Mark Zameda 810257 Posted November 24, 2005 at 03:13 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 03:13 PM http://vatusaconvention.com The hotel rooms are 89 dollars per night, and the convention fees are 95 dollars. Please keep in mind the signup is a two-step process. First you give information so that we can identify you when the convention arrives, and then you will be taken to the Paypal screen where you pay the convention fee. If you will be staying at the Hilton, make sure you use the convention code VUC when you reserve a room, otherwise they charge a considerably more expensive amount! Everyone please give a HUGE round of applause to Lance Williams, without his work on this site, we definitely would not have come this far. Thanks a ton Lance! Cheers, Mark Zameda Mark Zameda VATUSA6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Fredrich 827138 Posted November 24, 2005 at 03:54 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 03:54 PM Is there a deadline for the sign-ups? I would like to wait until there is a more detailed schedule of events... right now, it looks pretty....empty? Just wondering what was in store on those days, what kinds of cl[Mod - Happy Thoughts]es, what kinds of presentations? I personally cant justify $95 until I can see what I could walk away with from attending. Thanks! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Turner Posted November 24, 2005 at 03:58 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 03:58 PM Is there a deadline for the sign-ups? I would like to wait until there is a more detailed schedule of events... right now, it looks pretty....empty? Just wondering what was in store on those days, what kinds of cl[Mod - Happy Thoughts]es, what kinds of presentations? I personally cant justify $95 until I can see what I could walk away with from attending. Thanks! Well, Since the presentors are volunteers, I can tell you that a lot of them are putting what exactly they want to talk about together now... But, I can promise you that it will be well worth your time... Hell, I didn't care what the cl[Mod - Happy Thoughts]es were for the VATSIM convention, I just wanted to meet all the people and talk to the ones that I had "played" with for all the years that I had been on here... WELL WORTH my time and money... You are considering not going now Nick? Thought you were volunteering to help with the network stuff... Jeff "JU" Turner US Army Retired http://www.skyblueradio.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Fredrich 827138 Posted November 24, 2005 at 04:03 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 04:03 PM I didnt know I was still "invited" to help with the network stuff.... in that case I will be there.... just need to know what the deadline is for signups? is it $95/day or $95 total? and what does the $95 do toward... just curious Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Black Posted November 24, 2005 at 04:15 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 04:15 PM Nick does bring up a good point though. Any idea on when the details will be available? I arrange conventions and executive meetings for Marriott for a living, so this is familiar territory for me. Can we at least know what the evening events will entail? IE what the dinner/ banquet options are, awards, cocktails? I [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ume since the price for the registration has been set, that surely these details have already been arranged through Hilton -thus they have provided the event coordinators with their cost, correct? Respectfully, Chad Black Click here to see my 12 years worth of Flight Sim Screenshots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zameda 810257 Posted November 24, 2005 at 04:49 PM Author Posted November 24, 2005 at 04:49 PM Right now the evening's events will entail a dinner, buffet style, for about an hour, then a raffling of various prizes. The convention fee covers the charge for using the Hilton's Conference rooms all day, as well as demonstration computers and networks. It also will (hopefully) cover the dinner in the evening. I estimated the cost based on the VATSIM convention, and we should break even. There are a wide range of dinner options for the buffet dinner, here is the general menu we have to choose from. I was thinking of using one beef, one chicken and one veggie dish from the menu. Choice of Three (3) Salads Antipasta Salad Albacore Tuna Salad Rice Noodle Chicken Salad Thai Cabbage Salad Roasted New Potato Salad Tri-Colored Bowtie Pasta Salad Field Greens with Tomatoes, Cucomeber and [Mod - Happy Thoughts]orted Dressings Vine-Ripened Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Hearts of Romaine with Pecorino Romano Cheese, Seasoned Croutons and Caesar Dressing Choice of Three (3) Entrees Blackened Mahi Mahi* Soy Seared Atlantic Salmon Bourbon Glazed Pork Loin Barbeque Sauce Roasted French Breast of Chicken with Lemon Basil* Sautéed Breast of Chicken with Warm Olive Tapenade Fresh Rosemary Roasted Leg of Lamb with Mint Pesto Sliced Medallions of Beef Tenderloin with Port Balsamic Demi Grilled Tri-Tip Beef with Wild Forest Mushrooms and Baby Knob Onion* Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Marsala Cream Sauce Stacked Vegetable Lasagna with Home Made Marinara Chef’s Choice of Farmers Market Seasonal Vegetables Choice of Pasta, Rice, or Potato Artisan Rolls and Sweet Cream Butter Chef’s Selection of [Mod - Happy Thoughts]orted Desserts Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Selection of Hot Teas The dinner will run $56.00 per guest. The rest of the fee is used to help pay for the convention room. In the event that we can book more than 50 rooms, we don't have to pay the convention room fees. If that happens, then we will use any surplus money and purchase varous prizes for raffle at the end of the dinner banquet. The convention room fee if we do not book at least 40 rooms is $900.00 for the day, this is all not including a 18% gratuity charge from the hotel. If you are not going to register because we don't offer the latest and greatest cl[Mod - Happy Thoughts]es, presenters, or prizes to raffle off, then I apologize that we have failed your expectations. The scope of this convention is to bring the membership of VATUSA together, and put faces with names. We are trying to build our community here, and be able to share ideas as well as develop a sense of where we are - and where we are headed with this organization. I know that I plan to be there to finally meet some of the guys I've been working with at Chicago for so long, as well as finally meet some of the other staff members that I've had the priveledge of working with online for so long. This first VATUSA convention is meant as a way for us to broaden our perspective and meet some of those people who make this hobby so great. This is also my first time organizing anything like this, and I've had to turn to a lot of people to help with the event. Chad I feel for you, because I never realized how much work actually goes into trying to pull an event like this off! I look forward to meeting all of you in March, I think it will be a great time! Happy Thanksgiving! Mark Mark Zameda VATUSA6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steinberg 939662 Posted November 24, 2005 at 06:08 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 06:08 PM I will be bringing another person with me who is not a VATSIM member(my dad). How should I reflect that in the signups? Andrew Steinberg C-1, VATUSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zameda 810257 Posted November 24, 2005 at 06:23 PM Author Posted November 24, 2005 at 06:23 PM Andrew, Make your reservations at the Hilton as you normally would. When you sign up for the convention and reach the PayPal screen, Change the quantity of convention fees to two. That way you don't have to sign up your dad separately, but the fees will be covered. You can bring as many guests as you like, just put down how many in the quantity area of the PayPal screen before you finalize your payment. Thanks! Mark Z. Mark Zameda VATUSA6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steinberg 939662 Posted November 24, 2005 at 06:25 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 06:25 PM Thanks Mark will do! Andrew Steinberg C-1, VATUSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted November 24, 2005 at 09:30 PM Posted November 24, 2005 at 09:30 PM Actually if you are bring more than one person, you will need to go through the registration process for each person. I'm sorry about that, but that's our PayPal limitation right now. I'll make this clear on the convention page ASAP. Thanks! Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steinberg 939662 Posted November 25, 2005 at 03:57 AM Posted November 25, 2005 at 03:57 AM Sounds great Lance. That was a quick change Andrew Steinberg C-1, VATUSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Fredrich 827138 Posted November 25, 2005 at 04:43 PM Posted November 25, 2005 at 04:43 PM still wondering what the deadline is for sign-ups? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted November 25, 2005 at 04:45 PM Posted November 25, 2005 at 04:45 PM Plan on signups closing the week before the conference starts, so March 17th would be your deadline. Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steinberg 939662 Posted November 25, 2005 at 06:13 PM Posted November 25, 2005 at 06:13 PM Long time away Andrew Steinberg C-1, VATUSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Smith Posted November 25, 2005 at 11:01 PM Posted November 25, 2005 at 11:01 PM Hi, I am planning on attending the convention, and I was in the process of booking my hotel room and discovered that Hilton does not offer 2 beds (for one room) at that $89 per night rate. Was this intentional or did someone forget about this it the negotian phase, because I'm sure a lot of us would like to double up to save some money. Best, Chris Chris Smith Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at http://www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Turner Posted November 26, 2005 at 12:15 AM Posted November 26, 2005 at 12:15 AM Hi, I am planning on attending the convention, and I was in the process of booking my hotel room and discovered that Hilton does not offer 2 beds (for one room) at that $89 per night rate. Was this intentional or did someone forget about this it the negotian phase, because I'm sure a lot of us would like to double up to save some money. Best, Chris Good question... Mark Z? Can you talk to Vicki? I know that I was going to double up as well. JT Jeff "JU" Turner US Army Retired http://www.skyblueradio.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zameda 810257 Posted November 26, 2005 at 02:42 AM Author Posted November 26, 2005 at 02:42 AM If you're looking for a double don't book yet. I'll get with the Hilton and find out what's going on. I can't believe I missed this! Mark Mark Zameda VATUSA6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Smith Posted November 26, 2005 at 05:57 AM Posted November 26, 2005 at 05:57 AM Thanks for taking care of this Mark. I booked my flight today. Chris Smith Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at http://www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Black Posted November 28, 2005 at 05:21 AM Posted November 28, 2005 at 05:21 AM The convention fee covers the charge for using the Hilton's Conference rooms all day, as well as demonstration computers and networks. It also will (hopefully) cover the dinner in the evening. The dinner will run $56.00 per guest. The rest of the fee is used to help pay for the convention room. In the event that we can book more than 50 rooms, we don't have to pay the convention room fees. If that happens, then we will use any surplus money and purchase varous prizes for raffle at the end of the dinner banquet. The convention room fee if we do not book at least 40 rooms is $900.00 for the day, this is all not including a 18% gratuity charge from the hotel. Chad I feel for you, because I never realized how much work actually goes into trying to pull an event like this off! Mark, please keep us posted on the rooms, and if we will need to budget for the dinner. Also, make sure you don’t mention to them (especially the folks at Hilton that this is your first time putting something like this together... they WILL try to jack up the prices. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I know all the tricks of the trade...lol my email is [email protected]. If you send me a message, I can even give you my direct work line toll free and we can chat. Keep in mind, that the more set-in-stone details you post about the event, you more people it will draw, and the less likelihood of participants whining about not getting their monies worth. In other words, we all are looking forward some more definite plans. Keep up the good work. Respectfully, Chad Black Click here to see my 12 years worth of Flight Sim Screenshots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zameda 810257 Posted November 28, 2005 at 04:23 PM Author Posted November 28, 2005 at 04:23 PM The 89 dollar room rate is for a single bed. Double beds are 109. So they're taking us for 20 bucks more for a double bed. I can't get them to change the contract after the fact, my apologies to you guys, but I think they wouldn't have changed the rates regardless. I know for the VATSIM convention it was 89 for a single and 109 for the double. Call the Hilton on the phone and tell them you want to book the double at the 109.00 per night rate. Mark Mark Zameda VATUSA6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Pedde 918614 Posted December 3, 2005 at 07:36 PM Posted December 3, 2005 at 07:36 PM I just booked my flight and hotel room. When I used the convention code it said that the rate was unavailable. Is it possible to get the $110 double bed rate, if so do I need to call the hotel and request this rate using the convention code?? Capt. Michael A. Pedde Eastern Virtual Airlines [Mod - Happy Thoughts]t. Hub Manger London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted December 3, 2005 at 09:41 PM Posted December 3, 2005 at 09:41 PM I just booked my flight and hotel room. When I used the convention code it said that the rate was unavailable. Is it possible to get the $110 double bed rate, if so do I need to call the hotel and request this rate using the convention code?? Have all the rooms filled up? Be sure you put the code in the correct area. There's a few choices to enter it but it goes in the " Group/Convention code" box. Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Pedde 918614 Posted December 4, 2005 at 04:01 AM Posted December 4, 2005 at 04:01 AM Yea, I put the code "VUC" in the group/convention box, and there was a message that said it was no longer available. Capt. Michael A. Pedde Eastern Virtual Airlines [Mod - Happy Thoughts]t. Hub Manger London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted December 4, 2005 at 04:10 AM Posted December 4, 2005 at 04:10 AM That's strange, considereing only nine people have actually paid for the convention. Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Turner Posted December 4, 2005 at 04:14 AM Posted December 4, 2005 at 04:14 AM That's strange, considereing only nine people have actually paid for the convention. Maybe the XJ5 calaminator went bad...? I dunno. Jeff "JU" Turner US Army Retired http://www.skyblueradio.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts