingly flew on and survived Asia based airlines with no air nozzles. Event isn’t hosted at your preferred hotel chain? The Holiday Inn Chicago – Elk Grove takes exceptionally good care of us. Too many people seated around you? Become a sponsor and have access to VIP seating. |
Sponsors
THANK YOU To Our Amazing Sponsors!!
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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 |
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago...s-645429064707.
Website is chicagoseminars.org. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. Big thanks goes to Marty and JT and all of the other volunteers who are helping organize this non-profit event. |
Reserved for Future Use 2
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Still reserved for future use
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Reserved for future use (since everyone else is doing it!)
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October 13-15, 2023 is one busy, busy, busy weekend in and around Chicago and elsewhere...
David |
My uninformed guess is that attendance at both versions of the Chicago Seminars will be very low, since nobody wants to register for the "wrong" or "fake" one. I wish the two organizers could get over their differences and agree to have just one combined event.
Link to the Delta hotel version: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/exte...15-2023-a.html |
Originally Posted by Middle_Seat
(Post 35387484)
My uninformed guess is that attendance at both versions of the Chicago Seminars will be very low, since nobody wants to register for the "wrong" or "fake" one. I wish the two organizers could get over their differences and agree to have just one combined event.
Link to the Delta hotel version: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/exte...15-2023-a.html And if there isn't at least some explanation I too expect many will sit it out instead. |
Originally Posted by seacarl
(Post 35387985)
I would appreciate transparency and explanation for why there are two events targeting the same topics and audience. And encourage the organizers to settle their differences and merge them.
And if there isn't at least some explanation I too expect many will sit it out instead. |
Originally Posted by FlyerJT
(Post 35388148)
Totally understand the desire to settle differences and have one event. That's what I tried hard to accomplish, working with Michael Trager to get Stefan to finally communicate with the rest of us (since he still hadn't responded to any of our emails, texts, WhatsApp messages, or phone calls since December 2022). Unfortunately, Stefan's demands involved Chris unilaterally violating his contract with the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village and banning Chris from being involved with the planning. Since Chris won't agree to break his contract with the hotel, Stefan launched another event. Now that Stefan has since another agreement, both events are locked in -- likely with financial penalties for breaking either contract (I obviously don't know what the details are of Stefan's contract).
We both know what you say is about 72.8% accurate and we both know there are three sides:
I won't get into the rebuttal of what you say above since I believe that negotiation was confidential. What I will say is that we made huge progress with regard to the initial phone call. There was a very fair deadline to respond to, with further negotiation. That further negotiation would not have made anyone happy, I am confident everyone would not have been pleased, but that is how negotiations work. Chris purposely avoided the deadline, actually doing the most passive-aggressive thing, responding 1 minute after the deadline. (Just facts, nothing more, nothing less.) I asked Chris multiple times (even the other day) to PLEASE CALL ME so we can talk it out. But he refuses. He refuses to negotiate in good faith; that is my opinion. I know you disagree with that. Even today, I would love Chris to call me to "hug it out" and try to find a compromise so everyone does not hate each other. But he won't. I don't know why. I wasted a ton of time on this. I tried to be helpful. I failed. But, we need to show some grace here, and it's not helpful to keep providing part of the story since everyone knows the "three stories." I had no incentive here. I wanted to get everyone to the table. I wanted Stefan to apologize.(he did and accepted all accountability) I think there have been some personal issues over those months, and I don't believe I have any right to know about those issues. I wanted to solve a problem. Find a resolution. Everyone had to accept some level of unhappiness. We could have gotten there. I am confident we would have gotten there if Chris spoke to me one to one. I guess nothing can be done anymore. Very sad. |
Originally Posted by baccarat_king
(Post 35388179)
We both know what you say is about 72.8% accurate
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Whatever the drama that's gone into this up to this point, I'm going to point out that the speakers at the Holiday Inn event have been confirmed. The speaker list at the Willowbrook location is changing daily which gives me pause (with 4 of the key speakers in the last 24 hours having to publicly post they weren't attending/speaking in order to get removed from the Willowbrook list). I'd encourage everyone to do your own research, and be sure you know what you're paying for before registering for one or the other.
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Originally Posted by FlyerJT
(Post 35388242)
My statement is 100% correct. If you have a factual rebuttal, let's hear what it is and I will address it.
Once again, JT, I don't think this should be a public keyboard warrior battle. You have a WhatsApp thread you stopped responding to. Call me, WhatsApp me. Let's talk it out. I promise I will listen, and I tend to have a rather kind and gentle offline phone demeanor. At this point, it should be about moving on, compromise, and coordination between the two events. Believe it or not, things do not have to be filled with hate and venom. You and your team are in control of that. Yes, I know about all the "back-end" shenanigans. But, I don't care. It's over. Let's all move on like adults. The ball is in your court. But, trying to prove your point "in public," I will not engage in that. |
Originally Posted by baccarat_king
(Post 35388308)
When you leave off certain facts and details that makes a statement inaccurate.
Once again, JT, I don't think this should be a public keyboard warrior battle. You have a WhatsApp thread you stopped responding to. Call me, WhatsApp me. Let's talk it out. I promise I will listen, and I tend to have a rather kind and gentle offline phone demeanor. At this point, it should be about moving on, compromise, and coordination between the two events. Believe it or not, things do not have to be filled with hate and venom. You and your team are in control of that. Yes, I know about all the "back-end" shenanigans. But, I don't care. It's over. Let's all move on like adults. The ball is in your court. But, trying to prove your point "in public," I will not engage in that. But I won't allow you to make unfounded public attacks on my truthfulness when you know that I have been honest and factually accurate about the situation throughout. |
From Chicagoseminars.org:
Please remember this event is organized by volunteers and complaining takes a toll on the mental capacity of both organizers and volunteers. Even though you paid for the event, please keep negative comments to yourself. |
This situation is so 2023 with people that have no idea how to communicate and relate to one another but we don't want feelings hurt. Jokes almost write themselves at this point.
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Originally Posted by FlyerJT
(Post 35388337)
Indeed I have hundreds of WhatsApp messages from you. However, most of them boil down to you attacking me about what others have done that I have no control over. I have responded to everything of substance. I welcome a call with you if that would help you resolve your issues with me.
But I won't allow you to make unfounded public attacks on my truthfulness when you know that I have been honest and factually accurate about the situation throughout. If this is an attack, you must develop a much thicker skin. Since I'm totally perplexed, actually, I'm somewhat insulted that you would even elude to the fact I attacked you. Sure, heated conversation, strong opinions. But, sheesh, if anytime someone disagrees with you or questions how your team operates is considered an attack; perhaps, it's best not to get involved in team efforts and for sure involve yourself in something where you have no commercial agreements, no agreements, no memorialization. Just a bunch of "he said, she said." Were these words an attack? To be clear, this was ME SAYING GIVE ME A CALL! LET'S WORK THIS OUT! You declined, and I did not hear a word since. If you were me? Why would I call you, I assume you want me to go away. And I did go away, and if you never shared these narratives, I would NOT have said a word. So maybe, as I keep saying - focus on your event. Focus on making it the best event. Focus on your friends and supporters going to the event. Focus on the positive. Don't focus on the other event or Stefan. Mind you, it's fine if you hate, dislike, and want me to go away. That's fine. But, please please please do not categorize me as someone who is just out to attack you. If I said some things that were DIRECT or BLUNT, I apologize. I'm sorry. I wish I could always choose my words perfectly. But it was never my intent to attack anyone. I am truly sorry you feel I attacked you. I intended to get all of the peeps (both parties) to agree to ONE EVENT (one Chicago Seminars) and figure out a way to work together this year. And I said you need to develop a different plan for next year. Just get through this year as one team, one event. I also wanted Stefan to have all financial responsibility for the one event. That was my goal. I failed. JT: I'm not mad at you. I accept you disagree with me. Accept we do not align. I accept you believe you had to do what you had to do individually or as a team. But, please, I'm not an attack person. Say you disagree with me. Say you don't want to argue with me anymore. Say, I'm ugly. Say anything you like, but please, don't characterize me as someone who just engaged in attacking you. It's just not true. |
Stop it. Both of you. Simply, stop it! Take it to PM.
I'm APPALLED that whatever chism came between the organizers of the various events that it has come to this & we all are being exposed to the he said/he said situation. It's truly unfortunate that those who would like to attend an event of this type are being asked to choose & also to have the organizers issues (both sides) laid out in public. Shame on all the organizers - and that includes the 3rd party/other event who's also adding to this. None of us knew of the issues - and none of us needed to. And for gawd's sake, even the bloggers are piling in on both sides & going out to their presumed gazillion followers, thus blowing it up even further. Shame on them too. I chaired the CSE charify raffle for a decade and had great experiences (and we raised 100K to charities during that timeframe). It literally breaks my heart to see this happening. I will not be attending either event or helping w/ the raffle for either event this year - but that has nothing to do w/ the events & more to do with my own personal circumstances. As someone else noted, given the situation it looks like both Chicago events will be smaller this year (and can't be canceled due to contracts), but hopefully both sets of organizers can get their act together for next year & resolve their issues & next year will be a larger, single event. And hopefully both events will be wonderful this year as well. This was a wonderful volunteer event (which this year still seems to be the case on both sides) contributing to those that attended, both in terms of knowledge & friendships. I would like to see that continue. So again, I say enough is enough. Both sets of organizers (or all 3 if it comes to that), focus on your own events and put on the best ones that you can for the sake of your attendees. Because it does not violate FT TOS to quote ones self, I am going to post this post in the other 2 threads as well & asks Oliver's indulgence to let those posts remain. |
Originally Posted by baccarat_king
(Post 35388678)
I am truly sorry you feel I attacked you.
I intended to get all of the peeps (both parties) to agree to ONE EVENT (one Chicago Seminars) and figure out a way to work together this year. And I said you need to develop a different plan for next year. Just get through this year as one team, one event. I also wanted Stefan to have all financial responsibility for the one event. That was my goal. I failed. JT: I'm not mad at you. I accept you disagree with me. Accept we do not align. I accept you believe you had to do what you had to do individually or as a team. But, please, I'm not an attack person. Say you disagree with me. Say you don't want to argue with me anymore. Say, I'm ugly. Say anything you like, but please, don't characterize me as someone who just engaged in attacking you. It's just not true. As I emphasized in our discussion, I don't want to make any enemies -- especially in this community -- and I really hate the drama that's surrounding what I'd love to be a cooperative event. Looking forward to swinging by your place sometime in the future for a couple of drinks together the next time I'm in town. |
This is wild. I hope it gets resolved.
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[QUOTE=SkiAdcock;35389375]Stop it. Both of you. Simply, stop it! Take it to PM.
Hear hear! SkiAdcock is right, we don't need a he said / he said that will harden positions and make it more difficult to reconcile for 2024. |
Does anyone from downtown Chicago attend this? If so do you typically trainsuber to and from or stay there? Debating stopping in and meeting some folks.
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I really don't understand why this is being made public. Clearly people have a lot of ego problems here and should grow up, learn how to communicate and behave like adults.
I've never attended either of the 3 events and have no intention to ever do so based on what I've read here. As an outsider who has no game here, based on what I've read here from the organizers/speakers, I truly hope most people will boycott the 2023 version of these events. It is the only way progress will be made. |
Originally Posted by GVA
(Post 35391344)
I really don't understand why this is being made public. Clearly people have a lot of ego problems here and should grow up, learn how to communicate and behave like adults.
I've never attended either of the 3 events and have no intention to ever do so based on what I've read here. As an outsider who has no game here, based on what I've read here from the organizers/speakers, I truly hope most people will boycott the 2023 version of these events. It is the only way progress will be made. I'm not sure which is worse, the bickering or the scolding that people need to make "progress" because they think that for some reason business relationships going awry need to/can be "fixed." The good news is "most people" will not attend either event. I think I may schedule a colonoscopy or a root canal instead. |
I live in downtown Chicago and when attending Chicago Seminars have NEVER stayed at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove. I take the BLUE line to O'Hare and then hop onto the free Holiday Inn Elk Grove shuttle. BUT it is a haul to get there as the shuttle only comes every 30 minutes or so AND you do have to call once you get to O'Hare. Then it is ANOTHER 30 minutes to get to the hotel. This year I am going to the event at the Delta Marriott, which has no shuttle. I am hoping that Stephan will be able to arrange some kind of shuttle service. OTHERWISE it will be the ORANGE line to Midway and then a taxi, which is sure to be another LONG haul. Peace.
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Originally Posted by marzoumanian
(Post 35391701)
I live in downtown Chicago and when attending Chicago Seminars have NEVER stayed at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove. I take the BLUE line to O'Hare and then hop onto the free Holiday Inn Elk Grove shuttle. BUT it is a haul to get there as the shuttle only comes every 30 minutes or so AND you do have to call once you get to O'Hare. Then it is ANOTHER 30 minutes to get to the hotel. This year I am going to the event at the Delta Marriott, which has no shuttle. I am hoping that Stephan will be able to arrange some kind of shuttle service. OTHERWISE it will be the ORANGE line to Midway and then a taxi, which is sure to be another LONG haul. Peace.
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Originally Posted by Adam1222
(Post 35391481)
I think I may schedule a colonoscopy or a root canal instead.
Take it from me, if you decide to get both procedures on the same day, verify which doctor is doing which procedure first. I'm not going to go into personal details, but suffice to say I had to get a new dentist. |
Originally Posted by PiratePharmD
(Post 35392241)
Take it from me...
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Originally Posted by PiratePharmD
(Post 35392241)
Take it from me, if you decide to get both procedures on the same day, verify which doctor is doing which procedure first. I'm not going to go into personal details, but suffice to say I had to get a new dentist.
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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!
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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. |
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. |
Originally Posted by cova
(Post 35392609)
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. |
Originally Posted by Mrp Alert (Post # 1)
(Post 35383328)
Although not the fanciest of venues, the Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove is a wonderful place to congregate and treats us well every year. We are excited to continue to call the Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove home of Chicago Seminars for another year. . . .
Location:Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove 1000 Busse Rd. Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Chicago O’Hare (ORD) is the closest airport to the event venue. The hotel runs a shuttle from ORD every half hour. Chicago’s Midway Airport (MDW) is extremely far but is accessible via public transportation with an expected travel time of 2 hours. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inte...illage-il.html |
Originally Posted by Middle_Seat
(Post 35387484)
My uninformed guess is that attendance at both versions of the Chicago Seminars will be very low, since nobody wants to register for the "wrong" or "fake" one. I wish the two organizers could get over their differences and agree to have just one combined 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. |
So, what topics would you like to see covered at Chicago Seminars this year?
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Originally Posted by katstarr
(Post 35393494)
So, what topics would you like to see covered at Chicago Seminars this year?
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