First Conference: Flying In and Out on 16th and 18th?

[tashayoung]

This year will be my first Conference and I'll be in Wave 3. Would I be able to fly in the morning of the 16th and fly out the evening of the 18th?

 

[DebbieJ]

Flying in the morning of the 16th would be tough. You would most likely not have a whole lot of time to check in at the hotel and then be to the opening general session on time.

Flying out the evening of the 18th should be a problem. I think conference is usually over by 2 p.m.

 

[tashayoung]

What time does it usually start in the morning of the first day?

 

[cmdtrgd]

The first General Session usually starts at 1pm. However, that morning is used for vendor booths and HO tours (you can win a shopping spree!) as well as Special Director Training.

 

[chefann]

Usually, it starts at about 1 or so. You'll want to allow time to leave a bag at the hotel (check in isn't usually until 3:00, but they usually have a luggage room where you can leave a suitcase) and then get on the bus to the McCormick center (PC runs free shuttles from the official hotels to the center).

 

[chefjeanine]

This years the conference starts later, I want to say 3:00, for non-directors (dont' remember where I read this). If you get an early flight, I think you can make it without too much concern. And yes, if you can find a later flight out, you could leave on the 18th.

 

[Shawnna]

The last time I went to conference I flew in the first morning, but stayed the extra night and left early in the morning. I was rushed when I arrived. We didn't stay at the conference hotel, so I took the shuttle to the conference hotel and walked the 4 or 5 blocks to our hotel and then back to the conference hotel to meet the shuttle for opening session. Because of time issues, I wasn't able to walk to and from our hotel to the conference hotel after that and had to take a cab...4 of us shared the cab ride. However, even though other hotels are cheaper, once you pay cab fare...even when you share it...you don't save any money. I would recommend staying at the conference hotel...or one across the street. If you are an early riser, it is a nice walk, but I wouldn't recommend it after dark. If opening session is starting later, you would probably be fine to arrive that morning. I think I arrived at 11:00 am at O'Hare. You are going to love conference. I only get to go every other year, but I love it.

 

[chefann]

This years the conference starts later, I want to say 3:00, for non-directors (dont' remember where I read this). If you get an early flight, I think you can make it without too much concern. And yes, if you can find a later flight out, you could leave on the 18th.

The first general session will start at 3:00. There will probably be a workshop before it. Everything is being shuffled around this year, because Awards Night is being eliminated. People who earn TPC will still get to walk, but they're breaking it up so we don't have to sit there for 4 hours watching the parade of achievers.

 

[PampMomof3]

Ann, so with me arriving the day before I should be all set to go to this Director's event on the first morning? I should also be okay leaving at 4:30 pm the 3rd day, right?

TIA!!!

 

[chefann]

Yep- you should be Ok with that schedule.

 

[PampMomof3]

Thanks Ann!!! I feel better now!