The 13th Annual Chicago Seminars @ Delta Hotels by Marriott - October 13-15, 2023
Jul 5, 2023, 9:57 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
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Wow. See what tomfoolery you miss by ignoring FT for years?
Jul 5, 2023, 10:02 am
#47
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
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Posts: 8,172
Jul 5, 2023, 12:48 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
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Posts: 4,671
Jul 5, 2023, 12:55 pm
#49
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Posts: 102,095
VFTW airing the story and we get a window into the grievances and what else is going on here:
https://viewfromthewing.com/the-freq...name/#comments
The start of the weekend for the FT Do in Denver.
https://viewfromthewing.com/the-freq...name/#comments
The Frequent Flyer Community Has Split Into Two Camps, And They’ve Confusingly Taken The Same Name
Jul 5, 2023, 1:34 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
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Posts: 6,393
Forget the Zuck vs. Musk cage match, I wanna see the Chicago Seminars I vs Chicago Seminars II rumble!
Jul 5, 2023, 1:42 pm
#51
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Posts: 102,095
Jul 5, 2023, 3:34 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
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Posts: 3,519
Even OMAAT contributing his share by helping out to inform the public:
https://onemileatatime.com/news/mile...inars-edition/
Besides my one & only experience at FTU Amsterdam,
Aren't all these events my/yours creditcard comparison events & feeling good to show off?
with all the devaluations hitting right & left : what's left to talk about?
and yes, worshipping Hyatt Globalist is getting a bit stale...
Aluminium foil hat on :
or could it be blogs are going soon to be on sale / merged / bought up by RV
a secret plot by TPG to divide and conquor and corner the market?
Zorkfest might be the winner though,
i can appreciate the casino angle that has appeal for those interested,
However,
Who van resist Gary VFTW reporting live there on scene
his thoughtleader worthy tabloid news :
who needs the Steve Wilkos show or even the Sun Tabloid with the page 3 girl....
i won't be needing my national enquirer magazine ...ahum... if the thoughtleader is present....
https://onemileatatime.com/news/mile...inars-edition/
Besides my one & only experience at FTU Amsterdam,
Aren't all these events my/yours creditcard comparison events & feeling good to show off?
with all the devaluations hitting right & left : what's left to talk about?
and yes, worshipping Hyatt Globalist is getting a bit stale...
Aluminium foil hat on :
or could it be blogs are going soon to be on sale / merged / bought up by RV
a secret plot by TPG to divide and conquor and corner the market?
Zorkfest might be the winner though,
i can appreciate the casino angle that has appeal for those interested,
However,
Who van resist Gary VFTW reporting live there on scene
his thoughtleader worthy tabloid news :
Fight Breaks Out At Chicago O’Hare Baggage Claim
&Woman Removed From Coach Seat Because Her Breasts Were Too Large
and more glittering pearls of wisdom....who needs the Steve Wilkos show or even the Sun Tabloid with the page 3 girl....
i won't be needing my national enquirer magazine ...ahum... if the thoughtleader is present....
Last edited by HadesNL; Jul 5, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Jul 5, 2023, 5:03 pm
#54
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Because it does not violate TOS I'm quoting myself from the other thread....
"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."
"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."
Jul 5, 2023, 9:41 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
Jul 5, 2023, 10:17 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
If someone can explain how a second event with the exact same name and many of the exact same speakers listed (purposefully or not) on the exact same weekend in the same town but not near each other serves the interests of the audience, then I'm all ears. Otherwise, it doesn't matter whose fault it is, "original" planners or others: whoever created a second event (or finalized a second contract, or whatever) cannot be acting in anything that can be construed as "good faith".
I'm not an FT legend or internet name. But I can't see how this kind of foolishness provides confidence to newbies who just want to learn the tricks and techniques of this game.
I'm not an FT legend or internet name. But I can't see how this kind of foolishness provides confidence to newbies who just want to learn the tricks and techniques of this game.
Jul 6, 2023, 6:19 am
#57
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,058
Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott Chicago Willowbrook, 7800 Kingery Highway, Willowbrook, IL, 60527
First-time? See SkiAdcock's thoughts & tips for those attending the Chicago Seminars event for the first time.
First-time? See SkiAdcock's thoughts & tips for those attending the Chicago Seminars event for the first time.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...rook/overview/
I know that some events are profit-generators. However, Chicago Seminars (at Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village) is now registered as a 501(c)(3), and the organizers are unpaid. All funds collected go toward food/drink at the venue and reimbursing speakers for travel costs. The remainder is required to be donated to other charities.
Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village IL
Last edited by SPN Lifer; Jul 6, 2023 at 6:32 am
Jul 6, 2023, 7:31 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
If someone can explain how a second event with the exact same name and many of the exact same speakers listed (purposefully or not) on the exact same weekend in the same town but not near each other serves the interests of the audience, then I'm all ears. Otherwise, it doesn't matter whose fault it is, "original" planners or others: whoever created a second event (or finalized a second contract, or whatever) cannot be acting in anything that can be construed as "good faith".
I'm not an FT legend or internet name. But I can't see how this kind of foolishness provides confidence to newbies who just want to learn the tricks and techniques of this game.
I'm not an FT legend or internet name. But I can't see how this kind of foolishness provides confidence to newbies who just want to learn the tricks and techniques of this game.
If the two couldn't agree on the terms of the event, I can't necessarily agree that "whoever announced first at the usual location is right and whoever announced second is wrong."
Of course, whoever announced second at an alternate location could be wrong for other reasons.
Jul 6, 2023, 9:33 am
#59
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 390
We're all adults here and we all share a common interest in travel.
We are kind, caring people (for the most part).
Enough with the drama and the poking.
We've run out of popcorn.
Let's return to kindness and forgiveness and not fan the fire any more.
We are kind, caring people (for the most part).
Enough with the drama and the poking.
We've run out of popcorn.
Let's return to kindness and forgiveness and not fan the fire any more.
Jul 6, 2023, 11:12 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
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Posts: 17,492
Drama and poking are more entertaining than paying money to sit in a meeting room and listen to credit card shills hawking their blogs.
Speak for yourself.
BORING!
We've run out of popcorn.
Let's return to kindness and forgiveness and not fan the fire any more.