What can I do now to prepare for National Conference 2010?

[dkitten13]

I can't wait to get home to search my mail...I just tried to sign on to Expedia and it said I don't have an account. I am just baffled. So frustrating!

 

[NooraK]

Most likely you have been issued an e-ticket, and will just need your ID. Having the email confirmation is handy, but not absolutely necessary. You could also try calling the airline you'll be flying on to confirm.

 

[Ginger428]

I can't wait to get home to search my mail...I just tried to sign on to Expedia and it said I don't have an account. I am just baffled. So frustrating!

I'm almost sure when you go to the airport, when you go to your flight, they will have all the info, you just have to show them your ID....HTH

 

[etteluap70PC]

Deb,
While Noora and Ginger are correct please do not wait till you get to the airport to confirm your ticket. I am sure allis fine but it is worth getting your ducks in a row!

 

[dkitten13]

I got it all worked out, thanks! I called Expedia and they re-mailed me the confrimation. They advised printing it and brining it to the airport. I also learned of the charge to check a bag - no kidding! My how times have changed. I hope I can weigh my bag ahead of time but I don't plan to over pack.

 

[raebates]

To make sure your weight is accurate, you can take your baggage to your nearest post office (or the nearest friendly post office--I've heard stories). They have very accurate scales. Make sure you're a little under just to be sure.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 8. There are only 8 days left until the start of Wave 3!

Only one week! Don’t forget to take address labels with you. Some speakers will have handouts. Sometimes they run low. You’ll want to make sure they have your address, and a sheet of address labels is easy to carry and use. You can make things even easier by bringing a few self-addressed envelopes. That way you can just write on the back what you want them to send.

 

[janetupnorth]

Today is July 8. There are only 8 days left until the start of Wave 3!

Only one week! Don’t forget to take address labels with you. Some speakers will have handouts. Sometimes they run low. You’ll want to make sure they have your address, and a sheet of address labels is easy to carry and use. You can make things even easier by bringing a few self-addressed envelopes. That way you can just write on the back what you want them to send.

Ah Rae...did we leave you behind? It's Thursday in Wisconsin dear.

 

[Ginger428]

HUH?????

Ah Rae...did we leave you behind? It's Thursday in Wisconsin dear.

 

[NooraK]

HUH?????

Rae's update says today is July 8th...

 

[raebates]

Oops! That's what happens when I try to do 7 things at once. Sic is clearly my limit. For the record . . . Today is July 9. There are only 7 days left until the start of Wave 3.

 

[ChefMichele1]

Ok, so I've been off of this site for a few days and am not sure if Rae has gotten to this tip yet or not, but since the cost of those traveling by air keep going up I thought I would throw in a tip. First, I'm assuming they are still having "surprise boxes" at conference. For those newbies, those are different priced boxes packed with discontinued merchandise with double the value. Since they give us a conference bag, plus paperwork plus merrill merchandise to purchase plus paperwork to purchase (you get the idea), there's a lot of "extras" to carry. Open up your surprise boxes, decide what you're keeping and what you're trading, put in your "extra" purchases and items into the box before you bring it to the FedEx counter to have it shipped home. It's a lot cheaper than paying for an extra heavy bag at the airport

 

[raebates]

Today is July 10. There are only 6 days left until the start of Wave 3.Check out the weather report for Chicago. This will help you narrow down your packing choices. One place you can check is: National Weather homepage . (If you’re having trouble with that link, here’s the address:noaa.govRight now they're predicting a high of 81 and cloudy with possible storms on Wednesday, sunny with a high of 81 on Thursday.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I am so so so so excited! Whooo hooo!

 

[raebates]

I am so so so so excited! Whooo hooo!

Me, too! I can hardly wait.

 

[PampMomof3]

I am so excited and only have NC on the brain! Can't wait to go!

 

[pampcheflisa]

I am so excited and only have NC on the brain! Can't wait to go!

Me too!!!
My husband is highly annoyed with me right now, b/c it's ALL I'm talking about!!! I can't wait to meet you ladies!!

 

[ChefMichele1]

Me too!!!
My husband is highly annoyed with me right now, b/c it's ALL I'm talking about!!! I can't wait to meet you ladies!!

My husband has learned to ignore me the week prior to conference now. . . it's the only way he doesn't go crazy Gotta love PC. . .it turns us into complete junkies:love:

 

[ChefMichele1]

Do any of you know if we get any kind of info about walking the stage, career luncheon, etc prior to conference? I'm assuming everything is in our Welcome Packet when we get there, but I'm gettting anxious. This is the first time I'm going that I'm actually not just "following the herd" and going to different lunches, trainings and walking the stage. Kinda intimidating for me. Also, can't remember, when do they take out the $$$ for conference from our account? I paid with some pc $$$ and don't see anywhere else that they took $ out from my accounts. I've been to 2 NC's, 1 Leadership and 1 New Director Academy and still seem oblivious. I NEED HELP

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Do any of you know if we get any kind of info about walking the stage, career luncheon, etc prior to conference? I'm assuming everything is in our Welcome Packet when we get there, but I'm gettting anxious. This is the first time I'm going that I'm actually not just "following the herd" and going to different lunches, trainings and walking the stage. Kinda intimidating for me. Also, can't remember, when do they take out the $$$ for conference from our account? I paid with some pc $$$ and don't see anywhere else that they took $ out from my accounts. I've been to 2 NC's, 1 Leadership and 1 New Director Academy and still seem oblivious. I NEED HELP

When did you sign up for conference? I paid for mine w/ Conference Club - it was taken out in Apr when I registered for conference. Then, in May, I was reimbursed $100 for the Apr. Conf. promo.

You will get detailed info on all activities in your conference packet when you register once you get there.

 

[ChefMichele1]

There's the mystery. . . you r so smart. I paid partly with pc $$$ so I have been looking in my statement (from back in May) for the remaining amount, but the math didn't add up. I totally forgot to factor in Conference Club. Like I said, I've done this several times, but yet always forget little details.. . and the extra nerves have started hitting. Thank you so much

 

[raebates]

Me too!!!
My husband is highly annoyed with me right now, b/c it's ALL I'm talking about!!! I can't wait to meet you ladies!!

My husband has learned to ignore me the week prior to conference now. . . it's the only way he doesn't go crazy Gotta love PC. . .it turns us into complete junkies:love:

Imagine how much more annoying we'd be if we didn't have CS as an outlet.

I was telling The Furry Guy something the other day and he said (in a slightly whiny voice) "This is about that conference."

I reminded him it will be over soon.

 

[etteluap70PC]

My DH said the same thing to me yesterday when I was going thru major frustration. He just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 11. There are only 5 days left until the start of Wave 3!

If you can, you might want to consider taking your own pillow along. I know that I like my memory foam better than most hotel pillows. I sleep better, making me more wide awake and alert so I can absorb all those great ideas at NC!

 

[janetupnorth]

Rae - How many suitcases do you take?!?!

 

[NooraK]

Thanks for the reminder Rae. I originally bought my memory foam pillow because I was waking up with neck and shoulder pain almost every morning. I'm not sure if I can fit it on this trip (I'm trying to stick to just a carry-on), but I think I'll survive a couple of nights without it.

 

[citymouse]

Hi everyone--

Can't wait for next week! I keep going back and forth over wanting to read spoilers and wanting to wait and be surprised

Last year was my first time at NC, and I met JanetUpNorth (sp?) on the bus to the Home Office Tour (Janet, it's ok if you don't remember, lol). I am taking the first tour again this year and decided to get in the BACK of the line! Last year, they picked one winner from each bus, and the last bus had the fewest people on it, so better odds, right??

I was also so bummed that I waited too long last year to hit Merrill, and by the time I did, there was very little selection left. There were these super cute tote bags (diaper bags maybe?) that were brown and pink...they might have only been in the Director's store...anyone remember? Well the booth opens at 6:30 on Day 1, so you can guess where I'll be!

A resounding "ditto" to whoever mentioned shipping your Surprise Box home--I volunteered to lug 5 of them to my car in McCormick Place. More hassle than the cost to ship!!

Also, as a local Chicagolander, I can tell you the weather this summer has been WEIRD. Like a month behind schedule. We are having June weather now, and next week looks like more of the same--partly sunny and low 80's for Wave 3. Bring an umbrella, and "if you ain't made of sugar, you won't melt in a little rain" as my great aunt used to say

-Amanda

 

[raebates]

Rae - How many suitcases do you take?!?!

One big one. I asked for a good, large suitcase for Christmas a few years ago. It's sturdy, has lots of pockets, and expands. I love it. The pillow is heavy but squishes nicely. Plus,I've gotten really good at packing.

 

[baychef]

I have one big one and it is a Spinner!! I can push it and then catch up with it! IN LOVE with it except when I have to lift it, it is like lifting a lead balloon! Starting to get excited!!

Really concerned because my leg (very bad torn muscle) is healing slower than I expected. (damn old age crap). I am really afraid that I am going to over do it. Will be going to the McCormick Place floor plans to see where the elevators are.

When Citymouse mentioned Merrill, I realized that I might not be able to stand in line like I have in the past.

 

[citymouse]

Ann E, I am *hoping* that there will not be as many nutballs as me in line at 6:30 am on Day 1, fingers crossed! I stood in line for almost an hour last year, and only got a banner and the HWC backpack. Eh.