No Conference in 2012?:Cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:i Was so Looking

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around the announcement of no conference in 2012, with participants expressing a range of emotions regarding the change. Many shared their disappointment about missing the opportunity to attend the event in Chicago, while others expressed excitement about the potential for events to be held closer to home.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses sadness about not being able to attend the conference in 2012, having looked forward to it.
  • Another participant mentions excitement about events being closer, reducing travel expenses, and the return of Leadership events.
  • Several users share their love for Chicago and the enjoyment of meeting friends there, noting the disappointment of missing that experience.
  • One participant identifies mixed emotions about the change but ultimately feels positive after hearing explanations about the decision.
  • Another participant appreciates the advance notice of event dates and expresses enthusiasm for a Fall Launch similar to Spring Launch.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of financial constraints affecting their ability to attend past events, but was looking forward to the 2012 conference.
  • Several participants highlight the importance of having events that are more accessible to a larger number of consultants.
  • One participant mentions the need for feedback to be sent to headquarters regarding past events and the desire for improvements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly among participants, with some expressing disappointment over the lack of a conference in Chicago, while others see the change as a positive opportunity for greater accessibility.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and feelings related to past conferences and the implications of the changes for future events. The discussion reflects a mix of nostalgia for previous gatherings and hope for new opportunities.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who have attended past conferences or are considering future events may find the varied perspectives on the changes relevant to their experiences.

Re: What?!?!?!?!I have to say this kind of stinks! :( :( :( I love going to Chicago! My director and I had already planned on giving ourselves extra days for more time to sight see! I love leadership is back and now I need to promote to Director to go there but am bummed about not getting to walk the stage etc!

I do however, understand the reasoning behind it but it is a bummer! Might just have to plan a July trip to Chicago just for fun! :)
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!Katie- you don't have to be a director...not that it isn't a great goal! You can go as a TEAM LEADER!!! :)After thinking more about it, I can understand the "why". I just hope that occasionally they DO go to Chicago. I love the ease of getting around in Chicago and the amount of things to do in a small area (and within walking distance). Spring Launch didn't do much for me, but if what some have said is true, and they improve the Launches, then I"m willing to give it a try. :)
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!Well I guess I am blessed that I live less than 3 hours from a location ... but the transportation alone is more expensive than conference, believe it or not, because the Mega Bus doesn't go there.I agree we should make lemonade ...I think we do need to tell them what we want in a Fall Launch. If they don't offer breakouts and something more interesting than those cookie-cutter group sessions, I'm not going. I would have loved to have gone back the last few years but financially and time-wise it was not in the cards and was REALLY looking forward to it this summer. If my hospitality cluster does a caravan in the summer and maybe rents a hotel room I will consider it. Otherwise ... not happening. And we do get horrible blizzards in the winter and it's harder for me to take a random Friday off in February. In July I'd likely be on vacation anyway.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!
kcmckay said:
I have to say this kind of stinks! :( :( :( I love going to Chicago! My director and I had already planned on giving ourselves extra days for more time to sight see! I love leadership is back and now I need to promote to Director to go there but am bummed about not getting to walk the stage etc!

I do however, understand the reasoning behind it but it is a bummer! Might just have to plan a July trip to Chicago just for fun! :)
Click to expand...

You would get to walk at leadership.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!The city of Chicago is probably weeping right now. The hotels and the convention center and everyone else they hired...ouch.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!At first my jaw hit the floor like everyone else when I heard the news. But we only had about 5000 people in Chicago last year and 2.5x that many attended one of the launches. I love that more people will be touched by Home Office visits then ever before. Also, You will be surprised at the difference in travel costs when traveling in September verses July (the height of the summer). Also, Denver is a hub for many airlines. I am personally excited about the change now as I will be able to attend more events with my team. Ususally it is just 3 or 4 of us that go to conference. I am planning to get a couple of rooms at a local hotel where we can all stay after the launches so we can have fun rehashing everything that occurred.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!My best friend just moved to Chicago and I was excited making all these plans with her about Conference. Now I'm bummed. But I completely understand the reasons of switching to this and I'm looking forward to it. I know it won't have the same "magic" about it and I am sad not to be able to meet other Cheffer buddies from all over the country. But this way more people can attend and be excited about their businesses. I enjoyed our Spring Launches and am looking forward to a Fall one. Going to Chicago is a huge time and money commitment, so this is a great way for everyone to be able to go.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!
esavvymom said:
Katie- you don't have to be a director...not that it isn't a great goal! You can go as a TEAM LEADER!!! :)

After thinking more about it, I can understand the "why". I just hope that occasionally they DO go to Chicago. I love the ease of getting around in Chicago and the amount of things to do in a small area (and within walking distance). Spring Launch didn't do much for me, but if what some have said is true, and they improve the Launches, then I"m willing to give it a try. :)
Click to expand...

I know I don't HAVE to promote I just want to is what I meant and at least need to maintain TL status since none of my 3 recruits were active last month and 1 has yet to qualify (signed in April) and the other is probably not coming back to business, but I plan to work on her. So I need to continue recruiting and we'll see. I'm definitely planning to go to leadership!
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!Well, I was thinking this might be better for me because Chicago is a long way from Oklahoma...but, I just looked at the list and the closest city for Fall Launch is 8 hrs and for the Spring Launch it is 10-11. It was only about 13 to Chicago, so still puts me having to fly. No cities in Oklahoma or Arkansas...kinda stinks. We have lots of consultants here too.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!Man... Just read about the conference. See what happens when I am not around? LOL
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!
heather223 said:
I had very mixed emotions about this when I first heard about it on the call Friday. Then Jean explained the decision and I immediately got over being sad. I am very excited about it. I am happy more of my team will have the opportunity to attend the events. I was also sad about Leadership not being in Chicago. Jean explained that many of us asked to have it at different locations each year and also that the travel expenses are less. It is very expensive to fly to Chicago.

I love the idea that we will not have 2-3 events a year to get motivated! It will keep us going!

I am so excited about the changes!
Click to expand...

Heather, if you think Chicago is expensive, you should know that Denver is one of the most expensive hubs in the country.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!I will definitely miss Chicago. I only get to see many of my CS friends at NC, and lots of you aren't eligible for Leadership. Plus, as one person mentioned, the teachers who PC won't be likely to be able to attend Leadership. For those who love the pomp and ceremony of NC but aren't interested in moving up the ladder, I know this is a disappointment.However, I'm really excited about the idea of more people being able to experience the fun of a HO event. I'll be attending everything. That's right. Everything. I'll be in Toledo on February 4, and Columbus on July 28. And, of course, I'll be in Colorado in September. I'll be wearing my CS button and looking for Cheffers. :D
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!Not just teachers, but parents as well will be affected. School will only be in session for my area for 2 weeks. It will be hard to find a sitter to get my daughter ready for school and then off the bus. Oh well, it is what it is. I wish they would have kept well enough alone, but what can you do. Rae, me and my group will also be in Toledo and Columbus! I'm hoping it is going to me more a "national conference" environment, with workshops, etc. If I have to "turn to my neighbor" to role play much longer I'm going to go batty.

Do we know yet where this is going to be held in Denver? My sister in law lives in Denver so I was thinking of staying with her if I can swing going out there.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!I loved my very first conference this year and was blown away! I'm sad that this was my first and last NC in Chicago. That said, I hated having to sit all the way in the back and not be more blown away during the big presentations. I was naive when I was shooshed away from a 'saved seat' although I was at the front of the line. I was determined to just sit down next year and let people save seats around me! LOL I also loved rubbing elbows with nationwide leaders. I'm happy in some aspects, but sad in others. I'm just hoping that this is the right decision by the HO.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!Chefsteph07, they might have said on the call where it will be, but if they did I don't remember.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!I've always liked the smaller trainings more than conference for learning. Conference was a get-away for me. I was disappointed when I sat in that general session this year and had to watch a tv screen to know what was going on. I can buy a training DVD and watch it at home and be more comfortable.
I've been to Director Express three times and told Cora Fischer I was her fan club following her around the country.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!I have to agree on the big screen thing. Also, I was thinking the other day, when you take away the hours we sit for the promotion recognition and Excellence Awards, and some of the goofy stuff, which don't get me wrong, helped break up the monotony of the rest.....but how much are you rule left with? Probably not much different than what we get at Spring Launch!
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!When you figure that NC was what, Five 1 hour sessions you get basically 5 hours of training tops. Then of course about 1 or 2 hours hours of time for product and new consultant promo info and you get a day. I intend to make the most of it by looking at it like I AM attending NC. We never attended everything, saw everything nor did we see everyone in the three days anyway and this simply makes it more focused on the training end and not the pomp circumstance part. There is still recognition, just not as much time spent on it as it will now be regional rather than country wide. Not that I think no one deserves to be recognized for their achievements as I certainly do but personally, after an hour, I always wish it were over with. I think everyone will find SL and FL as exciting as we did with NC. Even more so because NC will not be there. I will say this. Even though we always seemed to lately have a very poor turn out for the CS get together, I will miss that the most.
 
Re: What?!?!?!?!
Even though we always seemed to lately have a very poor turn out for the CS get together, I will miss that the most.
Click to expand...
Me, too, John.
 
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